Sept. 27th

This week has been all about Dylan it seems. His 4th birthday is on Sunday (30th). He wanted to go to a hotel and he wanted to go fishing. So last weekend we took him fishing. Kristian had a sleep over at a friends house last Friday night, so he didn't get to go with us. We took Dylan up to Manitou lake up by Woodland Park. All he really wanted to do was cast the pole and reel it in. By the end of the day he was a pro at it! He had a great time. Afterwards we went to eat and stopped by Old Colorado City for ice cream. Oh and by the way, we didn't catch anything! But it was still fun and RELAXING!

Last night we gave Dylan his birthday gift since we will be gone this weekend. It was a four wheeler. He loves riding ours, so there was no question what to get him. His of course is much smaller than ours, but fits him perfectly, as you can see in the picture. He rode past the sun going down last night and didn't get off until he ran out of gas! It has a kill switch on it, which is why Mike has a leash hooked to it, so he can't get too far away from us. He kept saying he wanted to go as fast as he wanted. But his dad informed him that wasn't happening just yet! He drove really good! I couldn't believe how well he turned and slowed down. I was impressed.

Kristian is doing well too. He is still liking school and hanging out with his friends. His grades are all good, which I hope that they stay that way, because his dad told him if he gets bad grades, he has to get his hair cut the way his dad wants it! So I think his grades will continue to be good. Although I did remind Mike that his hair wasn't that short in school either. I guess I shouldn't have brought that up in front of Kristian though. Ooops!

We are leaving tomorrow to go to Alamosa for the weekend. It is about 4 1/2 hours southwest of here. We are taking the scenic route and hope to see lots of fall colors along the way. We are going to go to the Great Sand Dunes on Saturday. This is the other part of Dylan's birthday to stay in a hotel, so he can't wait! I will have lots of pictures from this weekend to post.

Well I hope that everyone has a great weekend. Until next time....

September 13th

Hey everyone. Hope that this finds you all doing well.

I guess I will start with Labor Day. Mike's parents came in for the weekend. We had a great visit. Mike and his dad drove down to Canon City to pick up a car that his dad was delivering to Wisconsin. While his parents were here, our well went out again. Talk about a bummer! We were set to have people over that weekend for a BBQ, but we had to cancel it. Mike, his dad and I managed to get the water out of the well pit and Mike hooked up new electrical boxes, since the other ones, that we had just replaced two weeks prior, were toast! But in doing so we did get the water back on. So we were only without water for less than 24 hours! On Monday, actual Labor Day, Mike and just sat around and literally did nothing. We were both exhausted from the day before, dealing with the well. We sat outside on the deck, did a bit of drinking :) and just relaxed. It was so nice. I don't think we have done that since our 10 year anniversary. So it was much needed!

Kristian is still enjoying 6th grade. He told us the other day that he had a playing test in band and he got an A+. He was so thrilled.

Last weekend, Kristian had a birthday party to go to, so it was just me, Mike and Dylan. We went into town and Mike shopped for some new tools, he actually had a list! After that we had lunch and then went for a hike at a local park. I wish I would've had my camera, but... After that we went grocery shopping and then headed home. On Sunday I was going to mow the grass, but it was so cold out. I think the high for that day was in the 50's. I did manage to mow for about an hour and a half, but that was pretty much my limit. Luckily the grass doesn't look all that bad. Mike had plans to work out in the shop on Sunday, but his work had other plans. He was on call and like always, he got called in. He was not happy about it, but it is his job. So what can you do?

Dylan's 4th birthday is coming up on the 30th. I think instead of having a party we are just going to go away for the weekend. We asked him what he would rather do, a party or stay in a hotel. He said stay in a hotel. That's my boy!! Not that I don't enjoy putting together a party and having everyone out, it will be nice for a change.

I am finally getting to have my Pampered Chef party on Saturday. It was supposed to be a month ago, but that is when our well went out the first time and I had to reschedule it. Luckily the majority of everyone could still make it, so that was good. I felt horrible that I had to cancel it, but? I think Mike is going to be delivering a car for a guy out of Canon City this weekend. The same guy his dad delivered a car for. Luckily he only has to take it to Denver though.

Well I guess that is it. I don't have any pictures to post this time. Sorry about that. I will try to take some for next time. Have a great weekend.

August 29th

I can't believe it is almost Labor day! And that it has been almost a month since I have been on here... where to begin...

Kristian started 6th grade and he is loving it. They switch classes every 50 minutes. He really likes that. He has not one bad thing to say about it. Although the first day of school his lock did get stuck on his locker and he couldn't get back in it, but that has been fixed. He is taking band again this year and still playing the bass guitar. We went to Open House the other night and his teachers had nothing but good things to say about him, so that made us feel really proud of him.

Mike has been going back and forth to California the last month. He had a trip there the first week of August and another one the 3rd week, but it keeps him busy. Work seems to be going good for him right now.

Dylan is doing great. He is loving having Rebecca and Jacob over during the week! So far this year the two older ones, (Dylan and Rebecca), have been getting along. Last year at this time, it was he hit me, she hit me, he pushed me, etc, etc, etc. What a difference a year makes.

I have been busy with watching the kiddos. They keep me on my toes that is for sure. Jacob is walking now and so far hasn't shown much interest in climbing our stairs. I have told him no when I see him going for them, so now every time he walks by them I know because he says, no no no no and tells on himself. We have gotten a lot of rain this month, which has been great, except that the yard needs mowing a lot more than usual. It took me all day Sunday to get everything mowed. I was so ready to be done. I spent Sunday evening sniffling and sneezing. Not to mention waking up with a huge head ache!

I had planned a Pampered Chef party for the 18th, but the day before our well messed up, so I had to postpone it till the 15th of September. I was so bummed. But it is a bit hard to have a get together with no water. We were without water for 2 days, but spent the night at a hotel so we could at least take a shower. They replaced everything but the pump and it came back on, but then two days later we had to reset it again. Knock on wood it hasn't messed up anymore.

Last weekend we went to Cheyenne Canon in town. It is so beautiful there and lots of places to hike. There is also a water fall, which was so pretty. We ended up hiking for about 2 hours and letting the boys play in the water. They had so much fun. Afterwards we went to Old Colorado City to the ice cream creamery and had, what else, ice cream. It was a great day!

Well I guess that should about catch everyone up on our goings on. I never did find the pictures from our trip to Oklahoma. Mike said he saved them on the computer, but?? But I do have pictures this time.

I hope everyone has a great Labor Day weekend. Enjoy the last weekend of summer!

Pictures are of Kristian on his first day of school, the boys by the water fall, the boys resting on the hike where Dylan is being his usual silly self and then one of Mike and Dylan.

Our July and Start of August

I will start where I left off many moons ago...





Our trip back to Oklahoma went great. It was uneventful as far as the suburban was concerned. We had a great time visiting with everyone. We had the chance to go and visit my grandma in Bonham where the boys were able to do some fishing with my Uncle Gary. We took them garage selling and to Trades Day. They each had a dollar and in the first few minutes of Trades Day had already spent it. The boys had lots of fun with their cousins and spent most of their time playing in the water, since it was so hot there. They were not ready to come home, but... all good things must come to an end.





The day after I got back my suburban broke down on us! I couldn't believe it. I was so thankful that it waited until my trip was over. It turned out to be the fuel pump, which is what happened with our other one. We are two for two now and doubt that our next vehicle will be a suburban.





My brother rode back with us and spent the next week with us. His girlfriend, who lives a few hours away, came up too. We had a great time. We hung out, went to the movies and went to Manitou Springs for the day. The boys really enjoyed having Matt around. He is like a big kid. He took Dylan for rides on the 4 wheeler anytime he asked. Once Dylan fell asleep on it, but of course woke right up when it stopped.





I decided to do some painting inside the house. I painted our room and then did an accent wall in the dining room. It turned out really good. Mike said he wasn't helping at all, which was fine. I only needed him to help move furniture anyway! He has spent a lot of time working out on the '56 wagon. He just about has it ready for sandblasting. I can tell he is getting very excited about it. Every weekend he goes out and takes pictures of the progress!



Last Friday, Mike and I had a date night. We went out to dinner with some friends and walked around downtown. We were going to go see the new Bourne movie, with Matt Damon, but it was all sold out. So we just came home. It was still nice because it was just Mike and I at the house, which hardly ever happens. On Saturday we went and picked the boys up around noon and took Tracy's kids for a while.

Mike left yesterday for San Jose California. He comes back tomorrow evening, so not too long of a trip.



I started back to watching Tracy's kids today. I can't believe the summer is over!! Where did it go? Kristian starts back to school on Monday. He had to go get two shots yesterday and did just fine. His arms are a little sore today, but not too bad. He now weighs 95 lbs and is half an inch away from being 5 foot! 5 more inches away from being as tall as I am! Yikes!

The pictures are of the rooms I painted. I had pictures of our trip home, but for some reason they aren't on my card. I figure Mike unloaded them somewhere on my computer to make room for his car pictures. I will find out and add them later.

Have a great week!

Happy Fourth of July

I hope that this finds you all safe and sound. I hope that you all had a very Happy Fourth of July.

WE did!

On Sunday I decided that since Mike was going to be going out of town for a week to Germany, that the boys and I would go home and see everyone. We are leaving bright and shiny in the morning to go to Oklahoma. We are going to stay for two weeks. My brother is supposed to ride back with us and spend a week here. We are driving home and hopefully will have an uneventful trip this time. (last time we broke down!) That is the reason I am blogging today. Since I will be gone, I won't have the opportunity to blog until then. But the flip side is I will have lots to share and lots of pictures to post too. So until then, I hope everyone stays safe and continues to enjoy your summer! See you soon.

The pictures are of Max relaxing in his bath. I have never seen a dog that actually liked to take a bath, btw, he is riding home with us tomorrow too! Please keep me in your prayers, a dog, two boys and a 13 hour car trip! Need I say more? The others are from our fourth of July. We went to some friend's house for a get together and then let the kids do some fireworks tonight. Dylan and Kristian actually lit some themselves!

June 30th

Wow, it has been only a week and I am back on here!

We have had a great week. Last Saturday, I went to afternoon tea with Cat at the Broadmoor. It was so nice and relaxing. I really did enjoy it and can see myself going more often.

On Wednesday, Tracy and I took the kids to the zoo in Colorado Springs. It was a perfect day. Not too hot! Which it still hasn't really been this summer. The kids had a great time. Dylan even fed the giraffes. I didn't think he would, but he held the crackers up there for the giraffe to stick its LONG tongue out and eat them. I was surprised. Kristian was disappointed because he didn't get to see the otters. Those are his favorites and we never did get to see them. After the zoo we went to lunch and I did a few errands in town.

On Thursday Cat and the kids came out for lunch and to visit. She bought everything for lunch, including dessert! It was so nice. The kids spent pretty much all afternoon on the trampoline. I know they were exhausted! That evening me and boys went to Russell's baseball game, they won! We had a great time.

On Friday, I met up with Cat and the kids for lunch at Fargos. After that we went to the mall and did some shopping.

On Saturday we hung out here at the house. Mike had a guy come by to pick up some things he sold on Craigslist. He also finally got to use his new welder. He had to go into work for a few hours later in the day. After that me and the kids met up with him to grab some dinner. We went to Wahoo's and sat outside. It was a perfect night. I ran by Target after that and then we headed home.

Today we are just hanging out here too. Mike is welding again, the boys are playing and I am straightening up the house. I hope to get to go mow some today. Mike replaced my blades on the lawnmower the other day. Needless to say, the other ones were beyond repair. I guess I ran over too many things that I shouldn't have. Oops...

I hope you all have a Happy and Safe Fourth of July! Until next time...

The pictures are of me getting ready for tea with Cat. The others are of the trip to the zoo.

June 21st

Sorry for the delay... My computer crashed and it took Mike all weekend to get it up and running. Thank goodness he did. I was about to go crazy without it!

So space camp went really well. Kristian had a great time, as did I. The hotel had a water park inside of it, instead of just the typical pool. The kids spent a lot of time in there. At the camp they got the watch a movie on the Imax screen and also go to the planetarium, plus see a lot of stuff about space. The trip was a big step for both Kristian and I. He was staying in his own room with his 3 friends and I was on a separate floor. It was hard not to be with him every second and make sure he was doing what he was supposed to be doing. But it was good because it showed me just how grown up he actually is and that he DOES listen when he needs too!

I just got back from a trip to Vegas with my youngest sister Kim. We went for our birthdays and had a great time. It is definitely not a place for kids. Although there are a lot of things that the kids would enjoy seeing, there are also a lot of things that the kids don't need to see and it is everywhere you go. Kim and I got a free upgrade on our room. We went from a regular room to a 1400 square foot suite on the 28Th floor. It had 3 huge windows and an awesome view of the Vegas strip. When we finally got to our room at 1:30 in the morning, (both of our planes were late), we just sat and watched the town. We ended up going to bed around 3:30. We just couldn't get over the room and the view and the fact of where we were. I didn't do too bad at the casino, but I didn't do that well either. There was once that I should've cashed out a lot sooner and I didn't. But oh well. We saw so many things, including an Elvis impersonator. We did a ton of walking trying to take everything in. There is so much to see.

Mike enjoyed his time here with the boys. They did a lot of running around and cleaning out the shop. I know Mike is thrilled to have that done. He has so much more room in there now. He has been listing a lot of car parts on EBay to try to get rid of some of the stuff.

I know there are other things that have happened, but this was all I could think of. I apologize for not keeping up as well as I had been, I will try to do better. Hope everyone is having a great summer. Stay safe!

The pictures are from space camp; the water park, Kristian and his friend Zack, Kristian on the lazy river and the group who attended. There was 61 kids who went. The pictures from Vegas are, pictures of our suite. The wall by the bathtub actually opened and closed, so you could sit in the tub and watch TV! There is also a picture of the view from our room, the Bellagio fountains and the lobby at Caesar Palace.