cGs family blog

Trains, Trains, Trains

2010-04-14T12:10:00.004-05:00

Colton loves Thomas and anything to do with trains. So on a daily basis he interjects terms he hears from watching Thomas into his daily talk. End of July we're so excited to take him the Lakeville, MN to spend a 'Day with Thomas' and ride Thomas the Train and other activities. Can't wait to see how excited he's going to be! This Saturday Toys R Us is having a Thomas play date and story time.

Red lights are 'signals'
4-way stops are 'junctions'.
Turns in the road are 'bends'.
Sharper turns in the road are 'difficult bends'.
Tells me I need to 'apply my brakes' when I come to a 'bend' in the road.
After a bath he is 'shiny and clean'.
The driveway is 'Gordan's Hill'.

Things Colton says

2010-04-14T11:59:00.003-05:00

'Did you have a long day?' 'No, I had a medium day.'
You're my best girl. (Said to mommy.)
Daddy and Colton on your best boys. (Said to mommy.)
Always says Daddy and Colton are best friends and he's a BIG boy and nothing else.
Buys things with 'monies' and 'tickets'.
'I got a runny nose.' 'Do you want a kleenex?' 'No, I will just use your shirt.'
LOVES Thomas the Tank Engine and anything to do with trains.
After gettting my hair done, he told me I looked 'beeeauuutiful.'

Halloween

2009-11-04T08:40:00.001-06:00

What's new...

2009-11-04T07:49:00.003-06:00

We've been busy, busy these last couple months... packing, unpacking, organizing, potty training and settling and adjusting into our new surroundings. I'm liking the convenience of everything, but missing the outdoor space we had at the farm. Chuck and Colton really miss the farm. Hopefully some day we can have a place with land and that's close to town. As you can see Colton has a love for trains or maybe more like an obsession... we now have a small fortune in his train collection... all of which he carries in his red backpack (or as he calls it, his packpack) which at this point must weight as much as he does!

SOLD

2009-08-03T09:11:00.002-05:00

I feel like I've said that before... oh, wait I have! We accepted an offer on the house on Saturday... it took less than a week to sell. Yeah! It went on the MLS Monday night, we had 2 showings Tuesday, one each on Wed and Thurs and 2 on Friday. There was going to be a showing on Saturday as well, but they chose not to come out after we told them we had accepted an offer. It's all about timing that's for sure! We just have to get through the home inspection and appraisal... we've been through this before so there shouldn't be too many surprises and we're looking at a Sept 18 closing if all goes right. For now we're going to rent a house until we start the building process this spring. We have an opportunity for a great lot in West Fargo very close to my work. Both Chuck and I feel less rushed into building if we wait until spring and can do what we want and get what we want in our house. Exciting times!

Something new

2009-07-09T08:17:00.005-05:00

Sitting on his potty... 'I need to get the cookies out'.
Trying to fix his DVD player... 'We have a problem'.
'You happy?'
'Umm, Mommy/Daddy?'
'Daddy needs to get his butt home.' (Learned that one from mommy waiting for him to come home from work.)
'Hi everybody!'
Loves to eat/make a peanut butter 'sammich'.
Waves and says 'hi' to everyone in the store.
Tells me his going to be a nice boy in the store before we actually get in the store. (A question he's been asked plenty of times before by mommy.)
Can buckle his carseat by himself.
Tells me everyday after I pick him up that he's not getting a haircut and the car doesn't need a shower.
Fills the dog bowls with food by himself and knows each one gets 3 scoops.

Summer Time

2009-07-07T09:18:00.005-05:00

Playing outside, birthdays, 4th of July... keeping busy this summer!

Colton's 3 year pictures

2009-06-11T10:26:00.005-05:00

Check out Colton's 3 year old pictures... we love them. The only question is, isn't the child suppose to have the double chin and not the mommy? When did that happen? He had them taken on May 31 in downtown Fargo. He was quite the busy boy and we did as he asked that morning. My little boss... I love you!!

http://www.susiebphoto.com/ click on proofing tab, password: shawnag The photographer blogged on the session as as well and hit the nail on the head.

**Someone got a haircut last night and daddy was able to see first had how much his little boy HATES his hair cut. Thought we'd bring daddy with to see if he would do better with him instead of mommy. No such luck.... hopefully we'll outgrow this dislike. Haircuts and carwashes are big 'NO's in Colton's world.

Wonderful day

2009-06-11T10:16:00.003-05:00

On Colton's birthday we went to the park in the morning and played for about an hour and after daycare Mommy and Colton went for an ice cream treat. It was delicious! When we got home we played outside in his new playhouse for his birthday from Mommy and Daddy and hit a couple golf balls around the yeard. Later, when Daddy got home we lit some candles and sang Happy Birthday to the birthday boy! (3x)

Celebration

2009-06-11T09:48:00.009-05:00

Celebration at Happy Joe's and a few candles and cupcakes at home.... a great time!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COLTON!

2009-06-09T13:54:00.003-05:00

Happy birthday to my little buddy, Colton who turns 3 today! We played at the park this morning and we'll go for our annual ice cream treat when I pick him up at 4:00pm. He had a great party on Sunday with lots of family sharing his day and played lots of games. It was a great time. He was a busy boy as usual! I love you pal! You are the most spirited, determined, playful, energentic boy I know and I wouldn't have it any other way! LOVE YOU, LOVE YOU, LOVE YOU!! Pictures to come...

Not keeping up...

2009-05-20T08:50:00.003-05:00

on my blogging. Not much to write or say.... Need to post some pictures of Colton playing outside. We've been pretty low key lately... except for me who needs to learn how to take a chill pill and relax about EVERYTHING. Can definatly tell Colton is getting close to 3... from what I hear it's worse than the 'terrible two's' and he's following along with what everyone has been saying. He's a busy, busy, spirited boy that I love so very much. I think I've lost all control and he has offically run his Mommy over. Daddy on the other hand....

Looking forward to a wonderful summer and getting Colton's 3rd birthday party plans completed. He's having a cowboy theme this year. Hopefully we'll actually get some summer weather soon. Putting the house on the market again (and hopefully this time get it SOLD) after we get a few more things done to the house (new front deck, kitchen window, cleaning the basement, planting grass and a few more outside chores).

Long time...

2009-05-06T12:22:00.002-05:00

no post. Few pictures of our busy nothings... Making forts, playing with the dogs, doing puzzels, clearing out cupboards to play in and vacuming...

Happy Easter

2009-04-12T08:49:00.002-05:00

Spring/Summer Ready

2009-04-09T07:52:00.002-05:00

Holy crap... I was going through the clothes that I had stuffed in a tote for all of Colton's spring/summer clothes and holy crap does he have a lot of stuff to wear. I didn't realize how much he had because I buy through the course of the year and just throw it in a tote. He is definitely ready to go for spring/summer... as I am! About the only thing we don't really have is summer pj's. Darn it... have to do some more shopping! Think I'll be selling some of the 3T shirts from last summer that he didn't really wear to make room for all the new stuff! And I just ordered some stuff from The Children's Place yesterday... if I would have known what he had I probably would have thought twice about it... oh well... but... Yikes!

Not a whole lot...

2009-04-08T09:04:00.004-05:00

to say or write, which is always good. The roads down by are place are horrible and I will assume will stay that way for many weeks. Still lots of snow on the ground too.

Colton's new things to say are, 'Gimme a hug', 'Gimme me a kiss' or 'Gimme a squeeze'.... which I love.

Pictures

2009-03-26T10:24:00.005-05:00

Water, water, water

2009-03-25T09:52:00.002-05:00

We have lots of water. Yesterday morning as I was getting ready to leave for work (later than usual... waiting for daylight) I noticed the driveway starting to get water. In less than hour the water was up to the fence where we park and getting close to being in the garage. I hurried Colton and I out of there and called Chuck and told him he better head home. I-94 was closed was from Casselton to Oriska so he had to drive the long way around. I got out just in time as the water was as high as the wheel wells on the Escalade. The shed and the garage have water, but the house should be fine as it sits higher. Colton and I are at my parents for the next couple days and Chuck is at home with the dogs keeping an eye on everything. The creek that runs by our house has washed out the road in one direction for us to get out and the other direction is washed out as well in 2 other spots from over land flooding. Our neighbor who has lived in the same house for the last 40 years has said he has never seen the water this bad.

Yesterday afternoon as Chuck was trying to fight the water a semi with a fully loaded trailer came down as far as our house (3 miles on gravel and Chuck was parked on the road because we can't get into the driveway) because he said he was lost and needed to turn around. (Wouldn't you just turn around on the overpass??) Our neighbor up the road by the interstate said he told the driver right way to turn/back up in his driveway but he kept going. Needless to say Chuck was not pleasant with this driver as the roads cannot/could not take the weight. The only alternative was for the driver to back his truck all the way back to the interstate. What an idiot! he's lucky he didn't get stuck and make things 10x worse.

The electricity went out this morning and the only place to purchase one is at a small town nearby for $400. Guess we should have one anyway. Our neighbor is having to go and get it because we can't get down the road to the town and he'll bring it over with the tractor. The only way for Chuck to go anywhere is by 4-wheeler at this point. A dam about 6-7 miles west broke and this has caused the major unexpected and fast water rising. I do have pictures but I have no way to up load them to the computer right now. Because of the snow and ice on the I-29 I made it as far as Gardner this morning and chose to turn around. Not worth the risk... it's just work. I'll post pictures when I can.

Happy St. Patty's Day

2009-03-17T11:09:00.005-05:00

See, I told you...
Looking at a magazine with a turkey on the cover Colton says, 'Mmmm, it's delicious.'
While I was standing in the bathroom Colton walked in and said, 'What's wrong, Mommy?' (Apparently it looked like something was wrong... there wasn't). He said, 'You hurt your butt? Awww.' and then starting patting and rubbing it and then says, 'There it's all better.'
While we were playing with his work bench and drilling screws he says to me, 'You're doing great, Mommy!' Said the same thing while we were coloring, too.
Can spell his name out loud.
He's really starting to get independent with everything. 'Colton do it' is heard often around the house. Opening packages, pulling up his pants, putting on his hat...
Loves to go get bubbles in the tub and put them on my mouth/face. He thinks it's the funniest thing and giggles so hard when he does it, the most I've ever heard him giggle. Thanks to Daddy for teaching him that!
Going to visit the preschool we plan on having him attend next week. It will be on Tues & Thurs from 9-11:30 am starting in September. I think he'll really enjoy it. All we need to do is get him potty trained before then! Aaahh!

Outside

2009-03-14T18:13:00.006-05:00

Chuck getting stuck after that jump... nothing like getting stuck in your own yard.

Colton walking on the the slide...

Trying to pull Renna on the sled.

The snow is as high as my waist on the sides of the sidewalk.

It was nice to spend some time outside for a change. Colton hasn't been outside for an extended amount of time since probably November. He had lots of fun and he went for a snowmobile ride, a short sled ride, 4-wheeler ride and took his tractor out for a drive.

Some new ones...

2009-03-13T10:50:00.004-05:00

Oh, rats!
You're kidding me!
I go first...
No, I do it...
Me, me do it (or me, me help you)
Oh, sh*t (don't know where he got that from and I certainly don't pay attention to it when when he says it, which has only been a few times...)
Hi, girls! (Morgan and Renna)
Be quiet (he has said shut up, but knows not to... to the dogs)

Colton's into arguing back and forth with you... many thanks to Grandma Zuther!

Snow

2009-03-11T10:17:00.007-05:00

Snow almost as high as the swingset... it's as high as the shed in some spots.

Chuck trying to clean out the driveway.

I should have taken a picture yesterday... you couldn't see our neighbor because of all the blowing snow. We could see as far as the first fence.

Nothing new...

2009-03-10T13:22:00.002-05:00

to post. Went to OKC last week for work. The drive wasn't has bad as I thought it was going to be. Always worse on the way back then on the way there. Got plenty of shopping done on the way there, while I was there and on the way back. Ate at The Cheesecake Factory for the first time while in OKC... I love cheesecake! Colton as a cold... runny nose and cough, first time this winter. It's going around so I guess it's our turn. Sitting at home waiting out the blizzard. These are the days I hate living out in the country. No place to go and nothing to do.

Happy Birthday

2009-03-03T09:25:00.004-06:00

Happy Birthday to Chuck! To wonderful husband, daddy and friend have a happy 35th!

A Happy Golden Birthday to Tristen who shares a birthday with Chuck today!

25 Random Facts

2009-02-28T11:23:00.006-06:00

This will be a challenge for me...

1. I have a really good memory for people's birthdays and events.
2. I am only 2 of 6 kids my parents actually planned... the others were blessed surprises.
3. I am a chronic and constant worrier... which I hate!
4. I still have not lost all of my pregnancy weight... 2 1/2 years later. Must have been all those french fries I craved!
5. I would love to continue my education but would have to be teaching to do so.
6. My older sister told me to put my tongue on our propane tank one winter when I was 5 or so and I did... it stuck and she pulled it off. She got in trouble and my dad made me a root beer float to make me feel better... I still have a scar on my tongue.
6. I have a scar above one of my eyes from my cat Bootsie. I was sleeping on the floor and he ran across the living and across my face. (Oh and he actually used to fetch bouncy balls we would throw down the stairs).
7. When I was in elementary school, particularly during my 4th and 5th grade years, I was called a boy more than once... I had really short hair those years. Ex. Trying to use the womens bathroom & a letter written to my solider pen pal in Saudi Arabia, he wrote back saying 'what a handsome young man' I was!
8. I tore my left ACL skiing at Big Sky my senior year of high school.
9. I hate flying and I'm not comfortable in the water. I enjoy the land.
10. I met Chuck at the place I worked during college.. my dad got me the job my freshman year of college.
11. I hate calling and making appointments or calling and asking for information. I used to (and still do occasionally) have my mom and my older sister do this for me!
12. I hate (loathe is a better word) the phone... unfortunately this has been the main duty of every job I've ever had.
13. I can't wait to move back into town... I'm sick of all the driving.
14. I never knew I liked dogs as much as I do until I met Chuck.
15. I'm very sensitive and take everything personally.
16. I have a bit of OCD... Some ex. I like things in even #'s or in even groups of #'s, my clothes all face the same way in groups according to style, rewrite letters or lists with no scribbles (I believe my son is taking after me in the department as well).
17. I like to recycle but I find it really difficult living out in the country.
18. I hate cooking... good thing Chuck can cook!
19. I like to eat cube cheese... but my stomach doesn't like it.
20. I love Ranch Doritos and could eat a whole big bag in one sitting if I had the time.
21. I always pick out my clothes before I go to bed & pick up the house before I leave for any place.
22. When I home on the weekends I'm usually in same outfit all weekend long.
23. I make lists for everything, almost everyday.
24. I have an older 1/2 brother and sister but never see them.
25. I look exactly like my mom.
26. BONUS: I would love to know how to play the piano.

This took me a really long time!

Nothing is better...

2009-02-27T19:42:00.002-06:00

than playing with your tools... naked!

Colton Talk, again

2009-02-24T14:09:00.004-06:00

Pooter (computer) I told Chuck it sounds like a dirty word!
I told him his hat was too small and he told me it was 'medium'. (Didn't know he knew there was a middle.) Apparently he didn't think it was too small or too big because he knows what those words mean was well.
'I can't reach.'
'It's missing.'(when only having one sock, shoe, or mitten on)
'It's okay.'
'Daddy be back soon...'
When going over a bridge... it's a 'troll bridge'
Calls an orange and 'orange apple'
He's the manner police in our house and is VERY good about using his manners. Excuse me, thank you, please, you're welcome, bless you...
When playing with a cube about 3"x3" he lays on the floor and puts the cube to his head and says, 'I'm too big, I can't fit.' He'd be lucky if his hand fit in the cube. You had to be there...

Hide & Seek

2009-02-24T13:57:00.005-06:00

Colton playing Hide & Seek... I didn't know he knew how to stand and wait for the person to hide until last night. Something Chuck taught him I guess... now if he would just count to 10 himself like I know he can...

Weekends work...

2009-02-22T14:40:00.003-06:00

We colored, we read, we watched TV and we made many towers (with blocks and markers)... all in a weekends work for a 2 1/2 year old.

Proud Mommy

2009-02-17T18:47:00.003-06:00

Uno, Doce...

2009-02-17T13:46:00.006-06:00

Colton knows how to count in Spanish up to 10... surprised me while were counting letters on his whiteboard yesterday. Made Mommy very proud but I can't take the credit, my thanks to Handy Manny... :) Chuck says he already officially knows something his daddy doesn't!

Our Little Trip

2009-02-16T08:13:00.012-06:00

Driving around Walker.

Chuck loves to play a few video games... he's still such a kid!

Ready to go out to eat our Valentine's Day supper. I made Chuck dress up...

Sitting in the bar at the 502 having a beer after supper.

Playing a few games of darts.

That should say '0'... I beat Chuck the 2nd of three games, doesn't happen often!

This side of the Legion was empty where we were playing darts, the other side was packed... it was the restaurant side where they were serving a supper special I guess. It was nice to have this all to ourselves.

Relaxing in the spa.

We had such a good time. We arrived about 5:30 and checked in and walked around. The hotel was completely redone and large with a spa and bowling alley. We went down the road to the casino and had supper and played some slots. Lost everything we played... reasons why neither of us like gambling. Saturday morning we got up early and went for breakfast and drove around Walker. We decided to go to Bemidji and did a little shopping and headed to Park Rapids to see a movie. It just so happened the one and only movie playing was the we wanted to see just as we arrived. (Mall Cop) After the movie we went back to our room where we were going to go bowl but it was $60/hr... yikes! Had supper at the 502 (the restaurant in the hotel) and enjoyed a few games of darts at the American Legion across the street and then went for a dip in the jacuzzi afterwards. Nice room, nice times, nice town... looking forward to coming back Labor Day weekend for 3 days!

Happy V-Day!

2009-02-14T10:00:00.000-06:00

Everyone have a nice Valentine's Day!

XOXO,
Chuck, Shawna & Colton

The Eye

2009-02-13T10:23:00.003-06:00

Colton's black eye...

Chase on the Lake

2009-02-12T09:46:00.003-06:00

This is where Chuck and I will be staying this weekend...

http://www.chaseonthelake.com/

What I did this weekend...

2009-02-08T08:40:00.002-06:00

*UPDATED* Made many pillow tunnels, hit my eye on the toy box (now I have a black eye), painted, took only hour naps (not normal), played with trucks and rice, vacumed, made Valentine's cookies, 'helped' with the laundry, played with 'taydoh' (play-doh), didn't eat worth a darn and drove my Mommy crazy... just a few highlights of my very busy weekend.

Painting

2009-02-06T11:02:00.007-06:00

My Colton painting... we've been on a roll all morning long.

-------------------------------------

On a different note... Chuck has an ulcer which has been causing all his problems. My worrying about that can be done. He has to go to see his doctor to get a stress test done to figure out the cause of the ulcer and his higher blood pressure. He can now can go back and get his DOT medical and start driving again.

More Snowmobiling

2009-02-01T11:49:00.006-06:00

Chuck jumping his sled...

Shaun jumping...

Went snowmobiling yesterday with 5 others around the Wild Rice and Davenport area for about 6 hours. The temperature was quite different from last weekend. -12 vs 38... the trails were nice but the snow was so sticky I had a harder time controlling my sled. Others didn't seem to have much of a problem, but most were way more experienced than me. Colton stayed at Grandma and Papa's house and apparently kept Papa quite busy telling him what to do all day and helping fix some kitchen cabinets with his 'scewscribber.'

More about Colton

2009-01-29T11:17:00.003-06:00

So I was visiting with Stephanie today (as usual... almost everyday) and I was talking about Colton and how he can never make up his mind lately and everything he says is opposite of what he's really asking me. (He seems to have trouble with on and off). Apparently this is typical of this age. I ask him if he wants milk or juice and he'll say one and inevitably he'll change his mind as soon as the cup is full and then throw a tantrum. This is not just with his choice of beverage... it's with everything. I go to put on his mittens or boots and I seem to always choose the wrong foot or hand to start with.... it's a battle every morning to get dressed and every evening when I got to pick him up from daycare. Verbally he getting better everyday and has an unbelievable memory. He has picked up his mommy and daddy's bad snack habits and loves chips (or as he calls them, 'crackers'). He doesn't like to be a dirty diaper, which hopefully means potty training is around the corner. Certainly not something I'm going to force and hoping happens easily. He'll either be really easy or fight me every step... I'll just be happy is he's not wearing diapers to kindergarten! (j/k)

I love him!

Colton Talk

2009-01-27T07:39:00.003-06:00

I poopeded again!
Almost there!
I got it!
I (we) did it!
I love pizza, candy, bananas etc.
I got you!
Scewscribber (screwdriver)
I want some 'special' pizza. (Not sure why it's 'special')
What does Daddy got? (Usually Laffy Taffy)
Better change you... (Wants his diaper changed)
That scare me!
Lets read the books...
It's the 'BIGGEST' one...
Brrr it's cold...
Stay nice and warm... (when he is getting changed and his shirt is off he wants to be held)

For Your Enjoyment

2009-01-26T13:55:00.007-06:00

Result of last year's big spill... reasons why I was so cautious this first time out this year... Still feeling the effects of it today...

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

This is our sign outside the shop in West Fargo... (in case anyone was curious)

Snowmobiling

2009-01-25T08:06:00.002-06:00

Chuck and I got out snowmobiling yesterday with two other guys. It was the first time for me after the big spill last year. Took me a while to get comfortable riding again, but by the end all was good. Had some issues with the tips of my fingers freezing on the start of every ride after we took breaks, but with a minute of stopping and getting them warmed up, I was able to get back into it with no problems. The trails were really nice (compared to last weekend I was told). We went from Wild Rice to Hickson, Christine, Walcott, Horace and back to Wild Rice. Hickson and Walcott have some really nice little bars and we had fun.

Pizza & the Garbage

2009-01-23T18:53:00.003-06:00

Earlier this week we had pizza, not a interesting story in itself. Tonight while I was getting supper ready, I see Cole is eating pizza in the living room with Chuck. Knowing I threw it in the garbage earlier today, I came to the accurate conclusion he took the pizza OUT OF THE GARBAGE and was eating it. Hate to say it, but it was probably the second time he did it because after he got up from his nap he was eating pizza in his TV room and I assumed it was something that was left over in there... not so, I realize. GROSS!! What made him think he needed to dig out of the garbage to eat? Must have wanted pizza pretty bad. Luckily it was on the top... I do feed him even though it may sound and he may act like I don't. Apparently he was more hungery for supper than I thought.

Collage

2009-01-23T18:05:00.004-06:00

I made these digital scrapbook pages off of picnik.com... a new feature for their premium customers. They also have Valentine's cards as well. I also ordered Photoshop Elements 7.0 which I'm way excited about getting. Can't wait to start really editing my pictures.... now I just need to find my flashdrive and get all my pictures off of my work computer.

Colton

2009-01-21T11:16:00.006-06:00

Playing in the tub....

Faux hawk

Playing outside... thought it was the funniest thing to push the throttle and make the sled go (this one isn't ours).

Weekend

2009-01-18T20:59:00.003-06:00

This weekend Colton and I surprised my sister up in Grand Forks for a visit for a couple hours. I probably should have called ahead of time because Samantha had to leave shortly after we got there for a little while. Ashton was kind enough to watch Colton for a hour because he wouldn't leave with me. (Having too much fun playing). I think I spent more time visting with Ashton than Samantha... it was nice visiting with him.... I'm sure he wanted a relaxing day instead of listening to two crazy boys running around and playing. Those two played hard all afternoon and Colton didn't want to leave... he was having too much fun playing with Tristen.

Chuck went on the snowmobile run on Saturday with some of his friends. The ride was not good I guess because the groomer broke and the trails were really rough. Chuck hit a hard bump and bit his lip bad. All was not lost... Chuck won the grand prize of $300... he also won a Yamaha helmet and some Microsoft Office software. The $ will pay for the sleds that were just fixed and I'm going to sell the helmet and software.

At home

2009-01-12T10:31:00.003-06:00

Nothing new to post... stuck home today because of the weather. I may have made it in, but there would have been a big possibility of me not making it back home. It's better not to take the risk.

Chuck is to make his appointment with his doctor and I'll be able to put my mind at ease. Praying I'm worrying about nothing... that this is all a 'Big Nothing'. (A movie title I saw this weekend.) Worrying gets the best of me all the time... I just want to get this week behind me.

Looks the weather will be nice to get the sleds out and participate in SnowJam in Casselton. First time I'll have my sled out and riding it since the 'mishap' last year. Think I'll be taking it really easy.

Today

2009-01-09T17:14:00.002-06:00

Just need some prayers and thoughts for who ever is reading... having a difficult time not worrying about EVERYTHING, jumping to conclusions and going to the extreme. I believe deep down everything is going to be just fine (which I just need to trust that feeling and go with it), but every other part of me is struggling.

Holidays in Pictures

2009-01-03T08:31:00.005-06:00

Happy New Year

2009-01-02T18:11:00.004-06:00

Good times were had at my sister's house and Colton and I enjoyed getting to see her family, including the new baby Lacey. Haven't seen them since May... makes me wish they all lived closer. Colton was a rock star during the trip... he watched his movies and slept and we had no meltdowns during the almost 14 hour trip... yah! We left on Friday and arrived there about 2 am Saturday after a stop at the outlet mall in the cities and left early Wednesday morning and arrived home about 7:30 in the evening. Having four full days there was nice and relaxing. My youngest brother and sister and dad came along too, so it was a house full. Colton and his cousin Kylie are very much alike in personality... two little peas in a pod! I've decided I'm going to try and make more of an effort to visit down there. I've only made the trip a total of 5 times in the almost 9 years Stephanie's moved away and the last time was over 4 years ago when Kylie was born!

Back at home and having almost 2 weeks off, I'm not looking forward to going back to work, ugh.... Took down all the Christmas decorations today and need to do some organizing of everything else.

Merry Christmas Eve

2008-12-24T08:07:00.002-06:00

Yesterday Colton had his picture taken with Santa... Actually, Colton and Mommy had our picture taken with Santa. After the second time through the line and $10.95 for a 4x6, we got an acceptable picture with the man in red. Colton was fine talking to him and giving him high fives with me holding him, but did not want to sit with him. No surprise to me...

Loving all the cards coming in... wish all year was like this. I've got some cookies to frost and a house to clean. We'll be going to Chuck's brother's and then out to Grandin and back home for Colton to open up gifts from mommy and daddy and watch 'A Christmas Story'. One of my favorite! Tomorrow it's open Santa's gifts, church at 10:30 and dinner with my family. Friday Colton and I leave for Stephanie's with a stop in the cities for some shopping. Lots of loading and unloading of the vehicle the next couple days!

Colton talk

2008-12-22T07:44:00.005-06:00

'Follow me...'
'Good job, mommy/daddy
'You good helper, mommy/daddy'
'I show you...'
'Tip toe, tip toe... shhh quiet.'
'Colton tummy full/tummy empty'
'Colton tired.'
'Up, up, up and away!'
'Let's count.'
'That's enough!' (As he's pointing his finger.)
'Hi girls' (To Morgan and Renna)
'I funny boy.'
Helicocker (helicopter) Chuck thought that was hilarious!
Talks in third person.
Loves daddy's 'fishy' kisses.
Counts up to 13 unassisted and then the next number is always 17. Forgets 14, 15, 16...
Loves 'stickers' (tape) just like mommy!
Calls Chuck and I... 'guys'. He was going downstairs and he told Chuck and I, 'See ya later, guys!'
Hates his teeth brushed.
Loves sausage... says its 'haashish... almost sounds like 'hotdish'

Cookies

2008-12-21T09:10:00.003-06:00

Colton and I decorated cookies last night.... he LOVED sprinkling his cookies as you can see. Not sure those ones are edible. I haven't decorated cookies in a really long time. I'm not sure if my cookies are edible either!

Colton's finished product...

Updated Rooms

2008-12-20T16:11:00.006-06:00

Entry

Our bedroom

Another view...

Colton's playroom

Downstairs bath

Some pictures of rooms that have been recently 'refreshed'. The master bath hasn't been painted yet and I still need to buy new rugs as well. Colton's room to be added shortly...

Organic

2008-12-16T10:14:00.002-06:00

I was reading a article and it said if you're going to try and go organic the top five products to start with are:

1. milk
2. beef
3. potatoes
4. apples
5. peanut butter

Thought I'd pass along this info for what its worth... These apparently are products that have the most manmade products applied to/in them. I do the milk and peanut butter already and I'm not sure if our beef is organic (we get it from the local cold storage which processes everything there, guess it depends on where they get the animal from). I usually buy range free eggs as well, but from what I've read recently that's not all it's cracked up to either. It's a start... I'm trying to be a more informed consumer, but sometimes what I don't know is better for me.

The Tree

2008-12-15T13:25:00.002-06:00

Our small (narrow) tree... I was going to buy a big one last year, BUT I thought we would be moving and I didn't want to move anymore than we had to. I'll be buying a bigger one when they go on clearance after Christmas. It works well for our small living room.

Gingerbread House

2008-12-15T13:10:00.004-06:00

Since we're stuck at home because of the big blizzard Colton and I made a gingerbread house... a sad looking gingerbread house. Doesn't look anything like it does on the box... oh well, we tried out best. Colton loved the frosting... big surprise. It was fun.

Holidays Last Year

2008-12-12T18:00:00.004-06:00

Year ago today.... right after Colton's first haircut.

___________________________________________

Not much to report.... busy finishing up Christmas shopping. Still need to get Colton to see Santa and get his picture taken.... will probably do it next week.

Getting ready

2008-12-03T08:08:00.004-06:00

We're getting ready for Christmas... our cards were ordered a month ago- looking to get those out next week sometime, most of the presents have been bought and we have our tree up and a few decorations around the house. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find our stockings and some important ornaments... obviously they're somewhere around the house, but I can't seem to remember where I put them. The most logical place I should have put them would have been with the other decorations, but apparently I like to make it hard on myself.

___________________________

I've been doing a little painting and redecorating around the house.... I figure if I have to live here for a while longer (hopefully not 'forever' longer) I'm going to do the things I planned to do to it if we were to permanently stay here. The downstairs bathroom has a new color scheme- shower curtain, towels, pictures, mats, the playroom has been painted, the entry has been painted, the upstairs bath will get a new paint job before Christmas along with mats and pictures and I bought a new comforter for our room along with some new accessories. Colton's room was painted a couple months ago and he got some new pictures on his walls, too. When everything is 'done' I'll post some pictures for your viewing pleasure...

___________________________

See everyone soon for the holidays... enjoy all the running around!

Another new baby

2008-11-25T11:59:00.003-06:00

Lacey Victoria-Joy

Stephanie and Greg had their new baby girl on November 21 @ 8:02pm weighing 7lbs 8oz and 20.25 in. Congratulations to the both of them on their newest addition and Kylie on being a new big sister! LOVE YOU! Can't wait to see you all....

Release

2008-11-20T10:59:00.004-06:00

Chuck made it back from hunting... he said it was the least fun he's had out there since he started going annually with his friends. I think this trip was just set up to be not the best. (I know, not the best grammar...) He took some of Champ and Raven's ashes with him and found two special spots to release them. After releasing Raven's, while walking away a rooster got up and he shot it. The rooster she would never have a chance to get out there, Renna and him here able to do it for her. Renna is Raven's namesake, "Renegade Raven's Memory" (in case you didn't know). Both us thought it would have been even more special if Morgan could have been there with him to watch a part of her best friend and one of her little girls go off into the wind.... So, with no Champ, Morgan at home and saying a proper goodbye to two great dogs, it was a difficult trip for him to say the least. There's always next time.....

Morgan's Leg

2008-11-20T10:55:00.001-06:00

This was taken I think less than a week after surgery.... it looks much better and has healed nicely. Chuck took her for a long walk yesterday and she did really well at putting weight on her leg.

Randomness

2008-11-18T10:59:00.002-06:00

Colton slept in his toddler bed all night on Sunday... I was up multiple times checking on him so I didn't get any sleep. He still prefers his crib, although if we took it down it wouldn't give him an alternative place to sleep. The pacifer is 95% out of our daily life... he will still ask for it, but it's not a constant battle to have it anymore... yea!

I do have pictures of Morgan's leg that I've been meaning to post.... some little guy at our house broke the air card for the internet and it'll cost $240 to replace because we didn't put insurance on it... so until that's bought, no internet at home. She wants to run and when she does that she doesn't put any weight on her leg... when we can get to walk slowly she's starting to put some pressure on it. I was doing to exercises with her last night and Colton was watching... I turned to take care of Jackson and I hear her wince in pain and Cole standing beside her. Not sure what he did.... The biggest thing with her is to not flag her leg out... we need to keep it in the same position as it would be when she's running/walking. When Chuck gets back from hunting he needs to work with her more on just walking so she's more comfortable putting pressure on that leg all the time because as this point it's just causing more stress on her other leg/hip.

My friend Stacy was home for a couple days from CA. Spent a little time with her on Saturday night. It's always nice to see her... Stopped by the airport before she left and would have liked to spend more than the 20 minutes we were there, but Colton was being his typical 2 year old self. I love it! :-)

Post surgery

2008-11-06T15:42:00.006-06:00

Morgan is doing pretty good considering.... She has about a 6-7" incision on the right back thigh. (Pictures to come.) I thought it was a simple procedure.... not so. She had a femoral head ostectomy, which is the removal of the ball portion of the hip joint.... quite invasive! Feel free to read about it. With this surgery a 'false joint' forms and once healed it will be less painful for her than than leaving the femoral head rubbing against the pelvic bone. She has to do leg exercises every day and be iced 2-3x a day for the next couple of weeks. She'll put a little weight on her leg but she mostly gets around on her one back leg for right now. Hopefully with her physical therapy and a smooth recovery she'll be able to be hunting again next year. She's a tough girl and has turned into Chuck's dog right now.

Pictures

2008-11-03T10:58:00.001-06:00

Say a little prayer...

2008-11-03T10:52:00.004-06:00

Morgan goes in for surgery this afternoon.... it's expected to take 2-2 1/2 hours. Hopefully this will help her in the long run and she's able to hunt again with Chuck. Chuck dropped her off this morning and will stop and see her after she goes into recovery later this afternoon. Renna was not happy about being the kennel all by herself apparently. Say a prayer for 'My Morgan'....

The vet asked about Jackson... I didn't get further into the conversation with Chuck as he had to go. I guess I need to talk to them myself get the information I'm looking for and put my mind at ease about the decision we need to make.

First Down

2008-11-03T09:24:00.003-06:00

Some pictures of my date for the Bison game on Saturday. We stayed until half time after he started to get really antsy... he did pretty good... fell of the chair, got a bruise on his head and meet some other 'grandma's'... seemed to enjoy himself. A pro at yelling 'First Down'. He's getting to be such a big boy. I asked him if he wanted a sucker earlier in the game and he told me, 'No thanks.' Such a polite boy....

2008-11-03T08:54:00.003-06:00

A photographer was taking free pictures at the Civic on Halloween for bringing a canned good. Of course Colton wanted nothing to do with it! This is the 'one' she was able to get.... blue mouth an all. (He's holding his balloon sword a clown made for him at the Civic as well.)

Happy Halloween

2008-10-31T21:27:00.004-05:00

We had a fun filled night!

Dogs

2008-10-31T09:05:00.003-05:00

Renna is very protective of her food... trying to get her out of this bad habit. Doesn't she look ferocious?

Buzz Cut

2008-10-31T08:54:00.004-05:00

Colton's buzz cut.... wasn't looking to get it cut like this, but some little guy hates getting his hair cut and it was the fastest way to get it done.

And another...

2008-10-28T08:48:00.004-05:00

Getting close to getting my Christmas shopping done.... the nieces and nephew are done along with my youngest sister and brothers. Just the grandparents left.... Ordered Xmas cards last night and got that out of the way. Whew....

When asking Colton, 'What's your name'? He'll say, 'I'm Colton' and point at himself. We'll ask him our names and he'll, 'You Mommy, You Daddy.'
He likes to turn on on the 'Wee Bee' with the 'mote'. (TV with the remote.)
We got all the way out to the car yesterday and we had to turn around and go back into the house to give Daddy a kiss goodbye. Upset this morning that Daddy had already left for work by the time he got up.
Calls a sucker... a sticker.
Puts on my witches hat for Halloween and tells me he's a pirate. (That's what he'll be...)

Something in color

2008-10-27T10:47:00.001-05:00

Pictures

2008-10-24T09:19:00.002-05:00

You will see these pictures again... they're pics for our Xmas cards taken last weekend.

Random Colton

2008-10-23T09:29:00.003-05:00

Colton's new bedtime routine the last couple of nights is to lay in his big boy bed first and then come into our room 5-10 minutes later and ask, 'What are you doing'? and then wants to rock and go into his crib. I'm glad he wants to lay in his bed, it's a good sign! I think the level of how tired his is will determine whether he actually falls asleep in the bed.

Colton sings and bops his head to the 'bum, bum, beedum, bum, bum, beedum, bum' part of the song 'Disturbia' by Rhianna. I'll try and catch it on video... it's too funny....

Chuck gives Colton zerberts (sp?) on his belly when he's playing with him, so now when Colton wants a 'werbert' as he calls them, he'll lift up his shirt and go to Chuck, 'Werbert'.

Big Boy

2008-10-21T07:53:00.002-05:00

Colton fell asleep in his toddler bed last night... yah! I would have taken a picture, but both my cameras were in the car. He ran into his room and right to his bed, wanted his blankie and that was it. I left the room thinking for sure he was going to get up.... Five minutes later he was snoring away. I didn't leave him in the bed because I haven't brought the gate upstairs to keep him in his room if/when he woke up in the middle of the night. (I don't want him getting too far and starting wandering around downstairs...) The whole transition to the bed makes me nervous... I like that his crib confines him into one space during the night. He tosses and turns so much I know he'll be falling out of the bed, too. Anyway, this was a start, now we just have to get that darn pacifier away from him. We were doing so well for awhile and we seem to have gone backwards in our efforts.

The Escalade came just in time... while the car sat at the shop, many notice it was leaking transmission fluid and oil. Turns out, the car had a bad seal and if I had continued to drive it, I would have probably seized up the motor.... Never noticed any leaking before, although it's really difficult when you park on gravel... divine intervention....

What's new with Colton:

Names all the kids in his daycare.
He asks me, What's your name? and What's your name, Mommy?
Notorious for saying, 'Okay, Mommy' when asked or told to do something, but it's a 50/50 chance he'll actually comply.
Now calls is pacifier his 'Paci'... he always had some other sort of weird name for it and we've never called it his 'paci'.
Gets through most of the ABC's with help.
Loves shapes and colors and playing with is playdough. Circles, triangles and diamonds are his favorite.
Building 'towers' with his blocks.
Counts to 13.. the rest of the numbers after that are just teen, teen, teen
Sat on Mommy's lap and listened to a WHOLE story for the first time.

Brief Update

2008-10-18T08:16:00.002-05:00

Morgan will be having surgery to remove the bone spur that has formed on her hip November 3. Morgan has a form of hip displasia, but hers was a result of the inverted hip she was born with, not genetics. She will have to rest for 3 months before we can start any exercise program with her. The vet recommends she swims this summer. She may never hunt again depending on how well the recovery goes. Chuck doesn't want to jeopardize the longevity of her life and the health of her hips just to have her continue hunting. She's been whining all morning after Chuck had to leave her behind to go hunting. Meanwhile we'll have to really watch her weight as any extra weight will add more stress to her hips. We're suppose to try and get her to loose 5 lbs before surgery as she's a little overweight.

Jackson's condition is grim. He has advanced hip displasia. Chuck said looking at his xray he wanted to throw up. His hips have multiple bone spurs that have essentially fused his hip bones. There is nothing we can do... The vet said he is in pain and if we think he's in pain just looking at him, the pain he's feeling is considerably worse. Cold weather will make it tougher for him as it'll make him even more stiff. It's heartbreaking to watch him walk. The vet was willing to put him down on Thursday, but I think Chuck and I need to come to terms with it first. I want him to feel better, but there's nothing we can do 'here' for that to happen. I don't want him to suffer... We don't know the 'when' yet, but we know the end is near....

Dogs

2008-10-16T15:16:00.002-05:00

Chuck took Morgan and Jackson into the vet today to get checked out. Morgan's been limping on her back leg... the same leg that's always been a little bit of a problem all her life. She apparently has bone spurs on her back joint and will be having surgery soon to remove them. Hopefully this will fix the problem. She probably won't hunt this year and will never be able to hunt hard like she used to after this. Jackson... he's been limping and showing signs of immobility in his legs... from the little information Chuck could tell me, his hips are bad, really bad. The vet said if we think he in pain (which we do), multiply it by 10 and that's what pain he's actually feeling. This is the news we were sort of anticipating, but the reality of it sucks. I don't know how winter is going to treat him as the cold weather will make him more stiff. I sort of think maybe this is the reason while we're still in this house.... Chuck and I were very concerned about moving Jackson into town because he so dearly loved living out in the country.... I don't want to think of what is inevitable, it's just too soon after Champ's passing. I'll find out more information from Chuck when I get home tonight. He was too distraught to tell me anything more.

Cheeeese

2008-10-16T10:03:00.005-05:00

I now can get Colton to look at the camera and give me a big smile.... He says "Cheeese" and will smile until I get the picture taken... These taken just within the last 3 days, he sees the camera now and wants me to take his picture and then look at after it's done.

Football

2008-10-16T09:57:00.004-05:00

Colton went with me to the Bison game on Saturday (Chuck was pheasant hunting). He did pretty good. We made it through most of half-time and decided to leave, which is what I expected. We have some really nice people that we sit next to and they were very tolerant of him. Still trying to figure out if I want to take him to Winnie the Pooh in December at the Dome. I just don't know if he'll be interested in watching a live show yet and also spending the over $40 to go if he doesn't like it would suck...

TV

2008-10-16T09:54:00.003-05:00

This is the new TV... really big, almost gives you a headache when you're watching it because the living room isn't very big, could have gone a little smaller. Hopefully the next house has a big family room to accomdate the size. Oh, well.... Now we're looking for a new TV stand because it looks sort of odd on the little one we have.

Plan accordingly

2008-10-05T13:08:00.004-05:00

Weekend events... Chuck and I went and purchased a new TV for the living room... 50" plasma. That should take up about 1/2 the living room.... little over-kill but it was a good deal. We needed another TV for the playroom or the living and either way we were going to buy a flat screen. My hair appointment was cancelled on Friday and the washing machine still isn't fixed. Amazing, everything that was planned... none of it went accordingly... oh well. Bison won... it was a really good and exciting game, but both Chuck and I started to come down with the cold Colton had which made it difficult to be there. Chuck put Colton's new 'big boy (toddler) bed' together. I know everyone says they are a waste of money, but we have a little boy who has a hard time with change and we thought if we don't make such a drastic change, the transition will go smoother. Being how he is, I have a feeling potty training with him will either go horrible or incredibly easy... I can't even get him to sit on his potty, he just puts the ring on his head. I digress.... his crib is still in his room for now and he'll be sleeping in it... just letting him get used to the bed.

Today we quickly rearranged the living room to prep for the new TV and that's about all we'll get done today. I wanted to get the playroom organized, but that will have to wait until later this week. Both Chuck and I are laying down and resting the rest of the day trying to get over this cold. We're both stuffed up and tired.... hopefully I don't feel this crummy tomorrow.

Weeks events

2008-10-02T09:06:00.003-05:00

Colton got his first cold of the season. Monday night he had rosey cheeks and 'sick eyes' and he went to bed with a bad cough and was up all night. I stayed home with him Tuesday because of his cough and slight fever and he seemed to be a little better by the afternoon, but by bedtime he started running a significant fever. His fever seemed to be down Wednesday morning and we stayed home again. By the afternoon he seemed to be getting back to his old self, but still coughing, but getting better. Luckily I have a job were it's not an issue to take time off and was able to stay home with him the last two days. I'm sure Colton was happy to get out of the house after being cooped up for two days. Short week for me!

Got some stuff done during the last two days. Repainted part of the bathroom after we installed the new tub and started cleaning out the downstairs bedroom as we're going to make this the office/Cole's play & TV room. No sense in wasting the space if it's not being used. Still need to clean up the basement and do some more painting. Finally bought a new washer and dryer after we were fed up after constantly drying our clothes for 2 hours for them to be completely dry. Turns out the new washer doesn't work; it doesn't agitate and spin so we're left with sopping wet clothes. Just our luck.... Home Depot will be out to fix it on Friday.

It looks like the 'sale' of our house isn't going to go through due to a series of events on the buyers end. As much as I didn't want to be here another winter, Chuck and I have decided to take the house off the market, get the garage floor and some other stuff done (frame and sheet rock the basement, level the deck and restain, new kitchen and entry window and door and a possible redo of the kitchen cabinets and refinishing of the dining room floor) and put it back on the market in late winter. Hopefully these improvements and the economy will result in a fast sale with some profit next year. While I'm really disappointed, we'll get through it, and the house we're suppose to buy will be there when the time is right.

Chuck and I will be going to the Bison Homecoming game on Saturday and Chuck will be cleaning out the garage getting it ready for the new floor this weekend. I'm possibly going to do some painting and cleaning of the basement, setting up Colton's new bed and rearranging his room and I'm getting my hair colored tomorrow morning. We'll see how ambitious we are at getting this all done....

Church & Pumpkin Patch

2008-09-29T09:51:00.006-05:00

On Sunday we went to church... we lasted through the offering (about 1/2 hour) before some little guy thought it was necessary to throw everything he had in hands on the floor 20 times and yell 'Ahh Choo' during the baptisms. Thought we should leave right about then.... We'll get better as we start to go on a more regular basis.

Afterward we went to Rheault Farm where a pumpkin patch was set up and various games. Colton was only interested in the playground equipment. Nice fall day....

Fingerpainting

2008-09-29T09:39:00.004-05:00

Thought I'd give fingerpainting a try with Colton....

Didn't like it so much... He didn't like the feeling on his hands apparently. Guess we'll try painting with paint brushes instead....

Trim & Others

2008-09-23T11:33:00.004-05:00

Do you ever go in for a trim and end up with a full blown hair cut? Seems to happen to me everytime and which means it makes it extremly difficult to grow my hair out. I went in just to trim up the front and get the back of my hair more inverted. The back is fine, but I know I got more than a 'trim' in the front. It's not a bad haircut, just not totally what I was thinking when I went in. Oh, well....

What's new with Colton:
I sing the ABC's to Colton in the car all the time and he used to just say 'noooo', now it's, 'Stop singing, Mommy!'

Chuck and I were playing with one of the two footballs we had outside the other night, Colton thought he should have both footballs. We continued to play with the ball telling him he has one and he needs to share. He cried big tears... When we were through, we gave him the other one and he put it in the cart of his lawn mower and proceeded to walk toward me with his finger pointing up (not at me), 'No, Mommy ball' again, again until I repeated what he was saying and he confirmed that I wasn't going to take the ball back.

'Come back here!'

'No crackers, Mommy' (He's telling me no all the time.)

'Poopy, stinky...' As he's grabbing his little butt needing his diaper changed.

'Bye, see ya later.'

He's really into looking at objects and trying to figure out their color. His favorite colors are yellow (or 'lellow' as he says) and green. He's making progress and knows everything has a color. Sometimes he's right other times he's not (although I think he says the wrong color on purpose sometimes).

Play time

2008-09-20T14:38:00.001-05:00

My favorite time...

2008-09-09T08:24:00.006-05:00

My favorite time of the day is right before Colton goes to bed. As we're getting ready to go to bed he'll tell me he wants to rock... how can I say 'no'? So in his room we rock in the rocking chair and I really try and just live in the moment and not think about anything else but being right there with him. I know soon enough he'll be too big to rock or want to be rocked or just be held in that way. We whisper to each other, 'Love you' and 'Love you more' again and again until he starts to giggle. He tries to close his eyes and go 'night, night, sleep' as he would say, but I know he won't fall asleep in my arms. Usually we just look at each other as we share this little special time together. As much as I would love to rock him all night, I tear myself up from the chair after a few minutes, rock him a few more times standing up and we whisper our 'loves you' again, give him a few more kisses and lay him down to go, 'night, night, sleep'.

Another weekend

2008-09-08T11:50:00.002-05:00

Bison game this weekend... they won, left after 3rd quarter... final 50-14. It needs to be more of an exciting game!

Colton in time-out.... crossing his arms and pouting... so pitiful!

Play at the Park

2008-09-04T13:34:00.002-05:00

On Saturday morning we took Colton to the Casselton Reservoir to play at the park. We walked around 'The Res' and afterward went out to have lunch. It was a nice Saturday morning... windy, but nice.

Anniversary

2008-09-04T12:31:00.004-05:00

Chuck & I went out to dinner at the place we always go... Lonestar, and then to a movie. We saw 'Tropic Thunder' and it was hilarious. Some gross humor but I love comedies. It was a nice quite evening for the both of us. I bought Chuck a sitting bench with a pheasant scene on the the backrest that we saw last year a Scheels. and apparently I'm suppose to be getting something for my camera, but I haven't seen it yet.....

6 years ago today

2008-08-31T07:56:00.003-05:00

Happy Anniversary! It's hard to believe it's been 6 years already... we've been through ups and downs and we've managed to beat the odds. We've learned how much we compliment each other over the years and make each other better people. It's still 'Me and You'....

To Stacy, For Stacy

2008-08-27T14:46:00.003-05:00

Something silly.... Giving some credit where credit is due.... my wonderful b/f Stacy got me hooked on the refreshing taste of sparkling mineral water. It took some getting used to but now I love it! Anything to replace the carbonated Diet Cokes I so enjoy is great for me! I'm enjoying a nice 1 L bottle right now. Apparently the convenience stores 'round here in these parts choose not to sell mineral water, but in CA it's everywhere. Took me 10 minutes standing in front of the large beverage coolers some months ago to figure that one out! I have to purchase mine at either Target or Walmart..... no convenience there. (With this post I'll find out if she actually reads this blog... Love ya, Stace!)

Summer Pics

2008-08-27T10:36:00.014-05:00

This last weekend we went to Island Park for the annual craft fair. We spent most of our time playing at the park since our incredibly active 2 year old doesn't want to sit in his stroller and let us look around. Chuck and I decided we may go by ourselves next year so we can actually look at what's in the booths and not just walk by them. It was nice to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather we had this weekend. Who knows, maybe a 3 year old will act different. (?) I keep telling Chuck we need to take him to all of these places so he learns how to behave in these situations instead of just completely avoiding them... even if it is stressful. I love my toddler....

_________________________________________

Chuck's daughter came over for a few hours on Sunday and we took some pictures to possibly be used for our Christmas card collage... Colton didn't stay still for a second. Got a few cute pictures that we can use. I love my toddler...

We'll know by Friday when we close on our house. The people who are buying ours just sold theirs and are waiting on some last minute approvals on their buyers. Chuck and I need to put an offer on the house that we want within the next couple days and see what happens. If everything goes right it should be sometime in October that we'd move. I hate to say any of this is for sure because something can always happen and plans can change.

Random x2

2008-08-19T08:28:00.005-05:00

So I know it's only August, but I'm trying to figure out what Cole should be for Halloween. I got him a puppy costume a couple months ago and as my sister warned me, he hates it on... and it's getting too small. So, I'm on the hunt for either a firefighter, another puppy or possibly a pirate. Old Navy has some really cute costumes that I've given some consideration. I am definitely a pre-pre-planner, which drives some people crazy... (I'm already on the lookout for NEXT years birthday party theme... and Cole just had his two months ago!)

'Get off of me.' Colton's new phrase when we're hugging, kissing, tickling or rough housing with him when he's crabby... said in the most whiny 2-year voice. He's getting really good at saying please, thank you and you're welcome. You're welcome is pretty new. He's always saying, 'Oops, sorry' if he happens to bump you, when he falls or for something insignificant. It's good he says sorry, but sometimes he's saying it for things he doesn't need to be sorry for. I don't want him to think that word doesn't have value because he says it so much. I'm sure that will come with age. One other wonderful age appropriate thing he's into now is hitting me and thinking it's funny. I don't know if he's doing for attention (which he gets plenty of) or just not wanting to be nice, but he's put in 'time out' every time he does it and has to apologize afterward. Hopefully that will pass soon. Good thing he's good at saying he's sorry! Other sayings:
'There, all better' (when he fixes something the way he wants it)
'Oh, man'
'Holy cow' (taught by daddy)
'Oops, sorry. You okay?'
Mmmm, it's good'
'It's broke, fix it'
'Help you' (Asking for help)
'Smile' (holding the camera trying to take a picture)
When asked a question, it's either a quick 'no' or 'nope' or 'noooo' or an exicited 'yeahhh' with the shaking of the head up and down.

Colton's favorites: (no particular order)
Pickles
Sausage
Breakfast in general
Jello & pudding
Grapes
Cookies & crackers
Cheese
Rice
Any 'snack'
Semi-trucks & cars
Motorized lawn mower & chasing you with it
Coloring on the side walk
Books & puzzels
Being outside
Blankies
Laying in mommy & daddy's bed
Renna (his puppy, he's the boss)
Tori
Routine & order

Colton's dislikes:
Dirty hands & washing his hand (go figure)
Getting dressed
Dirty diaper
Sitting at the table
Hamburger
The trailer coming apart from his truck
Most vegetables
Not getting his way (famous for his pout and crossing his arms across his chest, he looks just pitiful)
Time out
Leaving for daycare in the morning (so does mommy)
Showers (our bath tub needs to be replaced at the moment)

That's all I can think for now....

SATISFACTORY, baby!

2008-08-14T08:28:00.005-05:00

I'm sure the 'hoards' of people who read this blog probably don't care... but, we passed our DOT Audit and received our Satisfactory rating again. There's some work we need to do to improve and policy and business practice changes, but today's a new day. Chuck and I apparently seem to be people that need to learn everything the 'hard way' and this is no exception. I never knew what a pain the ass owning your own business could be.... hopefully all this hard work and stress will pay off in the end. The stress of the audit is over and we will move on....

Hmmm...

2008-08-11T07:26:00.005-05:00

So Wednesday Chuck decides to take Morgan (our black lab) to work with him... all morning she's gagging and puking and can't keep ANYTHING down. Mid-afternoon Chuck decides to head home with her because she's still not getting any better and a couple hours after they get home, he decides it's time to go to the vet. Meanwhile I'm googling and trying to figure out what's wrong with her and all I come up with is bloat which is VERY serious and I'm worried. The 'Hmmm' part comes from the phone call I get from Chuck telling me after doing a X-ray and ultrasound they confirmed that Morgan has a kitten head in her stomach! That's right, a kitten head. She apparently has a an abnormally large esophagus and tongue which is how it has swallowed in the first place. Never before seen by the vet and only by my Morgan. She had to stay at the vet over night and get an IV because she was dehydrated and they gave her something to help dissolve what was in her stomach so she could pass it and get things moving along. If that wouldn't have worked, it would have been surgery. So, $652 later, she getting back to her old self... slowly. Thank goodness Chuck took her to work that day and thankfully everything will be ok. Sorry poor kitties.

Icky

2008-08-06T10:09:00.004-05:00

Tried giving Cole pop (7-up) for the first time last night because it's the only liquid I had access to at the office.... he gave me the worst face and told me it was 'icky'. Then he was mad because I didn't have anything else for him to drink.... yeah! he hates pop! (or maybe just 7-up). Either way... good! I certainly don't want to be be the pop drinkers Chuck and I are... although I have cut back from what I used to drink. Back to just milk, 100% fruit juice and water for Colton! Works for me!

Results

2008-08-05T10:34:00.004-05:00

We've had confirmation that Champ did have liver cancer and it was spreading to his intestines and throat as well. I didn't find this out until recently... Chuck talked with the vet a few weeks ago about. Chuck doesn't want to talk about it, so unless I ask, that's usually the only way I get information out of him about it. We received the bill from the vet on Saturday... neither of us have been brave enough to open it... the $ doesn't matter, I just don't want to see the 'terms' of what was done on paper. When Chuck is ready to pick up Champ's ashes at the vet, I assume it'll get taken care of then.

Still working on the house sale. Looking at a October closing I guess, but we'll just have to wait and see. I hope the house we're interested in stays on the market until we can make an offer... otherwise we'll have to go to Plan B. Not sure what that is yet...

Colton's new deal in the morning is not wanting to get out of bed... telling me, 'I don't want to.' Well, Mommy doesn't want to get out of bed either... I sympathize.

2 year old Colton:
'I don't want to'
'I don't want it'
'Hi, buddy. Whata you doing?' (When daddy walks in the door.)
'Mommy, Mommy, Mommy! (running to me) Whata you doing?' (When I pick him up from daycare.)
'I know... '
'Okay'
'I think so'
'Mommy coming?' (Asks his daycare provider a couple times in the late afternoon before I come and get him.)

Random

2008-07-31T10:54:00.006-05:00

The new phone.... I'm going to be a texting machine!

Hmmm... what can I get into?
Start 'er up, I've got places to go!

Right into a tree...
I'll just pull it out instead of using reverse!