So we are sitting in bed watching Toy Story 2 before bed and Grace is goofing around and she toots. Well normally she giggles and says "I farted". I laugh at her and tell her that she needs to say excuse me. Today that was not the case.
Many years back my friend Tonya use to use the expression "I look like I chased a fart through a keg of nails" when she felt like she was looking bad. Well today I have been very sick and I do look like I chased that fart through the keg of nails and said so earlier.
So back to Grace... she toots and looks at us and says, "I fart a keg of nails." Don and I crack up. She kept saying it knowing that she was funny and we kept laughing. Then as we were trying to wind down she looks at me and says, "if you say it I can say it."
Out of the mouths of babes huh!!!
Friday, December 29, 2006
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Things Grace says
Things I need to remember that Grace has said...
Today I was laying with her at nap time and she asked me to sing her a song. I typically sing her "Amazing Grace" and did so again at this time. I sang about 2 notes when she said, "what song is that?" Knowing full well what the song is, but she always asks, so I told her, "Amazing Grace." She smiles and tells me to keep singing. As I finish the song I start to sing another song that I use to sing to her as a baby and she looks at me and places her hand on my mouth and says,"that's enough singing for now!"
Saturday, I was home alone with both her and Mac because Don had a Volleyball tournament. Things where a little nuts, Mac talking, her talking, Me trying to get lunch ready. All of a sudden Grace says, "You two wera me out!" (My Mom, who takes care of them on a daily basis, says this to them daily I'm sure)
Saying prayers the other night it's Grace's turn. She folds her hands and says, "Dear Jesus, bless Mommy, Daddy, Gracie... that's ME!" The next night she said the same thing but this time..." Bless Mommy and Daddy... that's you two."
I have to remember to start writing down the things she says. I can't believe how much she changes every day.
She is currently obsessed with Fire fighters. They learned all about fire safety in preschool last month and ever since she has done nothing but fight fire. My cousin Tracey gave us a winter coat and snow pants... Grace says they are her fire fighting clothes hat gloves boots... everything!! Her favorite saying is "STOP DO NOT TOUCH!!!" They must have learned that when studying fire safety.
Last week we were in the restroom at a local restuarant. We were in the big stall but there were others in the room... Grace says, "Mom can I give you a kiss?" I told her sure and she give me a little kiss. Then she says, "Mom can I give you a BIG kiss?" I said sure and she proceeds to put her hands on my cheeks and plants a big kiss on my lips. I chuckled and I could hear others laughing. Then through my laughter I ask her where she learned big kisses? She said, "School." I said, "who are you kissing at school?" Without missing a beat she says with a little smug smile on her face, "Drew!" There is laughter throughout the restroom and I laugh too. I could not believe I'm talking to my 3 year old about big kisses in a restroom stall with other listening!!!
Today I was laying with her at nap time and she asked me to sing her a song. I typically sing her "Amazing Grace" and did so again at this time. I sang about 2 notes when she said, "what song is that?" Knowing full well what the song is, but she always asks, so I told her, "Amazing Grace." She smiles and tells me to keep singing. As I finish the song I start to sing another song that I use to sing to her as a baby and she looks at me and places her hand on my mouth and says,"that's enough singing for now!"
Saturday, I was home alone with both her and Mac because Don had a Volleyball tournament. Things where a little nuts, Mac talking, her talking, Me trying to get lunch ready. All of a sudden Grace says, "You two wera me out!" (My Mom, who takes care of them on a daily basis, says this to them daily I'm sure)
Saying prayers the other night it's Grace's turn. She folds her hands and says, "Dear Jesus, bless Mommy, Daddy, Gracie... that's ME!" The next night she said the same thing but this time..." Bless Mommy and Daddy... that's you two."
I have to remember to start writing down the things she says. I can't believe how much she changes every day.
She is currently obsessed with Fire fighters. They learned all about fire safety in preschool last month and ever since she has done nothing but fight fire. My cousin Tracey gave us a winter coat and snow pants... Grace says they are her fire fighting clothes hat gloves boots... everything!! Her favorite saying is "STOP DO NOT TOUCH!!!" They must have learned that when studying fire safety.
Last week we were in the restroom at a local restuarant. We were in the big stall but there were others in the room... Grace says, "Mom can I give you a kiss?" I told her sure and she give me a little kiss. Then she says, "Mom can I give you a BIG kiss?" I said sure and she proceeds to put her hands on my cheeks and plants a big kiss on my lips. I chuckled and I could hear others laughing. Then through my laughter I ask her where she learned big kisses? She said, "School." I said, "who are you kissing at school?" Without missing a beat she says with a little smug smile on her face, "Drew!" There is laughter throughout the restroom and I laugh too. I could not believe I'm talking to my 3 year old about big kisses in a restroom stall with other listening!!!
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Monday was a new day...
Well after a night of throw up, bile, dry heaves and naps on the bathroom floor, Gracie went to bed about 3:00 and made it through the rest of the night with out any problems. She slept pretty late and woke up in a good mood.
Poor thing just wanted to go do things so we decided that we were going to go and try the Zoo. Someone had told us how nice it was so that is what we were going to do for the day. We got there just as they opened and Grace was feeling pretty good because she wanted to eat so I was hoping that it truly was altitude sickness and that because we were at a little bit lower altitude it would be a good day.
The Zoo was fun. I get REALLY bored at zoos but I wanted to be a trouper for the kids so I sucked it up and off we went. The kids had a great time in the Butterfly house. Grace and Mac really enjoyed looking at the butterflies. We went to all the displays and houses. I sat outside the reptile house but other than that it took us about two hours to get through the park and then we did a little train ride around the park and we all were ready to go. We had a little picnic in the back of the car and we were on our way.
As we were leaving the park we decided that we needed to stay at a lower altitude so we decided to look for somewhere else to go. We started driving and Don suggested we drive out to the Great Salt Lake. So we got on the interstate and headed toward the Lake. The kids fell asleep, which was a good thing. It took about a half hour to get there and when we got there... what a disappointment. It is nothing. Well, it is nothing on Monday afternoon. We were shocked. I guess coming from Chicago and Lake Michigan we expected people to be on the beach and the shops open and people out in their boats. It was nothing of the sort. No boats, there was only one shop, and there were no boats on the lake. We thought it was because the Lake seemed to be quite low. So there was someone working on their boat and Don decided he was going to ask him if the water was low and was that why boats weren't on the lake? Well I think the guy thought we were nuts. He said that it was Monday and so people were working. It is full on the weekends but not generally during the week. I found that to be a bit odd, but he thought we were odd for asking. Seems that if I had a boat and there were a nice big lake out there I would find time to be on it even during the week. It's summer for Pete's sake. Oh well, different values I guess.
So after seeing the Lake, we decided we needed to do something else. I suggested we head to Park City and the Olympic venues so that is what we decided to do. If we ever go back to Utah, Park City is where we would stay. It is the cutest mountain town and there was much more to do then there was at Snowbird... but I will talk about that later. Grace seemed to be doing a little better today so we decided that we would go up to the Olympic Venue and see what was all there. We went in and found that there were many activities and we also heard that Park City was a quaint little town with many shops and we could park at the top, walk down one side and take a trolley back up and walk down the other. Well, that was perfect for us. So we parked and began our shopping adventure. I was thinking that we might be able to find Grace her cowboy hat... and sure enough... the second shop we walked by was a western shop!!! I asked for assistance and within 10 minutes had her pink cowboy hat to match her pink cowboy boots. The place had red and pink hats made like the Jessie hat in Toy Story 2. I wanted Grace to get the red one but she really wanted to get the pink one so that is what we got.
We spent the better part of the evening in Park City. Grace got to ride the Trolley twice (she called it Mavis like on Thomas the Tank Engine) and we ate at Western restraurant and she kept her food down so I was very happy.
We left there around 7:00 got back to the Condo and every one was in bed by 9:00. At 10:30 Maci started to wrestle around... and yes, you guessed it... he got sick. ALL NIGHT LONG EVERY 15 MINUTES UNTIL 7:00 AM!!!! UGH!!! Once again on a trip and my kids are sick. I was so sad for them.
To be continued...
Poor thing just wanted to go do things so we decided that we were going to go and try the Zoo. Someone had told us how nice it was so that is what we were going to do for the day. We got there just as they opened and Grace was feeling pretty good because she wanted to eat so I was hoping that it truly was altitude sickness and that because we were at a little bit lower altitude it would be a good day.
The Zoo was fun. I get REALLY bored at zoos but I wanted to be a trouper for the kids so I sucked it up and off we went. The kids had a great time in the Butterfly house. Grace and Mac really enjoyed looking at the butterflies. We went to all the displays and houses. I sat outside the reptile house but other than that it took us about two hours to get through the park and then we did a little train ride around the park and we all were ready to go. We had a little picnic in the back of the car and we were on our way.
As we were leaving the park we decided that we needed to stay at a lower altitude so we decided to look for somewhere else to go. We started driving and Don suggested we drive out to the Great Salt Lake. So we got on the interstate and headed toward the Lake. The kids fell asleep, which was a good thing. It took about a half hour to get there and when we got there... what a disappointment. It is nothing. Well, it is nothing on Monday afternoon. We were shocked. I guess coming from Chicago and Lake Michigan we expected people to be on the beach and the shops open and people out in their boats. It was nothing of the sort. No boats, there was only one shop, and there were no boats on the lake. We thought it was because the Lake seemed to be quite low. So there was someone working on their boat and Don decided he was going to ask him if the water was low and was that why boats weren't on the lake? Well I think the guy thought we were nuts. He said that it was Monday and so people were working. It is full on the weekends but not generally during the week. I found that to be a bit odd, but he thought we were odd for asking. Seems that if I had a boat and there were a nice big lake out there I would find time to be on it even during the week. It's summer for Pete's sake. Oh well, different values I guess.
So after seeing the Lake, we decided we needed to do something else. I suggested we head to Park City and the Olympic venues so that is what we decided to do. If we ever go back to Utah, Park City is where we would stay. It is the cutest mountain town and there was much more to do then there was at Snowbird... but I will talk about that later. Grace seemed to be doing a little better today so we decided that we would go up to the Olympic Venue and see what was all there. We went in and found that there were many activities and we also heard that Park City was a quaint little town with many shops and we could park at the top, walk down one side and take a trolley back up and walk down the other. Well, that was perfect for us. So we parked and began our shopping adventure. I was thinking that we might be able to find Grace her cowboy hat... and sure enough... the second shop we walked by was a western shop!!! I asked for assistance and within 10 minutes had her pink cowboy hat to match her pink cowboy boots. The place had red and pink hats made like the Jessie hat in Toy Story 2. I wanted Grace to get the red one but she really wanted to get the pink one so that is what we got.
We spent the better part of the evening in Park City. Grace got to ride the Trolley twice (she called it Mavis like on Thomas the Tank Engine) and we ate at Western restraurant and she kept her food down so I was very happy.
We left there around 7:00 got back to the Condo and every one was in bed by 9:00. At 10:30 Maci started to wrestle around... and yes, you guessed it... he got sick. ALL NIGHT LONG EVERY 15 MINUTES UNTIL 7:00 AM!!!! UGH!!! Once again on a trip and my kids are sick. I was so sad for them.
To be continued...
Monday, August 07, 2006
A HORRIBLE MOM MOMENT!!!!
We woke up Sunday morning and decided we were going to go to the Brunch at the Atrium at The Cliff Lodge at Snowbird because we had read that the brunch was suppose to be absolutely fabulous. We got ready... everyone dressed up... looked nice. Grace had her cute little red, white, and blue dress on and her cowboy boots. Mac was in his r/w/b outfit from his birthday. Well we head down there about 9:00 and are ready to eat. Grace tells me a couple times that her belly is hurting but I think that it is just that she doesn't want to eat and she wants to go swimming so I told her she had to eat a little bit and then we would go swimming.
We get to the Brunch and we find out that the main Brunch does not start until 10:30. UGH!!! What are we going to do for an hour and a half. Well we just walk around. We saw most of the resort, found the convenience store, walked outside, looked at the little river running through the place... I think that only took up 45 minutes. So we just sat and waited. I should have noticed something about Grace and how she was sort of fussy but like I said earlier I thought she was trying to get out of eating.
We FINALLY brunch comes. We get our table and when they are finally ready to serve I go first because I want to get the kids food so they can sit down and get eating and then Don and I can relax... NOT SO. Grace takes about two bites of food and throws up. One thing you need to know is that Grace has been known in the past to throw up on cue when she didn’t want to eat, when she wanted attention after Mac was born, or when she put too much food in her mouth. (I blame this on the ICU doctors but that is a subject of another blog). Mortified, not believing that she is doing this while on vacation I clean everything up and take it to the garbage and well… we stay. We believe she is playing with us. So Don gets his food and then I get in line… Grace comes with me… She keeps telling me her belly hurts and I told her that she was not going to start this like she use to do… What happens, you guessed it, we get back to the table and she just throws up everywhere. Serves me right. God I felt like a horrible Mom. People are looking at me. I don’t know how many people’s brunch I ruined. I felt like it was all my fault. Don was very helpful taking the kids to the room and I sat at the table trying to hold back the tears because I was both embarrassed and feeling like a really bad mom!!! I paid the bill, they actually let me take a carry out so that Don and I could eat something… $60 later we had had one plate of food. UGH!!
I got to the room and we put both the kids down for a nap, Don and I took a nap, and well when we woke up we thought everyone was doing ok. It did cross my mind though that maybe she had altitude sickness. I called my cousin Tracey because I knew that her daughter Mattie had the same problem, and well it sounded like what we were dealing with.
When Grace woke up she said she was feeling ok but still didn’t want to eat. So we thought it might be a good idea to take her down to a lower altitude. So we headed down to Salt Lake City. I really wanted to go and she the temple and go to the family research place, and all the sites available. There was also a place called the Gateway that was left over from the Olympics and we thought that it might help her feel better.
As we started down the hill she saw 7 – 11 and Grace actually said she wanted a Slurpie so we decided that we would get her one. Well she got about half of it down and she gave the rest to Mac. Oh boy… what a mess the sweet child made!!! But she was acting like she was feeling better so we kept going.
We went to the Gateway and we were going to go shopping there and then head off to the little water show that they have there and then head to the Temple. Well it was the hottest day of the year in SLC and well we got about 20 feet from the car and Grace got SICK. At least I had brought Don’s empty Slurpie cup so we were able to deal with this moment a little bit better. Well we packed up, got in the car, and drove around the sites but didn’t stop. In the car we had a couple more episodes but the poor thing had nothing left to get out of her belly and she just wanted to get back to the hotel.
With Grace being sick and Mac enjoying his first Slurpie our car was a me
ss, but I really thought I should go to the grocery store and get some plain foods for her and hope that this sickness will go away.
We got Grace and Mac ready for bed but only moments after getting out of the tub poor Gracie was sick again, and again, and again. She finally just took herself into the bathroom and lay on the floor on towels. Every tile we had was dirty with sickness, the room just smelled. I felt so bad for the girl and Don was just great through it all. He took care of Mac and just left Grace and me to the bathroom.
She was up until 3:30 with the dry heaves and finally holding her tight I got her to go to sleep and relax.
What a night. Monday could only get better.
We get to the Brunch and we find out that the main Brunch does not start until 10:30. UGH!!! What are we going to do for an hour and a half. Well we just walk around. We saw most of the resort, found the convenience store, walked outside, looked at the little river running through the place... I think that only took up 45 minutes. So we just sat and waited. I should have noticed something about Grace and how she was sort of fussy but like I said earlier I thought she was trying to get out of eating.
We FINALLY brunch comes. We get our table and when they are finally ready to serve I go first because I want to get the kids food so they can sit down and get eating and then Don and I can relax... NOT SO. Grace takes about two bites of food and throws up. One thing you need to know is that Grace has been known in the past to throw up on cue when she didn’t want to eat, when she wanted attention after Mac was born, or when she put too much food in her mouth. (I blame this on the ICU doctors but that is a subject of another blog). Mortified, not believing that she is doing this while on vacation I clean everything up and take it to the garbage and well… we stay. We believe she is playing with us. So Don gets his food and then I get in line… Grace comes with me… She keeps telling me her belly hurts and I told her that she was not going to start this like she use to do… What happens, you guessed it, we get back to the table and she just throws up everywhere. Serves me right. God I felt like a horrible Mom. People are looking at me. I don’t know how many people’s brunch I ruined. I felt like it was all my fault. Don was very helpful taking the kids to the room and I sat at the table trying to hold back the tears because I was both embarrassed and feeling like a really bad mom!!! I paid the bill, they actually let me take a carry out so that Don and I could eat something… $60 later we had had one plate of food. UGH!!
I got to the room and we put both the kids down for a nap, Don and I took a nap, and well when we woke up we thought everyone was doing ok. It did cross my mind though that maybe she had altitude sickness. I called my cousin Tracey because I knew that her daughter Mattie had the same problem, and well it sounded like what we were dealing with.
When Grace woke up she said she was feeling ok but still didn’t want to eat. So we thought it might be a good idea to take her down to a lower altitude. So we headed down to Salt Lake City. I really wanted to go and she the temple and go to the family research place, and all the sites available. There was also a place called the Gateway that was left over from the Olympics and we thought that it might help her feel better.
As we started down the hill she saw 7 – 11 and Grace actually said she wanted a Slurpie so we decided that we would get her one. Well she got about half of it down and she gave the rest to Mac. Oh boy… what a mess the sweet child made!!! But she was acting like she was feeling better so we kept going.
We went to the Gateway and we were going to go shopping there and then head off to the little water show that they have there and then head to the Temple. Well it was the hottest day of the year in SLC and well we got about 20 feet from the car and Grace got SICK. At least I had brought Don’s empty Slurpie cup so we were able to deal with this moment a little bit better. Well we packed up, got in the car, and drove around the sites but didn’t stop. In the car we had a couple more episodes but the poor thing had nothing left to get out of her belly and she just wanted to get back to the hotel.
With Grace being sick and Mac enjoying his first Slurpie our car was a me
ss, but I really thought I should go to the grocery store and get some plain foods for her and hope that this sickness will go away.We got Grace and Mac ready for bed but only moments after getting out of the tub poor Gracie was sick again, and again, and again. She finally just took herself into the bathroom and lay on the floor on towels. Every tile we had was dirty with sickness, the room just smelled. I felt so bad for the girl and Don was just great through it all. He took care of Mac and just left Grace and me to the bathroom.
She was up until 3:30 with the dry heaves and finally holding her tight I got her to go to sleep and relax.
What a night. Monday could only get better.
Friday, August 04, 2006
We had a fun day at the resort
Saturday July 29 brought a lot of fun for us... it is always hectic when we are together but it was so much fun. It started with us going to breakfast and Grace throwing up her breakfast for some reason. Well I know why... Don made her put too much in her mouth... but anyway, she said her tummy was hurting her but she wanted to go swimming. We decided that we were going to stay at the resort today being our first day there we wanted to see what we could do and we were going to plan our week.
Don and Grace went swimming while I took Mac back to the room and he took a nap. When he woke up I got him ready and we went down to join Grace and Don. We swam for quite a while and found it very interesting that the pool was filled with salt water not clorine. Has something to do with the heated pool and altitude.
Anyway from
there we went to the Snowbird center to see if there was anything for us to do. We found that there were several activities fun for kids. Grace got to jump in a caslte and slide down the inflatable slide. Then she REALLY wanted to jump on the bungie/trampoline jump... so we let her. She was suppose to be three but since she is only 45 days away from that and taller than a lot of 4 year olds... we went for it and she had a blast. We then walked back up the steep hill and back to out room. I could not believe how steep the hills were but we were in the mountains weren't we. There were many things to do at the resort but it was the Rock Blues festival so we decided that we would wait to do the Tram, alpine slide, and other things. It was also very hot... even in the mountains... so we decided to go to dinner and then get the kids ready for bed.We went to a Mexican restaurant that night and we weren't too impressed. Don was getting mad at Grace for telling us her tummy was hurting her, so I sent him to the room with Mac and I got her to finish her food. While we were there, I noticed some people sitting right by us. Tobe honest I thought they were someone from IEA or NEA but nope... turns out they were two of the designers from on the the HGTV programs. No wonder I recognized them... My mom watches those shows all the time. This is possibly where I recognize them but I don't know if they were just telling me a line or what.
When we got back to the room Don had Mac ready for bed. I got Grace ready and laid with her for a few minutes and we called it a relatively early night.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Driving Wyoming I80 is BRUTAL!!!!
Well I haven't written for a couple of days so I'm going to start with the trip from Estes Park to Snowbird. Let me just say it was BRUTAL!!!!! I have never been on a more boring drive in my whole life. It is just brown nothing mile after mile. If you need gas you better make sure you have a full tank before you leave your initial destination and then if you see a place with about 100 miles still left in your tank you better get more gas because I think there were 4 gas stops through the whole state. Then to top it all of there was a horrific accident on I 80 and they closed it down. We were very thankful that we got a late start that morning because if we had been on 80 before they had the detour set up we might have been sitting for HOURS!!! It was another day of travel in the car over 10 hours. There was nowhere to stop this time so we just drove and drove.
I hear that going I 70 is much better than taking 80 the problem with that however is it is about 3 hours out of our way. I don't know, Don would like to go home that way... I don't know if I can take the extra travel.
We go to the hotel about 8:30pm and well we were quite impressed. The condo is beautiful and there seemed to be a lot to do. There was a Rock & Blues festival going on that night and Don was down at the bell check with Los Lobos but he didn't know who they were ... he cracks me up sometimes. Well... that's all that really happened on Friday... Nothing but BRUTAL traveling!!!
I hear that going I 70 is much better than taking 80 the problem with that however is it is about 3 hours out of our way. I don't know, Don would like to go home that way... I don't know if I can take the extra travel.
We go to the hotel about 8:30pm and well we were quite impressed. The condo is beautiful and there seemed to be a lot to do. There was a Rock & Blues festival going on that night and Don was down at the bell check with Los Lobos but he didn't know who they were ... he cracks me up sometimes. Well... that's all that really happened on Friday... Nothing but BRUTAL traveling!!!
Friday, July 28, 2006
Everyone's sleeping but me!!!
So we were going to leave tody by 7 yet my family is still sleepinng and I can't bring myself to wake them up. So I thought that I would finish my blog from yesterday and listen to Steve Dahl's podcast. Mac woke up at 5 with a belly ache and 3 icky diapers later he fell asleep for Don. He just wanted me to hold him while he wasn't feeling good and once that left him he just wanted his Dad. Dan and he have become thick as theives on this trip!!! They are really cute together.
I was a bit wordy yesterday but I didn't know how to shorten it, so much happened. The end of the day was not quite as adventurous as the first part of the day. When we returned to the top to begin our journey down the mountain I really had to psych myself up!! You see on the way up for the most part I was on the land side and there were only a few times where I was on the drop off side. Heading down... I could see every drop, bump, slide, and I did not like it. Don was very good to me by staying in the middle of the road when he could but I think I have new inprints on my arm rest and I think if I had been holding Don's hand I would have cut off his circulation. A couple times he tried to take my hand or started to goof a little bit. I was not happy. I wish I knew what my blood pressure was but I know that it was HIGH because I really felt dizzy when we got to the bottom. At least on the way back down ther road construction was finished for the day.
You know I was thinking... There are people who work at the Alpine Visitors Center... THEY HAVE TO DRIVE THAT CRAZY ROAD EVERY DAY!!! Do you think you get use to that ride? I just can't believe I would ever get use to it. Well to be honest I would NEVER drive the road past Rainbow Curve.
So anyway, we actually did make it to the Holiday by 6 and we were able to go to the swimming pool for a half hour, then we went down town and Miss Grace was dolled up in a little skirt, peasant top, and yes her cowboy boots. I often hope that Mac knows that we love him because she just takes so much of our time. We went to this cute little restaurant where we got to sit on the roof and eat. Mac packed in 2 helpings of Mac and Cheese and three of Don's onion rings (hense the upset belly I bet). Yesterday we didn't eat until Grace told us she was hungry. It helped her and she did not tell me half as much that her belly was hurting her.
Once supper was done we went to get a battery for the DVD player and Thank God the video is working again. Our trip today should be ok if we ever get started.
Well I think that I will close for now. Enjoy your day. I have to wake my family.
I was a bit wordy yesterday but I didn't know how to shorten it, so much happened. The end of the day was not quite as adventurous as the first part of the day. When we returned to the top to begin our journey down the mountain I really had to psych myself up!! You see on the way up for the most part I was on the land side and there were only a few times where I was on the drop off side. Heading down... I could see every drop, bump, slide, and I did not like it. Don was very good to me by staying in the middle of the road when he could but I think I have new inprints on my arm rest and I think if I had been holding Don's hand I would have cut off his circulation. A couple times he tried to take my hand or started to goof a little bit. I was not happy. I wish I knew what my blood pressure was but I know that it was HIGH because I really felt dizzy when we got to the bottom. At least on the way back down ther road construction was finished for the day.
You know I was thinking... There are people who work at the Alpine Visitors Center... THEY HAVE TO DRIVE THAT CRAZY ROAD EVERY DAY!!! Do you think you get use to that ride? I just can't believe I would ever get use to it. Well to be honest I would NEVER drive the road past Rainbow Curve.
So anyway, we actually did make it to the Holiday by 6 and we were able to go to the swimming pool for a half hour, then we went down town and Miss Grace was dolled up in a little skirt, peasant top, and yes her cowboy boots. I often hope that Mac knows that we love him because she just takes so much of our time. We went to this cute little restaurant where we got to sit on the roof and eat. Mac packed in 2 helpings of Mac and Cheese and three of Don's onion rings (hense the upset belly I bet). Yesterday we didn't eat until Grace told us she was hungry. It helped her and she did not tell me half as much that her belly was hurting her.
Once supper was done we went to get a battery for the DVD player and Thank God the video is working again. Our trip today should be ok if we ever get started.
Well I think that I will close for now. Enjoy your day. I have to wake my family.
CAUTION!!! ROAD CONSTRUCTION AT 12,000 FEET!!!
You know I thought the road construction in Chicago was crazy but I kid you not, today at 12,090 feet atop the Rocky Mountains they were laying new road. I just could not believe it. But before I go there... this will be a day I don't think I don't ever want to forget. That is why I am up late blogging so I don't forget...
Ok so the day starts off a little crazy, we want to leave by 8, well you know that's not going to happen when we have to pack up so that we can move to a different hotel because the Silver Moon only had two nights. We are at the Holiday Inn Estes Park tonight. It's not too bad but for the cash I think it is just a little junky. Anyway, we got out and about at 9 or so and we found our new hotel and headed up the mountain. Today our plans were to go up to the Alpine Visitors Center and then come back down again. I was excited about it, a bit afraid because of my fear of heights but I was willing to face my fear and do this. So the journey began. We were able to go up a bit quicker then the day before because we had already made some stops yesterday and I didn't need to take pictures of the same thing twice. So we entered the park about 9:30 and the 1 1/2 journey up 20 miles began.
We drove the road called Trail Ridge Road that every one was telling us that if you are afraid of heights it will be something for you but you can do it. They said that there were no guardrails and that there were 2000 foot drop offs... but as we were driving yesterday and started our drive today we could not understand what people were talking about. The trip was going great. I was not freaking out too bad and I would say not at all, except for the few times I had to tell Don to slow down because I felt he was taking a turn to fast. But things were good. We got out of the car at different lookouts. I took some awesome photos. Some people took photos of the four of us together so they wouldn't all be of Don and the kids... we were having a great time. We were driving up, it was about 11 am, we had just passed the sign that said we were at 11,500 and some odd feet, I had just gotten out of the car to take some photos, gotten back in and Don says in a boisterous voice, OH NO, OH MY GOD, OH NO. Well you can imagine what I was thinking... he hit something, he saw an accident, someone fell over the edge... NO that wasn't it at all... WE WERE ALMOST OUT OF GAS!!!!! You know I had thought about this yesterday. I maybe even blogged about the need to get gas. But you know with everything going on in the morning I totally forgot.
So our gauge says that we have 26 miles to go on our tank of gas. You know going up hill you eat a lot of gas, much more than going down... so me the one who is always cautious, says to Don that I thought we were almost to the top lets go and coast down hill. Well, the wise man that my husband is says no and we turn around at 11,500 and some odd feet in the middle of the road and begin our journey down hill.
The car was pretty quiet. Don was panicking and I was praying to myself. I kept saying... ok Lord you feed thousands with two fish... we need to get down this mountain. Every time a mile would tick off the gauge Don would say it out loud. I told him to quit doing that but he just couldn't... he was worried we were going to be on the mountain without gas. Well we took the easiest way down and when I saw the "Y" from atop a hillside we thought we were pretty safe and we were going to make it... We did with 4 tenths of a tank of gas to go. Thank the Lord!!!
Anyway, It is now about noon. We were going to have a picnic lunch at the top and well... the kids were getting hungry. So what do we do??? We head back up the hill. We figured that we had been almost to the top and so we didn't need to stop we would be there in no time. And we figured because it only took us about 18 minutes to get down the mountain we wouldn't be too late for the kids, we would still be to the hotel by 4:00 and get some swimming and shopping in... We sure do dream big... So we begin back up the mountain. We only made one stop to a place we had been before because as we were coming down we saw a huge crowd stopped to see a large Elk beside the road. The Elk was gone but Grace and Don got some pretty pictures. As we continued up just past were we turned around there was this beautiful look out point called Rainbow curve. Well there were no Rainbows today but it was beautiful. Mac was sleeping so the three of us got out of the car, with the windows down, took some pictures. Don hovered close to the car in case Mac cried and I just went off taking pictures. We saw this cute little squirrel that looked like a gopher and so I wanted Don and Grace to come see it... well I think Don needs a hearing aid at times because when I got over there poor Maci was crying... wondering where his terrible parents were. I felt so bad. Anyway, we got some pictures taken with all of us and we were off. We had to be close we were at 11 some odd thousand feet... like I said I dream well.
We continued on our way when all of a sudden there are no guardrails, stone or the like. And on each side of us there was a 2000-foot drop and no shoulder. Ok I'm starting to freak out but I’m trying not to show it. I just keep asking Don to drive slowly. The next thing I know... we are above the trees. There is nothing but rock and grass and this road. Well the road somewhat changes as we get higher and we come to another lookout point that you walk out onto the mountain to see the views and it's really not so bad. Actually Don and I talked about how it looked like you could four wheel on the area but to be honest I wouldn't want to try it. :-) This is there area that the big horned sheep and the elk normally are... we didn't see many. I actually got pretty bored with what I was looking at and truly could have gone down the mountain. But no it was about 1:15 and so we just had to be close to the top so we got back in the car and continued.
So to get to my title... as we continue we see a long line of traffic stopped and so we figure we are almost to the top. We turn a corner and we see tons of people parked, walking around, and still a long line of traffic... They were stopped by a flagman and yes we are in a construction back up at 12, 090 feet in the air on a mountain and we still have farther to go... and we are going down to one lane. I just could not believe it. I was ready to turn around, but I didn't say anything... I needed to do this for Don and the family. So we continued, about a half a mile and we finally made it to the Alpine Visitors center.
It was 1:45, we got out, got out lunch, we ate right on a bench in the middle of everything. Don brought out Mac's high chair and hooked him to the bench and we were good to go. A turkey sandwich never tasted so good. When we were done we took Grace into the visitors center and we bought a couple souvenirs and well we were going to be on our way. We were going to go down the shorter trail to get home... the old road and it looked on the map to be shorter so we thought ok good we will be on schedule, maybe even earlier and that was good. Everyone would get a nap. Life was good. So we started down.
I should have known that we were in for trouble when I saw a sign at the top of the Rockies that said "To Estes Park" and Don said he knew it was there but he thought we had to go this other way to go down the back road, Old something Road... I can't remember the name of it. So I said ok. Looked at the map, thought he was right and we were off.
We didn't stop too much going down. We stop once for Grace to go potty at the Continental Divide... we didn't take a picture. I don't know why I have a picture of everything else, but Mac was asleep so we just kept going. At one point there were many cars along the road. This generally means there is an animal to be seen and sure enough... a Moose. The kids were sleeping so I let Don go take the pictures. While Don is gone Maci wakes up and I try to put a movie on for him and what happens... NOTHING. The DVD player is not working and we have how much more traveling to do I'm thinking to myself. I am figuring and hoping that it is just the battery and I tell Mac I'm sorry I can't play it and he just looks at me with the sweetest "I'm bored to death" look on his face. Don comes back and we are on our way.
About 10 minutes after we are on the road again Don says... I see a park entrance... we are not in the right spot. I see the sign that says Grand Lake and nope we are not in the right spot. We are on the opposite side of the park and we have two options. Go back the way we came or take a 3 1/2 hour drive to get back to Estes Park. What I haven't told you is half way down Don says that he thinks we are going the wrong direction but the compass read SE so we just kept going. That was the direction we were supposed to be going.
When we get to the bottom we have to decide... we know that it is only 48 miles to Estes Park from Grand Lake, but we have learned to believe people when they tell us it will take you a certain amount of time to get where you are going... so we have no other choice. We have to go up. The Ranger tells Don that the Old something Road... IS A ONE WAY AND THE ARROWS ON THE MAP SHOW YOU THAT... Well who thought to look at the arrows...
So... we have to go up.
I'm going to stop for today. The adventure is not yet over but... I will write more tomorrow and hopefully add some pictures. We need to leave for Utah in the morning so I should get some sleep... See you tomorrow
Ok so the day starts off a little crazy, we want to leave by 8, well you know that's not going to happen when we have to pack up so that we can move to a different hotel because the Silver Moon only had two nights. We are at the Holiday Inn Estes Park tonight. It's not too bad but for the cash I think it is just a little junky. Anyway, we got out and about at 9 or so and we found our new hotel and headed up the mountain. Today our plans were to go up to the Alpine Visitors Center and then come back down again. I was excited about it, a bit afraid because of my fear of heights but I was willing to face my fear and do this. So the journey began. We were able to go up a bit quicker then the day before because we had already made some stops yesterday and I didn't need to take pictures of the same thing twice. So we entered the park about 9:30 and the 1 1/2 journey up 20 miles began.
We drove the road called Trail Ridge Road that every one was telling us that if you are afraid of heights it will be something for you but you can do it. They said that there were no guardrails and that there were 2000 foot drop offs... but as we were driving yesterday and started our drive today we could not understand what people were talking about. The trip was going great. I was not freaking out too bad and I would say not at all, except for the few times I had to tell Don to slow down because I felt he was taking a turn to fast. But things were good. We got out of the car at different lookouts. I took some awesome photos. Some people took photos of the four of us together so they wouldn't all be of Don and the kids... we were having a great time. We were driving up, it was about 11 am, we had just passed the sign that said we were at 11,500 and some odd feet, I had just gotten out of the car to take some photos, gotten back in and Don says in a boisterous voice, OH NO, OH MY GOD, OH NO. Well you can imagine what I was thinking... he hit something, he saw an accident, someone fell over the edge... NO that wasn't it at all... WE WERE ALMOST OUT OF GAS!!!!! You know I had thought about this yesterday. I maybe even blogged about the need to get gas. But you know with everything going on in the morning I totally forgot.
So our gauge says that we have 26 miles to go on our tank of gas. You know going up hill you eat a lot of gas, much more than going down... so me the one who is always cautious, says to Don that I thought we were almost to the top lets go and coast down hill. Well, the wise man that my husband is says no and we turn around at 11,500 and some odd feet in the middle of the road and begin our journey down hill.
The car was pretty quiet. Don was panicking and I was praying to myself. I kept saying... ok Lord you feed thousands with two fish... we need to get down this mountain. Every time a mile would tick off the gauge Don would say it out loud. I told him to quit doing that but he just couldn't... he was worried we were going to be on the mountain without gas. Well we took the easiest way down and when I saw the "Y" from atop a hillside we thought we were pretty safe and we were going to make it... We did with 4 tenths of a tank of gas to go. Thank the Lord!!!
Anyway, It is now about noon. We were going to have a picnic lunch at the top and well... the kids were getting hungry. So what do we do??? We head back up the hill. We figured that we had been almost to the top and so we didn't need to stop we would be there in no time. And we figured because it only took us about 18 minutes to get down the mountain we wouldn't be too late for the kids, we would still be to the hotel by 4:00 and get some swimming and shopping in... We sure do dream big... So we begin back up the mountain. We only made one stop to a place we had been before because as we were coming down we saw a huge crowd stopped to see a large Elk beside the road. The Elk was gone but Grace and Don got some pretty pictures. As we continued up just past were we turned around there was this beautiful look out point called Rainbow curve. Well there were no Rainbows today but it was beautiful. Mac was sleeping so the three of us got out of the car, with the windows down, took some pictures. Don hovered close to the car in case Mac cried and I just went off taking pictures. We saw this cute little squirrel that looked like a gopher and so I wanted Don and Grace to come see it... well I think Don needs a hearing aid at times because when I got over there poor Maci was crying... wondering where his terrible parents were. I felt so bad. Anyway, we got some pictures taken with all of us and we were off. We had to be close we were at 11 some odd thousand feet... like I said I dream well.
We continued on our way when all of a sudden there are no guardrails, stone or the like. And on each side of us there was a 2000-foot drop and no shoulder. Ok I'm starting to freak out but I’m trying not to show it. I just keep asking Don to drive slowly. The next thing I know... we are above the trees. There is nothing but rock and grass and this road. Well the road somewhat changes as we get higher and we come to another lookout point that you walk out onto the mountain to see the views and it's really not so bad. Actually Don and I talked about how it looked like you could four wheel on the area but to be honest I wouldn't want to try it. :-) This is there area that the big horned sheep and the elk normally are... we didn't see many. I actually got pretty bored with what I was looking at and truly could have gone down the mountain. But no it was about 1:15 and so we just had to be close to the top so we got back in the car and continued.
So to get to my title... as we continue we see a long line of traffic stopped and so we figure we are almost to the top. We turn a corner and we see tons of people parked, walking around, and still a long line of traffic... They were stopped by a flagman and yes we are in a construction back up at 12, 090 feet in the air on a mountain and we still have farther to go... and we are going down to one lane. I just could not believe it. I was ready to turn around, but I didn't say anything... I needed to do this for Don and the family. So we continued, about a half a mile and we finally made it to the Alpine Visitors center.
It was 1:45, we got out, got out lunch, we ate right on a bench in the middle of everything. Don brought out Mac's high chair and hooked him to the bench and we were good to go. A turkey sandwich never tasted so good. When we were done we took Grace into the visitors center and we bought a couple souvenirs and well we were going to be on our way. We were going to go down the shorter trail to get home... the old road and it looked on the map to be shorter so we thought ok good we will be on schedule, maybe even earlier and that was good. Everyone would get a nap. Life was good. So we started down.
I should have known that we were in for trouble when I saw a sign at the top of the Rockies that said "To Estes Park" and Don said he knew it was there but he thought we had to go this other way to go down the back road, Old something Road... I can't remember the name of it. So I said ok. Looked at the map, thought he was right and we were off.
We didn't stop too much going down. We stop once for Grace to go potty at the Continental Divide... we didn't take a picture. I don't know why I have a picture of everything else, but Mac was asleep so we just kept going. At one point there were many cars along the road. This generally means there is an animal to be seen and sure enough... a Moose. The kids were sleeping so I let Don go take the pictures. While Don is gone Maci wakes up and I try to put a movie on for him and what happens... NOTHING. The DVD player is not working and we have how much more traveling to do I'm thinking to myself. I am figuring and hoping that it is just the battery and I tell Mac I'm sorry I can't play it and he just looks at me with the sweetest "I'm bored to death" look on his face. Don comes back and we are on our way.
About 10 minutes after we are on the road again Don says... I see a park entrance... we are not in the right spot. I see the sign that says Grand Lake and nope we are not in the right spot. We are on the opposite side of the park and we have two options. Go back the way we came or take a 3 1/2 hour drive to get back to Estes Park. What I haven't told you is half way down Don says that he thinks we are going the wrong direction but the compass read SE so we just kept going. That was the direction we were supposed to be going.
When we get to the bottom we have to decide... we know that it is only 48 miles to Estes Park from Grand Lake, but we have learned to believe people when they tell us it will take you a certain amount of time to get where you are going... so we have no other choice. We have to go up. The Ranger tells Don that the Old something Road... IS A ONE WAY AND THE ARROWS ON THE MAP SHOW YOU THAT... Well who thought to look at the arrows...
So... we have to go up.
I'm going to stop for today. The adventure is not yet over but... I will write more tomorrow and hopefully add some pictures. We need to leave for Utah in the morning so I should get some sleep... See you tomorrow
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Bear Lake and our first day at Estes Park
Today’s adventures… After getting in so late last night Maci did not have a very good night. He had us up at 3:00 so Don made him a bottle and we were able to sleep then until 6:30. Maci was so wide-awake and I didn’t want to wake Grace up so I took him out and we walked the streets of Estes Park this morning. Too bad I don’t drink coffee I could have stopped at Starbucks and had a cup. Anyway, we walked all around and I took pictures. I love to take pictures and I have an ok camera but it’s not necessarily the best for artful photos. Anyway we were gone for about an hour, we stopped to find out what there was for breakfast, and then went back to the room. When we got there Grace was looking out the door waiting for us. We watched some cartoons and by 9:00 we were ready to walk.
So my list for today…
1. Grace was excited to be walking… Mac he needed to nap but wasn’t having any of that. We finally put him in the big stroller and he napped for almost 2 hours while we walked around town.
2. Grace got her first pair of cowboy boots. They are white with pink trim!!! She LOVES THEM!!!
3. The whole family went swimming.
4. Have I told you that Mac has no fear? He loves to be in the water with his floaties on and by goodness don’t be touching him he wants to be on his own. He would kick his feet to the get to the steps and he was climbing all over them and then figured out how to jump off the steps into the water. He is something else. I think I need to get the both of them into swimming lessons.
5. We all took a two-hour nap this afternoon. It was great.
6. We paid $9 for a subway sandwich that we just wanted to meat for the kids… there was a grocery store two blocks away and we could have gotten a pound of turkey for that price. Then… the kids wouldn’t even eat the meat.
7. Grace keeps telling me her tummy is hurting her. I’m a bit concerned and we are praying for healing but I think I’m going to have to call the doctor when I get home.
8. We decided to go to the Rocky Mountain State park in the afternoon. We started to do the Trail Ridge Road… 20 foot drop offs with no guard rails. Once we got there we stopped at one of the lookouts and someone told us since we were there so late that we should do Bear Lake and do the other tomorrow. So that is what we did.
9. Did I mention that Grace wore her new cowboy boots to Bear Lake and decided she wanted to go climbing? She got pretty far but I made Don go get her before she slipped bad and fell.
10. Grace had a grand time at Bear Lake. She was going along the trail making up stories and finding the bear paw clues along the way. It was a great lesson for learning her numbers. We called them clues, like on Blue’s Clues, too bad we forgot the handy dandy notebook in the car.
11. Mac road atop Don’s shoulders for most of the trail. Around 7:00 he got fussy and well that really was his bedtime. Poor guy with this trip we are throwing off his schedule. Poor Don isn’t going to have any hair left if he forgets to wear a hat when Mac is on his shoulders. Mac uses Don’s hair as his reins.
12. We went to grocery store to get lunch for tomorrow and we are going to take a sack lunch on our trip so that we don’t have to worry about what the kids eat. It is an hour and a half to go up the dangerous Trail Ridge Road. I am VERY scared of heights but I’m going to do it and it will be ok. I think that we are going to do the whole park and that is 3 hours around and then 3 hours back. It should be beautiful.
13. I love the hotel we are in but we will be moving from here to that Holiday Inn in Estes Park tomorrow night. It should be fun it is a Holidome so after the long wilderness venture we can relax with the kids at the hotel before we travel on to Utah.
14. Remind me that we are not going to deviate from our plan, up to Cheyenne over to Utah. Don wants to go through Vail and Aspen but that is a two-day trip in itself!!!
15. I asked a lady today at a quilt shop who has moved here from Chicago if she ever took the mountains for granted? Did she ever wake up and not appreciate the beauty. She said NO she notices it every day and thanks God she is where she is. I have always wondered that. It is really laid back here and I like that but I don’t think I could live without running water.
Three things I forgot that are out of order…
16. Mac is learning how to tease Grace. It is really pretty funny and I actually said today… Knock it off the two of you.
17. We were driving down the mountain and Don said… “I would like to see the big Sequoias someday”. I told him that would be fine and fun when a little voice from them back seat said, “With me Dad, you’ll take me?!!” Which Don replied, “ Of course Grace I will always take you.” And he got all teary eyed that made his so happy. We are so blessed.
18. Grace told us the whole time we were going to Bear Ridge… “I’m going to march on the trail in my cowboy boots!” And you know what, she did. She just loved it.
Have a great day… we will.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Nebraska is not near as boring as the enterance to Colorado
I was really shocked to day when we started on our journey through Nebraska and Colorado. Driving through Nebraska is no different than driving I88 from Chicago to Sterling and or as far as the Quad Cities. It is just the same. I wasn’t bored… UNTIL I GOT TO THE ENTERANCE OF COLORADO!!! Oh my goodness there is nothing but these hills with nothing on them because they can’t plant anything because it won’t grow. There aren’t trees… there’s nothing. Maybe every 40 acres a farm but otherwise NOTHING!!!
So it was quite a day and I am once again sitting in the dark enjoying the quiet… or the silence around the snores of my husband and son, Gracie makes a sigh every now and then… I thought that I would write a short summary again of the days events so I can then get some sleep but I’m hoping we get to sleep in because it was a long day…
So here it goes…
1. Grace woke up ready to “Go to the Mountains Mom”
2. Did I mention that a guy thought I was pregnant yesterday… told that story to my Mom, she thought it was funny, told me that I did need to lose weight… oh wait that is a subject for my other blog… therapy blog as I call it… http://fnoa.blogger.com
3. The kids were really good for the first 3 hours. Maci slept and Grace watched movies. She wasn’t feeling the best
today but we did ok.4. We visited The Great Platte River Road Archway Monument which was going to be an hour stop that turned into three.
5. I have to learn not to take the kids to slow restaurants when they are really hungry. Also, I don’t like new waitresses when I’m in a hurry. They are stupid.
6. I’m knitting another Hedgehog and I had to take the whole thing out. That wasted some time.
7. Maci and Grace slept a lot today. The trip was not too bad but we were in the care for 12 hours. That is nuts.
8. Did I mention Colorado is boring!!
9. Had the worst ice cream ever at the tourist center when you enter CO. Both Grace and Don dropped their cones. Maci had a great time eating!!!
10. I was a good Mom and remembered the wipes!!
11. Visited Sterling, CO so that the kids could burn off some energy. They played a a McDonald’s playland for about an hour. (now we are 4 hours off schedule)
12. Grace had to poop so we pulled off the side of the road because there is NOWHERE to stop in CO, and she would not go. Don even tried to make a chair in his arms for her. He is such a good dad.
I had to come back a edit this because I forgot to write that it rained... and rained... and rained. Colorado is having a drought right now and it rains just for us. Isn't that nice?
13. Finally got to a bathroom and shocked this lady waiting when the WHOLE family comes out of the ladies room.
14. Did I tell you that Colorado is beautiful?
15. When we got to the town at the bottom of the mountains Grace wanted to turn the TV off and just watch the mountains.
16. Oh by the way I’m driving and I’m afraid of heights.
17. I took almost an hour to get 22 miles but boy was it beautiful.
18. Grace told us all about the mountains and that she wanted to play with the Dinosaurs, and that she was sorry that their weren’t going to be fireworks for her Dad, and that when we stay at “the hotel” she would ask for the fireworks, and well she just kept talking about nothing and then all of a sudden it was quiet. They both were asleep.
19. We got here at 9:30 mountain time, checked in, brought all our stuff to the most beautiful hotel… www.silvermooninn.com with a babbling brook right outside the door.
20. We went for a walk into town to tire the kids out again and when we returned everyone went to bed.
I can’t wait to write about tomorrow. We are just going to stay right here. We are not going to get in the car we are not going to do anything but swim, walk, shop, walk some more and then Thursday we are going to the Rocky Mountain National Park… I know that I am going to have to deal with my fear of heights but today I’m going to go to bed, get up in the morning and enjoy the scenery!!!
Have a great day where ever you are….
Monday, July 24, 2006
Cross country with a baby and a toddler what was I thinking...
Well right now it is great. everyone is sleeping and I have a few quiet minutes to myself so I can jot down a few things that happened...
1. We left at 4 am and Grace woke up with out a care and talked for the first three hours about going to a hotel. "Are we going to the hotel Mom?"
2. I don't know if it was the excitement or what but she threw up all over the floor at McDonald's on Brady street in Davenport. I think she just had too much food in her mouth but... ICKY none the less.
3. It rained and rained and rained.
3.b We went to this Train place where they had their basement set up with Lionel Trains... it was neat, until the guy asked me when I was due ... I didn't want to be rude right back so I said "oh not for a while" and he replied... "Geez Must be twins then." Not good... not good at all.
4. Poor Grace peed her pants.
5. We saw the REAL Bridges in Madison County... that was a mere 4 hour detour.
6. Mac cried.
7. Mac fussed.
8. Mac HATES to ride in the car.
9. The Holiday Inn in Lincoln NE has laundry services so I was able to do all the laundry that got dirty on day one ...
10. We swam and ordered in Pizza. It was a crazy night. Don is a real trouper to put up with me. I am stressing out way too much. This is a vacation right?
I will try to write more when we get to Estes Park, CO.
Monday, June 19, 2006
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Vote for Taylor!!!!
So another year of Idol has come and is almost gone and so I am out here to encourage any and all of you to vote for Taylor. Those of us who grew up in the late 70's early 80's remember the music of the Doobie Brothers and Joe Cocker, I loved that music and I have to say there are days that I have to ask myself what has happened to music... but I won't go there because I will then sound like my mom!!! Anyway, tonight is the last night for Idol and I want everyone to vote for Taylor!!! I have loved his voice since the auditions... I wish that he could play his harmonica more often... maybe tomorrow night on the final show who knows. Anyway, Katherine might be easier to market but Taylor is what we need!!!
Monday, May 01, 2006
Not Ready to Make Nice
I don't know if any of you have followed the whole Dixie Chick problem when Natalie made her comments about George Bush and the war. Then there were some issues revolving around her and Toby Keith because of these issues. She wore a shirt on an awards show that said F.U.T.K. (meaning FU Tobu Keith). I don't know everything about the whole story (I think I was pregnant with my first at the time and everything from that time is sort of a fog) but it was quite a fiasco.
Well being someone who LOVES the Dixie Chicks and actually agreed with many of the things that Natalie had to say... I have missed them. I missed their music a lot. I own everything that they have made and I use to listen to them all the time. They are part of my music history. I will never forget the days at the North End with Jenny and Becky (two of my best friends) taking the DJ's mic from him and doing our own version of karaoke to "Earl". Just about every Friday night for a year.
It was sort of ironic because just a couple of weeks ago while watching my favorite country music channel I got to thinking about the Chicks and I wondered if they were still together. In an answer to my thoughts... finally last week I was lucky enough to tune in to the Top Twenty Countdown on CMT to see that they were premiering the new Dixie Chicks video, "I'm Not Ready To Make Nice". WOW! What a video, what a song. They are good and I am glad to see that Martie and Emily are supporting Natalie. The symbolism is just wonderful. I don't know who directed it but it is great!!! I think that my favorite part of the video is toward the end when they are trying to do a spine removal on Natalie. She does not back down!!! No one should back down from their convictions!!!
If you get a chance head to www.dixiechicks.com and watch the video or listen to the song!!!
Monday, March 20, 2006
Macie and his Daddy...
Don and Mac are so cute together I thought I needed to share a few pictures. Mac is certainly all boy. He is very aggressive and he goes after Grace and thinks it's funny to blow raspberries on her belly. He likes to play rough and in the last few days he is actually crawling on all fours... no more combat crawling. He will follow Grace all over the house. He is so cute... but I'll let you judge that for yourself. Enjoy...
41... I'm old
So this year for my b-day I had these visions of doing something wonderful. Going away for the weekend, spending time with my family, maybe going out with friends... anything. But it just didn't happen that way. Everyone in my family was sick. There is some awful virus out there and well everyone has it. We did go out to a nice new restaurant in Frankfort, the food was really good but, Mac couldn't breathe through his nose so he didn't want to eat, and just wanted to be held. Grace was tired so she was a bit hyper and spilled her water all over the table. Don was really tired because he was feeling so awful and my Mom, she was being a trouper but you could tell she really didn't want to be out and about.
Oh well, I guess there comes a time in one's life that you quit having big celebrations for your b-day and just hang out with the family. It's just that last year for the big 4-0 I was very pregnant and I thought we just might do something fun this year... oh well. Maybe when I'm 45 I will get all my girlfriends together from High school and we can go somewhere tropical for a few days!!!
Oh well, I guess there comes a time in one's life that you quit having big celebrations for your b-day and just hang out with the family. It's just that last year for the big 4-0 I was very pregnant and I thought we just might do something fun this year... oh well. Maybe when I'm 45 I will get all my girlfriends together from High school and we can go somewhere tropical for a few days!!!
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
The day my life change forever...
I know that heading is a pretty big statement but I have to be honest, I think this moment was even greater than the birth of my children.
January 29, 2006 my daughter turned to her brother and said, "I Love You Macie" and then she looked at her dad and said "I love you, Daddy" and then she turned to me, totally unsolicitated and said, "I Love you Mommy". She gave me a big hug and I knew that she
knew what she was saying. She knows what it is to say she loves us. She might not know everything there is to know about love but she knows that she loves me.That was a moment that is imprinted on my heart and I will never forget January 29, 2006.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Christmas
Had a great Christmas this year but we were too busy. I felt bad that we had to rush through Christmas presents from Santa because I was singing with the choir at church on Christmas morning. I realized I can't do that again. I felt kind of bad. The nextmorning was so cute though... Grace woke up and come running down the stairs yelling... PRESENTS PRESENTS PRESENTS... Unfortunately she was quite disappointed when she found out there was nothing new for her underneath the tree.
She got a wonderful gift that I don't that she totally appreciates as of yet but... we got her a tent. At some point she will realize this is a great place to get away from her family. But for right now it is in the sunroom, funished with an Elmo couch and chair and whe sits in there when her Granny is out in the sunroom with her.
One of the best gifts given to Grace this year was from her Aunt Megan and Uncle George. I had stipulated this year I was telling everyone what I wanted for the kids. I didn't want them to get a million gifts. I figured between 6 and 8 were plenty. Every one listened for the most part and got what I asked... Well Megan and George out did themselves... I asked them to gget her a microphone... Well she didn't just get a microphone, she got a Cinderella's carriage Karaoke Machine!!!! Those of you who know me know that I LOVE KARAOKE!!! So you know who the gift was really for. Any way... we have ahd so much fun with this. Grace calls it her "Hello" machine. She turns on the microphone and says "hello... HEllo... HELLO!!!" The whole family was in her room the other day singing and dancing. Her and Mac got laughing so hard. It was soooo funny!!!The gift she plays with the most however is that Leapfrog Fridge Phonics. I have been worried about Grace for a long time that she did not like to talk. I don't know if it's that she couldn't, didn't want to or what. Well being the paranoid Mom that I am I called people, talked to Speech pathologists, and then simply decided to wait it out. I taught her some sign language in the mean time to tie us over until she decided that talking was a good thing. Well with in a week or so of learning some signs she started to talk. This Fridge Phonics was something she saw at her cousin Mattie's and so
I told my cousin Tracey that if she wanted to get Grace that for Christmas it would be PERFECT!!! Since getting this awesome gift for Christmas, Miss Grace has gone from only a few words vocabulary to TALKING MY EAR OFF!!! Others can understand her all the time but I would say 90% of the time I can figure out what she is saying. I have to say it was a great Christmas for Grace.I must say that I would blog about Mac and what he did for Christmas but it was very uneventful for him... He was 5 1/2 months old. He enjoyed watching but he doesn't get it. He got a lot of clothes because... he has enough toys and he is growing out of his clothes by leaps and bounds.
I hope that all of you had a wonderful Holiday season. We did. I am glad that it is a great time and that we can all be together!
Monday, January 02, 2006
Sick kid
So my family is sick. Since 11:30pm my poor little Gracie has been sick to her stomach. I don't know if it is going around but we have been sick here since the 28th of December.
I was the first to get sick but I thought it was because I had surgery the day before and I don't always react well to anethesia. After it lingered with me for about 24 hours I figured it might have been more than just the anethesia.
Well during that 24 hours both my husband and Grace got sick once. Don was feeling a bit under the weather all day but Grace decided to get sick first... vomit in the bed, on the floor, on her clothes, and all over her Mom. I had hand surgery and couldn't get my hand wet, yet I am rescuing my baby girl from her imitation of the pea soup scene in "The Exorcist". Whe Don doesn't feel well he is, for the most part, not very helpful. I will give him credit for last Wednesday though, he did all he could to help me. I just didn't seem enough you know... I have a hand all bandaged up, vomit all over me, and well it just felt like on of those moments.
So last night, once again, Don and Grace don't feel will. Poor Grace is throwing up bile she is so sick this time. Don has moaned most of the night because his belly hurts. Grace has thown up about every 2 hours. I have tried to give her a little 7up to help her belly, but that just comes up too. She has slept with us all night and well of course it is my side of the bed that has taken the beating from her being sick. I'm up at this time because I have been doing laundry to get rid of that smell that comes along with stomach flu. Mac woke at 5 so I have just stayed up since feeding him. He is the only one who hasn't been sick. I don't want him to be sick... so now I have to figure out how do I keep him out of VOMITs way.
I am not good when people, including myself, are sick. I tend to have to buck up even when I'm not feeling well. Is that the way it is for most Mom's? Sick or not sick you job is never done. I didn't even get pampered after having surgery... (I'm having my own little pity party right now...)
Anyway... to all Mom's out there I commend you for all you do especially during this flu season when we are catching ourselves coming and going and making sure that our family is taken care of.
I was the first to get sick but I thought it was because I had surgery the day before and I don't always react well to anethesia. After it lingered with me for about 24 hours I figured it might have been more than just the anethesia.
Well during that 24 hours both my husband and Grace got sick once. Don was feeling a bit under the weather all day but Grace decided to get sick first... vomit in the bed, on the floor, on her clothes, and all over her Mom. I had hand surgery and couldn't get my hand wet, yet I am rescuing my baby girl from her imitation of the pea soup scene in "The Exorcist". Whe Don doesn't feel well he is, for the most part, not very helpful. I will give him credit for last Wednesday though, he did all he could to help me. I just didn't seem enough you know... I have a hand all bandaged up, vomit all over me, and well it just felt like on of those moments.
So last night, once again, Don and Grace don't feel will. Poor Grace is throwing up bile she is so sick this time. Don has moaned most of the night because his belly hurts. Grace has thown up about every 2 hours. I have tried to give her a little 7up to help her belly, but that just comes up too. She has slept with us all night and well of course it is my side of the bed that has taken the beating from her being sick. I'm up at this time because I have been doing laundry to get rid of that smell that comes along with stomach flu. Mac woke at 5 so I have just stayed up since feeding him. He is the only one who hasn't been sick. I don't want him to be sick... so now I have to figure out how do I keep him out of VOMITs way.
I am not good when people, including myself, are sick. I tend to have to buck up even when I'm not feeling well. Is that the way it is for most Mom's? Sick or not sick you job is never done. I didn't even get pampered after having surgery... (I'm having my own little pity party right now...)
Anyway... to all Mom's out there I commend you for all you do especially during this flu season when we are catching ourselves coming and going and making sure that our family is taken care of.
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