Happy Halloween!!

Happy Halloween from the Arnold's!!!!

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I hate raccoons!!

It all started with a crashing noise that woke me up last night. I thought maybe someone was in our garage because maybe we left the door open. Nope. A raccoon was locked in the garage and eating our trash! Of course, I sent Jeff down to check out the "sound". He looked around and said stuff was knocked down and really couldn't see anything. So he came back upstairs to get his glasses and go back down to find out what was in the garage. He looked around and found a raccoon! Ugh...it pooped and peed in the garage. The garage smells funny now. Jeff cleaned out the garage and cleaned the floor. I hate raccoons!

BTW...just heard a noise. Of course, I sent Jeff to find out what it was. He found stuff knocked down again. He just looked under his car and guess what...raccoon was still in our garage! Maybe that's why the garage smelled. Out goes the great white hunter...

Alldredge Orchard (80 photos), by Carolyn Arnold

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.

I Rock!

Jack and I went on a field trip today with his preschool class to Carolyn's Country Cousins Pumpkin Patch! We arrived a little late, but no biggie. We saw different pumpkins, lots of animals, and even went on a tractor ride to pick out our pumpkin to take home! After this, we went back to have lunch. This is where I messed up! I forgot to pack Jack's lunch! Now, in all fairness, he hasn't been at school since Monday. He was sick on Wednesday and doesn't usually attend class on Thursdays, thus, I drove him to the pumpkin patch. So, I didn't have a lunch for Jack. I felt really bad. I'm not sure I knew I needed to pack his lunch or I just forgot, but I did. So I talked him into to leaving a little early, which was nice because is was cold and misty, and took him to McDonald's for a little McNugget action followed by a cookie chaser! He even got a Sprite today! Mom saves the day and had a good time on Jack's field trip! Next time: I will pack 2 lunches...for that mom like me!

I'm BAAACCK!

So, I know I promised to blog more a couple of months ago, but now I think I have the motivation! I don't know why I haven't blogged...probably pure laziness, but now I'm back and ready to go!

This fall, Jeff, me and the kids went with our playgroup to a local apple orchard for some apple picking and boy did we have fun! Note to self: I need to hijack Jeff's phone for the pictures! With a peck of apples, I had my work cut out to do something with them!

So...I made homemade applesauce. It was soo easy! I had done this before, but this time, this recipe was so easy! It was from Family Fun website and I will try to post it later. Next, I made baked apples and it was incredibly yummy and easy too! Finally, I made my favorite...apple crisp! It's from cooks.com and here it is:


EASY APPLE CRISP

1 c. sugar
2 tsp. lemon juice
1/4 c. water
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
6 peeled and sliced large apples
3/4 c. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
6 tbsp. butter
Combine 1/2 c. sugar, lemon juice, water and cinnamon in bottom of small baking pan. Slice in apples. Blend remaining 1/2 c. sugar, flour, salt and butter until crumbly. Spread over apples and pat smooth.
Bake at 375°F. for 40-50 minutes, until apples are tender and crust is browned. Serve hot with ice cream. This is a good recipe for apple crisp if you don't like the over-sugary oatmeal taste. It's basically a rectangular apple pie, but healthier (no lard).

I loved this recipe and recommend everyone to try it! Gotta love cooking!

Wisconsin Dells Vacation (147 photos), by Carolyn Arnold

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.

The Conspiracy

Jeff said the kids are now conspiring against us...maybe finally. They have decided NOT to sleep. First it was Ainsley and now it is Jack. Of course, the other morning God intervened and gave us a thunderstorm and then Jack woke up.

Oh...to have my kids sleep again!

Jack's funny statements

This conversation occured at 3:30 this morning...

"Mom, the pig looks just like Pumba"
"Jack, what pig?"
"The pig, it looks just like Pumba like Timon and Pumba."
"What pig, Jack? The pig we saw at the zoo?"
"yup, it sure does. And deer don't bite, they lick."
"Okay, Jack. You're right. Now, go back to sleep."

And he did...of course he was running a fever during this conversation...

Jack's Big Ol' Fish

Here's Jack today with Papa at the pond by our house. Check out the major catch of the day! Great job Jack!

Okay...so he's a little scared of the fish....

Vacation Bible School

Okay...somehow I was suckered into teaching VBS. Today was my first day...yesterday we had doctor appointments, and it wasn't so bad! I had just about the same group as last year and they did pretty well! I hope to keep you updated as to how the week goes!

Anyway, Jack and I just finished playing with his new spaghetti factory playdough toy from his cousin Katie! Only Jack wasn't saying spaghetti, he was saying masketti! Look at my masketti! He's so funny!

My son, the commando

A conversation we just had...


Prior to singing, Jeff was messing with Jack and depantsed Jack.
Carolyn sings..."I see London, I see France, I see Jackie's underpants..."
Jack screams, "I'm not wearing underweare!!!"
Jeff says, "What?!?!" Then checks and says, "You AREN'T wearing underwear. Why not?"
Jack says," I didn't want to!"

I guess my son likes to go commando....

BTW--I was just watching Ainsley and she seriously needs some fruit. She was walking up the stairs and holding on to the banister to poop!

Finally!

I finally have a moment to write! We had a fabulous Fourth of July at the Lake of the Ozarks! I will post pictures here soon! Tonight we had our 2nd t-ball practice! Jack told us he wasn't scared and wasn't going to be shy. He wasn't and seemed to have lots of fun!

Exciting day tomorrow! Jack turns 4! I can't believe he is 4. 4 years ago I was pregnant. 4 years ago I stopped sleeping. 4 years ago my life changed for the better and I have loved every minute of it! From the sleepless nights to the walking, talking, playing, life has been amazing! There is never a dull moment when my Jack is around. I can be in the worst mood ever and he will just come up and give me a kiss and completely changes my mood! I will hopefully write more tomorrow because tomorrow was the day that changed my life in an amazing way! Love you little guy!

Staying home is tough!

These past three weeks have been tough! I thought being a stay at home mom would be easier, but we are sooo busy! This week we had church, my aunt visited from Texas, and lots of swimming! Yesterday, Jack and I went to the movies to see Up. I loved it, but I'm not sure he did. Actually, I know he enjoyed himself, but the movie was a little scary for a 3 year old (just some exciting action scenes!)! This week we are going to the farmers market and going to the lake for some r and r. We will be back on Sunday.

Ugh...I have jury duty on July 6th. This is the 2nd time I have had jury duty! So not looking forward to the 6th. However, on July 8th, Jack will turn 4! I can't believe he is that old! I have loved every minute!

Have a great weekend!

So Sorry!

I know I haven't written for awhile, but life was really crazy! I was finishing school, now I am officially done AND no longer working! I am officially a stay at home mom! Loving it!

We went to the lake last weekend to celebrate Tom's 60th birthday! Pictures to come soon! I will blog more now that I am home! Oh happy day!

Marley andd Me

If you haven't seen this movie, you must! So heartwarming and loving...this movie is definately for animal lovers! Everyone's gotta see it...so good!

Where to begin...

Let' see...I only have 9 days of school left! I have decided to stay home for the next school year and I am so excited! I have my zoo pass ready, and trying dilligently to find things to do that are free! Let me know what to do for fun that's free!

This evening, Jeff and I realized that Jack can finally make the L sound! We are very excited! He was saying "Lilly, Laura, Lola". It was just so fun to hear him say those words so clearly!

This Mother's Day was wonderful! On Saturday, Jeff and I worked outside all day long! I went to my neighbor's baby shower and when I came home my cell phone wouldn't work. I couldn't figure out what was wrong. Jeff thought there must be an outage around KC. I didn't think much about it, but I was super frustrated! As the day progressed, my phone STILL wasn't working. I am dependant on that phone, so I am frustrated! Jeff's phone had some kinda weird message like SOS...only emergency calls. So...we went to dinner at my parents house and my phone still didn't work so I was on our account looking at what the problem might be. I asked Jeff if he had paid our bill, and he had. The weird thing was it said I had an iphone as my cell phone. I was ticked because I didn't have an iphone and I thought our account was all messed up! Well...I arrived home and decided I needed to call AT & T and find out what the problem was! Jeff handed me the phone and a present and said I needed to open my package before I call. Ah....and IPHONE! I was so excited! He even got me a pink case for the outside! I'm so excited and just love it! Thanks honey!

On Mother's day, Jack and Ainsley both gave me flowers from church stuff and spent a wonderful lunch at IHOP with my parents! Just a great Mother's Day all around! Thanks family!

Ainsley's so funny!

Ainsley now says, "Woof, Woof"!! I asked her what a doggie says and she makes this funny face and says "woof, woof"! So cute!

March for Babies!

http://www.marchforbabies.org/teams/709932

Help support Fort Osage and our team for the March for Babies!

Bend it like Ainsley

Had to laugh...Ainsley just handed me her bottle, which by the way we are trying to stop, but alas, no luck. So she handed me her bottle and I then threw it to Jeff. She took it from Jeff and gave it back to me. When I told her to give it to daddy, she threw it on the floor and then kicked it around like a soccer ball, hence...Bend it like Ainsley (according to Jeff)!!!

Happy Easter!

Here's our Easter fun for this year! Hope everyone had a wonderful day!

My Awesome Husband!

So...my husband decided to take me out last night. We started out at dinner at 1924 Main. Oh...so yummy. No kids and we had an adult conversation type of dinner! It was also nice because we were only one of a couple of people in the restaurant at that time, so we sat at the Chef's table. Just wonderful.

Then it was off to our 7th row seats to watch the Phantom of the Opera! It was sooo cool to be that close to the front. The chandelier flew right above our heads! We could see all of the faces so clearly. Such a wonderful theater experience. Of course, the show was phenomenal! I just love it! Wonderful music, set, and actors. I encourage everyone to sit in one of these seats sometime to watch the theater. A whole new experience!

Mom and I partook in a little shopping today! We visited Briarcliff Village and downtown Liberty! Gotta love days of shopping!

Have a happy Easter!

Ainsley's Birthday Photos!

My Baby Girl...

I cannot believe that tomorrow, April 2nd, my baby will be 1!!! What an amazing year it has been! From the extra week in the hospital because of a low oxygen level, to spending over 4 months at home with her for maternity leave, to finding out that her heart is fine!, to walking at 11 months old, it has been fun. I love every second with her...even the screaming for 2 hours last night from midnight until around 2am! Life without her wouldn't be the same. So cute...so lovable...so kissable...so fun. Baby girl, daddy, Jack and mommy love you! Let's have another FANTASTIC year! I will upload a picture tomorrow!

I CANNOT Believe It!!

That title was in honor of the Little Einsteins! Okay, so what is up with this weather. God gives us great weather and then today...rain, ice, sleet, now snow. Actually, I think it is a snow/sleet mix. This is absolutely crazy weather!

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This morning Ainsley found an old cell phone and preceded to talk on it! She held her own little conversation. So cute!

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Jack stayed at Papa and Grandma's last night. He is being very cute tonight. Jeff bought me a Wii this morning (a complete surprise, but I had really leaving lots of hints around!) and so we played a little at my parents house. Jack loves bowling! When we got home he informed me we needed to play bowling. Unfortunately, we had to wait...Mizzou game was on. Of course, I'm watching the last 7 seconds and they are loosing...maybe we should have played.

Aaahhh...

My wonderful husband gave me a gift for Valentine's Day...a spa package at the Integrite Salon. Now, I feel really bad because I didn't get him anything...we agreed nothing because we were skiing in Colorado, but he got the salong package for me. The salong is located at 135th and Roe, in Leawood KS. It is a 4 visit deal...first visit is a hair cut, second visit is a nail day, third visit is a facial, and 4th visit is a cut and color. I decided today to go ahead and cut and color my hair. I met with Ella this morning, who has an incredibly cute red haircut, which I loved! She colored my hair followed by me sitting in this great messaging chair. Now, I've sat in all kinds of massaging chairs, but this one was great!!!! After about 30-45 minutes in the chair, she gave me a deep conditioning treatment (ahhh...I love getting my hair washed and scalp massaged...best thing EVER!) and then she cut my hair!

This place was great--so relaxing...cool water wall by the entrance/shampooing area...fun place to get your hair cut!

After my 2 1/2 session it was off to the Plaza for lunch with my family. Today is my big brother's 35th birthday! He is soooo old. He wanted Jack Stack, so I met the family there. A little shopping after dinner and then it was back home for dinner and cake. Gotta love my aunts cakes!

Finally, I was back home and ready to hit the bed. I've got a lovely cold happening so it's off to bed!

Brown Chicken!

Tonight we had some fish and mac and cheese for dinner. I was proud--I cooked a nice meal. However, Jack informed me he loved the chicken and then we had to sing the chicken song from Wiggles! Never a dull moment in our house!

As for Ainsley, I just watched her climb in the dog toy basket and preceed to sit and then fall backwards! She is a character too! BTW--she is the machine gun stage!

12:00 aka Midnight

I absolutely dread midnight right now...this is the time Ainsley has decided to wake up the past couple of nights and scream...for a long time...oh how I wish for sleep again!

PLUS: I have had a 13 hour work day today and a 12 hour work day tomorrow--gotta love conferences!

Ahhh...Painting

Thank goodness for grandparents! Jeff and I spent the ENTIRE day painting our family room and downstairs a shade of brown! We love it but we are incredibly exhausted! Jack and Ainsley spent the entire day with Papa and Grandma while we painted. All we have left to paint in our house is the downstairs bedroom and hallway. Each will be done by fall! Such a nice feeling to have this huge task done!

Did you see that Mizzou game! Finally, Mizzou won a Big 12 conference title! We beat Baylor for the title! Go Tigers!

New Dog Trick

SO...Jack has a new dog trick today...carry mom's paper in the house like a dog! Yup...my son's a dog!

My son, the dog

Jack has decided to become a dog. He barks at dad when he arrives home. He licks our legs like Roxy. When in the bathtub, he shakes like Roxy when I poor water on his head! When getting out of the bathtub, he has decided to "shake off"! I really need to video tape this as blackmail one day...

Oh my son!

Jack Ski Video

Here's Jack skiing for the 1st time

Ainsley is Walking!!!

Check out our little girl thinking she's hot stuff!

It's Been FOREVER!!!

Okay, I know it's been forever and I really haven't been doing a great job about blogging, but I do have reasons! 1. We went SKIING! Jack seemed to have a blast! 2. We have been sick--right before our major trip to Colorado!

So...

1. Yes, we made it skiing! We headed out on Friday the 13th for Colorado at 4 am! Ainsley stayed with my mom and dad in their new house up here in north Kansas City. Uncle Brian and Uncle Matt stayed with us Thursday night. At 3:40am! we were awakened by a horrible alarm and we were on the road by 4:10am! Jeff and I drove for a long time through Kansas. Jack slept until 6am and then he was awake for a most of the trip. Matt and Brian rode in the back--Sorry guys! Anyway, we made it to Denver around 1pm(their time) and headed up the mountains. Of course, Jack fell alseep as we entered Denver. So, it was off to my friend's son's store, Paragon Sports. We met JT and had a buying adventure! JT was soooo wonderful! Ski's, gear, Jack's stuff and other necessities. We ended up leaving and hour and 1/2 later to go to Winter Park. Jeff's mom and dad met us there and had dinner waiting! Oh yummy dinner!

We stayed right in Winter Park (Good job honey!) It was a great location and great townhouse! Jeff, Jack and I slept upstairs in the master suite! Nice big bed, huge tub/shower and beautiful views! Just magnificient! Below is a picture from outside our townhouse!

We skied Saturday, Sunday, and part of Monday. Jack was in ski school and did fantastic! I made it down the mountain in one piece and Jeff tried snowboarding. So much fun. We left Monday around 1pm, dropped by JT's store, and made it back to Missouri around 1am! We were exhausted, but had a blast! Can't wait for next year.

Jeff and Carolyn on the Mountain!

Jack skiing on the kiddie slope!

Jack in ski school crying for mom and dad!

Okay, so number 2. Before we left on Friday, we were ALL sick! I had the flu and pink eye and Jack had the flu with a cold and Jeff and Ainsley had the flu. Major grossness in our house before we left. I am proud to say I think we are better!

I promise to post more often for the rest of the year!

It's Ski Time!

On Friday, Jeff, Jack and I along with Matt, Brian, Tom and Jo will make a trek to the mountains of Colorado (Winter Park) for a weekend of skiing. I'm so excited! We haven't been on a trip in a year and half and we are so excited--can you tell?! Ainsley is staying with my mom and dad here in the city. We finished ordering Jack's stuff this weekend and signed him up with Ski School. I'm going to take a lesson when we arrive. I'm also thinking about snowboarding this year. It always looks like fun to me. Jeff and I might try it together. Won't that be a sight! We will post pictures upon our arrival home! Wish us luck!

I'm so sorry!

I know I haven't written for a while, but wow! life got really crazy! It started last Friday when I awoke with the dredded pink eye! By Saturday it was in both eyes! I have had to discard my contacts and case and wear my glasses all week! YUCK!

On Saturday we met up with Brian and Annie to visit the Can display at Union Station. It was awesome! I will try and post some pictures, but give me time and I will! We then went out to lunch on Saturday at Crown Center and over to B and A's house. We played a little Wii and then we had to go to Thomasville to pick up our new nighstands! We finally feel grown up with the new nightstands!

Sunday, I taught Sunday School again and then Jeff, the kids and myself went to Dick's and Sports Authority. Long story short--I can't workout at the gym enough, so I need something at home. So...I ordered an elliptical machine from Smooth Fitness. I can't wait for it to arrive!

I stayed home Monday with the kids, but decided to have lunch with Jeff one more time downtown. He quit his job to go to a law firm with two co-workers down in Leawood. I'll tell you more about that later...when I know more, but so far it's going well!

Jack has a sinus infection, ear infection and mucus in the lungs, so that takes me out of the running for mom of the year--I thought he just had a cold! Oh well.

Crazy week--I think we are going to Rolla for the last time this weekend--depending on the weather. We will probably leave Saturday morning and come home Sunday morning.

Today, I finally was able to come home and take the kids for a walk around the neighborhood. My neighbor Kari and her daughter Avalena came with us. We had a lovely walk. What a beautiful day!

Anyone else have a crazy week...

The Week in Review

What a crazy week it has been for us! It started on Monday with me going back to work and NOT wanting to at all! I had so much fun staying home and playing mommy all day long!

Tuesday was back to work, but that evening we had Jack's Holiday program. He sang Rudolph
the Red Nose Reindeer, The Reindeer Dance, and We are Reindeer. They looked very cute with their antlers, red noses, and hooves! He kinda sang, but not really. He told us he was mad because he had to wear his nose!

Wednesday was another day back at work with me hosting detention for school that evening. Oh how I love hosting detentions! The good news is I am done with that duty for the year!!!!! When I finally picked up Ainsley and Jack from school and Bambi's I realized that Ainsley was burning up! Now understand, she has a really snotty nose and in her 9 months of life so far, she has only had one fever! I have been very fortunate that she hasn't gotten sick, but I was think, what was I going to do! Her fever reached 102.7 degrees. Thank goodness for Children's Mercy Nurse line because we called and got and idea of what we should do! Call the doctor because she could possibly have an ear infection. Oh the dreaded ear infection!

Jeff stayed home on Thursday from work. I really wanted to stay and was exhausted from staying up with Ainsley until midnight, but I have to go. I only see these students for the next two weeks, which is the end of the semester, so I have to go to help them complete their work. My parents arrived Thursday night for their home inspection on Friday.

Friday, Jeff and Ainsley went to the doctor. My baby girl is 9 months old! She weighs 16 pounds 10 ozs. 27 3/4 inches tall and she has an ear infection in both ears! Big girl, but sick baby. I judged one round of the debate tournament at school and finally got to Liberty around 5:30 where I meet everyone for dinner. My parents went home, Jeff and I tried to administer medicine to Ainsley for the first time, which did NOT go well.

Saturday we slept in, Ainsley had a lovely trip to the grocery store and that afternoon we all went to Zona Rosa to play and shop! Jack and Ainsley had a blast playing at the new playzone at Zona Rosa!

I have so many pictures to post! Our other laptop died (powercord problem) so I have to upload software to this computer, but I plan on posting pictures soon! Keep watching and have a great week!

AAHHH...Sleep

Ainsley finally slept all night last night and so did Jack! Life was good. I'm sure tonight she will be up again around 3am because she really wasn't interested in dinner, but oh well. I just wanted to share.

Also--I am working on a spot to show my weekly exercise routine--like what I did. I have to hold myself accountable somehow! Unfortunatley tonight, I didn't go to the gym,(I had a headache from going back to worktoday!) but I will have completed 150 jumping jacks, 50 sit ups, 50 push ups, and multiple leg workouts (we are skiing in February!)

Warmest Wishes tonight--Carolyn

Goodbye 2008...Hello 2009

Finally, a moment to blog. WE have been crazy busy today. Ainsley was awakened last night at 12:10 and preceeded to scream for 2 hours. Of course our neighbors were shooting off fireworks at midnight, so that woke her up. Lucky us. Once I finally woke up this morning we have taken down the Christmas tree and decorations, reorganized some of the toys--only the ones in the family room and began trying to figure out what pieces of furniture we can get rid of.

Yes, you read that correctly, we are getting rid of furniture. My cream colored sofa is leaving. It is just too hard to maintain with two kids. It is actually in very good condition, but only because we scrub it when we see a stain. We are also getting rid of our oversized red chair because it just doesn't fit anywhere. Salvation army will hopefully be coming to our house soon! We also have two full size set of mattresses we are storing in our basement, which will go away too! Any takers?????

Since we are getting rid of furniture, we are also getting new furniture. We are finally finishing our bedroom with new nightstands. Last year we bought a new dresser from Thomasville. We completed that look with new nightstands from Thomasville. We cannot wait for them to arrive!!!

I know I should be setting resolutions since it is a new year, but I just don't know of anything I want to set except one...loose the baby weight, which equates to 25 pounds. Luckily, my family is going to help me try to stay on track, but ultimately it is up to me! I signed up for sparkpeople.com which will hopefully keep my on track too!!! Jeff has promised certain things if I loose the weight...Macy's shopping spree, Mizzou personalized license plate saying...M2 CG or something like that, and WHEN I get to my target weight, dinner at the American Restaurant!!! Some good items for me to get!! Let's hope this works!

Anyway, I may be changing my blog around soon. I have been checking out other blogs for ideas on how to get stuff done more effiecently, so watch...

BIG NEWS--Jeff made partner in his law firm! This will be a new adventure for our family as we figure out how this will change our lives!!!

Other big news to let you know about...my parents sold their house in Rolla and are moving up here in February. They have a contract on a house up here by me!!! We can't wait for them to move!!!

Lastly, Let's go 2009! I'm ready for a great year!!!!