Whoops...

So, I think I forgot that I had a blog. No, the truth is I didn't think I had anything interesting to say. But I have had a couple of people ask me about why I haven't posted so here goes:

Interesting? I don't know but here's a recap of the last 2 months:

1. Went to Phoenix. Okay to start, we decided to save some money and fly out of Springfield, MO airport on a little airline called Alligant Air. Umm...won't do that again. We didn't leave until 10:30 at night (the only flight time!) and arrived 1am our time. My kids were exhausted. Since we really didn't save money, I'll just fly out of KCI. Also, Alligant Air charges for water and food. Well, we spent more money in the airport on food!!! So crazy. But, Phoenix was lovely. We stayed at Valle Del Oro in Mesa, AZ. It is a 55+ active resort! We played in the pool, played tennis, and Bingo! It was a nice week away from Kansas City and the cold, snowy weather we were having! Here are a few pictures: ummm...apparently I deleted some of my favorite pictures from the computer, but they are on snapfish, so I will just order them and put them away in my fancy photo box!

But, we did attend a Royals Spring Training Game and this was an awesome moment. So, we sat about 4 rows back from the Royals dugout. After the 2nd or 3rd inning, Brayan Pena (the catcher) picked Jack out of the crowd (pointed to him and told all of the adults to move!) and threw him the baseball! So, after the game, and being the crazy mom I am, I hunted him down to sign the baseball and get his picture with him. I just love this picture:

Now I can say, Jack loves Royals baseball and Pena is his hero!

Well, after a week, we came home. It was nice to visit, but it was so nice to come home. Phoenix is a great place to visit...now we did way more than I have blogged, so if you want to know more...call me and chat.

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!

God's Big Back Yard

This week has been Vacation Bible School at Liberty United Methodist Church. They called and asked me to help and of course I couldn't say no, so Jack and I headed off to bible school. Now, he just barely qualified (age 3 and potty trained) but we tried it this week anyway. He is a part of a group called Alligators and most have just turned 3--btw there are 10 little ones in his class. Wow! He has done well considering he really hasn't been in a structured day care setting.

As for my part, I taught his class on Tuesday and Thursday. I will say this, there is a good reason the good lord sent me to teach high school. Ten 3 year olds are a handful!!! And then to have Jack in my class was even harder! But, we made it and tomorrow is Jack's last day. The crafts he made were coloring a bag, clothespin butterfly, tie snake (very cool), and a planter with marigold's (also very cool). We have learned very cool songs and made lots of friends.

We also just received a phone call from Creative World--Jack's finally going to attend their school! Ainsley will still attend Bambi's, but Jack will be going to preschool. I know he will miss her terribly, but we are very excited about him attending school! This is a huge step in our lives and are very excited!!!!! Keep your fingers crossed that things go well!!

Rolla Pictures

Jack is throwing the cat (fish) food.

Here's how potty trained we are--Jack loves peeing outside. He REALLY wanted to pee in the water at Meramac Springs, but we all said no, so he had to settle for the plants!
Feeding more fish!
Every boy needs his stick! He loves playing with sticks--I just don't get it!
Jack, Papa, and Grandma feeding the last of the fish before we go home!

Back Home

Well, we ended up staying in Rolla one more day because Daddy was super busy at work. Now we are home in KC and the kids were thrilled to be back. Now, that's not to say we didn't have a blast in Rolla. Jack and Papa ended up catching a racoon on Wednesday morning and had to release it into the wild. Then Papa let Jack throw rocks in creek, which is so much fun!! I'm sure no one realizes how much fun throwing rocks into water can be! On the way home, Jack and Papa cut "Sweet Pea" (Ainsley's nickname) flowers and Jack gave some to mommy, Grandma, and Ainsley--he even had enough for himself. After they got home, Papa went to play raquetball and Jack had to go too! He loves to hit the ball on the Vessell's courts. Finally, it was off to sleep only to get up and go to the pool. We didn't actually go to the pool on Tuesday because Jack was too sleepy. So, we went on Wednesday. He hated it until he realized he could touch, then it was so much fun we couldn't leave. There were large tears when we left!

Ainsley loved being rocked by Grandma and Papa! She also loves sitting in her BebePod seat and playing with her toys on here! She also liked the pool, however, she mostly slept during the pool visit on grandma's lap. But the best part of this girl is she loves shopping! We visited Red Door Gifts in Rolla and she loved it! Mom and I have taken her lots of places and she is just so good. It's nice that she likes shopping!

Once we got home, Jack immediately went to watch his new Thomas dvd and needed to play outside. Ainsley got into her bouncer and played for quite a while! You could tell she missed her toys.

Mom and dad--thanks for a great week! We appreciate all of your help and had so much fun at your house! We can't wait to visit again!

Rolla and Meramec Springs visit

I'm blogging today from Rolla, MO! Jeff had to take a trip up to Minnesota for a work presentation so it was a road trip for the rest of us to Papa and Grandma Russell's house. We arrived Sunday evening--grandma helped us on the way down. We of course had to stop in Columbia, MO, a town I LOVE, to shop a moment. Last night we decided to take a picnic to Meramec Springs and to feed the fish. Needless to say, Jack had a blast! He threw cat food to the fish (apparently, trout love cat food). He was afraid of the waterfalls and had to hold onto Grandma's legs). He wanted to cry when we left. I promised we would come back another time. I know Ainsley had a great time too! She was kicking me in her because she was excited!

Jack ended up getting a haircut in Rolla. He went to Daddy's barber shop this morning. In Kansas City, we visit Shear Madness at Zona Rosa. He loves to ride in the airplane and watch movies and eat suckers, but he usually cries. However, today, he sat in the barber's chair and didn't cry a bit. Now, he thought about it, but never cried!! His hair cut looks great! Thanks Dennis and Mike!

Ainsley has been a hoot this week! She squeals, she is reaching for her toys on her carseat, and wants to turn over! She arches her back when she wants to see something behind her! She is moving and shaking and I'm loving every second of it!

I need to go wake Jack up, which is totally against my whole blog idea (never wake a sleeping baby), but we want to go to the pool before it gets too late toniight!!! Daddy comes home tonight and then we will be back in KC tomorrow night. We miss you Daddy!