Well....

Apparently, I lack focus. I have completely forgotten about blogging! I'm still not sure people noticed, but I think some people have...due to strange comments!

Anywhoo...here's a recap of life since April:

**Decided to become a little crazy and become a Vacation Bible School Director at church (YIKES! HUGE RESPONSIBILITY!!)

**Went to Miami...just me and the hubby...what a wonderful vacation! 4 days on the beach/pool at the Loews Hotel. Also, we ate at some fabulous restaurants too!

**I took a job at Jack and Ainsley's Preschool/Parents Day Out program! I'm helping in the preschool room...this should be interesting! I love staying home, but this opportunity was just too good to pass up!

**Celebrated our 9th anniversary with dinner and a hotel visit in KC...my husband is WAY more romatic than me! That's why I love him!

**Attended my grandma's auction of household stuff...who knew one gal of 97 years had so much stuff...so cool to see, but also sad to see it go away. So many wonderful memories!

**Signed Jack up for swim lessons, Kindermusik, and tball. This kid is busy! Ainsley needs something to do too, but she's just a little too young!

**Visit to the Lake...Jack and Ainsley both tubed and I skiied! Man, I am soooo sore!

I promise to write more! My family bought me a Flip camera and I have already put it to great use! I hope to load some videos up soon!

Much love to you all...

I think that is it!

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.

Okay Dad...

Enough with the snow. Please talk to God about making it go away. The kids and myself and Jeff are done with the snow. It's nice out in Colorado and it's nice every once and awhile here, but now I can say this is too much. Dad, Jeff has been working hard on shoveling the driveway for the past hour and you can't even tell he has shoveled. Please talk to god about making the weather warmer and nicer. Now, I'm going to post our pictures from Winter Park, but I'd really like to post some pictures of sunshine and warm weather. Please dad...help us out. I'd really appreciate it! Hugs and kisses...Carolyn

Jack and his cool red boots

Jeff and Jack at Ski School

Jeff and Jack skiing down Village Way

My baby boy with skis!

Mr. Basketball

Jack completed his Bitty Basketball program last night. We've done Bitty T-Ball (horrible), Bitty Soccer (better) and now Bitty Basketball (okay). It's just 40 3 to 4 year olds learning to play these games. Poor Jeff, he was a volunteer (because of me) each time. I'm pretty sure he wants me to NEVER volunteer him again, but I also know he was a pretty proud daddy!

Jack sunk TWO baskets last night. One during practice and one during the game! Here are a few pictures from his game last night.

Rough Day...Rougher Night

So, yesterday was a pretty rough day. The day started well. We went to church and my mom came and it was fairly normal. Later that morning we went to lunch with my dad's family at Galvin's in St. Joseph, MO. Lunch was yummy...fried chicken, potatoes, gravy, green beans, corn, bread, soup and my choice, pears with cranberry orange relish. But, then the day went down hill from there. We went to see my dad's grave with Jack and Ainsley. First of all, there isn't grass and it earth has REALLY sunk. I almost felt like I could see his coffin. That wasn't the bad part. We put flowers on his grave...that wasn't the bad part. The bad was when Jack asked to see Papa. He thought we were actually going to see Papa. That was the bad part. That broke my heart. I thought I was going to lose it! I kept it together, but cried in the car. I was pretty sure Jack was going to cry. He was so excited because he thought we were going to see Papa. I guess we kept telling him we were going to see where Papa was buried, but he didn't understand what I meant. Oh...I felt terrible. Ainsley kept saying, "Where's Papa", but of course, she didn't understand. I wish we could see Papa, but we have pictures and memories...but I don't think Jack understands.

From there, we went to my Aunt's house, so the day got better. I was nice just visiting with everyone.

Then we came home. Everything seemed fine until midnight. From there, Ainsley cried until 6am! I am exhausted. We went to the doctor and she has an ear infection. Luckily, I took her prescription to Target and they filled it within 10 minutes.

I miss my dad and I say I had a rough day, but I really didn't. I was surrounded by family who care. My mom came over today to help me with Ainsley. My dad's family was there to help us feel better. My Aunt Joan even suggested we take a picture out to the cemetery for Jack to see him. I received my Thumbie, which is my necklace that is my dad's thumb print to have. I know it sounds weird, but it is also nice to have something of my dad's, especially for my kids.

Happy Halloween!!

Happy Halloween from the Arnold's!!!!

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!

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!

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!

Happy Easter!

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

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.

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!

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!