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!

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.

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...

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!

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!

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!

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.

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!

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!

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!!!!

Stupid Kansas...

I just finished watching the MU/KU game and all I have to say is "Stupid Kansas!" They know we are supposed to win, but they had to show off to make us feel bad. Stupid Kansas!

Anyway, Jeff and I are officially crazy. We decided to wake up at 4:30 in the morning yesterday to venture out to the local Wal-Mart for some good deals. First of all, I guess we woke up at 4:20am because the clock is 10 minutes fast. Here was our list at Wal-Mart, little digital camera to fit into my purse for $69--check and pick one up for my mom. Those things went like HOTCAKES! Once it was 5am, all you heard around the store was WHOOSH times 10 because people were snatching up everything! One guy who was standing by me with a cart actually hit me with his cart to get me out of the way so he could move on to his conquests! Then, it was off f to find Jeff because he was looking to find an HP laptop. Didn't ever find it, but we found out that just because it is in the circular, doesn't mean the store will have the product. So...after standing in lines around the store for a bit, we left for Sears. At Sears, we found so more gifts for family and then it was home.

We actually made it home before the kids were up, but as anyone knows, you can't go back to sleep, so I stayed up and Jeff laid down. The kids were up a little bit later and we played until we headed home last night.

This morning, the kids and I ran errands around town while Jeff and his brother went to the MU/KU game. Stupid Kansas, but what a fantastic game! So exciting! Now the kids are asleep and I am enjoying some quiet time. I do want everyone to know that I didn't even clean while the kids are sleeping. I am doing what I want! Life is good!

Election Day!

Here it is election day and I'm so nervous about the outcome. First, my husband is a saint. He waited 2 hours this morning to vote! Fortunately, I only waited 10 minutes, however, other lines were just horribly long! I will say that I feel confidant in my vote this year, probably for the first time I felt confidant about my vote and I chose the right candidate. This election finally excited me about the whole election process. Keep your fingers crossed...Let's hope the right man wins and changes our country!

168 months and counting...

My very cute husband, reminded me today, that we have been together 14 years today. Today, 14 years ago, was our first date. I still can't believe we have been together that long. He sent me the most beautiful flowers to school today. They are beautiful. Of course, I have a picture on my phone, and I will bring them home tomorrow and post a picture. I loved it because I have been at school for the past two nights for conferences, a presentation today, and I feel absolutely terrible! Cough, cold, sore throat, phlem...oh the joys of being sick. Oh well. I love my husband! He is so wonderful!

Jack says, "I want a car for Christmas"!

Okay, so I'm old. Now, I know there are many jokes to be said to that statement. Yes, Carolyn, you are old. You are almost 31 (I still have 1 week until my official 31st birthday). You have two kids and stay home on the weekends for fun (which I wouldn't give up for the world. I love my kids!) instead of going out partying or dancing. But, I'm really old. We just bought a...minivan. Yes, world, that is right, we bought a minivan. Call me a soccer mom, crazy driver, whatever, but I have a minivan. Since having Ainsley, the car just wasn't big enough. Roxy had to sit inbetween carseats, and that just wasn't a pretty sight. We didn't have enough room in the trunk for everything. The passenger seat was always pushed forward, like you were riding in the engine. For Christmas this year, we realized we were going to have to rent a van just to get home with the gifts.

With all of that being said, we purchased a 2008 Honday Odyssey. The color is Ocean Mist Blue, gray leather interior, dvd system, and many other features. The scary thing about this whole purchase is we are sooooo excited! I was almost giddy today! I still can't believe I am driving a minivan. We have had so many conversations about what to do. Most were around what SUV we would buy. With today's gas prices and size of SUV, we had a realization we need a minivan. We are soooo old...

Our visit to the Pumpkin Patch

Last Saturday, we visited the Weston Red Barn farm's pumpkin patch. We had so much fun. Jack loved the pony ride and the pumpkins. Of course we all ended up buying a pumpkin for everyone! Unfortunately, the lines were too long for food, but it looked wonderful. Apple slushes, apple doughnuts, apple churros, etc. It smelled so yummy! Come Halloween, everyone will have a pumpkin to carve. I'll be sure to send those pictures too! Enjoy the photos!
!

Nascar pictures

The Fanbulance!
I love Dale!
Hey Look! It's Tony and Jeff
Go Dale Go
Hey Carl Edwards

I (heart) NASCAR!!!

For my 30th birthday, my husband purchased NASCAR tickets. I will say this was the BEST birthday gift ever! I just spent two hot days at the track and had the time of my life. The rumble of the cars, the Sprint Car finish--Carl should have won!, the flags, the people. This is just a list of some of the reasons I had a blast. I am sunburned, exhausted, and giddy about the entire weekend. YES, we are renewing our tickets! Everyone needs to experince this kind of event. We sat by people from Iowa and Missouri. The stands had everyone from Rednecks to the filthy rich, but the amazing thing was everyone was there to watch a good race. Thanks Jeff for the tickets--you made my 30th year of life fabulous! I can't wait for next year!

BTW--keep checking back, I will post a couple of pictures as soon as we clean off the camera. I'm sure we took around 200 pictures today!

JUNIOR!!!!

Ainsley just got a hold of the computer--silly girl and posted a number of messages for this blog. Silly girl...she loves the computer! Anyway--I'm so excited! Jeff and I are going to NASCAR this weekend at the Kansas Speedway! I've had these tickets for almost a year (we finally bought season tickets so we could watch the race) and I missed the spring races because of Ainsley. "Other Grandma and Papa from the Lake", as Jack would say, are coming in town tomorrow to baby sit for us to have a fabulous race weekend. All I have to say is, "Go Junior!"

My visit to the Horny Toad

We visited the Lake this weekend for a little R & R. Jeff purchased a new wakeboard and he wanted to try it out. I had to watch him from home (Ainsley was sleeping), but it appears he enjoyed it! Pictures to come...

While at the lake, we went to a boat show on the water at the Horny Toad. I always wondered where this place was located. Now I have been and I might like to go back. It was a very nice place. We then toured a boat that was over $500,000!!!! It was gorgeous!!! Two bedrooms, full kitchen, GPS map as you drive, outdoor gas grill. Of course, there were other boats, but nothing compared. I wish I had a better story about the Horny Toad, but I don't. So sorry.

I still don't have pictures of Ainsley. She was cranky tonight when I would have taken pictures. I promise to take her 5 month pictures soon! Keep watching...