Keystone!

For our final leg of our trip we went to Keystone, Colorado. Every year about this time we go somewhere for the Navy's Awards Banquet. It's been pretty dull event the past few years but this year, this year was awesome!!!!! We had such a great time!!!! I met lots of new people, enjoyed some nice wine, and got to get all dressed up. Plus the free babysitting wasn't too shabby either (oh wait, except that we all ended up with some nasty mutant germs that lingered for far too long).A first Daddy-Daughter dance.

This is Brad's good friend/mentor/boss. It's people like this that make military life seem "normal". It will be really sad when both Brad and Cheep (as Corben calls him - Chief in Corben-ese) depart their time together at this command.

We had a blast during our 3 week vacation but it sure is nice to be home! We're all sick with a round of The Yuck - welcome home.

Disney, KC & Keystone

When Brad received word that the command wanted to send him to Pensacola for a special training we both started brainstorming how we could turn it into some sort of family vacation. Pensacola holds a special place in our hearts (that's where it all began....kinda). One plan led to another and the dreams started getting bigger (and more expensive....) until we finally decided on Disney. Hey it's in the same state and all. So with only a couple of weeks to prepare we made reservations and booked airfare and begged and pleaded with my parents to let the kids and I stay for an extra week. Ok the last part didn't need much pleading to be honest.

It was going to be a quick trip of only 4 nights but it turned out to be the perfect amount of time. I mean if you factor in having a 2 1/2 year old, an 8 month old, and only a certain amount of tollerance for heat and humidity 4 nights was just fine.


I felt like a giddy little girl when I saw Cinderella's castle. It was beautiful! We were so lucky to be able to catch the fireworks and parade because during the winter months they only do them on select nights. We stayed so late the last night they had to chase us out.


We were also very lucky to catch Magic Kingdom all decorated for Christmas!!!! Magical!


Right when we walked in they were starting a parade!!!! If that doesn't make you feel like a kid again I don't know what will!


He actually cried when we had to leave Daisy! We weren't sure how he was goign to react to the characters especially after last year's adventure to see Santa didn't go so well. But he loved them. Each and every one of them.


We had lunch (and a dinner) with Pooh and the gang. SO FUN!!!! The food was delicious here. I swear I ate more salmon than what the meal would have costs it was so yummy!



We had to go see the Princesses! I wanted to do it more for Nevie but she cried when Cinderella sat with her. Oh well! Turns out my little guy has a thing for Princesses. Who could blame him?! Cinderella was more beautiful and more charming in person! And nice! They were all so very nice. Corben got to sit and chat with Cinderella, Belle, and I think Sleeping Beauty. I need to catch up on my Disney Princesses.


It was really funny because he puckered up to give her a kiss but he was aiming for her lips. She had to say "how about I give YOU a kiss on your CHEEK"


This is Sleeping Beauty right?

Also very charming but I felt a little weird not knowing for sure who she was. I was prepared to see Snow White.


Oh Mickey. Mickey is way way way shorter in person.


Hence all the pictures where he is kneeling.


Chip N Dale LOVED Corben! They spent so much time with him! It was really fun to watch.


But these guys were really tuckered out. This was about the only nap they got to fit in on our trip but I think they'd both say it was worth it!


As for Nevie....she wouldn't nap so we spent a lot of time on the balcony and by the pool.


Next up: Keystone!

Kansas City!

Bet you thought I had given up the blog huh? Elaina this one's for you. :p I'll do a post in the order of our big ol' trip we took in October/November.

First up: Kansas City!

ok so Lee's Summit but if I said Lee's Summit some of you would say huh?

Saying Kansas City at least give you a reference point - that is if you like geography.

Each year at about the last week of October you will most likely find me at my parents' house. It's become a tradition and one that unfortunately Brad hasn't been able to participate in because there's that thing called a job.

I don't know where he learned how to do this but we can be driving down the road and Corben will shout out JEEP! I look around and sure enough he has found a Jeep! It can be in a parking lot, beside us or going the opposite direction but that kid knows what a Jeep is! I think it's because 2 of his favorite people drive a Jeep...that must be it.

It was my birthday the day before we went "home" and so my parents had a delicious cake waiting for me. Corben just couldn't wait to dig in!

Mamaw was in heaven having her little grandbabies to cuddle with for 2 weeks!

Here's Nevie at 8 months.

Corben at 2 1/2

These guys had so much fun together!!

My sweet little Nevie-puss.

Don't ask about Caleb's nasty-stach as I call it. I couldn't hardly look him and begged him to shave it over every single day. It was quite a treat to have Cub (<--that's what Corben calls him) and Ty-Ty visiting the same time as us!

Gi-yup (giddy-up in Corben-ese)

Having a little girl is SOOOOO much fun!!!!

This little girl is giving Corben a run for his money with Grandpa's attention!

Corben with some rare alone time with Mamaw & Paw-Paw

My dad and 2 of his 3 girls.

Gi-yup!

My parents took us to this really cool farmstead place that has all sorts of animals and really great stuff! Corben got to feed a bottle to baby goats!

Who is the bigger kid...

CHEERS!

I think these kids wore Paw-Paw out!!!!!!!! He sure did do a lot of playing and entertaining!!!!

Needs no explanation. Gross.

On Halloween my dad took us to downtown Lee's Summit so the kids could go trick-or-treating. SO FUN!!!!! The kids had a great time and we saw lots of fun costumes!

I don't know why but the fireman ducked out of the picture but Corben still thought it was cool.

This is a great climbing tree. We used to climb this thing all the time!!!!

Grandpa's are the best for coming up with some fun games! This Paw-Paw takes the cake though. He has a knack for keeping these kids entertained for hours! Even Nevie during her most intense MOMMY-ONLY phase. Magic.

Corben L-O-V-E-S Paw-Paw's scooter. They took little rides around the block like this. I'm not sure who loved it more but they had so much fun!!!!

We had an amazing time home!!! Thanks to my parents for not minding that we extended our trip by a week...so we could go to Disney!

Foot In My Mouth...huh?

Sicknesses are a part of a kid's life I suppose. Last week my friend Lily unknowingly gave me and my buddy Asher Hand Foot & Mouth Disease. It was a booger of a virus and knocked me on my kiester, let me tell ya. I'm finally feeling more like myself and needed to get out an play! Lily is busy getting aquainted with her new sister and since Asher and I both had the same sickness and today is the last nice day for awhile, our mommies took us to the zoo. It was so great to get out, run, and enjoy the sunshine!

Here's me with my best buddy.

I'm A Big Kid Now!

They finally got the hint. Climbing out of my crib didn't do it. Finally after I climbed into the bed at Pottery Barn Kids and crawled under the covers they finally got it: I WANT MY OWN BED! Daddy got right to work on putting the finishing touches (i.e. stripping off the white and staining it just the right color of brown) and he finished it just in time for me to spend my first night in my new bed last week. Thanks Daddy!

One last picture of me in my crib.

I got right to work helping Daddy take apart my old bed.

I really am happy I promise! Here's my new bed!
It's been a really awesome week having my new space!

Over The River and Up To The Mountains

We went on vacation!

My Mamaw and PawPaw came out and we all went to our favorite little spot in the mountains (Ouray) for a whole week.

We started off our vacation by going to Jack Quinns - our favorite Irish pub around before heading over to the Balloon Classic.

Nevie hitched a ride to see the hot air balloons on PawPaw's shoulders. Usually the spot is reserved for me but I decided to let Nevie have a turn.

I'm pretty sure that Nevie was created just for Mamaw.

Nevie and Mommy at our pit stop at Blue Mesa.

I loved enjoying a petch (peach) every morning for breakfast on our vacation.

Nevie got in on the action too.

Before we turned into Superman in Telluride.

Me and PawPaw on one of our walks together.

I wanted to give Nevie a special hug on the gondola ride in Telluride.

The Family at Box Canyon Falls.

Check out my new boots! Cool huh?!

Nevie and Mommy enjoyed their mornings on the porch while I slept away in Mamaw & PawPaw;s room in my own king size bed. Ahhh, that was the life.

Me and PawPaw enjoying one last pockle (what I call popsicle) before he and Mamaw had to leave.

C Is For Carrots

I've been putting it off for awhile now but Nevie is reeeeally ready for some solids. Really really ready actually. Today was THE day to finally get around to it. I'm bucking the system and skipping cereal for now and her first food was carrots. She did awesome!

I have tons of pictures to share from vacation but it's bath time for now.

Half A Year

It's hard to believe but a whole half of a year has passed since Nevie joined our family and made us complete.

She had her check-up this week and she's healthy as can be and super strong! Here are her stats because I'll have better luck looking back at this post and writing it in her baby book at some point.

She's 16 lbs and 15oz = 70%

She's 26 3/4 inches long = 85%

She's rolling over both ways now and the separation anxiety is in full swing. She loves her mommy! My mom says that's exactly how I was so she just laughs and says I'm getting my just desserts. I know how fast they grow up so it's not bothering me at all. She's super ready for food but I'm dragging my feet on that one because it complicates my life. Nevie has had a little bit of a popsicle and she absolutely adored it.

A Sweet Ending

Please excuse my orange face, I had a pockle (aka popsicle in Corben-ese) after my dinner tonight. It gave me enough energy to channel my inner Harry Potter.

One of my favorite things to do these days is give my toys a ride on my scooter. Here's Buck and the bear having their turn. Why does it always seem like I'm filthy when I am playing? Mommy wants you to know I'm not always wearing my food. I was helping her make blueberry tarts when I spilled my taste-test down my jammies. Oxyclean is a magical creation.

I loooooove to talk on the phone.

See my new car? Boy is it fun! Paw-Paw? Come play take a ride with me!

Now for the whipped cream, sprinkled and cherry on top....

isn't it ironic?

yeah I really do think. (cue Alanis Morrisette)

things I did yesterday all by myself.