ATVing

The first day Aunt M and Uncle W were here we took them to the Eastern plains to go ATVing.D cooked our hot dogs for lunch.

C and I hid in the truck to stay out of the wind, while we were snacking on some Cheetos.

Uncle W's friend from the Y came down to join us for the afternoon (after having a little trouble finding us).

After lunch while the boys were still out ATVing, we took a short walk by the parking lots.

C even found some "dessert" on our walk--cow pies!

15 month girl

C turned fifteen months in March. She is growing up so fast.Serenading M&D to Jesus Loves Me one Sunday before church.

We have a new puppy in our house--only when she wants to be one that is!!

Sometimes, like this evening, when it is a cold and rainy day outside and I can't go outside to run off energy I get really hyper in the evening. So tonight before bed D ran me through some workouts.

Skiing with Mommy

Today M took me skiing for the very first time. I was very excited to go to the skiing mountains--there are different than the camping or Y school mountains.When we turned off the interstate we stopped to get my skis. M knew the skis would be little, but they were much shorter than me and I'm only 3 feet tall!

Once we got to the ski hill, M realized why we didn't have any ski traffic to contend with on our drive--they were already there! So we had to drive into town & wait for the shuttle bus. It took me a while to get used to walking in the boots, but we finally made it to the bus stop.

Once we reached the resort M let me ride in a wagon with my skis until we got to the lift. Then when M actually got my skis on she had to coax me to let go of the wagon. I wasn't too sure about the whole skiing thing at that point. We finally got on the ski lift and I realized that this skiing hobby had a lot of potential. It was a fun ride up--we were so high up and it was fun to watch everyone below us skiing.

Since we got to the mountain so late it was lunchtime by the time we made it down our first run, so we sat down on the snow to have a picnic. I only lasted about 2 hours, but we went on 3 different lifts, 4 different runs--one even had a ski jump that M helped me over-- and went up and down a total of 7 times. I only lost my skis once--when I was between M's legs and we started going a little fast and I wasn't putting all my weight on my skis and they started going out of control. By the time M was able to stop my skis had fallen off--we didn't fall down, but we had to climb a little ways to get my second ski.

I was a little wobbly the first run, but on the second run I wanted to try it all myself so M let go of me and here are the results. Notice that even after the fall I am still having fun--laughing as M comes up to me.

After about my fifth fall I decided it was safer and easier for M to hold unto me. So the rest of the runs I stayed between M's legs holding onto her poles so I didn't get ahead of her and I let her lead me down. We practiced turning and stopping. M says I did really well until about the second to last lift up and I realized my hands were cold. After a few tears, M finally made me understand that we had to go down to the ski lift and up another one before we could get all the way down to our truck again. That settled me down for a little while, but then I had my meltdown on the last run down and it was not fun for M since I was crying most of it and cried in the wagon all the way back to the bus. M thought for sure I would crash and sleep all the way home. Crash I did--in the bus on the way back to the truck but as soon as M picked me up to carry me I woke up and stayed up all the way home.
All in all it was a very fun day. M thought it was a success since the whole point was just to get me comfortable with the skis and the whole concept. M could definitely tell I was more comfortable on the seventh run than I was on the first run. My skis stayed straighter, I was standing up straighter and kept my full weight on the skis to keep them on the snow. M hopes to get me out at least one more time this winter--maybe when Aunt M and Uncle W come to visit us.

more snow

We didn't get as much snow as the Y did at home, but C and I still enjoyed playing in it Saturday morning before it melted. I tried pulling C around, but she was much too heavy for me, so M pulled the both of us through the park and down a few of the smaller hills.
Getting ready to have the ride of our lives.

Walking to the park to go sledding. Look how good C is walking now!

C enjoyed the ride for the most part until she fell out twice. Then the snow got on her wrists between the gloves and coat, and she wasn't happy about that. We played for a good forty-five minutes before heading back to the house to warm up. And in that short time the roads went from ice to slush and by the time D came home from work 3 hours later the roads were dry, and the lawns mostly melted. Our snow just doesn't stick around very long so we have to enjoy it while we can.

snow, snow, snow

On Friday the Y got a good foot of snow. M played in it at lunch--going on a snowshoe hike with it still lightly snowing and snow up to her knees in same places. After school it was almost up to my waist! M and I went down to the ice skating pond, but of course with all the work keeping up with the roads, the pond was still very much covered over. We had fun walking in it though.I fell a couple times and realized just how deep it really was!!
We only lasted for a few minutes, but it was worth all the work.

Random fun

M found an old picture on her phone. Before Christmas, the church choir would practice every Sunday after church for their Advent songs. I thought I needed to be a part of it. So I practiced with them and on 2 Sundays even went up to help them sing. I caught onto some of the words, but most often I just stood up there smiling with my book open. Future choir member in practice! M's cutie pie with long enough hair for a spiked ponytail. M had been thinking all week that C's hair is almost long enough for a ponytail and on Thursday this is how C came home from her babysitters. The daughter was having lots of fun doing up C's hair. Isn't she cute?

Ear, nose, throat

M joked the other weekend that she should have been an ear, nose, throat doctor. She had enough practice last week with her family being sick. All of us (except M) were sick and on antibiotics. I think we all had the same cold/congestion but it just affected us all differently. It started with C's babysitter having 4 sick kids--2 with strep, one with an ear infection and one with croup. So C brought home the cold and because little ones don't have tonsils, her strep infection went all the way down to her diaper rash. After a few days of congestion and sore throat, D decided to get himself checked for strep. His prelim test came back negative, but the doctor still prescribed antibotics until his official test came back. They never called us so we think it was strep plus a sinus infection because the antibiotics helped within 2 doses. While we were at urgent care with D, I coughed so hard I threw up, so M decided to have my cough--which she was thinking was just the start of my allergies again--checked out. Turns out I had an ear infection. However, after a week of medicine we are all better!

Valentine's Day

After gymnastics class on Monday, M and I headed home to celebrate Valentine's Day with D and C. D had steak waiting for us when we came home and a dozen roses sitting on the table for M. He gave C and I new books, a CD player and cookies. C enjoying her cookie on M's lap.

We got new books because we spend a lot of time reading the books we already have. Here we are over the weekend sitting in my room reading.

I like to pretend that I am the teacher and show everyone the book while I read it to them.

Getting ready to write all my Valentine's for my friends at school on Saturday morning.

Writing my name on the card so that my friend would know who it was from. That only lasted about 5 friends and then M had to finish the rest. But I still picked out which card I was giving to each friend and I helped put the heart sticker on and tape the fruit snacks to the card.

"Reading" the Valentine to M while C oversees everything from her high chair.

Gymnastics

On Monday I went to my first gymnastics class. It was just a trial class to see if I would like it. After spending 45 minutes walking on the balance beam, doing somersaults, running and jumping I can say with certainty that I did enjoy my time. It took me a little bit of time to warm up to the teacher and other kids, but by the end I was having lots of fun.

Running, jumping and playing---what could be better?

Where's Carrie?

Saturday morning C and I were helping M&D clean house for the Super Bowl Party. C somehow got lost on the bed with all the stuffed animals.There she is!
M's cutie in a hat!This weekend was a big one for C. She has been walking with help since Christmas and the last 2 weeks has started taking an accidentally step here & there. Accidentally in the fact it is because we trick her into letting go of our hands or it is a step just to catch her balance before reaching out to grab a footstool or something. Anyhow, Saturday evening she took 6 steps in a row before falling down (for G&G on the webcam!). And with a big audience over for Super Bowl Sunday, she was having a blast walking from furniture to furniture and having different people encourage her--even showing off at half time for P&G via webcam.
Here is one of her last videos crawling. Notice how she turns on the speed when she thinks I am going to chase her!

Her in between mode of transportation--knee walking.

Saturday night practicing her newest trick in a "safe" environment.

Super Bowl Sunday walking all over the place.

Ice skating

M & I have been visiting the pond at the entrance to the Y grounds every Friday afternoon. We've just been having fun with our boots--running across and sliding. But just this last Friday, M braved bringing out the ice skates for me.Sitting down to rest. Ice skating is hard work!

After only two laps I decided that the boots were much easier, so I convinced M to let me take the ice skates back off.

Much sturdy and I am able to run in the boots, whereas with the ice skates I just wobbled. I felt kind of like C does right now learning to walk!!

I think I will try the ice skates again this Friday. Who knows--maybe after a few weeks I could be a pro!

Challenge question

How many times does my picture appear on the website of M's work? (http://ymcarockies.org/) Well M is aware of at least 5 different pictures, but some pictures are duplicated on more than one page.

About 2 weeks ago I was called in to model for a photo shoot. The marketing department needed updated pictures for the website. I was the token child.

Have fun trying to find me!!

Life back to normal

When we returned back home from Hawaii, C and I got right back into life as normal. I first had to check out all my new Christmas toys. I've made M&D a few meals with my new dishes. Isn't my apron cute?D also figured out how to bribe his little girls to come sit by him.....pop and popcorn.

We had both been sitting on M's lap all day and not really letting her do anything else, until out came the food. Both of us were in front of D within seconds. I don't think D ate or drank much of his own food.

C learning to use her fork.

Sometimes it is nice being so small. You can get into places no one else can. Other times it also means you can't get back out!!

I think we have a developing photographer in our midst. She definitely had enough practice in Hawaii. Say "cheese" for the camera.

READERS BEWARE!!!!

What follows is a marathon of detailed posts from our recent 10 day trip to Hawaii to spend Christmas with Uncle W and the rest of M's family. If you don't wish to read them all here's the highlights: seeing family, snorkeling, surfing, Pearl Harbor (both the tourist and the active base), whale watching, North Shore, Polynesian Cultural Center Luau, Dole Plantation, beach playing, kayaking, and sunset watching on the West Coast.

Things noticed about Hawaii--lack of billboards which was nice for seeing scenery, but made it so it was very difficult to know when any restaurants were coming up. Lack of semi trucks--things are moved around by box trucks. Also lack of trains, factories (or really any industry).

Even though it rained almost every day we were there--mostly just sprinkles in the morning, we still had fun and didn't let it stop us. I think every day was close to 80 +-a degree or two. Overall it was a wonderful trip and maybe some day we will make it back, although I know I can never live near the beach or in a tropical location due to my allergies. I guess CO will always be home!

Hawaii--Day 1 Christmas

Christmas morning, C and I slept in until 8 when M&D actually came in and woke us up to open presents!! We had to head to the airport by 9 am and still had to eat breakfast. C was busy climbing over all her presents.

C was excited for her very first flight. We flew to Phoenix, where we had a 45 minute layover. Basically just enough time to walk over two concourses, use the restroom and get ready to board again for the longer flight to Honolulu. M says we did pretty well. There was a little fidgeting 4-5 hours into the second flight, but C finally settled down for a nap and I started playing with stickers so it didn't last much more than 20 minutes.

We landed at 6:40 pm Hawaii time.

C and I waiting patiently while M&D grabbed all our bags, carseats and stroller. Once we got our bags we went to find the shuttle bus to take us to the car rental location. We were the second shuttle bus and since M&D sat near the back and had lots of luggage to unload, M was the very last one in line. So an hour later, we finally left in our car for the week--a nice silver Ford Focus.

Even though we were hungry (although M, C and I all had peanut butter & jelly sandwiches on the plane, so we weren't as hungry as D was), the first order of business was to find the hotel. Both C and I fell asleep on the way to the hotel, so M stayed with us while D then went to walk around trying to find fast food.

Needless to say we were all asleep by 10 pm (which was 1 am CO time).

Hawaii Day 2--Sunday

Sunday morning, I woke up at 4:30. I was still on mainland time, so I was ready for the morning to begin. C was still sleeping, so M put on Mickey Mouse on the DVD player for me, so that everyone else could get another hour of sleep or so. Finally at about 5:45 with all of us awake, we went exploring to try and find some breakfast. The hotel we stayed at was located in Waikiki--not on the most famous portion of the beach but within 2 blocks of the park that covered most of the beachfront property. After finding that only McDonald's was open and a 20-person deep line, M&D decided we could wait until 7 when our hotel's restaurant opened. We walked the beach some until the rain drove us inside. From our breakfast table on the 3rd floor, we watched the sky lighten up behind Diamond Head.

C waiting patiently for food!

I enjoyed a hot chocolate to try and warm up for the rain we were caught in on the way back to the hotel.

After breakfast we went back to our hotel room to wait until the pool opened at 9 and discovered that we actually had a small balcony off our 11th floor room. Here's the view towards the north and the mountains surrounding Honolulu.The view back to the south and the ocean. C and I hung out playing with my new Mickey Mouse Clubhouse map.C got tuckered out. D was watching football in the room, so we let C sleep while M and I headed back down to the 3rd floor to swim.

There's Diamond Head in the background again, along with some potted palm trees. You can't tell, but it is still raining outside.

M tried to convince me that at 72 degrees, windy and rainy it was much too cold to swim in an outdoor pool, but I was not to be deterred. After sitting with my towel under the overhang for about 5 minutes, I finally jumped in the pool. It only lasted 20 minutes or so until M came up with the great idea of a hot "tub" upstairs in our hotel room. So we went back upstairs and since C was up the 2 of us "swam" in our bathtub.

We had just gotten out of the tub and M was starting to pack up when Uncle W called and said they had landed already. Aunt M, Uncle B and Aunt R had all flown into Hawaii on the 22nd and had taken Uncle W with them to the Big Island for a few days. Only W&R flew back, since M&B were going to spend another 2 days enjoying the Big Island. We met Uncle W and Aunt R at a local sports bar, so that D could watch the Broncos play. It was a really cool open-air bar with lots of TV's to watch the different games.

I especially liked playing with the shuffle board that I could reach from our booth.

After eating, I started getting antsy and not willing to sit very still. So M decided that since she had paid for a whole day of parking, we would go back to the hotel garage and walk down to the beach. Besides the sun had come out and it was starting to get hot and humid.

C's first time in the ocean. She was a little hesitant about the water, but overall really loved it.

Aunt R took me out as far as we could go. The nice thing about the Waikiki area is that they have the tidal wall there. When we had been out a 6 am, the surf was coming over the wall. But back at 2 pm, with lower tide, the water was fairly calm and perfect for swimming.

We swam and hung out at the beach for about an hour, until M decided that we should head back towards D. We had just passed the sports bar (in the hopes of getting us girls to sleep in the back) when D called and said the game was over so we could head to base. Uncle W is stationed at MCBH Kanoehe Bay, so we picked the boys up and headed along the Pali Highway to get through the mountains and over to the southeast side of the island. W had gotten us accommodations at the base lodge for the duration of our time in Hawaii.

It even had a wonderful playground in the courtyard. Behind me is our room, the second set of windows on the bottom floor (basically right behind the pole). After playing outside for a while, it was decided to visit one of the base beaches.

The first beach we tried to visit, the tide was so high it was splashing the bottom of the steps you took to get there. So we went up the road 1/2 mile to a beach that had a little more space between the water and the steps. C sat up near D and played (ie. ATE) in the sand. M and I went to play in the surf. We sat fairly high up and let the tide wash over us.

Uncle W hanging out at the beach with us. After hanging out at the beach we headed into the neighboring town of Kailua for supper. The restaurant W had found on his phone was closed, so we ended up splitting up for supper and rejoining at an outdoor picnic table. We then headed back to base and bed, while W&R waited for the phone call the G&G had landed. At 10, G&G came in to say hello and just to peer at us sleeping girls.

While at Waikiki Beach, C decided she didn't like the feel of sand on her knees. Even though she didn't start walking, she figured out a way to get around without using her knees.