Havasu Pics August 11, 2008

Here’s some Havasu pics from our last week of freedom (aka Summer Break).  We spent 9 fun-filled days with my mom, dad, Julie and her family (Jason and nieces Madison and Makenna) and Wayne’s mom, Kathy.  Of course, there is also my fam that live at the lake- Aunt Kay (or as Caitlyn calls her, Aunt Cake), Uncle Nick and their kids/ grandkids.  Lots of people and lots of fun!

Wayne Waterskiing

Why does my niece look like my husband?

Boys eating big burritos!

Grandma Chris, Julie and Madison with the AquaCradle

Kidless day! Wayne drives the adults to Topock

Jason enjoys a beverage and the view

Julie kicks it

Lori is the co-pilot

Mohawk Madison

The Pontooney a.k.a. "The Party Barge"

Mom, Aunt Kay and Kathy chatting it up

Wayne is superman as he dives off the rock!

Jake mid-air off the top!

Caitlyn jumps off almost from the top! (I was scared!)

Grandma Kathy, Aunt Kay, and Uncle Nick

Julie and her girls

Jacob and Caitlyn

Grandma Kathy, Jacob and Caitlyn

Mom and Dad in the Laser- their new ride

Makenna and Madison in the Dart

Just an Update on Us August 6, 2008

I have a bunch of pictures to post of our trip to Havasu…but life has gotten especially busy this week!  I am back at work and my first day with students is next Tuesday!  I’ve been in my classroom everyday this week, getting ready for my new students.  Tomorrow is meet the teacher, so I will meet parents and kiddos.  I know a bunch of my students from volunteering and substitute teaching last year.  I also found out today that I have Jacob’s two best buds in my class- he’s bummed they aren’t in his class, but excited they will be just next door in mine!

Caitlyn is trying hard to re-adjust to getting up early.  She is defintely taking it the hardest, as evident that she was asleep by 6 pm tonight- and probably won’t be up until the morning.

Wayne is busy at Eclipse- flying planes, testing stuff and dealing with the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration…their motto is “We’re Not Happy Unless You Aren’t Happy”.)  He is busy, busy, terribly busy- to quote a favorite Veggietales song of mine. 

That’s our update- I will post Havasu pics this weekend!

Our Weekend- The Good, The Bad and the Ugly July 22, 2008

Saturday Wayne decided to put a little more pitch on the patio roof- thank goodness, since we got a lot of rain through here Saturday evening.   The water drained off quite nicely!  We ate out on the patio and the kids played out in the rain, since they still had their suits on from the pool that afternoon.  Yes- beautiful and sunny at 3, downpour by 6…gotta love the Querque.

Sunday morning we awoke to realize that my purse (contents:  cell phone, ipod, wallet) and Wayne’s wallet had been stolen out of my car.  I had forgotten to lock my car, and apparently somebody needed to take our things.   The police said this was highly unusual for our area- so hopefully no more of that will go on in our neighborhood.  Two of the items were gifts (coach purse from my mom and sis for my 30th birthday ) and my ipod (birthday present from my hubby last year)…that was the biggest bummer about it….also all the identity theft stuff we have to go through…Live and learn.  I hope whoever ended up with my ipod likes Christian music, because it is full of great stuff!  Perhaps they needed it more than me!

Playing in the rain

Dinnertime (silly Caitlyn)

Bubba

It's raining...

Playing in the water

Cute Kiddos July 15, 2008

So, yesterday, we we went to Mop Tops to see what could be done with Caitlyn’s hair.  We made every attempt to keep it long- but she cut so much on the top, that even blended, it looked like something straight out of www.mullet.com.  So, we went with a Pixie cut.  We told her she would look like Tinker Bell and she was all excited.  It actually looks cute, although it will take some getting used to!  Enjoy the pics- Jacob lost his two middle teeth awhile back so he has this huge gap- I told him it would be perfect if it were Christmas time (old school Alvin and the Chipmunks record, baby!)…

All I want for Christmas is my...

Back view of the new do

Tinker Bell!

Exciting Day at the Crostons July 13, 2008

Sunday- Funday!

Wayne finished up putting the patio roof cover on yesterday, AND we bought a patio dining set this morning.  SO the patio is pretty much done.  Of course it needs some cute lights, a hanging ristra (dried chili pepper arrangement) and potted flowers- but all major construction is DONE!  To celebrate, we had Jason, Brooke, Jake and Josh over for dinner.   They live across the street from us- Jake always drives Caitlyn around in his little Jeep.  They always look so cute- him in his Batman costume and Caitlyn in one of her princess dresses. 

So, midway through the evening, Jacob comes out and says “Mom, you’ve got to see Caitlyn…”  I’m thinking she must have put on some outrageous outfit, or maybe gotten into my makeup or something.  Out Caitlyn comes with chunks of her hair missing.  Yes- my daughter was the next in the long line of  little girls who aspire to be hairstylists!  After the initial shock of “Oh my goodness my daughter has a mullet”, I realized that it kind of looks a little punk rock.  With a little bit of shaping, she could have a cute little Ashley Simpson cut (she didn’t get the back…)!  Enjoy the pics- especially the one of the hair she hid in the drawer.  I wonder if she thought by hiding it that I wouldn’t know?  I wonder what goes through their little minds….

Wayne and I finished up the weekend sitting by the firepit- I think this may be our Sunday night resting place.  It’s quiet and peaceful, and you can see part of the mountains on a clear night!

Jake, Jacob and Caitlyn (notice the hair!)

The evidence! Look at those beautiful blonde pieces!

My pretty princess has a new style!

First barbecue out on the Croston patio

Princess Dress Update July 10, 2008

1-2-3 Discipline- gotta love it!  I swore I would never be a counter, but this works so well for Caitlyn it is crazy!  We have had a really nice week with her, and she has earned all of her princess dresses back! 

If you’ve never read the book, it’s a quick and easy read.  I know that every child is different, and this works so much for her!  We went to the zoo today, and she walked with me the entire time- didn’t run away, didn’t scream when I wouldn’t buy her a toy- seriously, it was an awesome afternoon!

Aquarium/ Zoo Day July 10, 2008

So, we’ve had a full day!  First thing this morning, we had our driveway pressure washed.  I left it out of our 4th of July post, but, last Friday when we were unloading my vehicle- an entire gallon of chocolate colored stain dumped out on our driveway.   The words “huge mess” are an understatement.  In a moment of humor, Wayne said “So, do you like the color, hon?”  (Which, by the way, I did!)   The pressure wash/ cleaner combo really took it off this morning!  Yahoo- no more horrible driveway.

Then, the kiddos and I joined Wayne for lunch.  (Just a note- Caitlyn had to wear her Snow White dress today- this is what she does, she wears her princess dresses like regular clothes.  Sometimes I get a little jealous…)  It was really nice to spend some time with him, since he has been working so late this week.  Fun time, eating out with two kids.  It actually went really well- until Caitlyn poked a hole in her styrofoam cup of strawberry lemonade and it spilled all over my seat.  I had a sticky behind…too much information- I know. 

Next up, the kids and I went to the aquarium and zoo for the afternoon.   It was really nice, since it wasn’t super hot today.  I hadn’t been to the aquarium before- so the kids showed me all the cool stuff.  Caitlyn loved the rays and Jacob loved the “crazy teeth” shark.  In Albuquerque, the zoo, botanical gardens and aquarium are all connected by a train- so we took the train over to the zoo.  We managed to squeeze in the entire Africa section (Mama, I want to see the nocerus!), the Australia section and the playground before having to grab the train to head back.  

It was a wonderful afternoon- and on the train ride back, I had Jacob laying against my side and Caitlyn sitting in my lap- resting her back against me.  It was one of those “mom” moments.  If you are a mom, you know what I am talking about!  I had both of my children completly against me, arms around them and I could feel their slow, deep, sleepy breathing.  It was a perfect time to thank God that I get to be their mom.  Paint stained driveway (oh wait, not anymore), sticky buns and all!

Caitlyn's nocerus

Kiddos climbing on the lions

Eels

Checking out the big tank

Caitlyn watching the rays

Looking at the zebras

Fourth of July Happenings July 5, 2008

We hope everybody has had a wonderful Fourth of July weekend….there’s still one day left, but Wayne has to work tomorrow, so it seems like ours is wrapping up! 

Wayne has been hard at work all weekend building our patio cover.  As you can see from the pictures, we had concrete poured a few days ago, and then Wayne busted out and got  SO much done.  Yesterday morning he was up before the rest of us, dressed and off to Home Depot like a kid in a candy store.  When he was gone for over 2 hours, I began to get concerned!  It turned out so nice.  All we need to do to finish it up is decide on what type of roof to put on it.  We just sat out there for over an hour- more time than we have EVER spent out there in the past year!  I’ll be sure to post more pics as we get grass, trees, etc.

Last night we set off some fireworks in front of our house.  One good thing about the Querque- you can still light up fireworks!  All up and down our street people were having such a wonderful time.  Jacob and Caitlyn enjoyed it so much- every time one would light up, there was a chorus of “OOHS” and “AHHS”.  We finished up by playing with sparklers until we ran out!  It reminded me of my own childhood and setting fireworks off at our home (my dad is a total pyro that loves to set off as many as possible!). 

Was there anything left at Home Depot?

Coming soon: Patio!

Coming Soon: Sitting area (fire pit, chairs, etc.)

Jacob begins to decorate his 4th of July cake

Jacob finishes the cake up

Jacob playing with sparklers

Fireworks time!

Fireworks

Beginning of Day 2

Caitlyn and Michelle playing at Michelle's House (back neighbors)

End of Day 2

Enjoying a cold beer after all the hard work!

A new enchilada recipe… July 2, 2008

This is a random post, however, I just have to send it out there!  Those of you that know and love me will understand…

So, Monday night I was making dinner and I opened up two cans of shredded chicken to make some yummy chicken chile verde.  Upon realizing that I didn’t have any green chile to make this- I decided to make enchiladas instead.  I thought they tasted good- but different than my normal enchiladas- perhaps just due to the fact that I normally cube up some chicken breast to make them.  No biggy- everybody ate them and they tasted okay (Caitlyn even had seconds).  WELL, yesterday I was going to make some tuna salad and all I found in my cupboard was shredded chicken.  SO in my post-vacation haze I must have made tuna enchiladas.  Perhaps the spices I added covered up the taste?  I dunno - we didn’t realize it as we were eating them! This may be a culinary breakthrough….

3 going on 13 July 1, 2008

I had to take  the princess dresses away today.  It broke my heart, but NOTHING seems to be getting Caitlyn to behave lately.  Everything is a challenge- even fun stuff like swimming.  She knows she is supposed to have her life-jacket on if she wants to get in the pool (when I am not in it with her).  She kept creeping towards the pool while I was getting Jacob some lunch.  I continually asked her to stop and come back to the chairs.  She refused to do so.  I told her we would leave if she went any further.  She looked at me and stuck one foot right in the pool.  Almost saying “Whattaya gonna do mom?”  We left immediately.  Which was okay, since we had been there for a couple of hours already.  Jacob was such a good sport about it.  He ate at home!

Then, this afternoon, I had to run in and sign Jacob up for soccer.  No biggie, a one-page form.  Caitlyn was running all over, out the door, etc.  I asked her several times to sit with me, of course to no-avail.  It should have taken me 5 minutes- it took 15 just because she was so ill-mannered.   I came home and packed up the dresses- and explain to my little princess that only big-girl listeners would get to have them back.  I am not going to survive the teen years, am I? 

Some of you may notice the comment on this post from my dear friend Nikki- that I should remember Phillipians 4:13.  That scripture reads “I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me.”  The funny thing is that I wrote that exact scripture in the doorway of the church we built in Mexico.  I suppose I forget that it’s not only the big things I need help with (like mission trips)…but the day to day things (like dealing with Princess Caitlyn), as well!  I need to remember that!  As Beth Moore would say…can I get an “Amen!” out there?!