Nonsense From Wonderland

A bumpy ride! 6-21-09

Outside the pirate shop @ the Ren Faire, 6-21-09

Chowing on a turkey leg! 6-21-09

 
It’s finally trying to be summer here.  We had so much rain for most of the month, baseball was postponed for 3 weeks.  They are now cramming in makeup games and pushing back the tournaments.  Makes for a looong season, plus with everyone having vacation plans, a lot of kids are missing games, so coaches are scrambling to find kids to fill in (you have to have a minimum of 8 or you forfeit).  We’ll miss some games next weekend, when we head to Buffalo for my cousin’s wedding.  It’s the first wedding on that side of the family since ours 12 years ago!!  Should be a good time.  I’m just excited for the cake, since mom is making it!!  She makes the BEST wedding cake.  I need to find out if she is making the cream cheese mints.  Those are my fave, and I can make myself sick eating them!

Break has been good so far.  I’ve spent most of it doing things around the house and reading.  I’m determined to get a LOT of reading done this summer, because I know once school starts, my time will be limited.  I read 2 William Queen books in about 4 days, and a Spike (Buffy) comic and Cirque Du Freak last week.  I’m also doing a read aloud with the boys.  I love sitting on the porch swing w/them and reading.  Been trying to keep them up w/their independent reading too.  Even though they are both fantastic readers and do enjoy reading, they are occasionally giving me grief about doing it (I think because they are equating it with school work!!).  Oddly enough, they don’t give me a bad time when we do the read aloud.  We’ve gone to the library a ton!  All of us finished the summer reading program and got our prizes.  I think this is the earliest we’ve gotten finished.  I’m usually scrambling down there to get prizes right at the deadline.

For Father’s Day we went to the Renaissance Faire in Larkspur, CO.  It was the first time I had been since about 1980 or ‘81.  Breck and I rode a camel, and all 4 of us rode the elephant.  Very cool : ).  I had ridden the elephant before, w/my grandma (a fond memory).  We spent a few hours wandering around, and after enough pouting and begging, Jason broke down and bought the boys wooden swords.  They got spray paint and customized them the next day!  LOL :)  We had Father’s Day dinner at Bono’s BBQ, which is awesome!  Jason took me there over spring break.  We always enjoy good BBQ.  Our smoker box on our grill has pretty much burned out, so we haven’t been able to smoke anything for a while.  Been looking at a new smoker, so I think we’ll be getting it soon.  Jason is a master at the grill!  He made steaks and corn on the cob last night that rocked!

Last week we saw Transformers 2 and LOVED it!  We had planned on going for the midnight showing, but figured with it being nearly 3 hours long, the kids wouldn’t stay awake.  Heck, Jason and I were thinking WE probably wouldn’t stay awake either!  LOL :)  I’m hoping for a date night w/Jason to see Public Enemies.  Ice Age 3D is on our list next for the kids, as is Harry Potter.  I should reread the book, because it’s been about 3 years, and other than one main happening, I can’t remember much about it.

I’m attempting to knit the boys Sackboys from Little Big Planet.  After we got the Wii, we took a break from LBP, but have recently gotten back into it.  I hope I can make these little dolls (or action figures, as Peyton is calling them).  So far I have a body and part of a head done.  The boys are a lot more confident in my ability than I am!  It’s been forever since I’ve knitted anything, so fun to get back into it.  I just usually don’t like handling yarn in the summer.  Knitting for me is more of a winter time, stuck inside activity!

The end of school is in sight!  Only 5 days left!  Monday, all of the paras get to go to a lunch together, which will be fun!  I don’t think we’ve decided where yet, since we just got our invites yesterday.  Field Day is Thursday, and I will be helping at the popsicle/playground/bubble station.  The forecast isn’t that great for Thurs., so hopefully we still get to be outside for some of it.  The kids are out at 10:30 on Friday, so Jason’s going to take the day off to get them, as I have to work a full day.  We’re having a luncheon for our retirees that day too. 

Brecken ended spring soccer today.  We’re going to a pizza party after bit with the team.  Peyton had a baseball game this morning.  I only saw part of it since I was across the road at soccer.  I guess he was kind of out of it today; didn’t really have his head in the game.  I’m trying to figure out all the things I need to do when school is out, now that I have time.  Lots to do around here, and of course I’d like to catch up on reading and scrapbooking.  I’ve got a few outings that I’d like us to do before the boys head to Buffalo. 

Sis and I went to No Doubt in Denver on Wed. night and it was amazing!  Getting there was extremely stressful.  Traffic was horrible, and it was a 3 hour trip from here to Fiddler’s Green.  I made it to Denver in about an hour and 10 min., but driving out to where this place was just became a nightmare.  We sat on the stupid exit for about 45 min.  Unfortunately we missed most of Paramore.  The 3 songs we saw were good.  Our seats were great–about 5th row behind the pit.  We sat in the same # seats for Crue Fest, just 2 rows up.  Got home around 1:10am, completely exhausted and hurting.  My knee and neck were giving me fits.  It was a fantastic show though!  No other concerts lined up at this time.  I’d kind of like to see 3 Doors Down again at Frontier Days, but not sure I want to spend the $, since I have these other ideas for us this summer. 

Peyton ran for delegate-at-large for student council, but lost.  It was a very close race though.  He wasn’t upset though, as he’s going to be a Peer Mediator next year, and excited for that.  I’ll think he’ll be great at it, since he’s kind and fair, and gets along well with everyone.  I think the boys both had a pretty good school year.  I also really enjoyed my first year back at work full time, even though I couldn’t seem to keep up with everything around here.  Maybe I can use this summer to devise a better schedule for myself!

I was debating on going to see Night at the Museum 2 tonight, but I think we’ll wait and go tomorrow morning.  If you go before noon at one theater it’s only $4.25 (as opposed to $8.50 at night).  I swear everyone in school saw the movie last weekend.   

A couple pics:  Brecken @ the sheep dairy, in front of the sheep nursery.  I just finally took the pictures off my camera.  The other pic isn’t the best, but it’s Peyton while he was waiting to give his speech for student council elections.

Aww, Breck and the lambs

Peyton, candidate for delegate at large!

I am so frustrated right now with our rinky dink piece of crap airline.  Jason’s flight should have arrived at 1:05, but no, they had to sit around and wait, because of some stupid runway issue here.  The long runway was “down”, whatever the hell that means.  It’s not like we have snow and ice or anything, so I am thoroughly confused.  They were going to have to use the short runway, so were bumping people off the flight, and only taking 6, but apparently he was still on the flight.  Oh, but let’s wait some more, because they had to get a different plane.  By the time that happened, they had a t-storm warning and lightning, so not going anywhere.  Now it’s time to possibly get on the plane, but, oh wait, we’re only taking 3 people now and you aren’t on the list.  ARGH!!!  So they are told they will have to take the shuttle back here.  Oh, we’re not done.  Now you can probably be on the flight, however, the flights aren’t going anywhere because there is now a tornado warning.  At this time, he isn’t sure if he’s on the flight or not, and the stupid shuttle doesn’t even get here until 7:30 tonight!  I could have gone down and picked him up when they actually arrived from ATL at 10:00 this morning, and been home over 2 hours ago!!!  I am so mad.  They thought going the route of using Great Lakes instead of driving back from Denver would have been easier, but that’s not been the case at all.

I got up this morning and cleaned like crazy, then made brownies for Jason as a surprise.  The boys have no idea he is going to be home today, and we had this whole plan of going to the airport to watch the planes come in, so we would know where to watch for him tomorrow (when he was originally supposed to be home).  Not sure what’s going to happen now.  I’m just so upset.  Yes, of course, I want him to be safe, but damn!!!  I am tired of him being gone and was so looking forward to having most of the day with him, and now we are just sitting around waiting for someone to figure out what the hell is going on.

Mother's Day 2009

and summer vacation is upon us!  We have so much going on at school right now, with field trips, assemblies, student council elections, end of year stuff.  This week I took a personal day and went on a field trip w/Breck’s class to a sheep dairy in Bushnell, NE.  Yes, a SHEEP dairy.  They milk sheep and ship the milk to California for use in yogurt and cheese.  I’d never heard of such a thing.  It was quite educational!  The wind was horrible that day though, and being out there in the open was crazy w/dust, dirt, and everything else blowing around.  I have had a cold for 2 weeks, and add in all the stuff blowing around on top of it, and my nose is a mess!  I’m going on another field trip w/Breck’s class to the library next week.  Peyton’s class has the D.A.R.E. graduation next week, as well as THE movie (about growing up, etc.).  We’ve never delved into this topic with him, mostly because I don’t think we’re ready, but hopefully this movie will help, and I told him he can always come to me w/?s.

Jason’s got 10 days left at hs class in Atlanta.  It’s been a loooong week without him.  Seventeen days is a long time to be gone!  He’s been giving his brain a workout though!  My mom and sis are here!  Mom’s been cooking dinners, which is great, and helps so much.  Sis and I go to the No Doubt concert in Denver at the end of the month.  We’ve been running ourselves ragged between all the soccer and baseball practices and games.  I couldn’t imagine doing this with more than 2 kids!  I applaud those who do!  I’m stressing about the nights the boys have games at the same time, and going back and forth between fields.  The fields are all in the same complex, but still!  We have something going on every single night!  I am looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow morning, since we don’t have a game at the crack of dawn, like we have the last 2 weekends.  However, we’ll be out all day between the soccer and baseball fields.  We’re taking mom to dinner at Olive Garden for a belated Mother’s Day celebration.  I was able to get out on the bike a couple days this week, despite the wind.  It was just to work and back, but is better than nothing.  I miss not having my riding partner here : (.  By the time he gets back we should be having great weather, (at least that is my hope!).  I can’t wait to do some serious riding this summer!

Mother’s Day was great.  The boys cooked/baked all day : ).  Brecken made me a mug at school that came from the paint-your-own pottery people.  It’s really cute.  Peyton made me a scroll in art that said he would be my servant all day!  LOL :)  We did some Wii bowling and Monopoly on the PS3.  I had wanted to geocache, but the weather didn’t cooperate.  We actually woke up to snow.  Bleh.  Luckily it was that spring snow that was just wet and not sticking to anything.

to my mom, who is an awesome mom, and who I always aspire to be like : ).  I couldn’t have asked for a more loving, thoughtful, fun, caring mom.  I LOVE YOU!

Wishing a happy 3rd birthday a couple hours early to our Indy dog!  He gets a birthday haircut and wash on Friday (thank goodness, because he is way overdue and a dirty dog!). 

It would also have been my Papa’s 92nd birthday.  Still miss him so much. 

Happy Birthday Indiana!!

Mr. Bright Eyes!

The Monster!

Life’s been zooming lately, which leads to the blog going by the wayside, so I suppose it’s time for an update. We had a good time at the Nuggets game over spring break. Had dinner at the Hard Rock, drinks at ESPN Zone, and dessert at Cheesecake Factory. The next day we had lunch at Bono’s BBQ, which was fantastic. We spent the rest of the time driving to 4 different Harley stores, which is always cool. I went up to Casper to pick up the boys and my sis the day before Easter. Easter was very low key for us. We had fish for dinner and just spent the day hanging out at home. Jason was supposed to go to Atlanta last weekend, but due to the 2nd crazy blizzard, which resulted in a snow day from school and state offices being closed, he wasn’t able to fly out. I was happy he got to stay, but he does have to go later :(. My sis came down to stay with us, but ended up going back home after about a week. She’ll be back on Mother’s Day and will stay through the end of the month. We go to No Doubt on May 27th. Can’t wait for that! We’ve seen Gwen solo twice, and she puts on a kick-ass show! We surprised the boys a week ago w/a Wii. Our bundle had Wii Sports and Wii Play with it. I haven’t had a chance to do Play yet. I also bought Wii Fit, and I love it! Now if I can just stick to a regular workout schedule! I bought Animal Crossing, since I’d been eyeing it before we even had a Wii. It is so freaking cute. Spent 2.5 hours playing it tonight. My mom got the boys Super Smash Brothers Brawl to play up at her house, but I think they are sending it back for them to have here.

We are down to exactly 30 days of school left. It would be 29, but we have to make up the snow day next month. I am taking a personal day on the 13th to go on a field trip w/Breck’s class, to a dairy farm in Nebraska. The last month of school is so busy w/field trips and various things (Muffins for Moms, end of year testing, track meet, Earth Day celebration (we had to postpone ours since our principal was gone). I am really looking forward to summer break and getting some things done around here, as well as just enjoying some lazy days and WARM weather. I love sitting on my porch swing reading or just enjoying the fresh air.

I suppose that’s it in a nutshell for now. We’re catching up on the DVR, since it’s close to full! Just never have time to watch a whole lot at once.

Hard to believe spring break is almost half over! The boys are having a great time at my parents, playing on the Wii! I took them to Casper yesterday. Originally we were going to meet on Saturday, but then had the crazy blizzard, which prevented us from going Sat. and Sun. Last night, Jason and I went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner, then out to see Fast and Furious. I LOVED it!! I was so excited that Jason actually decided to go, because he kept telling me he wasn’t going, so I had planned to see it at a matinee. We were planning on seeing Knowing, but he decided to go see F&F since I have been talking about it a lot. He said it was what he expected, but it definitely wasn’t the worst movie I’ve made him watch. LOL I’m sure he enjoyed it more than Twilight. Today I got Easter shopping done, picked up my license plates for the motorcycle, and went to lunch w/Jason at the new KFC Buffet. Our old KFC was so nasty, so it was good to see how nice this one is. I hope they can keep it that way. I shopped until 4, then came home and did some housework catch up–laundry, vacuuming, bathroom cleaning, dishes. I also did some “spring cleaning”, I guess you could say, cleaning up Brecken’s desk area and their shelf w/the coloring books, etc. I got the guest room picked up too, as it’s been a catch all for everything. I came away with 2 grocery bags of trash, mostly just papers. Jason had to work a little late. We had some bierocks (cabbage rolls) that mom made us, and watched Reaper. I love that show, and need to pick up season 1 on DVD.

Tomorrow we are going to Denver to watch the Nuggets game. Should be a pretty good time, just hanging out with each other and cruising around downtown. I’m not sure where we are eating yet. I had mentioned Maggiano’s (Italian), just because we always walk by it on 16th Street Mall, and it always say that we should go there, but never have. We didn’t make it to a basketball game last year, so I am really looking forward to this one. I think I might shampoo the carpets tomorrow, or at least get the boys’ rooms and their bathroom done in the morning. Jason’s planning on riding the bike to work, and I’m debating if I want to go out for a little ride.

Guess I should head up to bed. Jason is all ready there, as he was up really early for work, since he couldn’t sleep. I woke up to ask him why he was up, then went back to sleep after he left.

Although I did this on Facebook, I thought it’d be fun to post here too. Just a neat little meme that my friend Mel had done on FB. As always, she finds the coolest stuff! If you want to try it, directions follow.

In other news, I am LOVING my new Blackberry Curve. This phone does it all, and I will never go back to a Windows Mobile based smartphone again! My favorite apps so far are probably iheartradio and Slacker Radio. I am becoming a SERIOUS BB addict :).

And now for the mosaic rules:
a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search (http://www.flickr.com).
b. Using ONLY the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into Mosaic Maker. Change rows to 3 and columns to 3 (http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/mosaic.php).
d. Save the image and post it on this note!
e. If you’re tagged, pass it on.

The Questions:
1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What is your favorite color?
4. Favorite drink?
5. Dream vacation?
6. Favorite hobby?
7. What you want to be when you grow up?
8. What do you love most in life?
9. One word to describe you?

Mosaic 2009

It’s spring in Wyoming, so we’re having a little blizzard right now. We were released early from school. I was there until 2, since I had bus (kids were out at 1:30). We had the same thing happen Monday, although we were released due to “predicted adverse weather”, and we didn’t get it like we were supposed to, leaving a lot of people asking why we were getting out early! The northern part of the state was getting hit at that time. There were some major wrecks on the interstate this morning (something like 40 cars). I’m trying to catch up on my shows, as our DVR is almost full! Jason was told he could leave work at 3, but he’s finishing up something, so still not home, and apparently they are still having bowling (even though everything else has been closing down, including the mall!).

Brecken’s non-fiction story he wrote for Young Author’s was picked to go to district, and we found out Tuesday that he got 3rd place!! He’ll be recognize at the YA Tea, which will be fun for him : ). We’re very proud. He also finally pulled his 2nd loose tooth last night, by himself. It was just hanging there, and I was getting a bit fed up with him being so scared to pull it, so I just left him alone w/his dad, and didn’t get to see him do it. Hopefully we don’t have to go through this with all his loose teeth! Peyton just finished up his PAWS testing today, and he’s very relieved to be done! He’s been reading like a fiend too, and went over his AR goal!

I think I might have to watch Twilight again tonight when Jason goes to bowling! I’ve been watching the extras that I got from iTunes…very cool. My obsession only grows every day ;)!