Cruising the Caribbean...Just us two

Last year, about a week after we got our stimulus check in the mail, we decided to do our part and stimulate. So we booked a 7 day cruise to the Caribbean to celebrate our 5 years of togetherness (in August). A HUGE thank you to my parents for taking on our kiddos for over a week. This is us the first night on the cruise, about to go gorge ourselves at dinner. What can I say, you eat more when you don't have a toddler and baby to feed.


Cozumel, Mexico. We headed over in a taxi to a gorgeous beach so Evan could do this all day. Barely saw the man. He is absolutely addicted to snorkeling. I was happy with my fish tacos, book, and the sun shining down on me.


Roatan, Honduras. My absolute favorite day. For those who know me well, know that the ocean and I have issues. Too many sharks, waves, scary unknown things waiting to get me. I LOVED the beach in Honduras. I hung out in the water! I think it was the first time in my life I stayed in the water for more than 30 seconds - it was so warm and clear and wonderful. I absolutely heart Honduras.

The ocean kayaking in Honduras was not one of Evan and I's finer moments. Who argues on a romantic getaway? We do. Apparently, I'm a backseat driver even in a kayak. Granted I was a bit controlling but Evan was either steering us into other kayaks or out to sea. I'd rather not drift out to sea to meet my death thank you very much. As soon as the kayaking was over, the bickering stopped. Problem solved.


So pretty right? (Still Honduras.) We had a great time and it was so good to get to spend so much time with the hubby (kayak adventure and all).

I just got home from spending two weeks at home with my family. Another HUGE thank you to my sis-in-law Valerie for not only getting Colt and I into Sea World, but taking us backstage. You're the best!

As for the lastest news on the move out east, it's a no go. Lest you think that I blog announced it too early, we had the contract signed, a start date, movers scheduled, etc. Three days before Evan was supposed to drive out there, we found out that Evan's would be boss made a pretty big blunder and they didn't have the money to pay for Evan's position out there. Ummm we'd rather not work for free so everything fell through. So, for now, my dreams of fried food and perfecting a southern drawl are on the back burner.

Big News

This is our new home, in about 2 months that is. We're heading out East to set up roots in Tennessee. Since I've heard the news, I feel the need to use more southern phrases and "set up roots" seems appropriate. "Dadgum" too (see last post). I've never been to Tennessee but I'm planning on southern hospitality, lots of yummy fried food, and things like "I reckon." Anyone who actually has been there, feel free to set me straight. Evan's company came to him a few weeks ago and told him that work was getting slow, as in "so slow we're laying off people - good people." Relocation was deemed a much better option than say...no paycheck. I do love hitting up the local Taco Bell every now again and a paycheck helps to keep those dreams of mine alive. We found out that Evan's company in the Knoxville area was willing to take him on and so began our new adventure. Feelings for me are mixed. Evan too. Evan will miss our good friends, the mountains, the snow, all things Colorado. I'll miss our good friends. So for now I say bring on the fried chicken!

Ready for Summer

Not because we're having a psycho snowy one but because I'm dadgum tired of nasty winter germs. I was just down and out for TEN whole days with the stomach flu! True, I wanted to lose the rest of my baby weight from Cade but preferably not in that fashion. I had nary a calorie stick to me for more than a week. And for someone whose hobby is food, it was a tragedy. Count on me to ruin all that hard work. A Texas sheet cake was made today and I'm making up for those lost days.

So, in a nutshell, there are no pictures to document our Valentine's Day. Because really, who wants to see a picture of me by the toilet? Poor Evan. I had promised him an evening of romance - aka Take Out and me in my pajamas curled up on the couch - and instead I curled up on my bathroom floor. By Day 8, Evan was at the drugstore purchasing a pregnancy test. Because I thought I was either dying or pregnant - let's be honest ladies, doesn't the first trimester of pregnancy sometimes feel like you're dying? Now my mom and sis are in town and I plan on getting some pictures of us doing something fun because if there's one thing for sure, it's that my 3 year old deserves some fun.

Oh and I'm not pregnant. Promise.

Christmas in February

Here is Christmas/Colt's 3rd birthday/Random pic of Evan's birthday all brought to you pretty darn close to Valentine's Day. What can I say? Typical.

And now for a quick trip to confession - I have made at least four maybe FIVE Texas sheet cakes since my last post. Evan and I have eaten them all. By ourselves. In a matter of two maybe three days. Which is why we went running on Saturday and why I can barely move. Because those cakes call for a LOT of butter. But I'll be darned if I'm not happy every time a take a bite ... and then another.

PS - anyone else wish my sister would quit acting like me and actually post something? I have heard that imitation is the best form of flattery but still. I'm missing her rambles...

A quick shout out

To the pioneerwomancooks.com. I love this woman. She makes me want to be a pioneer. Her recipes for Chocolate Sheet Cake (aka Texas sheet cake - we Texans are cocky enough to think we invented it), Apple Dumplings, and Sigrid's Carrot Cake are to die for.

Evan's latest goal is to not eat sweets. I'm not what you would call "supportive." So I've resorted to tempting that man like the devil - and it's working.

If you live by me, come grab a piece so that I'm able to wear something besides sweat pants by the end of the week. If you don't live by me, come visit, and I promise to make you something that would make all pioneer women proud.

ps - that picture is not my picture (it's the pioneer woman's picture) but really doesn't it make your mouth water SO much you drool a little?

29

Happy birthday to my main man (well... my only man)! Happy birthday to the man who introduced me to the word "budget" - and we have savings because of it. Happy birthday to the man who washed and folded FOUR loads of laundry for me on Saturday while I spent 3 hours at Wal-mart (I do love that store). To the man who puts up with my many nights of leftovers for dinner or worse (Ramen). To the man who gives me backrubs anytime (and I do mean anytime) he's sitting next to me - and sad to say but I'm a taker, not a giver on those.

Thanks for working so hard for us so that I can have a trip through the Wendy's drive thru every now and again. You're the best husband and father this girl could ask for!

Ps - I'm the idiot who decided to homemake a carrot cake (we're talking about actually grating the carrots) and begin potty training my firstborn on the same day.

Pps - Christmas recap to follow soon.

Pictures (recent ones even!)

Thought I'd post these pictures before Easter. We were much more successful with Santa this year. Colt marched purposefully up to Santa, got on his lap with no encouragement from Mom and told him very seriously that he wanted "presents." Consider it done kiddo. Is it just me or is it so fun to have a kid actually start to understand Christmas and Santa and baby Jesus? And is it just me or is it so fun to use Santa and presents as a constant bribe to get your kid to behave? Tis the season. (Ps - those aren't highwaters or shorts on Cade, promise).This is Evan's favorite picture from his work holiday party (sarcasm here). I'm just keeping it real folks. Sorry if I'm not all about getting it on for the camera. After all, we are the sober ones sweetie.

Ahhhhh...much better. I'm LOVING this background. Who's with me? What can I say, I have a knack for these things.

I'm not sure if we're doing Christmas cards this year or not (it's only the 19th - I still have ages to decide). If not, Merry Christmas to everyone - hope your holidays are so wonderful!

Long Trip

Remember when I used to blog? I got back last night from 2 wonderful weeks spent in the motherland, aka Texas. It was wonderful to come back to Denver, back to 10° weather. Glad to be home. We drove down to San Antone to spend some time with my family. On the way home, I decided to swing through Dallas and visit two of my friends from the college years. Thanks so much for letting me come Haley and Rach! On Wednesday Rach and I took our kids to the Dallas Aquarium, otherwise known as the "jungle," as Colt put it. One might say he's been watching a little too much Jungle Book. Gotta love trying to get a picture with 2 toddlers. This is the best I got. And this is Cade thinking he's having just as much fun inside the stroller as he would outside, actually seeing the animals. Oh the innocence of youth.

Sidenote: after our wild adventure in the jungle, Colt decided to come down with the flu (luckily, no throwing up on our flight home, Hooray!). As I was cleaning Colt up from one of his "episodes" in the bathtub, I came out to clean up the sheets, etc. that Colt had managed to get his remnants of dinner all over (sorry for the graphic language). There was nothing for me to clean up. Rach had cleaned up someone else's child's throw up. I couldn't believe it - bless her heart. Seriously. If that's not a friend, I don't know what is.

Without further ado, here are our Halloween pictures. I know, I know, in December. What can I say, I'm one lame blogger. I also give into peer pressure. More specifically, spousal pressure. After all of my whining and complaining, I gave in. I dressed up. I was cranky and pouty while I did it, but I did it anyway. Evan came home from work, laid out what I needed and in no time we were ganstas. Pretty authentic, huh? I guess that's what happens when you marry someone from da hood.

Quick Trip

This past weekend we drove to meet up with my parents and sister Heather (who's going to BYU right now) in Provo for the weekend. We're true blue and though the Cougars lost last weekend ruining their chance at a BCS bowl (sniff, sniff), we showed our support by driving for 16 hours to spend one short day in Utah. That's 15 hours too long for our 2 children. Did I mention that we bleed blue? And that I love any chance I get to see my family?

On a side note, this is Cade about to fall asleep for a nap. I love that he slept this way and am patting myself on the back that I remembered to document it, before he started sleeping on his stomach.

And one last side note. My friend Katie inspired me to admit that I'm not a huge fan of Halloween. Whew. There, I said it. Here's hoping that y'all don't erase my name from your sidebars. I LOVE fall and Thanksgiving and the leaves turning and Christmas and well a lot of other holidays. I just don't get into the dressing up. My almost 30 year old husband feels that we should STILL be dressing up. And I feel pressure because I'm a people pleaser like that and I like to make him happy because well, I love him. And I don't get into dressing up my kids. I wish I did. I think if I was creative like Gen or Chanel or any of my very talented other friends, that I would probably get into it more. But I go to Wal-mart, convince Colt that his long lost hero is Batman, pay the $15, and call it good. What's more, at preschool, one of the moms was asking all the kids what they wanted to be for Halloween and Colt was confused. Because I'm a bad mom that way. This Friday night I'll be giving him a crash course about why he's Batman and having him memorize, "Trick or Treat" until next year when we repeat the vicious cycle. Okay, I feel like I just went to confession. Evan, I hope you're reading this because my days of dressing up are over.

Good Times

In keeping with tradition, I'm back for my monthly post. Or more simply put, I finally remembered to bring my camera somewhere and what's more, actually take pictures. This past weekend we had our first Carleton "Girls Trip" (not so much a trip for me because everyone was so nice and came to Denver). In a nutshell, it was too much fun.

Evan left on Thursday to go meet up with his "bros" (his two best friends from Cali) in Moab and do manly things like not shower for days, mountain bike a million miles, etc. No doubt he was excited to avoid a houseful of some SERIOUS estrogen. We women kept it nice and girly. Lunch out, chick flicks (which included rewinding "the kiss"), shopping at the Outlets, pedicures, the local Farmer's Market, RS broadcast, and celebrating Heather's 19th birthday at yummy Maggiano's (pictured above). So fun to have so much time with these girls that I love.

And of course, Evan came back from his trip without a single picture for me to post. We're pathetic that way.

This little guy was the belle of the ball this weekend - for lack of better terms. I think he was held for almost every nap, which I will mention, I am paying the price for this week. And as for Colt, he's relearning the word "no."

Some Family Fun

We've been partying around here. Lots of fun company visiting and a few weeks ago, a trip to the Six Flags here in Denver with Evan's work. I must say, I'm a trooper (how's that for tooting my own horn?) Nursing a 3 month old under a blanket in 100 degree weather. Still it was so fun - not because I rode any rides or really did anything besides try to keep my baby and I cool - but because Colton had so much fun. Isn't it funny how much fun you have when your child has fun? That might be cliche but really it's the honest to goodness truth. Here's Colt with his buddy Harlan, getting ready to ride the roller coaster. Let's keep this real and say that he certainly didn't get his daredevil genes from his mama.

Colton riding the train with his daddy. Notice how Evan barely fits in the thing.

Naptime anyone?

This pretty much sums up my day. Thanks to Robby and Amy for the ever handy squirt bottle.

Adventure #2. Evan's work hiked a "Fourteener" (Colorado speak for a mountain that's 14,000 feet high). So Evan decides that this is the perfect father/son outing. He's decided that he's going to wake our meltdown prone 2 year old up at 4:30 am and carry all 35 pounds of him up the mountain. The experienced mom in me thought, "Riiiiiiight. You have fun with that." Somehow it worked out and Colt not only behaved but had fun. How does it always work out that way? Had I taken him, guaranteed he would have been screaming the entire time.

One of our cheesy engagement pictures...but really aren't engagement pictures supposed to be cheesy?

Last but not least, Happy 4 years to the hubby. We really lived it up around here. We grabbed some Chinese take out, exchanged cards and proceeded to fall asleep watching the Olympics at 9 pm. Four years and two kids later will do that to you. We're wild that way.

Busy, busy, busy

I've been anti-blogging lately because of our crazy but fun last couple of weeks. No posting (no shock there), no reading, no commenting but due to some requests from aunts and grandparents here's the documentation of some of what we've been up to...

Cade's blessing. Thanks to all who came (especially those who traveled and Stewy and Robyn who came even though they could only stay for the blessing part - the most important part but still). I'm looking a little squinty but it was the only picture where you could see both kids well and what can I say...I sacrifice for my children. I'm a giver that way.

Baking bread. Somehow I feel so "homemakerish" when I do things like this. I love it. Now all I need is a bonnet and I don't think I can get much more Mormon.
Watching fireworks. Don't you love Evan's shirt? He wears his patriotic apparel every 4th of July. I love this man something fierce.

Restraining myself from eating this little guy up. Completely edible don't you think? I always thought it was funny when people described babies this way. Then I had one and then another one - and I completely understood.

Pictures not included:

Landscaping our backyard - finally finished! Thanks to Evan's parents...

Cutting all my hair off. Evan laughed when he saw me - he says it was a "good" laugh but maybe not the best first reaction wouldn't you say ladies?

I love to eat

Which is why the hubby did so awesome on my birthday (or shall we say birthday weekend - I know I'm not the only one to drag these things out). I just polished off the Twix bar "Colt" gave me and on Friday ate myself into oblivion with PF Changs, French toast and Coldstone. Which is what prompted my sister Heather to ask (after finding out what I did on the big day), "How is that working with the whole losing the baby weight thing?" Niiiiiccce. Which is why after our frog adventure (hence the pictures) I went on a jog with Evan. You know it's been "awhile" since you've exercised when your 2 year old can't stop exclaiming, "Look Mommy runs!" Yes, honey, Mommy does know how.

Onto the frog. Evan caught him while Colton was napping and was determined to keep him around till Colt woke up. Now here's the part where you can tell Colt is being raised by the girliest of girls. The above picture is when the frog escaped (see clenched fingers) and below is where the little frog got a little too close (see him preparing to jump). Thank goodness for Evan (or Farmer Evan as I want to call him when he wears his "yardwork" hat) who will hopefully make sure these boys have the right amount of testosterone.

Feeding Elmo, Lake Powell, and other stuff

It's blurry but I had to show everyone (I'm sure a teenage Colton will forever thank me for sharing this with the world) but everytime I feed Cade, Colton is determined to nurse Elmo as well. In all actuality, Elmo nurses from Colt's belly button. I must say that I cannot wait to show Colton's future wife this picture.

In other news, we just got back from a WONDERFUL week at Lake Powell with my family. Everyone pitched in and stayed home with our kiddos which allowed me to try waterskiing again. We had a boat growing up and my natural aversion to large bodies of water coupled with me liking my feet on stable ground led to me never getting up on the skis. After being assured numerous times by family members that alligators do not reside in Lake Powell and with Evan in the water with me (so that the Loch Ness monster could take him first) I finally got up on skis. I think my family was in shock. Heck, I was too. I ventured out of my comfort zone and tried to go over the wake and bruised my tailbone in the process. Moral of the story - don't try anything crazy and you don't get hurt. The picture I didn't get but wish I had was Evan on skis. I may be biased but he was so fun to watch. He catches air people! The downside to this is he bruised his rib. Actually, now he thinks he may have broken it. Moral of the story - don't try anything crazy and you don't get hurt.

Colt loved being in the boat - not so much the cold water but definitely the boat. Thanks again to Mom and Dad for an awesome week!

Last but not least, a Happy Father's Day to my man. About a week after we started dating, I knew without a doubt that Evan would make an awesome dad. It's documented in my journal people - I'm not making this up. Colt adores Evan and Evan deserves to be adored. For Colton, Lake Powell was full of "cliff jumping" with Dad, finding lizards and snakes with Dad, and tubing with Dad. I'm reveling in the fact that Cade is a mama's boy right now (I have the food) because I know it won't last.

Oh and this picture of Cade is for the adoring aunts and grandparents out there that want an updated picture. I am loving those chubby cheeks. It's nice to know that all those night feedings are paying off.

Two weeks later...

I'm getting no sleep at night, am finally able to sit normally (childbirth HURTS!), and am madly and deeply in love...again. Cade McCoy Jones made his debut May 4th just before noon. I was just telling Evan how awesome my experience was this time around. Colton took 17 hours from start to finish with an hour and a half of serious pushing. With Cade, I felt my 1st contraction at 8 am and only had to endure 10 minutes of pushing. So I guess that his head was not as big as we thought (yea!) and he weighed in a whole pound lighter. A pound makes a difference folks. Granted, we took him a week before he was due but well worth it in my book.

It is amazing to me how darn easily you love this little person. How easily you love him just as much as his older brother. I'm making the adjustment to 2 kids now. I'm trying to give Colton some extra love and attention since he always starts to misbehave RIGHT when I'm nursing. I'm surrounded by poop and pee and well, weiners. It's the truth people. But though I know that what I'm doing might seem mundane, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else but with my boys.

The proud older brother.

Ps - after a day and a half of negotiations, we settled on Cade. Marriage is all about compromise right?