Reasons to Celebrate

And what better way to celebrate than a yummy dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. Minus the cheesecake since eating cheesecake for me is like eating a block of cream cheese. A tragedy to most people I'm sure. Happy 5 years to my main man. Really, my only man. Good news is: five years later I still really, really like him. Works out since he's stuck with me for a long time. Like forever long time.

Reason number two to celebrate: we sold our house! YIPPEE! YAY! WOOHOO! And now we're the poorest we've ever been. Darn economy. Still a stinking good reason to celebrate if you ask me.

Baby Rencher

(Sorry for the blurry photo. Not surprisingly, it's the only one I took.)

Making his debut in just two short months. I CANNOT wait to love on this baby. And yes, I'm a belly toucher. Can't help myself from rubbing a pregnant belly.

Had so much fun with my ladies (though we were missing some key women who were down in Texas) in Ohio at Ashley's baby shower. Ate a lot of yummy food (of course), cracked up at Ashley's hysterical hubby Logan, and organized a a pile of baby clothes that filled Ashley's entire living room. Not exaggerating here. Ashley has some people that love her - a lot.

Speaking of - I love that I'm within driving distance of my sis. In the card I wrote to her, I told her that we've come a long way. Then I proceeded to cry when she read my card aloud. I cried - at my own card - the card I wrote. A little weird I know, but it's true. I'd consider Ashley one of my best friends which is saying something considering we used to fight all the time. Sometimes it got physical: hair pulling, hitting, punching. Like I said, a long way.

Now I'm off to take my mom to the airport. No doubt I'll cry some more. I hate it when that woman has to go home.

You know your exercise plan is failing...

... when you run 1.5 miles and almost pass out because you're so lightheaded

... then you blame it on how hot it is ( only 80°) and how humid (there's a nice cool breeze)

... when you scrounge for your child's last package of dinosaur fruit snacks

... then you eat them

... when you whip up a Texas Sheet Cake because those fruit snacks sure as heck aren't cutting it

... when your hubby leaves to go for another run after running with you so that he can actually "break a sweat."

... when you need a good 4 months to train for a 5K

Starting to Adjust

It's official - I'm in love with the Chicago skyline. This was our view from the ferris wheel. Evan and I decided to venture down with the kids to Navy Pier and it is by far the best downtown I've ever been in. Not that I'm some world traveler but still. We felt like tourists the whole time because we had NO idea where we were or what we were doing. Case in point: showing up to the train station 5 minutes after the train left. No big deal right? Wrong. The next train wasn't leaving for TWO hours - no big deal except for our crankypants kids. We did what any self respecting parent would do. Loaded them up with sugar to keep 'em happy. I'm slowly falling in love with things here and there. Namely the FOOD! Why has no one ever told me that Chicagoans know how to eat??

After Navy Pier, it started to cool off and as we were walking back to the train station we passed a little park full of fountains for the kids to run around in. So much fun for them and more fun for me to rest my feet in the lovely grass. I LOVE the grass here - random but true. Any of my fellow Texans know what I'm talking about with the painful grass down there?




My sis and her hubby came down for the weekend. It was a ton of fun and in true Carleton style we ate ourselves silly. Friday night started out with Giordano's pizza and ended with some gelato. Saturday started out with some Belgian waffles, Burger King (I told you I'm obsessed) and ended with this place:

Ashley and Logan were nice enough to watch our kiddos so that Evan could take me out to an Italian place called RoSal's for a birthday dinner. I'm hoping that she posts some more pictures on her blog - thanks to Ashley/Logan and the hardworking chefs of Chicago for the best weekend ever!

Chicago

We're here! As of last Sunday night we officially became Chicagoites? Chicagoans? I have no idea but whatever they call it, we're that. Back in Denver, Evan's hours were either cut or he was working in Washington. Thankfully, we were being watched out for and we now are kicking it in the suburbs of Chicago as Evan goes to his "dream job." Now let's be honest because really I'm not going to sugarcoat this blog. It has been a HARD week - I've been all teary eyed and irrational and hormonal - kind of like pregnant Rebecca. Luckily my mama showed up on Thursday and saved the day. Now if only I could convince the woman to move into our little apartment. Here's a recap of the week - the good and the bad.

Bad: Moving into an apartment that STUNK! Like rotting food smell.
Good: Having a candle to hold under my nose as I walked from room to room. Oh and the nice apartment manager ladies letting us switch to a smoky smelling apartment instead. I'll take it.

Bad: MISSING SO MUCH my house!
Good: Ummmmm...someone else will hopefully buy it and love it instead?

Bad: Sooooo flat here.
Good: I'm from Houston so dangit I can hang with the flat.

Bad: Trying to make all our stuff from the house fit into an apartment.
Good: My mom who has made it all work - love that woman!

Bad: Missing my neighbors and friends!
Good: Ummmm ....

Bad: Being the new girl in the ward (church congregation for those not fluent in Mormon speak).
Good: The nice lady who came up and told me where the "good" McDonald's to go to was.

Bad: Missing the springtime in Colorado.
Good: LOVING all the Burger Kings here!

Bad: Making a rent payment and mortgage payment at the same time.
Good: My husband getting paid.

Bad: Living so far away from so many people that I love.
Good: Living only 6 hours away from my sis!

Here's to a better week and a better attitude on my part. See you in a few days Ash!

Update...

from our festivities last night as requested (for the admiring grandparents/aunts - and anyone else who cares):

This cheesy smile kills me. We saw it throughout the night.




YAY for birthdays! Oh the mess.

Notice Colt picking up the candle and putting it into his mouth. NO idea why but he proceeded to try and eat it? Guess he was used to everything being edible last night...?

Thanks to our friends (who are our family out here) for coming and celebrating with us. And sorry about the ghetto grill that delayed dinner for an hour and a half!

The big 0-1

Cade, just a few minutes old

Happy birthday to my Cade! I can't believe my little guy is one today. A question to the moms out there - is it just me or does it go by faster with the 2nd one? It feels like yesterday that I was holding my calm, sweet baby and having a drag out battle with the hubby over his name. I was nervous with the 2nd one, wondering if he would be a colicky baby (like...ahem...my 1st) and keep me near tears with his crying. And then Cade happened and I wonder what I ever did without him. He's snuggly (still!), feisty, outgoing, happy and just a joy. I feel so blessed to have these sweet boys in my life and to be entrusted to teach them, love them, and raise them to be the kind of men that God would want them to be (hopefully something like their dad).

Evan had a test in LA a week ago and because of Southwest (now THAT is a company I could do a commercial for) the kids and I were able to hop along for the ride. We were able to make it down to the museum in downtown LA and Colt was quite taken with some walking stick bug there. The Mr. Museum man told Colt that he would be an entomologist when he grew up. Ummmm...that's fine sweetie, but don't be bringing your work home with you.


On Evan's request - or rather - demand, we made it to the beach. How it's considered a "beach day" when I'm in a sweatshirt, I'll never know, but Evan and Colt had fun (cousin Anna too). Evan insisted on burying people. Morbid man.


Thanks to the Joneses for hosting us! And thanks to the state of California for cooling down for us (hello 100 degree temps the first couple of days!)

Ps - I just found out what my sis is having! Congrats to her - I'm ridiculously excited to be loving on her baby!

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.