This gave me a chuckle!

Merry Christmas to All!

Brooklyn turns 2!!!!!

We had an a-DORA-ble party for Brooklyn on Sunday. She had a wonderful time and got a ton of presents! Here are the photos from her party.

Yesterday, Kevin and I took the whole day off. We went to Chuck E. Cheese's with her. She had a great time watching the Make Believe Band playing and dancing in the booth with her pizza in her hand. As long as she didn't have to get too close or touch them, she was okay. She loved to climb into all the cars and ride for a bit and then she was done. She just kept running around playing. Last night, I made her favorite - shrimp - for dinner and finished it up with white chocolate pudding with whipped cream and shaved chocolate on top. She dove right in! Here are some pictures from the festivities yesterday.

And now, for the finale...

Just minutes after she was born
Monday, December 19, 2005 at exactly 1:00 p.m.,
weighing 7 pounds, 7 ounces, 19.5 inches long...

And, yesterday she turned 2!
Where does the time go??

Brooklyn has changed our lives so much and we couldn't imagine anything without her. She is the most precious, beautiful, loving, gentle, feisty girl in the world, and I can safely say that Kevin and I wouldn't want her any other way. She completes our life and our family! I am head over heels in love with my lil' girl - my lil' best friend!!!

Merry Christmas to Mommy!

Since I was absent last week from my blog and from work, I can safely say it's good to be back. Where was I? Terribly, terribly sick. Kevin came down with a nasty cold after Thanksgiving that was transferred to Brooklyn the first week of December. Last Monday (Dec. 10), after I realized she really wasn't getting a whole lot better, I took her to the doctor. She had conjunctivitis in her eyes due to the cold she had and everything draining. The draining part though went to her ear and created a mild ear infection. She didn't mention her ear hurt and the doctor said that it probably didn't. He gave us antibotics to knock out the infection. However, after she took her first round of Amoxicilin, she broke out into hives. It freaked me out really bad, and after I called the doctor and explained what was going on, he directed me to get her some Children's Benadryl and he prescribed a new antibotic to start the next day. After several doses of Benadryl her hives went away, and the eye drops were helping her conjunctivitis to get better as well. So, as she was on her way out of the illness, I was just on my way in. I started with a scratchy throat on Saturday, December 8. Of course that was the same night as our junior youth group Christmas party. After a while, I went home because I was feeling so achy and my throat was hurting even more. Sunday, I woke up and was feeling about the same minus the aches and pains. And, Monday when I took Brooklyn to the doctor I was feeling a little better, but more tired. Then Tuesday night, I realized I was getting worse, so I decided I should go to the doctor to see what was going on. My appointment was Wednesday around noon, and before I went, I was sitting in our chair in the family room with Brooklyn in my lap watching a movie and snuggling, and I was crying and moaning and in so much pain. My voice was gone for the most part, and I think that was in large part to my terribly sore throat. When Kevin picked us up to take me to the doctor, I was feeling terrible. Finally after I got in to see the doctor, and having to wait for 30 minutes in the actual room, the doctor diagnosed me with a double severe ear infection and a bacterial virus. The doctor asked me if I had my tonsils taken out because she couldn't even see them. I told her no, and she said that everything is just so swollen she couldn't see them at all! As she was writing me a doctor's note to stay home the rest of the week to get better, I started to cry again for like the hundredth time since Tuesday night. She asked me if I were alright and I told her I just am emotional. She told me that I was really, really sick so it's okay. She even gave me my prescription of antibotics right there so I didn't have to go to a pharmacy or pay extra or anything. As Kevin got us lunch and drove us home, I realized that this is the sickest I had been in like five years. Kevin took the rest of the day off so I could rest, and Thursday my grandma came up as she always does to watch Brooklyn. I stayed in bed most of the day and relaxed. I couldn't sleep because my ears were pounding so hard and hurting. I didn't even realize how bad they hurt because I really thought it was my throat that there was something wrong with. I have only had one ear infection my whole life, so I guess I made up for all the times I could have had one as a kid. I can say I am not a fan!

I started to really feel better Friday and then Saturday and Sunday, I was feeling much better, which is a good thing! Brooklyn's 2nd birthday party was Sunday, and we pulled it off, and had a lot of fun! I will post on that on Thursday complete with pictures. Brooklyn's actual birthday is tomorrow, and Kevin and I have the day off to spend with her all day!!

Playing Santa

Now I know how Santa feels, minus the whole sleigh and eight reindeer thing. I just finished playing Santa to a few of my favorite clients. Our company sends around a Christmas list in November. Everyone gets a chance to put down clients, contacts, or organizations to give Christmas gifts to and what we would like to give them. The first two weeks of December we hand deliver all the gifts. This year I had five people/companies that I love working with and wanted to give them a gift to thank them for their business, and to let them know I love working with them. Now, for those that don't know, I work at a newspaper in the advertising department, so when I say thanks for the business, I mean thanks for using our newspaper for advertising.

So, yesterday I started out meeting a gentleman who does carpet installation and sales. He works out of Parker, which would have been a long drive, but instead we met in Denver where he was working that day. We had never met face-to-face, but have talked over the phone dozens and dozens of times. The minute I introduced myself, he said, "Oh, honey, let's hug!" and gave me a big hug. I gave him his gift (a gift bag full of Mountain Man goodies) and told him that we really appreciate his business and that he's a real pleasure to work with. He thanked me, offered the same to me, and told me I am SO young! Not sure how to respond to that (I didn't want to say, and you're SO old!) I said thank you. We chatted for about 10 minutes and then we said our goodbyes and I was off to my next stop.

I pulled up across the street from the Brown Palace Hotel in Downtown Denver, paid my parking fees, and made my way into the lobby of the hotel. The first thing I noticed was the Christmas Tree, so beautiful! As I made my way down the employee staircase, lowering my head so I didn't hit in on the low ceilings, winding past the kitchen, I came to the Human Resources office. I entered the office with the gift, a lovely red poinsettia, and was greeted by all the people that I had talked to on the phone. They thanked me profusely for the gift and gave me a behind-the-scenes tour of the Brown Palace. Much like any other hotel, but since the building is old and has history, it was fun!

My next stop was an advertising agency. These two ladies that own the agency used to work at a daily newspaper and opened the agency after they left the daily. It's only the two of them in the office, and the minute I walk in, they are all smiles and waves. I have met them before, so I know who they are and apparently they remembered me. We chatted about holiday plans, business and what the impending snow storm would do for the ski slopes. I got two hugs from these neat ladies, and was off again.

This morning, I drove to Brighton to meet the Human Resource Manager at United Power. As I walked into the building, I immediately wanted to work there. What a very cool green office! The lights turn off when you walk out of the room and turn back on when you go back into the office. When I met for the first time the HR Manager, she shook my hand and looked into my eyes and said "I have a personal question to ask you...are you Kevin's wife?" When I said yes, she immediately turned on this beaming smile. She said she loves his writing and finds herself laughing at all of his columns. She knew all about Brooklyn too. We talked for quite a while about Brooklyn, Christmas Day plans and life in general. What a wonderful woman! So down-to-earth and a true genuine person. We hugged before I left.

My final stop was to ITT Technical Institute to meet with the executive secretary. When I got there, she wasn't in yet, but I got to leave her gift outside her office door. I was a bit bummed I didn't get the chance to meet her.

The experiences I have had meeting people for the first time, getting to thank them for all they have done this past year, and to chat with them like we are old friends, was truly special. I look forward to next year's visits. But, until then, I have to finish my Christmas cards for the rest of my clients and get them sent out real soon!

It's about the Cross

Pause my song list, as you listen to this! It's really beautiful and a great reminder of what this time of year is truly about!

Decorations Galore!

CHRISTMAS TIME IS THE BEST TIME OF THE YEAR! I just love the holidays...the decorations, the music, the smells, sights and sounds, the hustle and bustle in stores...I love it all!

One of my favorite things is putting up the Christmas trees and decorating inside and outside our home. This year, we got Brooklyn her own tree to decorate. It's 3 feet tall and is covered with Dora the Explorer ornaments, babies and angels, her Hawaiian Santa and teddy bears. She pretty much wanted to put all the ornaments on her tree! We compromised and put the heavier ornaments that she loves on the big tree, but down low so she can visit them. We completed her tree by putting on a string of garland that has green, silver and red stockings hanging from it.

Mommy & Brooklyn picking out

the first ornament to hang up.

Brooklyn admiring her tree...
and as she said "all done."

One of the tradition we started last year is to have Brooklyn place the star at the top of the big Christmas tree, with Daddy's help of course. This year, she got it on the first try and was pretty proud of herself!

Reach, lil' one, reach!!

Yeah! We did it!
I love the way she is looking at her Daddy, so precious!

Cousins

There's nothing like a cousin. They aren't your sister or brother, so chances are you won't have much quarreling or rivalry, and sometimes if you're lucky, they're better than a friend because they are family and always have your back. I am the oldest grandchild on my dad's side of the family, thus meaning I am the oldest cousin, and I have 12 cousins. I have very fond memories of sleepovers with all the cousins at grandma's house, playing doctor or house during a family get together and at Christmastime we would all get together to perform a play for the rest of the family. Those were the best times.

Now, that I'm a mother, and my daughter has a cousin that is 13 months older than her, it excites me. I want them to have fond memories of their childhood together, just like I do. I want them to be close, and get every opportunity to play and enjoy each other. At Thanksgiving, I got a glimpse of what their relationship will be like. As we were over at my brother-in-law's house, Brooklyn and Kendall (my niece, her cousin) were sitting at Kendall's table and "eating" the meal they prepared for themselves. A cupcake for Kendall and veggies and a hot dog for Brooklyn. They seemed to communicate with one another in their own language and you could tell they knew what the other one was saying. They ended the night with a big hug and kiss, and of course all parents had their cameras safely tucked away. When they were done, and the cameras were out, we couldn't capture the moment...but it was very sweet! They are both very precious, very intelligent, very loving and very special girls. And, I can't wait to see their relationship flourish.

Brooklyn & Kendall at Gramma & Grampa's house in August
Brooklyn chasing Kendall through the yard.
I know what Brooklyn was thinking..."If I
get my hands on you, we're hugging!!"

The girls at White Fence Farm in October.
Another photo opportunity missed when the
goat jumped up on Kendall's back because
the girls were getting ready to feed it.

I'm very THANKFUL for....

- My Husband. He’s the head of our home. He goes above and beyond to help out around the house and with Brooklyn (he’s an incredible Daddy!!). He has such a witty sense of humor, which is one of the reasons I was initially attracted to him. He is the love of my life, and everyday I feel so blessed we’re walking through life together.
- My Daughter. She’s my miracle. She brings spark and pizzazz to every day. When she wraps her arms around my neck, places a kiss on my lips and says “love you,” it melts my heart. I love to just sit back and watch as her imagination takes full force in a game she is playing or when she is coloring. She is definitely a Mommy’s girl, and I relish every moment of it!!
- My Mom & Dad. What can I say? These two people raised me to be the person I am today. They are both way more than my parents, they are my friends. I feel so blessed of the relationship I have with both of them. My Mom is the strongest person I know and I’ll admit, I am a Daddy’s girl through and through. I played softball in high school for my Dad (and I ended up really liking it!).
- My In-Laws. My in-laws are definitely my second family. My mother-in-law has a very kind and giving spirit. She’s always looking to help out in any way she can, and she offers an ear anytime you need it. My father-in-law is definitely a family man. I have never seen him so excited than when all of us went to his hometown in South Dakota over Memorial Day weekend. He had a smile that lasted all weekend! My brother-in-law definitely has the best stories and even though he’s a police officer, he really has a gentle side – you should see him with his 3-year-old daughter! My sister-in-law is going to make an amazing mother someday. She’s always in-tune with Brooklyn.
- My Sister. When she was first born, I really didn’t like her at all. I used to hit her on the head when she was a newborn and say “nice, nice baby,” which of course I got in trouble for. I didn’t want a sister at all. I was an only child for 7 years, and I wanted to keep it that way. Boy, was I ever wrong! I cannot imagine my life without my sister. We have become very close over the years, and we will always be that rock in each other’s life.
- My Grandmas. I have two grandmas. Grandma Betty watches Brooklyn while I work. I know I can speak for Kevin too when I say that we are both so very grateful for all she does for us. It’s because of her that Brooklyn isn’t in daycare! Grandma Gwen is very, very loving. She has 14 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, 6 children, 4 daughter-in-laws, church family and many friends, but she loves everyone and has never learned to say “no” to anyone.
- My Cousin, Sarah. I have 12 cousins and while I am not trying to leave anyone out, I have to say how grateful I am for Sarah. She’s four years younger than me and when we were growing up, there was definitely a sense of competition. But, now that we are grown up and both married, I am relishing in the relationship we are building. She’s a wonderful person, so giving and like my sister-in-law, she’s going to make an amazing mother someday.
- My Closest Girlfriends, Jessica & Jenn. Life wouldn’t be the same without these girls. I share such a special bond with each of them. Kevin and I are Jessica’s daughter’s godparents and Jenn and her husband are Brooklyn’s godparents. We are experiencing mommyhood together and will always have each other to lean on through everything in life. These girls are more like sisters to me than friends.
- My Friend, Steve. If you want to meet someone that is very sincere and genuine about knowing how you are, let me introduce Steve. He works with my husband, but over the years, he has become a dear family friend. My in-laws have considered adopting him!
- My Fellow Jr. Youth Group Leaders, Lori & Renee. These ladies are my sanity when it comes to planning all things Jr. Youth oriented. They also provide me with stories and tips about what it means to have a teenager, since they both have boys in the Jr. Youth Group. Yikes! Can I keep Brooklyn a toddler forever!?!
- My Bloggie Friends. I love sharing stories with you, and getting to see a glimpse into your life. You making this blogging adventure that much more fun!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Christmas Thoughts

I was driving home late one night last month while a local radio talk show host was lamenting how he wasn’t looking forward to Christmas. He went on to gripe about how Christians just “get up in your face” this time of year.

I was tempted to call and immediately offer an apology. How dare we, as Christians, spoil the spirit of Christmas? After all, people are busy buying presents, running up those credit cards and fighting over mall parking spots and here we are, wanting to talk about the only begotten Savior born to free the world of its sins.

Of course, the effort to take Christ out of Christmas is nothing new. Nothing irks me more than to see a “Merry Xmas” sign. The little Algebra I know taught me that you could insert anything in place of X. But, alas, it wasn’t quite as catchy as Christmas.

So the emphasis has returned to not attacking the message but, rather, attacking the messenger. So the popular wisdom becomes “we’ll keep Christmas but we’ll mock those Christians who are celebrating it for all the wrong reasons.”

The ironic part is we’re the only ones who have it right. There is only one reason to celebrate Christmas. I shudder when I think about how many people don’t know why we celebrate Christmas. I shudder more when I think about how many people, like this ignorant talk show host, are trying to forget why we celebrate Christmas.

And, in a world that continues to take a dimming view of Christianity, I think “up in people’s faces” is exactly where we need to be. We need to be proclaiming the love of Christ and we need to be sharing the wonderful story of salvation.

It’s a great story, it’s a miraculous story and it shouldn’t be some cheerless anecdote to all those other Christmas activities. We can share the love of Christ and we can still buy those presents, hopefully not overcharge those credit cards and eat plenty of holiday cookies. They don’t have to be separate. We can celebrate Christmas without forgetting the meaning of Christmas.

But, if proclaiming the birth of our Savior, ruins somebody’s holiday, then I’ll gladly stand up and be called Scrooge.
--
(My dear husband wrote this, but I really wanted to share it!)

Giving Back

On Saturday, our church's junior youth group volunteered at 9Cares Colorado Shares, a huge, state-wide food drive.

9Cares Colorado Shares started as a simple food drive in the old 9News parking lot. A lot has changed but the goal is still the same - to feed, clothe, and provide a happier holiday season for Colorado's less fortunate families. The holiday drive is the largest one-day food, clothing and toy drive in our region, with nearly 30 sites along the Front Range and into the mountains. Combined, the 30 sites, collected 383,025 pounds (191.5 tons) of food. Our youth group worked at the Firestone King Soopers and collected 4,441 pounds of food and $563.

It was so incredible to be a part of this food drive. To watch people head into the grocery store, as I am sure they do every week, but to come out with bags upon bags of food that they bought just to give away, it was amazing! And, the youth group kids really got into it, helping unload van loads full of goods, passing out fliers of the top-10 most wanted items, sorting the items once they were donating, weighing the boxes and loading them in the truck.

Brooklyn even got so very involved in helping the little kids with their donations. She would run up to them, grab their item hand it off to be sorted and say "thank you." So precious!

We really had the best time volunteering, and our family plans to participate next year. Like I said, there's no words to describe how amazing it is to watch people just be so giving and selfless.

Shut Up & Drive!!

You know how some people say they drive a lemon??Well, I feel like I am driving a pumpkin!But, I am coming around on my rental car...the color is real unique!
And, I'll have it till I get this back...

My beloved Subie!!

But can she sing?

Fun Brooklyn Stories

Here are some fun Brooklyn stories I wanted to share...

JAM
Brooklyn has gotten very, very interested in the little pieces of lint that you find between your toes after wearing socks for a period of time during the day. To most of us, this is called toe jam, but Brooklyn simply calls it "jam." She frequently, about six to eight times a day on average, sits down on the floor, pulls and tugs at her socks, trying desperately to get them off to look for jam. If she can't get her sock off, she'll whimper a bit and ask for help. She'll sit there for a good 5 minutes examining each crevice before standing up which means she is done. Not only does she examine her own toes, but her fingers too, and Mommy's and Daddy's toes and fingers too!

FIRST TIME IN A MOVIE THEATRE
On Saturday, Kevin, Brooklyn and I went to see Bee Movie thanks to my parent's generous ticket giving! To sum up our experience, I will link to Kevin's hilarious take of the events that occurred. Here's the link. I really think she enjoyed the movie, it was very cute!! She did score a new outfit out of the whole ordeal.

OOPS!
Brooklyn really got to use one of my favorite words she says "oops!" yesterday afternoon. I was on the computer checking my work email and Brooklyn was sitting in our home office coloring. Our computer desk has a couple shelves to the right of it where she sets up shop. She will bring a small chair from her bedroom and sit down and color. She has a couple pads of paper there and some crayons and a pencil. As I was looking at my email, I looked down and noticed that the paper pads were no one to be found, but she was sure working hard on her artwork on the desk shelf. Uh-oh! We haven't had to have the conversation yet that crayons, markers, pencils, etc. are to form artwork on the paper, coloring book, etc. not on walls, furniture, ourselves, etc. So, we had that conversation yesterday. She looked surprised that this wasn't an okay thing to do, but she did say "oops" and "I sorry Mommy." I reassured her that I wasn't mad, that we need to be a bit more careful. She said "ya."

OUR LIL' CINDERELLA
Brooklyn has really gotten into cleaning. She is such a big helper and will often offer to help wipe off the table, clean up the floor after a water spill (that she made in order to have the chance to clean it up!), wipe Mommy's, Daddy's and our beagle's mouth after we eat, sweep the floors with a broom, use the weed blower outside as part of fall cleaning, loading the dryer, etc. You know if she wants to help out when she says the phrase "I do dat." She wants every opportunity to help out, and like I said, she will make messes in order to clean it up. So, so cute! Kevin and I always joke about child labor laws, but we wonder what happens when the child willing asks to clean!?!

Of course, there's a million stories to share about what the precious girl is doing, but those are just a few of my favorites! She is really growing up TOO fast!!

Pumpkin Fun

Taking a break from a horrible day (was in a car accident last night on my way home from work and have been working with the adjuster to get my car fixed - not my fault, I got rear-ended!) to post pictures of our pumpkins we carved. We had so much fun doing it, but Brooklyn wasn't too sure about the insides of a pumpkin! Yucky! she declared. But, she sure enjoyed the after effect!

"Jagged Smile" by Daddy

"Three Blind Mice" by Mommy

"The Penguin" by Mommy

"Home Sweet Home" by Daddy

Brooklyn declaring "Oh, cute!"

Halloween Fun

Brooklyn really got into trick-or-treating last night. She had the adorable kid factor going for her as in she said "thank you" to everyone that handed her candy. She didn't just say it once, she said it over and over..about three to four times per house. And, everyone really loved her costume, and thought she was adorable, so they gave her extra candy. I have to admit, she was quite adorable and she is a very polite kid all the time.

Down 0-2 -- ARGHH!

We watched the game in it's entirety last night. We even had Brooklyn playing the role of lil' cheerleader: "Go Rockies!!; Come On, Come On."

We cheered when Taveras (or Travers as I call him) got on base albeit because of getting hit. We cheered when Matt Holliday singled sending Taveras to third thanks to Lowell's mishap with the ball. We cheered when Todd Helton got a RBI sending Taveras home. 1-0, top of the first inning! We cheered as young Ubaldo looked real good and settled from the get-go. We cheered when he struck out arrogant Big Poppy.

We were real happy, feeling pretty confident. Then it happened, Ubaldo started to walk batters. Uh oh! We can't just help them out by putting them on. When Mike Lowell drew a one-out walk, taking third on J.D. Drew’s single to right, and scored on a Jason Varitek fly ball to center all in the fourth, we started to get worried. We started coaching young Ubaldo trying to get him to settle down and just get out of the inning. Done. In the fifth, he looked good again, 2 outs right away, then walked Big Poppy with Manny Ramirez up to bat. A single sending Big Poppy to second and soon home with Lowell's double to left.

Great. Now we're in real trouble, 1-2 bottom of the fifth inning. Not good! Especially since we can't seem to get our offense started lately, and we're leaving lead-off batters stranded. We got excited as Holliday got a hit off Jonathan Papelbon in the top of the eighth with two outs. But, oh how we cringed when Holliday got picked off first base with Helton up to bat, ending the inning.

And, seriously Spilborghs, stopping resting the freakin' bat on your shoulder and swing it, or we're gonna bench ya!

So we are down 0-2 in the Series, but we are coming back home for three games. Let's see how those arrogant, stuffy Sox do in our thin air. Hmph!

GO ROX!!!!!

World Series, Game 1 TONIGHT!
!!!!!! GO ROCKIES !!!!!!

I found this in the Boston Herald this morning, and thought I would share. Enjoy Michael Marallo's city matchup, but we'll see who gets the last laugh!!
><><><><><><><><><><><><><
Let’s face it, there’s not much history between Boston and Denver, the capital of Colorado, where the Rockies play their home games, and the World Series will decide who’s got the better ball team. But in a head-to-head matchup between the cities, Boston’s already got Denver beat:

Category: Nickname

Boston: The Hub, Beantown

Denver: Mile High City

Verdict: Denver - Can’t beat that kind of elevation.

Category: Tallest Skyscraper

Boston: John Hancock Tower, 790 feet

Denver: Republic Plaza, 714 feet.

Verdict: Boston - It’s close, but admit it: you don’t know what the Republic Plaza looks like.

Category: Major League Baseball History

Denver: 15 years

Boston: 108 years

Verdict: Boston - The Rockies might be making history, but the Red Sox define it.

Category: Home Ballparks

Denver: Coors Field

Boston: Fenway Park

Verdict: Boston - Our bleacher culture beats out the Rock Pile.

Category: Best Local Beer

Boston: Sam Adams

Denver: Coors

Verdict: Boston - Is Rocky Mountain water the only thing they put in those Coors bottles?

Category: Fancy Suspension Bridge

Boston: Leonard P. Zakim Bridge

Denver: Millennium Foot Bridge

Verdict: Boston - Our bridge spans water, their’s a rail yard.

Category: Regional Theme Song

Boston: “Dirty Water,” the Standells

Denver: “Rocky Mountain High,” John Denver

Verdict: Boston - Our victory song is everywhere.

Category: Best Gross-Out Food

Boston: Secret 24-hour kitchens in Chinatown

Denver: Fried bull testicles, aka Rocky Mountain oysters

Verdict: Denver - It takes courage to go to Chinatown at 4 a.m., but it takes testicles to eat testicles - at any hour.

Category: As Seen on TV

Boston: “The Practice,” “Lucky Louie,” “Cheers”

Denver: “The Bill Engvall Show,” “Real World 18”

Verdict: Boston - The “Real World” went to Denver?Was Puck involved?

Category: Cool Movie Title

Boston: “The Departed”

Denver: “Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead”

Verdict: Denver - Our proximity to Lowell leaves us partial to Jack Kerouac references.

Category: Hometown Celebrities

Boston: The Afflecks, Lenny Clarke, Eliza Dushku

Denver: Tim Allen, David Fincher, Karl Rove

Verdict: Boston - We’re currently Hollywood’s darling.

Category: Famous Baby Daddy

Boston: Tom Brady

Denver: Travis Henry

Verdict: Denver - The Broncos’ Henry allegedly has nine kids with nine women. Let’s see Brady throw six TDs with that many mouths to feed.

Category: Best Bands

Boston: Dropkick Murphys, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Dresden Dolls, Mission of Burma, Bang Camaro

Denver: The Fray, Jill Sobule, DeVotchKa, Apples in Stereo, Dressy Bessy

Verdict: Boston - C’mon, the Fray? That’s the best ya got?

"Brooklyn Day"

Thank goodness Friday is finally here!! Every since Wednesday, this week's speed hit the brakes very hard. Maybe it's because Wednesday means returning to work after 4 glorious days off with my princess, or maybe it's that I would rather be outside enjoying the fall weather with my princess. Okay, so I'll admit, the week has gone so slowly by because I want to be with my princess. And, to make matters even harder, she came to work with me this morning for a few hours while Daddy conducted an interview for work. When he came to pick her up, I was very sad to see her go. She was such a good girl while she was here, and she made my morning that much brighter. As she sat on my desk watching her DVD player with Dora seeking out "rainy mountain," I caught myself just gazing at her and smiling. My heart felt very full!

Brooklyn turned 22 months old today, a mere 2 months away from turning 2. I love this stage in her life because she's talking so much, is becoming so creative and imaginative, is so much fun to hang out with, is still very cuddly and sweet and simply is such a beautiful little girl inside and out. Don't get me wrong, I loved her baby stages. The times where she would just fall sound asleep on my chest, or the days when she was learning to pick up her head, or crawl, or learning to walk, but too see where she is at now, I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Our days normally start out with her joining Kevin and I in bed for at least another hour of cuddling and sleep. When she wakes up, she'll rub either Kevin's back or my back or arms. When you open your eyes, you know that she will be watching and waiting with a smile and a "good morning." If your name is Mommy, you'll get a couple kisses and if your name is Daddy, you get a hug. It makes getting up so worth it. And, once she's up, she's up and so very, very busy. She'll include you in all her activities, and let you know if she just needs time to spend looking at books quietly in her room though.

Kevin and I just absolutely love spending as much time with her as we can. In fact, sometimes, I have to go to her room in the middle of the night just to give her a hug, kiss, or to listen to her soft breathing as she sleeps. There's nothing better in this whole world than being a parent, and I can testify to the fact that it leaves your heart very, very full and your world complete. My life wouldn't be the same without my little busy bee running all around my house, stopping for a second to smile or give me a "big hug." Brooklyn is the light of my world, and Kevin's too, which is why we have declared this Saturday "Brooklyn Day." We're going to spend ALL day playing with her, putting aside any household chores that we have to do, and just giving her 100% attention from lights on in the morning to lights out at night. It's her day to do what she wants, and it's an extra bonus that tomorrow's forecast is going to be so beautiful because that means we can play outside, something she just loves! And, the best part, Kevin and I are so excited about it...it's even marked on our calendar!!!

Have a wonderful weekend!! =)

Junior Youth Group

Some of you may know that I'm a junior high youth group leader at my church. I started on this adventure last year, and really enjoyed myself and the kids, so I am jumping in head first again this year. At my church, the junior youth consists of kids grades six through eight, so we're talking about preteens to early teens.
All the leaders, our youth pastor and the youth board chair are meeting next week to discuss and set a calendar for this year's activities. We try to keep a good balance of fun activities and volunteering or service activities. And, this year, we want to try some different things to keep it interesting. Our goal is to have these kids involved and interested so when they get into high school, they will participate as well. The high school youth group is much more involved and more time is required as they do larger projects and a bunch of fundraising for a trip to the youth conference in the summer. One of our main concerns is we don't want everything to have to be about money, especially for those families that the parents participate as well or those families with multiple children. We want the kids to participate as much as they can, and have fun doing it.

So, now comes the part when I ask for help. As I am forming my list of activities, fun and service, I want to throw it out there to all my blog readers to ask for suggestions on activities. Can you help me out?

Maui is really PARADISE!

Our vacation was simply perfect. We were in paradise getting to spend 8 glorious days on Maui, only 60 steps from the beach. The first thing we did, sink our toes in the sand! Brooklyn was a little hesitant of the beach and the ocean at first, but as the days wore on, she became more familiar, but didn't like it when mommy pretended to be swept away by a wave crashing on the shore. Our first morning in paradise, Brooklyn, Kevin and I took a walk on the beach before the sun came up. It was such an incredible experience. So peaceful and serene. We spent quite a bit of time relaxing by playing in the pool or boogie boarding at the beach. I'll admit, I was a chicken, a huge chicken, the first day we tried boogie boarding. I was quite aways from shore and told my mom who was swimming with me that I pretended my boogie board was a door off the Titanic. I know, chicken!! But, I finally warmed up to it and was the person who used the boogie board the most, next to my sister. And, boy, were my muscles sore too.

We got to visit Lahania, the shopping district of Maui. My grandma warned us that during the day it was darn hot there because there were no tradewinds like were we were staying, but did we listen, no. We went there in the middle of the day, and not the end, and boy were we warm! One of the most interesting things about Hawaiian shops is almost every store carries alcohol. The grocery store pretty much has a full liquor store on one side, and the all famous ABC Store has quite a liquor selection too! There's definitely something to be said of the ABC Store, where you can buy a pint of milk and a Hawaiian dress in the same purchase. The ABC Store was our go to store for chocolate covered macadamia nuts - the best candy I have ever tasted. My parents had the right idea bringing home a "briefcase" of them. But, knowing my dad, the chocoholic, they're gone now!!

We got to attend a luau at the Maui Prince Hotel in Makena. The host, Warren Molina, left us all with a chuckle. He made no attempt to conceal he wanted to rip off the tea leaves of the hula dancers as personal conquests and half the women in the audience too! And, all with the smile of a used car salesman. Brooklyn was very wide-eyed when the fire dancer came out and started to eat the fire! She wasn't sure what to think! My sister fell in love with one of the male hula dancers. She wanted to take him home!! My dad caught 47 minutes of the luau on his camcorder, but cut it off when the male dancers came up to do a dance that indeed made my sister turn all shades of red.

On Thursday morning, my mom, dad, sister, Kevin and I headed to our zip lining adventure. We got on all our gear, and headed for our 1/2 mile hike up onto Haleakala Ranch. The guides taught us the history of the ranch and each zip line course was named after a Hawaiian bird. There were 5 zip lines, and each one became longer, faster and higher up than the last. The key was to stay straight and land feet first. However, we seemed to struggle a bit with this as we landed backwards quite a few times, to the point where the guides were making little jokes that they knew we were all related. The last zip though it didn't matter how you were positioned, just as long as you didn't hit the pole on the other side. This zip was 750 feet across and 100 feet up in the air. You had to run off the cliff and once you got going, the ride was like 20 seconds to other side at a speed of 40 m.p.h. One of the guides had to grab you by the feet and pull you onto this movable ladder for you to walk off of. We all had such interesting experiences with the landing. Kevin was the first to go on the last zip and he said the guide freaked him into thinking something was wrong. I was second, the guide had trouble guiding me to the ladder. My sister came next, and the guide pulled her shoe and sock off when he tried to stop her. My mom's landing was the most classic. The guide grabbed for her, and she lifted him about 6-7 feet in the air. So, she took him for a ride! My dad being really tall, got on the ladder very easily. It was such a rush and so much fun that we all agreed we should do it again. While we were on the adventure, Brooklyn and my grandma stayed at the condo, went to lunch at the Sand Witch, walked along the beach and took a nap.

The only downside to our vacation in paradise was our plane ride home. And, I will just leave with this post Kevin put up because it sums it up and is pretty funny too!!

Maui is such a beautiful place that we would love to get back to again! ALOHA~~~

My Name is...

I, like Jenn, have a serious case of weekend brain! So, I thought I would participate in this fun little Naming Meme. Here goes...

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car):
Nikki Outback

2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie):
Neapolitan Ginger Snap

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name):
M-Den

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal):
Green Monkey

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, hospital where you were born):
Marie Humana

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first):
Denma

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink):
The Purple Margarita

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers):
Tony Alvin

9. WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ):
Marie Craig

10. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter):
Heil Houston

11. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower):
Christmas Pansy

12. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”):
Peach Caprie

13. HIPPIE NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree):
Coffee Pine

14. YOUR ROCK STAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft + fave weather element + “Tour”):
The Scrapbooking Rain Tour

Please feel free to play along, let me know too, so I can discover your fun names!!

10 Years? Already!?!

“Hinkley High School, how does it feel to be state champions?” Marcia Neville from CBS 4 said those words 10 years ago during our high school’s pep rally the Monday after our football team won the state championship! Those words resound through my body every time I think of high school. What an exciting year our senior year really was!! Not only did we win state in football, but the boy’s basketball team swept the playoffs and won state as well.

Tonight at 6 p.m., Kevin and I (we went to high school together) will enter the APS stadium to reunite and celebrate with the football team, as the entire team will be honored during halftime for their incredible accomplishment 10 years ago. My dear friend, Jessica was the place kicker and won a couple playoff games for Hinkley. Jessica was the first female place kicker at our high school, and that same year, the first male joined the cheerleading squad.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited about tonight. I haven’t seen many of these guys since high school. I’ve heard such stories from my parents about how much people change over the years, but not typically too much at the 10-year reunion. As Kevin and I talked about it last night, we agreed that there’s some logic to why it seems people remain the same 10 years later, or at least appear to. It’s because they have to impress their fellow classmates with their life, appearance and success stories, ignoring the fact that we all are 10 years older, some have kids, are married, possibly divorced, etc all meaning that we have all really changed. For good, or bad, after 10 years, it’s reality, things aren’t going to be exactly the same.

As Jessica and I were talking about tonight’s festivities, she expressed her nervousness of worrying about what people will think of her 10 years later, especially if the clichés are still formed. I have always thought clichés are pointless, and if they are still formed after 10 years, the only thing you can do is feel really sad for the people in them. As we talked, I reassured her that she’s become more beautiful inside and out since high school. We both agreed that we are different people than we were in high school, and we’re both really okay with that.

Our official high school reunion won’t be until next summer, but tonight, we will get a taste of what others have been up to, where they are in their life and how life has been since high school. Maybe we can even reconnect with those high school friends that we lost touch with. It should be a good night. And, to make it even better, it’s a rivalry game against the Aurora Central Trojans and it’s Hinkley’s homecoming game. Just one more thing...GO T-BIRDS! YOU KNOW!

(Note: I know I said I would post on our vacation this week, but I wanted my photos to accompany the post, and I have yet to get them on the computer or on a CD. So next Wednesday, I promise, I will get a post up!!)

The Mom Overture

To all the parents out there: You simply HAVE to watch this video. It is so true and funny!!

I will post about our trip tomorrow as I just got back to work and things are super busy!

Moakalakaleauke....

ALOHA!

Tomorrow (and for 8 days),
my family and I will be doing some of this... building some of these...
learning to do this...
watching some of this...enjoying views like this...

and even this...
and pretty much doing a lot of this...as long as we don't come back looking like this, we'll be okay...so have a good week and remember to...