Late Updates!

I haven't blogged in a little more than a month - so we'll just go for a photo dump!  It's been a pretty plain month though.  The weather has been fairly warm, though we did get a little bit of ice once.  I immediately hopped online and bought a set of YakTrax for Eric and me, so he doesn't fall while working and I don't fall on Squish.  Currently, Mom and Alan are in Mexico and Ashley is on her way home.  Eric is house sitting for them, and I can't wait to have him back at home next week!

A shot of our 2011 Christmas tree.  We never decorated it, but I used it to hold all of our Christmas cards and the Rainbow fish that Kelli and Tracy made for me!

 I had Cameron, Caleb, and Colin over for a fun night while Paul, Deb, Brian, Jen, and Eric wrapped up the winter mini-tour at Old Chicago.  We had a great time!

We house sat for Papa while he was in Michigan visiting the Murray's.  Addy came along so we didn't have to leave her home alone.  By the end of our time there, Addy and Frisco were coexisting fairly nicely! 

New Year's Eve at the Green's, in Smithville.  We played "Truth Be Told", which isn't nearly as fun with people who aren't as close with one another. 

Ready for 2012! 

Eric's champagne and my sparkling juice! 

Cheers!  It's Squish's year!!! 

Addy on the drive home from Papa's house. 

After holiday break, Kelli and I discovered that we had another person moved into our office!  It was a bit stressful to happen with no notice.  But we have since rearranged our office and it's all worked out! I actually think I like the new configuration a lot better.

Eric and I spent a nice chunk of savings and Christmas money on a new computer.  Brian helped Eric choose all of the parts and build it, I set up our wireless headphones on the TV and the computer, and now all we need is a wireless keyboard and mouse so we can use it on the TV. 

Mom got Alan a helium shark for Christmas - here it is peeking out of Alan's car. 

Alan was an instant pro at using the remote control to maneuver it around the house. 

 

He used it to intimidate the dogs.

 Such a cool toy!

Ashley bought me a dress preservation service before the wedding.  Since then, my dress and the kit have been tucked away in our closet...oops.  So two weeks ago I tried the dress on (and it still fit!) and packed it away! 

So sad to see my dress go, but it will be clean and in a preservation box when it comes home.

My Birthday!

I'm 26!  I wasn't really awaiting this birthday with any excitement, but it was a really good day!  I started by getting myself a treat breakfast at the gas station, then I had a mostly relaxed day at work (even though Lawrence was one of 3 districts in eastern Kansas that still had a full day of school on December 22nd).  Kelli and Tracy made me a very thoughtful and meaningful Rainbow Fish ornament, and both Kindergarten classes surprised me!  

For one of the Kindergartens - I wear a walkie talkie so that I can be alerted quickly when a particular student needs help calming down or runs from the classroom and needs to be tracked down.  I got a page early in the morning that they needed help, so I made my way down to their room.  When I rushed in the door, I found all of the 5 and 6 years olds staring at me as they yelled "Happy Birthday!!!"  I almost cried because I was so shocked!

The rest of the work day went well, was somewhat productive, and I even got birthday snow!  Then when I got home, I packed up the car with clothes, presents, and Addy.  We are house sitting for Papa while he is in Michigan for the holidays, and figured that it is the most cost effective to just stay at his house.

After dropped the gear and cat off at Papa's house, I headed to Mom and Alan's house.  We waited until Eric got off of work, and then we all brought Ashley to her first Cinema Suites movie for my birthday!  Ashley left her ID at home, so Mom and I both ordered a strawberry daqueri for her to drink out of.  We saw the new Sherlock Holmes, and it was pretty awesome - very cool special effects.

I was really excited to get a pair of KU shoes for Squish from Ashley, a Miche purse with two covers and an organizer from Mom and Alan, and Just Dance 3 from Eric.  Funny story behind Eric's present... we saw it on sale 2 weeks ago and I went "oooo, Just Dance 3!", Eric noted that it was on sale and asked if I wanted it for my birthday, I said sure and he paused and then asked if he could just buy it then - and he did!  But I waited until my birthday to open it :)

Then on Friday, Eric and I had a fun date night.  We started with dinner at Cheddar's by Oak Park Mall, followed by shopping at Town Center Plaza, and wrapped up with a walk around Oak Park Mall.  I used birthday and Christmas money to buy a pair of leggings, a sweater, two long sleeved shirts, and a pair of boots, and a bag of jelly beans (Dr. Pepper, buttered popcorn, and toasted marshmallow flavors - all for $125.

That was it, Happy Birthday to me!

Mmmm, special breakfast!  I usually do hot chocolate with 1/3 french vanilla cappucino - this time I did 1/3 white chocolate caramel cappucino and it wasn't as good.

Rainbow fish ornament!  Complete with glitter, sequins, and laminated! 

Very very cool! 

The kindergarten also had birthday donuts for me and another student. 

The kindergarten classes watched The Grinch, and loved it! 

Addy...not thrilled to be leaving home...

St. Thomas Blessing of the Animals

Addy didn't think we were serious when we told her that she had to come to church this week!

I love my big baby, she USED to like car rides...

Addy loves to sit with her daddy, almost the entire drive in to town.

I ended up kenneling her so she would stop pacing.

Once we were at the service, she still preferred sitting with her dad!

"Dad, keep me safe from all of the dogs!"

Addy getting blessed!

She doesn't look mad at all... haha!

Busy and Relaxing Weekend!

A picture post because I'm too lazy to write it all up!  9-23 Broken door handle, planning at home, Cute addy, heartbeat
9-24 Laundry, dinner, TV
9-25 early church, fun with Steven, FPU

My door handle snapped off in my hand!  What?!

Addy is our "big baby", and she reminds us of it all the time!  She is so darn cute.

The new baby is letting us hear their heartbeat every night before I go to bed.  It's our favorite part of the day!

Eric planned a "Go-Jo's" style night.  We made teriyaki noodles with baby red potatoes, chicken, onions, and carrots.  Delicious!

I love our family!  

We went looking at strollers today (with no luck) and I found this onesie.  I thought Alan might appreciate it :)

We're still here!

I've got a number of blog posts started for the past few weeks, we have just been so busy that pictures haven't been uploaded and posts haven't been written.
This is just a post for my faithful followers, letting you know that I'm not giving up on the blog!
P.S. Here's a cute pic of Addy!

Day 328: Really? Another Cat Post?

Well, not every day can be exciting!  Even on a day as interesting as Friday the 13th...  Here's a funny picture of Addy!

Mooooooom, I'm stuck in the top of the closet and scared to jump down!

Day 314: Grilling Out, Picnic In

Today I went with my second graders on a field trip to Science City - everyone had a blast!  Before I went home, I did some shopping for dinner.  I got us some steak and corn on the cob to grill.  I got the corn cooking, and waited until Eric let me know he was on his way home to throw on the steaks.  I used a new garlic and cracked black pepper marinade, and they turned out perfect!

The Playstation Network has been down for a few days because it was hacked - the biggest hack in recorded history, actually.  So this means that we can no longer watch movies and TV shows on the Playstation in the living room.  So tonight we threw down a sheet in the office and watched a movie on the Wii.  Our picnic dinner was accompanied by "The Other Guys", a pretty ridiculous movie about Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrel as crappy cops.  There were definitely some good laughs though!

Kids getting hypnotized!

My kids exploring the wonderous world of electricity.

I also bought some baby proofing stuff for when Andrew visits us this summer - it works.

Mmmm, grilled corn is awesome!

Addy stole the straw right out of my drink so she could play with it!

Day 310: Eric & The Cats

Another boring evening in the Green house!  I happened to be wielding the camera while Eric was bothering the cats.  The result?  A few cute pictures :) enjoy!

Mystic seemed to enjoy the exercise ball! 

Addy's fountain of tail!

Day 304: Catching Up

Eric and I both had some school work to take care of today.  I have been putting off my independent studies midterm for months, and he's just a little behind on his classwork.  When I got out of school this afternoon I went over to take a two hour test - 50 multiple choice and 4 essay questions.  Eric had a bit of boring text book reading and some online assignments.  Oh, the never ending life of college.  Now enjoy some pictures of the cats!  It seems that we may not take interesting photos of ourselves every day, but we are always taking pictures of the cats!

Her eyes match the pillow case!

Mystic likes to sleep in the dark on the kitchen chairs, zzzzzzz...

Day 299: Adult Swim and Putting

After I got out of school today I volunteered at a disability resources community expo, and then had a dress rehearsal for the Lawrence Schools Foundation Follies at Liberty Hall.  This meant that after a full day at school I volunteered from 4-6, and had the rehearsal at 8:15.  I didn't want to waste the gas on going home, just to have to come back to Lawrence, so I decided to walk around on Mass Street.  There was some music coming from 9th street, and when I went to explore what was going on I was greeted with a giant "Carl" from Aqua Teen Hunger Force!

It turns out there was an Adult Swim Block Party - live music, free t-shirts, free 5-hour energy, free claw and plinko games, and sponsor people handing out even more free stuff.  The party was rained out - so I got some 3 Spoons Frozen Yogurt and watched other acts rehearse at Liberty Hall until it was my groups turn.

When Eric got home from class he rushed back out to his car for a "surprise", and came back inside with his dad's golf clubs.  We rummaged through the bag and each got a putter, got two cups from the cabinets, and dumped out a whole bag of golf balls.  We spent the next hour putting at each other (we each had a cup near us for the other person to putt into).  I perfected a move that I call "The Reload" where I hit the door frame and the ball bounces back to me to try again!

I got an Aqua Teen Hunger Force t-shirt for Eric, two Squidbillies drink koozies, a prize ribbon, and a water bottle.  Nothing too exciting, but it was all free!

Addy is initially not terribly amused that we are golfing - she gets much more interested when the balls start rolling around the house!

 You putt balls at me?  Yay, balls!

I made one into the green cup!  And Eric landed tons of shots!