I have been tagged...so I guess I'm "IT"

Tagged...
Here are the rules:
A. Each player lists 8 facts/habits about themselves.
B. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning before those facts/habits are listed.
C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 8 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.I was tagged, so let the fun begin....

I hope I get this right...just 8 random things about me...Hmm...I'm thinking these are meant to be less-known facts, so I'll do my best!

1. I have a really good memory for song lyrics. I think this is one of the blessings I have received from being a inadequately trained choir director. I just know in my head how the note is suppose to sound & what the words are...MOST of the time, nobody's perfect. :)

2. When something wakes me up, I am instantly awake & alert. I don't usually require a period of time to get my brain functioning. This is very helpful with a husband that is the opposite & that also walks, talks, & does crazy things in his sleep.

3. If I could have a second career other than a counselor (and presently a Mom & professional stamper) I would be a caterer.

4. I hate mice & rats. I am usually of a calm nature & do not scare easily...but put me in a room & tell me there's a mouse & you'll see a whole different side of me. This is not a challenge.

5. I began playing soccer when I was 8 years old & played all the way into adulthood. I have played every position. My father thought putting me in soccer would make me tougher (I guess I was a little bit of a cry baby). This theory worked except when I was put in the goal, I took everything that went passed me personally & could cry if we lost.

6. When I was a senior in high school I was a big drama buff & was considered a no-brainer for the lead role in the year's musical. I bombed the auditions & was given a silent role. It was a great learning experience & I look back on it with fondness.

7. I have 15/20 vision, which is better than the normal 20/20.

8. I consider myself to be a slower reader (probably because my husband can read so fast) unless I am reading a Harry Potter book. I finished Book 1-6 in about 3 weeks & I JUST finished book 7 last night (got it at midnight on Friday, finished it 50 hours later...with lots of stuff going on...like 3 hours of church :)!)

And now YOU are tagged:
1 Mandy
2 Jim
3 Deena
4 MaLaan
5 The Kennedys
6 Todd
7 Michalann
8 Claudia

Have fun! :)

Day 2

More driving Wednesday morning, more than we had anticipated. We thought the campsite was close to Steamboat Springs, but it was another 45 minutes past the city, but once we got there, we immediately started having fun. We camped on an island in the middle of Steam Boat Springs Lake where we had a great view of Hahn's Peak. This was the first time for the girls to be inside a tent...
Looks like they had fun!

After setting up camp, we enjoyed seeing family and having them meet Sydnee.

Day 1 - The Longest Drive

We left Dallas at 6 am Tuesday morning intending to find a place to sleep somewhere in Kansas. Lindsey drove most of the way to minimize car sickness and to get me to finish the fifth Harry Potter book so we could start listening to book six on CD. We anxiously hoped the girls would do well sitting in the car for so long and they did! Some things that really helped were having them open presents every time we got back into the car, taking 45 minute breaks where they could play on playgrounds, lots of snacks (they love YoGo's) and the dual-screen portable DVD player with their favorite movies and, of course, Charlie and Lola.

With some determination, we actually made it into Colorado that night, which made the final leg of the drive shorter, even though it didn't seem like it.

Good News!

The rabbits moved their litter yesterday into the grass we left for them. Maybe we will get a glimpse of the bunnies when we get back from Colorado.

Wildlife Preserve

Since it has rained nearly everyday for the last couple of weeks, I haven't had opportunity to mow the grass. Last weekend I did get to the front yard, but the back had started to go crazy.

Here's how tall it was compared to how it normally is:
We had noticed several days ago a couple of wild rabbits hopping in and out of the tall grass. We thought they were having a lot of fun, especially since Toby doesn't mind them playing in the yard.
As I mowed, I saw the rabbits didn't run out of the yard like they normally do when we go out there. They just stayed in the tall grass. I though it was pretty weird. On my fourth pass around the yard, I looked down at my feet because there was a dark patch on the ground and was moving: I thought I ran over one of the rabbits! Looking closer I realized I had uncovered a litter of 5 or 6 bunnies!
I had to be very careful about disturbing the nest because if I touched it, the parents would abandon them, so I looked as closely as I could to make sure I hadn't injured any of them. Fortunately, I had the mower raised an inch higher than normal so they were all okay, just scared from a 6 horse-power engine going over them.


According to the animal control, the parents should move the bunnies to a safer place, so I left a portion of the yard alone so the family can have shelter and food.
If you want to see wild rabbits, stop by. Admission will be free for a short time only.

Teaching Daddy About Animals

I wish I could've taken a picture of what Ava did tonight. We were playing in their room and Ava pulled out one of her books with pictures of animals in it. She pointed to a wolf and said "what sound make, Daddy?" She then held her hand out towards me with her open palm facing up as if she were conducting an orchestra. So I howled, after which she said "good job, Daddy!" We continued cycling through all the images: she would point and ask, "what that, Daddy?" (Me) "A dog." (Ava) "Good job, Daddy. What sound make?" (Me barking). (Ava) "Good job, Daddy!" I laughed so hard since that is exactly what we have done with her!

Overwhelmed about the Vacation!

I feel like I have so much to do that it will be impossible for me to get it all done...and I am having a major motivation problem BECAUSE I feel like it won't get done. This morning we started packing. This has been SO hard to do since we are going to Colorado, we need warm & cool weather clothing...so basically 2 outfits for everyday and several options on pajamas. Oh and I haven't even begun thinking about my clothing- this is suppose to be a vacation, right? (Whew)
Ava helped me pack the clothing this morning, so the girls clothes (except a few odds & ends) are packed & ready to go! I was going to do it last night but I needed to make sure I got the colors right...so when Ava woke up I asked her which one was hers & which one was Sydnee's...and I would have guessed wrong. Ava's is pink & Sydnee's is purple. These backpacks were $20 at Marshalls, they are heavy-duty & can be pulled as well. We'll put their 72-hour kits in them when we are finished. For the trip it will only hold their clothing, hair, & hygiene stuff...of course there will be a whole container for food, bottles, cups, containers, snacks, & utensils...not to mention travel toys. Did I mention I am overwhelmed?

Hula Neenee

Do you think she has enough?

Little Braids

Ava didn't have hair for so long that I find myself taking pictures of her hair all of the time. I guess I am so proud of the fact that I can braid it (although not well) that I had to take a picture...hey! I'm a Mom, what can I say?

:) Lindsey

Happy Dad's Day

This morning began like most other mornings: both girls wanted to get up bright and early. It was nice being able to stay home today with my girls. Although, that rain must have blown something in because Ava and Sydnee just were not happy at all. They mostly cried because they have not been feeling well.

We had one of my favorite breakfasts, turnovers and cinnamon rolls with milk. Then we played between crying fits while Lindsey polished up her talk for church about fatherhood. We were worried about the girls wanting to go up on to the stand with Lindsey, so we asked the Jacobson's to help me out, whom I am very grateful to. The second hour of church went well with Ava in nursey and me following Sydnee around the halls and foyers. I thought the third hour was going to be perfect because Sydnee actual fell asleep! Unfortunately, Ava started to feel worse so she came to sit with me and Mike Estrada held Sydnee for me until Ava suddenly felt well enough to run around and Sydnee went from dead weight to wide awake banshee. So we ended up staying in the foyer together until church ended.

Once home, Ava took a quick nap while we made grilled pork with baked potatoes and steamed vegetables and brownie crumble for desert.

The girls seem to be sleeping now, so Lindsey and I are relaxing the rest of the evening. It's been a great day. I love being a "daddy."

Happy Birthday Sydnee!

I can't believe it's been a year!

Happy Birthday sweet little one!

Sydnee Elayna 6-8-06

How'd we do?

Best of Friends

Well, the first night wasn't bad at all. Of course, we know we can't assume every night will go as well. As expected, we had to pull Ava out of Sydnee's crib, but only once. The rest of the evening, we couldn't quite tell if she got in again, but didn't worry about it too much because she can get herself out. We could hear them giggling for an hour or so, laughing out loud every once in a while. When we checked on them later, they were both sleeping in their own beds. We hope they will enjoy sharing a room.

A Sleepless Night?

We took a large step tonight by moving Sydnee into Ava's room. We've always wanted them to share a room, so when we first brought Sydnee home from the hospital, we had her crib ready to go in "the girls' room." We quickly learned it may have been too early for them to share because Sydnee wasn't sleeping through the night, so she would wake Ava every hour of the night so all four of us would be in there trying to get everyone to go back to sleep. Now that they are older, we feel they should be able to make it through the night. We shall see. Wish us luck!