UGH!!

My laptop is dead. It won't do anything at all. I am really hoping it is an easy fix because I have between 3,000-4,000 photos on it. I don't have any recent photos on our desktop so I can't give you any photo updates.
Hoping to be back up and running soon!
When I get my laptop back I will share our Adventureland trip with my family, Ryan's 4 year old check up and my 10 year class reunion which is this coming weekend!

Colorado

I am sitting here on the couch with my laptop, hunkered down until this blog entry done even if it takes me until 1am. This is much overdue considering our Colorado trip was Aug 27-Sept 2.

We traveled out there on the 27th. Smooth trip! Once again, Ryan was a terrific traveler. Never complained, probably because he got to watch a lot of movies which I don't allow at home. We arrived in Colorado Springs around8:30pm.

On Thursday we went to Waffle House for breakfast. Yes, Waffle House, I think that is the whole reason Ben wanted to go. He is kind of obsessed. Good thing we don't have any Waffle Houses in Iowa. Then we drove up the big mountain to the top of Pikes Peak. We went to the top last summer also. The difference this year was the view it was not clouded over. One of these times we will ride the Cog Railroad to the top. I know Ryan would love that.

Friday was a BLAST! ATVing in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. We rented a 4x4 Jeep and side by side Arctic Cat in St. Elmo. The Jeep was rough on those very rocky mountain trails but the ATV was fun. Since we were ATVing for Ry's birthday he got to stay in the ATV for the entire day. He didn't want to be in the Jeep. I don't blame him. The scenic views at the top of the mountains were breathtaking. So peaceful and serene. Michael, Ben, Ryan and I were on the trails all day. It was a memorable experience. Friday evening we stayed in a mountain resort in Mt Princeton. Of course, our living quarters was a log cabin nestled along a forest and mountain stream. The resort had two hot pools, one was 97 degrees and the other was 103 degrees. The third pool was not as warm but had a 300 ft water slide. Ryan loves water slides. I would love to go back to this area of Colorado to go ATVing again.

The guys figuring out our route up the trailAt the top of Tincup PassRyan and Ben coming down the mountain

Our cabinBen holding Colt while Ryan is tickling

Ryan has mastered plain jumping so now he must flip into the water

Ryan came down the waterslide backwards every time
On Saturday we went back to Michael and Lynn's house. Brad and Donna joined us from Iowa to celebrate Ryan's birthday. I already posted about Ryan's birthday so no need to repeat that part of our trip. Ryan had a great birthday.

Ben had so much fun riding ATV's that he booked 3 ATVs for Sunday too. The guys made that trip by themselves. They traveled 65 miles on traditional 4-wheelers that day. It rained on them for most of the day so the hot tub soak at the end of the day was nice and relaxing. Lynn, Donna, Colt, Ryan and I went to an amusement park called North Pole. This park was a dream come true for a 4 year old. Ryan could ride almost all the rides. We spent several hours at the park.

Grandma and Grandpa with the two grandboys On Monday, we went to have a lovely breakfast at The Pantry in Green Mt Falls. The town has a nice little park beside a pond in the middle of town. We took the opportunity for family photos. Later that afternoon we headed for home. We decided not to make the 11.5 hour drive in one day this time. We stayed in Kearney, NE on Monday night and finished the drive on Tuesday.

Ryan playing with Aunt Lynn at the park
This is the neat little indoor waterpark at the Holiday Inn in Kearney

All in all, we had another wonderful trip to CO and I can't wait to go back. It is hard to think about how much Colt will have changed the next time we see him. I would go out there once a month if it was possible.

It's 11:36 and I am done!! Now I just have to find more time to post about our annual family getaway with my family that happened last weekend. I don't even want to think about it yet.

Birthday Party and more

One last birthday celebration for Ryan. Last year I told myself no big party next year but I couldn't resist. After going to several birthday parties this summer, Ryan was begging for a friends party. "My friends have to come to my party," says Ryan. Ok, ok, ok!

So the party was last Saturday at The Playground for Kids (picked by Ry). We invited 15 of Ryan's closest friends and their families. I think everyone had a blast, at least Ryan did. Thanks to everyone who helped Ryan celebrate his 4th birthday.

This picture of Aiden pretty much sums up the effect of the party on all the kids - Hot, sweaty and tired. Good clean fun!

On to SOCCER! Ryan's first organized sport. He is playing in a neighboring towns baby booters league. Story City does not offer sports to kids under the age of 5 (kind of silly in my opinion). He had his first practice on Sunday night and it was very successful. Ryan did a great job. The big game was tonight. The kids were a little confused on how to go about playing another team which was to be expected. At practice Ryan was stealing the ball and making goals but it was more difficult for him when a competing team was added. I am sure he will get the hang of it with more experience plus he is only 4. We went out to eat after the game and Ryan was crabby. I asked him what was wrong and he said, "I want to play soccer some more!"

Ryan was one of the first four players to start the game This picture isn't in focus but I wanted to show you Ry's game face!

First Day of Preschool for 2008-2009

Well, we got back from vacation yesterday and Ryan started preschool this morning. He was excited to go back. He asked about preschool all summer.

It was a much easier first day of school this year then last year (Story City offers preschool for 3 and 4 year olds so this is Ryan second year of preschool). Last year was awful - Ryan cried and had to pried off of me. Today we just walked in, hang up his bag, gave him a big hug and I was off to get groceries. No problem!

Cute story for Aunt Lynn and Uncle Michael:

I picked out nice clothes for Ryan to wear for his first day of school

Ryan: I don't want to wear these clothes

Me: You need to look nice for your first day of school then you can wear t-shirts and jeans to school next week

Ryan: I don't need to look handsome. Only Colt needs to be handsome.

Me: Both of you can be handsome

Ryan: Maybe when Colt grows up and moves to Story City, he can be in my class. That way I don't have to be handsome, he can be the handsome one.

Me: laughing laughing laughing - I don't think Colt will be moving to Story City.

Ryan: We'll see. I am always right.

Oh the joys of a "know it all" 4 year old.

A Special Day

Happy 4th
Birthday, Ryan!!

My baby turned 4 years old today. I can't believe it has been 4 years. WOW! Time flies.

Ryan had a great birthday. We are celebrating his birthday in Colorado. Today we woke up in a resort in the mountains and went swimming. Once we got back to Aunt Lynn and Uncle Michael's house, Ryan got to pick his birthday meal. He chose hot dogs, watermelon and broccoli so that is what we had. Aunt Lynn and Grandma made the most awesome cake. Then we opened many many presents. It was like Christmas not a birthday. I will add more details when I post a blog about our trip which won't be until next week.

Ryan thanks everyone for all the birthday wishes and birthday phone calls.

I asked Ryan a few questions to document his thoughts on his 4th birthday...

Favorite Color: Purple

Favorite Food: Macaroni and Cheese

Favorite place to play: Betty's house (our neighbor)

Favorite song: International Harvester

Favorite movie or cartoon: Polar Express

Favorite toy: His new plow he got for his birthday

Favorite flavor of cake: Lemon

Check out the inside of that cake!! AWESOME!

Introducing...

OUR NEWEST NEPHEW!!

Chase Edward was born August 16th.
8lbs 3oz
19 inches long

Chase is the son of my step-brother Doug and his wife Jen. My cutest neice, Izzy, is a big sister!

Guess who Izzy is calling?? Aunt Leslie! She called to tell me the good news while grandpa and grandma were taking her to the hospital. She kept saying, "Mama's baby, Mama's baby!"

I was surprised when we showed up at Chucky E Cheese last weekend and Chase was there. I didn't know Doug and Jen were going to be able to make it. I had the pleasure of meeting Chase! What a sweet baby. We love him so much already.

Another fun-filled weekend

Wonder what we did??

CHUCK E CHEESE - Whoppeee!! Saturday was my nephew, Myles, 5th birthday so Ry and I headed to Cedar Rapids to help him celebrate. And what better place to celebrate then Chuck E Cheese. Ryan had 3 hours of fun playing games, eating pizza and cake, and trying to get as many tickets as possible. We haven't made it make to Washington since May so it was nice to see my family too.

Myles, the birthday boy

Ry playing games

Ryan loves air hockey so he talked Uncle Alex into playing

We are going to be in CO for Ry's birthday next week so Grandpa Randy and Grandma Mardi gave him an early birthday present. He really wanted a tractor with a loader on it!

Ben did not get the pleasure playing at Chuck E Cheese because he was near Chicago buying his new boat! It is a 2005 Tracker. It has a 115 horse Mercury motor with a kicker motor and many bells and whistles. This boat is much bigger and nicer then our old fishing boat. We were always in each other way in the old boat. Of course we went fishing today! First we went to Little Wall Lake to test out the speed of the boat then went to Brushy Creek (no wake lake) to fish. We probably caught 15 bluegills today. We kept 8 and had a fish fry for supper!

I accomplished something that I am pretty proud of while we were out on the water. I put the boat on the trailer all by myself. I know, sounds easy, but it really is kind of difficult. We have been pulling the boats (both the ski boat and fishing boat) out of the water for many years but Ben has always backed the truck down the ramp (I am not the greatest at backing the trailer up) while I stayed in the boat and held onto the dock. Then he would get out of the truck and get into the boat to put it on the trailer. Well, today he said, "you have got to learn how to put the boat on the trailer." I DID IT on the first try! No problem. Yay for me.

Grandpa Brad got a new toy this weekend too! A 2009 Polaris Ranger. It is pretty nice. We were able to check it out today before we went fishing. I am sure it will come in handy around the farm. I can't believe they didn't have a 4-wheeler before now. I don't know what we would do without ours.