Auld Lang Syne

Yesterday we spent the morning and early afternoon at home then went to Clint and Ashley's to ring in the new year. Alana, Scott, Bo and Cole came down and mom, dad, and Grandma Darlene. Clint grilled steaks, hamburgers and hotdogs, Ashley made potato casserole, and we had a bunch of other snackies. Mom, dad and GiGi left around 9 when Jett and Judd were going to bed. We played cards, talked and drank a bit. It was alot of fun and great to hang out with Scott and Alana. Bo and Amelia stayed up late, they watched movies on the ipad and played. Bo got tired and fell asleep while Alana was holding him. Amelia stayed up until we left after midnight and was asleep after just a couple of miles.

Today we went to church in the morning, had lunch at mom's then dad, Travis and I went to Andy and Jackie Porter's to help them finish packing for Lyons. It's sad to see them go, but I am really glad we went to help them finish getting moved so we could spend some time with them.

Truman is pretty close to standing on his own and hopefully taking some steps. Today he let go of what he was holding on to alot and just stood there. His balance is getting much better. Yesterday he got into the dirt of one of my plants and got a big mouthful before I saw what he was doing.

Travis has been sick the last few days, but I think he is starting to feel better. He thinks he's had tonsilitis. His throat and glands have really hurt. We are both glad to get another 3 day weekend and have tomorrow off. We are going to work cleaning and picking up the house to get ready for the Cotton Bowl party on friday.

I have only made one new years resolution and it's the same one I made last year. I want to get back to making ceramics consistently. We'll see if I can get it done this year since I didn't in 2011. This year I am not prego, so hopefully that means it will be more attainable.

Not What I Once Was

***Disclaimer: if you are over the age of 30ish, you might want to skip reading this post. It will probably piss you off.

Sometime in the last 6 years I became an adult. Not sure when it happened, but it did. I just can't do what I used to. I played volleyball tonight with kids around 21ish. I held my own and played alright, but I'm hurtin now and will be sore tomorrrow. I guess with the big 3 0 next week, I was just thinking, crap, I grew up. I'm married, got 2 kiddos, a mortgage, bills and a few extra pounds. And I drink coffee!!! Everyday! A lot!

I think about how fast the last couple of years have gone by and before I know it my babies will be in high school. Change is good but change is hard.

Root Beer Floats

Mom and Dad came over for dinner tonight. It was pretty delicious if I do say so myself. We had baked salmon, salad with lettuce, beets. and pecan crusted cranberry goat cheese. I pretty sure it's my new favorite thing, mom's too. Dad, Travis, and Amelia had root beer floats for dessert.

 I told her to say "delicious" and this is the face she made and say "shishuss."

Truman is learning to climb. Last night we were downstairs playing and I found him on the 4th step climbing up the stairs. I started doing dishes, walked away for a minute, and came back to this:

The last couple of days Tru has been standing for a few seconds on his own. Last night Travis had him and let go of his hands and he stood there for about 10 seconds. He is 10 months old today, I can't believe it!

Christmas 2011

We spent all day Saturday, Christmas Eve at Mom and Dad's house. The Petty clan was there and Ray and Pat. Mom made more awesome homemade pizza and german chocolate cake for Ashley's birthday. We decided to open presents in the afternoon, while the kiddos were in a good mood.

Mom and dad got each set of kids a fisher price nativity set. We went to Christmas Eve service at church, Mom, Clint and I did music for the service. Afterwards we went back to mom and dad's and mom got our her guitar and played and sang with the kids. Judd loves the guitar and wants to play so bad.

This morning we got to sleep in. I jokingly told Travis before we went to bed, "I wonder if the kids will let us sleep in for Christmas?" Amelia came in a got in bed with us before 7 and fell back asleep. Travis had to wake up her and Truman at 8:30 (and me) so they could open presents and we could get to church. Santa brought Amelia a set of Disney princess dolls and Truman got a big yellow truck.

After church we went out to Ray and Pat's for lunch and to spend the day. After lunch we opened presents, Truman and I napped on the couch, Amelia napped, and Ray and Travis went and did guy stuff outside. It was a nice day just to relax.

At church to day, TJ gave out glowsticks for the kids to celebrate Christmas in the evening. We got them out when we got home and the kids played with them and even took them to the bathtub with them.

Christmas Preparations

Today I didn't work and stayed home with the kids. I didn't get as much done around the house as I would have liked, but enjoyed just spending some time with Truman and Amelia. Tonight mom and I practiced music for the Christmas Eve service and Christmas Day on Sunday. We have double duty since it falls on Saturday and Sunday this year. I always feel alot of pressure playing for Easter and Christmas. I fell like there are such expectations for those two holidays. Hopefully it will go ok.

We are going to spend the day tomorrow at Mom and Dad's house. Clint and Ashley and the kids will be there, us, Ray and Pat. Mom is doing pizza for lunch, then snackies in the evening, and presents after church. Should be fun with all of the kids.

Here's a few pictures from the last couple days:

Ice Ice Baby

We didn't get as much snow as they (whoever "they" is) talked that we would. The ice on the trees and grasses at city hall this morning was nice.

The Porter's cameover for dinner tonight. They are moving Jan. 2nd so it was nice to get together before they go.

Waaaaaay Behind...

I guess because of my lack of posting, I've been busy. Last week I had two meeting to review the 90% plans for the Big Well Museum exhibits and today we gave our feedback to the designers via skype. It is exciting to finally see it all coming together after 3 years of planning and talking about it.

Last wednesday was K-5th art classes at the school. We made faux stained glass, I think they really enjoyed it. I wanted to get it hung up in the windows at the school before Christmas break but that didn't happen. They called off school for tomorrow because of the weather. It started raining this morning and rained all day turning to sleet and snow tonight.

Saturday was spent at home with the kids hanging out and doing housework. Mom and dad were having the city Christmas party in the evening. We started to get ready to go over when the fire pager went off so Travis ran out. Tausha and Cory's house burned down. We are both terribly heartbroken for them and the boys. Sunday after church we decided to go to Wichita to do some Christmas shopping and get some things for the boys. Pat picked up Amelia and Truman at our house and took them out to their house while we were gone. Travis and I went out to eat at BWW and got there just in time to see the end of the Chiefs game. Then we went to Target and got a cart full of stuff. Travis picked out toys for the kids and he is so excited for them. He has wanted to get Amelia some kind of Disney princesses and he found a huge box with 7 of them in it. Trav can't wait to see the look on her face when she opens it. He want to get Tru some kind of truck and he found a big plastic yellow dump truck that he can push and sit on and scoot around and it even has a steering wheel. We picked up some clothes and toys for the West boys and wrapped them up and dropped them off on our way home. I was really glad we stopped by to see them and give them the stuff. It makes me proud to live in our community to see the outpouring of help for them.

I have been working the last week or so in the evenings putting together photo books for all of the cousins on shutterfly for Christmas. I was up until 1am last night, but finally got all of them finished. I got them ordered this morning but I don't think they'll make it here by Christmas. Oh well. They better be cute, darn it.

Tonight was City Council meeting and I presented a proposal to increase the bed tax. The council voted to approve it, so that will be a good increase in our revenues and budget. Last wednesday I told the arts center board that I have been given a promotion of sorts at the city and starting Jan. 1 will be the Conventions and Tourism Director. I am excited about the change and the possibilities with it. However, I feel like I am letting down the arts center board and abandoning my commitment there. They were all very supportive and happy for me and my news, but I still feel bad.

Kids: Travis and I are convinced that Truman said "cracker" the other night and he has started to wave. He is such a sweet boy.

Tonight Amelia was asking "why" for the first time. I made Travis answer her. She said why twice after he gave her an answer. It was so funny. He has said several times before that he can't wait for her to start to ask why and I told him that he can answer her when that happens. This morning she came and got in bed with me and was very sweet. She laid there with me a kissed me on the cheek and rubbed my face with her hands and nicely said "Milk please" over and over. Then told me "get up."

 Sharing a goose jerky stick with Grandpa Ray.

Watching "Happiness is a Warm Blanket Charlie Brown" curled up with her own blanket.

Ashley called this afternoon and they are in Pratt in the hospital with Saige tonight. She got sick yesterday with a fever and was throwing up, so they called their doc and he wanted to see her. They admitted her and are giving her iv fluids and antibiotics. Ashley said they are waiting to hear from KC tomorrow and hopefully it's just the flu and she'll be better tomorrow and get to go home.