As you could tell from the last post we went somewhere warm and sunny! We ventured to Sanibel Island with my mom, dad, and Brandon. Daddy stayed home and got the mail and fed the fish! Oh and worked, worked and golfed!
The trip was fun. It was great to have the boys out in the sun without jackets and mittens on. Hayden was in heaven. He built many sand castles, dams and jumped waves. Carson tried to eat a lot of seashells! The weather was a tad cold but really warmed up the last two days we were there. We only had a half day of rain too. Everybody I talked to that went elsewhere in Florida had lots of rain! Carson had some kind of illness down there but one call to Dr. Maria and all was better with a little antibiotic. I had forgotten how beautiful Sanibel and Captiva are, natural beauty at its finest!
Some of the things we did: Twins Spring Training with Joe Mauer playing!, Yankees and Rays game(Rays won), lots of good food eaten at the Varsity(biggest drive in, its's huge!), Michaelbob's(bbq), the Crave(kinda swanky), Pizza at Island Pizza(We ate there the first time we went to Sanibel, still good!), Doc Ford's(we had raw oyster that were oh so fresh), Biddle's Bucket(We had yummy, yummy grouper so good), homemade ice cream at the Love Boat, trip isn't complete without a Sonic and Cracker Barrel stop! We went on a Dolphin Cruise and saw lots of dolphins dancing in the water, went to a Nature Preserve or two, we toured the Edison and Ford Winter Estates(very neat!), went to Silver Springs and relaxed on the beach. We stayed at a very nice Holiday Inn on Sanibel(We've stayed before) everybody is so nice and the place is SO clean and well kept. We saw lots of neat creatures in the water, calico crab, box crab( I think!), Hermit Crab, lots of birds, turtles, alligators, fish(Hayden and I rescued a fish that was caught in low tide, and did lots of shelling and saw dancing scallops(Hayden got the giggles so bad when he saw the scallop moving in the water upright). We saw shells spit water too. We had a picnic with grilled burgers at Bowman's Beach and played at the park. There was so much its hard to remember!
Both boys did super in the car(s). Carson barely fussed and Hayden was perfect. His Didj and DVD player are to thank for that!
We stopped at Ella's in Madison both times through(We love Ellas!) Carson was treated to his first order from a menu. They had a baby plate with a little big of yogurt, applesauce, shredded cheese, turkey, Mandarin oranges(He had never had them before and LOVES them!), peas and carrots and crackers with jam. So cute watching him eat his lunch.
Okay some Random things from the trip...
**Hayden telling Brandon that someday he should wise up and come with him to Angies to play with Jacob.
**Ummm...leaving with the Tahoe and not returning with it!
**Carson making lip smacking noises when he wants water.
**Being in a traffic jam in Georgia and watching a guy jump out of his truck, go to the back and grabbing beers out of his cooler and passing them out to the cars around him. When asking why a truck wasn't moving up a girl yelling out the window "We can't move yet, we're waiting for our beers." Yeah. Only in Georgia.
**My mom running up to DQ barefoot a half hour after they closed and asking for ice cream...and getting it. How she does it??
**Using 6 year old sunscreen and getting sun burnt!
**The kindest people who went above and beyond to help us when we most needed it.

I finally got our computer issues worked out so i can blog again!!!

Our trip was wonderful and so eventful! We were blessed with great weather almost the whole time and so many fun things to do! We visited Silver Dollar City(Twice) which is an amusement park. Hayden liked the Roller Coaster the first day and the Tea Cups with Papa the second day. I couldn't enjoy the rides much due the fact I'm giving birth in a month! But found a wonderful Strawberry and Cream smoothie to keep me happy both days! We ran into a performer who was original from Superior, actually from 7th and 16th. Small world! There was so much to do at Silver Dollar City besides rides. They have glassblowers, blacksmiths, candy makers etc. It was a very neat place and a great place to spend some time outside basking in the sun!

We went to a couple shows too! The Showboat Branson Belle and Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede both were dinner shows. We had a couple disappointments at each show but it didn't stop us from enjoying them! Hayden really liked the "talking dogs" on the Branson Belle as did all of us!

We also went and saw a water and fire show(3 times!), went shopping at a 5 and dime store, went to the College of the Ozarks(Which is way awesome, students don't pay for their school, they work it off), played outside quite a few times, threw rocks in Table Rock Lake, and so much more! I thought I'd put up all the albums from our trip for sure though!

Hayden Album


1st Album

Here we are sitting at almost 9 at night and the weather is still in the 70's! We have been super lucky! I even got a little sun burnt. Branson is a wonderful place!! We are enjoying our "villa" at the Horizon's resort. They have activities for the kids, puzzles, games, pools, pool table, fooseball etc. I am sure I'll write more in detail but so far its only Monday by the way we've done:
**Discovery Center
**Railroad Bridge we walked across
**Silver Dollar City
**Sightseeing
**A Tour of Branson
**Dixie Stampede
**Fish Hatchery
**Ice Cream!! =) A few times!
**Drive in with homemade root beer
**Independence, MO(Very historical and neat)
**Plus lots of swimming with my little fishie!

That is just a quick list! As we are heading out again!!!!
Enjoy your week!

Just thought I'd post quick! Not too much is going on these days. Jason and I went to Target last night and figured out what we still need, not a ton, thank goodness for the baby. Hayden has been a hoot lately with his questions, comments and everything in between.

Hayden and I are going on Spring Break with my mom and dad soon. We are heading to Branson, it will be a little shorter than usual but thats okay, I am 8 months pregnant.

Our basement is coming along, thanks to Jason!

Okay i am redoing my pictures from the trip into two categories. Hayden pics and others. The first i am doing is Hayden. I hope everyone had a nice Easter, we sure did. Its really nice to be home and now we are cleaning, doing laundry and going grocery shopping, we have nothing! I did caption some of the pictures, but if you have any questions or thoughts please share!

yikes! Its really hard to be without Internet for 3 days! Biloxi was beautiful. Mobile too! I can't believe how lucky we were to have such nice weather we saw a high of 86 and it was around 73 at the Gulf. Our hotel room over looked the water and we even saw a pod of dolphins. We were on the 9th floor at the Beau Rivage in Biloxi. You couldnt imagine the devastation from Hurricane Katrina still in the area. Many people don't realize that this was the area that actually got hit the hardest. The city was like crushed. So many what i can only imagine beautiful beach front historic mansions just flattened by Katrina. The city was begun to rebuild and beautify its magnificent city. We drove to Farve on the Bayou, or what it use to be. Its now only a sign. It was in Pass Christian where Brett Farve went to School. What beautiful county, with big huge Live Oak trees, bayous and Spanish Moss. There was still Mansions and cute beach homes. Wonderful Iron Work on the houses. Of course we had yummy seafood too. They have 26 mile long white sand beach. Hayden loved that. We went to the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center which i got 4 people in free with my new Children's Museum Membership. It was great. They had a giant nest filled with stuffed animals that we cuddled up and read stories. I want a nest now! Seriously. I can't believe how historic some of these places are. Mobile was celebrating over 300 years of being a city. Thats crazy to me. All these businesses and houses that were built in the 1700's. Hayden has been a good boy mostly too. He has had his moments, they are coming closer together too! But i just need to keep in mind he is 3 and a great traveller. The Dvd player is a life saver. Our pool at the Beau was closed but the hot tub wasnt we had lots of fun in the huge hot tub swimming and getting tanned. We saw Brandon's principle Mr Mertzig and his wife, Kathy. I know them a little bit. I was friends with their daughter. But what a small world. Biloxi is also where Barq's pop was invented. We saw the house, very cool! I bought it in bottles for Jason back home. It was so green and lush down there. I am sad to come home to winter and blah. Spring better come soon. I hope everyone has a great Easter. We'll be home Sunday afternoon. I'll post more later!

Okay here are all the pictures i have taken so far on the trip. I can't edit them or flip them so sorry! And i am sure you'll have no clue what half the things are. But enjoy!


Editor's Note: I deleted the pictures look at newer post for pictures.

We're off! Just saying have a good Spring Break to all those we get to have one! We are off to Memphis, then Mobile, then Biloxi and then home again! Have a great easter too! I will update very regularly with pictures! Stay tune!

PS I HATE SOCKS!

I am going to try to rename my blog something to do with that statement, If you have any cute ideas please comment them!

Good to Be Home!

Here is from the day we left! Aren't they cute!

Well we made it home! Yesterday we saw high temperatures of 82 degrees! We even had a picnic on the way home just outside of Wisconsin Dells. It was great. Hayden ran around like a nut, he loved it! I hope our whole spring is going to be nice, and not yucky!

We stopped by a few places before we left yesterday. One was this fabulous, Peter Sciortino's Bakery. It was HEAVENLY! Emily felt the same way too! I had a huge Eclair that the cream was so heavy the bottom start falling out, yummmm!!! We also stopped by Miller Park and checked out the Brewer's Stadium. It was really nice. Brandon and my dad went in.

It is nice to be home. Hayden was a little bit of a stinker and showing us that "Hayden's 2, Yeah 2" We are hopefully going to crack down on his tantrums, and screaming episodes. Because I hate it! He also was a "peach" going to bed last night. I don't think he went to sleep until close to midnight! But we're off to a normal week!

Hayden eating his "Rabbit" Cookie. He fell in love with it and HAD to have it!!!!

Happy Birthday to Jason on Friday!!!!

Milwaukee Pics!

Here are a few pics! See you VERY soon!

Milwaukee!

So we made it to Milwaukee. It's been fun, fun, fun! We decided its the vacation of Tours! LOL! It's not a made thing at all, but thats all we are doing in Milwaukee, and there are more tours we want to go on. Today it was Miller Time, at the Miller Brewing Company. It was quite interesting and we got free beer! Nothing like having 3 glasses of beer at 11:30 AM! But not to worry i didn't think them all. I did not like either of the other beer only the Miller Lite! Jason will be proud! I of course found a few items for Jason there too. Then we were off the the Harley Davidson Motor plant. Hayden, Brandon, and I didn't get to go on the tour because you had to be 12 or older, but we colored pictures of Harley's, sat on them, and watch a little film about them. Then we went to the SC Johnson company building, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. VERY cool! The way he uses natural light and such futurist technology for his time his unreal. I really enjoy his architecture. He had so wacky ways, much the opposite of me, but the man sure knew how to build a building. After the tour we hit up the best Kringles in the nation. They were SUPERB! I have had nothing that tasted like that before that was called a Kringle, we saw them on the Food Network with Paula Deen's boys. We've also of course been swimming with my little fish. He has no fear of the water. He is going down the waterslides all alone again. He is swimming, swimming, swimming! On Thursday night we went to a drive in called Leon's. They had AMAZING custard. It was to die for. We also had a comical order taker that obviously didn't' like her job. Emily and I couldn't stop laughing. She flat out told us that she was getting frustrated. And then yelled at some poor 15 year old boy named Tim. "Tim that's NOT what i said!" She was fun!!! All in all we're having great fun! See you soon!


hd

Day 4 and 5

We have been so busy! And having lots of fun. We've done so much already. Yesterday we toured the Monora Terrace designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It was very neat and not to me his typical design, it was all circles. But apparently he did circles too! We also went to the dairy on campus, today we saw them milking the dairy cows too. We also toured the Kohl center. We hit up a couple bakeries, take out, and cute/good restaurants. Today we went to the Wisconsin History Museum and the Madison Children's Museum. Its been so busy and fun. Hayden has been a pretty good boy too! Tonight we went to the planetarium and he thought the big dipper should be the big cup. He shouted that out loud! Also the presenter told us about the big dipper and Hayden yelled out No. Everyone laughed it was kinda funny! We have been having lots of fun! See everyone soon!

Day 3

We spent Monday at the House on the Rock. It was a blast! So much to see. Hayden's favorite was the Infinity Room. We also had dinner at Ella's, which is crazy! They have all sorts of fun games inside the tables and motorized, everythings all around you!

The Infinity Room at the House on the Rock

This is how Hayden spent a good portion of the day!

Hayden in the Infinity Room. This kid has NO fear!

On Wisconsin!

Well we made it to Madison! Our hotel is nice and Hayden loves the waterpark. He has even been going down the slides all alone. He of course is a swimming Little fishie and is impressing people.
We walked around State Street today and toured the capitol. (I learned today, that the building has an O and the place has an A! I think i already was taught that but oh well!!!) Hayden got popcorn so was very happy!

I just thought i'd post a few pics! Enjoy your week!

And We're Off!

We're getting packed up for our Spring Vacation. How much stuff does one kid really need?? Well if he's my son a lot! I received my new beautiful!, stroller this week! I love it! So Check that off the list. Clothes, lots of clothes! Check! 3 pairs of shoes for Hayden. Check. Toys for the car. Check. Elmo movies. Check. New cd i made. Check. Swimsuits. Check. Thats actually all Hayden wanted in his suitcase. He wants to swim! Snacks. Check. Sippy cups. Check. Winter clothes. Check. He is excited and keeps asking if we can go on our trip now. I am sure once we get in the car, he is going to want to get out. He asked me if Jason was going with on our trip. I told him no he has to work. He was okay. But he had to make sure there was a reason Daddy wasn't going. Lots of fun this next week is going to be!!! I want to talk my dad into a tour of the Jelly Belly factory!
In other Toddler news:
SHARING: IS IT OVERRATED?
No, it isnt, but apparently my son isn't into that new fad. Thursday Jacob came over to play and Friday Jessica did. Hayden i guess wasn't exactly into the idea of people using his stuff. Oops! Guess i should work on that more than his ABC's. I was actually working both days and Jason got to handle it. Hopefully he'll get over this, and soon!
NIGHT TERRORS? TODDLER MYTH OR FACT.
So Hayden has been waking up sobbing in the middle of the night. This week he woke up, sort of, with what he says bugs in his pants. He made me take his pants off and told me his was scared of the bugs. I plopped him on my chest, like i did when he was an infant, and he instantly fell back asleep. This happened last week too. But with what he says a big scary train. I feel so bad for him! I feel like he is too little to have such bad dreams, which could be related to his none sleep patterns. He feels like he doesn't need naps, or doesn't need to go to sleep at night. Silly boy.
BUFFY, GONE FOREVER?
Well it looks like its gone for good. He hasn't even asked for it this week. Someone may have slipped him his buffy once last week, but this week as been great. He is getting better at soothing himself.
TODDLER GUN(PAINT) CONTROL?
So my mother bought Jason a paintball game for christmas, that you plug into the tv and shot the other players. Well Hayden loves it! I don't, anymore. He was taking the gun and saying shoot mama. Ummmm i don't think so! He was shooting, Elmo and Baby Bear on Sesame Street Too! So i took it away. I am now pro-Gun Control!(Paintball that is!)

Have a great weekend! And week too, if i don't get to update, but i am sure i will!!!! To everyone who is traveling have fun and be safe!!!

Spring Fever!

***Update*** I just can't help feeling like Spring! I changed Hayden's color scheme to Spring Colors, if you have a hard time seeing them let me know, and i'll change them again! Happy Pre-Spring!

**Original Message: I am feeling very springy! It's been SO nice here. I saw my flip-flops and wanted to wear them! But i just thought I'd post a few pictures new and old! Enjoy the beautiful weather!!!!
Hayden's First Spring Break in New Orleans. March 2005.

New Orleans w/Emma down at the riverfront.

Hayden's 2 Spring Break, this picture is at Biltmore Estate, Asheville, NC.

The 2nd half of our trip last year, in Charleston at the Beach. Moments after this picture was taken Hayden fell in the ocean! Having to wear the only thing i had with at the moment, his snowsuit!

Sunday, looking so cute in his hat! Playing with his remote control tractor.

Outside in the nice warm weather!

Slacker Mom

So I am an official slacker blogger. Sorry!!! But we have been busy, and nothing really went on this week! On Friday night we went and got Nana from the Airport after Mommy stopped and got some coffee of course. And let Hayden play Thomas at B&N. We were all happy to have her home! Today we go and get Mike and Raeann from the airport. Hayden is going to be excited to see THEM there! He must think everyone but me gets to go through those doors. I can't wait until July when he flies with us to Las Vegas, i think the airplane will be the best thing about the whole trip to him. This week at work its been kinda crazy because we got a HUGE shipment of our spring book order in. I am in charge of them! =) Its fun to get to see all the new books, and we got over 300 i think! Its fun to see the students reaction to them too. They seem excited too about them. Jodie and I think we did a great job picking books out this time. We took just student, teacher requests and replacements. I am just trying to get them all done before break so i have something to read!
Speaking of Spring Break, we are excited about all the fun places that we have seem to have found in Wisconsin. Lots of cool restaurants! Cheese curds, fresh! Custard, which apparently is the "Thing" in Milwaukee. So we are excited. I can't wait to swim with Hayden again to see if he is still a little swimming fish! But we aren't leaving until Sunday sooooo if a pretty little girl comes up to play we are most able too! Friday and Saturday!
Well I hope everyone has a great week! I'll try to update more this week!

Cousin Thomas

Hayden had a very special babysitter today, Cousin Thomas. Hayden has never really had a babysitter come to the house and watch him, besides Emily. So i was really worried. So i told Hayden that Thomas was coming over to watch him. He immediately smiled and said "Thomas the Train!" Oops!!!! But i told him No Cousin Thomas. I showed him Thomas pictures on the computer so he knew the face. Thomas got here and immediately they hit it off. Hayden played and played and played!!! When i got home Hayden was sleeping. When he woke up he cried and cried because Thomas wasn't there! So Thomas can come over when ever!
This week is the week without Grandparents! Mike and Raeann are off to San Diego until Sunday! I hope they are having fun in the sun! My mom is off to New York until Friday! But thank goodness for the my dad who is home and watching Hayden tomorrow!!! =)
I got some super awesome news today. My best friend Sarah, who i love so much, is moving to Arizona in June. She and her fiancee, Casey got teaching jobs and bought a brand new house! Casey starts at the end of the month. As much as i hate to she her move so far away i am so happy for them. But we are going to see them in July when Jason, Hayden, and I go to Las Vegas!!!! Yeah! I am going to go and see her as much as possible!
As for Spring Break, we are going to....................Wisconsin!!!!! It will be fun! We are hitting up a ton of stuff! More details to come!
Have a great week!