Christmas was good!

So, I haven't updated about Christmas yet, but for good reason. Just like I have a good reason for there being no pictures with this post. I got a new computer for Christmas!!! It was so very desperately needed (my old one was old! almost 7 years!) However, with a new computer comes a lot of work, good and necessary work, but work none the less. My dad and I are currently trying to transfer hard drive info (the reason for no pictures) and due to the state of the old computer, it has turned into quite a challenge. Oh well! Hopefully I'll have some pictures soon.

We had a great Christmas Eve. Played some games, opened Cole's Christmas PJ's, ate a ton, and just got to spend some good quality time with the fam. Christmas morning was wonderful, ate some more, opened presents, and then headed to Carefree to spend the rest of the day with Abe's folks. We had a great Christmas day, ate some more still, opened more gifts (I got a new set of desperately needed pots and pans), Cole had his first indulgence in M&Ms, and overall just had a great time being with the Geupel's.

We came home Christmas evening expecting snow (we were supposed to get quite a bit), instead came home to biting cold and horrendous wind. The wind actually kept Cole up for a while, but he finally gave in and managed to sleep through the howling. The rest of the weekend was fantastic, as Abe had the 4 day weekend off, so Cole and I got to spend some good quality time with him.

All in all it was a terrific Christmas! We hope all of you had a great one too!

Long time, no update

Wow, where has the week gone? Not much new is happening. I was in PHX again this weekend, got my hair done (yea!), and saw Twilight with my mom. Other than that, I have been dealing with my never-ending cold, an UNBELIEVABLY CRANKY TEETHING little boy, Christmas shopping, and slaving away on my Christmas cards (yes, they're on their way. I meant to have them out a month ago and then things got crazy!)
I am now trying to get laundry done (boring), Christmas wrapped, and things ready so we can head south for the traditional Bitner Christmas Eve dinner. Then Christmas Day, we are heading over to Abe's parents for festivities there. I will post pictures and have much more to say then. Until then, wish us luck with our 32 degree highs!

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!

So, now that my head no longer feels as if it may explode any second, and my congestion has found a happier place in my lungs, I can sit and stare at a computer screen for a somewhat extended period of time (these posts don't write themselves, you know, and they don't take seconds to configure either), I am ready to update all.


This picture isn't of anything noteworthy, just a cute snapshot of my cute little boy.

Here is my picture of 'the snow falling'. We had a pretty good storm yesterday. I would bet it snowed like 6 to 8 inches total. However, it would snow for a good hour and then rain for about 5 minutes and erase all of the previous. There is still a fair amount out there right now. I can see a patch about 3 inches deep out my office window as we speak.

I do however have to admit, I told Abe last night that it is pretty cool having snow and a Christmas tree at the same time. Those two things just seem like they belong together. And, being a native Phoenicican, its a first for me- at least that I remember.



Saturday, after Abe's work meeting, he came home and suggested we go get a Christmas tree. Actually, he suggested we go chop down a tree. (They're planning on spending millions to thin the forrests up here anyway- we just helped LOL) We decided to go check an area Abe stumbled across a few weeks earlier. Cole wasn't too sure.

I kept saying he looked like he was either on the verge of crying or throwing up. It was a pretty rough trek out there, and Cole was pretty much like that the entire time.




We also took a minute to explore the old, abandoned, and imploded mine that Abe had discovered. Dates on the bolts have it built in 1904. I can't imagine what it would have been like then.

So, after playing at the mine, we drove up and down a stretch of rock, searching and searching for that perfect, glorious tree. Then I spotted her. Down in a 'ravine' not visible from the rocky road, was the most perfect specimen of Christmas tree that could be found in the wild.

Isn't she beautiful. Abe trekked down the slope, with his trusty chainsaw (which was so necessary with a trunk all of 4 inches in diameter) and arrived back at the top with my perfect pick in tow. Here he is with the fruits of his labor. (I was so proud!)



Once we arrived home, and got the tree ever so perfectly placed in the tree stand, Cole decided he wanted to help and climbed beneath, just like Dad.

And here is the finshed poduct, missing ornaments from the bottom 3 feet and all. I did place Cole's First Christmas ornament toward the bottom and you better believe he yanks on it every time he walks by. I believe my mom is sending him some 'child friendly' ornaments that he will be able to hang and remove to his liking. Thanks Grandma!

Here is also a fun little video from at the mine.

If only we could all be so proud of the things we do. I think he may be on to something. I think I'm going to give this a try. Do a load of laundry, clap-clap-clap, cook dinner, clap-clap-clap, change a stinky diaper, clap-clap-clap, etc, etc, etc. Because hey, if you don't clap for yourself, who will?

Contamination

Well, thanks to the contaminated person that contaminated my husband, I am now contaminated with what can only be described as a whopper of a head cold. So, while we had a very event-full weekend, I will be posting on it later, due to the incessant pounding of my head and need to not concentrate on anything more than my OTC drugs (thank you Tylenol Severe Head Cold and NyQuil! Especially NyQuil!) and trying to make sure my little one stays out of as much trouble as possible. These two things are pretty much exhausting any energy I thought I had. Here's to not contaminating my little guy, although I'm not sure how to avoid it at this point, and looking forward to my few hours of drug induced sleep I will try to get this evening.

BTW- IT"S SNOWING OUT THERE!

And a Happy Birthday to my Bro-in-law, Ben, if he reads this!

I think I've figured it out

You know how every year on your birthday, everyone always asks if you feel any older? Well, my birthday was Monday, and I must say, I truly felt a year older. And I think I've figured out why.

For starters, I am truly bumping 30. At 28, I feel I have truly left that world of the carefree 20-something and entered the world run by early bedtimes, mother/housewife, finances, and wrinkle creams. For years I have read the magazine articles about preventing/fixing wrinkles, and have always thought "I'm too young to worry about that stuff", now realizing that I am EXACTLY the age that those articles are aimed at. (Have I started any 'anti-aging' regime?, you might ask-- heck no! I'm still in a state of denial here!) I am no longer the happy, go lucky, working with play money, girl I used to be, and honestly, I don't mind. Being a mom, and being able to stay home are more than worth my weekly shopping/pedicure/eating out days. (Although, an occasional venture into those days is appreciated.) And now that I no longer have my glorious cleaning people (yes, they would have made the top of my grateful list :)! ), I am really having to step up into the housewife role, which has been an adjustment, and I think help tack on time to my 'year older' matter.

And then, there is this little helper, who keeps me laughing, therefore keeps me young, but still adds on to my 'year' with things like no sleep (please, please, just 2 nights a week!), constant curiosity, and things like this:

what I found when I went to sort laundry yesterday. 4 balls and a potato head.



And this:

Cole had been a little too quiet, and upon investigation, I discovered he had commandeered my laundry baskets, pulled all his clothes out of his drawers (this seems to be a recurring activity), placed them in the baskets(because that's what he sees me do with his clean clothes), and then returned them to the drawers (wrong drawers of course). I have to admit, I clapped for him too. He's really into clapping for himself lately, and really into helping with laundry (even if I don't need help). (BTW- I know that this is not the absolute worst thing he could be doing, its just that about once a week, I have to go in his room and refold and organize all his drawers.But I wouldn't have it any other way!)

So, like I said, I think I've figured it out, and you know what? I am pretty darn proud of being (and feeling) a year older.

Just a little something

This was on the news the other night. We though it was sweet and I just wanted to be able to share it:

Holiday Happenings in Prescott

Abe made it home Friday evening without incident, which Cole and I were very excited about (especially Cole- he spent the entire weekend SCREAMING Dad whenever Abe would leave his sight, even if just for a moment. He even woke up this morning, called out to Dozer-of course- and then instantly began beckoning his Dad. He loves that guy!) Unfortunately, it looks like Abe caught a cold (probably on the plane) and so we have been dealing with that. However, Saturday was a day for getting in the holiday spirit, here in Prescott. It was the annual Courthouse Lighting festivities, which were kicked off by a parade:



Here's Cole, sitting in prime parade viewing seats, with our friend Kim. Kim said Cole really enjoyed (squealed and bounced) when the numerous dogs in the parade would walk by.

Cole really started getting into the parade. Here he is clapping at the 'cloggers' walking by. (hey- its a small town, what else would you expect in the parade besides the 4H Cloggers and Dog societies?) He would also wave at the people going by, however, I couldn't quite catch a picture, but I tried

This was one of the more entertaining parade entries. This giant Radio Flyer Wagon, pulled by a quad, followed by:

...these wagons, followed by...

...these wagons. We got a kick out of the teeny tiny little one on the end.

Here is Cole, all puffalump-ed out, waiting for the Lighting to begin. Sadly, his balance was not so good with such a big coat (I'm trying to get my moneys worth and make sure that this thing lasts at least through the winter) and took 3 pretty nasty falls. As he couldn't move his arms, they were pretty much noggin knockers and he has 3 pretty nasty bruises adorning his bald little melon! Poor baby!

Here is the best picture I could get of Abe and Cole that evening. Its fuzzy, I know, but its hard to get either of these boy's to hold still, let alone get their attention.







Here's Cole and me. He was actually cooperating, and started hamming it up a bit! I love this kid!






BTW- like my hat? Abe bought it for me at the Milliners shop on Whiskey Row. I LOVE IT! And I can't wait to see if ,with my ever growing hobby, I can replicate it!

Here's my sister, Rachel, and me. She and her husband, Bobby, came up to enjoy the festivities also. They missed the never-ending parade (it lasted close to 2 hours!), but we were so glad they came for the rest of it. I think they had a good time and we hope they come again soon!







Here's Cole in ONE of his VERY FEW moments of peace during the ceremony. There's nothing like a 17 month old, screaming at the absolute top of his lungs, while some big wig politician is reading the Christmas story from the Bible and all the town children are singing Christmas carols. I will give him the time he fell mid-ceremony, but the rest of the time, Holy Cow! Oh well, the joys of parenthood. Fortunately, it was all outside, so I don't think he annoyed too many people, but he was definitely flustering us!

Thanksgiving Weekend

So, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving we got suite tickets to the AZ Sundogs- minor league hockey, BIG deal up here. Anyway, we took Cole and for the short time we were there he had a blast.

Cole didn't like sitting in the chair too much, when he moved he'd sink in. Abe and I got a laugh though!



Cole loved running back and forth in the front row of the suite.





And then he loved peeking over the rail. When we would score a goal the place went bananas, sirens went off, and red light flashed everywhere. Cole really enjoyed that. He also was obsessed with the blimps that come out between periods, but he despised the team mascot, who we saw several times and even came into our suite as we were leaving.


Cole hitching a ride on the way out.




For Thanksgiving Day, we went to Abe's parents. I had my camera, but unfortunately didn't get any pictures because I was chasing Cole trying to make sure he didn't break too much stuff. I know Abe's dad got a few, so I will hopefully be able to get copies from him. We had a great time, great food, and it was great that Cole got to spend so much time with his grandparents. Abe's brother, Ben, was even there, too!


On Friday we went to the zoo with my family. Cole had a blast, and every animal he saw either "moo'd" or squealed like a monkey (those are the two sounds Cole knows how to do)

Looking at the animals was very serious!

Did you know tigers climb trees?!? I guess it makes sense, but I really had never given it much thought until I saw this guy about 30 feet up, crouched and ready to attack. So now you know, if you're being chased by a tiger, that climbing a tree for escape is not an option!

Cole wanted in with the lions, BAD!

Look at that face!

Cole thought he was pretty hot stuff on the tractor in front of the petting zoo. Notice his PB&J. A rooster chased him, shortly after this, trying to get a piece.

My grandparents came with us, too, and as they are getting on in years (plus, my grandfather is having a few complications recovering from a quad. bypass and aortic stem replacement)the two of them decided to use one of these handy contraptions. It was so nice that they were able to still join us, and enjoy it, with all there ailments. Cole especially liked when they showed him there was a horn and how to honk it!

Here was one tuckered out little boy! He slept all through that night for me, which is a MAJOR thing as of late.

We spent pretty much the rest of the weekend relaxing and getting Abe ready for his big AGC conference in Dallas. Cole and I then went to Phoenix Sunday afternoon and stayed with my parents for a few days. So I finally filled you in and now Cole and I are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Dad (he should be home in just mere hours) and are looking forward to our weekend of Prescott holiday festivities.

???

Sorry I haven't updated recently. I am in Phoenix currently due to Abe being in Dallas this week. I will post when I am back home.