Buddy Paige - You're a Big Boy!

I'm Shocked every day with how big Chase is getting! He is doing new things everyday and is turning into such a little man. Tonight he ate his first whole apple (meaning I didn't cut it up, peel it or even hold it)...and he actually ate almost the whole thing without any help!

Funny Side Story: The other day Chase was playing with something he shouldn't be and Emma said "No, No Buddy Paige - you can't have that." I said "Emma, his name is Chase Aiden and Your name is Emma Paige." Aparently it doesn't matter because now even I'm calling him Buddy Paige!

Christmas #2

Christmas #2 began last Thursday when Grandma Donna, Papa Randy and Aunt Grace came to visit. We ate, played games, watched movies, colored and just hung out! We even attempted Christmas Eve service at our church (Who ever thought that was a good idea at 11 PM?). Santa made his big drop and the kids woke up to another household full of gifts on Christmas morning. We opened gifts, ate breakfast - and opened up more gifts. Zach made an Amazing Christmas dinner with Prime Rib, yummy smashed potatoes with spinach and some cheese I can't spell and asparagus! My mouth is watering just thinking about it again!

CHEESE!Who could resist this sweet boy!
She looks so big in this photo!

Coloring with Aunt Grace

Big Gifts!

He couldn't wait to ride so he just climbed in the box!

That's Better!

It was a great Christmas and we had a Great time with Grandma, Papa and Aunt Grace! We can't wait to see you again soon!!!

Christmas #1

Some say there are the 12 days of Christmas - but we have 3 weeks! But this Christmas was very special because for the first time we stayed in Louisville rather than heading back to KC and Iowa. we missed our family traditions - but it has been fun making some new traditions in our home as well.

We started the Holiday Season with a visit from Grandma Debi the weekend before Christmas. Rudolf dropped off some early stocking gifts and Grandma Debi spoiled the kids as usual!

Chase did a great job opening gifts! And no - the remote was not for him - but we are SO excited because some little people seemed to misplace ours 2 weeks earlier!

"Seriously mom - another picture!"

I said spoiled didn't I!



The kids even got Grandma Debi to play "Ready, Set, Go!" which means you sit on the floor and they both run at you full speed and expect you to catch them without killing yourself!

That was one - there's 2 more to go! Stay Tuned!

Thanks for everything Grandma Debi - we had a great time!

Christmas Cookies & the First Sledding of 2010

A few weeks ago we made our Christmas Sugar Cookies - both kids had a great time frosting {eating} the cookies!

We finally got enough snow to sled (notice that it's definately not Iowa snow) so Emma went out with the neighbors for a little fun! This Very little amount of snow came with a day of no school - so Zach got to spend the day at home with them! I think they had fun just having him home by themselves while I had to go to work for a change!

Maybe we'll see some Real snow in Iowa this weekend - but not too much to delay flights please!!!

Night Out for Mommy

A few weeks ago Zach treated me with a night out while he was working - that's how everyone goes on date night right??? So anyway, I needed a date so who better than my best friend's husband, Dan - and oh - we took Renee too! So we headed to the new arena to see Dane Cook. It was a great night and Zach even got to sit with us for the show and enjoy a little time with his wonderful wife. So anyway - enjoy some pics - it was a great show! I highly recommend seeing him. I'd tell you my favorite joke - but it's way too dirty for this blog!

Just happy to see each other - even if it is at his work!

Emma in her Dora jams with her "backpack" on before I left for the night!

2010 Breeder's Cup

Zach and I got to go to the Breeder's Cup which was held here in Louisville this year. It was so much fun. Good friends, good drinks and a Wonderful day to spend with my husband who I rarely see these days.

We had a Great view of the track from the private area we were in and happened to be just a few feet away from the start of the big race. We were so close I could almost reach out and touch Zenyatta. It was a great race and I even had a little money on the winner (Sorry Zenyatta fans).

Roy & Kwan and Zach & Val

Guy juggling 2 balls and a saw - long story but Amazing!

Troy and Amber

Thanks Babe for spending the day with me - Totally worth getting up at 5 am and driving 5 hours to spend it with You!

A Trip with Mom

A few weeks ago I decided to sign up for a Marketing Conference for CPA's in St. Louis. Mom said she would meet me there and watch the kiddos while I worked. It sounded like a a good idea at the time...

All comfy in the car watching movies

Little man doing a little of his own relaxing on the trip - he's still rear facing so he coudn't see the movies - he didn't like that so much! (PS - Chase is really too big for this car seat but I'm struggling to find a convertable (rear and forward) car seat that I feel safe placing in my car rear facing...any suggestions anyone?)

Well, it was a good idea - but boy was it a lot of work for me and Grandma Denise! The kids and I drove to St. Louis on Wednesday. The drive went well and we didn't have to stop at all! But by the time we got to the hotel (Rennisance Grand in downtown St. Louis - beautiful but definately not convenient for having the kids with!), they kids were ready to run! We made it into the room before all the fun began...toilet paper went flying, showers were turned on, toilets were flushing, toys were everywhere and there was lots of bed jumping. Chase learned 2 things within 2 minutes of entering the room - he could turn on the shower and figured out how to flush the toilet. He did this for 3 Days! Grandma spent Thursday and Friday with the kids in the hotel while I worked and then we spent another night swimming and playing together before heading home early Saturday morning. The only real low point of the trip was when Emma got sick in the car about 14 miles outside of Louisville. After it was all over - I think we all had a great time - but I'm Tired! And I know Grandma Denise was Exhausted too!

Thank you Grandma Denise for coming to play with us - We miss you!!!

(Of course she has another sucker...why wouldn't she!)

Happy Halloween!

My Little Pirate Princess

Daddy's Little Pumpkin

Lookin Good Dad!

The Cutest Pumpkin - but I guess I'm a little partial!

Well, I've been a little behind in my posting lately - but I've finally found some time. Halloween was Amazing this year. The kids and I did the Boo at the Zoo with my good friends Renee and Dan and their kids. Emma and Collin had a great time together. Then a week or so later all of us went up and trick-or-treated in Jeffersontown. Renee, Dan and Collin and our neighbors, Dawn and Meagan and baby Patrick joined us. We had a GREAT time and the kids really got the hang of it! Then on Halloween - we took the kids around the neighborhood. Plus the kids had Halloween parties at school. So 4 days of getting ALL the candy and sugar you can imagine! They were CRAZY! But it was so much to have 2 little ones walking with us and seeing how happy they were to just have fun and be carefree.

Emma: "Is my tongue red mom?"

Me: "Yes Emma - now No More Suckers - that's your 3rd one!"

Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween!

Do it for my Mom...

This month is Breast Cancer Awareness month - which means it is time again for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in Louisville. I decided to get involved with this American Cancer Society event because of my mom and my Grandma Pete.

For those of you who know me...you know our story. But for those of you who do not...here's the Very short version.

Twelve years ago my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. After surgery, radiation, chemo and then more radiation - She Won her Battle. She is a Survivor in Every sense of the word. Shortly after my mom's diagnosis, her mother was diagnosed. She is now an 11 year Survivor.

We were Lucky. We Won the Battle. But so many are not like us. That is why I choose to support the American Cancer Society by taking part in the Making Strides walk and by asking for you to help support me with your donations.

Help me by going to my personal ACS page to donate online or Join me on Sunday, October 24th for the Walk. But don't do it for me - Do it for my mom!

To donate - go to http://main.acsevents.org/

Click on the Making Strides logo at the bottom of the page

Click "Donate" at the top right hand corner

Then just search for my name and make your donation online.

For an easy one click link to donate - email me!

Thank You for your Support!!

Daddy for a Day!

Science Center Fun!

Playing the Count's organ (Look at how big he is - growing way too fast!)

Dancing to the music

On Grover's Obstacle Course - the slide was both thier favorites!

Learning about our hands

We had our daddy home for one unexpected day and we made the most of it! We took the kids to the Science Center in Louisville where the main attraction right now is Sesame Street "The Body." The kids got to learn about the body by running around and playing different games. We Love it! This was our first time to the Science Center in Louisville - but definately not our last. I think once the weather gets cooler we'll go back again. Plus the Sesame Street exhibition is there until January I think - they would love going back to it again.

Although it was only one day - we desperately needed it. Thanks Daddy for taking the day off to spend with us!

The End of Summer

It's here - and I'm not ready. Not ready for so many reasons. But the biggest reason that I'm not ready for the end of summer is because it means that we're officially a "daddyless" home. The closer we get to October 10th, 2010 - the less we see our daddy. Right now - we Miss our daddy! Zach has been very busy getting ready for the opening of the new arena for many months now - but now - now it's seven days a week - 15+ hour days...oh I was not ready for the end of summer! But the good news is - the closer we get to October 10th - the closer we get to having our daddy back again! Yes - I know - we won't really get him back form Many Many months after the opening - October and November's schedules are definately not in our favor. But maybe by 2011 we'll start to get back to normal - or at least what we think is normal for a house with a 2 1/2 and a 1 year old!!!

So if in the next few months there are less posts and less pictures - you'll understand I'm sure - single moms have a lot on thier plate! I'm doing the best I can...but boy do I miss our daddy!

We Love You Daddy!