All Aboard!

In about 6 weeks my baby turns TWO!!  We decided to have a "Dinosaur Train" themed birthday party.  The best of both worlds...choo choos and dinosaurs (even though some days he thinks they're horses).  I got a little excited after purchasing the goods online today that I had to share!

...but first we must celebrate Troy's birthday, Grandpa Schut's leap year birthday, my sister Courtney's birthday, and my brother-in-law Nic's birthday...whoofta.

 

Arizona

Troy and I recently spent the week in Scottsdale, Arizona.  Troy's employer, Land O Lakes Purina Feeds, took swine employees and their spouses down for the week.  The men had to attend some meetings while the spouses had a few days to ourselves.  We stayed at a beautiful hotel and enjoyed some gorgeous weather.  I was even able to start the Hunger Games while laying by the pool.  I of course found a Starbucks and took in some local shopping as well.  It wasn't a lot of fun coming home to snow after sitting by the pool! 

In the evening, the company had several different things lined up for us to do.  We got to walk around Old Town, see some neat shops, visit an old saloon, and have dinner at a Country Western bar.  They had great dancing and a live country band...it was a fun place!  Our last night in Arizona, we got bussed out to Canyon Lake for a dinner boat cruise.  It was perfect weather and beautiful scenery! 

The entrance to our hotel

The view from our hotel, overlooking the golf course

Mountains in the background

My poolside view

Troy and I on the golfcourse

Canyon Lake

Boat cruise

Beautiful scenery on Canyon Lake

Triumphs (and Challenges)

Last week was a busy week full of triumphs and challenges:

Triumph: Lincoln learned how to do a somersault (and "exercise")

Challenge: Biting at daycare, reason unknown (all suggestions welcome in this area!)

Triumph: I successfully survived my first 3 practicals for the semester...all in one day

Challenge (or maybe triumph): Lincoln climbed out of his crib...unharmed: he promised he'd never do it again (right...)

Triumph: I surprised Troy with a sitter and dinner out...much needed!

Challenge: Studying, studying, studying...ugh

Triumph: Lincoln discovered what "popcorn ceiling" is...quite funny too!

Triumph: Lincoln's first poopy on the potty...there's really no nice way of putting that one

...and to top it off- Troy and I take off Tuesday morning for Arizona with his company...lots of fun and relaxing! Stay tuned :)

Potty Time

Lincoln has been introduced to the whole potty thing some time ago.  Ever since he thinks it's pretty cool...occasionally sitting on the potty and yelling for everyone to come see.  He had a few successful tries, but usually just being on the potty was exciting enough.  This Christmas, he was given Elmo Potty Time, which he is fascinated by.  He learned to tell us everytime he goes potty in his diaper...just like Elmo does.  You can just see the wheels turning in his little head everytime he watches.  Typically those wheels wouldn't be a good thing...

Yesterday, I decided to get a cheap froggy potty from Wal-Mart just to see where this went.  We don't have intentions of training him yet but I think it's in the near future...[any suggestions welcome!]  Excitement was an understatment when he saw this cheap little $12 thing.  He carried it home and had to try it out immediately.  Off came the shoes, the pants, the diaper...and even the socks.  He sat on the potty in the living room (gross, I know...but it was so darn cute), in his bedroom, and then in the bathroom.  Of course Elmo had to try too.  That night, Lincoln was successful twice...and so very proud.  The following morning he went again.  We have high hopes for training time...I'm sure easier said then done.  But for now, we'll consider ourselves successful. 

 

 

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day..  Most people have a love-hate relationship with this holiday.  My Facebook blew up with status updates and numerous "flower" pictures.  Love isn't flowers.  Love isn't jewelry.  Love isn't boxes of yummy chocolates.  Of course we all love receiving these things, who doesnt...we are still human after all!  :) 

But this year I was especially reminded of this, as this was the day that Grant Vietor was scheduled to receive his bone marrow transplant.  He was given the ultimate gift...another chance at life.  That's love in its purest form.  Don't get me wrong, I love celebrating this holiday...but shouldn't we show love everyday?   

Here's a peak at my pretty great Valentine's Day:

These are Lincoln's Valentine's Day treats I made for daycare...

...filled with gummy bears and Teddy Grahams.

Some chocolate treats I picked up for dessert.

Flowers Troy brought home from work (see, I'm human :O)

Licking all the frosting off his rice krispie treat...

How could I not love spending the night at home with this goof ball and Troy...did I mention Troy cooked for us?  I was impressed, indeed.  Love is in the little things.



Girls Night

I swore I'd never do it, but I got roped into hosting a Mary Kay party.  I guess it was a good excuse to get together with some of the best women in my life, indulge in some good food, enjoy some good laughs, have fun with makeup (I'll admit...at 24 I'm still learning how to put makeup on), and earn some free product.  Who doesn't love that?  A couple hours quickly turned into four hours and fun was had by all (or so they said).  {Grin} 

To top it off, we went out for some delicious Mexican and sipped on a margarita.  I'm blessed to have these wonderful women in my life!  Not to mention it was a great way to spend my little sister Courtney's last night home before taking off to California for a couple months.

Found these on Pinterest...yum!

Veggie pizza

Pre-makeup

Several hours later...