Weekend Project

 

This past weekend I spent Satruday evening repairing the power connector on Sarah's laptop. It took a spill several months back and you had to hold it on its side with the cord bent over backward in order for it charge. Anyway, the hardest part was putting it back together after removing everything to get to the power connector board. The worst part was finding out the the connector wasn't the only problem, the power cord has a short in it too! Gotta love electronics. So Sarah is going to have to type with the laptop on its side and the cord twisted in awkward positions while I get a new cord.

Father's Day

 

For Father's Day Sarah made chicken enchiladas and this delectable strawberry cake, which was even more delicious than it looks. We had my parents over for dinner to help us celebrate. Adrianna wished me "happy muthers day" a few times, which I thought was very sweet! But I think the best Father's day gift & sentiment is the one I receive every day when I get back from work every day. When my girls realize that I am home and come running out from wherever they are while yelling "DAAADDDDYYYY!" They then jump into my arms and give me the biggest hugs and kisses you can imagine. It is the best way of being told you are loved!

Birthday Party

Adrianna & I celebrated our birthdays yesterday.  We grilled up hamburgers and Sarah and I decorated a Shamu cake for Adrianna.  She had initially asked for a baseball cake and then she changed her mind a few days later asking for a “Shampu” cake.  Sarah does an amazing job decorating our cakes.  And she was rewarded for her hard work by a gleeful expression when Adrianna saw her “Shampu” cake. 

I can’t imagine a better person to share my birthday with.  I’d even say I enjoy getting a year older, because I get to share an extended celebration with my daughter!

Return Trip

October 6th, 2008

Rather than come back via I-25 we chose to enjoy the fall scenery in the mountains North of Sante Fe.  We stopped for a quick rest near Taos and enjoyed the scenery on this Bridge over the Rio Grand Gorge.  Sarah refused to come out with us as she is not fond of heights, especially being 600 ft above the river on a pretty narrow (2 lane) bridge.  Even Adrianna freaked out a bit as a semi drove across the bridge and had the whole structure vibrating.

Sarah did get out at a nearby rest area and she took these wonderful pictures of some sunflowers there. It really was a nice fall drive along the Rio Grand. Though we didn't get any pictures the trees along La Veta pass outside of Walsenburg were spectacular.

That's not right!!!

I learned the risks of working from home today. While I was going down the stairs, I slipped a bit and I jabbed my foot into the stairs. At first I thought I'd just stubbed my pinky toe like I do all the time. Then I looked down and saw that my toe was jutting out away from the rest of the crew. Sarah having heard the "crack" came running to see if I was ok. I told her I think I broke my toe. She took one look at it and said "That's not right! Ooh can I take a picture?"

Adrianna's Birthday

June 14th, 2008

We celebrated Adrianna's 4th Birthday and my 32nd. We had a family lunch and then a few of Adrianna's friends came over to enjoy a soccer themed birthday party. Adrianna had a great time playing in the backyard, breaking the pinata, opening gifts, and eating cake with her family & firends. Sarah made a beautiful soccer cake, and she made me a delicious raspberry cake as well. We are very spoiled by our in home confectioner. We hope everyone had a fun time, we sure did!

Memorial Day Weekend

I took an extra day off over the long weekend to get some projects down around the house. We finished painting the family room, we put up a storm door, got some book-cases, did some yard work, etc. My favorite part was spending some extra time with family and enjoying eating out on the patio and playing on the swings. The girls did what they could to help with the projects, insisting on being held while I was painting, and making sure I did a good job behind the fridge. Overall, it was a very productive yet relaxing weekend.

Demolition, Woo Hoo!

As part of our re-flooring effort in the new house we decided to remove a half wall that was in between our dining room and family room. Adrianna really wants to help with every project I work on and she was a great spectator for this one. As I knocked out the final piece of drywall Adrianna cheered with a loud woo hoo to see the wall come down. Destruction is so much fun! We are now in the process of laying the floor in the family room and kitchen. I want to thank everyone who has helped me in the project. I couldn't do it without you; and I am always seeking volunteers to help.

First Soccer Match

We played our first soccer match yesterday, and it was a huge success!! The kids braved the frigid temperatures and had a great time. I was amazed at how everything seemed to click for them once we had a lined field, uniforms, and a referee. I had a great time running around and cheering everyone on. I have to say everyone including Adrianna gave it their best effort and played hard even when it started to get dark. I am looking forward to more games, and everyone is welcome to come watch us play! Give us a call for the details.

Start! Heart Walk

As part of a work fundraiser for the American Heart Association I am participating in the Start! Heart Walk in Colorado Springs on June 7th. I have made a personal goal to improve my own health for myself and my family, especially my daughters and I thought this would be a fun way to help build awareness to heart disease. If you would like to help me in my effort to raise funds for the American Heart Association you can click on the link below to donate funds online. All funds I raise will be matched by ingersoll Rand!

Thanks, and here's to everyone's good health!!!

Click Here to Donate

Real Snowball Fight!

Friday, March 14th, 2008

I worked from home this past Friday due to the several inches of snow that fell early in the morning. When Adrianna woke up to the beautiful white covering she almost immediately challenged me to a snowball fight. I took her up on it later once it stopped snowing. The snow was perfect for snowballs, as it was very wet. We had a great time throwing snow at each other, and then at mommy! Alicia had to watch from the window, pretty soon they will all be ganging up against me! I can't wait!!!

Packing Up

We have been very busy packing up the house to move. Adrianna is very excited for the new house. She is constantly asking if her things, and everything else, will go to the new house. Sometimes the biggest challenge is entertaining the girls while Sarah and I pack up different things. Adrianna was the biggest help this day when she decided to tie up Alicia's exersaucer to her Nemo car and pull her around the family room. Alicia loved the attention and they both had a blast. The only bad part is we had to pause what we were doing to enjoy the fun and take some pictures. Just a week and a few days left until we can move in!

Boxing Day

December 26th, 2007

The day after Christmas we went over to the Fedele's for dinner. We enjoyed a very nice dinner, then we opened their presents. Yes, the girls are spoiled!! Thank you very much for the wonderful gifts!

Christmas Eve Dancing

Adrianna loves to dance! Usually when she comes downstairs in the morning her first statements are "I want to eat..." and/or "I want to dance." We have been playing a variety of Christmas music on the stereo downstairs so on Christmas eve after breakfast we put in some music and I couldn't help but dance with Adrianna. I soon realized that she has way more energy than I do, (and she is in better shape) as I had to stop halfway through the song and she just kept dancing. It was well worth the loss of breath to enjoy some fun Christmas eve dancing.

It's a match!

 

While on business in Cincinnati I stoped by a mall after dinner for a stroll. I couldn't resist but stop in the Children's Place store where I found the perfect set of matching outfits for Adrianna and Alicia (plum skirts, with ivory onesie tops). We tried them on this Sunday and realized that Sarah and I had clothes that went with the new outfits as well. Though we couldn't find the moment to get everyone together for a picture, Sarah did capture this one of Alicia and me.

Denver Zoo

October 20th, 2007

After the Halloween festival we headed up to Denver to take advantage of the Free Day. After battling traffic we made it to the zoo at 2:30 p.m., so we were able to enjoy the animals and exhibits for a few hours. I think the most fun was watching Adrianna's reaction to the animals. She especially liked the monkeys and the giraffes. Alicia was a great trooper and slept for most of the time and was happy hanging out in the stroller. The double stroller was perfect for the zoo as it allowed Adrianna stand, sit or climb up for a better view.

Halloween Festival

We took the girls too a halloween festival at our realtor's office. They throw this party every year and it was a fun opportunity to dress the girls up in their costumes. Adrianna is the cutest Winnie the Pooh, and Alicia makes a beautiful baby penguin. Sarah and I were convicts, it worked well because holding Alicia made us jail-birds. Adrianna had fun trick-or-treating, and enjoyed riding on a horse; we even were able to get Alicia up on the sadle for a few pictures.

Dunk Tank

My work celebrated Customer Service week with several fun events each day. Tuesday (10/16/07) was beach day, and as part of our fundraising efforts the managers volunteered to get dunked in a dunk tank. Because my manager was indisposed during the first part of the week I volunteered to take his place on the plank! Sarah and the girls brought me a change of clothes and stayed to enjoy in my humiliation. Adrianna took advantage of the opportunity to throw the ball and watch her daddy splash into the water. It was a lot of fun, a bit chilly, but for a good cause it was well worth it!

Alicia enjoyed the festivities from various coworker's arms.

Adrianna eagerly attempting to dunk her father!

In I go again!

Pool Party

October 6th, 2007

Adrianna's friend Amelia celebrated her third birthday with a wonderful pool party at their local YMCA. It was Alicia's first time in the pool and she did wonderfully. Adrianna couldn't help but show off her new found skills from swimming lessons, and spent most of the pool time bobbing up and down in the water. It is great to see how she went from being very reserved in the water and wanting to be in constant contact with Mommy or Daddy, to being her usual adventurous self.

Happy Birthday Amelia! Thank you for a wonderful time!

AmeliaMommy and her GirlsDaddy and his Girls

Picture Practice

As you can imagine, in order to get used to the new camera Sarah and I have been taking pictures of everything. Luckily we have one willing subject (Alicia, who really doesn't get a choice) and one semi-willing subject. Here are some fun pictures we have as we experiment with our fun toy.

The girls questioning the sanity of their parents!


Alicia flashing a smile for mommy!



Adrianna in action (the only way to take pictures of her willingly)


Our Apple tree (Golden Delicious!)



Adrianna loves apples!


Dad, are we done with pictures yet!

I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as we enjoy taking them!