I'm behind on my posts because I've been outside!

"Let's go fly a kite

Up to the highest height

Let's go fly a kite
And send it soaring
Up through the atmosphere
Up where the air is clear
Oh, let's go fly a kite! " - Mary Poppins

It's spring!
Most of our weather, thus far, has been lovely. We bought Rebecca a kite and we've been having a fun time flying it!

Cold, snowy, yet fantastic....February

February in Kentucky has been cold and snowy. We are all anxiously awaiting some warmer, sunnier, spring weather!

Here's what we've been up to lately:
Here's our little helper!
We taught Rebecca how to drive on the ice. :-)

Hello!
Isn't she a cutie?? I think so...

Despite the mostly foul weather, we did manage to have some fun in February!

My friend Jean invited me to attend the Blackeyed Peas concert in Lexington. It was so nice of her to take me!! We were right on the floor next to the stage! I had a BLAST!!! Great memories!
Below are a couple pictures of us before we left for Rupp Arena:


I also managed to go outlet shopping with some of my Maysville ladies at the Prime Outlets in Jeffersonville, Ohio. We found some GREAT sales. There were three of us and we managed to fill up my entire trunk and some of my back seat with bags.

I got several clothing items for Rebecca including some for this spring/summer and next fall/winter! Eddie Bauer had great, great deals and I managed to walk away with a pair of dress pants, a down vest, a warm winter hat, hand warmer and a cotton cashmere sweater for under $40!!! They were all marked 70% off and I got an additional 20% off if I signed up for their rewards program. LOVED IT!!!

This weekend will be fun as well. I'm going out with some playgroup moms on Friday to dinner and a movie. Saturday, we are attending a princess birthday party for our friend, Linela. She will be 4 years old!!!

We are very happy for our friends Becky and Pete Weigel! They welcomed little Luke into their lives early, early Monday morning (Feb. 22.) Welcoming Luke home will be his big brother, Jack, who turns 3 on March 1. Congratulations!

January

Well, it wasn't until at least half way into the month, that I actually began to feel like I had settled in. I had soooo much to do when I got home: get my kid well, do tons of laundry, take down my Christmas decorations, catch up with bills, catch up with friends, you name it...
Some how, we found time to hang out with my brother and Jana to celebrate my little sibling's 26th b-day. We also managed to find time to play a little Rock Band, buy a new couch, (we got most of our money to buy it from Christmas gifts) and install one of three cabinets which will line the wall going down to our basement. We need the storage!
It's Rock Band time! (as Rebecca calls it)
Isn't she a versatile musician?!?!
Rebecca with Robert and Jana

It reclines on both ends. We love it!One of three shelves to be installed.

We also managed to get out on a snow day to Lifeway Bookstore. They had a "Snow Day" event with special prizes, treats for the kids, a Valentine craft and Bob and Larry from "Veggie Tales!" Bob and Larry were a surprise! Rebecca LOVED meeting "them." I wish I had brought my camera. She shook hands, gave them five and stared in wonder!
After the Lifeway event, we dined at Chick-fil-A and Rebecca played, of course. What a fun day!
...and I guess a pretty productive January after all.

80's-Themed Prom Party

For my friend Courtney's 30th birthday celebration, she had an 80's themed prom party. It was a great night of fun! Here are some pictures from the event.
Happy 30th, Court! You are a beautiful, fun, smart, talented, flirty 30!
Kristin & Miranda
Margie and Ashley
Kris and Carrie
Sarah & Josh


John and the birthday girl!


Beth and Susan
Amy & Beth
Renee & Jim

More Holiday Happenings

Geez! I feel like I'm so behind!
We had such an eventful Christmas and New Year!
Our first Christmas celebration was with the Hord side (my mom's) of the family. It was so great seeing everyone. We always eat well and have a great time, especially during our silly gift exchange game where a few gag gifts are thrown in the mix and we are able to steal each other's presents.
Here's a group shot of the whole clan:
Our next celebration was with my parents. Here's a picture of Rebecca opening a gift from Robert and Jana, followed by a picture of Rebecca helping my dad carry in wood. She's going through a phase (which I love) where she really loves to help out! I'm taking advantage of it, because I know it won't last long!!! :-) I also added a picture of Rebecca opening her tool set gift from "Great."


Then, we celebrated with the Howard side of the family (my dad's.) We had a wonderful tiem eating (again) and socializing at my great-aunt Mabel's house. Here's a picture of the Howard crew.
Our final celebration was at home before we left to celebrate with John's family in MN. We exchanged gifts with our friends, BJ and Heather and had our own little family exchange. Here are photos from both events.
With BJ and Heather
Opening her gift from BJ and Heather
Thanks to Josh, Jess, Trey and Prue!
It may have been early, but this was our Christmas morning!
Trying out her new Minnie microphone

We drove to MN and stayed nearly three weeks. We returned home in the wee hours of Jan. 10 with a sick little girl. Rebecca ended up needing antibiotics and albuterol to clear up an ear infection and what I believe to be an upper respiratory infection. She's finally healthy! Thank goodness! Our ride home was miserable. She was running a fever and was so congested, she ended up throwing up in the car. We were happy to finally arrive home!

Even though our trip home left something to be desired, our stay in Minnesota and out West was FANTASTIC!

We stayed in Minnesota until after Christmas, then headed out to the Wyoming/Montana/Idaho border to West Yellowstone, MT for our snowmobiling adventure. We returned to Minnesota Jan. 4 for more family visits and fun.

Here are pictures from our adventures:
Rebecca building a snowman with Nana and Hop

Snowman hug
Carlson Family Christmas - Janine and Owen in picture above. Eddie and Rebecca in picture below.
Christmas in St. Cloud below:
Beth, Steven and Paula

Grandma Stolpman
Snowmobiling out West:



















West Yellowstone Fun:

Snow Angels!


Big stuffed bear
REAL big bear
Hungry like the wolf...

Swim break at a hotel on the way back to MN:





Back in MN, Thomas and PJ open their gifts from us since they were in St. Louis with Michael's family over Christmas. Here's a pic of Thomas opening one of his gifts.

I also want to mention that we had some close friends give birth to beautiful babies in December. Brendan Lewis made his arrival early and had to stay a while at UK hospital. He's home now and thriving! We are so happy for Regina and Adam!!! We didn't get to visit with Brendan at first, since he was in the NICU, but I'm trying to make arrangements to see him now that he's home.
Our friends Michael and Beth also gave birth to their second child, Sarah Elizabeth. She was welcome home by big brother, Matthew. Here's a picture of little Sarah, followed by a shot of Rebecca and Matthew.
Shew!