Amazing Weather and Landscaping

I don't have a whole lot of new news. The weather here has been amazing! We haven't really even watched TV in the last 5 days or so! With the purchase of the new baby bike trailer, and the stroller, we have barely stopped moving! I love it!

With nice weather comes a million projects. Josh spent all weekend breaking his back in an attempt to build a limestone retaining wall. I was not much help, but managed to mow the lawn while he did that :) We (and by we I mean Josh) still have a long way to go to get it completed. I am hoping to plant a garden in the area that the wall creates!

We also need to reground the dog fence, organize the garage, build a "mud room" off of the garage, stain the deck, clean the carpets....and I am sure there are a million other things to add that are slipping my mind at the moment.

This weekend is Gona's bday. We are hosting, and can't wait! Then the weekend after that Mac is turning 1!!! I can't believe it! And gramma rue is coming out for the festivities....

Lots going on...yay spring!

Nothin New

Other than horrible weather - nothing much happening in Iowa. We went from a few weeks of amazing 70s to crummy 50 degree weather with rain :(

This week we are having all the materials delivered to build a retaining wall and garden in our backyard! I already feel sorry for poor Josh's back. We also got our new bike trailer delivered yesterday. Mac LOVES it!! We also got it big enough for two so that Damon and Shelly's kid can ride along!

--This was worth EVERY penny!!!--

--Helping dad set up the new home server--

--Pretty much the cutest picture ever--

Birthdays and Trees

I have been bad about keeping up with all the events in our family. I failed to even touch on my amazing birthday! Josh surprised me in the morning with swing dancing lessons- he signed us up for a 6 week course :) Also he made a cute frame for me with a pic of Mac to take to work.

Later I got to open my presents at Gona and Baca's house. I got spatulas, a cake frosting kit, a train cake mold, slipper socks, a new rug for our front entry, a picture frame, and many other wonderful gifts :) I am so spoiled!

--Oh so elegantly blowing out my candles--

We also found out that Tali was going to her first formal dance. So, she couldn't resist going through Emmi's old dresses and modeling a few....

--Baca bought this one for Gona....not quite up with today's fashion...--

--This is a flashback dress from another time--

Also last weekend was a destructive weekend. The storms we had this spring really destroyed a lot of trees at Gona and Baca's house. Daddy helped the whole family knock down trees. We also got to meet Lucky the newest addition to the family.

--Daddy chopping wood--

--Gona and Mac watching the action--

--Newest addition to Gona and Baca's house, Lucky, a 3 year old adopted pup...very good dog--

New Car!!!

I am sure that some of you have heard our horror stories of our trailblazer. It has been a decent truck, and we did get a good price on it - but it has had its fair share of problems. Just a few miles outside of the 60K warantee, the fan started making a horrible noise. After we took it in, the told us that it would be well over $1000 to fix.....crap! Then we got a chip in the windshield and had to replace that, $250. Finally we needed to replace the brake pads, get new tires, and it was making a funny noise when we accelerated - so we decided to trade it in rather than spend any more money on it!

It is really ironic because I sold my infiniti FX35 when we found out McKenna was coming. The car payments were too high, but I LOVED that car!!! Also, a few years ago (around 2003) Josh really thought that the Nissan Muranos were a sharp car. I didn't like them at all at the time. But, the Miranos have the same styling and feel as the infinitis, and after I drove one, we had to have one!

We have been looking for a few weeks, but finally bought one yesterday. Below are the pix of old and new!

--Old Trailblazer--

--New Murano (MUCH BETTER!)--

Visit

This last week we had some visitors. Great Grandma and Grandpa Skinner came along with Grandpa Bubba. They were here for a sad occasion as my Great Aunt Marie passed away. She got pneumonia a few weeks ago and was admitted to the hospital. It progressed and caused a stroke and blood clots in her legs. She didn't make it, but didn't suffer. My dad flew down to Grand Junction Colorado and picked up my grandparents and they all drove out here. My aunt lived in Ottumwa which is about 2 hours southeast of Ankeny. I didn't know her very well, but her and my grandma were very close. She lived to be almost 88. Makes you cherish every day!

On a lighter note, they all stopped by our house on the way home. We played cards, caught up on news and went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner. We had never been there. It is one of those places you eat peanuts and throw the shells on the floor. It was pretty good, and Mac made a pig of herself! Visit was too short, but was really good to see everyone!

--Mac and Great Grandma Skinner--

--Mac and Great Grandpa Skinner and Grandpa Bubba--

Tali's Birthday

Tali had a birthday party on Tuesday. Gona and Baca came, along with a few of Tali's friends. She even got to have a slumber party on a school night....I think that is a big deal when you are 14! I got there kind of late because of work, and Mac was a little fussy because of her cold, so I really only got to see her open presents, then had to run. We got her a really simple digital camera so she can update her blog with pictures. Gona and Baca got her some really pretty diamond earrings. Emmi and the kids got her lots of good stuff like a new hairdryer, mirror, bra (that embarrassed Tali), and a certificate to get her ears pierced again. Seems like she made a haul! Can't believe she is 14!!! Happy Birthday Tali!

--Tali and her loot--

Minneapolis Meeting

I spent last week in Minneapolis at the Loss Prevention Market Summit. It was very impressive, and very fun! I was chosen out of hundreds of women to attend. All of the highest paid (most 6 figure salaried) loss prevention managers were there. Most were directors and even the vice president and CEO were in attendance. They put us up at the 5-star Hilton in downtown Minneapolis. All meals were catered and they took us to a dinner theater production called "We've gotta bingo!" It was hilarious!

I also got to go to the Mall of America. That place is ridiculous, and I could easily spend a week or so just looking around. I got a pedicure and spent the rest of my birthday money on clothes :)

While I was gone, Gona watched Mac two of the days. Heather was gone, so we are lucky Gona's schedule was free! Sounds like they had a great time crawling around and looking at her fish :)

Good to know that Josh and Mac survived without me, but good to be home!

This weekend we decided that we are going to trade in the trailblazer for a murano...just a matter of finding the right color (I am picky!)