Finally a Denver update

That's right...almost a month later I am FINALLY updating everyone on the Denver trip we took from September 10-14th. Kenna and I drove to Omaha, because tickets were $150, instead of $650. And since she is a big girl now, she needs her own seat :) We got up early on the 10th and loaded the car. We had the little potty and some snacks to keep her entertained. We were so proud because mommy made it the park n ride without getting lost!

We arrived at the airport and were doing great all the way through security. But, to our dismay, all of the bathrooms in our terminal were closed. So we had to leave and go through security not once, but twice! So it was me, Kenna, both sets of shoes, my backpack, with laptop and stroller that all had to go through the scanner. Thank goodness it wasn't crowded!

Kenna did great on the airplane ride. Mommy snuck in some new toys that really did their job at distracting the whole time!

--playing at the airport...notice the big orange signs that tell you the bathrooms are closed. Not good for a recently potty trained toddler!--

--her own seat, what a big girl!--

We got to the airport and called Grampa Bob and Gary to come get us. We waited quite a while, because I guess they got lost getting to the airport! Boy was Kenna ready for a nap when we finally made it to their house!

--view from their house--

The majority of the trip was spent in true Skinner style, playing cards, eating, playing more cards, taking a nap, playing more cards, you get the picture. It was a little hard to keep Kenna entertained considering Gary and Susanne have no kids, and fancy adult toys. Luckily I brought a mermaid and curious george DVD. That kept her busy most of the time :)

This is also purely for my own memory but boy did Kenna have a hard time going potty there. She was all plugged up from the travel and we did everything we could from feeding her fiber rich foods, to sapositories....it was awful! But as soon as she got home she was completly fine. Something to be said about your own potty!

Here are some pictures of their amazing house!

--back deck. Bent trex, really neat design!--

--backyard. Rabbit proof fence being installed along with pavers around all of the planters--

--view in the afternoon--

--SWEET sink in Gary's office, he had to remodel his whole bathroom just to make it fit :)--

--main hallway (loved the woodworking in the house!)--

--pretty decorative flooring--

--imported doors, with hand carved dragons--

--custom made metal table, (sorry we had so much stuff on it) was a work of art in of itself--

--there are multiple LCD screens that control the whole house--

--fancy toilet in main bathroom--

--controls for fancy toilet, I never personally tried it :)--

--the "brain" behind the audio/video. Every TV is hooked up to this. Has 6-7 terabytes of storage so all movies, music and recorded television is available from any TV any time--

--view of driveway looking at backyard. They are still finishing pavers in the backyard--

--paved trails around garden--

--Grandpa Bob pushing Kenna in the hose contraption--

--kenna loved exploring, here she is with the rock she found--

--kenna and great grandma--

--pretty Colorado flowers--

--kenna showing off her belly--

--4 generations!--

We had such a good time, and Gary and Susanne were such gracious hosts putting up with a toddler! Hopefully we can all get together again soon!

Halloween!

We have picked out our Halloween costume! Check her out!

Cute kids

The other night Josh took Kenna over to Chloe's for dinner. After dinner they took their bath together, then sported some cute towels. Chad thought it was worthy of a photo session. He has a small studio in his basement, who knew??

--Chloe and Kenna after their bath--

April and Nate are engaged!

The title says it all, but after spending 7 months apart because of the military, April and Nate met up for a week in Hawaii. And he proposed on a hike through the rain forest. SO romantic :) I am so happy for the two of them, that I had to post their picture! Love you guys!

Fun happenings

One of the last few weekends (the date escapes me) I was not feeling so hot, darn first trimester. But Gona and Baca came down to say hello, then they took Daddy and Kenna to the park. It looks like they had quite a fun time from the pictures!

--Baca and Rylee chillin at the park--

--Gona pushing Kenna--

--everyone swingin--

--Daddy and Kenna--

Also, recently, Josh took a bunch of pictures of corn fields, barns, and pastures for his business (which is called cornfield media.)

--Here is a pic of Kenna in the corn--

BBQ and water party

Last Saturday we had a summer BBQ and water party for our friends with young kids. Those who attended were Chad, Tara & Chloe (2); Ann, Mike, Lilly (2), Asher (4), & Camdon (6 months); Andrea, Nathan & Kevin (1); Sashank, Vandana & Avi (2); Damon, Shelly & Nolan (9 months); and Josh, Me & Kenna. Everyone brought something to share and it was all fantastic! Stone's brought cupcakes that looked like corn on the cob, and Andersens brought yummy spinach artichoke dip....mmmmm. We had such a wonderful time with all our friends! It was fun to see the kids interacting with each other and enjoying the various pools, sprinklers, and slides. Josh built a small table for all the kids to sit at, and he was in charge of grilling the burgers, hot dogs and chicken. It was quite the feat to get enough chairs, tables, etc together for all those people, but it was so much fun! We are lucky to have such great friends!

--here is the table Josh built with all the kids--

--chloe and kenna running in circles--

--everyone sitting around eating--

--look at the spread.....yum!--

--the popsicles at the end were a big hit. Our rules about sugar and snacks went out the window for this event!--

--here is kenna with a popsicle stained mouth, drying off after a dunk in the pool--

Iowa State Fair part 2

Two weeks ago my new boss Rebecca and her daughter Liberty came into town for a visit. Rebecca is in charge of most of the upper midwest, in regards to HR. She came down to level set, check in, do a market visit, then Friday take us and our kids to the fair :) We had a good time! More corn dogs, funnel cake, and rides! Kenna was all over all the rides I would let her on, fearless! She was not a big fan of riding the cars that go round and round because the horn that the kids honk was REALLY loud!

--Kenna and JJ ride the elephant--

--Liberty and Kenna ride the helicopter, liberty was NOT a fan!--

--the LOUD cars--

--girls and the helicopter again--

I must have a pretty cool job! How many bosses come and take you to the fair on a workday, and let you bring your kids, and pay for everyone!! How cool!!!

Chelsey visits!

The weekend of the ninth was also a great weekend because Auntie Chelsey came to visit! We had such a good time playing and catching up. Kenna ran up to her at the airport and gave her a big hug, it was great!She came in really late Saturday, so I think we played a game of settlers, then just caught up. The next day Kenna, Chels and I all went to the Iowa State Fair. It was quite the adventure dodging traffic in the morning. We saw chainsaw carvers, firetrucks, horses, so many animals (including a petting zoo, more food than anyone could eat, and many other things. We walked through quite a few buildings and checked out some of the various entries, and just had a great afternoon with wonderful weather! We cut out around 2-ish so Kenna could get a nap.

--feeding the goats at the petting zoo--

--and the GIANT cow--

--cute goat--

--chelsey and kenna riding the tractor--

--kenna driving the firetruck--

That night we probably played settlers again, just hung out and did nothing. Sometimes those are the best nights :) We went to dinner at PF Changs and it was very yummy!

The next day I was lucky enough to play hooky from work. We went grocery shopping and played outside. That evening we went to Sam's birthday party. He was turning 4 and is the son of Josh's friend from work. We got to play on all the great inflatable toys, as well as all the neat slides and climbing toys. After Auntie Chelsey climbed up with her a few times, she wasn't scared at all and was going on everything.

--big playground toy--

--climbing up an inflatable slide--

--going down the slide--

--chels holding willum while the kids eat--

--pizza with the bday boy at the end--

--kenna eating her cupcake--

Tuesday Chels got to watch Kenna all day while I worked. Sounds like they had fun, and Chelsey commented on how much my child pees :)

Thanks for coming to Iowa to visit Auntie Chelsey, we sure had fun having you here!!!

BIG news

It's official, baby #2 is due in March. We have been stalling telling people, because we wanted to make sure everything was okay. Had a Dr. appointment on Tuesday, and all is well! Heard/saw the heartbeat and we are oh so excited! Mark down March 25th on your calendars everyone!

We thought it would be fun to tell Gona, Baca, Tim and Janice all together. So, we had McKenna say "I am going to be a big sister" just out of the blue. Everyone was excited and loved that Kenna is so thrilled...if only she knew what she was getting into!

--here is a picture Gona took of us after we told the news--


--Kenna telling everyone she is going to be a BIG sister (everything that is big must have hands in the air)--

--Tim, Janice and Kenna--


--letting Tim use her phone--

Busy Busy

Well, I started working full time again this week, and I am already tired. We travel so much! I was in the office Monday, and after we picked up the car from the shop (minor sensor problem) I headed home, had a few minutes with the family, then it was baths and bed! Today I drove with Char to cedar rapids for an department of labor assessment, then to Iowa City to follow up on some new managers, then home by 6pm. I made dinner for my family, forgetting that they will not be home till later. Josh's boss's boss is in town and they are eating out. Kenna is at Gona's. Then I am in Minneapolis the next two days for Labor Law training, then in the office again on Friday...wow!

--Here is Kenna putting on a show and singing--

--she is wearing auntie chelsey's outfit--

--more singing and general silliness--

But we did have a busy weekend as well. On Friday Kenna and I went to Ankeny's splash park. It is great with lots of crazy squirting water gadgets. Well, she wasn't too excited, but did have fun watching the kids! Maybe next year :)

--fun getting ready for the park, not so fun once we got there--

Then on Saturday we went shopping for two upcoming birthday parties, and bought her a rail for her bed. Gona and Baca brought over her vanity which was her great great grandmothers. It was really cute watching her play with it. So we moved her room around to make room for her new addition, and consequently moved her bed away from the wall. So the little bed rail gives us peace of mind, and she hasn't fallen out at all, so obviously it works!

--Kenna playing at her new vanity--

--Thanks Gona!! Look how tan she is back from Italy!--

That night I had to say goodbye to a dear friend of mine. Bryan or BK as everyone calls him, is one of the funniest people I have ever met. He does all of Chris Farley's characters and makes me cry because I laugh so hard. He got his degree in film production and finally got a great job in New York. BK - I will miss you!!!

--Me and BK, and BK's three beers--