New Opportunity

Ok, for once this post isn't about the kids...

I just wanted to say how proud I am of Nate...as of today, he has been transferred into our corporate office to serve on the help desk. He will be joining a group of well-respected, talented, incredibly smart people that focus on CADD, plotting, and other technology related questions/problems. Our corporate office is in Kansas City, but he will be able to perform his duties from Indianapolis. We're still not sure how much travel will be involved. It may average out to a week a month?

This is a pretty nice promotion. Nate has been only working in CADD for 4 years, and he is now technically a "corporate resource." I think this proves yet again that HNTB provides opportunities for those who hunger for them. I think it also proves that Nate has a natural talent for technology - this is the cloth he's cut from.

July 4th

Our Independence Day was a pretty quiet, relaxing day. The kids spent the previous night with Aunt Lindsey and Uncle Bill. Nate and I had the pleasure of not argueing with anyone or negotiating anything for almost 24 hours...

When they came home, we just chilled out all day. And that evening we did sparklers and watched other people's fireworks in the neighborhood from the comfort of our own backyard.

The Things Kids Say...Part 3

When watching the commercials during her favorite show, a commercial for Floam or some other "as seen on tv" type product will come on. Megan has started repeating the phrases "But wait, There's more!" and "And That's Not ALL!"

It is hilarious. She does it every time it comes on. I'm going to have to get this on video.
Jen

The things kids say...Continued...

To the tune of "Transformers...more than meets the eye...."

Yesterday Colin sang...

"Transformers....better than girls..."

:)

Family Fun Day - June - Zoo

You may not know this...but my New Year's Resolution this year is to do something fun with the family each month. This month, it was a trip to the zoo. The weather was just questionable enough that it kept most people home this morning. It misted most of the time, and the temp was in the upper 60's. The animals were out and about. It was great.

We got to pet the sharks at the new Oceans exhibit. It was pretty cool.

We left the stroller at home...kind of a new era for us. Megan ended up catching a ride on daddy's shoulders for a good part of the trip. She might as well as long as she's little enough, right?

The Rhino's posed for us...:)

And we saw a couple baby Elephants. This one was playing with is trunk...a game similar to a dog chasing his tail.

Megan's 4th Birthday Party

We had a Disney Princesses Birthday Party for Megan's 4th Birthday Party. She enjoyed it.













We played a couple of games including pin the nose on the clown...

It was great to see everyone that was able to come...and Megan loved all the gifts. Special thanks to Aunt Lindsey who took over planning everything when I got super busy with work over the last couple of weeks.

Disney World

Colin, Megan, Mom, and I had a great trip to Disney World last weekend. It was full of expected and unexpected excitement!

Thursday - Traveled to Disney by plane, then bus.
- We got to see how bomb-sniffing dogs inspect planes and bags first hand.
- Colin & Megan loved the plane ride.
- We checked into our hotel a couple hours later than we thought...
- Had supper at the hotel.
- Went to bed.

This is Colin & Megan ready to go to the airport...

Colin on the plane...

Megan on the plane...

Friday - Went to Magic Kingdom

- Breakfast at Cinderella's Royal table - Met Cinderella, Jasmine, Belle, Snow White, Fairy Godmother.

- Did a bunch of rides. Colin couldn't get the sword out of the stone either...

- Megan met Aerial.

- Went back to the hotel and had lunch, took a nap, cleaned up.

- Went back to Magic Kingdom and had supper at a restarant where we met Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and Eyeore.

- Watched fireworks

- Went back to hotel & crashed.

Saturday - Went to Animal Kingdom

- We had breakfast in the room.

- Traveled to Animal Kindom where we did some neat rides.

- The kids got their faces painted.

- Met Baloo, Mickey, Minnie, Donald, & Goofy

- Went back to the hotel, napped, got cleaned up.

- Went to a dinner show called the "Hoop De Doo Revue"

- Went back to hotel & crashed.

Sunday - Went to Magic Kingdom

- We had breakfast in the room.

- Traveled to Magic Kindom where we did the neat rides we didn't have time for Friday

- Went back to the hotel, swam, got cleaned up.

- Went to the Monorail, traveled in the front car with the driver to the Grand Flordian Hotel.

- Had a peaceful Mother's Day supper at the Grand Floridian Cafe.

- Went shopping at the Magic Kingdom for souveniers

- Went back to the hotel & crashed.

- These are a couple of cute picutres taken at our hotel that day. Take note that, sitting down, Woody is 3 stories tall!

Monday - Traveled home by bus, then plane.

- We missed our scheduled bus to leave the hotel, so there was drama/tears. But it all worked out.

- We got to the airport in plenty of time for the longest security line we'd ever seen.

- No bomb sniffing dogs this time.

- When we got back to Indy, we found out the airline had sent Megan's suitcase to Detroit by mistake.

- The suitcase got delivered to our house later that evening.

- Colin & I went to the second part of the Kindergarten Round-up. Pretty Exciting!

Tuesday - Back to Reality.

- Colin & Megan went back to daycare

- Nate & I went to work

- I ended up driving to L'ville & didn't get back until midnight.

What a week!

Swimming Lessons

Colin and Megan started swimming lessons this week - "Preschool Water Adjustment" class. Nate and I wanted to get them exposed to the water a little more so

1. Colin will develop a respect for the water and
2. Megan will not be so scared of the water.

And since we're headed to Disney next month and summer is just around the corner the time was right.

They had the first of eight lessons Monday. The second lesson is tonight. Colin was fearless. This is a piture fo him kicking along with the teacher while blowing bubbles. Not bad for a first lesson.This is a picture of Megan in the water - smiling. Nate and I have a bet going about how many times she will get in the water. He bets 3 lessons of 8 or less...I think I'll win.

Easter Eggs

We did the traditional coloring of the Easter Eggs last weekend. Our big extended family Easter Egg hunt is scheduled for next Saturday. Hopefully the weather will cooperate. We had a big debate while coloring the eggs about which colors were "Girl Colors" and which were "Boy Colors." Notice the "Girl Colors" are on the top row of the carton, while the "Boy Colors" are on the bottom row.

At one point, Nate and Megan had a battle of wills. I was lucky to catch this on camera. Fortunately for me, Nate can be stubborn. I'm usually no match for her. We make a good team... Poor Colin, he takes after his mother.

Duck Pin Bowling

My New Year's Resolution this year is to do something fun with the kids at least once a month. March is the first month that produced any pictures. January we went to the Children's Museum and February we went swimming. I forgot my camera both of those times.

But in March, we went Duck Pin Bowling with Lindsey (she remembered her camera). If you aren't familiar with Duck Pin Bowling, it is similar to regular bowling. You use balls that are closer to softball size. And I think you get three rolls per frame. I'm not sure about all the rule differences since we didn't really follow the rules! The only rule Lindsey and I insisted on was taking turns. Anyway, we had fun. Afterwards we ate at the 1950's style diner upstairs.

One thing that made it more fun for the kids was you were able to walk as far down the bowling lane - as close to the pins - as you wanted to. It made for less gutter balls for sure.

The things kids say...

I have to share this funny one quote from Colin (age 5).

We were having a discussion about dangerous situations, what to do in an emergency, not talking to strangers...

Jen: "What do you do if a stranger offers you a piece of candy?"
Colin: "You say 'Trick-or-treat'!!"

So funny.

Lindsey's Birthday

Happy Birthday to Lindsey today. Colin, Megan, Bill, Chompers, and I celebrated with her this afternoon. I made her a milk chocolate cake with peanut butter cream cheese frosting decorated like Cindergrella.

On a different note...I found this next picture on the camera when I downloaded Lindsey's birthday pictures. Something tells me that Megan has been jumping on my bed...we should give Colin bonus points for his creativity in tattle-taling. :)

Ft. Knox

Today I visited Fort Knox for work purposes. It is an army base in Kentucky. Lots of gold is stored there. Street names are telling like Bullion Boulevard.

From http://www.treas.gov/education/fact-sheets/currency/prod-facilities.shtml
...
Bullion Depositories of the United States:
The Fort Knox, Kentucky Bullion Depository -- The site for this installation was formerly a part of the Fort Knox military reservation that was deeded to the Treasury Department. The Depository was completed in 1936. The Fort Knox Bullion Depository protects Gold Bullion and Assets of other Agencies.

http://www.knox.army.mil/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Knox

WORLD CHAMPIONS!!!

I know there are some of you out there that are sad.

BUT NOT ME!!!!!!!!!!!! The Colts are awesome! What a season! This was the first time that Nate and I have ever had season tickets to anything. We got to go to most of the home Colts games this season including the stunning AFC Championship Game. Wow! What a thrill. I stood out on monument circle today from 4 to 4:30 waiting for the Colts parade to come. I decided to throw in the towel and head home after a half hour of single digit temps and negative wind chills. Good thing I did because the parade didn't come through there until 7:30!!! I would have been a popscicle by then. We watched the parade on TV. :)

As I promised, here's a celebration picture. Nate and our friend Doug celebrating with the Great Peyton Manning.













Saturday we went and celebrated our nephew Kraig's 3rd birthday. He had the neatest birthday cake. Each of the cars were like cupcake sized cakes, individually decorated. It must have taken my sister-in-law, Sarah, HOURS to decorate. She said her sister, Catina, helped. She also said my brother, Jason, made the track. Such a cute cake!

I have to tell you this funny thing Megan said. When we got to the party and I was helping her out of her car seat she said "Mom, everybody is going to be so excited that I'm here!" So funny.

That evening the kids and I got to spend some time with my parents. Mom read them a few books, which they loved. Jason came over and gave Colin a ride on the snow mobile. A thrill for Colin. I didn't get a picture of that one.