Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Holidays 2009

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!


So far we've:
  • Toured the Denver Kid's Museum, mint, aquarium, and Casa Bonita
  • Side tripped to surprise my lil sis Lauren in AK for her baby shower
  • Drove 40 mph on icy roads in New Mexico
  • Warmed up in AZ
  • Posed for pictures in Riverside, CA
  • Cruised down to Mexico on the Sapphire Princess
  • Played at the Skirball (E likes this name so much he wants to name our next child Skirball or Cheeseball)
  • Froze at Sea World
  • Survived a family food poisoning... just barely
  • Hanging out in OC for the holidays with the Slocombe Clan
Due to extensive travel with little to no Internet coverage, plus unexpected illness, this will have to suffice for blog coverage for the last few weeks.

Friday, December 4, 2009

A Walk About

We're on the road. We are hanging out in Denver for a week. Since this is a longer visit, our accommodations have two rooms, a small living area, and a kitchen so we aren't all on top of one another.

Chris stepped out for a few minutes of errands and I got into the shower. I had worked out, so I stunk. I was in for ten minutes. When I got out, I dried off and went looking for Graham, who had stopped pounding on the door (which had to be shut or he plays in the potty). There was no Graham and no Ethan, only Zach, who was completely engrossed in a TV show... I was wet and wrapped in only a towel. I became frantic and then I heard a baby... OUTSIDE IN THE HALL! I peeked out, but because of the protruding walls on each side of the door I could not see anyone. I yelled to Zach, "Where are your brothers?!?!" He quickly got up, ran outside the room, looked both ways and saw Graham happily crawling away from the room. He scooped him up and brought him back. As I was recovering from the ordeal, Ethan returned giggling and holding the hotel room key card. He set it on the table and returned to the TV show he was supposed to be watching the entire time.

Now, I decided to sneak away. I am currently in Alaska. I surprised my family in the middle of the night and I am only here for two days. I didn't want to leave Chris with the boys for too long, especially when we aren't in our own home... and for good reason, as seen above.

I snuck away because my little sister, Lauren, is very pregnant and not allowed to travel to our family Christmas get-together this year. A friend is throwing her a baby shower tomorrow and I wanted to surprise her. I hope she isn't so surprised it puts her into labor.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Turkey Week

For us, turkey week meant:
  • Recovering from jet lag. As usual Zach and Ethan flipped immediately. Chris and I followed by weeks' end and so did Graham! He did much better this time-- it was not his usual 10-14 days.
  • Great food. We were welcomed over to a friend of Uncle Roger's for Thanksgiving. We enjoyed wonderful and plentiful food in a beautiful new home.
  • Family time, as all the Jenkins clan gathered to celebrate.

  • Rekindled friendships. Cousin Bella and Ethan were inseparable.

So often Ethan doesn't have his own friends. He just plays with Zach and Zach's friends. But he and Bella are cut from the same cloth and they really enjoyed playing together.

  • We picnicked. The cranes were stopping over at LSU, so we made an afternoon adventure of it, enjoying the brisk sunny day and the company.

See what I mean about these two?


They are super silly...


and super sweet!

  • We shopped. I find it funny that the one who dislikes shopping the most started the last two black Fridays out at 4 AM and was gone all day. Last year it was preparing to move. This year it was restocking. I did a little too, but at more reasonable hours.
  • Had some mommy time. I snuck away with my awesome Sister-in law Belin and saw New Moon. I was so NOT DISAPPOINTED after seeing it like I was with Twilight. I'm sure it helped that I haven't read the book for quite a while, so the details weren't as fresh.
  • We counted our blessings. We have so much to be grateful for... good health, good employment, three energetic and wonderful boys, and outstanding family adventures. This year has been amazing and strange and tough and exciting and it ain't over yet...