Bowling

 Hi There from Snowy Colorado - Finally!  We are finally getting some snow around here.  We got a few inches late last week (Denver and other areas got more than a Foot!!  Boo), and then last night we got a few more inches.  Nothing much to talk about, but Riley is surely loving playing in it.  Jayce still isn't a big fan (I think he takes after me) so he and I stay inside while Riley takes the dogs in the backyard and has a blast! 

This week we've just been hanging around the house mostly.  Tuesday Lacey and I had a mini-girl's night to celebrate her birthday.  I took her to Rasta Pasta (one of my favorite restaurants in old town) and then we just did some shopping.  Yes, we spent our time away from kids walking around Bed Bath & Beyond and Target . . . and it was AWESOME!!  We didn't have to yell 'sit down' or 'come here' every 30 sec., and we didn't have to hear 'I want this' every 10 sec.  One of the best girl's nights I've had in a while.  Just the two of us engaged in adult conversation for nearly 4 hours straight!  Heaven!!! 

So back to our uneventful week at home!  Here's a few pics of the boys. 

Sometimes it's easier to jump right in rather than drag all the toys out!

Jayce doesn't play Wii, but he has to pretend whenever big brother is playing!

 Friday we went Bowling!!  Real Bowling - not Wii Bowling!  It was Riley's first time.  We found out that Chippers lanes does really cheap pre-school bowling on weekday mornings so a bunch of us moms got together to let the kids play.  Riley's friends Jack and MaKenna were there.  He did really good.  They used the racks to roll the balls instead of throwing them, but I made Riley roll it himself a couple times for photos.  He was so cute - he got so excited when he got a spare!!  No strikes for him, but he did pick up a few spares.  Jayce had fun too.  He kept trying to pick up the heavy balls off the rack, thankfully he couldn't!  and his other favorite thing was the fan on the ball return!  So cute!!  Here's some pictures of the day. 

Jack and Riley

First game scores - Riley got an 89 - not bad!!!

Riley and Makenna

Jayce Playing with the balls

Right before he picked up a spare

After picking up the spare!!

Second game score - 109!!  Way to go Riley!!

Tonight our good friends Jackson, Tanner and Ryder are coming over.  Riley has such a good time with them, and they love Riley and Jayce too.  Now if we can just keep Jayce from tackling Ryder we'll be all set!!  lol

MOPS bake sale is tomorrow, so I spent this afternoon baking away.  2 doz. cupcakes and 2 pies later, I'm all set.  Man, I love Pinterest!!  Got both these ideas from there. 

Peppermint Swirl Pie

Red Velvet Kiss-cakes (surprise kiss in the middle!)

 If you don't know what Pinterest is . . . you need to find out!  But only if you have lots of free time because it's super addictive and time consuming!  I could spend hours looking at all the cool things people pin! 
Also tomorrow Daddy is taking Riley to the Monster truck show!  Wow Fun!!  We aren't doing anything special for Valentine's day though.  We aren't much the Valentine's people.  Plus Cameron took me to see Cirque du Soleil last weekend, so I kinda count that as a Valentine's present!  It was so neat!  The acrobatics those people can do is amazing!!  I can't wait to see another show. 

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

New Business, New Car

Well, things have certainly changed in the Louie household the last couple days!  2 exciting additions . . . no, I'm not pregnant!!  But I did start my own business!  It's Called Baby Bear Designs, and I'm selling crocheted hats, blankets, and more for babies and kids.  I plan on expanding to other items, but I thought I would start simple and see how it goes.  You can see more about what I'm selling on my business blog - babybeardesigns.wordpress.com and PLEASE like my facebook page here - www.facebook.com/twobabybears.  I am taking "custom orders" for just about anything, so please don't feel limited to what I'm offering on the websites. 

The other new addition is Cameron's new car!  We've been talking for a while about getting him a new car, the Jeep is just not gonna make it much longer as a daily driver.  And were planning on getting something this summer.  But if you know Cameron you know he spends hours upon hours researching what he wants, and then once he decides he spends every spare moment searching for the best deal.  (this trait can be a little annoying at times, but I have to admit - it has saved us money . . . sometimes lots of money!!) And this was the case too.  I did have to put some limits on his car selection though (like has to fit the carseats, and be under a certain price - that one was kinda difficult for him to swallow), and again if you know Cam, you understand this!!  ;)  Anyways - he decided on the Subaru WRX STI for his choice vehicle and found a really good deal on one in Colorado Springs.  So, it was fresh off the boat and we went to pick it up last night.  I think he was giddy!!  It is pretty nice, and it's been awhile since he had a new car, and I know he's been wanting a sports car for a while.  So he deserved it!  It would have been nice it we could afford to finish the basement first, since that may not be possible with another car payment now, but Oh Well!!  Like I said, he's due, he deserves it, and it make me happy to see him so happy!!  (silly boys!!)  So here's some pics of Daddy's new car!  It is a pretty shade of blue!!

Short week in indy

Hey everyone, Thought I should let you all know how the trip to Indy went. . . and well, very good.  It was an emotional rollercoaster for me, but overall I think I got everything done that I needed to.  Jayce was great for the flight to Indy - hardly any crying until the last 20 minutes or so.  Pretty good considering he had horrible diarrhea and subsequently a horrible diaper rash.  But overall the flight was fairly painless.  However, Jayce did manage to pass the diarrhea germs to nearly everyone he came into contact with in those 24 hours!  Apparently it was passed to Daddy before leaving, and Mommy (we both got it the next day) then Uncle Rodger and Kathie, Even Grandma Wilson got a dose of it!  Yuck!!!  So Aunt Janice - You were right to stay away!!!  Wish we could have seen you, but we would rather have you healthy!!! 

Other than that the boys had a great time!  Cousins Maddie and Vanessa stayed the night at Grandma & Grandpa's Friday night and Riley couldn't have had more Fun!!  They watched Tangled (in Vanessa's new Rapunzel hat) and pretty much just ran a muck through the house!  Grandma and I discussed how nice it would be if they lived closer and could play more often . . . then I thought twice - Maybe limiting the time that Riley and Vanessa are in the same house (or same city for that matter) is a good thing!!  They are probably the only ones who can wear each other out!!!  ;) 

We also got to see one of my very good friends from high school!!!  She lives near Seattle now and it was a complete fluke that we were both in Indy at the same time!!  Her oldest and Riley are only 4 months apart . . . and ironically her youngest and Jayce are only 4 months apart too!!  Hahaha!!  So the boys had a blast all playing together!  It was so great to catch up with her, I wish it could have been for more than just a few hours.  And I wish I would have gotten some pictures too!  What was I thinking!!  ugh!

Most of my time was spent at the house though.  It was hard doing all this on a deadline.  I could have spent months going through everything in detail.  But I got the necessities done (I hope) and the rest is up to Mom and Anna (sorry guys!)  If you haven't had to do this, consider yourself lucky.  All of my memories from growing up are in that house . . . even if it was remodeled after I moved out and looked very different.  And walking out of there for the last time Tuesday night was quite possibly the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I took as many things as I could to remind me of all the good times spent there, but there was so much more that I wanted to take that was impossible - like the fireplace my dad built with his own two hands, and the oak tree I planted in the front yard when I was in third grade.  Even though it's been more than 10 years since I lived in that house, it will always be home, and it hurts to think that someone else will be living there and "possessing" my memories.  But on the upside, Rodger's working hard to see if it can be purchased by a person or organization that truly needs a house equipped for someone with physical disabilities.  The house was remodeled years ago to accomodate my mom and her wheelchair (wider doorways, lowered light switches, reversed sink faucets, not too mention all the ramps!)  and it would be nice to know that all that is being utilized by someone in need of it. 

And the flight back wasn't as pleasant and the flight going to Indy.  The turbulance was the worst on any flight I have ever been on, Jayce was flat out refusing to sleep and therefore screamed nearly the entire flight, Riley was too tired to watch a movie, but not tired enough to sleep (so he resorted to kicking the seat in front of him for entertainment!), and to top it all off - my slight headache turned into a massive migraine upon boarding the plane!!  I am not a great flyer, and have recently started wearing motion sickness bands to help, but this was by far the worst flight ever for me!!!  (and that includes the flight when I was just a few weeks pregnant with Riley and puked at least three times during takeoff!!)  So it will most likely be a while until I fly again with the boys by myself.  Oh yeah  - that was the best part - trying to get two sleeping children off the plane with all the carry-on bags too!  I almost cried when I found out that they wouldn't give Cam a gate pass to meet me off the plane and I had to get the kids all the way to baggage claim on my own!  I have never loved my Sit n Stand stroller more than at that moment right there!!!  But we are home safe and sound now, trying to get back into the swing of things.  Here's some more pictures from the trip:

Sleeping on the airplane

Gotta stop at Steak n Shake!

Gotta Stop at Don Pablos Too!!

Grandma Wilson & Riley

Jayce, Grandma Wilson & Riley

Riley and Eliza at Chicago's

Mom and Anna

Jayce and Aunt Anna

Riley playing with Unkie Rodgie's flashlight

Jayce messing up Unkie Rodgie's Bed

Playing in the snow at Unkie Rodgie's

In other news, I have finally decided to start selling some of my crochet items.  I'm working on putting together an inventory for an online store (Etsy or Artfire or something), but in the meantime I'm just gonna start with taking orders via Facebook.  I'm working on a store name and some pictures, but I should have that up and running by the end of the week.  So feel free to email me if you would like something!!  I'll post the link on here when I get everything all set up!  This is kinda exciting for me!  I've never done anything like this before, and I'm not sure how it will go, but I'm anxious to get it underway!  Have a good week everyone!! 

Fun With Friends

Hey Everybody!  Riley here - Mom finally let me do a post again!  I got so much to tell you!  We had a really fun week this week.  I got to play with so many of my friends!  Monday we went to MOPS, so I got to play with all my buddies!  Kenna and Jack especially.  We had so much fun!  Then we went to lunch with Jan and Cathy (Ryder, Tanner and Jackson's Mommy).  And Guess where we went . . . CHICK-FIL-A!!!!  My Favorite!!!  I was so happy to get chicken nuggets and get to play! 

Then on Wednesday Ryder came over to our house.  His Mommy went to Denver to be with his Grandma for a surgery so we got to play with him the whole day!  It was so much fun!  We played in our cave, we played in the kitchen, we played with balls (Ryder likes balls like Jayce does), and we played with the slinky A LOT!!  Ryder really likes the slinky!  Oh, and we jumped on the trampoline - Ryder Really liked that too! 

Go ahead . . . Make my Day!

 Then on Thursday we went over to Greg's house.  I haven't gotten to play with Greg in FOREVER!!!  So we played a lot!  He showed me all his cool toys he got from Santa.  But he had to go to pre-school so we invited them over to play at our house on Friday.  It was so much fun!!  I got to show him all my toys that I got from Santa, and Mommy even let us play Wii for a little bit!  I wish it was warmer so we could have played outside too.  Oh well. 

Then later yesterday Mommy finished mine and Jayce's Superhero Capes!  They are so cool!!!  Jayce has a Superman one and I have a Batman one (to go with my Batman Mask Mommy made for me with yarn).  She painted them.  She did Jayce's with regular craft paint, but she tried something new with mine.  She called it screen-printing.  Whatever that is.  But she said that she didn't like it and doesn't think she'll do it again.  It didn't work real well and she had to go back and brush paint it anyways.  She said she doesn't like the special paint either, too many steps (paint, dry, iron, set, special wash, etc.)  So I think she's just going to stick with the good ol' craft paint!  I don't really care, I just want to fly around in my Batman cape!

Oh and Mommy says to show you my Colts Hat.  She worked really hard on it, that horseshoe wasn't easy to get even!  But I like it!  I'll have to wear it next week when we go to Indiana. 

 I can't wait to go to Indy!  I get to see Grandma and Grandpa Louie again, and Grandma Wilson!!  And all my Aunts and Uncles and cousins, I hope!!  It's going to be fun!  Mommy says I might even get to see some of my friends that I hardly ever get to see, like Sophia and Drew!  Well, that's about all for now, I have to go get dressed, Mommy's taking me to the Library today!  YAY!!  Just me and Mommy all by ourselves!!  See you all later!

Fun in the snow

Just thought I would share with you guys some of the things we've been up to the last couple days!  This week we have been cleaning out our basement, getting ready to finish it (one of my goals for 2012).  It's been a big project.  Our Basement (like I'm sure so many other people's is) has become "that place to put things that have no other place."  Everything from storage for old toys, baby stuff and Christmas stuff, to food storage, misc. junk, camping stuff, summer stuff, and anything else that we don't know what to do with.  Anyways, we've spend the last couple weeks organizing it, trying to consolidate boxes into same size plastic bins and in the process have made MANY trips to goodwill and the recycle center (for cardboard boxes).  Well, all but one box.  This one has become the boys "cave".  It's so cute.  Cam cut a door in one side and later I poked holes in the top and stuck in some old Christmas lights.  They have had a blast playing in it.  Once again I find myself baffled at why I spent so much on toys at Christmas, because I think they have played with this box more than anything else! 

Another fun item - Ball Pit Balls from Aunt Anna, and a pack n play!  They stay contained and entertained, I can shower in peace!  It's Brilliant!!!  Not too mention that my pack n play is getting use beyond the normal "baby" timespan. 

Then today we headed up the Poudre Canyon to do some snowshoeing.  We took sleds for the boys.  Riley walked quite a bit, I was proud of him.  But Jayce screamed for probably the first 20 min. straight.  Then he figured that he wasn't getting out and stopped . . . as long as we kept moving.  Which meant no stopping for Mommy.  This is the same Mommy who is VERY out of shape and trying to hike in snowshoes while pulling a sled.  Needless to say, we didn't go very far.  Mommy couldn't cut it . . . time to get back in shape!!  Riley had a good time though.

Eating snow

What did you stop for!

beautiful day

Moon rising on our way home

Beautiful sunset, our view of Long's Peak on the way home

Such a clear day we could see all the way to Pike's Peak!!

 Some other notes on Jayce.  He is growing up so fast!!  I know big surprise!!!  His new favorite thing to do is give kisses - which I just LOVE!!!  He won't do it when you want him to, only on his own terms, but it's so cute when he does.  He clicks his tongue and then mashes his face into yours!  Sometimes he'll stick out his bottom lip, like he's pouting, other times he'll have his slobbery mouth hanging open ready to share all those germs with you!  ;)  It's a kiss only a mother could love, and boy do I!!  Riley was never a "kisser" and still isn't, so I'm hoping that this will continue with Jayce.  I also think he's hit a growth spurt the last few weeks, he's finally starting to fit into some of Riley's old 12 month clothes.  Which makes sense, because this boy has been eating us out of house and home the last few weeks!!!  I'm already dreading what my food bill is going to look like in 10 years.  Time to start doing some extreme couponing!!!  lol.

And I've got some Crochet Items to show off!!!  I finished the Steelers hat . . . but don't worry, I'm working on a Colts one for Riley to even it out.  And I guess I can root for the Steelers today since they are playing the Broncos, and I'm so sick of hearing about the broncos and Tim Tebow this season that I'm ready for their season to be over!!!  So, Go Steelers!!!  haha.  I did a couple more gift items, but one is a birthday present for my mom, and I think the other two read my blog so I probably won't post up pics of those for a few more weeks. 

I forgot to mention the changes to the blog - mostly the pictures.  Kodak came out with a new "Sharing Site".  So instead of me posting links to each and every one of the albums I want to share, I can just add them to the site and then anyone with the link can see it.  So Check out the top if you want to see pictures!  I have almost every album in Kodak that I've made on there, special events, monthly ones, etc.  So you can see pictures all the way back before Riley was born!  Enjoy!!  I'm trying to figure something out like that for the videos, so look for that coming soon too.  Have a great week everyone!