August 2006 Archives

Carter loves to "wrestle."  She enjoys being tossed, tickled, turned around, tumbled upside-down, and justed messed with in general!  She's a lover, not a fighter!  And she loves being flipped upside-down!

C R A Z Y   H A I R ! 

Carter is preparing to be a little Goddess, a Diva, the Ruler of the House!  So far, so good!

That's hot!

Hy-Vee is fantastic!  Even Carter loves a swig every now and then!

Yummm ... pop!
(Yes, it's empty!)

Carter has chased Sammy all over the house this evening!  Up and down the halls, across the kitchen, and all over the living room!  He tolerates it pretty well, but took a swipe at her later.  She cried for a brief moment, then went back to chasing him.  I guess some lessons are hard too learn!

"God, I wish I knew how to quit you!" Jack Twist, Brokeback Mountain
Carter can sympathiz!

In efforts to learn to walk, Carter has taken to pushing the kitchen chairs around the kitchen!  She spent the afternoon bumping the counter tops and table while I made supper (yes, I occasionally cook!).  She had the best time!  

That's the naughty-face!  Naughty!!

Carter prepares to turn the chair to chase Sammy across the kitchen! 
The look of mischief!!

Since school has started again, we are making a conscious effort to spend time together as a family doing something Carter enjoys.  So today, we went to the zoo.  It was cool and uncrowded, and Carter had a blast! 

Carter and Daddy walking to the car - what a big girl!

The giraffe was right in front of us at the fence, and Carter was amazed with him!

Halfway through, we took time out to play on the slide!  Carter fears nothing!

The playground was so fun, Carter didn't want to leave!  So she and Daddy took one last slide ride, and we proceeded on.

Carter and Mommy enjoyed the silly sea lions swimming around the pool.

Poor goat!  Look out - she'll get you!  Just ask Sammy!

The indoor exhibit of the Lynx was neat - he was sitting against the glass, and Carter could easily see him.  She giggled and smiled at him the entire time!

Our wonderful photographer, Mackenzie Duncan, has come through again.  Carter's 1 year photos were taken last week, and they are fantastic! Now our dilemma is: how do we choose just a couple???

You can see the rest, and order photos (if you'd like) at: www.stalzerphotography.com/WebGallery/Carter3
* The W in Web, G in Gallery, and C in Carter must be capitalized

Carter Kay or Pebbles Flintstone?  You decide!

Carter's new "Pebbles" do!  Too cute!

Andy, Tim, Andy, Carter and I had dinner at Guadalajara's Mexican Restuarant this evening.  Carter was banging the plastic "specials" menu around, pounding spoons on the table, and (shocking!) talking at top volume (I think she gets it from her Dad!).  After we'd run off one couple, she was satisfied with my straw!

Spoon = loud   Straw = quiet

 Our first day of school was Thursday, and by Friday at 3pm, I was exhausted!  You know it's a bad sign when I'm not the only one who said, "Only 178 more days to go!"  By the end of day two, I'd already had to bail one of my past 8th graders out of a terrible science class (he's my favorite, so it's okay!), argued twice with a past 8th grader, helped about 60 lost kids get unlost, and decided I'm not too fond of two children.  One mocked everything my associate and I did or said, and the other called me a "stupid b!tch" during a fun, get-to-know-you activity!  It wasn't even over anything difficult!  ... and it's day two!

On the plus side, my past 8th graders have all trucked down to say hello and to visit.  I even had two sophomores at the building across the parking lot come over to check in!  One of my students (who is very intelligent, and only has a behavior goal) has decided he "likes me," and that I'm "okay with him." One of my autistic children went home to tell him mom he thinks I'm "pretty cool," and one of the most difficult girls in the building (she is living in a hotel right now, and has had a terrible upbringing) thinks I'm "a nice teacher."  

From "stupid b!tch" to "nice teacher," this is what I've got for the nest 178 days.  Like I always tell my teachers, "We'll be okay.  We'll make it work!"  Maybe ...

My classroom - green, positive, and ready to role!  By next Friday, it will be a pit!

My home away from home - Johnston Middle School
www.johnston.k12.ia.us/MiddleSchool/index.html

Introducing, the Amazing Carter!  Carter, what will you be performing for us this evening???

Ta da!  It's a tripod ... with an extra leg and a head!

The Case of the Cooties appears to be worsening.  Andy is going to call the doctor Friday morning, but if you have any idea what this is, please feel free to share! 

... maybe it's Collin's pink eye gone horribly wrong!

Can pink eye spread to the legs?

What about pink eye in the arm pit?!?

Carter is following in Poppy's footsteps, and learning to "fish" early!  She has a fish bowl, and a little magnetic fishing pole to fish with!  If she weren't suffereing through the Cooties, she might be having a ball! 

Maybe eating fish will cure the Cooties!

It is official: Carter has the Cooties!  She got her 1 year shots Tuesday - the MMR shot, the HepA shot, and the Chicken Pox shot - and has had an allergic reaction to one of the shots.  It's like the Chicken Pox shot gave her a mutated version of the Chicken Pox!  It's crazy!  But she's not itching them, and she's fairly content with Tylenol, so we're getting through it!

Despite her case of Cooties, Carter was still able to play the "Ouchy!' game with me (we smack ourselves on the head and giggle!).  

... maybe she's allergic to her throne?!?

Carter had her 1 year appointment with our pediatrician this afternoon.  She's doing great and is right on target: she's 75% for height (30 inches), 50% for weight (20 pounds, 14 ounces) and 90% for head circumference (it's really round - better than triangular!).  And she got three shots.  Shots are 100% miserable, and to make them worse, Carter doesn't really cry.  Instead, she scrunches up her face, opens her mouth wide, turns red, and doesn't cry.  It's the lack of crying that breaks my heart!  After the third shot, she was wailing, but at that point, it didn't make me feel better!  But she did calm down and she was okay.

After a lengthy nap (I'm attributing it to the shots??), we played downstairs.  Carter was up and down in her chair!  She loves this thing!  She finally decided to sit in it and play with her learning table.  Then we'd shake our heads at one another, and she would howl with laughter!  Before going to take a bath, she learned that under the table was cool, too!  

What a cheeser!

The Wild Child, sitting, crawling on, leaning against, and generally wiggling all over her chair and the learning table

The Queen and her Throne!

"Don't bug me, Mama!  I'm getting under my table!  Occupancy: 1 - buzz of Mama!"

I got a brand-spankin'-new, shiny, spotless, gorgeous, wonderful iBook G4 laptop for school.  I brought it home to figure out, and to show off to Andy!  Carter enjoyed it too!  I know, I know ... shocking!

... it brings a whole new meaning to "user error!"  Maybe sitting on the laptop isn't the best idea!

Ahhh ... life as a toddler is good!

Laws of Toddlerhood, according to Carter

Some of our favorite birthday gifts included the fridge-farm.  We made some "cow ducks" and some "sheep pigs!" 

The learning table rules - in English or Spanish!

"La la la la!  La la la la!  Elmo's world!"  ... I hear this in my sleep now!  

The Tikes-mobile rocks!  We went around the block in Carter's Flintstone-powered low-rider

We had a family celebration - with more presents - for supper

... and we tried to finish the night with Reese's. 
Nope!  Try again!

What a wonderful day!  Today, Carter is one!

We started the day to melodic coo'ing and gentle "talking."  After breakfast, Carter got - more like found - her first gift.  The yellow and red Flintstone-powered car.  She loved it!  She figured out how to get in, and could kinda move herself around.  She'd get in, get out, get in, etc.  She played with the doors, the gas cap, and everything on the dash board.  And, together, we used it to chase the cat!

While we prepared for the party, Carter spent the morning with her Godfather.  Around 11:15am, Corey and Amber arrived, followed by Brian, Anna, and Courtney, then the birthday girl.  Shortly after, our home was filled with wonderful friends and family, and a ton of babies!  They were everywhere!  And each one of them was interested in the other!

We had lunch (baked beans = delicious!  potato salad = wretched!) and then birthday cake.  I'd been given advice on the birthday cake situation: strip the baby down, buy an inexpensive outfit for him or her to wear.  I just figured whatever it was, it'd wash out, and it's cake, how messy could it really be?!?  Come on!  Holy cow, was I incredibly wrong!  Carter had cake all over her face, in her nose and ears, surrounding her eyes, on the carpet, behind her on the chair, on my jeans, and even on Isaac!  That cake went everywhere!  But it was the cutest thing I've ever seen!

After cake, a very tired Carter opened her gifts.  It is unbelieveable what a wonderful group of family and friends we have!  This little girl got more than she could ever want!  From clothes to stuffed bears; from a fishing set to a learning table, and - always a favorite - some awesome books!  Isaac and Emma helped open, while Grant and Collin kept an eye on the situation, and Courtney worked the crowd!  

After presents, Carter could stand no more, and took a nap.  We hugged friends, family and babies goodbye, and thanked everyone for a special, wonderful 1st birthday!

The gifts were really cool, but more importantly, we are so lucky to have all of these wonderful people in our lives.  Making days like today so special, and giving our family the best gift of all: unconditional love. 

Carter and her new ride:  Go Speedracer, Go Speedracer!

Uncle Corey helps Carter open her gift (we love the learning table!)

Courtney, Carter and Isaac play with the cool balloons.  All was good until Carter accidently popped one and scared herself!

Me and The Man, Grant!  Half of the Gruesome Twosome!

Carter and Emma pick out the next gift to open .. what'll it be, girls?
_

Carter prepares to open Shawn & Kelly's gift while sitting on Carrie's gift.  Is it a chair?!

The cake.

It all started off okay ...

... but by the end, Carter was wearing most of it.  Isaac was also wearing a little, as was my chair, my jeans, my carpet ... 

Isaac and Carter, with Daddy's help, open Kevin and Katie's gift.  

Mama Alexander, the jungle gym, with Courtney and Isaac.  I guess Isaac took quite a liking to little Courtney!  

Me, Emma and Carter.  Like their Mommies, Emma and Carter share a moment! 
Goodness these two are cute!

The Ring Leader poses in her new princess chair (what else would a princess sit in) with her fellow trouble makers, Grant (left) and Collin (right, I think!).

Carter helps pick up after the party

Carter, Daddy, and Mommy at the Cazador for Carter's birthday!

Emma, 10 months

Isaac, 8 months

Grant, 6 months

Collin, 6 months

Friday, 8:37pm: Carter will be one year old in 6 hours and 59 minutes!  Her reign as the Birthday Princess has begun!

It has been 364 days and some odd hours now that Carter has been a beautiful part of our lives.  We've changed countless stinky wedge diapers, cut 7 teeth (and getting our first molar!) in two months, learned who family members and close friends are and has gained so many amazing skills.  She can quickly crawl, she can shakily feed herself with a spoon, she has mastered the cup and is working on the straw, and she's feeling out the walking situation.  She went from just barely peeking at us through newborn, winced eyes to watching every move we make, knowing the sound of our voices, and missing us when we leave the room.  

Each and every one of the past 364 days has been magical.  Some have been tough, sleepless, scary and completely disgusting (like the first time she pooped in the tub!), but every second has been simply beautiful.  All the sleepless nights and the spit up puddles have been worth it.  We are the luckiest parents - and grandparents, aunts, godfathers, and friends - to have such an amazing little girl in our lives.

... now we have a toddler ... batten down the hatches, here she comes!

"IT's ALMOST MY 1st BIRTHDAY!  I AM THE BIRTHDAY PRINCESS!"
Our amazing little toddler

I spent Friday doing my last-day-of-vacation-put-off's, like writing lesson plans and cleaning up for the party.  Carter did help, though: she is in charge of the pop!

First, Carter drove the Roadster to get the pop.  Yes, she drives mostly naked ...

... then she picked out her favorites, and "tested" them for our safety ... 

... and, as always, she had a great time doing it!

I love the fair!  This year's visit is so much more pleasant than last years - being 9 months pregnant in the hot, hot, humid fair = not good!  

But this year - Carter's first! - was wonderful!  We started up on the hill, and saw all the animals.  Carter really enjoyed the chickens and sheep.  She was very interested in the snakes, although they gave me the heebie-geebies!  We rode a couple of rides: Andy and Carter rode the Giant Slide twice.  I thought I was going to die watching them!  It doesn't seem too high, but when I saw itty-bitty Carter all the way up there, I got nervous!  But Andy held on tight, and they had a blast!  Carter and I rode the "Bear Affair," a kiddie version of the Tilt-A-Whirl, and she would lean into the steering wheel to spin us!  We also got to taste some yummy treats!  Carter had an "applicious" apple icee, I had fried pickles, and Andy had a pork chop on a stick!  It was such a fantastic day!   

The Chicken and Carter, "talking" to one another!

 In the sheep barn, Carter kept waving and looking around.  Halfway through, it occured to us: she probably thought the sheep's "baa" was someone saying "bye" and she was politely waving!

The big boa, and Daddy and Carter looking on in awe

Carter enjoying her applicious apple icee

Carter and her Hawkeye tatoo.  I'm not putting a plug in either way, but she tried to pick it off almost immediately.  Make of that what you will!

 In the Natural Resource Building, Carter got a lift from Daddy.  By this point, she was pretty tired, and just wanted to lay her head on Daddy.

 Carter petting a long horned goat - look at that smile!

The Giant Slide - that's them in the middle at the top.  How scary!

Whew!  Carter looks slightly concerned, doesn't she?!?

As a relaxed, Carter and I ride the "Bear Affair" with another 13-month old boy and his grandfather!  The kids had a twirly, fun time!

Daddy and Carter walking the fair!  What a big girl!
We had a wonderful day at the Iowa State Fair!

Santa Clause is compiling his list, and on his first check, he's asking himself, "Carter Kay Chalupa, naughty or nice?"  As he sips on his cup of Bailey's Hot Chocolate, he checks www.chalupas.net and sees:

And Santa thinks, "Oh!  What a delightfully innocent and wonderful child!  She will get two of the best gifts!"

I have three more days of vacation time by myself left, so today was spent power-cleaning.  I cleaned out closets and drawers, and scrubbed floors and sinks.  Since I had the vacuum out, I thought it'd be good to clean out my car - it's filthy and dirty!  I cleaned the windows and the dash, and vacuumed the front seats.  I scooted the seat all the way up to vacuum the back and found this: the majority of a box of Mike and Ike's candy.  I had completly forgotten that on the way home from the Dells last week, Andy had the box on the map, resting on his map.  Either Amy reached up front for some after his offer, or Andy simply spilled the box.  Either way, it's contents flew all over the car!  The front seat, back seat, in the cup holders, everywhere!  I think we picked up a handful each last week, and I discovered this pile today!  What a bunch of dweebies!

It wasn't very clean anyway, but the candy is just uncalled for!

You would have thought we'd asked Carter to knock over a bank or murder the cat!  We've been working with the spoon, and helping her to learn to work with it.  Her morning oatmeal is sticky enough that we thought maybe she could hold the spoon, get some of the gluey-peaches-and-cream-oatmeal-deliciousness and feed herself.  Holy cow!  Maybe she isn't ready for it, or maybe she was just a brat this morning, but she was not having it!  Finally, she did give it a shot on the last bite.  Andy filled the spoon and I conned her into holding it, and she shoveled it - awkwardly - into her mouth!  Yeah!

Carter taking one of her first independent bites!  ... doesn't she looked thrilled?!?  Maybe tomorrow will be better!

Carter is one smart cookie.  So, I don't believe for one second that she hasn't mastered the art of The Cute Pose!  What do you think?

 "Thank you!  You're beautiful!  You've been a great audience!"

 The "cute and innocent" pose.  I guess it's pointless to mention that moments earlier she threw a fit because I wouldn't let her climb and pound on the (glass) table top?

Oh Lord!  We're so close to deck completion!  The original, hazardous deck came down last May, and the new, sparkling, wonderful, luxurious deck will be finished by "this weekend," I have been told.  Andy has said he's not making any more "predictions" or giving me anymore "due dates."  Since he's told me it'll be done by Saturday, expect a tsunami in Iowa to keep him from completing it! 

He's about three dozen cross boards and a box of screws from being done!  Woo hoo!  A Carter-related celebration can be held outside (last year's shower had to be moved inside because there was no deck!)

Andy was working on the deck.  Grandma and Grandpa had left.  It was pretty boring, so Carter and I decided to create our own fun at the Science Center of Iowa!  Love it!

Carter in the bubble tank.  Ideally, you get a wand and make bubbles, not play patty cake in the tank!  But, hey, whatever!

Carter running away from me ... just a glimpse into teen-hood!

Carter and I in Toddler Town (yes, I look like I fell off the short bus).  While going through the baby maze, she slipped and bonked her nose.  She cried, hard and loud!, forever.  People must have thoguht I was beating her in the maze!

She's ELECTRIC (cue music!)

Carter learns about the summer and winter solstice patterns

It's such a crappy thing to have to do (and we did it on a small scale), but the rewards are so delicious!  Duane picked us homegrown peaches and cream sweet corn, and Andy and I shucked it to freeze, so we can enjoy in January!  

... of course ... Carter helped ...

Earlier, Carter and I played on the deck.  Apparently, Carter is now "Ms. Potato Head!"

For lunch, we had grilled cheese.  This is the messiest we've been in months!  Who would have thought grilled cheese would be this messy?!?

Andy shucking our delicious sweet corn ...

... and Carter "helping," or gnawing on her raw ear of corn!

Duane & Linda came up to stay after the fair, and we met Corey & Amber for dinner at The Cazador (Duh!  Where else would we go?!).  We had "birthday" dinner (Corey, 8/18, Carter 8/19 and Duane, 9/4), and enjoyed watching Carter eat her dinner!

... so much for "small bites!"

Oh, Amy ...

I'm sure the packet of coupons started with coupons for Pampers and Ocky-wipes, but ended with Amy and Jon diligantly cutting each and every coupon from the Sunday paper and stuffing it in a Principal envelop for us.  

We will definately save a few bucks on Pampers and Purina ... I think we can skip on the Propecia and tampons.  

Once again, Carter saves the day with her great helping skills!

... should we take these smelly-soap coupons and tons of toothpaste ads personally?
Are our friends trying to tell us something???

This will be poor Carter when she starts school!  "Hey Carter!  I saw your naked baby pictures online last night!  Ha ha ha!"  ... perhaps I should stop taking those before she starts school ... 

www.nataliedee.com
(don't steal this - we'll both go to jail!)

Once we got home, Carter was a mad-woman!  She was all over and into everything, and it was nice to be back to normal!

Back to smashing the balls together!  Such sweet music!

Good Lord, this kid is cute!  Look at that curly hair!  We missed her a ton!

Carter, with Andy's help, displays her 4 top teeth.  And, yes, there are 3 bottom teeth to go with it!  Can you believe only a month ago she was just cutting her first tooth?!  Poor kid!  

While we were living it up in the Dells, Carter had a "vacation" of her own at the farm!  She stayed with Grandma and Grandpa Chalupa, who were also babysitting Cousin Courtney!  What a handful!  But it sounds like things went well.  Linda said that the girls "fought over" the xylophone: one would have it, the other would take it, the original owner would try and recover it!  And Courtney could only enjoy her walker when Carter wasn't around because Carter might get ran over by it!  

We stayed about an hour, and we got a small glimspe into what the week was like! 

Courtney and I.  Currently, Courtney is my favorite niece, and the best niece in the world!  I don't know what I'll do when I have more than one ... 

Courtney, in her walker, and Carter, on the floor, "sharing" the infamous xylophone.  In the three minutes they "shared," Courtney tried to pull it closer to her, and Carter tried to take it outright!  "Sharing" my fanny!

The girls work together to spread havoc!  Courtney is playing with the fan base, while Carter is pulling up the plastic door mat!  And there are toys a-plenty!

The girls did manage to share Carter's "Where's Blue" book.  All went well until Carter tried to turn the page to the right, and Courtney tried to turn it back to the left, and Carter freaked out.  Gee ... where does that come from?!?

Once again, the Dells has left me with the best memories! 

Our trip got off to a crazy start: Amy’s car was being a total jerk.  So, Tall-Andy, Tall-Jon, Amy, me, two large pieces of luggage and a cooler full of goodies packed into the too-tiny Neon for the 4 hour drive.  Vacation is nothing if not cozy!  We met Andy and Tim, who drove from the Minneapolis Art Show, at the Copa Cabana.  It was pink, and green, and was accented with dusty palm trees …

Sunday evening we mini-golfed to our heart’s content!  We started on a jammed course, but restarted on a more challenging and less crazy course.  Haning, Chalupa and Tim were one “team,” and Amy, Jon and I were the other “team.”  Poor our team.  I suck so bad!  But it was fun!  Jon lost a ball in the water, and on more than one occasion, Tim and I had to retrieve our balls from the grass! 

Monday, we go-carted our hearts out!  We spent the day at Mt. Olympus Theme Park, the most wonderful go-cart track in the world!  Or … at least in the Midwest!  Our first course was the famed “Medusa’s Drop,” and it lived up to the hype.  The course is made of wood, which makes it rickety and bumpy.  It’s great!  We all gunned our little carts, full speed, to the top of the course.  At this point, the lawn mower motor out-cycles the tires, and the engine whirls and spins, and you’re going so fast you actually catch air over the hills!  It’s lovely!  I’m pretty sure that at least a dozen go-carts a year are retired just from “Medusa’s Drop!”  It’s great!  We rode most of the courses in the park.  My favorite was near the end, when we weren’t concerned about “The 3 X’s” due to bad behavior, because we were almost done for the day.  This is when Operation: Timmy Ray Cyrus was created.  Amy, Jon, Andy, and I got into our little cars with one objective: bump and ram into Tim, or anyone else we could get to, again and again!  On the way up the course, Chalupa got T-boned by a kid, and Haning hit him, too.  He got stuck by the wall and couldn’t get out.  On my way around, I hit him (sorry Andy!), but also managed to ram Amy a good one, and I nudged Tim a couple times, also.  Good times!  After we had tamed all the courses, we rode the roller coasters.  “The Cyclops” is rated around #4 or #5 on the list of America’s Top 10 Roller Coasters, and it was awesome!  Wooden, rickety, and fun!  Our favorite, hands down, was “Hades.”  It was the fastest coaster any of us had been on.  It shot out of the gate, twisted and jumped, and then began the monstrous climb up the “big hill.”  We could see over the Dells (awesome!), and we were actually nearly as tall as the bungee tower Andy jumped off a few years ago (that should indicate craziness!).  Then plunge down ended by going underground!  We surfaced, dipped, twisted, ascended, descended, and sped underground again, and then came to a very abrupt stop at the end.  It was scary, but it was awesome!  It was so good, that we rode again!  On our second ride, the car Amy and I were in felt like it was missing a pin or screw … or a wheel … and I was sure we were going to fly off the track!  At some point on “Hades,” I’m assuming, I smashed my head into something, and I have a huge bump (like 1 inch wide and 3 inches long!) along the crown of my head.  But … totally worth it!

Monday evening, we visited our favorite Mexican restaurant in the Dells: The Mexacali Rose, on beautiful Lake Delton.  Great food with great friends: what more could you ask for???

Tuesday, we slept in (thanks, Chalupa!), and played at Noah’s Ark Water Park all day.  We rode all the old favorites, and skipped the two newest rides, that boasted 40+ minute waits (no thanks!).  We bummed along the Lazy River (with hot life guards!  Oh no!  I think I’m drowning … save me!).  On one slide, Chalupa and I leaned into the turns, and I swear I thought we were going over the edge!  Tim, being the trooper he is, rode with me down the dark slides.  On the first one, I got to ride in the front because I’m the “heavy rider” (thanks, Noah’s Ark!  That was the confidence booster I’d been looking for!  Thanks for reassuring what I already know: I’m fat!).  We got soaked going into the tube, and dropped down the first bump in complete darkness!  We landed in the shallow pool at the bottom, Tim flipped me out of the tube, nearly drowning me, and we still got yelled at: “Get out of the pool!”  So, our new term of endearment is “Get out of the Pool!”  Chalupa and I partnered up to ride “The Sting Ray,” a bowl shaped slide with a monster drop off to start with.  We were a mess!  First, Andy couldn’t get his legs “to one side:” he spread them farther out, then moved them on top of mine!  Finally, he figured it out.  When we were ready to go, the attendant pushed us … and we didn’t budge!  He shoved again, and we didn’t move!  Finally, he un-stucks us, and we drop!  It was fun, and hilarious!  For our final rides, Andy and Andy rode the “Point of No Return,” a slide 17 miles straight down!  It made me want to pee my pants and cry, so Jon, Amy, Tim, and I rode the “Cowabunga,” a weiner-version of the same idea.  We all rode in a tube together, and on the first bump, Tim flew out of his seat.  On the last bump, I flew out of mine.  I don’t know about Tim, but my butt left the tube, and my feet flew out into the air.  If I hadn’t been holding on for dear life to the handles, I would have been sliding down on my own!  As always, Noah’s Ark was great!  Oh … and for the enjoyment of my “pals,” let’s not forget the moment I fell into the tube.  We were exiting a group tube.  I was last out, and lost my balance, and fell back into the tube, flat on my butt!  Everyone around got a good show at my embarrassed expense.  Enjoy!

Tuesday evening, we enjoyed the Tommy Bartlett Thrill Show.  “The Pirates of Bartlett’s Bay” showcased skiers, boats, a comedian, a juggler, a family of freaks on a double wheel that spun around, and a laser show.  It was neat … just don’t ask Haning what he really thought of it.

It was three fun-filled days of good times, good food, 3-on-3 pool basketball, and all around Dells goodness.  One of the only places where six adults can live like 13 year olds again, and have the best time!  But the experience was only as good as the awesome company we had! 

Right: Andy and Kelly's items  Left: Haning's items.  Welcome to Traveling with Andy!

Andy, Pirate, and Kelly @ Pirate's Cove Mini Golf.  Poor Pirate, he gets molested every time we come to the Dells!

Tim, Andy, Andy and Jon @ Pirate's Cove Mini Golf.  How many boys does it take to figure out hole #3???

Andy, Andy, and Tim @ Pirate's Cove Mini Golf.  Watch and learn, boys, watch and learn ... 

Amy, Jon, Kelly, Andy, Andy and Tim @ Pirate's Cove Mini Golf.  Pirate's Cove rules!

Andy, Kelly and Andy @ Holihan's.  "Mini Martini's" - enough said!

Welcome to Room 306 at the Copa Cabana!  This one'll cost you $4.99 to see the rest of it!

Andy @ Mt. Olympus.  On your marks, get set ...

 
Andy and Kelly @Mt. Olympus.  Ready to ride the Pegasus!

Jon @ Mt. Olympus.  Getting ready for take off!

Amy @ Mt. Olympus.  Vroom!  Vroom!  This is the infamous ride where some kid got T-boned, and Amy sped by him, I got hit but got by, and Andy, Tim, Andy and Jon all got stuck behind!

Tim, Andy, and Andy @ Mt. Olympus.  Prepare for battle, b!tches!

Kelly @ Mt. Olympus.  Look out!  I drive go-carts like I drive I-80!

Tim @ Mt. Olympus.  See!  He does have an inner child!  

Andy, Kelly and Amy @ Mt. Olympus.  The Gingers survived Hades!

Hades @ Mt. Olympus, preparing to plunge riders underground.  I think Amy screamed it best at the top:  This is not normal!

Jon, Amy, Andy and Tim @ the Copa Cabana.  Six tired, little peanuts!

Andy, Kelly, Amy, Tim, Andy, and Jon @ the Mexacali Rose 

Andy and Kelly @ Tommy Bartlett's Thrill Show.  Is it time to start yet?!?

Kelly @ Tommy Bartlett's Thrill Show.  I heart cotton candy!

Amy, Andy, and Tim at Tommy Bartlett's Thrill Show, enjoying the insanity at Bartlett's Bay!

 This is what you call a close frienship!

Ahh cha cha!  They might be sharing a brain!

... and we're off to

Chalupas.net will be taking another short little break while we enjoy all the child-like happiness that the Dells have to offer!  Carter will be having a little vacation of her own: she'll be staying with Gma and Gpa Chalupa, and Cousin Courtney, on the farm for a few days.  Everyone is excited!

At the Dells, Amy, Jon, Andy, Tim, Andy and I will be exploring:

  and  

Good times will be had by all!  Enjoy past posts while we take one last summer adventure, and be sure to check back Thursday afternoon.  I will have all of our fun times posted for your enjoyment!  ... or at least our "fun times" that are appropriate to post ;)

Carter's still getting over her ... whatever she's getting over today, so we've taken it nice and easy today.   She leisurely got up, ate her oatmeal, and then fell asleep in the big bed with us, watching cartoons.  We had a late snack, and played together and read books.  Around 11:30am, she fell asleep again, and slept through lunch (maybe she's not my kid!).  We had lunch - soup and Elmosauce! - and went shopping at Target for trip goodies.  The rest of the afternoon was spent hanging out, watching Blues, and being goofy!  Saturday Bum Days are great!  

Who's that at my patio door?!?

"I helped Mommy "clean" my room!"  What a freakin' mess!

 "So ... if I'm packed in the bag, I get to go to the Dells, too, right??"

 Enjoying the deck!

Relaxing in the big girl chair on the deck

Apparently, Carter's a dark beer drinker!  Daddy also favors the Killigan's Irish Red Beer!  He, however, is 27 and can legally drink!  

... how about we stick to the sippy cups of juice, water, and milk for the next 20 years?!?

Tonight, Daddy has poker, so it's a "Girl's Night Only" at the Chalupa home!  Carter and I spent the afternoon together - and it was the best!

It actually started with a trip to the walk in clinic - once again, Carter's running a fever, is pulling on her ears, and is fussy.  The doctor said that the inner part of her right ear is red, and she has a tiny, red bump on the back of her throat.  It could be a strand of strep that, once she has it, she'll have it - and a fever - for 5 - 7 days, and nothing will help.  Or, and I'm going with this one, it's teeth + a cold.  She acts like her throat is sore, so we've been eating pudding, Elmo-sauce and soup.  She's had some medicine, and seems a bit better.  Nothing our Girl's Night can't fix!

We read our favorite book, "On the Farm," and worked on animal sounds and singing "Old McDonald" ... 

... we played with Tom and Henry, the bestest little turtles (despite what it looks like, Carter's actually pretty happy!) ...

... we tormented Sammy, always a good time ... 

... I attempted to update the website, and Carter refused to help!  Instead, she shut the computer down.  Not helpful!  But she's pretty pleased with herself!

As the night began to wind down, we played with Monkey and snuggled on the fuzzy pillow ... 

... and hammed it up on the couch. 

Girl's Night Rules!

Remember the Natalie Dee cartoon from the other day?  "I eat the same thing for breakfast everyday?" Here's proof: brown sugar oatmeal.  We do stray from the "normal" oatmeal by experimenting with Strawberries & Cream, Peaches & Cream, Blueberries & Cream, Bananas & Cream, Maple Brown Sugar, and Apple & Cinnamon.  But, it's always oatmeal!

Doesn't she look thrilled about it, too?!?

Maple Brown Sugar!  Yum!  ... I can't really blame her for not wanting to eat it.  I'm glad I'm big, and I have a choice about breakfast!

If this look doesn't say, "I LOVE IT!" then I don't know what does!

I had some issues with our first digital camera (the one we purchased with our wedding money) last year.  It's "internal organs" were badly damaged - it was being a total jerk when Carter was born, and we don't have many pictures because of that!  So we got a new one.  The Canon Powershot SD400.  It was good stuff!  The battery's been wonky the last few weeks, but it was wonderful!

Then, my blunder.  I took a picture of the new living room to match colors while curtain shopping.  I found two choices at Kohl's, and got out my beloved little camera to compare.  I picked my favorite - the crazy-flower choice! - threw them in the cart and took off.  Problem?  I left my delightful little digital camera on the shelf, and didn't realize it until hours later.  Of course, it was gone.  Duh.

So meet Canon Powershot SD600, the blessed cousin of its predecessor, the SD450.  It's got all the same features and then some.  Like 2 said, "as much as (I) use it, it's more like an upgraded investment."  So that's how I'm looking at my costly expense and lesson learned. 

RIP Canon Powershot SD450.  Born: January 2006, Died: August 2006.  Gone but not forgotten.

The old Canon Powershot                                              The new, beautiful, shiny Powershot                   

Complete meatball, that's all I've got to say!  Carter loves being messed with, tossed, rolled, wrestled, picked at and on, and roughed up!  She just can't get enough of it!

It all started innocently enough.  Carter wanted to sit with Daddy ... 

... then she got "that look" in her eyes ... 

... and pretty soon, the Little Meatball was head over heels in the air!

Yeah ... she looks really tired of this game, huh?  She hates it so much, she's scratching to get away!

I smell Troublesome Meatballs!  Crazy baby!

BIRTHDAY COUNTDOWN:  18 DAYS TO 1 YEAR!