January 2007 Archives

This year is all about home renovation!  Who knows - if we change it enough, maybe we'll want to stay!  ... or something ...

So the entry way brown and white is done and looks awesome.  Which makes me super-excited to start the bathroom!  We chose flooring and purchased the mirror and light fixture.  I resisted the urge to go totally overboard and get the things I wanted: the $175 mirror, the $90 light, the $350 vanity.  Instead, fiscally-responsible and mature me chose the medium-price items.  Mirror + light + flooring = $130.  Let the next owner upgrade!

Now, we're stuck.  I want the new bathroom to be "girly," relaxing and peaceful.  Andy 2 has forbidden pink and Andy has agreed (of course he has!  He always sides with Haning!).  So, below is a horrid picture of our oak stain and flooring (sorry!), and various paint samples.  YOU be the JUDGE!  Leave a comment with your vote (pink rules!).

 The oak finish of the mirror, and the pseudo-marble vinyl flooring 

Pick a pink, any pink!

 I suppose it's never too early to teach a baby dog completely new tricks! Carter has a bank of known colors, but it's something that any child can continue to work on.  To add a challenge, I thought we could also work on shapes!  Learning is fun!  So, crafty me, I made some basic shapes, printed them, colored them the four basic colors, laminated them (of course I did!  I laminate every chance I get!) and cut them out.  The thought was that I could say "blue circle," or "green star" and Carter could go to that colored shape.  We started small: red, yellow, green and blue circles.  She did an okay job, until she started to step on each circle individually, like stepping stones.  By then, I'd lost her.  So she simply played with the disks and had a ball, in true Carter fashion!

"Blue circle."  Things were great at this point!  I'd say "Carter, find the colored circle," and she would go to it.  But soon enough ... 

I'd lost her!  Her little toddler brain can only focus for .0049 of a second before moving on to another task!

Today is Carter's big day: she officially transitions to the toddler room!  

Andy and I dropped her off.  Since she's a "big girl" now, she doesn't eat breakfast in a high chair.  Instead, she gets to eat at the big kids table, and have toast, or cereal, or juice or milk!  Choices!

She had a wonderful day!  She helped her class of six others make a glitter poster, played outside in the snow, took a nap on her cot without physical restraint, and played with her friends in the gym.  When we changed into jammies at the end of the evening, I found a pink puff-ball in her diaper!  I guess that's a good sign?!?

SO BIG!  Our first "toddler breakfast" of Golden Grahmas, toast and milk. 
She couldn't care less about Andy and I at this point.  There was toast!

We will master this cup thing!  Even if we get OJ baths while practicing!

Carter loves OJ ... even the pulpy kind!  She really is our daughter!

We have a wonderful announcement to make: we are the proud owners of a Wii!  It's a truly wonderful day!

Andy was up at 5:30AM and at Wal-Mart in line by 6:15AM - and was not the first in line!  A man and a woman had been there over-night!  Crazy!  We have a Wii, a second nunchuck and a second controller!  Take that you guys who beat us to a Wii!

... and ... to no shock to anyone ... Andy has left the downstairs once since about 8:30 this morning, and that was to eat.  Shocking, I know.

This is it!  What we've been searching for for nearly 2 months!  The Wii, in all it's infinite glory!

This is so sweet, you guys!

So, the Nintendo Wii has been out since around my birthday (nearly two months), and it's still almost impossible to get one.  Last weekend, Andy was up at 7am to be at Target by 8am - he was about 50th in line.  Tomorrow, he's going to Wal-Mart at 4:15am (well ... more like 6:45 - 7am) to wait in line - wish us luck!

I want a Wii.

This thing is the coolest thing ever!  The little control senses your movements.  So, when we played bowling at Andy and Tim's tonight, we actually bowled!  I know, I know - "Get off your butt and go bowl!"  This was much more fun ("it was funner, Mrs. Chalupa!").  We also played tennis and boxing.  Andy and Andy were okay, Tim was pretty good, but I kicked Xss!  Look out, Tyson!  

So, wish us luck in our Quest for a Wii!

Andy upper-cuts the guy to the head!

Andy's round-house to the gut!

Tim jabs his opponent in the face !

Carter picks up some wonderful tips on survival in the toddler room for daycare!

Andy & Tim's Wii Community: Andy, Kelly, Andy, Little Carter & Tim.  Jonathon must be wondering in the Plaza!

Jordan Creek's place area is tops!  We love it!

It really is a beautiful day in the neighborhood!

I don't know if I'd go head-first, but it's your head!

Captain Carter of the SS Sea Tiger

Grrr, baby.  Grrr!

Hey guys!  

While playing this evening, I tried to teach Carter to jump.  So, I jumped.  She also jumped, while sitting.  Standing or sitting, whatever, she was her own entertainment!

T O T A L   C H E E S E R ! ! !

As Ferris Bueller says, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."  So Carter has learned early to multi-task!

Now, I just need to teach her to put on mascara while going 80 on the freeway and she's good!

This is the very cool sled with a very cool toddler in it! 

We've worked really hard at naming things consistently with labels Carter can recognize:  all cats are "cats," all dogs are "dogs," all things shiny, colorful and/or pretty are "pretties," etc.  But what do you call this thing?  We got with shape-thing, and Carter loves it!

Circle gets the circle, Bob!  What a smart girl - she can sort and put shapes in all by herself!

I caught Anna out sledding with Courtney so of course I had to investigate!  What a neat sled!  It never tips over no matter  how it counces of course the higher Courtney bounced over the drifts the more she laughed!  Anna definitely got her excercise pulling it around.  Grandma even took a couple of turns till I ran out of breath! 

Carter is making the transition to really being a toddler. Last week, she spent a little time in the toddler room at the daycare, and by Thursday and Friday was eating lunch at the big table and napping on a cot (without duct tape!!!) with the "big kids."  Yesterday and today, she's spent from about 8am until I pick her up with the big kids!

She's happier and smilier when I pick her up, she more "talkative" and she wants to do more on her own.  The girls in the toddler room have all commented on how smart she is!  Duh!

They love her, she loves them, and Andy and I are thrilled with everyone!  

 Our new and way-improved entryway!  It is the coolest thing ever!  Andy and Tim do great work, and they should really consider opening their own painting company!  Andy and I have spent the afternoon admiring it: he just stared at it during dinner, and we both enjoyed it after Carter went to bed.  It's awesome, and we love it!  

The newly painted ceiling and walls, and the new chandelier.  

So much better than it was 48 hours ago!

This light seals the deal!  It's rad!

It snowed about seven feet last night ... actually, it was about four inches, but it seemed like seven feet!  It was so pretty, and warm enough to play in today!  So after painting and picking up was completed, Carter and I bundled up to play in the snow.

She wasn't too sure about it at first, but began to love it!  She sat and together we made a snow-baby.  It's just a little guy, like Carter!  I made a snow angel, but Carter was reluctant to lay in the snow.  We threw snowballs at the tree, and - of course - she ate some snow, too!

Buried alive!  It's good to know that Carter could survive by eating snow!

It's the Abominable Snow-Baby!

Our Snow-Baby!

Our fix-it-up project turned out to be very "Trading Spaces" like, but without the trading of homes (Tim - I'd totally offer to help you paint something!  I don't lay plastic, I can't cut in and I lack focus!  When do we start?!?).  We were all up early, and after breakfast, Andy took Carter to Uncle Corey and Aunt Amber's for the day (THANK YOU SO MUCH, guys!).  Andy and Tim showed up around 9am and shortly after Andy returned.  We laid out plastic and the fun began!

Poor Tim got all the crappy jobs: touching up my poor ceiling work from Friday, cutting in around the ceiling and climbing the ladder.  I got to tape (which I did so-so, according to Andy!), Andy 2 did most of the rolling, and Andy was our "runner," running for a new light fixture, lunch, more paint and the Baby.

We worked (well, kind of ... I think we sang "Ferg-a-licious" most of the afternoon!) all of Saturday and the boys came back to touch up on Sunday.  It looks awesome, but you have to wait until the paint dries to see the finished project!

This is why Carter was not asked to help paint!  But she did get to spend some quality time with her fantastic Aunt and Uncle!

The beginning rolls of paint seemed so dark ... I was a little nervous ... 

The brains behind the operation start taping off

The day's first "oops" moment came when Tim nicked the brown wall with the white ceiling paint.  This porch-monkey had to fix it!

Oh heaven help us all ... 

"It's just gonna fall?"  I asked.  "The wires are holding it," Andy answered.  Andy 2 stood, anxiously, beneath ready to catch the light.  Sounds fool-proof, right?!?

Ta-da!  Andy's Renovation Trophy!  There was talk of taking it to a certain someone's home and replacing their brand new kitchen light with this gem ... as repayment for all the porn that was hidden in my house.  But ... since no one's owning up to the placing of the porn ... I guess we can't lay blame ... 

This certainly looks fun!

Today, Andy, Tim, Andy and I jumped into the first of my three big home-improvements (the foyer in January, the laundry room in February and the bathroom in March - feel free to lend a hand!).  Here are the before's.  Yuck!

Yuck ... 

Yuck ... 

And more yuck!
Stay tuned for non-yuck photos!

You read that right:  Daddy socks!  Carter has the best time playing with them this evening!  I prepared for the painting extravaganza tomorrow by pulling out some of Andy's old socks to clean the walls and ceiling with.  Carter intercepted them first and had her own fashion show!

It's that look in her eyes that says, "Yep!  I'm gonna do it!  I'm gonna cause me some trouble!"  And you can't resist it, can you?!?

"I waaant that sock!"

I will admit:  I can be kind of "picky" about food (I know - you'd never guess it from looking at me!).  I'm not a fan of white bread, I despise onions and celery (better known as "helery"), and I can not stand to eat any food that has touched anything (puke!).  Andy's better, but has certain things he's less of a fan of.  Carter - no way!  She'll eat it all!  

I give to you, EXHIBIT A:  "Traditional Italian Style Wedding Soup."  It's ball-shaped noodles and chicken meatballs, swimming in chicken broth and (choke it back) spinach.  The smell makes me throw up a little in my mouth.

"Spinach Soup," like so many other things that will come up in her life, isn't something I have to like.  Carter loves the stuff, and that's what's important.  That, and a good tooth-brushing afterwards!  

Tonight, we started Infant Swim classes.  So fun!  Classes are downtown (not fun) and begin at 6:15, so that left Carter and I chowing down supper at 5:10.  I quickly got dressed, nothing's cooler than a winter coat with swimsuit strings hanging out the back!, and headed downtown.  I got lost, of course, and then mad because we were running late and were lost (sorry that I yelled angrily at you, Andy!).  But we made it, and we weren't too late!

There were probably 12 - 15 other kids, ranging in age from Carter's age to maybe 4 years old.  We really just kicked around played, and Carter had a ball!  I tried to lay her on her tummy, and then on her back, and teach her to kick, but she wasn't interested yet.  Towards the end of class, the instructor finally made her way to us and tried to teach Carter to blow bubbles under water.  We "modified" it to raspberry'ing under water, which she couldn't quite do, but was adorable attempting it!  I would raspberry under water and she would smile and me with her mouthful of teeth and make a T sound.  When I'd lower her into the water, she'd tilt her head back and wrap her legs around mine so I couldn't get her under.  Twerp!  Our instructor also worked on kicking with her, which she got better at, and then held her and did a quick float-push to me.  She went underwater for a brief second, but kicked and propelled herself through the water to me.  She was shocked but happy to be back in Mommy's arms!  

Infant Swim class rules!

Look!  It's a swimming strawberry!  Carter was a very big girl and pretty brave in the water!

When we moved a little deeper, and she became more buoyant and unsteady, she became less brave and more huggy.  I didn't mind!

We did fairly well when I would hold her with only my palm on her tummy, forcing her to keep her arms and legs out for stability.  And she's add little froggy-kicks to move along!  Like a real swimmer!

Infant Swim Class and my Mommy rock!

Before leaving for swimming lessons, Carter became infatuated with her new snow pants.  I bought them Saturday (orginally $25, clearanced for $5!!), but it's been too cold to play in the snow yet (maybe Sunday).  Every day, she's pulled them off the chair and hung them around her.  Today, we tried them on.  I don't know what she was expecting, but she was none too pleased with wearing them!

"I put this here and this here ..."

It's STAY-PUFF MARSHMALLOW BABY!  

All I want to know is where is your belly button?!?  Again and again, Carter points it out, on her, on me (oh my, that's not pretty!), on daddy, but will not point to it for a picture! 

Oh well ... the "I don't know" shrug is too cute too!

I don't know ... I guess we'll never know where the belly button is ... 

Education is everywhere!  Especially when you're a toddler!

I needed a bunch of flashlights for an activity at school (think flashlight tag), and found seven at Wal-Mart for a quarter ("I'll give you a quarter, Audrey!").  I purchased and brought them home, and I removed the packaging and put in batteries.  As I was doing this, Carter picked up one that was on, and bounced the light all over the ceiling.  We played tag with our beams and made booga-booga faces in the light!  She loved it!

If you're looking for a Valentine's Day gift, she's really into flashlights!

5?!?  Do you really need 5 flashlights???

"Where is that light coming from?  Crazy!"

Remember, on Friday, when I said I wanted it to snow.  I wanted the 12 inches they said we were getting.  I wanted the streets and yards covered? 

Yeah, I don't anymore.

Snow sucks.

We did not prep the snowblower, and even if we had, it's buried under Carter's stroller, wagon and car and, I can't get to it.  So I scooped.  Scooping sucks, but it sucks even more when the white-trash neighbor screams obscenities at his young children.  I only did my side of the driveway.  And our sidewalk.  Screw the neighbors.  We don't like them anyway.

Winter bites.

Yeah ... see the driveway?  I just scooped it!  And it's covered again! 
I hate winter!  I am packing now and moving to Cancun! 

Friendships are all about give and take, the ying and yang.  To make a friend, you must be a friend.

That's why Sammy and Carter work so well together!  She sits at the table and tosses what she doesn't want on the floor.  Sammy, being the good friend, comes to her aid and disposes of the discarded food.  

He ate a green bean this evening.

Weird.

The cute-but-ornery Tosser of the Food

And her partner in crime, the Fat Disposer of the Food

An

It's snowy, and cold, and gross, and we all had cabin fever (well, not really.  Andy could hibernate in front of the TV for months and be okay!), so we went to Burger King for lunch and Play Place!

It's not as super as McDonald's, but we had free run over the play area, so I guess we can't complain!  Carter crawled and explored on her own for a bit, then she and I climbed all the way to the top to slide down the slide.  Holy static, Batman!  Then we enjoyed a healthy lunch of chicken nuggets, applesauce and milk.  She was about out for the count, so we headed home.

Who needs warm weather?  We'll make our own fun!

This is Carter's first experience in snow she's interested in!  Last winter, she was preoccupied with her own fingers!  This year, she can toddle through the snow!  She's still unsure of it, but continues to investigate it!

Here I come!

I suppose you can wear it upside down! 
Are you at all surprised she's the Queen?!?

I used to eat green beans dipped in ketchup.  Carter likes the french fries, but loves the ketchup!  I guess some things are inherited!  

What a busy week!  We've always been pretty good about taking Carter most places with us - shopping, to Survivor Thursday's, to dinner, etc.  But some places she really just shouldn't go to, like the movies, or Andy's holiday party, both of which happened this week!  We haven't had a sitter in forever!

Wednesday, Amy and Jon came over while we went to "Night at the Museum" (loved it!).  They hung out and played, and planted porn all over our home!

Friday, Andy and Tim came over while we went to Andy's holiday party with his team members from work.  Andy had his hands full until Tim arrived, and got to see "Almost-Bed-Time-Grouch-Carter."  I guess we can't all be wonderful all the time!

Thanks, guys, for babysitting!  We're lucky to have awesome babysitters and fantastic friends!

Gingers, unite!  Carter and Amy

Who's leading who, here?  Carter or Jon???

Andy had her so confused, she wore socks for gloves!  But it sounds like they had fun!

I made Carter a "Linus-blanket" for Christmas.  When I curl up in our wedding afghan, she curls up in her Linus-blanket!  She rolls around on it and hides under it!  It might be one of her top 5 best friends!  Isaac, Fisher, and the Linus-blanket!

That's my Doll-Baby!  

Where did Carter go???

There she is1

CUTIE. 
It's a good thing, too, because the attitude sucks today! 
 

Apparently even Cutie's can have attitude problems!

After a long day of cuteness and being adored, a girl needs to unwind and then get her beauty sleep!  Carter is no exception!

My cute new headband!

I'm not a big fan!

Tuckered-out, tired Carter!  

Daddy called while Carter and I were playing, so we called him back.  I guess he didn't want to talk to me!

The phone?  At 17 months?  Ooo-eee-vay ... probably not a good sign!

Amy and Jon are getting married (YEAH!!) in 2008, and the Bridal Expo was a fun Sunday afternoon event.  We had Mexican for lunch, yum, and headed to the packed show!  There were cakes and dresses and flowers and photographers and more photographers and chocolate fountains and all sorts of awesome stuff!  I have decided that I want to do it all again ... and I'd even marry Andy!!!

My next dress, for the next wedding, of course!

The coolest veggie "tray" ever!

Chocolate fountains: the new addition to the food pyramid!

Cool new cakes with some weird solid-like frosting!  They're sweet!

Don't forget: 2013, on our 10 year anniversary, we're all going to Jamaica to renew our wedding vows and get re-married on the beach!
Save your pennies!!!

Like father, like daughter!

"MOVE!  I'll fix it, Mommy!"

  ... the wagon or the box?? Carter wasn't too thrilled about wearing her hat to go outside for a wagon ride, but loved staying in to play in the box!  Who'd have guessed that she'd love the box more?!?

 "Mom!  I don't want to wear this hat!  It's stupid!"

I can't explain .. I don't know .. but it's kinda funny!

Armed and dangerous???  Not dangerous, but totally hilarious!

Kickin' back with Daddy!  How cute are these two?!?

S U P E R    B A B Y !  

Cue scary music! 

Today was Carter's first trip to the dentist.  We went to Dr. Hayden, at Ankeny Dental Arts, because that's where Andy, Andy and I have gone since we moved to Ankeny, he's good, and he's a riot!  We watch the Price is Right or Oprah while doing dental work, and we make fun on the people!  

Carter did an awesome job at her first trip!  She loved the hygienist, but was reluctant to smile until she gave Carter one of her pink rubber gloves!  Then Dr. Hayden let her hold the mirrored tool, and she even got to look into Mommy's mouth with it!  She has a mouthful of healthy teeth, and has recently sprouted 1 of 4 of her molars!  Because she was a big girl, she got to choose a toy (she picked a pink turtle) and a new toothbrush (a colorful turtle)!

She was in awe of the overhead light

She liked the hygienist, but loved her pink gloves!

Big girl with clean and healthy teeth!

Anything that calls itself a "Jelly Bean" should be delightful and delicious, right?  Wrong!  Jelly Belly's are not my friend ... they are awful ... here are a few of their 50 flavors

Blahhh!  What happened to "cherry" and "strawberry?'' Now you pick a pink jelly bean and you get Pepto Bismo Puke!  Not cool!

We spread the "candy" on the bed and carefully compared each Jelly Belly to the package description.  "Coconut" looked a lot like "Vanilla," "Root Beer" looks like "Cappuccino" and "Cherry" looked like "Spicy Cinnamon."  And very few were good!  I guess it's better than the "Dirt," "Booger," and "Garbage Can" from the Berty Bot's Any-Flavor Beans, from Harry Potter!

 Apparently, "cheeser" is a heredity thing!  Both Andy and Carter were top-class Cheeser's this evening!  Andy would cover himself up with Carter's blankie, she would yank it off him, and both would giggle hysterically!  Too cute!

Baby Cheeser and Daddy Cheeser!

She could do this for hours!  And ... ironically ... so could Daddy!

What a year 2006 has been!  It's sad to see things move on and change, but I can't wait for all of our new adventures.  I always get nostalgic at the beginning of each new year for the memories we've shared in the past year.  So I have searched through pictures upon pictures for our own "Chalupa Year in Review" segment, and here are the best, and sometimes worst, of our year.  Take some time (there are lots of photos!) and enjoy!

Cheers 2006!  Happy and Wonderful 2007!

In January, we moved to "solid foods."  Carter hated the rice cereal, but she loved her greeny beanies!  Who knew they could be a fashion accessory?

Carter was baptized at our church in January, and was loved and adored by her family and friends.

Kelsey, at 35 weeks of her pregnancy with the twins.  I like to use this analogy:  Big as a House!  How do you put on your shoes, girl???  On February 9th, around 6:45pm, I got a call from Hillary, Kelsey's sister: "KELLY!  Kelsey and Shane at the hospital!  I'm gonna be an aunt!!!"  Then at 7:30pm, I got the second call:  "WE HAVE TWINS!"

On February 9th, at 6:45pm, Grant Matthew was born.  He was a small fry (4 pounds, 5 ounces, or around there), but healthy.

Collin Mitchell was born, via C-Section, at 7:15pm.  The "little" brother weighed in at (about) 5 pounds, 1 ounce, and was healthy.  He needed to "sun tan" to help his jaundice and had to have some ventilator help for his tiny lungs, but he did good!  Welcome, boys!

HAPPY 1st VALENTINE's DAY!  "Sweetheart" doesn't even begin to describe!

Cousin Courtney was also baptized in February.  It was a Chalupa get-together and a baby-hug fest!

This is no "first," just one of my very favorite photos.  I don't know why I love it so much, but it makes every rocky parenting moment worth it.  It's that precious smile, and too-cute eyes.  How can you resist this kid?!?

Good pals Amy Pint and Jonathon Kort began home remodeling.  Andy Haning and I were "lucky" enough to help with wallpaper removal, and even Carter donned goggles to help out!  Remember: safety first!

Carter and Sammy in an infamous Mexican Stand Off.  I'm not sure what it's all about, but it's one of many!  Just wait until she can run, Sammy!

At 6 1/2 months, Carter received her first hair cut from Hillary Blenner (Kelsey's sister and manager of the Cost Cutter's in Urbandale).  I didn't have that much hair until I was 2, and Andy still doesn't have that much hair (laugh at the funny balding reference!!)!

In March, Mackenzie Duncan (our famed photographer and close friend) and daughter Natalie met with Andy Haning, Carter and I for a day at Chuck E Cheese.  Despite their "smiles," the girls had a really fun time!

The first meeting of Carter, Grant (left, I think!) and Collin.  Carter can't wait to teach them all of her naughty tricks!

HAPPY 6 MONTHS!  Mackenzie and Stalzer Photography pulled off another round of amazing photos!  I adore this one, with the ornery eyes and goofy tongue!  Andy Haning thinks it's "creepy," because she's naked!  

HAPPY 1st EASTER, everyone!

Again, no "first" here.  But this is just too cute to not share again!  Once a cheeser, always a cheeser!

In early May, Carter began to make advances in mobility.  She started with the "crab crawl," and then mastered the crawl.  Once she had it down, there was no stopping her!  She was now off to run a muck of our house!

HAPPY 1st MOTHER's DAY!  What a wonderful day!  My family and I chose flowers for my garden, and I was extra loved today!  I am a pretty lucky mommy, wife, daughter, and friend!  

Carter's first garden!  She and Andy helped me lay out and plant my Mother's Day flowers.  And, of course, we enjoyed getting dirty!

OH MY GOD!!!  THE KENNY STORY!!!  My radio channel was giving away Kenny Chesney tickets.  Now, I'm a little slow in the mornings and I never know the trivia questions.  But, I know songs, and I knew the song scramble.  I called and called and called and finally got through - and won row 5 tickets and backstage passes to meet Kenny, my future husband!!  I practiced cool all week, but when it came time to meet Kenny, I was a mess!  I kept running into Kelsey and I could form a coherent sentence!  It was the best!  I heart Kenny!

Carter's first math final, and the end of my 3rd year of teaching (one year in 6th grade, two in 8th grade)

Carter's first homemade cookie.  How do you get to 9 months without a cookie?!  CHILD ABUSE!

In June, I got to meet Tim's pals, Kristy and Carrie (riot!!) and accompany the crew to The Garden.  Too much fun!  Hey Andy - remember when you threw up behind that van???

Our first Science Center trip went wonderfully!  Carter could get into everything and it was okay!  She had a great time exploring and discovering!  

HAPPY 1st FATHER's DAY!!!  We treated Daddy extra good today, making him eggs and toast and playing at the park later.  And Daddy got a smoker and a leaf blower, perfect Daddy-gifts!

Uncle Brian, Aunt Anna and Cousin Courtney came up for a day at the Blank Park Zoo.  The girls, however, were more interested in one another!

Who could forget the Pool???  What child dislikes the pool?  Well, Carter sure hated it!  

In June, we celebrated Andy being old (27 rounds to 30, you know!) with mini-golf ... and a minor beating??

We also had a birthday dinner out.  What a great Daddy and Hubby!  

Late June and early July, we flew to Hawaii!  How beautiful!  We explored and biked down Mt. Haleakala, the oldest volcano on Maui ...

We visited the Honolulu Zoo ... 

And we paid our respects at Pearl Harbor.  It was an amazing week, but it was tough being without Carter.  She stayed with her Godfather Andy and Tim, and her Poppy and Grammy ...

... and nothing was as sweet as returning to her.  The smile on her face when she saw Andy and I walk into my parent's kitchen was priceless and something I'll never forget!  One of our Hawaiian treasures that we brought back was this little Hawaiian dress.

Daddy and Carter face off on the fuzzy green pillow!  What a pair!  I must have been very good to someone to have these two in my life!

In July, we began Tumble Tot classes at Triad Gymnastics.  I call it "gymnastics," but Carter just toddles all over and rolls in the ball pit!

We had our first multi-family garage sale at the Pint/Kort's.  My family alone made nearly $300 from selling our crap to treasure hunters.  Remember the lady who purchased the frying pan, tennis racket and karma sutra??  Or other lady who said, "I have $30, and I want all of your CD's."  600 CD's for $30 - that's $.05 a CD!  Crazy!

Andy and I got to go to Hawaii, so we planned a short "Carter Vacation" to the Omaha Zoo.  It was so hot, but that didn't stop us from having a ball!  Andy and Carter rode the ostrich (Carter picked it!) on the carousel.

My cute and extremely hot family!

Viva la Dells!  In August, we packed up the cars and hit Wisconsin Dells for go-karting, water parking, eating, and hanging out!  And, my favorite, SPOONING!  Andy, Andy, and I curl up after a long day of go-karting.  I love these two!

The crew, enjoying mini-golfing at Pirate's Cove.  Amy, Jonathon, Kelly, Andy, Andy and Tim - some of the coolest people on the planet and my best friends!

While we enjoyed a big-kids get-away, Grandma Linda and Grandpa Duane got these two cry-babies!  Courtney and Carter for a week!  Wow!  They must have some really brave and loving Grandparents!!!

The Iowa State Fair lived up to all it's hype and glory!  Carter had a blast at her first fair.  One of her favorites: the petting zoo, of course!

She and Andy also rode the Giant Slide.  They both enjoyed it, but watching my little girl on that big slide made me want to throw up!

HAPPY 1 YEAR, Baby-Girl!  Mackenzie and John, of Stalzer Photography, are always amazing!  That smile and squint says it all!  This is Carter, our Toddler!

We celebrated our first birthday with balloons, gifts, cake, friends and family, and a living room full of babies!  Grant and Collin Bumsted (6 months), Courtney Chalupa (11 months), Emma Lueck (right, in pink, 10 months) and Isaac Alexander (back, in overalls, 8 months) all helped their pal Carter celebrate.

CAKE FACE!  What an absolute mess!  She was reluctant at first, but soon realized that cake is delightful!

We ended the day with a new family tradition: birthday dinner at the Cazador Mexican Restaurant, our favorite!

What a Baby-Diva!  Carter looks stylish in her beaded necklace and shades!  What a doll!

In September, we cheered on the freshman team (they are the boys I taught my first year as a 6th grade teacher and last year as an 8th grade teacher).  Go Dragons!  They ended up creaming Hoover: 50-0!  

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY, COURTNEY!!!  Unfortunately, Courtney and Carter don't get to see a lot of one another, but when they are together, it's like they never left!  I guess family ties really do run deep!  What a pair!  We're very, very lucky!

In October, we began costume hunting.  The Pirate costume emerged as a favorite!  Argh, Matey!!!

Carter, Andy and I initiated Isaac and Stephanie Alexander to the Science Center.  Talk about Double-Trouble!  These two were all over, and had a great time!

My "corny" family at Center Grove Orchard!  

"Pumpkin Heads!"  We totally match the pumpkins with our red-heads!

Nothing beats a Girl's Night Out!  Mackenzie, Kelsey and I had appetizers and drinks (hot wings, egg rolls, cheese balls and cosmo's) and then went to the Sugarland concert.  I love these two!  They keep me crazy and sane, and I love 'em!

What is this thing ... a sucker ... it's wonderful!  Carter discovers "Safety Suckers," and falls in love!

In October, Andy Haning (the Godfather), Carter and I road-tripped to the Tanger Outlet Mall to get a jump on Christmas shopping.  Talk about a couple of Cheesers!  I've always considered Andy and I very lucky to have Andy in our lives, but he's made such a positive and emotional impact on Carter.  We're lucky to have the "FGF!"

GINGERS!  Hamming it up on the long drive home, while Carter snoozed in the back.  

In October, while Andy was on a business trip to California, Carter made her first attempts to walk!  It was four steps one day, and then none until she perfected it within the month.  

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!  This year, Big Girl Carter got to help scoop out the guts, and I carved while she watched.  Our pumpkin family turned out great!

Daddy returned from his California trip with presents (good man!).  Carter got this sweater that says "Princess" - how fitting!  And a pair of Mickey ears.  She loved my Princess crown, too, and was glad to have Daddy back.

What a pair!  For Halloween, Carter - in her angel attire - countered my Devil horns.  I think the "devil" comes through more than the "angel" in us both!

We trick or treated at Jon and Amy's house with friends Stephanie, Zach, Puppy-Isaac, Tim, and Andy

Yard work can be fun when you've got this to look forward to!  I raked all of our leaves into a monstrous pile, and Carter had a ball playing in them all afternoon!

November brought the removal of all four of Andy's wisdom teeth, making him look like a chipmunk.  So, without his teeth, does he have no more "wisdom"???

Grandma Linda and Grandpa Duane came to visit, and Grandma helped us make cookies for school.  We baked the peanut butter cookies, and Carter helped dip each end in chocolate.  She was actually very helpful!  Maybe she'll be a better cook than me!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ME!  Unlike Andy (who is 27), I plan on being 25 forever!  We went out for dinner at El Rodeo and then to dance at Miss Kitty's!  

We're almost 100% sure that this nasty allergy is caused by eggs!  It only causes the blotchy, red, puffy look.  Thankfully, it doesn't appear to itch or cause Carter to be uncomfortable.  Eventually, we'll have to try egg whites, egg yellows, and both mixed to see what the real cause is.  That'll be fun ... 

But nothing keeps Carter down for long!  That eye squint is beginning to resemble Mommy's!

In November, Andy, Tim and I got up at the butt-crack of dawn to go to Minnesota to IKEA.  Andy tested chairs at Room & Board ... 

... while I admired closet systems.  I waaant that!!!

GOBBLE, GOBBLE!  The thing I'm most thankful for is my beautiful baby-girl and her gorgeous cousin.  I am also thankful for my fantastic family and wonderful friends, and even that job of mine!

While home for Thanksgiving, we checked out the Riverside Casino, where I won $50!  I am awesome!  

Our first ice skating trip was a success!  Andy, Tim, Andy, Carter and I skated the night away at Brenton Skating Plaza.  Carter couldn't get enough of it, and kept going!!

Our little Santa-Baby helps decorate for the holidays

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY, ISAAC!  We gathered at Chuck E Cheese for a birthday celebration!  When it was pizza time, Isaac was more interested on nibbling on Carter's fingers!  Stephanie said it was because "Carter's so sweet!"  I think he has his first crush!

The crew: Andy, Zach, Isaac, Stephanie, Andy, Carter, Kelly, Amy and a sick Tim (Tim is the one who brought in the sickness that has plagued us all since then!).

Andy, Carter and I made holiday ornaments from Carter to all of her loved one.  The Cheesers had a great time being artsy!

Our "Ankeny Family" gathered for a Christmas feast.  We stuffed ourselves with great homemade treats, then tore into great gifts!  The babies loved it most, and almost got lost in the paper and bows!

After gifts, Tim, Zach, Isaac, Carter, Stephanie, Andy, Andy and I all piled (literally!) into Tim's Explorer for a trip to Jolly Holiday Lights.  It wasn't worth the hour wait or the screaming babies!

Oh Santa ... one day, she will love you ...

Our 3rd Annual Girl's Shopping Trip was awesome, except that I had gut rot!  We shopped the day away and ended at On the Border Mexican restaurant, and took a goofy "rockette" photo out by the big tree!  Me, Mackenzie and Kelsey are scheduling Trip #4 right now!

Carter's Holiday Program was adorable!  Her second angel outfit of the year - I don't know if she's so "angelic!"

We enjoyed Play Place!  The slides, the tubes, the fries, and the friends!  What a good - and free! - time!

Carter and I made holiday cookies, which was very fun, but the best part was eating them!  She's such a giggle-box!

HAPPY and MERRY!  Our beautiful tree and my wonderful family!

Despite crying and screaming at him, Santa did stop at Carter's house!  I guess she was good this year!  That's news to me!!!

On Christmas Day, we went to Poppy and Grammy's house.  Carter helped Poppy open his gift ...

... and helped Grammy "inspect" the tree and open gifts!

At the Chalupa Family Dinner, Grandpa Duane got a very special gift - two beautiful and amazing granddaughters.  You can't beat a gift like that!

Andy and I, and our favorite Chalupa girls!  Their dresses are sweet, but they both look like they're concocting a devious plan ... look out, world!

At the end of our favorite show and game, Deal or No Deal, Howie always asks, "Do you think you made a good deal?"  We made an outstanding deal in 2006!

It's been a busy, busy year, full of many things.  Good things (many firsts, trips, and exciting adventures), bad things (rocky days at work, making that dollar go a little farther, teeth removal), but it was all priceless.  I wouldn't change or take back a day of 2006.  Thank you for sharing in our wonderful year, and we can't wait to get 2007 rolling!  Be safe and have fun - we certainly will! 

I love starting fresh, really I do, but I always give it up around February!  So, I figure the more people I share my 2006 Resolutions with, the more people I'll have to help make sure I'm adhering to them!  

So, here are my resolutions for this year:

* To lose this stinking baby weight!  Seriously - Carter's almost 17 months old, I think it's time!

* Take better care of myself by making better nutrition choices, getting good sleep, and taking a few seconds to relax at the end of each day.

* To be a better Mommy and Wife - making quality time for Andy and Carter, providing fun and educational experiences for Carter, not being so uptight about all of Andy's boneheaded decisions (put your crap away!), and maybe learning to cook a little better ... or at least trying!

* To get myself back on track financially - no more bad checks, right Andy 2??

* Help out with home improvements as we prepare to put the house on the market.  January brings painting on the entryway and upstairs ceiling, February is the upstairs bathroom remodeling, and March in laundry room tiling and painting.  

So be sure to ask how things are going, so I'll remember what I need to do, and keep doing it!

Happy 2007!

My "hot mama" picture, from before I was a mama!  Remind me that this is what I'm working for!

Good thing she's cute, cause this look ain't working!

Wild hair + no pants + one sock = crazy Carter! 
... it's not fair to pick on a poor kid before bath time!