November 2007 Archives

This evening, we went to Marshalltown for our yearly family pictures.  It may be a drive, especially when there are TONS of photography studios around Ankeny, but I'd NEVER go anywhere other than Mackenzie and John at Stalzer's Photography (www.stalzersphotography.com).

Pictures went well, and we've got some decisions to make!  After pizza, Mackenzie, Natalie, Andy, Carter and I met Janine and her kiddo's, Maddy and another Carter!, at Pizza Ranch.  You know it's not good when they equal you in number!!  But our cherebs did wonderfully, and I can't wait for another Parent/Kiddo's outing!  The Wauserbaum, anyone?!? 

My snuggly family

AIN'T THAT THE TRUTH?!?

Carter, Natalie, and Carter

Maddy (5) and Carter (2) Anderson, Natalie Duncan (5) and Carter Kay (2)

Carter was able to help this year, but much less interested than in the past!  Such a busy-body!

Fluffing branches

"I fluffin!"

Draped in Christmas Pretties!

Like at Grandma and Poppy's, all of Carter's ornaments seemed to end up in the same general location!

Decorating fools!

Happy decorating!!

Our new home is lovely .. but how is Santa supposed to get in?  We don't have a chimney!  Lucky for us I bought a "Santa's Key," a magical, special key, at the craft show earlier in November.  Right now, it's hanging on the inside of our door, and on Christmas Ebe, we'll move it to the outside of the door for Santa!

For now, Carter's been playing with it (and everything else Christmas'y in the house).  Andy said, "That's for Santa!" and Ms. Smarty-Pants put it on the pillow Santa's hand! 

Santa's special key!

We had intended to get together for dinner and Christmas tree fun .. but we lost the tree rod in the moving process!  So, we really only have a bunch of branches and a wobbly stand!  

But, dinner with Andy and Rory was fun, as always!  Carter was mostly good, as was Haning!

Andy and Carter coloring
Note the "Chalupa Thinking Tongue" that she displays!

After getting all our gear put away from our wonderful trip home, Carter and I began Christmas'fying our home.

There's garland and bulbs everywhere!  And presents galore! 

Carter "helped" inspect and wrap gifts.  Rest assured - you'll all be safe this year!

The best gift ever - To: Mommy, From: Carter

Carter reads to the gifts

.. I don't think that tonight/this morning was my brightest idea ever. 

I'm 28, and I've never participated in the "Black Friday' extravangza.  I hate the commercial aspect of the holidays, but I also kinda feel like I've "missed out" on something not having participated.  I heard news of the Tanger Outlet Mall, in Williamsburg, being open at midnight, and I thought, "What the heck?  How busy can it really be??"

OMG - super busy!

I overheard that people had parked at Arby's, that people were waiting in line for over 45 minutes, that people had driven from the Des Moines area (an hour and a half away) just for this sale.  It was crazy!

Linda and I did find some super good deals, though.  I found the cutest pair of "Santa's Helper" jammies for Carter Kay and some other Christmas gifts.  I also got some yummy, tasty dips from Barney & David's (or whatever it's called!), so it was worth the wait and insanity!

CARS and PEOPLE and LIGHTS and SALES! 
Merry Christmas?!?

Carter helped decorate Grandma and Poppy's Christmas tree!  She did a beautiful job .. but you can definitely tell she's only about three feet tall!

The assembly line: Grandma gets a decoration and hands it to Carter, Carter puts it on the tree and runs back for another!

The "running" part of the process!

Beautiful tree, gorgeous girl!
Note: Can you see that hoard of ornaments to Carter's right hip?  That's the spot!  There are about a dozen ornaments right there!

Santa Baby!

Since my husband is the heater Nazi, it was a little extra cold in the house.  Carter and I warmed up together, in our matching treck-vests!

"Look!  Coaty's!"  And heat!!

Not a good week for the turkeys, but great for the snowmen!

It's windy and cold and snowy .. and I couldn't be happier!  What a great way to spend the holiday weekend!  And an awesome transition into the Christmas season!  During the Thanksgiving, be thankful for all that you have and all that you are.  Eat lots of turkey and pumpkin pie, sleep in, and love your loved ones!  

Be safe!

Love ~ The Chalupas 

The view from the kitchen!  Snowy nothingness!  Isn't it great?!

No one .. nothing .. just us and the blissful snow!

Daddy gets a good dose of what "helping" looks like!   

Carter "helps" Daddy make pizza.  I think her "help" consisted of swiping an apple, eating tiny bites, and getting sticky hands all over everything!

Andy gave Carter a bath .. and a new do!  What do you think?!? 

Two horns, or just one?  Either way, she's too cute!

Carter (left) made me think of that Bat Boy headline (right) in the National Enquirer .. her evilness is beginning to take over??

So, it was tight fitting on the drive home; "snuggling," as we affectionately dubbed it!  But who could pass up the great "treasures" we found in Minnesota?!?  We packed the hitch-a-hauler with an entertainment shelf, two easels, and a chair, and loaded the explorer down with clothing, books, toys, puzzles, our bags, our snacks, and four amazingly wonderful women!  It was the best Girl's Shopping Extravangza to date!

AND ... mock if you will (YOU know who you ARE!) ... on the way home, I saved five one dollar bills to play pull tabs with.  It was supposed to be a funny "ahh cha cha" thing that would kill 20, maybe 30 minutes in the car.  I fed the little kiosk my dollars, and bought about three dozen quarter pull tabs.  Mackenzie bought a few also.  Kelsey pulled one .. with no luck.  Kenz pulled a couple of hers .. nothing.  My first three pull tabs won squat .. but my third won me $55!  With my $5, I ended my pull tab frenzy, and an outstanding weekend, $56.50 richer!  

GIRL's WEEKEND RULES!!  Thanks, ladies!  I love you!  .. and Bill, too!

NOTE: No, there is no truth to the fact that as you shiver, your leg hair grows.  Myth, Bill.  Total myth!!

Kelsey loads the back, while Janine and Mackenzie hand in bag after bag .. after bag ..

Pull tab mania: Janine and Kelsey win nada

Look at Mackenzie's possible "winnings!"  

My winning $55 dollar pull tab ticket!  Laugh all you want, Chalupa, but my "dumb pull tab" bought you supper tonight!!

Goodness!  I can't begin to imagine the damage done to my credit card this weekend!  I swear it's crying in pain in my wallet! 

Saturday brought "sleeping in," until 7:03, and a lazy morning heading to the Mall of America.  We shopped together for a bit, then decided to divide and conquer.  After cookies, some pretzels, and a loaded vehicle, we retired to the hotel to prepare for dinner.  We chose Chevy's, cause it's awesome, and had a ball, like only girls can!  And to top the night off, we showcased our "treasures" for one another amid "ohh's" and "ahh's!"

My favorite girls!

We were making our lists, and checking them twice: Kelsey shopped for a cookbook and Mackenzie just shopped!

3rd floor pretzel break, hour number 7 of shopping!

Kelly, Janine, Mackenzie and Kelsey with our big buys!

Cheers!  Mackenzie, Kelly, Janine & Kelsey @ Chevy's

Our great buys: Mackenzie's Hollister sweatshirt and Janine's thoughtful AE sweatshirts

More steals: Kelsey's puzzle and Kelly's "Cornholio" trek vest.  Lovely with the PJ'ammers, huh?!?

I'm not sure how our current tradition came to pass, but this year marked our 3rd annual girl's only outing!  Woo hoo!  We packed the Explorer (appropriately dubbed "Rock Star!") and headed to Minnesota.

Friday's agenda including leaving at 12:45'ish, lunch at Palmer's, a 4-hour drive which seemed like nothing with the company, a stop at the Medford Outlet Mall, and a massive IKEA hit.   

MN BOUND: Mackenzie, Janine, Kelsey & Kelly

Our IKEA goodies!  Between the 4 of us, we hauled out two carts and a flat bed roller, and we totaled about $700!

At the hotel, we had nachos and drinks and hung out!  Nothing could have been better after the long drive and the lengthy IKEA venture!

Good nite!!

SPLISH, SPLASH is RIGHT!  I guess it would be more fun to splash all of the water out of the tub and into Mommy's lap!  

That'd kinda make me laugh, too, I guess! 

That's hilarious!

THAT's my beloved naughty look!  I LOVE IT!

So apparently it's okay to splash Mommy and be a total turd, but isn't not okay for Mommy to share in the harassing!  No fair -too bad I'm bigger!

Tonight, Andy and I attended our second Civic Center show: Avenue Q.  I hadn't heard much about it, but Andy said a friend at work loved it so much he'd take our tickets if we didn't want to go.  The commercials only advertised it as an actor/puppet/parental advisory show.  Nothing more.

It was the funniest thing I've ever seen!  It's my #2 all time favorite show .. ever!  There was lewd content, foul language and puppet porn!  Totally inappropriate, but very funny!   "Potty humor" doesn't even begin to explain!

And I'm sure the Snooty Von Snooty lady, who was approxmiately 110 years old, sitting next to us was flabbergasted!

Totally worth our ticket price and then some!!

"To all my family and friends,

  I know there are many exciting and tempting toys on the market this holiday season.  But please, save your money, and get me an inexpensive toy that will occur me for hours: BUBBLE WRAP!

   I loves me some bubble wrap!

   Kisses!
  Carter Kay"

Can you buy this stuff in bulk some place?!?

.. or a Bee!

This afternoon, Carter and I went to see The Bee Movie.  She's been obsessed with the bee commercials - she even cries when they're over.  So I figured it we were going to try a big-time, big-girl movie, this should be the one!

We went to the matinee, which wasn't too busy.  We got treats, and got cozy.  She was totally into previews, but kept asking me, "Mommy?  Bees?"  When the movie actually began, we yells, "Look, Mommy!  BEES!"  I didn't think it'd go well from there, but she was a saint!  She sat, snuggled in my lap, for 3/4 of the movie, then moved to the seat next to me.  She's so tiny that it mostly folded up and her!  But she didn't mind - she was loving the bees!

When we left, she kinda whined: "Mommy?  Do again?" 

That's a good sign that Carter is ready to join Andy and I in our movie-going, cinema-loving interest! 

"BEE's!!!  Mommy!!  BEES!!"

My very bestest friends gathered to help celebrate my getting old .. or older .. or being old ...

We had a wonderful dinner at the best Mexican restaurant in downtown Des Moines: Dos Rios (http://dosriosrestaurant.com/).  We had tasty, tasty table side guacamole made to order, yummy drinks, delicious food, and the best company I could ever ask for!

This is what makes birthdays!  Thanks guys!  I love ya! 

My too cute hubby and I!

You gotta love my boys!!

And I couldn't live without my girls!!

Grandma and Poppa came to visit, and Grandma brought Amish Friendship Bread to bake (yum!).  She and Carter put it all together this morning.

Cooking: game on!

Carter sneaks a taste of the flour and sugar ..

.. after a lot  of sneaks of flour and sugar!!

Next comes the milk

Carter "taste checks" for safety purposes!

Unless the baths involve paint or foam, Carter's not interested.  And when they do involve such luxurious, it's a nightmare getting her out of the tub!

My baby, Turbana, boycotting her removal from the tub! 

She may be mad, but she's super-cute!

What a great day!  I really am the Princess!

* I got a "Happy Birthday To You!" and "Mommy's Birthday!" right off the bat from Carter!  Talk about a great start!

* I got to have yummy Casey's breakfast pizza, a liberty I rarely have time for.

* I got birthday emails from my family and friends and a couple texts wishing me a great bday. 

* At school, my door and desk were decorated by my associate, who also made cupcakes!  My co-teacher and wall-neighbor played The Birthday Song (it's great!) just for me!  I got cards and well-wishes from my collegues, and my favorite freshmen and my adored 8th graders made me cards.  A couple even sang!

* I got the neatest picture frame from my beloved family - it's electronic, and functions kinda like a screen-saver with my favorite pictures!  How perfect?!

* Andy and Rory hosted Survivor: The Birthday Edition.  Rory made a delicious dinner, complete with an Oreo cake (oh my goooodness - so good!!) AND Survivor was awesome!

I couldn't have asked for a better day!  I know my concept of the "Birthday Princess" sometimes comes off as self-centered (I know - shocked, right!?!), but it was a Princess Day - I was loved by everyone I care about.  No royalty, birthday or not, could top that!!

My desk and treats!  I also got cards from my kids: "Happy 22nd birthday!" "Happy Bday, you could pass for 19!" and "You ROCK, Mrs. Chalupa" were some of the high lights!!

Wow - I think they fed my kid a mixture of sugar-and-crack at the day care today!  She was a wild child today!!

"EEEEEeeee!!"

How is this comfty?!?

OUCHY!

It's official: The Birthday Princess is assuming her .. I mean my .. reign!

For the yearly Birthday Kick-Off, Carter and I made "burtday cupcakey's!"

Don't worry .. she watched .. mostly .. 

While beating the egg white, she insisted on licking the spoon.  I was so careful to not let her, but she tried to sneak an egg from the carton and when I put it back, she snuck a lick of egg white.  She'll either get e-coli or her allergic red break out!  Happy Burtday!

In true Chalupa style, the tongue poked out while concentrating on emptying the box mix

"No mo??"

The tongue!  That's a recent addition to her cute tool belt!

"Bite?"  

Let the frosting begin!

.. frosting/eating!

A cupcake only a mother could love!  Don't worry - that gem was Carter's!

Cupcakes = HAPPY!

Gross!  HAPPY BURTDAY, MOMMY!!

Yes, you sing it to the cha cha tune!

Sing it with me: Pee pee in the Pot-ty!  Pee pee in the Pot-ty!  Hey!!

We've had two mornings of pee pee in the potty, and an evening poopy in the potty!

Such a big girl!!

What to make ..

What to make ..

How about we let Carter decide!  You know it's gonna have ketchup, and pickles, and grapes mixed all together!  

Scrumptious!! 

We went with Little Smokies, partly because I'm a bad mother who hates to cook real meals, and Carter had a ball adding not one, but two containers to BBQ sauce!

"Mo!  Mo!" 
When is it too much BBQ sauce?  Is there ever at time that occurs?!?

I think "Pay-Do" is the new "Marky's!"

We don't actually create anything, other than a ginormous mess, but we have a ball!  And that's what really counts!

"Loook, Mommy!  Red Pay-Do!"

.. I don't know .. I guess .. in the end .. it really does all end up in - or in this case on - our tummies!

It wouldn't be a successful Harvest Week without the inside-out day!

I agree: I'd be pretty annoyed if someone dressed me like this and sent me out into the world!!