We're taking a break from Chalupas.net to spend some quality time at home with our family and to attend a wedding (Andy's a groomsman and I get to announce the wedding party - the groom thinks I'm "loud" and "outgoing." That's a compliment, right?!!). We've got days full of family fun, Fun City Water park, shopping, farm adventures, and wedding excitement. And our final tap performance Monday evening! All good things will be posted when we return next week.
But, to tide you over, here are some Cheeser Carter photos. Enjoy!
So we have a Pooh Treasury book that is kind of a knock off of other tales. She lugs this book everywhere! Her newest favorite is the Troll-y Birds, which is a variation of the story about the trolls under the bridge. Piglet and Pooh are afraid to cross to get haycorns and honey, so Christopher Robin devises a plan. Each takes a turn crossing the bridge, overcomes their fears of the troll-y birds and they make it to the other side. All is good.
Today, Andy turns 29. He said many co-workers asked him it is was a "significant birthday." His response: "Yes, my last birthday I'll have in my 20's!" That's because Andy's old! Only six months older than me (and not near as old as Rory - but we love you!!), but he'll always be older than me!
Since neither Carter or I can cook very well (truthfully, she's probably a little better than me!), we got Andy a birthday lemon treat from Palmer's. And, for a gift, we began the collection of framed movie posters for the theater room. First addition: Indiana Jones and the Crystal Something-or-Other. It's just what he wanted, and it'll look great downstairs!
We met Rory and Andy at Dos Rios while Carter got to spend some quality time with Uncle Corey and Aunt Amber (we got the Interstate, about five minutes from Corey and Amber's, and Carter said, "Corey and Amber are far away. I miss them already!" How sweet is that?!!). We enjoyed the best Mexican around and caught up from a busy week.
It was low-key and filled with loved ones. The perfect Andy Chalupa birthday! Happy Birthday, Andy! We love you!
Today marks a special day. It's time vested without the real celebration of an anniversary. Today is the 11-year anniversary of our first date. I think we met at the Hy-Vee parking lot, where we used to hang out (it was Washington - where else would we hang out?!!) and then went to Iowa City to Jurassic Park 3. Andy, of course, made me pay for my own ticket.
And it's history from then on!
Paying for my movie theater ticket or my half of the bills - times may have changed, and we certainly have, but life keeps getting more fun and exciting! Like Andy said, "You find ways to keep it fun!" So, in the next 11 years and beyond, I'm sure I'll still be paying for my own movie ticket! I'm also sure I'll be having the time of my life with the man of my dreams.
That's Andy ... in case you weren't sure!
Us, in 2001, at a football game. Don't we look like children?!!
For Father's Day, Carter and I got Andy all the "fixin's" for a Minnesota Zoo trip, full of fun! We left for Bloomington, Minnesota Monday morning. We checked in and went swimming, had a tasty dinner, and relaxed for a bit. Tuesday we spent the day wandering around and exploring the zoo. It was a perfect day spent with our favorite father!
On the drive up to Minnesota, we stopped for lunch. What special trip would be complete without sharing ice cream?!?
Carter's favorite thing to do: "go swimming in Minnesota!"
She really thinks the only place with a big pool is the Hyatt Hotel in Minnesota! Little does she know there's a pool down the street!
Happy Chalupa's!
For dinner, we went to Bubba Gump's. Andy enjoyed shrimp, I had 6 points worth of BBQ, and Carter munched on mac and cheese and blue Jell-O, leaving just a dot on her nose!
We arrived at the Minnesota Zoo bright and early. Carter, armed with her sweet shades and smart hat, was ready to "see more animals!"
GRRRRRRRRR!
Check out that look of facination! She really likes the monkies!
Daddy and Carter and the wolves
We saw a moose, and Andy pointed him out to Carter. Immediately and without prompting, she said, "He's eating Moose Moss!" Like Dr. Suess's Thidwick, the Big Hearted Moose! Talk about comprehension connections!
Carter said hi to the passing geese
Mommy, Carter and the lions - grr!
There's a splash park at the zoo! How's that for luck?!! She's just as apprehensive of this one as she is the one at home!!
Andy and I enjoyed the monorail trip around the zoo ... Carter ... well ... not so much ...
Our first family trip to the Minnesota Zoo! Successful!
Carter Kay is S P O I L E D! We took her to see Kung Fu Panda, which she loved, and we went to McDonald's afterwards for Panda Nuggets. Marketing exec's are so smart!
"Look! It's PANDA!"
Carter got her own big girl seat at the theater, but she sat with Andy and I during the scary parts. I think she liked the movie; she loved the popcorn!!
The perfect panda finish: Panda Nuggets and play place. Carter's on the top level, entering the tube, being followed by a slew a "friends"
This weekend, Brighton held its annual Whoopee Day festivities. Some of us might have had better things to do (you know who you are ... I'll leave you nameless ;) ), some of us couldn't wait!
Carter and I drove to Grandma and Poppy's Friday afternoon. Carter loved up to her grandparents all afternoon, then we went to the carnival. Carter got to ride the train, bounce in the bounce-house and play the fishy game. She had a ball!
Saturday, we went to the parade. My frame of reference must be competely skewed - this parade isn't anything like Ankeny's! It was actually more Carter-friendly! We found a nice shady spot with no other kids (Carter doesn't really contend well with others when it comes to parade candy!). We watched the parade mosey by, and we picked up our good finds - handfuls of candy!
It was a fun Whoope and good times with Grandma and Poppy! Thanks for putting up with us and our not-always-so-nice toddler demeanor!
Bounce ... bounce ... bounce ... trip ...
"I okay!"
Choo choo!
Carter attempts to fish for a pink ball. She eventually ended up cheating and attaching a fish to her pole with her hands!
I needed to run a little energy out of Miss C, so we spent the morning at the splash pool. There were a lot of older kids, and, ironically, not many of their guardians monitoring their nasty behavior. So Carter was a little leery at first, but the she got involved. She found her favorite spots - the shower thingy and the miniature water spout - and ran, laughed and giggled to her hearts content! Once, while walking between the two spots, and older and meaner kid intentionally sprayed her. I had to get a little unfriendly with him, and then - as she should have - his mother intervened and talked to him. Huh ... monitoring your own children ... what a novel thought ...
Playing in the shower sprays!
She's running, but look at that giggle-face! She's loving it!
And, as always, she made a couple new pals while playing in the water!
Our friends Stephanie and Isaac made a special trip to Ankeny for a birthday treat for Zach (Happy birthday, Zach! 25 today, right?!!). While in town, we got together for a date at the froggy park, Carter's favorite! We played in the sand, braved the equipment, and chalked under the shade of the pavilion while catching up. Isaac's growing up so quickly, and he is such a smarty! He can read his own name, with a dozen other words and names. He, sweetly, calls himself "Ikuc," which I adore! Carter and I both got a hug good-bye and an "I love you!" from him! What a sweet boy! He's a keeper, Carter Kay!
After Little Scientists class and a good nap, Carter and I played and ran around the park. You just can't beat a breezy summer, sunny day, a super-sweet, rambunctious Carter Kay and the froggy park! This is summer!
Dig, baby! Dig!
The giggle and her smile make push after push after push totally worth it!
Only a big girl could climb up the bars to the slide all by herself!
This week's big summer adventure has been Little Scientists, a class from 3 - 4 years old (yeah, I lied about the age thing! Sorry!) in Johnston, taught by our awesome pre-kindergarten teachers! Johnston has the best teachers!
Tuesday, the class made rockets and chemical-reaction balloons (with baking soda and vinegar, I think, in a pop bottle, the reaction inflated a balloon at the top of a pop bottle - neat!). Wednesday was Oobleck and water and oil bottles.
I didn't get to stay for class - it was a real, drop-your-kid-off class, but Carter raved all day about her scientific endeavors. It's the Andy in her!!
Her last words Tuesday on the way home: "This is my rocket ..." Then she was out cold!
It's official: Carter continues to be the naughty kid in tappy class.
She has a "priority" spot, front row on the left, near the teacher (the other naughty, Reagen, is front on the right. Coincidence???). When everyone else "hides," Carter is thinking about running off the tap boards. When everyone else is doing their "shuffle kick," Carter's darting to the other side. And when everyone else is sashaying back and forth, Carter hits the road and runs off.
We'll miss this Monday's class (but we're going to practice!), and then the following Monday is our final performance. It's been fun and so cute to watch, but I'm kinda glad it's almost over!
If only she were this quiet and cooperative at class!!!
We all headed to the Chalupa's so Duane, Andy and Corey could have a round of Father's Day golf. While they golfed, Carter, Courtney, Amber, Grandma and I played around outside and made music inside. It was a peaceful, calm fun day, ended with a tasty picnic!
Hopefully everyone had a great Father's Day! Our Father's definitely deserve it for all they've done! We're lucky to have caring Daddy's who love us unconditionally, no matter how silly or stupid we may have been! We're lucky to have wonderful Papa's who are proud and cheer us on every step of the way! We're lucky to have our Dad's, cause they're the best. Happy Father's Day, guys! We love you!
Carter climbs a tree ... not-so-willingly or independently, but she (sort of) enjoyed it!
Carter, Courtney, Grandma and Pepe picked apples, strawberries and ran around outside
Courtney and Carter eye one another while carrying their apple pickings!
Santa brought Carter some really neat window hangers and paint. I figured she's be too little to really have a short with them, but I thought she'd have fun with it! So, we gave it a whirl.
I made a fish to show her what we were doing. Then she got to make a butterfly and bumble bee. She did really well! She was staying in the lines and keeping paint off herself and the table. Initially. Then she got a kick out of over-painting her hanger, so it was overly saturated. We had a little melt down when I tried to help her clean up a paint spill, but we were able to take care of things the kind, Carter way!
So proud!
Look out butterfly, here comes that paint!
Such Chalupa concentration! That comes from Andy!
SO TICKLED with what she's done! Isn't that the greatest smile?!!
Since I'd been gone for a few days, I wanted to spend a fun Mommy/Carter day with my favorite red-head. So, at her choosing, we went to the splash park.
I was a little leary, given that she despises the sprinkler and hose, but it was her day and her choice. She didn't surprise me on this one at all! She was hesitant to get into the sprays and droplets around the park. Some water spouts shot up channels of water, then they'd stop, and come back on, etc. Carter wondered a little too far from her comfort-zone, and got in the middle of a circle spray that had shut off. When it flipped back on, she was stuck in the middle, and panicked! She couldn't get out! It was cute to watch, but I'm sure tramatizing for her! I saved the day, and she played it safe after that!
Surprise, surprise, Carter's found a friend!
She liked the "shower," because she could play with the wheel and didn't actually have to get under the water!
After a long 8th grade year (blah!), I literally went from our final day to Iowa City in preparation of our trip to Texas! Kelsey and I left from Cedar Rapids at 6:30am for San Antonio, basically just to go. To get away from diapers and daddy's, both of which we love, but a weekend get-away is always great!
We stayed on the River Walk, which is beautiful! There were Texan shops and wonderful restaurants along the river. We walked to The Alamo, which was very interesting. I dig all of that history stuff, and it's always amazing to try and put yourself in someone's historical footsteps. I have a better understanding why Texans are as proud as they are. We shopped at the La Villita and the Mercado, Texan shops with a strong Mexican influence. It was neat to browse native crafts and jewelry. Saturday, we went to Sea World. To be honest, it made me slightly nervous, as I have a completely irrational fear of large water animals (like sharks and whales). I guess living in Iowa, a 100% landlocked area, will do that to a soul (yeah, I don't get it either!). It was actually very neat! Who knew "killer" whales could jump and flip in the air so high?! We also got to ride a couple roller coasters, a luxury we've given up with kiddos as of late! Sunday, we ventured to the San Antonio Zoo. Between Sea World and the zoo, we've seen everyone animal imaginable (except the Gwar, Andy!). We also happened across the most amazing piano bar ever! I know (shut up, Andy, Andy and Rory!) - I have an obsession with piano bars, but Howl at the Moon was great! Saturday was packed, but Sunday was laid back and fun. Most of our requests were played, and we heard it all, from Aerosmith to Etta James!
I can't tell you how many gallons of salsa we may have eaten! The great part of vacation is the no-worries diet (Rory, I am ready to get back to healthy eating!)! We tried local drinks, rated chips and salsa, and had desert daily! The Chalupa's - awesome! Although there, so close to Mexico, there wasn't a chance anyone was getting my last name right!
We had a slight issue with one restaurant, Cafe Ole. If you don't like your job, go find another! There are plenty with all of the restaurants on the River Walk (don't go - you've been warned!). We also had a little airport trouble. We missed our flight from Dallas to Cedar Rapids at 10am. We were (very rudely!) put on stand-by from Dallas to St. Louis. I can't tell you how badly I begged and pleaded with higher powers to get us on that flight. We were on, and miraculously we were also on the flight from St. Louis to Cedar Rapids. After much worrying and chewing of nails, we ended up in Cedar Rapids only about an hour and a half later than expected. We even had our luggage! Amazing!
If I can recommend one adventure to any would-be summer traveler, I'd definiately suggest San Antonio. The people are great, the food is wonderful, and Kelsey and I had an awesome time!
Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Deep in the Heart of Texas!
Here's a fun little fact about me: I HATE MORNINGS! I haven't been up at 4am since we left for Mexico on our honeymoon! Prior to that, it was 2001 when we all went to the Dells. Mornings suck!
The Alamo. It's very much Texas's Pearl Harbor. It was beautiful and very interesting.
La Mercado, or market, with interesting trinkets and things that were border-line crap!
The bottom floor of one shop was just ornately painted glass junk, like this doggy!
Evenings on the River Walk were wonderful! It was cooler (100 degrees - boo - but no humidity - yeah!). Friday, we enjoyed chips and salsa and Mexican at Rita's with the Mariachi band.
Kelsey and I on the River Walk
Yes, that's a whale and no, I didn't freak out! We were also clear in the back, which was cool with me! Seriously, the Shamu show was really kinda cool! I felt a little guilty to be enjoying it without Carter and Andy. That just means we get to go back in the future!
"The Steel Eel" roller coaster. It was high and fast, and I loved it!
Saturday night found us at Howl at the Moon, the packed piano bar. In true Texan style, we met a few friends! I told this guy that I'd blog about him when I got home. I told him to search "dude at the bar." If you find yourself here, my friend, greetings from IA!
Kelsey, me and the lion statue at the San Antonio zoo
The River Walk, complete with the Mariachi band and water taxi! Neat, huh?!!
The River Walk from the bridge
Sunday evening, we found ourselves back at the less-packed but more-fun Howl at the Moon! SO MUCH FUN!
While Kelsey and I were sweltering in the Texas heat, Iowa was sinking fast in the rain! In Texas, on the weather channel, a guy from Ankeny mailed in a photo that they showed. I'm kinda glad I missed the "excitement" here! Take care of yourselves amid the rain and rising waters.
Near the Baxter exit on I-80, the North Skunk River was way out of it's banks! The river was about a mile and a half away from this road marker. Rest assured though, at this point, the porn shop is still okay! It looked like water was just at their door (ick!)
"There are no storms predicted for tonight," Andy said. This is what I drove into on the way home from Iowa City! Torrential downpour from Williamsburg to Grinnell. No wonder everything's submerged! It was nasty!
Have you ever been in a situation where you suddenly think, "Oh no ... what have I gotten myself into?"
This is where I found myself this evening. Sitting with a dozen other mom's and dad's. Intently watching 13 three to five year olds tap to the music in their creative little minds. Adorable, right? You can see little tutu's and black tap-tappy shoes in your head.
Let me paint you the true picture: we were the first there. Carter got five to seven minutes of free reign on the tap floor, twirling, tapping and rolling all over. Good luck reigning her back into controlled Good Carter after that! She refused to keep her name tag on her top, insisting it be on her belly, wearing her top like a necklace. Not only did she like her spot on the tap floor, but she liked everyone else's too, and insisted on trying all spots out. Miss Chelsea and Miss Kaitlyn didn't need the name tag, they knew Carter (and two other "energetic" children, Isabella and Brighton) by name very quickly. She wanted to be first in line for the crocodile, and wanted to be next and next again. She led the class up front for awhile, and she even tried to crank up some tunes for the group. It seems like the only thing she didn't really do was tap!
But, in comparision, she did a pretty good job for day one. I giggled and shook my head a few times, realizing that with only two red-heads in the building, it was pretty easy to see who's she was! I joke about our first day of tap class, but she had an absolute ball, and I beamed watching her every move. Even the naughty ones!
Now taking the stage, Miss Carter Kay and her amazing tappy shoes! Hit it, Girl!
At warm ups, Carter was ready! Triad was great preparation! But it's also more unstructured movement and play, so following rules immediately was a little hard for her.
This was one time that following rules was kind of hard for her!!
But she did begin to get the hang of class. She tried to do her toe tap, the shuffle and her jumpy jumps
Very patiently, she waits in line. Thank goodness this one photo, evidence that she can behave herself!!
Monday is Kelsey's birthday. Kelsey is a big deal. Birthdays are a big deal. So it was a no brainer when Janine invited everyone up to their (ADORABLE!) house for a birthday get-together!
Despite the Birthday Girl, and twins, being sidetracked by water-covered roads, we had a great afternoon. It was beautiful, and all of our best friends were there! We missed Natalie very much, but that just means she'll have to be there next time!
Happy birthday, Kels! We love ya and hope you had a great day! And, in the words of one of the smartest women I know: "This is what it's all about." And Kenz is completely right!
The mini-crew, lunching on hot dogs, noodles, taters and beanies!
Bouncing Babes - Carter and Grant
Carter x2! Carter J. and Carter Kay - that doesn't really help much, either!
While Kelsey was inside changing Collin into his swimmies, and the girls were playing with the slip and slide, Carter and Grant sneak a swig of Mt. Dew. Mackenzie noticed, she told me and I giggled and snapped pictures. Janine, being a good mom and supportive friend, swiped his pop. She may be the better person, but he's so not calling her first from the jail waiting cell in 10 years! Call me, boys, I'll come get ya!
Introducing Jason! Janine said he was very quiet; I thought he was great! He and Andy hit it off, he has a great sense of humor and he can put up with THIS, 4 toddlers and a 6 year old "helping" him with the slip and slide. Kudos to Jason for not strangling them all! You are a stronger man that I, my friend!
Collin, Grant, Madisyn and Carter get slid and slide drinks!
Carter Kay takes her first run throw the sprinklers!
HEY YOU GUYS! Carter and Madisyn get ready to rock!
Time for cake! Everyone enjoyed .. Carter so much she wore some, and Grant enjoyed Kelsey's and mine!
What sweeties! Carter talked about "Madi" the whole evening! She loved spending the day with her friends. I know the feeling! We had a ball, too!
The crew and most of our "babies:" Carter and Kelly Chalupa, Mackenzie Duncan with Madisyn Anderson, Kelsey Bumsted, Janine and Carter Anderson.
The best, most wonderful girls I could ever ask for! Happy birthday, Kelsey! So ... are we going to the Wasserbaum for Janine's birthday?!? Just asking ...
