Chalupa Family Blog

Random: August 2010

2010-08-31T00:47:24Z

There's really no rhyme or reason to these photos. They're from August 2010 (Charlie's almost 10 months old, and Carter's about to turn 5), but they're too cute to not share!

You know, when you're into everything, you're so busy you can't stand it, and you're all about hugging and loving Daddy, Mommy and Sissy, it's easy to just fall asleep while eating your greeny beanies!

Destro-Baby, atop the couch, ready to test his "wings" ...

Carter's boyfriendS ... yes, plural! Ryker (left) and Kyzer (right), the neighbor boys that Carter adores!

Daddy's Saturday task was to replace the faucet. Apparently Charlie thought that he was copied in on that memo, and he "helped."

"Shhh! Don't tell Daddy!" Carter prepares to attack at the pool ...

Carter attacks ... or maybe it's Daddy that attacks!

Park!

2010-08-29T22:38:36Z

Carter, Charlie and I headed to the park, ducky-bread in hand, and spent the morning playing and relaxing!

So ... "ducky bread" may now be "Charlie bread"!

Quick, Carter! Get the bread while you still can!

Feeding the duckies

MONKEY!

Charlie's going to be a climber, too

So all he can really do is pound his foot on the bridge, but her REALLY enjoys that!

But nothing beats the swing!

Zoo explorations

2010-08-28T23:52:15Z

Family time found us at the zoo, Carter's pick. She and Charlie both loved the otters, who swam right up to the viewing glass to put on a show for us! We got to feed the giraffe, which tickled Carter and amazed Charlie. And, of course, there were jelly fish.

Feeding the giraffe

All smiles!

Daddy and Carter watching the sea lions

Miss Carter got her face painted with pegasus

She LOVES these stinkin' fish!

Charlie likes the fish, too

Carter's adopted animal: the Flamingo's

Kind and Caring. Carter wanted to adopt the flamingo's (her name is third on the list) so she could "buy them food and a bed." Can you picture a flamingo's bed, in Carter=brain??!

Charlie and Daddy checking out the really cool Nemo-fish

Seriously, am I the only excited Chalupa?!!

Happy 5th birthday, Carter Kay!

2010-08-20T18:14:31Z

Holy 5! Carter's second day of kindergarten marked her 5th birthday, and her officially being the coolest kid in class with Tinkerbell cupcakes!

Thursday, being the great parents we are, Andy and I went to Omaha to see Aerosmith (like we're passing up front row seats!), but before we left, we sang to Carter and she got to open half of her gift from us: the Tinker-fairies! She loved them! Rory babysat while we were gone, and together they made mini chocolate birthday cakes (which you KNOW were delicious!).

Friday evening was Carter's big party. ALL of her friends attended her Diva-licious Dance Party at Encore Dance Academy (all new and beautiful!). 10 friends RSVP'ed; 22 showed up, and it was chaos! Fun, but chaos! We danced, ran, played, sang, ate cake, and demolished gifts. It was a blast! Afterwards, we went for dinner at one of our favorite Mexican restaurants (because Carter loves "cheesy dip") with Uncle Brian, Aunt Anna, and cousins Courtney and Marissa, and Kelsey, Grant and Collin. After tasty tacos, Carter was surprised by the birthday hat and the staff signing Happy Birthday to her. She was shocked, but loved it! And, there was ice cream.

Sunday evening marked our family dinner. We had lasagna and ice cream cake with Andy and Rory, and Carter got to open the rest of her family gift: a bazillion "I Can Read!" books and a new Leapster game (I Spy! Treasure Hunt).

Happy, happy birthday, Baby Girl. Every day, you become less of my "baby" and more mature, caring and grown up. But now matter how old you'll be, you'll always be my Baby Girl (like it or not!). You make us proud every day. We love you so much! Happy 5th birthday, Baby! Love, Mommy, Daddy & Charlie

LOOK WHO's 5!!

Miss Evie is amazing! With ALL these little girls, she attempted to teach them a dance. They were insane, so it didn't work out, but they had a blast!

Carter was Miss Evie's assistance, which she loved!

Plan B: Strut your Stuff contest!

Plan C: Shake yo' Booty Dance Off! Carter and Cousin Courtney totally rocked it!

Happy 5th Birthday, Carter! What a great cake!

The Birthday Girl, having a great time!

Miss Evie and Carter, thanking everyone for coming

Dance INSANITY!

The Happy Birthday Hate gets plopped on Carter at dinner (look at Courtney's SAD face next to Carter! Ha ha!)

Everyone singing to the Birthday Girl, who thought this was the coolest thing ever!

Happy Birthday ice cream and attention!

Thursday, Carter and Rory made "Carter Cakes" for her birthday. The chocolate I licked off the spoon at 1:30am when we got home was delicious!

Parent of the Year Award goes to US, for being at the Aerosmith concert in Omaha on our first born's 5th birthday. Come on - front row to the Best Band in the World?! We weren't missing it!

Yep, we're rockstars!

Sunday was our "family celebration," or the "Final Birthday Phase," as it's referred to. No wonder she's getting a birthday complex! We had cake (ice cream cake with strawberries and whipped cream) and topped her piece with 5 candles. And, yes, she's wearing her crown!

Among her birthday goodies were some new Fancy Nancy books, a Scooby Doo movie, a Tom and Jerry movie and the new Leapster game. SCORE!

1st day of kindergarten

2010-08-18T15:13:43Z

So, today marks the start of Carter's formal education. The big question is: Who will be teaching who?!!

I dropped her off at daycare so she could experience routine and know what to expect, but Andy and I met her at school. She was the first out of the van, jumping up and down, all excited to go! She and two friends from daycare (Hannah, who she's been with since she started in 2005 and Devin, who's in her class) walked to their rooms. Carter held Devin's hand, which helped both feel more confident, I think. She hugged us both at the door, then forged into class. She didn't cry or look back once. She's ready to go!

Which makes things easier on me, for sure. We've worked hard to raise a confident, caring, and outstanding little girl. She was "nerbous" about some things in the days prior to today, like the playground slide being scary and not knowing where the lunch room was, but we talked about things, and she ended every conversation with a smile. Seeing Carter so happy and excited, knowing she's going to thrive academically and socially, and knowing that we've intentionally surrounded her by people in her life who's made her an outstanding little girl ... how can you cry over that?!I Today was sad for me, but I couldn't be any more proud of that little Sassafrass!

Jumping off the van, so excited to get going!

Our kindergartner! What a wonderful and beautiful young lady!

Daycare BFF's: Hannah, Devin and Carter

Carter and Devin held hands in the sea of people and headed to Mrs. Noll's room

And once we got there, she hugged us both, told us she loved us, and took off! I can't wait to hear her stories this evening!

Preparation for Kindergarten

2010-08-17T02:00:32Z

Take a couple deep breaths. It's going to be okay.

Carter will begin kindergarten Wednesday (August 18, 2010). Yikes. Is she ready for this? More importantly, am I ready for this?!!

To prepared for kindergarten, we've been shopping (duh!). We went to pick out a backpack with Grandma, because "only GRANDMA can get me a backpack!" Carter informed me! We also got new jeans, tops, a couple dresses, socks, undies and pretty shoes that light up. We got our supplies, too. We're ready to rock!

Thursday, like big girls, we got pedicures. Well, in all honesty, I got a pedicure; Carter got a $15 toe nail painting! But she felt "like a big girl," and that was really the point! We got her hair trimmed up, looking beautiful again, then shared chocolate ice cream.

Massage chair and a foot rub - what beats that?!!

... followed up by ice cream?! Is this heaven? Being a big girl rocks!!!

And this evening was Meet the Teacher night at Ashland Ridge. We dropped off our supplies, checked out the school, and met her teacher. Everything is so little, but perfect! We got a wonderful teacher - older (no, not the "hot" one!) and seems to know her stuff, someone who can handle "sweet little Carter." I'm excited! It'll be a great time for her!

Cheeser, outside school with a bag-full of supplies

Her name's on the door (just above her head)!!!

Her favorite part (after the computer!): the reading center!

Her table's up front (she's like, is the front!). She's sitting with Ella G, Simon ("like Simon Says!") and Vibu, none of which we know. Devin's across the room (good strategy!)

Her favorite part of the math center was the dinosaur counters (which she could name every type of!)

Decorating her name stick at the reading table

Wednesday's the BIG DAY! Check back for pictures soon!

"The Best"

2010-08-16T21:40:40Z

"God saw you getting tired, and a cure was not to be.
So He put his arms around you and whispered "Come with Me."
With tearful eyes we watched you, and saw you pass away.
Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best."

Thursday, after a 17-month battle with cancer, Linda passed away. We were fortunate enough to get to say goodbye to her. She was awake and alert the previous Saturday. We arrived home, and Carter and Charlie kissed her, and were kissed back. Carter went off to play, so Charlie sat with Grandma for a bit. She held his hand, he smiled back at her, and she talked to him. Before we headed home Sunday, Carter got to say goodbye, too. She sat with Grandma and kissed her cheek, and Grandma told her how much she loved her and how proud she was of her for being a wonderful little girl. I don't know if she knew it was goodbye, but I'm thankful that the kids will have a positive final memory of their amazing Grandma.

Arrangements were made Friday. Her memorial was Sunday, and for the first time in days, it was finally sunny and beautiful outside. Coincidence? Doubtful. I think everyone in Washington County came to pay their respects to Linda and the family. People she worked with, sharing stories of her understanding and dedicated work ethic, people she lived near, sharing stories of conversations and laughs, people who may or may not have been family, sharing stories only "family" could have, even if they weren't related. The same sentiment was shared by all: she was someone who loved with all her heart, unconditionally and knew no strangers.

Monday was her funeral, again a beautiful day. The Chalupa men, men who have changed my life for the better, will forever been pictured in my head. They looked so handsome - you'd never have known they were the knuckleheads who yell during cards and crack jokes about bodily functions! Our sad and somber group celebrated the life of the woman we all loved, for so many different reasons.

For me, the memory that sticks out most vividly is our shopping trip in Lahina, Hawaii. Now, I truly think I could win a medal in the Shopping Olympics. However, Linda would certainly place better than me! She drug me from one end of that island to the other, searching for the perfect Hawaiian dresses for Carter and Courtney (10 and 9 months old at the time). We went back and forth, back and forth, trying to find the best and most cost-effective dress. She finally found the perfect ones, and while she paid, I curled up Indian-style on the floor for a break. She laughed at me, then we have tropical drinks at a restaurant on the beach. We looked at and talked about Haleakala, an active volcano that we could see from the window, and reflected on what she called a "peaceful" morning! I told her my feet were killing me, and she just laughed at me!

Through this battle, I never once heard her ask, "Why me?" I know we asked that question. Life isn't fair. You can say what you'd like and give your insight, but it isn't fair. It just isn't. The only positive outlook that can be found at this point, in my eyes, in that Linda being Linda shaped my life into what it is today. She raised four amazing boys, father and uncles to my children, and her morals and spirit are passed down to her boys, their wives, her grand kids and friends. Her 59 years didn't seem like near enough time, but I'm thankful for the time we did have with her.

We got "groceries" after making funeral arrangements: soda, chips, and enough booze to inebriate an army! This is how Chalupa's deal!

Charlie (10 months) and Cousin Marissa (16 months), playing Saturday

Our our way home from Grandma and Poppy's, the sky was on fire with pink and purples. It was gorgeous. Carter, out of nowhere, said to me, "Mama, do you think Grandma and God made the clouds pink, just for us?" I certainly do, Baby!

Grandma's pride and joys: Charlie, Carter and Cousin Owen (nearly 8 months), before the memorial Sunday

Junior High, approximately 1964??

Mr. and Mrs. Chalupa
(where does And get his looks?!)

The boys: Brian, Andy, Corey and Kevin, approximately 1986

In memory of a beautiful wife, mother and grandma, who will be missed dearly

My guys, getting by

Daycare preschool graduation

2010-08-05T21:00:26Z

Carter's graduation preschool (for, what, the third time?!!). Tonight's graduation was from the daycare program, which has helped her to thrive. She was a little ham, no surprise there!

Round Man, excited for Sissy's graduation!

Introducing the Graduation Class of 2023!
(Carter's third from the right; Buddies Hannah is to her left and Devin is to her right)

"That's my Mom!"

From "Sweetheart" (February 2006, 6 months old) to "Graduate"! So proud!

Our Big Girl, ready for kindergarten next week!

She's ready for kindergarten because she's had two awesome teachers: Miss Miranda and Miss Tarah, who she adores!

That's our little cheeser, growing up so fast!
(and that's the infamous "Devin" to the right - he loves her, and the feeling's totally mutual!)

Courtney's visit

2010-08-01T17:09:05Z

Family tradition: we kidnap Cousin Courtney and spoil both girls for a few days each summer. It's a great time, and that time is upon us!

We met Brian and Anna in Newton to pick up Courtney Saturday afternoon. Girls need necessities, like Twizzler's, sunglasses and lip gloss!, so we ran to the store and got our goodies. We headed home, where the girls made a trampoline out of the couch, fold out mattress and pillows. We had a delicious dinner of pizza and pineapple, then headed to see "Cats and Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore," which I'm sure will win an Oscar this year. When we got home (8:30pm), these two were exhausted! We read part of Horrible Harry and the Goog, and they were out.

Sunday, 6:15am, I heard them stirring, and we were up and running again! We had breakfast and lathered in sunscreen, then headed to the park (in our new Tinkerbell tops!). They played and ran and had a great time. But it was warm, so we got ice cream and rented a movie to relax (and hopefully nap later!).

This afternoon and tomorrow, we've got big plans: the pool, maybe Triad to play and run, and Incredible Pizza! Hey, it's my God-given expectation, as an aunt, to spoil Courtney. And I can't just spoil ONE, that'd be cruel!!

Hollywood sunglasses and treats - we're ready to ROCK and ROLL!

I seriously left them alone long enough read what temperature to preheat the pizza to (30 seconds?) and then hit "preheat" (another 10?), and they'd created their own trampoline!

JUMPING!!!

After jumping, pizza and a movie, they were OUT!

Sunday morning at the park

They raced to the top (I may use this "race" to my advantage: Who can go to sleep first?! Who can sleep the longest?!)

Monkies!

Giggle monkies!

Climbing and sliding

PALS! I love these two!

It was hot. Ice cream was a necessity.

What's the fun if you don't wear you're treat?!!

Sunday we hit the pool, which both girls loved, and wrapped up with an evening of Barbie's and Sorry!

Bathing beauties!

Strength in numbers - Carter's NEVER done this before! Apparently Courtney makes her brave!

... at least their bums are clean!

Callin' it a day

Playing Sorry! with Daddy/Uncle Andy.

"Homaha Zoo" 2010

2010-07-30T18:21:51Z

Best zoo ever! I love the "Homaha" Zoo in Omaha, and this year, we went with our pals, the Anderson's and Bumsted's. It wasn't perfect - we got lost (or took the scenic route, or whatever!) and had to backtrack to our hotel, we didn't get our adjoining rooms, one room wouldn't go to bed, one room got up waaaay too early, Carter's a zoo super-speeder, Collin's a zoo slow-poke observer (so we had the speediest and slowest kids in the zoo, and were always yelling at someone to get back to the group), and GOD was it hot! But it was fun! I'd do it all again, in it's lack of glory and all, cause I love the zoo and I love our pals!

At the hotel, Charlie and Nora (11 months) tried to devise a plan to break into the fridge. They only succeeded in being adorable!

Carter loved the pool. Go figure!

Where's Charlie???

PEEK a BOO!!!

That's our crew (minus Madi), ready to run the zoo:
Nora Bumsted (11 months), Carter Kay (nearly 5), Collin & Grant Bumsted (4 1/2 years), Carter Anderson (5) and Charlie (9 months)

Whether it be Des Moines or Homaha, Carter loves the fish!

Seriously, Charlie made it, like 10 minutes, then he was out! MAYBE YOU SHOULD HAVE SLEPT IN, Round Man!

I kept telling the kids if they'd HOLD STILL, the butterflies might land on them. YEAH RIGHT! Total waste of my breath to try and get these four to hold still! This is as close as any of them got!

Butterfly Garden

Carter, Cactus, Carter

This is our traditional family picture spot. Minus an Andy. Added a Charlie.

Gorilla hand. Carter Kay hand.

My monkey, riding the monkey

The new face of starvation!

Carter is so intrigued by the various monkey skeletons. She loved them last year, too!

Riding the carousel

Charlie's first carousel ride, which he LOVED!

Ahhhh!

"I'm fixin' to EAT mama!" Love this guy!

Collin, Grant, Carter J and Carter Kay at the zoo

Carter Kay and mama at that zoo

That's all she wrote for Collin, Nora, Grant, Charlie, Carter Kay and Carter J!

Charlie hooted, and Carter immediately gave him a lovey-hug. They were both hot, tired, sleepy and she was a bit hungry. I think she needed the love just as much as he did!

Muscle Man

2010-07-26T20:15:05Z

Charlie, showing off his muscles (watch his little face shake when he flexes!!!)

Beef cake!

If this doesn't make you smile, you have no soul!

2010-07-25T03:09:06Z

My goofy kids - being goofy, silly, and irresistibly wonderful!

Honey Creek - the most relaxing vacation in the history of man

2010-07-22T23:54:28Z

We just arrived home from spending four days at Honey Creek State Park, on Lake Rathbun. It was easily the most peaceful trip we've ever taken! Primarily because I couldn't plan anything for us to do - we were in the middle of nowhere! Andy and Corey golfed, while Amber, Owen, Carter and Charlie and I hung out, played, swam and did a little crying. We grilled wonderful food (and ate too much!), we played in the water (and went wild in the water park), we had a bonfire (that produced amazing s'mores), and I got to spend time with my wonderful family without worrying about a million other things (that really aren't all that important after all). It was great!

Who's bigger: Charlie (9 months) or Cousin Owen (6 1/2 months)? Easily Charlie!!!

Carter already in hot pursuit of butterflies behind the cabin

Lake Rathbun - how beautiful is this place?!

Monday night we played Uno. Carter and Amber tag-teamed, and Carter won game one! WOO HOO!

Pals Charlie and Owen, playing

Bonfire Tuesday night. Corey and Andy discussed manly, brotherly things!

Carter enjoying (and wearing!) her s'more

Wednesday, Charlie, Carter and I attempted to go to the beach. It's a lake, after all! Well ... Sunday night it rained 2 inches, and Tuesday night it rained another 7 inches, so the beach was flooded out ...

The enticing sign to our left said "Beach washed out. Swim at your own risk." Carter got ankle-deep and declared she "wasn't swimming," and Charlie started to high-tail it outta there, too!

... but they were both still in good spirits! TO THE INDOOR WATER PARK!

Carter the Pirate @ Buccaneer's Bay Indoor Water Park (thank GOD for this place!)

Mommy the Pirate @ Buccaneer's Bay Indoor Water Park

Charlie the Pirate @ Buccaneer's Bay Indoor Water Park

Nothing in the place was more than 3 feet deep (seriously, this place was heaven-sent!), so Carter had free reign and no fear! She got her head wet and went under the waterfall tree

Charlie enjoyed the floaty turtle

The blue slide was an easy one. Easy, non-scary and fun. Weeeee!

It may have all been 36 inches or less of water (Carter's 44.5 inches tall, mind you!), but Carter still wanted to wear her life jacket (which I'm cool with!). She could "swim like a fishy" all afternoon!

Owen and Charlie (with daddy's) loved the little water fountains. Charlie tried to eat it (surprising, I know!)

Carter enjoying the lazy river (for about 15 seconds, then she was off again. She doesn't do "lazy" well, like her mama!)

LOVE THESE!

Even Charlie got to take a (completely cautious and careful!) slide

Daddy hit the BIG SLIDE!

... so did Uncle Corey! Weeee!

Who's this BRAVE GIRL?!! Andy said to me, "Think I can get her to go down the orange slide?" (bigger than the blue one, but covered with a turn). I thought NO WAY! I've been to water parks with her before, where her friends have done just about everything to convince her to do these things, and she always says no. He asked, and remarkably, she headed up and slid down. Just that easy! And she LOVED IT!

Ginger fish

Daddy and Charlie under the rain tree

These three are wonderful! They made my vacation great!

Drying off, being silly

After a long day of swimming (Charlie) and golfing (Daddy), both of my boys needed a nap

The sun setting on a peaceful and fun day at Honey Creek

Carter and I put on jammies and headed back to the lodge for star gazing class. It was overcast and cloudy, so our guide told us the mythical stories behind the naming of the constellations. Ask Carter why the leaves change colors in the fall - she loved that story and remembers every detail!

This grasshopper met us on our return to the cabin

Later cabin! Unfortunately, it's back to reality for us ...

... but not without hitting the game room!

Carter's defense is good, but Daddy's better! Daddy: 1, Carter: 0 (but happy!)

We had lunches consisting of brats and nachos, chicken noodles with carrots and bananas (want to guess who had what?!), then Charlie was down for the count.

Cheesers!

2010-07-14T23:41:59Z

These are my cheesers. Being cheesers. For which I love them so dearly!

Playing Hide and Peek behind the curtain

My cheesers!

Okoboji rocks!

2010-07-13T01:13:01Z

Our good friends, the Anderson's are staying at Trigg's Bay in Okoboji for the week, and they graciously invited us to come stay with them. I had some tutoring that I couldn't rearrange, but we were able to go up Monday morning and stay through Tuesday evening. It was the best time, and we were fortunate to share it with wonderful people!

Who drives 3.5 hours to play in the pool at LAKE Okoboji?!! Oh well, this one loved it!

Miss Brave, with her life jacket, in the 8 foot deep end

"Introducing, Carter and Carter Anderson. You may now kiss the bride."
Crazy! Carter Kay adores Carter J - what do we do in 20 years when they get married?! Oh well .. until then, they'll just have to settle for snuggling under a Tinkerbell blanket sharing cookies!

Playing Ladder Ball with Madi (and not sucking, by the way!)

The beautiful sunset on night one at Okoboji

Carter found ducks at the lake shore. She was intrigued. Of course she was!

Snuggling with my Carty

Perfect end to a perfect day: popcorn AND ice cream, with the best friends ever!

Bright and early, these two are at it again! Carter J squirts water into Carter Kay's mouth - something you'd only do for (or put up with!) the one you love!

This kid has never seen an old-school merry go round (probably because they're vomit-inducing and unsafe!). She loved it! The faster, the better!

After a stressful day of working on the boat (Janine's birthday, in fact!!!), Jason finally got it running (YEAH!), and we headed out. Destination: Barefoot Bar, coolest restaurant/bar/boat shop in Okoboji!

Carter, Tiki Guy, and me

My bestie Janine and I, with our Barefoot goodies, ready to head to "Party Cove"

My little ladies, Carter and Madi

Anchored, ready to get out for a day of the Anderson's version of the Redneck Yacht Club!

Carter Kay, Madi, Kaylee, and Carter J, hanging out on the tube

BFF's Carter and Carter (again!)!

NERDS!

THIS is what it's all about, and all I wanted: a beautiful day, fun people, my best friend, just relaxing and talking. Sooooo peaceful! I loved it!

And when I thought it couldn't possibly get any better, it did! Carter crawled up onto the tube to tell me something and get a hug, then decided to stay. Carter J followed suit, and both Carter's were asleep, full-on snuggle mode!

We headed back to the room to clean up and prepare to bid Okoboji farewell for this visit.

Our best pals, Carter J, Janine, and Madi (and Jason and extended family) were so very great to us, and we can't wait to come back next year! Peaceful, relaxing, exciting and wonderful! LOVE you guys!

What I did NOT love was getting WAY lost on the way home (like near Council Bluffs lost!!!), then hitting a deer on some country road. He hit the hood and rolled off, not moving much after. I kept moving, not wanting to stop in the middle of nowhere. Carter just giggled ("We played dodgeball with the deer! Hee hee!"). Both Carter and I were totally and completely okay, my car, not so much. We finally hit Walnut, Iowa (with Andy's help!), and decided to make the (really great!) decision to stay at the Super 8 off I-80 for the night. Wednesday morning, the car started, but ran hot within 5 miles. I called Andy, who headed out to rescue us. We tried to make it to Adair, IA (1 hour, 25 minutes from Des Moines) to get to a gas station. It went like this: Drive 2 miles, stop 15 for the engine to cool. Drive, stop, repeat. I called in our claim from the roadside to get things started, and Andy came to save the day shortly after.

We were towed to Adair, then to Atlantic to Detter Motors. That's where the car currently sets. I talked to the guys at the dealership, and the estimated repair cost is $3250; we checked the fair market value of my 2004 Neon, and it's about $3200. Most likely, they'll total it out, so we've been looking into new cars, but so far, no word (we're now on day 12 of waiting this one out ...). Story to continue ...