Down and Out

Oh, technology...our friend and foe. The lack of posts this week can be largely attributed to lack of a computer. Ours is currently in the fix-it shop. The gentleman who took it from me could not exactly give me an estimate as to when I would get it back...not comforting. I don't think it has a majorly serious issue, but I don't know how many other computers are in the fix-it line before ours. Anyway, I'll keep the camera snapping away, and I'll post something spectacular as soon as the Dell Vostro 1400 returns. Mac users, I don't even want to hear about it!!!!!!

Life On the Road

We've had some busy days, on the road! Here are some photos from our travels... Over the past weekend we caught up with college friends over dinner. As we left the restaurant, Ainsley and this little Leprechan had their photo taken. The leprechan was holding a very large mug of "rootbeer."

On Monday, Bennett and Ainsley got to see one of their favorite little boys at Buffalo Wild Wings on a seperate roadtrip. They were just thrilled to see him, I was thrilled to see his mom, and Dad was thrilled that we brought him home some Asian Zing Boneless Wings!

On our Monday roadtrip, we took advantage of an opportunity to go to an area learning facility. The girls enjoyed experimenting with bubbles, building robots, using this toy crane, seeing an IMAX show, and lots of other great activities.

Yesterday we took another little trip. We headed out of town to have outdoor lunch with Dad at work. It was so windy that we had to just eat in his car in the parking lot with the sunroof open, so to have a windblock. On our way back home we stopped at a favorite nature center. A very popular ranger happened to be there so he got some snakes out for Bennett and Ainsley. Here is an Albino King Snake. Bennett held him, Ainsley touched him, and I looked at him.

After our snake holding session, we ventured outside for a hike at the nature center. We weren't really prepared for a hike, with our flip-flops and lack of bottled water, but we did enjoy about a 30 minute walk in the warm sunshine!

A Glimpse Into the Life Of Ainsley

Some may wonder, "What does one do when they stay at home with a young child all day?" Let me answer this question for you with another question..."What don't you do when you are home with a young child all day?!?!" Here are a few snapshots from a morning in the life of Ainsley.... After taking Big Sis to school and eating scrambled eggs, Ainsley requested digital camera lessons. Here is her second or third attempt with the cameral. She made me hold the flowers.

Following camera lessons, Ainsley asked if we could make a "spider web" out of chain links. This took a while. We're leaving it up for Big Sis to admire when she returns from school.

Next, it was cookie baking time for a special aunt's 30th birthday extravaganza. Ainsley LOVES to help in the kitchen and she requires that aprons be worn for cookie baking.

What's the secret ingredient to our birthday cookies? A little rock music. Ainsley pulled the drumset into the kitchen and jammed out to some Billy Joel, her current favorite artist. She also talked me into a brief guitar solo.

Morning break...a nice long read on the toilet. Well, that covers about 2 hours of Ainsley's day. Fun times! To my wonderful husband: I know you are sitting at work reading this, nesting super HOT parts and working your rear end off. Thank you for doing it everyday on behalf of your girls! I love you and thank you for allowing me the opportunity to be home living life with these children. I'm thankful for God's provision for us and for the gift of You! Your hard work and sacrifice means the world to me! I love you and thank you, Dear....now you should probably get back to nesting HOT parts!

When I Grow Up...

Bennett recently completed a project for school. Each child had to decorate a template to show what career they would like to have when they grow up. Bennett chose to become a Naturalist. She would like to be outdoors, exploring and helping animals. She also wants to teach people about all kinds of wildlife. We had a great time creating "Bennett the Naturalist." I'm not sure how this career will work out for her though, with all her animal dander and outdoor allergies. For now we'll just let the dream live on!

A Few More Photos From Out West

The Queen's kidnappers have requested that a few more of their photos be shared, so enjoy!!! These two decided to reveal their identities with the above photo. Either they hit the zoom button on the camera, or they intentionally only wanted to reveal a portion of their identities...

The snowboarding kidnapper loved cruising downhill through the trees. Here he is taking a break.

The kidnappers were fortunate to connect with some of our favorite people, Pete and Marta, as they traveled. They stayed up late, catching up with each other and eating fruit snacks. Bennett and Ainsley would have loved to have taken part in that!

A picture from The Queen's photo journal....she loves the chili at Runza!

Who in the world is this? Honestly, even I have no idea. Apparently, the new Real-Looking Fake Cats talked the kidnappers into giving this guy a lift. He appears to be some sort of caterpillar. I'll have to get the story behind this guy.

Safe and Sound!

Well, all demands were met and The Queen was returned by her captor, unharmed, on Tuesday evening! Below are a few snapshots from her photo journal... The Queen hit the slopes and took in the view from the top at Breckenridge. Riding the lift was a bit awkward for her, being as she is a winged creature, but she was cool with it.

The Queen had the opportunity to spend an evening in a home with seven children! They had a fine collection of dress-up clothing. She perched herself in them but was soon forced out by another bird occupying the territory.

The Queen also had a chance to see a guitar, up close and personal.

While traveling, The Queen befriended two Real-Looking, Fake Cats at the gas station along the way. She invited them to come back home with her. When she arrived home with her new buddies, Bennett and Ainsley were thrilled beyond belief!

The Queen wrapped up her first evening back home by reading a tiny book to all of her Real-Looking, Fake Friends. Oh, and to a little finger snowboarding set that she also brought back with her as a souvenir for Bennett and Ainsley.

Queen Update

The Queen is loving life on the road. Her kidnappers emailed us some photos of her, and she appears to be unharmed to this point. Here she is, out in the middle of nowhere, enjoying the view from the front dash. While she's been gone we've been trying to make the best of things. Bennett's nasty cough has slowed us down considerably as well. She's getting better though, and we managed a little roadtrip ourselves with Grandma for a tea time lunch. Ainsley did a great job of being a lady for the occasion. She even chose a dress to wear and some lovely beads.

It was still apparent that Bennett wasn't feeling 100%, but she also was a lovely lady and did her best to enjoy the afternoon.