Happy Birthday Daddy!

The BIG 34!  We celebrated Jason's birthday March 29th with a quiet night at home.  The boys and I made a pepperoni and mushroom pizza for dinner and a carrot cake for dessert...some of Jason's favorites.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Hello Sunshine!

About two weeks ago Mother Nature decided to tease us with a little bit of warm, sunny weather and we took advantage of it.  It was so nice to get away from the DVDs and indoor activities for a little while.

Nolan

Nash teaching me how to hopscotch

"Can I hitch a ride?"

The neighbor girls came out of hibernation.  Nash saw this picture and said, "It's Me, Nolan and my girls!"

The problem is we have been having more snow, rain and chilly weather again lately.  Such is life in the midwest I guess.  I saw the forecast today and things are going to start warming up again soon...just in time for a visit from Grama Jo!  She will be here in 8 days.

Vegas Baby!

Sorry for the hiatus. This time I have a really good excuse.  I was out of the state!

Jason earned a trip through his employer to Con Expo in Vegas for the two of us.  It was my first trip to Vegas so I had no idea what to expect.  First, let me thank my parents for moving in to our house for a week to take care of the munchkins.  And a special thanks to Whit and Evan for giving Nana and Papa a break by taking the boys to Incredible Pizza one night.  We could not have made this trip without your help!
Jason and I flew out on Tuesday morning along with some other Titan employees and their wives.  We were in Vegas that afternoon.  Titan booked us rooms at Planet Hollywood at Westgate.  Our view was pretty amazing.

Planet Hollywood Westgate

View from our room during the day

View from our room at night

The weather was in the mid 60's during the day and it was pretty chilly at night.  We were able to hang out by the pool one day so that was really nice.

On Tuesday night we ate at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville, went to a really fun outdoor bar called Carnaval, then ended the night at the Moon Lounge in the Palms Hotel.  We were excited to be on vacation with friends we don't see very often and may have over celebrated.  This was the night Jason either lost his wallet or was pick pocketed.  Either way, his money, credit cards, ID and room card were gone. Yep, night number 1.  Luckily my mom overnighted Jason his passport so we could still enjoy the rest of our trip.  Thank you Mom!

On Wednesday we went to the Construction Expo, which happens every three years.  Part of it is outside and there are several buildings to walk through as well.  I never made it through the whole thing.

Me checking out the Case equipment

The outdoor part of Con Expo

Jason went back to the Expo on Thursday and I stayed back at the hotel for a massage.  Best massage ever!!  The next few days consisted of a Case event at Club Pure in Caeser's Palace, Holly Madison's Peep Show, an impersonator show, Frank Calliendo comedy show, dinner at the Strip House, a little shopping, losing one whole dollar in the penny slots, dinner at Wolfgang Puck's restaurant, Cirque Du Soleil (Ka), clubbing at LAX (saw Ronnie from Jersey Shore), checking out Fremont Street, and a trip to the Minus5 ice bar.

Jason and I at Margaritaville

Overhead light show on Fremont Street

At Club LAX 

After the Minus5 Ice Bar (can't take pictures inside)

 On Friday Jason and I had a free day and decided to walk along The Strip since I had never seen it before.  I wanted to check out some of the hotels that I had heard about.  We walked down to New York New York to see the roller coaster.  It wasn't running because of the wind.  We went to the M and M Store then walked through the City Center, the Bellagio, the Venetian, and a few others.  Upon Jason's request we took a cab to In and Out Burger for lunch.  He was having cravings.  The MGM Grand is where we saw Cirque Du Soleil.  It was amazing.  If you ever get a chance to go to one of their shows, DO IT!

MGM Grand

New York New York Hotel

In front of the Bellagio where the fountain show happens (too windy)

Jason

The Venetian

Paris Hotel

On our last day in Vegas we took a tour of the Hoover Dam.  I have to admit I wasn't super excited but went along for the ride.  I was pleasantly surprised at how cool it was.  They also just built a new bridge near the dam in 2010 which is VERY high up in the air.  The only reason I stepped foot on that bridge was to get a picture of the plaque at the Nevada-Arizona border which is of course in the middle...YIKES!  I was the one speed walking to get back off of the bridge.

Hoover Dam

A view of the new bridge from Hoover Dam

A view of Hoover Dam from the new bridge

The plaque in the middle of the bridge

Side of the bridge from the Nevada side

We crammed all of these activities between Tuesday and Sunday.  Thank you Titan Machinery for the great trip.  We could never have done all of these things on our own.  Vegas is expensive!  We had such a great time and I would love to go back some day.  I could not wait to see Nash and Nolan when we got back.  I cried when I saw them...what a sap!  They looked like they had grown up a little since we left.  It's always so good to be back home again.  Home.  Sweet.  Home.

A Visit From the Hodgeman/Sandor Clan

Last Sunday we got to hang out with some great friends.  They each took time out of their very busy schedules to come visit us over Spring Break.  It was a short visit but we have so much fun every time we get together.

Nash, Nolan, Rob and Kylie at the races

Lynn and Nash looking at pictures

Kylie keeping an eye on Nolan

Nolan and Al sharing a Kodak moment

We had so much fun hanging out with the "Hodgedors."  See you all again soon!!!

St. Patrick's Day Celebration

The bus rolled out around 11:15 on Saturday morning with Jason behind the wheel.   Some of us watched the only Bi-State parade in the U.S. while others chose not to stand outside in the cold and wind.  The rest of the day was spent eating, drinking, dancing and laughing with friends and family.

Whit and Evan

Daniele and Will

Judy and Peg

Jason and Me

Jen and Me

Whitney borrowed the leprechaun's costume

The bus rolled back home just after midnight...Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

Quotes from Nash (3 years old)

Nolan lifted up my shirt to see my belly button.
Nash:  "Mom, do you have a baby in your tummy?"
Me:  "No, do you think Mommy should have another baby in her tummy?"
Nash:  "How bout you just have me in there.  But we need a door."

Let's Catch Up...again

Nolan and Nash spinning around in the office chair

UGH!  Has it really been that long since I posted last?  I have no idea how this happens...wait...yes I do!  We battled colds around here for what seemed like WAY too long.  I guess it could have been worse.  I did call the doctor about Nolan's cold but of course they said, "That sounds a lot like the virus going around."  Eventually it ran it's course and now our little man is really starting to motate.  Today he stood up in the middle of the floor and took off.  He was watching a movie and saw the girls in "Despicable Me" twirling like ballerinas.  All of the sudden I see him stand up and try to hurl himself into a spin.  He ended up on the floor every time but it was hilarious to watch.  He is even attempting to walk across the tile which makes me really nervous but he is doing so great.   Since I posted last Nolan also produced tooth #9.  The right top lateral incisor.  He is trying to say more words like, "juice" and "Will."  It's sounds like "jsh" and "weeo."   :0)

Nolan trying out the scooter

Nash had his 2nd dentist appointment Tuesday morning and he did great.  No cavities but Dr. Chris reminded me that he has a significant overbite and I can expect a hefty orthodontic bill in the future.  What can we expect?  Jason and I both had braces.  I just hope the boys have Jason's eye sight!  After the dentist we cruised over to Dr. Anderson's office for Nash's 3 year check up.  He weighed 31.9 pounds and was 37.5 inches tall.  He is in the 50th percentile for height and weight.  He said Nash was the smartest 3 year old he has ever seen.  OK, he didn't really but I'm sure he was thinking it.  :0)  He asked if I limited their TV watching.  I lied.  Winter is tough but this week Nana and I are really trying hard to push the games and puzzles and steer away from the movies.  Nash would watch them over and over if we let him.  But then again, he loves puzzles and coloring too.  He had to get an immunization and the nurse did great because she was the only one in the room that didn't cry.  That doesn't get easier for me.

Nash with bed head eating the whip cream off the top of his hot chocolate

Last weekend we went to Des Moines for Jason's Employee Family Fun Weekend.  We stayed at the Adventureland Inn.  Nana and Nini went with us.  We swam in the pool and spent some down time at Jordan Creek Mall.  That place is nice!  It was fun to get away for a few days.

Nolan and Nana watching the swimmers

Our little fish Nemo.  I mean Nash.

Nini and Nash under the water fountain

Nini and Nolan playing in the pool

Nash, Jason, Nolan and me

Today we toured a preschool.  Nash cried when we left.  I think he's ready.  This weekend we are getting the party bus out and celebrating St. Patrick's Day with a bunch of friends.  It should be a good time.