Spring Break

We had spring break last month so we headed back up north for our last trip there before the end of the school year. My main mission on this trip was to get Scott's room all fixed up and livable. We are almost there. He just needs a dresser now to finish it off, and a few shelves hung and then done! He went with a solar system themed room and I have to say that it looks awsome! We found a bulleten board display of the solar system, bedding, and also had a few posters. At Christmas he had gotten a "moon in your room" so at night he can have a night light that takes him through the phases of the moon. We also found a glow in the dark mobile set that hangs from the ceiling. Then to finish it all off I made him curtains that I sewed glow in the dark constilations onto. At night his room looks so neat! The only piece that was really missing at the time was a comforter to match the bedding, but I finally found it and when we go back it will be all set.

While we were there I got a chance to see some of the flowers start to bloom that I had planted in the fall. Tim tells me that they look great, I only hope that they last till I can get up there in June. We were there over St. Patricks day as well so made a point to head over to the local Irish restraunt/pub for lunch that day. I have to say that while the food was good, we were a bit let down. We could only get our beer in plastic cups, and they had a special about glasses you could get w/your beer, only to be told that they had already given them all away the day before. We also couldn't eat upstairs on the balacony w/the kids. So lesson learned. Go to the Irish bar the day before St. Patricks day for the real fun!

Valentines sweetie

This year Scott really pulled one over on my for Valentines Day. He was upset because he wouldn't be able to buy me anything for this day as I am always with him when he goes out. So we went to WalMart and I gave him a few simple ideas and then went to the craft department letting him do what he needed to do on his own. Before I had left though, he asked me how much I was going to give him for my present. I kind of laughed and told him that I wasn't going to give him money to buy me gift, that he was on his own for this one (understand he makes a killing at Christmas and birthday right behind it). So I wondered the craft department with my heart beating like mad...I hate having him alone in a store w/me not there. After we met up again we finished our shopping and went to different check outs. Well let me tell you what my wonderfull son did. On Valentines day I woke up to a card on the table with a frog key chain. Then at school he hid something in my desk and left a note for me to look at lunch time. I almost started crying because he had bought me a pair of beautifull pink heart earrings from the jewlery counter! Not a simple card of earrings that I had shown, but in a real box and everything!!! I was so suprised. I am truly lucky to have a son like him! Then later that evening he gave me another box with earrings in them. These were "rasberry" colored circles. I can't wait to show them off to everyone on the boat!

Science Olympiad and Pinewood Derby

This year Scott had a chance to join the science club in school. He was really excited about it becaue right now science is his thing. The group met once a week for several months of the school year, practicing different events leading up to the big competition. In Feburary we went to a local community college for the competition. There Scott was signed up to do the pasta mobile, can racing, and question/challenge. After he had finished his can race event though he was given a chance to also to the quint-athelon (sp?). This was a really neat event where each person on the team had a station to compleate. They would have to answer a question and then preform some silly task. Scott's task was to hit a golf ball with a putter while holding a large glass of water to the next station. After all 5 were compleated they had to race to the finish line still with their golf ball and glass of water. Check out my ubber cool action shot of Scott running! After all the big events of the day the kids were presented with awards for their placings, and the rest were given awards of partisipation. Our day kind of ended on a bad note though after some kids got into a fight and when a dad try to split them up, he "accidently" hit one of our boys. It took them a bit to calm down after we got back on the bus, but eventually everything was back to normal, and Scott fell fast asleep on the bus ride home.

Around this same time he compeated in the Pinewood Derby for Boy Scouting. We got lucky because one of his friends that was going to compeate also was able to help his by cutting out the cars shape. Since we have no tools here it was going to be a bit of a challenge to do. This is usually an event that I step aside and let Scott and Tim work on by themselves. However Tim wasn't able to be here so that left my to figure out what I hadn't been paying attention to the last few years! Scott went for a truck shape this year (if you recall last year was a cheese block). It raced pretty good, but I think that we have a good idea of what we need to do for next years event.

Back Track...Scott's Birthday / New Years Eve

I am bound and determined to get this thing compleatly up to date on information before I leave for my trip so that when I come home I can spend all my time writting about that!

So this was the big 9 for Scott....next year he'll enter that world of double digets. I don't think I'm ready yet for all the changes to come. If you recall our Christmas post, you'll remember that there was lots and lots of snow on the ground, and right before his birthday it started to snow again, so it really was a nice treat for Scott. This year he got several Playstation games as well as winter type clothing. Nothing supper exciting, but traditional for us. If you notice the pictures you'll see that he had 2 cakes this year. That would be because we can get ice cream cakes in CO. Where we grew up in Ohio a Dairy Queen right around the cornor sold the cakes so it was a special treat for us to have. After we moved to AZ though cakes became a thing of the past. Even though our town had 2 DQ's in it, not a one sold cakes. We've tormented our family every time we go back to Ohio because we find excuses to celebrate w/a cake. Now in CO we can have them whenever again! So it was fitting to have one for Scott on his birthday. The other cake Sam did up for him. I think that she did a great job! Later after we got back to AZ I took Scott and 2 of his friends out for an afternoon of putt putt, laser tag, and dinner. We did this in place of a traditional birthday party. Not only is he getting a little old for them, for some reason out here kids don't go to them. 2 years in a row we had only 2 kids show up, so I kept it simple this year. It was fun walking around with the boys and keeping their score. When they were done at King Authers court, they got to go and do a round of Laser Tag. This place has a pretty cool set up with black lighting, and lots of obsticals to hide around.

After Scott's birthday some of Sams friends came over to the house to play our traditional New Years Eve poker game. It really was alot of fun. I think that she had about 6 or so friends come over that all played. This years New Years wasn't anything big (if you think back to the very first posting on the Argyle Frog) With us just getting setteled into the area, and with me still being here we just don't know a whole lot of people there yet, and with all the snow, the ones we do know couldn't make it out! I look forward to the day when everyone looks forward to the Sizemore's New Years party as much as we always looked forward to the Livengood Halloween one!!!

Fast Foward to Easter

First a disclaimer...I still have to post Scott's birthday, spring break and I'm sure there are a few others in there...but I'm afraid that if I don't post current stuff while it is current I'll forget about some of the fun stuff.

So Easter Sunday at the Sizemore/Haggerty house. Scott was up nice and early as he is all the time. He went out of his room w/the idea that the first egg he saw he would go back to his room. Well that first egg was right at the stairs so that was a shot venture for him. When he did finally go downstairs he found that there was no Easter Basket. Only a scroll. From there he had to solve 6 clues to find his basket. I was very impressed because not one clue stumped him. Please note here that Scott does read this web site so please keep comments child friendly. When he did find the basket it had been hidden in the dryer! Silly bunny. We have a traditional Easter breakfast that my dad started when I was about 10 and I think that I've only missed one year of it, and that was because I was sent to AT the day before Easter. Anyways it is as simple as can be and uses up alot of the eggs that we all find ourselves with after Easter. After breakfast I came upstairs to do the last of the painting that needed done. I had promised Scott that I would go swimming today, so into the pool I went. Now this past week we have been in the high 90's and the water has warmed up alot, however today was only in the low 80's (yes, I know warmer then most everyone that reads this) and windy. Needless to say I jumped in, swam over to the "deep end" and then right back to the stairs and got out! Way to cold in there for me! It was great weather to lie out in though, so while Scott swam some more I caught a few rays so that I'm not compleatly white for the big trip that is coming up!

Later Scott had a friend over to swim for a bit and then they played playstation. Right now they are into the Harry Potter thing. After Jacob had to go home, we had a nice dinner w/some traditional ham. All in all it was a nice quiet and relaxing day. The only thing that would have made it better would have been to have Tim here with me (or me there....either way).



Did I mention that we still can't find one egg????

Christmas...yes I know it's April!

So a quick recap of Christmas. I promised to update everyone and get this thing into current times! Christmas was simply perfect! We had about 4 feet of snow out our windows and at one point had all 4 kids at the house. Scott made a promise not to open any of his gifts this year till the girls had opened all of theirs. Believe it or not he managed to do it! Then after he opened his presents he took pictures for us as Tim and I opened gifts. I'll share a few with you, but most of them have our heads chopped off! The rest of the day was spent playing with toys, watching movies and snacking. My parents started a tradition where we only have a deli platter on Christmas so that mom didn't have to spend all the fun time in the kitchen cooking. I've carried that idea along to my family as well.

check back soon!

I am so far behind in my postings. I was taking a class for my masters and had to keep doing extentions on it. Well I have finally submitted my final paper so I will no longer feel guilty every time I look at my blog and wish I could take the time to update it. No more excusses! As soon as I get back to AZ I will share with you, my faithfull viewers: Christmas, Scott's birthday, Boy Scouts, spring break and whatever else I come across!!!!

So check back soon!

Traditions

All families have traditions that they like to do for the hoidays. Our household is no different. One of the newest that was added after my time in Texas was to go and see Trans Siberian Orchestra. After the first time I saw their show I explained it to Tim as "church on acid". For those that haven't seen one of their shows it is a 2 part act. The opening show is a story about a lost angle sent by God to find something, and the music and songs are all related to tell the story of this angle. After that they just have a great time on stage playing music. These guys really rock! If fact one of the founding memebers was also one of the founding members of Black Sabath, so that should give you an idea of the style of music. However there is something amazing about the music that they play and the kick ass light show that goes with it. Their shows are usually around 3 hours and I swear that for the entire 3 hours I sit there like a little kid with a silly grin on my face watching the lights. The first year that we took Scott to the show he actually fell asleep towards the end, which was funny because that was when it was at the loudest, and when they had the fire canons going off! Anyways, I've had the pleasure of seeing them 3 years now and always look forward to the next show. This year I was also able to take Leighanna and her boyfriend Eyrk as well. They enjoyed it, but both being music majors were a bit more critical of it, just as a movie critic would be watching a movie. I guess you just don't hear things the same way a lay person does. Scott did manage to stay awake for it this time, and told me that he actually enjoys their music, which is nice because he isn't much of a music person.
Something else we did this year was to build a ginger bread house. I did cheat and get one of those kits that you just frost and set up, but the idea was for the kids to have fun with it. Unfortunatly though I did not get a picture of the final project. Christmas cookies however do not have cornors cut and I love the time spent in the kitchen with the kids. Last year we did gingerbread cut outs and they were a big hit, so we made to sure to include them in the line up again. I give the kids a ton of icing gels and sprinkles and let them go to it.
The last of our traditions come on Christmas Eve. I love to go to church on Christmas Eve. I'm not a hugely religous person, I have my ideas, and majoring in history, I have a lot of backround knowledge that things aren't as they are, but still I LOVE being in a church on Christmas Eve. There is something magical about it. This year was even better because as we were getting ready to leave it started to snow one of those slow lazy beautifull snows. After church we came home for hot coaco and stories. My mom started with me the chance to open one gift on Christmas Eve, which was usually jammies, or maybe a stuffed animal that she had made for me. I have continued this with the kids. So Scott opened his new pj's got ready for bed, hung his stocking with care by the fireplace (we actually had one this year!), and put the last piece on his advent calander (something I had made last year...all done w/felt, you add a piece to the scean each night in December and on the 24th Santa and his bag of toys is added.) To end the evening we read a few Christmas stories, and always save "Twas the night before Christmas" for last. I remember mom reading it to us every year. In fact one year when I worked EMS, I have to work on Christmas Eve, so I had her wait till I was able to call her so I could still hear the story...of course she didn't know she was on speaker phone and reading to my entire crew until she was done and heard the clapping!). Anyways when Scott was born she presented me with my own copy of the story, and I've read it to him every year since then.

Blizzard of 06'

And no I don't mean those wonderfull Dairy Queen types! I'm talking SNOW and lots of it! But I'm getting ahead of myself right now. Scott and I (and the 2 dogs) headed out to Colorado the day after school got out for break. One of the awsome things about the school I work for is that we get nice breaks. This time we had 3 weeks off for Christmas. It's gotten to the point where that 14 hour drive passes by kind of quickly now, so I don't mind it as much. I know all the mile numbers for every possiable point along the trip, for example there are 189 miles from our house in Colorado to the New Mexico boarder line. Things like that. Anyways I woke up way earlier then I planned so I was on the road before 0500. The day was perfect. A little chil in the air, but sunny and in general nice. We made it home by 1800, and just in time for dinner. The next day was football day, and in our house, everything comes to a grinding halt to watch our beloved Browns (lose). After the game we put up our tree and decorated the house up. For the most part it was just a lazy day around the house. After the week before with a bunch of rushing around, and deadlines to meet, it was nice to just do nothing. Monday Tim had to go into work, so Scott and I do a bit of running around looking for stuff that we needed, and Tuesday we just kind of hung out around the house while Tim worked. Then on Wednesday it started to snow. Now I don't just mean light fluffy flakes falling from Heaven. I'm talking wind blowing white out conditions. We ended up getting around 4-5' between Wednesday and Thursday. If you look at the one picture of the car, that was across the street from us, and was compleatly coverd in snow. The snow on it was so high that it was even with the snow that was on the ground and you almost couldn't tell that there was a car there. By Thursday evening it finally tappered off, but for the most part we were trapped in the house for a good 2 days. The kids loved it though (and I admitt that I was right there with them). We went out the first day of the storm, and while it was cold, and windy we just couldn't help ourselves. Just something about the snow that said, come out and play, even for a minute. So we spent 3o minutes getting dressed to go out to spend about 10 minutes out in the snow playing. If you look at the picture of the snow by the fence, you can kind of see Scott's head poking up and waving...yes the snow was really that deep, he was even standing on a few inches of snow to walk back that way! After that we spent most of our time outside shoveling the drive in hopes of keeping ahead of the snow. We have a guy that lives across the street from us that has a 4 wheeler with a plow attachment on it, so after clearing his drive he went and actually plowed a path down our street that cars could travel on. It was great that he did this because the plows didn't actually go down our road until Saturday for the first time.
This was the first snow that Teddy had ever seen. Lincoln has been in it before, by staying up with Tim for a bit, and when we lived down at Ft. Huachuca we would get traces of snow at times. Lincoln loves to play in the snow. He becomes like a little puppy jumping all around the place, chasing snowballs and eatting them. Teddy on the other hand wasn't too thrilled with all that white stuff to begin with. But lets take a moment to put that into perspective though. Lincoln stands about 8-10 inches off the ground. Teddy on the other had has about a 4 inch clearance, which means that his is going to get cold and frozen first! However by mid day after several feet had fallen, it didn't matter much, both of them were going to have cold and frozen members. Once we got outside with the dogs playing though Teddy was romping all around too. At times it was a bit more of a struggle, but he soon learned to follow in either ours or Lincolns foot prints to save himself some work. And they say that dogs are stupid. Just because they eat their own shit dosen't make them dumb...not the best at decision making maybe, or lacking taste buds, but not stupid!
After the roads had been cleared from that winter wonderland...a few days before New Years we were hit with another blizzard. This one was a bit more gental on us with only about 2 more extra fee falling in those gental soft white flakes that sort of drift their way down to earth. When it was all over the snow came back out and shone on the snow making it glisen like millions of diamonds laying on the ground. It is at times like that I wish I had the talent that Rod has to capture that moment. I'm telling you that there is nothing better in the winter then being surrounded by snow!

A night out!

So I'm going to back track a bit here before I start to post all about our Christmas and New Year....and of course Scott's birthday. I forgot my camera cable back in AZ, so don't have my pics yet (thank goodness for that 1G memory chip I got before Ohio last year!) Anyways, I have been wanting to post about this, but just didn't have the pics to do it.
Several weeks ago, in fact about a week before Thanksgiving, I got a call one Saturday afternoon, asking what I was up to that night. Well since Tim lives in CO not much! It was a friend of his from when he worked here in AZ. He had tickets to go and see Deana Carter who was opening for Mark Wills. Well I jumped on the chance to go, as I do really like Mark Wills music, and he happens to be a friend of our friend, Tom (the one who called). So out to the casino's we went. It worked out well, because Tom was nice enough to be willing to give one of the extra tickets to Scott, but since Scott isn't a huge fan of music (one of the many points that I ponder) he made arrangements to go over a friends house for the night. I rode out with Tom and Evagiline, not knowing the show was going to be outside. Lucky it is AZ, and while the nights do get chilly, this one wasn't too bad, espically once the music got going. After the concert was over the reservation had a huge firework show, and when I say huge I do mean HUGE. This show had to of lasted for about 30-45 minutes at least! When we finally got into the tent that Mark was in, it almost reminded me of being out on the granade range in Basic, either that or a live fire range, on rapid. It really was amazing! I almost didn't want to go into the tent. However I did get the chance to meet with Mark Wills. This guy has a great sence of humor! He is of average height, but as soon as he saw me, he squated down for the pictures. I was so embarrassed about it! I kept trying to get him to stand up, but he refused. Attached are a few of the pics that someone in our group took and sent over (I didn't take my camera...duh). The one pic is of his guitar. It is in DCU print and covered in different unit patches that he has played for in Iraq. Here I have to take a moment to talk about country music. Don't get me wrong, because I love all kinds of music, some you would expect, some you wouldn't, but above all I love country music artist. They support our troops like no one else out there. They write and sing songs about war and love of country, they put themselves at risk to go over to Iraq and play for our troops. I just got an email from a friend of mine in Iraq a few weeks ago, who got to see Carrie Underwood in concert at the gym by the field hospital that he works in. He described her presents there as pure magic, as it took his mind off the horrors that he has been dealing with there for the several hours that she was on stage, and then after preforming for several hours, stayed in the gym to sign an autograph, and pose for pics with every single one of the soldiers that were there! So while it might not be your music of choice, please make sure to give them their props, as they love this country and are not ashamed to show it!

And so this is Christmas

Here I sit on Christmas Eve. Scott is tucked in bed with visions of sugar plums dancing in his head. Lincoln is at my feet, and if I were to take a guess, Teddy is up on our bed sleeping away. Tim on the other hand is finishing up those last minute things that parents need to do to get the house ready for Chistmas. Before getting too carried away with the festivities I wanted to take a moment to reflect. First this is an awsome Christmas this year. Not only do we have a white Christmas, but there is about 3 feet of snow on the ground right now. To top that off, it started to snow again today. How pretty is snow on Christmas Eve or Day? There truly is nothing at all like that (so Rod, as nice as the 70's might be, I would never trade a white Christmas for it!). As the year draws to a close I know that I have a lot to be thankfull for. First I am thankfull that even though I am seperated by more then 800 miles from my husband, I am able to talk to him every day on the phone, and I am able to hop in my car to drive and see him for the holidays. I know that not everyone can do that right now, so as tough as it is, I am lucky. As I drove to church tonight (in the snow) I was thankfull that I have that freedom to pick the one I want to go to. Also that I have a car that can get me there and back safe. I am thankfull that even though I am half a country away from my parents, family and friends we are able to stay in touch. In todays world I am able to make a local call, even from CO or AZ to OH. I am able to email and post blogs to keep them all up to date. I am blessed to have 4 healthy kids in my life. We may not always see eye to eye on things, but what parent does with a teenager? I am also lucky that someone took a chance with me and gave me a job. They were severly short staffed, and trusted me enough to give me the chance. I am thankfull for my husband. You are such a wonder in my life. I truly count the days till this nightmear is over. My friends. For all the years and miles that are between us, you are always there for me. Leeann I wouldn't say how many years it has now been, but LYLAS always. My family, I may not always show it (espically with my "baby" sisters) but I do love you all!
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!


PS...stay tuned for pics of snow, and Christmas morning, and Scotts birthday...that's right 9 this year!

A posting from Tim

Today I got this email from Tim asking me to post it to the blog. I think he ment for me to translate the story, but he wrote it so well that I have just copied it right from my email...so here you go!

Well here are the pictures from Breckenridge. Some notes to help you post. It may have POSSIBLY made it up to 20 degrees. It is right close to 10K feet at the top and the winds were a howlin’. It was nice actually skiing behind the girls while they were on their snowboards. They are actually pretty good at the whole thing. I’ll have to try a snowboard sometime just to help the guys there with smoothing everything a bit. Because all the time that I will end up on my butt or back that is what I’ll be doing, smoothing the slopes. And now the importance of all my layers today. Let’s see…Two pair of socks, long johns, black IPFU pants and a pair of ski pants on the bottom. On the top a t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, sweat shirt, the new black Army jacket for wearing with the ACU and also a ski jacket. Of coarse gloves, scarf and cap are very important. (Note to self…get a thicker hat next time.) The cold air cut right through it. Also my face is a bit sensitive from mostly the cold but I’m sure a bit from the sun and that altitude.

All in all Breckenridge is a very nice place to ski. Everything from beginner slopes up to slopes I certainly didn’t see today. The views were AWESOME. From door step to parking lot is 120 miles and the traffic out of there on a Sunday afternoon is TERRIBLE. About 2 hours to get there and 3 hours to get back.