Long Weekend

We took a long weekend and headed to Lincoln and Omaha for some family time. We had a lot of activities planned so we were on the go! Good thing the boys do well in the car.

We spent Friday night at our good friends Mike, Trish and Carson Roaches house. We missed seeing Trish and Carson, but the new Visla puppies were a hit with Carter and Hudson. Carter wanted to take one home and I seriously considered it, until I pictured our leather couch becoming a chew toy. Oh... they found out on Friday that they are having a boy!! Carson is going to be a big brother! We are thrilled for them and can't wait to meet the little guy in early 2009.

The entire Christie family was able to be together as Nick and Lauren were here from Las Vegas. It was really nice spending Saturday night with everybody. We had some great food and celebrated the August birthday's. Jenn, Lauren and I were the birthday gals and my Mother-in-law, Trish made the traditional red velvet cake with butter cream icing!! YUMMY!

Me (shorty), Lauren, and my sister-in-law Jennifer

It was so neat to see the cousins play and interact. Five boy cousins running around...but my sister-in-law Karen & brother-in-law Pete will be adding a little girl in November. I can't wait to shop for pink and purple outfits and baby dolls!

Zach holding Hudson, Carter & Christian holding Collin

We were also able to spend a good chunk of time with my parents too. Carter learned to snap garden beans with Grandma Helen & Hudson could not get enough of Grandpa Ron!! We have been VERY LUCKY to have my Dad spend quite a bit of time with us this summer, so the boys and Grandpa have become best buds!

We really had a good weekend, but it went WAY to fast!

First Day of Preschool

Today was Carter's first day of Preschool at the Science Center of Iowa. Lee & I have been talking about and preparing Carter for this day since we started potty training him back in February. Since that time, Carter always cried or said that he didn't want to go, or that he wants to be with me, not at preschool.

This morning was a pleasant surprise for us! Carter got up happy (which always is a plus), and got ready in his new outfit, ate a great breakfast, posed for some pictures and when we got to preschool, he WALKED RIGHT IN!!!!!! No tears, painful goodbyes, or grabbing at my leg!!! YEAH!!! Lee & I just looked at eachother and about fell over in shock!!

I picked him up two and a half hours later and asked him if he had fun at his new preschool. He said yes but informed me that he won't be returning on Thursday morning because "one time was e-nough!!!" This will be an adventure for all of us!

Summer Highlights

The last official weekend of summer is here. It's hard to believe that it is over. We have had a great, but busy summer. Here are some of the highlights from summer 2008.

Las Vegas

Lee & I took our first trip together since the kids were born. My parents watched the boys for us while we had a great time. We visited with Nick and Lauren, Lee's brother and his girlfriend and went bowling with them. I loved laying out by the hotel pool, reading a book. We watched the Kentucky Derby, went to the "Price is Right" game show and ate out ALOT! Too bad Carter got sick for my parents and ended up in the ER.

My Brother-in-law Nick and his girlfriend Lauren

Hudson Turns One

We had a huge party at My Mom & Dad's in Lincoln for Hudson's 1st Birthday! We were so glad everyone was able to make it from all over. We can't believe our baby is not a baby anymore. He is walking, babbling, playing with Carter and teasing the dog. His new favorite thing is to sit by the stairs and when you say "No, No Hudson." He crawls up the stairs as fast as his chunky legs can take him! He is the happiest kid ever and we are so lucky to be his parents!

Krondak Family Reunion

My Mom organized a really nice reunion for the Krondak family. It was great to see my cousins and their families and my Aunt Teresa & Uncle Bill who came all the way from Alabama. Everyone brought lots of neat, old pictures. It really made me miss my Grandpa Max & Grandma Alice.

My Mom, Her Aunt Lucille (my Grandma Alice's sister), Aunt Teresa Potter & Uncle Bill Krondak

Me and My cousin Allison

Indianola Balloon Festival

It has become a new tradition in our family to attend the Balloon Festival in Indianola. To be honest, when Lee came home from work one day and said it might be fun to take Carter (then 14 months) to see hot air balloons in humid Iowa weather, I was less than thrilled! Now 3 summers, and 2 happy kids later, I know as long as we live in Des Moines, we will most likely attend!
It is really amazing to see all different kinds of hot air balloons from all over, inflate and "race" for prizes and mainly the enjoyment of the audience. They also have great food like walking tacos and funnel cakes, and games and rides for the kids.
We had a great time again this year and Carter is already asking "If I am good today, can we go to the Balloon Festival?"
Sorry... no pictures. I think they got lost on Lee's old computer :(

Iowa State Fair

My parents and sisters came to Des Moines for my birthday weekend, and we decided to take them to the awesome State Fair. Carter is really into animals and bugs so he loved the Butterfly Pavillion and the Animal Learing Center. He is big enough this year to ride some of the small rides and he thought that was pretty cool. He actually did this bungee cord, trampoline thing. I seriously thought he was either going to throw up or pee his pants until we all started to cheer for him and tell him what a good job he was doing, then he loosened up a little! After he was all done, he said "Mommy, I peed in my pants a lil' bit."

Jessica turns 30

I never understood when I was younger why people "skipped" their birthday's or said they were "29 again". UNTIL NOW... no really I am over it already! It was really nice having my parents and sisters here to help celebrate... and we did! We ate out at Carlos O' Kellys, and then had an awesome cake from Lovejoy's in Carlisle!

Valerie, Carter, Hudson and Rachel

Grandma & Grandpa Pope

Lee & I

Yummy B-day cake

Goodbye summer 2008!

A House Divided

A new football season begins this weekend...Some of you may or may not know our house is divided when it comes to rooting for our favorite college teams. Lee has long been a Ohio State Buckeye nut and I am a Nebraska Cornhusker fan! This of course is passed on to our boys. Saturday mornings are spent "discussing" what jersey or t-shirt from what team they are going to wear. The boys are oblivious to Lee and my stubborness to give in to the other. Some days depending on how big the game or where we are going to watch the game, they may go through two outfits... poor kids!! Honestly though, I really could care less what team they follow or root for, someday they will make that discision on their own. Go Buckeyes! Go Huskers!

Christie Blog

Hi everyone!!
After months of wanting to, I am so excited to finally start a blog! Check back to stay updated on our family!! We have a lot of new things coming up...