Still Classic

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Although this is from last year, I thought it still worked for this year. Let me know your thoughts.

Darryl at Work

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It's Finally Over

While watching the election coverage, I decided to check out some blogs. Yes, I've been lacking in my posts.

We finally have the majority of painting finished. Now we just have to do touch-ups. I'm still trying to decide how to redecorate the living room. Luckily our previous decorations look okay. Unfortunately, they don't look great but they will get us by. We are hoping to get our redecorating and touch-ups finished before the end of the year.

Our biggest challenge with renovations has been time. We did most of the work after Camden went to bed and during the week. Unfortunately, we don't have a free weekend until near the end of December. So, we are trying to fit the work around crazy schedules and holidays. I keep telling myself it will all get finished eventually.

Let me just say that I'm glad the election is OVER. I'm so sick of watching the commercials and hearing the debates. I think I got so frustrated because politicians simply would not answer the questions. As a former teacher, this drove me NUTS!!!! Of course, I get frustrated every four years when the campaigns start again.

Renovations

This fall we decided to do some home renovations. We had some doors fixed and replaced and the ceilings painted. After having that done, we decided to do the rest ourselves. We soon realized the problem with this decision. It is very difficult to do home renovations with a 3 year old running around.

Camden likes to "help" with the painting. He decided we needed a brown stripe up the middle of our new red wall. Luckily Darryl saw this and fixed it before I had a clue. After working hard on the red wall, to get it to look even, I would not have handled a brown stripe. After that debacle, we decided to only work when Camden wasn't around.

I began doing renovations when Camden was in school and when he was in bed. In other words, I would get a couple of hours during the day (four days a week) and nights. I usually started work at 9:00pm or later and would work until 1:00 or 2:00am. Needless to say, this is taking FOREVER!!!!

The end is in sight. We are down to touching up and putting stuff back where it belongs. Hopefully I'll be able to update the blog soon.

High School Musical - Hicks Style

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I need more excitement

After my dreams last night, I realized that I need more excitement in my life. One dream involved making coffee. I could not figure out why the coffee would not brew. I kept checking the on/off switch. I kept checking the coffee itself. Finally, I figured out that I forgot to add water. I know, I know exciting stuff.

The second dream was just a riveting. In this dream, I was cleaning out and reorganizing the garage. I was trying to decide what needed to be stored, and where, as well as what needed to be sold or donated.

Apparently my real life is invading my dreams. Our coffee pot is on it's last leg. (pretty good for 10 years) Plus, I've been working on the garage. I expect my next exciting dream to be about, wait for it, wait for it, LAUNDRY. I bet you can't wait either.

Camden's First Royals Game

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This was a great family experience. Camden was excited to go. The first thing he said when he awoke from his nap was, "Are we going to the Royals?"

We made it to the 7th inning stretch. Camden and Darryl sang Take Me Out to the Ballgame. The two of them sang all the way to the car. The Royals won the game.

I'm Too Young For This

I've been avoiding the computer because I want to update my blog, my Facebook, and MySpace. I figure I'll spend hours once I figure it out. Yet, I had to get on and say I'm too young for this.

What is the deal with stuff from my childhood turning 25? It was one thing when movies started coming out with their 25th anniversary editions. I mean I've seen them on tv for years. So a part of my brain allows me to believe I'm not really all that old.

Today, I feel really old. For some reason, the tv was on Nick. I allowed my son to watch "Yo Gabba Gabba". (That is one weird show.) Yet, it was a commercial that caught my attention. I wasn't really paying attention. Then I realized what they were advertising. Let there be no mistake they are appealing to the parents. They are appealing to us. They are now selling Cabbage Patch Kids that are 25th Anniversary dolls. Did you know that my CP Kids are now older than my neighbor?



How did this happen?

Of course, I make myself feel better. I just ask my son to tell me my age. He, of course tells me that I am 25.

Happy Birthday Darryl

Darryl turns 38 today. Be sure to wish him a happy birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!

School Begins Anew

Today is the first day of school. It is not nearly as traumatic as the first first day. However, I already miss my boy and he has been gone for less than one hour. It is easier because he has only been out for a little over a month. Camden started last school year on March 10. The teachers recommended him for the extended school year program so he continued through July 10.

Last night, we attended Open House. We walked in the door, no problem. Then we got to his classroom and shyness occurred. This has started happening a lot lately. Camden will bury his face in my legs and cling. If I make the mistake of picking him up, he looks like a monkey clinging on to me. Yep, that happened last night. Luckily, after showing Dad around the room, he opened up and talked to everyone.

Once again, the shyness reared this morning. As we were walking to the bus, at the end of the driveway, I took pictures and Camden was clinging to Darryl. Finally, Darryl just walked up on the bus and put Camden in his seat. At that point, Camden began telling the aid about Dad's car and his Mustang car, and Vixen. The shyness disappeared.

I, of course, hopped in the car and dashed to the school. I watched Camden get off the bus and walk into the building. He appeared to be fine. Now I just have to wait about three hours before he comes home.

Our Anniversary Trip

Here is a Smilebox of our trip to Niagara Falls. We had a great time. I could only fit in a few of the pictures we took. I'm glad I picked the trip over the ring.

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10 Years of Wedded "Bliss"

On Friday, July 25, 2008, Darryl and I celebrated our ten year wedding anniversary. The day started out like any other; the dog wanting to go out and the boy jumping on our bed. Soon Darryl received a text message from a friend wishing us a Happy Anniversary. The rest of the morning progressed as usual.

At one point I was preparing to change an incredibly nasty diaper. I haven't had to change one this disgusting in a LONG time. As I was taking a deep breath before opening the offending diaper, the door bell rang. Talk about being saved by the bell. It was a delivery of a dozen red roses. They are some of the prettiest I've ever seen. They made changing the nasty diaper bearable.

Once again, the day returned to our "normal" existence. Camden and I played and Darryl worked. Camden took a lovely long nap so I could get ready for my date. I was able to get shower, completely dress (plus shoes), hair and make up perfected, and pack Cam's overnight bag all before Camden awoke.

Darryl made reservations at one of my all time favorite restaurants, Houstons on the Plaza, and the evening started. We had a great wine and a delicious meal. Darryl even noted that our waitress looked like she could be in a Hobbit movie. I decided to avoid that bad Karma path. We finished dinner with a wonderful brownie and ice cream dessert.

On the way home, we got caught in traffic. Road construction had the highway down to one lane. Unfortunately, that was when the car dinging saying we were low on gas. As we are laughing and discussing that we drove past Kauffman stadium as the Royals were playing. Just as we drove by, fireworks shot in the air. I was impressed so Darryl took credit for the show. Within a minute, we passed a pickup truck pulling a trailer holding a helicopter and a motorcycle. As Darryl said, a chopper and a chopper.

We arrived at the Noland Road Quick Trip before we ran out of gas and before my bladder exploded. As Darryl got gas, I ran in to use the restroom. After I left, I notice several guys staring at me. Then I realized they were former students. I just kept walking.

Finally we made it home. The dog was happy to see us. We sat down and relaxed. All in all, it has been an interesting 10 years.

Camden and Austin

On Monday, Camden and I visited our friends Lisa and Austin. Lisa, who looks like she has a large ball under her shirt instead of a pregnant belly, invited us to swim for a playdate. Here are two pictures of the boys just before we left. They are about a month apart in age. Originally, we had the same due date.





Since we were in a pool, Camden's bossy side came out. I'm not sure how much Austin enjoyed have Camden there. I think he liked it when Camden wasn't being bossy. Camden had a great time. He even jumped off the diving board. Let me just say no fear what so ever.

Later this week, we went to a different playdate. Camden got bossed around a bit during that play time. I guess it all balances out.

New Undies

Potty Training has not been pleasant. We have started yet again to go down that road. Here is Camden checking out his new underwear. Luckily he is too young to be embarrassed by this post.

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Camden's First Real Bike

Darryl keeping Camden from crashing into the cars.



Camden Cruising On His New Bike



The other day Camden got a new bike. Our neighbors got their five year old, Carter, a bigger bike and gave Camden the small one. It is perfect for Camden. Immediately he hopped on and began to go. He can cruise around in circles in the garage. He is a little timid in the street. Plus it is harder to use in the street.

Watch for Darryl

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July 4, 5, & 6, 2008

I know it is July 10 and I'm just now putting up the July 4 pictures. I felt pretty good about myself until I logged on to the site. My friend is winning our blog challenge. But, I digress. Today I've added another Smilebox slideshow. As you watch it, remember that I did not give Darryl time to edit any pictures. Instead, enjoy the pictures. There are quite a few pictures from the holiday weekend.

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Camden is an Artist

Did you know that my son is an artist? In the past, he hasn't been interested in coloring or painting because it would stain his skin or his clothes. This really bothered him.

Well all that has changed. Today he came home from school with a little surprise. He had an original piece of artwork.



Unfortunately, I didn't catch everything with the picture. You can't see the yellow on both legs and socks. You can't really see the yellow and purple on his cheeks, the green around his nostril, or the blue and green on his chin.

To add to the art, I allowed him to eat Mac and Cheese unaided and without a bib. The area that was left white from his "art" ended up a cheesey color.

The Rest of the June 2008

Well the month of June had a variety of things going on and all were fun. One day Camden was chased by the Incredible Hulk.



Okay, so he was only kind of incredible. Eventually the Hulk caught up to Camden and join him in the car.





Later in the month, I finished a blanket I started FOREVER ago. It is made up of nine receiving blankets. It is made with lots of love and very little skill.

Side 1


Side 2


Near the end of the month, Darryl and I attended the birthday party of our friend, Ed Williams. He hosted a party with four bands and a jam session. We had a good time with our friends.

Marlene and Trinette Rock Out



Ron and Darryl join in on a jam session.



Finally, Darryl and his friends from work decided to fish at Lake Paradise. They took my parents' golf cart to get to the best fishing spots.

Too Much Fast Food

Either Camden is incredibly smart or we eat too much fast food. (I'm going with incredibly smart.) The other day, our family stopped at Sonic for dinner. I mentioned to Darryl that sometimes it felt like Camden mocked me when going through drive-thrus. Darryl just rolled his eyes. He then pushed the order button. When the lady asked if she could help, Camden answered, "Yes, um, I'll have a cheese burger with cheese and (pause as if thinking) burger. That's all. Thank you." Darryl and I nearly busted a gut. He does this every time we go to a fast food restaurant. Needless to say, we've cut back on the fast food.

American Idol - Close to home

Recently American Idol David Cook came to Blue Springs. Camden and I were able to attend his Homecoming concert. We fixed Camden's hair to resemble David Cooks'. We had a great time with our friends.

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Camden and Carter Driving Cars

Earlier this month, Camden and his friend, Carter, were out driving their cars. They like to drive the other's car.

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Something Kinda New

Blogging isn't new. However, I've decided to try it out. Several of my friends have used this block site and they have cute and fun blogs. Plus, I've noticed some digital scrapbooks on here. Hopefully this will be something I like.