"Trunky"

Kevin says we are "trunky" and informed me on our ride to church today, "In eight days, I can officially say, next month I graduate and we'll be headed home." He is so antsy. We both are. We've met some awesome people who will be life-long friends, but we are ready for Chloe to get to know her family and get settled.

February has been super busy. This coming Sat, Kevin and I are doing the photography at Brandon and Kim's wedding, so we hope that goes well! There are no do overs for those (picture wise that is).

It's 11:30pm and i'm too lazy to put up some pictures right now.

January

Kevin started the black hawk course, finally, on January 4th. It is a 15-16 week course, with the best of conditions, his graduation date is April 28th. We will be headed back to Idaho as soon as we can .

Everyone has been asking how the couches are after a few months. They arent wearing as well as I had hoped, but I did some research and I guess I should have done a mid color, like green, before going to brown, instead of dying straight from light gray to brown. I may need to re-do them in 6 months or so, but they still look better than they did, and so I suppose that makes it worth it.

I have begun training for 2 triathlons coming up this summer and I have 6 months to get ready. This picture is from the Burly "Spudman" last year. The triathlons are in Burly the end of July and Emmet the 1st Saturday of August. I have never done one, but thanks to my good friend here in Alabama and veteran tri-athlete, Brenna, I should be whipped into shape in no time! I even ran over 17 miles this week, 13 of them I pushed Chloe in a jogger. And yes, I am bragging, since it was by choice, not by force, which is something new for me. And... I EVEN ENJOYED IT! I have never liked running. I've always wanted to like it though, and for some reason I am loving it. I am even disappointed if I don't get to go out for a run. Today is a rest day, and I'm itching to hit the pavement.

Isn't this just gross? It is a pound of human fat replica. I just want to gag, but it is strangely motivating isn't it?

Orlando - Day 3

Our final day in Disney World was jam packed with people. I think #1 it was a Saturday #2 it was the first Saturday of most people's Christmas break #3 Magic kingdom was open until 1am to everyone. I would say those three factors were against us. It probably wouldn't have been so bad if we didn't have strollers. It's not easy to squeeze strollers between people, especially when they are just sitting and watching parades! It was still really fun, and we saw a few shows and rode a ride or two. Honestly, I have no idea what the fascination is with the ride "it's a small world" its kinda weird, ok, really weird. Lots of dancing dolls dressed up in international attire. We didn't take as many pictures this day. These are from the "Winnie the Pooh" ride which was really cute.

Orlando - Day 2

We started out heading straight to Disney's Hollywood Studio. We spent most of the morning there. We had breakfast at a cute dinner with Jo Jo's Circus characters. Again, Chloe just wanted away from the big weird things whenever they came by to say hi. Porter did great and was a lot more curious than Chloe.

Pictures - left to right, top to bottom:

1. Chloe trying to get a way from the lion at breakfast

2. Porter showing his "Buddha belly"

3. This is on the safarri at Animal Kingdom. Chloe looked like this on every ride we took her on

4. Porter trying to get away from the lion at breakfast

5. Laser Family

6. Mickey Mouse in the show "Fantasmic." It was incredible

. Fire, smoke, vidoe projection onto misting water ect... very cool. A definite must see.

7. Very fun ride dubbed "tower of terror." It was our 1st ride at Disney.

8. Cederquist Family

We hurried over to Animal Kingdom for a roller coaster, parade and safari. We had just enough time to get back for Fantasmic in Hollywood Studio. Chloe was totally exhausted by the end of the day. She did get one small nap that day, thanks to Steph

anie - who was amazing the whole trip. We wouldn't have been able to do any of it with out her. She watched the kids while we were on a few rides and essen

tially she planned everything.

Orlando

December was a fun-packed month for us. Between a quick trip to Disney World, Chloe's birthday, and Christmas, we have been kept busy! I guess the best thing is to put up some pictures for you to see:

Day One in Orlando was spent with a birthday breakfast for Chloe with Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy. She did NOT like Minnie, which is ironic since her "lovey" or "baby" is a Minnie Mouse who comes everywhere with us. After breakfast, we went to Sea World. COOLEST. KILLER WHALE. SHOW. EVER. Well, it is the only one I've ever seen anyway, and it was definitely worth watching. We were in the "Splash Zone" and luckely Steph is always prepared and had ponchos. Too bad it rained a lot of the day, but it was still pretty amazing to pet manta rays and dolphins.

Paul and Stephanie were wonderfully nice to volunteer to watch Chloe so Kevin and I could make it to the temple while in Orlando. Unfortunately, the last session started at 7:30 we were just a minute too late. The GPS had given us an inaccurate distance and we didn't make it on time. The temple is beautiful. We were disappointed to be turned away, though the spirit on the grounds was strong and still gave us a spiritual boost.

There you have day 1. Check back soon for the rest of the December fun in the sun... er... rain.

I Go A-Walking

She mostly has to be bribed, but she will do a few steps on her own, but crawling is still easier for her.

Dyeing Experience

Dear old person couches: You were ugly gray, and slightly embarrassing. You were worn and torn. You were old when you joined our family, you've been moved 5 times with us since my mom paid $100 at a yard sale for you. You have served us well... Here's to you.

OK, that out of the way, on to the good stuff. Katie Foot gave me the idea of dyeing my couches to give them some new life. Here is the messy process. Housing shouldn't be able to charge, I checked and there are no rules about getting leather dye spots on carport cement. Please excuse their blurry-ness, oh, and the holes in my work clothes.
Now that they are completed, they strut their stuff, kinda like someone who gets a new boob job, they stand out a little better. Thanks Katie, never would have thought I could do something like this. They are definitely reincarnated from ugly, yucky, old to something, well, nicer. Are you holding your breath for the final product? Drum roll please!

And

here

you

are

TA - DA!