Do I look THAT bad?!

We just returned from a great vacation. It's always refreshing to get out of town. Truth be told it is an serious extra effort taking two little ones, but we survived. And, I think they had fun. We've decided it was the trip of the "poop". There will be more to come on that. I just thought I would share a quick story from the trip and then I'll post pictures later.

To make a long story short, we had to get tickets to see the ruins in Mesa Verde National, Park. So, I headed into the visitor center to purchase some Thursday morning. So there I am among geezers buying my tickets. The park service lady (in her late forties to early fifties) asks to see ID with my check card. So I pull out my license and hand it over. This is where we took a serious trip downhill. She takes my license and looks at it and then immediately looks at me with this strange look. Then she continues to do this at least three more times before she says, "WOW! You must of had a really good day at the DMV. Are you sure this is you?" I'm thinking, "Holy Cow! Did she really just say that? How do you respond?" And then I want to say, "No I stole someone else's license so I could buy three dollar indian ruin tickets." But, instead I politely say, "Yes, I must have had a good day that day." Then she hands back my license and continues with my purchase. You would think she would realize it might be the time to hush, but instead she says, "I don't mean that you terrible now or anything, it's just usually people's eye's are closed or their head is tipped funny, you know?" So, now I'm feeling a bit defensive and I say, "Well ma'am, I have been camping and had a few kids since that picture was taken, so I probably do look a bit different." Still really trying to be polite at this point. Oh, and did I mention that she doesn't have the most quiet voice either and there is a line of about 20 people behind me. Then she has the nerve to say this, "Can I see your license again please? I really need to look at that picture again." Now the three other park service employees behind the counter are looking at me as well as the 6 geezers at registers with me. I'm thinking, "You have got to be kidding me." I wanted to run out the door at this point, but she still hadn't given me my tickets yet, nor had I signed my receipt slip. So, I pull out my license again and handed it over. Then she says, again, "Wow! That really is a great picture, I still can't believe this is you!" Keep in mind, she is giving me the up and down look over and over while saying this. Finally, she gives me back my license and my tickets and I bolt for the door with the geezers staring and wondering how I look in my picture. I'm still in shock about the whole thing. I can't believe someone has that little tact. Actually, I can, but I can't!!!! I never wanted to be one of those mothers who "let themself go" so, I guess I'm going to have to work a little harder to get back to "license status."

PS. Here is the picture that started it all. I really don't think it's that great, but apparently some do!!!

Alpine Loop

A couple weeks ago we took a Sunday drive up the Alpine Loop in search of changing leaves. We were a little premature, but some of the really high ones had started to change. I must admit that fall is my absolute favorite time of the year. There is something about the way the sky looks and the air feels that it so refreshing to me. I was trying to tell Todd how I think the blues of the sky change with the seasons and that fall has the best sky. I think he thought I was totally nuts. Anyone else fell this way? I wish fall would really last from Sept-Dec. It seems we haven't been lucky the last few years. Maybe this year. . .

I abosultely love this picture.

And, this one!

Ok, I love them all!~

Princess Party

Katie was dying to have a princess party this year. So, hopefully we have that genre out of the way for future parties (somehow I highly doubt it though).

Snow White seemed to be the favorite princess of the day. Katie wanted a Snow White cake and a Snow White dress to wear. So I attempted the cake. I suppose it turned out all right. I made it in the morning before her party and I noticed as the day wore on she began to sink farther and farther into the cake. Luckily, by party time, she had not been swallowed by the bottom of her dress. This, as any of you with 3-4 year olds know, would have been tragic.

The "princesses" painted princess pillowcases, pinned the crown on the Belle and played hide the poison apple. The girls receievd "fairy princess dust", tiarras and wands.

All in all things turned out great. No tears and no double princess outfits. Success!

*Note to self: In the future, remember painting and 10 little girls might not be the best plan.

Severson Kiddos

Severson Family

I love how it is impossible to get all the kids looking at me at once. This is just so characteristic of the cute kids. I love this family! (They used to watch Katie while I worked.)

Colby


Claire

Bella

Annika

Thomas

Isn't this little guy so cute! He is all boy. We had a time getting him to sit still enough for my camera to take a picture, but it was sure fun. He was all about playing instead~especially in the stream! I guess this is what I have to look forward to in a few years. So, so fun!

Disgruntled Nurse

It's 1:30 am and I have nothing better to do, but blog about why I'm still awake waiting for the next unfortunate soul to come out of the OR.

I am a little disgruntled about being here tonight. When I originally came in, oh, SEVEN hours ago it was for a quick 30 minute procedure. I thought I was home free for the night. I really should have known better when my husband said, "Where are all the ortho cases?"

That statement is why I'm still here people. Although I do wonder why sooo many children have managed to mangle themselves on a rainy blustery day. For heavens sakes, what happened to making cookies on a rainy Saturday afternoon? Instead we have two year olds climbing 15 ft ladders, jumping on a wet trampoline and falling of a slide. Who knows how the next two victims managed to hurt themselves on a "cookie baking day!"

Really, I am starting wonder if anyone has any common sense at all when it comes to being a parent. I mean a 15 ft ladder and two year old should NEVER mix!

Oh, and don't even get me started on the father who thought it was amusing that his 13 year old son had punched a few nurses for not doing things "his" way. And, his favorite word to use when speaking to the staff begins with the letter F--and its not the word fun!

Happy Birthday Katie

Happy Birthday to our sweet Katie!

It's so hard to believe that four years have gone by. We love her more than I ever imagined. She has been my little sidekick since the day she was born. I know she was sent to help me survive this whole doctor process. Our life is certainly more full with her in it! We love her excitement for life and her love for her family. She especially loves her little brother Joey. She is an awesome big sister and a wonderful helper. It really is hard to believe how much she has changed in the last four years. There are days where we really wish we could just stop her from growing and yet we are so excited for all the expriences life has to offer her.

We love you Katie!

Happy Birthday!

Love, Mommy and Daddy

1st Day of Preschool---Round 2

Two first day's of preschool in one year?? Wow~only in the Clevenger family. As my mom often says, " A total comedy of errors." She means it in love, of course, but there has never been a more true statement about my life.

Katie loves her new preschool and so does her mother! She gets in the car and is so excited to tell me about what she learned! Normal bathrooms, structure and an awesome dropoff/pickup setup. All in all a much better experience.