Our new ride

Well okay, so it's not new, but it is new to us. It's a 2001 Honda Odyssey and is in really good condition. No dents or dings on the outside. No tears, stains, burn marks, or anything else on the upholstery.

We've been going back and fourth, weighing all the pros and cons of getting a van verses sticking with our Caviler and 4Runner. Mostly it was me trying to convince Jeff that we needed a van, so the boys would stop fighting due to having to be right next to each other.

I started looking on Craigslist for vans a few weeks ago. Whenever I found one that looked like it could be a good fit for us, I would email it to Jeff (trying to convince Jeff that we needed one). As soon as I would call on them, they would already be sold.

Thursday night we looked at a Sienna that looked like it was the one. When we got home and got a carfax report on it, it turned out to be a rebuild title because it had been in a front end crash and the air bag deployed. I called my dad to talk to him about that and get his advice.

Friday morning I got a call from my dad. He was at the arena where there were 3 different car dealers doing a big clearance sale. He found a few vans that were in our price range.

One of them was this Odyssey. I really wanted either an Odyssey or a Sienna, so I was pretty happy when he said the Odyssey was actually well under the maximum amount we wanted to spend.

My dad offered to "test drive" it up to my house to show me. When he got here I was surprised at how good of condition it was in. When my dad took it back to the arena, he got a carfax report on it and brought it back to me. The carfax came back clean, full maintenance records and no accidents!

I called Jeff to tell him about it and he said that if I liked it and wanted to get it to go ahead. So I called my dad, who had probably just gotten home from just being at my house and asked if he would go down with me to the arena to buy the van. He agreed. So after Shiloh woke up and we all ate lunch, we picked up my dad and went to the arena.

I got all the paperwork started and I called Jeff to tell him to go to the Honda dealership after work to sign the paperwork. All this time, my dad took care of the kids. I truly have a great dad! So when Jeff got there he sign all the paperwork without even seeing the van.

So now we have 3 vehicles. We are trying to decide if we are going to sell the Caviler or the 4Runner.

Swim lessons

Over the last two weeks (Mondy through Thursday both weeks) the boys have been in swim lessons. These pictures are mostly from their first day.

Mason did really well, improved his swimming skills, and is ready to go on to the next level next summer.

Cooper on the other hand, still wasn't too sure about the water. He did become more comfortable as the days went on, but he will need to repeat his level next summer.

The water was shallow enough for him to stand it, but he didn't want to stand in it.

9 Months

Shiloh is all over the place now! She is learning how to climb the stairs, yikes! She gets into everything and eats anything she can find on the floor. She has learned how to wave really well. Here she is getting some practice at her future career. Dumpster diving.

Grown up thoughts from Cooper

The following is the conversation we had last night with Cooper during dinner.

Cooper: When I grow up I am going to be a dad.
Me: Yes you are.
Cooper: And I'm going to have a wife.
Me: Yes you will.
Cooper: And I'm going to name her....(pause)
Jeff: Cooper, you can't name your wife, she will already have a name when you get married.
Cooper: Oh.
Jeff: But you will get to name your kids.
Cooper: Yeah, I'm going to have one boy and one girl.
Crystyne: Oh yeah, what are you going to name your boy and girl?
Cooper: Ummm Adam for the boy......and Eve for the girl!

Family Party

On Sunday we had family over for cake and ice cream to celebrate Cooper's birthday.

Cooper was so excited to get this snack container that is spill proof, I really don't know why, maybe because he love to EAT! He insisted on eating his cereal out of it the next morning. Turns out it is not spill proof for liquids.

When asked to smile and look at the camera, this is what he did.

Station 95 Open

Saturday was the Station open house for the station that I volunteer at. We do open houses every year so the public can meet us and see how their money is being spent. Here are some photo's from the events.

One of the Medstar helicopters landing in the field across from the station.

Cooper

Mason

Some of the volunteer fighter fighters I work with.

Smoky the Bear needed a hug.

Ladder 91 extended. Look how close it can get to the ground. Pretty impressive if you ask me.

I got to go up in the bucket and watch Medstar take off. Here is the view of the Prairie from the top.

The station

Friend Party

Friday night Cooper had a birthday party with his friends.

Meet the party guests.

The birthday boy

Caleb

Zachary

BenjaminBrennen (I'm too cool for a Mater hat)

Mason (I'm also too cool for a Mater hat)

Carter and Allen

First we sang "Happy Birthday" to Cooper and had cake and ice cream.

Then we opened presents.

Then it was outside to whack the pinata. Priceless. Blackmail. Cooper Carter
Benjamin
Caleb
EthanZachary
Mason
Allen Brennen


Then when everyone had a turn whacking the pinata, Jeff took it to the grass and dumped out the goods.


Then they played and ate candy.

End of party.