I don't even know where to begin. We have been so incredibly busy, I think that always happens around the holidays though. If I'm not at home cleaning or cooking, we are out shopping, going to the movies, getting together with friends, going on a million job interviews, taking Layla to gymnastics, out exploring, RC races, mini golfing, bowling, playing lots of games, etc. etc. etc. It's nice being so busy but I wouldn't mind things slowing down a bit too but looking into the future with December just around the corner, things are going to be busy for at least another month. Ed leaves to Texas in Jan. for a month and a half and my mom is coming to visit during that time. Layla and I can't wait! Plane tickets are so much cheaper from Palm Springs to Colorado Springs rather than Palm Springs to Frankfurt, that means EVERYONE from the desert should come and visit us! Anyway, I thought I would do one big update rather than try and go back and do a new post for each event.
A couple weeks ago we went and saw Megamind. It was SO good! I knew it would be though, the actors in it are some of our faves. Such a hilarious movie. We went to a movie theater clear on the other side of town because we like going to the first showing in the morning (so it doesn't ruin the middle of our day) thinking it wasn't in 3D. Well, when we got there turns out it was a 3D movie. I was worried that Layla wouldn't like wearing the glasses (last time we took her to a 3D movie, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, she hated the glasses) but she did really good and wore them the entire movie without complaining. I think she enjoyed the movie a lot too, which helped a lot. 
I've been having roughly 2 job interviews a week for awhile now, just waiting for that right job to come along. I want a job so bad, just so I can get into a routine for when Ed leaves and to keep me busy. In the end, either the job doesn't want me or I don't want the job (hours, pay, etc). I have faith that I will find the right job for me. I keep telling myself that if it was meant to be, it would happen, so for now I am just enjoying my time with my princess before I have to put her in school. The other week I had a second job interview for a company that I really like, the pay is perfect, the hours are perfect, everything about it is perfect. I don't officially have the job yet but I did have to consent to a background check and take a drug test so I'm hoping that means good news. Anyway, before I left for my second interview Layla and I awoke to Starbucks in bed and an orchid for good luck. My husband is so sweet, he is excited for me. 
We try and do something fun every weekend, although hanging out at home is fun too. A couple of weekends ago we went miniature golfing at the Citadel mall. The course is so cool, it's all in black lights and is inside so it's nice and warm. We had a blast and Layla was pretty darn good for it being her first time. The following weekend we decided to go bowling. Layla got a strike all on her own! She did have the bumpers up but the ball didn't even touch the bumpers once and she threw the ball ALL on her own. She is getting so good! I must say, I am getting good too. I actually think this was my all time best scoring game, I got a 159 with 6 strikes and 3 spares. Of course I beat Ed, I won't embarrass him and tell you the score he got. LOL 
I can't forget to include Thanksgiving in here, we had a fantastic Thanksgiving. Our friends Margaux and Bryan invited us over to their house for dinner. They've become such great friends, it's actually a funny story. We grew up in the same town, went to the same high school, and I am really good friends with Margaux's sister in law, Nicholle. Nicholle is actually the one that introduced us and told us that we were headed to the same post. It's nice to have a friend here that grew up in the same place as us. Margaux is an amazing cook though, she made the best dinner, it was really awesome. So much good food, we ate until we couldn't eat anymore. And just when we thought we were full, it was time for dessert. YUM!
After dinner it was time to plan for Black Friday! We had all the ads out on the table, making a list of where/when we wanted to go. It was fun, however, the fun was short lived as we waited in line at Toys R Us for 2 hours, out in the 10 degree cold, and never did get in the store. We gave up and got home at about 1am. It was still funny though and the next day I made Ed and Layla go with me to get some of the deals I wanted, we made out too. 
This past weekend we went and saw Tangled. OMG, what a great movie! It is seriously up there with my favorites. Layla loved it, of course because it had to do with a princess, but surprisingly, Ed really liked it too. Ed and Layla had a great time playing in the arcade after the movie and Layla is so super excited to see the new Justin Bieber movie when it comes out in Feb. (just great). 
And of course we can't ignore the fact that it's Christmas time! The day after Thanksgiving we got out all of our tubs of Christmas decorations and started decorating. Layla loves decorating, I think she gets that from me. We had a lot of fun looking through all of our stuff and finding places for it all. Layla loves having her pink Christmas tree in her bedroom and it goes perfect with her princess decor. And... STEVE IS BACK! Last year we started doing the Elf on the Shelf and Layla fell in love with Steve (that's what she named out elf). Well he showed up again and she is having a blast looking for him every morning. Actually, I think she is having extra fun with him this year because Ed is home to play along too and she is getting to explain all about Steve to Daddy. 
So, that's what we've been up to, along with many other things. We have lots of things planned in the next month too (parade, Santa's Workshop, Ed's eye surgery, a ball, etc) so I will try and update more as things move along. I hope everyone is having a great holiday season.
Today Ed had a final eye appointment to make sure he is able to get eye surgery on December 9th. Ed is getting Refractive eye surgery and is so excited to think that he won't have to wear glasses again. Actually, he said that the first thing he is going to do after he gets his surgery, is go into a gas station and buy a random pair of sunglasses, knowing he won't have to have a prescription put into them. We had to be at the hospital bright and early this morning for the doctor to dialate Ed's eyes and make sure he is ready to go next month. Ed thought his appointment was at 7am which meant we had to be there by 6:45am which meant we all woke up around 6:15am. However, my confused little husband was wrong and his appointment wasn't actually until 8am so we headed on over to Burger King for some breakfast and coffee before we took him back to the hospital. The doctor told us Ed's appointment would take 3 or so hours so Layla and I basically just dropped him off and came back home until he called to be picked up.
The doctor lied, the appointment only took an hour and just as I got on the phone for an interview at a college, Ed starts calling me, over, and over, and over again. Needless to say, my interview didn't go very good thanks to a blind husband of mine who couldn't read his text letting him know I was having an interview. When Layla and I went to go pick him up, he was wondering around outside, in the snow, with some very cute eye wear. As soon as he got in the car, I knew I should have left him there. When he is sick or has anything happen to him, he 100% relies on me to take care of him which requires him to whine about everything. I felt like I had two children all day today! LOL 
Thank you to all the troops, past and present, for the sacrifice they and their families make every single day for our country. As an Army wife with 2 deployments under our belt (and gearing up for #3) I personally know how hard it is to say goodbye to your husband for a year and worry yourself sick every single day that they're at war. It's because of our wonderful military that our country is as great as it is today. I am so proud to be an Army wife and so proud to have a hero as my husband. THANK YOU to all troops and their families, I look up to each and every one of you for your bravery and courage.
As for what the day held for us, we had a great day (as usual, do I ever say we didn't?). Ed woke up bright and early and made a quick trip up to Ft. Collins for a new New Belgium keg. Their seasonal winter beer is out so that's what he decided to get a keg of, 2 below. About a week or so ago Ed went into the garage to his beloved kegerator and when he went to pull the tap, no beer came out. Poor guy came into the house looking all sad and told me to go into the garage with him. He has a Raider light above the kegerator and when I got into the garage he pointed to the light and told me "the light's out, you know what that means!" According to him, when the Raider light is off, there is no more beer in his keg and he has to "shut down". But no fear, he is back up and running now so he is a happy camper yet again. How did we ever live without a kegerator? Oh, he also came home with an adorable New Belgium beanie for me so I was happy too!
Ed got home just in time to go to a local Veteran's Day ceremony with us. It was in Fountain, right down the road from our house. We missed the Veteran's Day parade last weekend for Ed's unit BBQ (why was it last weekend anyway?) so I was happy they at least had a ceremony going on today that we could take Layla to. 
The ceremony ended early and we still had a good chunk of the day left so we decided to head up to Woodland Park to the Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center (just a fancy name for a dinosaur museum). It is up in the mountains so as soon as we started driving up we saw snow, guess who that made happy? As soon as we parked the car and got out Layla and Daddy had to run in the snow and start throwing it at each other. Actually, I think that was the highlight of Layla's day. Forget the amazing dinosaurs we saw, it's all about the snow!
The dinosaur museum was small but really amazing. There were lots of activities for kids to do while they were there and there was just so much to look at. I don't even think I've ever been to a dinosaur museum, just seen them on TV, so I enjoyed it too. Of course after we were all done Layla had to go shopping in the gift shop, because you know, what good is a museum without going shopping in the gift shop afterwards? She decided to get this tube that she could fill up with whatever dinosaurs she wanted. She's been playing with them ever since! It was funny, when she took them all out she was asking what they were all called and Ed and I just looked at each other like ummm...? He knew way more than I did but I'd put money on it that they weren't all right. LOL 
We were going to start to head home but when we walked out of the museum, right across the street there was a little German brewery. Ok, you know we had to stop there! It was the cutest thing ever and totally reminded me of Germany. We loved it! Ed tried one of their beers while Layla and I had their home made orange cream soda. It was to die for! While they didn't serve dinner they did have snacks and we had to see how German they really were. Wow, it was like being in Germany all over again. The waitress brought us this platter of bread, cheese, meats, potato salad, and a pretzel. The food was SO GOOD! We really enjoyed it and have already said we'll be making another trip up there one of these days to explore some more and then go back to eat and drink at the brewery. Yum! 
It was starting to get dark so we headed home after that and ended our day. So nice to have Ed home for a 4 day weekend for a change, we're just crossing our fingers that he doesn't get called in for something dumb (which has been happening way too much lately). I hope everyone enjoyed their Veteran's Day just like we did!
P.S. As soon as we got home from our day out, Layla and boots made their "best friendship" official by wearing matching bracelets. Those two have the best time together! I'm so glad we decided to get her cats. 
Actually, I think it was more hail than snow. It was like balls of snow, not snow flakes so I'm not really sure what to call it? I think I will just stick to calling it snow, that's easier although I have heard in this area it's not unusual to get golf ball sized hail during the winter. Now that I am looking forward to seeing (inside the house of course, I hope I'm not outdoors when that hits). So according to local Coloradans we're having a very mild winter so far which I am not upset about in the least. You know me and snow, we don't mix very well.
Today we were out and about when it started getting really stormy looking, we got home just in time to snuggle up on the couch and watch some TV before we heard it starting to come down outside. Layla and I ran to the sliding door, looked outside and saw snow (or hail, whatever) coming down hard! Of course we had to go outside and run around in it, what else would we do? 
After we got back inside and dried off, Layla made a bed in front of the door so she could just lay down and watch the snow. She has always loved the snow, she missed it so much when we were in California. This was the first time since Germany that she had been back in it. Heaven for this little girl!
And since I am updating my blog I thought I would update on Layla's latest gymnastics class where she did 2 back flips on the trampoline all by herself! I am amazed by her, she puts her mind to something and she does it. She also remembered and said, loudly, all the names of certain positions, she was the only one in the class saying everything. The teacher told me after class that she is going to excel and advance really quickly so we'll see. I'm so proud of her! 
Within the last month or so, Layla has been talking non stop about gymnastics and cheer leading. Since we were in the process of moving I didn't want to start her one place and then move and have her start in a whole new place. Now that we're all settled in here Ed and I decided it was time to enroll her in gymnastics. This morning was her first class and she did so awesome! I swear, the kid is a natural at whatever she does. The teacher even told me after class that for her first time, she was especially good. Layla LOVED it and is so excited to go back next week.
She is usually pretty shy so when we first got there I was worried that she would hide behind my leg and not go to class. She did just the opposite though. She ran to her teacher and did everything she was told, I couldn't believe it. Now that she is 4.5 she is finally opening up and becoming Ms. Independent, which is a nice change. The gymnastics class was an hour long and they had to warm up first. Part of warm ups was doing a bridge, which Layla had never done before, but the teacher guided her at first and TA DA! She did a bridge and held it forever! Now she is doing them all around the house and even trying to teach Daddy how to do one. After that it was trampoline time. They did tuck jumps and toe touches and then were hooked up to bungee cords to do flips and jump even higher. Once again, I was worried she would be scared and not want to do it but she was so excited and loved every minute of it. I went to where her trampoline was and asked her if she was having fun, her reply was "Oh God, yes!" LOL
After the trampolines it was floor exercises and the obstacle course (which the balance beam and bars were on too) and Layla just did so good. I am so proud of her. Ed and I kept tell her after class how good she did and finally she told us "ok, guys, you can stop saying that now!" We were just so proud and so excited, we couldn't help but make a big deal out of it. I didn't get a whole lot of pictures, I didn't want to bug or get her embarrassed but here are a couple. We'll be going back next Monday (and every Monday after that) for as long as Layla wants to go. The teacher also told us that as soon as her skill level increases, she'll let us know when she is ready to go twice a week. So exciting!!!! 
I've been having roughly 2 job interviews a week for awhile now, just waiting for that right job to come along. I want a job so bad, just so I can get into a routine for when Ed leaves and to keep me busy. In the end, either the job doesn't want me or I don't want the job (hours, pay, etc). I have faith that I will find the right job for me. I keep telling myself that if it was meant to be, it would happen, so for now I am just enjoying my time with my princess before I have to put her in school. The other week I had a second job interview for a company that I really like, the pay is perfect, the hours are perfect, everything about it is perfect. I don't officially have the job yet but I did have to consent to a background check and take a drug test so I'm hoping that means good news. Anyway, before I left for my second interview Layla and I awoke to Starbucks in bed and an orchid for good luck. My husband is so sweet, he is excited for me. 
We try and do something fun every weekend, although hanging out at home is fun too. A couple of weekends ago we went miniature golfing at the Citadel mall. The course is so cool, it's all in black lights and is inside so it's nice and warm. We had a blast and Layla was pretty darn good for it being her first time. The following weekend we decided to go bowling. Layla got a strike all on her own! She did have the bumpers up but the ball didn't even touch the bumpers once and she threw the ball ALL on her own. She is getting so good! I must say, I am getting good too. I actually think this was my all time best scoring game, I got a 159 with 6 strikes and 3 spares. Of course I beat Ed, I won't embarrass him and tell you the score he got. LOL 
I can't forget to include Thanksgiving in here, we had a fantastic Thanksgiving. Our friends Margaux and Bryan invited us over to their house for dinner. They've become such great friends, it's actually a funny story. We grew up in the same town, went to the same high school, and I am really good friends with Margaux's sister in law, Nicholle. Nicholle is actually the one that introduced us and told us that we were headed to the same post. It's nice to have a friend here that grew up in the same place as us. Margaux is an amazing cook though, she made the best dinner, it was really awesome. So much good food, we ate until we couldn't eat anymore. And just when we thought we were full, it was time for dessert. YUM!
After dinner it was time to plan for Black Friday! We had all the ads out on the table, making a list of where/when we wanted to go. It was fun, however, the fun was short lived as we waited in line at Toys R Us for 2 hours, out in the 10 degree cold, and never did get in the store. We gave up and got home at about 1am. It was still funny though and the next day I made Ed and Layla go with me to get some of the deals I wanted, we made out too. 
This past weekend we went and saw Tangled. OMG, what a great movie! It is seriously up there with my favorites. Layla loved it, of course because it had to do with a princess, but surprisingly, Ed really liked it too. Ed and Layla had a great time playing in the arcade after the movie and Layla is so super excited to see the new Justin Bieber movie when it comes out in Feb. (just great). 
And of course we can't ignore the fact that it's Christmas time! The day after Thanksgiving we got out all of our tubs of Christmas decorations and started decorating. Layla loves decorating, I think she gets that from me. We had a lot of fun looking through all of our stuff and finding places for it all. Layla loves having her pink Christmas tree in her bedroom and it goes perfect with her princess decor. And... STEVE IS BACK! Last year we started doing the Elf on the Shelf and Layla fell in love with Steve (that's what she named out elf). Well he showed up again and she is having a blast looking for him every morning. Actually, I think she is having extra fun with him this year because Ed is home to play along too and she is getting to explain all about Steve to Daddy. 
So, that's what we've been up to, along with many other things. We have lots of things planned in the next month too (parade, Santa's Workshop, Ed's eye surgery, a ball, etc) so I will try and update more as things move along. I hope everyone is having a great holiday season. 
