Our 2009 "Stay-cation"

Where o' where do I begin? I think that every immediate member of the Bricker family will agree that the past nine days have been, dare I say, perfect. Maybe even MORE than perfect, if that's possible.

We had decided awhile back that we would have a stay-cation instead of a vacation this year. We have traveled so much this summer already and the last thing we wanted to do was waste a day locked up in the van. We figured plan a day trip or two and we'd enjoy the time off a lot more. Boy were we right!!

Dustin and I are both refreshed, the kids got to see and do some great things and we all got to spend some time with each other. The entire week was filled with glorious weather and smiles. And really...can you ask for more than that from a vacay?

Last Sunday afternoon we took the kids down to Iowa City for an overnight stay at a hotel with a great pool and water slide. The girls are too little for anything big and Josh, even with all his great swimming achievements, is still too small for anything more than what the hotel had to offer. We had a blast!! Even Ella got her toes wet!!










Monday I had a trip to the Iowa Childrens Museum planned for us. Josh had so much fun racing cars, learning about motion with golf balls and finding out about kids from around the world. Let me tell you, the exhibit that showed how different life is for children around the world was eye opening for him.

Lauren loved playing in the Pizzeria and the tot sized grocery store. If we could have left her there to play pretend the rest of the day I think she would have been happy as a clam. And even though Miss Ella couldn't enjoy all the exhibits, she sure loved watching all the activity around her.

I was particularily proud of my son in the grocery store. He was at the cash register and when I came up to check out he asked if I had any coupons. ;-) Does he know me or what?













The museum is in Coralridge Mall (lucky me) so you know I had to get my "shop" on while we were there!! We had lunch at the food court and had a perfect seat to watch all the ice skaters. Let me tell you...we had quite a few laughs at other people's expense. You couldn't pay me enough to go out there on that ice! It was like watching America's Funniest Videos without a tv!!

Tuesday was our night at the ballpark! We went to cheer on the Cedar Rapids Kernels! Unfortunately, we did not cheer them to victory.

Uncle Joel was kind enough to spend the evening with Ella and Dustin and I took Josh and Lauren to their first baseball game!










We pretty much ate our way through the entire stadium. We had burgers, hot dogs, lemonade, nachos, funnel cakes, hard lemonade (for mommy) and cotton candy!!

This was Lauren's first experience with cotton candy. I only wish I could have gotten a picture of her face when I showed her it was for eating. However, it did not take long for her to realize the goodness of the pink fluff!





Wednesday was yet another gorgeous day! We ran a few errands and picked up some sprinklers before we set out for the campground. Daddy packed up the camper while Josh and Lauren cooled off.









Thursday was camping! Dustin was in heaven and even I will admit that it was a perfect camping experience! The weather was great (again) and we all had a great time. Josh was able to practice riding his bike quite a bit and both him and Lauren found just about every acorn within a 40 foot radius.






There was some pouting...



And Lauren was scared by the man cleaning out our fire pit...



But everyone had fun!!!



Friday we tried out a new mexican restaurant for lunch. It was yum-o!! Ella ate herself into a stupor!




We did our back to school shopping after lunch and between Walgreen's and Target I saved over $118!!! Phew!

Dustin had purchased some sealer for a pipe on our roof so Friday night he decided to test our Aflac Accident policy by climbing up on the roof. Dang near gave me a heart attack but the kids thought he was a super hero. They enjoyed playing on the swingset while I frantically paced back and forth in the backyard and saying, "Are you almost done?" a million times.




Saturday we went to lunch with the rest of the Bricker clan for Dustin's birthday. And as soon as we were done with lunch I took Josh and Lauren and we ran and picked up Daddy a bunch of surprises for his birthday!




And even though it was a day early...Lauren convinced Dustin to cut into his cookie cake early! (Yes, that's chocolate frosting all over her face!)



Saturday night was family Wii night. We played Price Is Right until we had each won enough money to retire. If it were only that easy! Lauren modeled her new Dora backpack...and did so without pants.




Daddy and Ella had some quality one on one time while Josh and I played in the Showcase Showdown!






That brings us to Sunday; our last day of vacation and Dustin's 30th birthday. I'd love to tell you that we did some amazing thing to celebrate but alas, we did not. We did laundry, we cleaned, we went out for dinner and a nice walk before ice cream sundaes.

Last night Dustin and I agreed that it was the best nine days we've had in a very long time.

Let me tell you...turning 30 isn't as bad as everyone says it is, especially with the life we have!

What is Ella thinking?

This was taken at the Iowa Children's Museum at the play Pizzeria. Ella is glaring at a piece of pizza Lauren made for Ella.



My guess...."Thank God I'm still on formula."

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Lauren #1

Lately Lauren has been constantly asking Dustin and me to "hold her". So Dustin has been turning the question around on her and she always laughs.

Last night's conversation:

Lauren: Hold me, Daddy.
Dustin: No, you hold me, Lauren.
Lauren: **laughing** You heavy, Daddy!


This morning's conversation:

Lauren: Hold me, Mommy.
Me: You hold me, Lauren?
Lauren: **laughing** You give my leg owie, Mommy!


She is able to communicate more and more each day and some days the things that come out of her mouth shock me. Like the other night we had pizza and she wanted some sauce to dip her breadstick in and she said, "Mommy...more sauce, please." Uh...did you just say "sauce"? It's just crazy!!!


Josh #1

We had rented a bunch of movies this week and they had to be returned by midnight last night. So at 10:30 Dustin, Josh, Lauren and I were all frantically tearing our house apart to find the Dora DVD.

Josh: Lauren!! Where did you put your movie?
Lauren: Dora, Joshie!! Dora!!
Josh: Lauren!! They are going to take it out of my paycheck if you don't find it!!!

I think he means his allowance. ;-)


Josh #2

Me: Guys...it's time to pick up. I want all the toys picked up and put away nicely.
Josh & Lauren: OK!!
Me: We need to pick up the house today and get ready for this week.
Josh: Why do we have to pick up the house today?

And before I could even respond he says this...

Josh: Oh..I know why. Because the house is a dump, right?



I'm working on the big vacation post today. I'm hoping to have it up by tonight!

A Birthday Wish

Josh and I were just talking about his birthday and I asked him what he wanted for his birthday.

He started going through a list of items as fast as he could think of them (me keeping a mental note so that I have some ideas for Christmas). Then he said....

Josh: Mom...forget all that. The first thing I want is a hug and kiss from you and Dad. Okay?
Me: **tearing up** Of course, sweety. I think you'll get that anyway.
Josh: Mom...I really love you and Daddy.
Me: We love you, too, sweety.
Josh: Yeah...all I want is a kiss and a hug from you guys.
Josh: And Ella.
Me: What about Lauren?
Josh: Well. I guess.

T minus 3 days

In three days Dustin and I will officially be on vacation!!! Hallelujah!! Being on this side of a vacation is much better than being on the back end of it. Today I'm filled with hope and excitement as to what next week will bring. Next week I'll be filled with agony and dread as I count down the days of vacation, analyzing each and every activity I do and constantly saying, "That wasn't worth wasting a vacation day for." Why do we do it to ourselves?!?!?

This past weekend we had plans to get a bunch of housework done in anticipation of our vacation. I mean, who wants to spend time off from work working around the house? Apparently the stars were not aligned for cleaning, though. The weather was glum all day on Saturday and everyone was more excited to take a nap than to do any physical work. So we mostly slept on Saturday. Except for when we awoke to eat. But then we just went right back to bed again. ZZZZZZZZZZ! By four o'clock in the afternoon we decided that we should probably venture among the living.

I showered and everyone else got dressed and ready. We decided to stop at Best Buy and pick up Dustin's birthday present and then went out for dinner at our favorite Chinese restaurant. The sun finally came out and gave us enough energy to visit Larry and Toni after dinner. After a quick stop to pick up ice cream we were all back home and cuddled up watching a movie together. All in all, a pretty pleasant day.

Sunday was payback. We cleaned, laundered and mowed. Fun, fun and more fun.

I had the three kids down in the basement with me while I worked on laundry and cleaned. I vacuum down there every week and I swear those stupid spiders wait for me to put the vacuum away and then have a little web making party. It's never ending down there!!

Anyways, Josh spent the entire morning screaming at the site of each and every spider. Funny thing is...by the time I got a Kleenex and came back to the spider Lauren had already killed it. At first she stepped on them. Then she ran them over with her UPS truck. By the end she was pinching them(GROSS!!)...and Josh was still screaming.

Dustin took Josh and Lauren over to Larry and Toni's to mow their lawn on Sunday afternoon. It's a big lot but Dustin loves playing with mower so it all works out in the end.




With Dustin, Josh and Lauren gone...mommy and Ella enjoyed some quiet time!!!



Ella had her four month check up yesterday!! I told Dad before I left for her appointment that I was sure of two things: she's a big girl and she'd get shots. I was right on both accounts!!

She is up to 17 pounds, 12 ounces!!! She is also 25.75 inches long and healthy as can be!! Dr. Anderson said that she has excellent control of that big head of hers, she is perfectly proportioned, makes excellent eye contact and is obviously very sociable. Even though I knew all of that...it's nice to hear it from a doctor, too!! He was surprised that she was rolling around so early, given her size. I told her that she just whips one of those big thighs around and "FLIP", she's over!



The kids have so much fun encouraging her to do things. Of course now I think it's adorable...ask me again in a few years.





Every night I lay in bed and read my book before I go to sleep. A few weeks ago Lauren started laying in bed with me with her book before she fell asleep. Now last night Ella wanted in the fun!!



I think we need a bigger bed!!

Ella Bella

These shots were taken within seconds of eachother.






She was losing her patience with mommy. How quickly she turns from irritated to screaming. Too funny!!

I haven't done a post about my Ella in a few weeks so I figured I give you some updates.

Can you believe a year ago this past Sunday we found out she was coming?!?!? I can't believe it!! I know she's not even four months old but I can't even remember what life was like without her. Funny how quickly that happens.

When we got home from Wisconsin I put her on the floor while we unloaded the van. When I left to get another load she was on her back, I came back in and she was on her side and by the time I set everything down she was already on her tummy!! So now we can officially roll BOTH ways!!

She is working on a couple of teeth right now and we all live in Drool City. Between her acid reflux and the drool we go through about three outfits a day! (Thank God for washing machines!) She is working really hard at sitting up on her own!!

She is coo-ing all the time now. It is so funny to listen to her go on and on and on and on. I always respond to her as if we're having some conversation and I understand every word she's saying. The other night we were having our usual exchange and Josh said, "Mom, what did Ella just say?", I said, "She said she had a fun day today." He said, "No, she didn't!! She said she's tired of Lauren."

Can you tell the oldest two children aren't getting along very well right now?

Other than that, Ella is healthy, happy and growing by the day!

Latest Edition of "What's Ella Thinking?"

Here are my three guesses:

1) "Seriously, mother. You told me you got this at the Gap...but it looks more like something you got at Big Bird's garage sale."

2) "Mother, there are rules. Rules about what colors look good on women with red hair. Green...good. Neon orange and yellow....bad."

3) "Am I glowing?"

Past, Present, Future

The last time we had visited Pop-pop and Joyce, Lauren was about the size of a poppy seed and we had just found out she was coming only weeks before traveling there. Needless to say...our trip this weekend was long overdue.

We ended up leaving the house around 5:30 on Saturday morning. The kids were a little reluctant to get up, as were we, but as soon as they realized we were leaving to see Pop-pop they were excited to start the road trip.

The trip up wasn't the greatest. Lauren was in no mood to be traveling about the time we crossed into Wisconsin and, given the fact I hadn't had my coffee yet, it got a little hairy. But we made it. All in one piece. And were joyfully welcomed by Pop-pop, Joyce and Aunt Grace.

We visited for awhile, ate some lunch and I taught Josh how to play checkers. By mid-afternoon we were all ready for a quick nap so we headed to our hotel and rested our eyes for a bit.

Our family is small. But I don't think many realize exactly how small our family is. The Bruni side of the family consists of my children, my brother and me, my mother and aunt and my Grandfather. That's it. The only other two people still living that are on our family tree are Grace (Pop-pop's brother, Milton, was married to Grace) and Viola (Viola's mother-in-law was Pop-pop's aunt). Like I said...they are on our family tree but you've got to go through quite a few branches to reach them. ;-)

Saturday night we picked Grace up and headed out to Viola's farm. Grace was in love with Ella and kept asking how "her little dolly" was. Ella, of course, smiled and laughed each time she spoke to her. Viola is a sharp woman, even at 88. They both are extremely sincere and generous - in every sense of the word.




The kids had a blast at the farm. After being tied down in the van they were ready to run free. Besides chasing all the farm cats, they had fun exploring the old farm.








I kept telling Pop-pop that I remembered being there before. I remembered the yellow siding and the sidewalk around the house. I remembered getting gold flecked swizzle sticks. And I remember there being a dog. But I was young. Younger than Josh. He couldn't remember...but tonight my mom confirmed it. My what a difference twenty-five years make.

After visiting at the farm for awhile we all headed out to a nice dinner at the Iron Ridge Inn. The older I get the more I appreciate my family's history. The stories I've heard over and over again as a child have more meaning to me now. And it was an honor to share a meal with such a group of people.

After dinner we drove past the old cheese factory. The factory where my grandfather grew up. And where the Bruni's made a name for themselves in America.





Pretty amazing to be where it all began.

And then it was Sunday.

We got up and went to church together. It's always special to worship with family. I only wish I could worship with my Grandfather every Sunday. You should all be lucky enough to hear him sing. That voice. I remember even as a child how much I loved to hear him sing. I pray I never forget it.

We went back to their house after church and Josh challenged Joyce to a game of checkers - using his rules of course.



After lunch it was already time to leave.




After saying our good-byes we only had one more good-bye to say and that was to my late grandmother. On our way out of town we stopped at her grave. I started to cry as soon as we pulled in. Josh asked why I was sad. I told him that I was sad for so many reasons all of which were selfish. I wish I could have known her. I wish I knew what kind of woman, wife and mother she was. I wish she could hug my children and experience the joy of great-grandchildren...and grandchildren, for that matter.

My grandparents lost two babies and they are each buried next to her. I cannot imagine her loss and so I imagine she was a very strong woman. She was a very skilled nurse so I imagine she was very smart. I recently looked through a baby book she made for my mother and it was evident how much she loved her children.

If only I could have known her.

A mere four hours later and we were back where we began.

Prayer Request

Dustin's father is in surgery right now. Prayers for him and his family would be greatly appreciated.

Dance like nobody's watchin'

I remember the days when I began planning Josh's birthday parties several months in advance. I would scour the depths of the Internet for the most perfect of themes. I would send out invitations a month in advance. I would make the cake. I would make all the food. I would decorate like a mad woman. Ahhh...those were the days.

Last night we're driving home and out of the blue I get this thought, "Oh my God...Josh's birthday is coming up!" So I hollered back to the boy...

Me: Hey! Josh! What do you want to do for your birthday?
Josh: Ummm...I don't know. Why is it coming soon?
Me: Well, kind of. But we've got to start planning this thing or mommy will forget and you won't get to have a party. **giggling**
Josh: **GASP** WHAT?!?
Me: I'm just kidding. What do you want to do? Do you want a family party or just a friend party?
Josh: A friend party.
Me: Okay...what do you want to do with your friends?
Josh: Um...let me think about it.

15 minutes later...

Josh: Mom...I know what I want to do with my friends.
Me: Okay?
Josh: I want to go to PlanetX....and then the Police Station.
Me: Too bad we're not rednecks because I think most of their parties end up there anyways.

I'm seriously hoping that he is just going through some sort of "law enforcement" stage.

When we get home most nights the kids run off and play and Ella comes in the kitchen with me and watches me make dinner. Last night was no exception. Only this time...I brought my iPod, too.

Imagine it now...water boiling over, chicken browning in a fry pan and me dancing like it's 1999! What a hoot!! I'm not kidding, that girl laughed at me until she puked, literally.





We had a little dance party right there in the kitchen. Sure the pasta was over-cooked and the chicken was charred but Ella and I had a blast!!

I had arranged a little birthday party for the boss at the office for today. He's turning 60 tomorrow and you know I don't need much excuse to give someone a hard time. So, with a little help, I tracked down his senior picture and had it put on a cake.



Given today's economy, and the fact people are losing their jobs left and right, I decided to show some restraint and not buy the highly inappropriate gag gifts I found and figured there was no use in giving my boss any further reason to give me the ol' "heave ho".

My mortgage company thanks me for my restraint, I'm sure.

History

I am only in the beginning of reading Night. Most books of this length take me a weekend to read, a week at most.

This one is different. It is such a powerful book that I find I can only handle a few pages a night.

It is a beautifully written autobiography of a Holocaust survivor. It is horrific and has brought me nightmares. Yet it is so amazing that I can't help but recommend it to others.