Out with the Old... In with the New...

So... I haven't posted much here in the past year. I know. It hasn't been the best year so I'm so hoping that 2011 will be a much better for all of us.

I'm going Gluten-Free totally because of a wheat allergy. I have recently come to realize that everytime I eat wheat, my body starts to revolt. I haven't been totally good up to this point, but it's hard around the holidays when starting out. But now my body will start to thank me and I'll start actually feeling better.

The kids are starting their "computer club" with Daddy. They are actually in their first session right now... learning about networks and how things work through the network and internet. They seem enraptured at this time. They're actually paying attention, answering his questions and coming up with their own questions. This may be a good thing for them to actually become interested and learn about the family business.

I'm also going to start making fun lunches for the kids when they take their lunches to school. We'll see how they like it.

Another thing we're going to try is to have one day a week where we make a different dish we've never made before. Today we're trying Tyler Florence's - Beef Wellington. Of course, I'm peeling off the crust and just eating the insides, but it should be fun.

Hope that this New Year finds everyone healthy and happy.

BTW - I'm also starting a new blog to help me keep my Gluten-Free diet in tow... :) I'll post a link here for anyone that wants to read it. But it's mainly to help keep me honest.

Update

Wow... didn't realize it's been so long...

So... what's up in the lives of the Kittelsons...

Ken and Arcadia have both started back to school. Ken's now in Third grade and Arcadia's in First. Both love their teachers so far.

Ken is now a Bear Cub in Cub Scouts... even though his Den Mother (me) has done NOTHING as of yet to advance him on... so sad...

They are both starting music lessons. Ken takes piano and actually seems to be liking it. I think it has a lot to do with his teacher. She's absolutely crazy, but she makes learning fun for him. Arcadia has chosen to take violin. Unfortunately we are STILL waiting on her violin to arrive for us to rent for her. ugh...

Arcadia is also now a Junior Denver Bronco Cheerleader. She absolutely LOVES it. She gets to do a performance at certain games with 600 other girls. She has a little uniform and everything. She's already performed at a Rockies Game (baseball) , an Outlaws game (lacrosse) and one Bronco Game. She's performing again on the 26th. But this has also opened other opportunities for us. For example, the entire family gets to be part of the giant American flag at the 9/18 game and then we get to sit in the giant Bronco's barn with other families and watch the game and socialize. Lots of fun!

We still have two hamsters, but are now down a fish. Oh well... makes the hall table that much more open without a tank in the center of it.

Missing loved ones...

Okay... so I haven't posted in a while... but I thought I should...



Lot's has happened since my last post. The biggest being the passing of my Mother's husband Craig. He was a wonderful man, but I'm glad that he's no longer suffering. I'll be going out in June for his Memorial service. We love you Craig!

As for everything else.... nothing seems as important... I'll post at another time..

James Craig McIntyre

1948-2010

Happy Birthday Baby!!!

My baby girl turns 6 today. I can't believe it... Where does the time go???

I thought I'd look and post some old photos to celebrate...

Newborn (about 2 days old here)

At 6 months

1st Birthday

2nd Birthday

3rd Birthday (okay, so this one was on Valentine's right before her 3rd... ;))

4th Birthday

5th Birthday

1st Day of Kindergarten

Right Before Christmas

Right After Christmas

We'll take some at her party this weekend... as well as at Ken's also....

Happy Birthday Baby!!! :)

Swim lessons

Ken and Arcadia have finished their first round of swim lessons. Ken's actually doing much better with his swim techniques. He just really needs to refine his overhand strokes.

Arcadia's doing really well, but she seems to have issues with doing the stuff on her own. She'll do all the strokes and kicks as long as the instructor is holding on to her. The second he let go she started flailing. Guess we need to work on the learning how to do it on her own. Our next round starts next Monday.

Pinewood Derby Time!

Ken's Cub Scout Pack had their Pinewood Derby. Both Ken and Arcadia had cars in the race.

I'll let you take a gander at whose is whose... LOL

Ken raced the Wolf Den (since he's a Wolf... LOL) Arcadia raced in the Open competition

These are the Cars for the Wolf Division... Trevor's was named the "Swamp Gator". It was cute... it even had googly eyes. Ken's is "Green Lightening"

Here are Trevor and Ken at the finish line (yes, I didn't dress Ken in uniform, bad Den leader, bad)

After three heats, Ken's car was first. No need to continue to two more heats.

Ken got a nice certificate for winning.

Ken went on to race in the finals against the winners from the Tigers, Bears and Webelos. Ken's car won four out of five races. (One race his wheel came off the car, we had to do a quick pit stop between heats).

Here are the top three winners. It was Wolf, Bear and Webelos.


I also thought I'd through in a few pictures for fun from the end of last year.



That's all for now... but there WILL be more... :)

New Year, Fresh Starts

This new year has been going well so far... Ken and Arcadia started back to school on Tuesday and they are happy to be back (as am I!). Ken's getting ready for his Pinewood Derby this weekend. We worked on the car Sunday and he sanded, painted, painted, painted... LOL I did some detail work to it and then put a clear glossy coat on it. Wheels are on and the car is weighted... let's see how well it works and how fast it will go. Arcadia also built hers (well, okay, so I'm doing most of it)... she picked the colors and painted it... I added stickers and clear gloss coat. Will be putting the weights and wheels on tomorrow...

Ken has a new teacher to start out the new year. He was very heartbroken when he learned his old teacher was moving to California. He really seems to like his new teacher. He was very excited to learn that there were a bunch of different things around.

We started swim lessons this week. Mondays and Wednesdays. We missed last night due to extremely poor road conditions. I know, I know... but I don't think the kids needed to be exposed to sub zero temps with wet hair, ya know. We'll hit the class on Monday.

The kids are also getting excited about their birthday's coming up. Ken wants his at The Denver Hop and Arcadia's having a swim party. I got everything reserved, now to party preps. :)