I Heart Recycling

So Colorado Springs, or at least our neighborhood, is finally moving into the 21st century. We are getting a decent recycling program! I have been storing and saving my stuff, just waiting for the first pickup! My new recycling can is coming on Monday and I have to say my trash will probably only be 2 or 3 bags a week now. I heart recycling!

Our Cabinet Surprise

This is what we found inside our new cabinets.
The pictures don't do justice to how small they really are. They are the ones you hang above the counter. I think they are only 24 x 12". What cute babies.

These Boots are Made for Walking...

Ashley LOVES her new boots. They are ridiculously adorable. She even likes to wear them naked (of course).

Naked Cowgirl

The naked cowgirl rides again!

Why are my kids always naked?!!

Andy's Birthday

So here are the pictures from Andy's birthday...only a month late. We had a family party and then a friend party.

He was nice enough to let Ashley open a presant, which made her day.


We had a spongebob party, with 7 kids. I love this picture of Ashley eating her cake.

And Justin was priceless.

Any loved opening his presants and being the center of attention. What a cute little birthday boy. His friends gave him great toys (thanks) and he still talks about it. The down side is that Ashley now talks about her "bifway paree", which I had not planned on. I guess I had better get going on it. She has asked for a Ratatoullie cake. Such a strange child.

Halloween

We had a great Halloween here in Colorado Springs. The weather was unseasonably warm, which made for fun trick-or-treating. We had another family over for the traditional chili dinner. I told my mom I remember having chili every year for Halloween, and it turns out she had forgotten that. But for me, it wouldn't be Halloween without chili!

Andrew decided to be Elmo at the last minute. It was cute and warm, and I'm glad we haven't ventured off into the world of boy toys to the point he won't be Elmo. He was pretty impressed with a couple of clone troupers we saw, so I guess it is coming.

Ashley looks so old in these pictures it makes me sad. She is losing the last vestiges of the baby look and starting to look like a little girl. She reminds me a lot of the pictures of my sister Tiffany when she was this age. She made a darling witch.

Andrew enjoying the spoils of the night. After we got home from the church trunk-or-treat, I told the kids we could do a few houses, as most years it is too cold. Well, we ran into a neighbor and the kids were having to much fun we let them do about 2 blocks worth of houses. A few more then the 3 I had been planning on. Every time Andrew sees a pumpkin he says, "Pumpkin! I go trick-or-treat that house?". Ashley says, "Hawoween, too scary. I trick-or-treat too?"

The Ultimate Cool Thing

So this week, we got chosen to do a Nielson survey. Be still my heart. Let me explain my overwhelming excitement. I was a communications major in college. This is the study of mass media theory. So, for instance, here are just a few of the highly valuable and applicable things I studied.

How does television change our definition of literacy?
How does the exportation of American culture through the media affect existing regional cultures.
How does media consumption change societal norms?

Let me tell you how many jobs those opened the door to! Ahh.... I must say I am a total nerd at heart. Yes, I took the PR, journalism and advertising classes. The media management and writing ones too. But the true joy for me was the theory.

I have to say I have always wanted to participate in a Nielson ratings study, and after 10 years my chance is here. I am diligantly jotting down all the Nick, Disney, football and CNN we watch. Flay has not caught the vision and thinks I'm a freak. As for me, I am enjoying every bit.

Oh yeah, and my laptop is on death's doorstep, so I haven't been online like at all. My house is cleaner and all the laundry is folded, but if you know a place to get it fixed, let me know. I'm having serious internet withdrawls.