Las Vegas/Scottsdale

Bobby and I under the famous Vegas sign

Bobby at the Hoover Dam

The scenery at Coconino National Forest in Sedona AZ

Heather, Ali, Jessie, Kari and Kristin

McKenzie and Olivia - my valentines!

Top row: Bobby, Kari, Finley, Heather, Brian

Bottom row: Olivia, Billy, Deb, McKenzie, Ali

We just got back from our family vacation. Although we are all exhausted and have a million things to get done by tomorrow, we very much enjoyed the time we had together.

Bobby and I left last Sunday for Las Vegas. It was so nice for the two of us to have some time together to get out and have some fun. I sat down at my first slot machine and won $5 on a nickel slot machine. I figured that was the extent of my luck so I cashed out. Bobby did enough losing for the both of us at black jack. Although Vegas is the place to go to gamble, we really didn't do a whole lot of gambling. We walked the strip and were approached by 15 time share people. We finally gave in and agreed to do a 90 min lunch presentation on a vacation package in exchange for Chris Angel tickets.

We saw Mystre at Treasure Island where we stayed. If you ask me how it was, I'll just stare at you dumbfounded. There really are no words to describe. The best one I can think of is "odd". Unfortunately we missed Chris Angel. Bobby was determined to get his latest tattoo while in Vegas and he finally found a place that could get him in at 5:30pm. What was supposed to take no more than 2 hours took 4 and we ended up missing the show. Being the huge dork I am, I stayed at the hotel and did homework that whole time so I was exhausted by the time he got back. We went out to dinner and called it a night that night.

We decided to rent a car and drive to Scottsdale where we were meeting up with Bobby's family. The drive was phenomenal. We took a detour and checked out the Hoover Dam. I'm sorry but yes, its a wonder how they did that but once you've seen it, you've seen it. I guess I'm just not all that into it. Bobby really enjoyed it and wanted to see it from every angle. I wasn't as excited about it and wanted to get on our way.

We decided to take the long way to Scottsdale and drive through Sedona, per the advice from our taxi driver. He told us it was beautiful and we just couldn't pass it up. Well, he was right. It was the most beautiful drive I have been on. We drove through Coconino National Forest and it was absolutely gorgeous. We wound up and down a mountain. It had just snowed the day before but the roads were clear and dry so it was great to see the scenery. The only bummer was that all of the scenic areas were closed due to the snow so there were not a lot of opportunities to stop for photos. I would love to go back there some day and stay in a resort in the forest.

In Scottsdale, it was cold, much like Las Vegas. McKenzie swam with Bobby one day and Finley got in with Heather and Brian for a bit but that was the extent of the swimming. We did go for some walks and visited the train park. We got together with Kristin and Jessie one night. We did some shopping and checked out a western themed dinner/entertainment deal one night as well. We were also invited to Bobby's uncle Billy's house. He and Deb had a nice pizza party for us. McKenzie decided we should have a dance off while we were there so we all gave it a shot. McKenzie said that Ali and Jane tied although we all think Bobby had the best dance moves. (You should have seen him shake his stuff!!)

We all made it home safe and sound. Although you should have seen us. We've decided until the kids can walk on their own, we are no longer traveling by plane by ourselves. On the way to the airport, McKenzie threw up on herself which was fun. Once we got to the rental car return we had to go through her suitcase and change her clothes. Then we had 4 suitcases, 4 carry-ons, 2 car seats and our coats which of course we were carrying along with puppy and blanky. From the shuttle to the airport, we had to carry all of these because there were no carts. Crossing the street, I think Bobby dropped a suitcase 4 times. Cars were stopped trying to go around him as he picked up on suitcase and dropped another. I couldn't help but laugh from the side of the street watching him. Once we got in and finally got everything checked, we almost had to run to our gate because they were already loading. You should have seen us in security. The guy running the machine had to help us because we had to unpack the diaper bag to show all the liquids, unpack the video camera (that we never used), unpack the lap top, you get the drift here. So as I'm trying to that, McKenzie is sitting in the middle of the walking area crying that her stomach hurts. I basically had to carry her through the metal detector. Then the nice security guard tried to make her feel better by giving her a sticker but instead I had to pick her up and run her to the garbage can so she could throw up again. They just looked at me like, okay, it's going to be one of those days. She was fine though after some 7up.

Now we're home. Even though we were together on vacation, I still feel like I wasn't able to spend a lot of time with the girls. I decided to keep them home today and we all played along with Alexa. I took the girls out for lunch and they just had all kinds of fun playing today. All in all, we've had a great week!!

Happy New Year!

Ice skating on the lake

Our Husker Babies

Happy new year

Milk and cookies for Santa (and carrots and ranch for the reindeer)

We had a terrific year! Bobby and I rang in the new year this year by going to a movie. We saw The Spirit. Really, it's a rental. We were two of seven people there. After the movie we headed back to ring in the new year with our girls. McKenzie was very into celebrating this year. She got horns and hats from Grandma Jane and couldn't wait for midnight to blow them. Unfortunately, she couldn't hang in there until midnight so Bobby told her it was midnight at 11:30 so she could blow her horn and get into bed. Oh well. I have to admit, she out did Olivia and me.


Christmas was great for us as well. Santa brought McKenzie TWO lightsabers and a magic wand. What a spoiled little girl. She was very certain that she remained on the nice list this year. Bobby and I were questionable on that. Although, she was concerned for a couple of her uncles. Christmas morning she told us that she was pretty sure uncle Don and uncle Gary were on the nice list and Santa had paid them a visit. To make sure she got her presents though she was very nice to Santa. She left him plenty of cookies and milk. she also left a whole bag of baby carrots for the reindeer and even a side of ranch for Rudolph. She told us Rudolph is the only one who likes ranch however.



Santa brought me a Nintendo Wii. I have played it once, as school and work have taken over my life. McKenzie has gotten a lot of play out of it though and has begun to understand how it all works. I'm actually impressed at how fast she has caught on to Mario Cart! She finally finished a race before the time ran up. She still comes in last place but we just tell her that she came in 12th rather than last. It seems to settle with her a little better.



Olivia seems to be teething. We have been getting some rather fussy moments with her lately. She'll cry out of nowhere just to remind us that it hurts. She pulls at her gums and goes to town on her fingers. I'm surprised her fingers aren't raw with how much she chews on them. All part of the growing process. She is still a very happy baby though and smiles and laughs all the time. She has started a new trick where she gurgles at herself and then laughs and then does it again over and over. It's hilarious to watch. If only we could all entertain ourselves that way!



We hope that 2009 brings you and your family peace and happiness. We are very excited to see what will come of this year.

Santa's Sick!

So, as with most 4 year olds I assume, we are having some issues with listening and following directions lately. This morning while getting ready for daycare, I had to use the ol "Santa is watching really closely right now and if you don't listen to me and Daddy then he might have to move you onto the naughty list." Well McKenzie's response to this was, "No he's not Mom. He's sick so he can't watch me." I finally figured out that Santa was supposed to visit the daycare yesterday but Santa called in sick so the kids were told that Santa was sick and couldn't make it to visit them. McKenzie seems to think that this means she's off the hook for being good because if he's in bed sick, he can't be watching her. I mean really, can we ever get a break?! I had to break out the elves. When Santa is sick, he sends his elves out to keep an eye on the kids and then they go back and let Santa know who needs to be moved to the naughty list. Well she told me I'm a liar and Santa does not send out the elves and she's never even seen an elf. Needless to say, she was a good hour late to daycare this morning. UGH!

McKenzie has come a long way from last year's holiday dance program. This year she didn't cry about the tutu's being itchy until the very end of the program! Last year she refused to put it on at all. Wow, she's growing up. One thing that I have learned though is that Dance Mom's are crazy. I am going to have to be much more aggressive I guess. I was literally the first one there but the last one in the room once the door opened. I was pushed out the way by parents and grandparents! Once I got in, all the chairs were taken. Here I am carrying this baby carrier with Olivia in it and not one person offered to give up a chair to me (knowing I was the first one there). So I find an open spot on a bench on the side of the room and as I am about to sit down, the old lady sitting next to my spot decided to scoot down saying "I should save a spot for so and so." I was about an inch from sitting on her lap. I couldn't believe it! These dance mom's have not seen the last of me though!!! I can play their little game!! LOL McKenzie's next mission is the ice skating competition which is held on March 1st. She's very excited about it and about working with her coach on a routine. This is going to be another interesting event. I'm sure the costume will be too itchy or something. Who knows! It's definitely entertaining for us though! From what I've seen so far, ice skating mom's are much nicer!!

I got the privilege of taking McKenzie to her first concert. My sister Nicki also took her daughter, Alexa, so we all went together to see the Cheetah Girls. It actually wasn't too bad for a Disney concert. Not that I would want to have to sit through it again. I have to say though that some parents are insane. I saw a girl who couldn't be more than 6 years old wearing a tube top and mini skirt to this concert. She was with her mom who I guess wasn't dressed a whole lot better. Man, these kids are growing up too fast as it is.

Olivia is doing great. She is smiling and giggling a lot now. We think she is teething already. She is drooling a lot and crying much more. She has been getting ibuprofen a lot lately. Poor thing. She still only rolls over when she's mad. Although, she has figured out how to wiggle herself out of her bouncy seat. We have to keep a close eye on her now when she's in that thing. I was making dinner and came out of the kitchen to find her out of the bouncy seat and on the floor just laying on her stomach. She sure wasn't happy about it though!

Bobby and I get a special treat tomorrow night. I won an Extreme Christmas Experience package through Village Pointe Mall. I won dinner for 4 at The Melting Pot, a horse-drawn carriage ride, 4 tickets to the Omaha Symphony and a $200 gift card to Village Pointe mall. Unfortunately we have a Christmas gathering tomorrow night so we are going to go to dinner but have to skip out on the Symphony. If anyone wants to go to the symphony, just let us know. The tickets are up for grabs. I can't pass up The Melting Pot though!!

Santa Clause is Coming to Town!

We decided to take the girls out to see Santa on Saturday. I like to get that taken care of early on in the month to avoid the mile long line where you literally wait for an hour. Our wait was about 10 min on Saturday.



McKenzie told Santa that she would like a lightsaber (which she calls a light saver) so that she can play swords with Will and Ben. She also asked for a magic wand. She was planning to tell Santa what Olivia wanted but says she forgot once she was on his lap. Way to look out for your sister!! Oh well. I'm sure he'll figure it out.



Good luck to all of you who still have Christmas shopping to do and still need to meet with Santa. The mall was brutal on Saturday. We are pretty much done with our shopping luckily!!



Happy birthday to my mom!! It's her birthday today. She got to start it out with a 5:30am Jazzercise class with me. How fun is that? Then she gets to end the day watching McKenzie perform her Holiday Dance Recital!! I'm sure there was nothing else she would rather do on her birthday!! Happy birthday Mom!!



-The Byers

She's on the Move!!

Olivia has figured out how to roll from her back onto her tummy. It was figured out by luck I think. She is a very laid back baby until it comes to feeding. When she wants her food, she wants it now (she takes after her mom). She was so mad last night that we didn't get her a bottle right away that she worked herself up and rolled over. As horrible as it sounds, we wanted to see her do it again so we waited another minute to feed her so she'd do it again. Now she's rolling over in her crib too. What a milestone she has just hit. In no time she'll be crawling around the house. Mom - you said you needed an idea for Olivia for Christmas. Sounds like a baby gate will be needed soon!


We've had such a great week. Last week was fun seeing everyone for Thanksgiving. It is always fun to see family and of course, stuff our faces. We actually started our Thanksgiving a week or two before with Thanksgiving with my dad. Next it was Thanksgiving with the Byers on Thanksgiving day, Thanksgiving with my mom on black Friday and then Thanksgiving with the Zimmerman's on the next Saturday.


Something very cool happened on Thanksgiving day as well. My nephew (first nephew) was born. John Wyatt Hauptman was born at 8:54pm. He's so cute. I have to get all of the time in with him that I can because they will be moving shortly after Christmas. Finally a boy in the family and he leaves! Congrats guys!!


We also got our Christmas tree up last weekend. McKenzie seems to think that once a Christmas tree is up it's suddenly Christmas. Every day she asks if it's Christmas yet. Then once it starts snowing,s he is convinced Santa is coming. Next year we may not put up our Christmas tree until a week before. I have learned from last year though not to put presents under the tree until about a week out. Otherwise she will constantly ask to open her presents and carry them around the house. I'm sure some would end up disappearing. Although, anything we can't find seems to always be behind our living room t.v. That is McKenzie's hiding spot for everything. I had a package delivered while I was in Des Moines for class and she decided she'd hide it behind the t.v. until I came home. Unfortunately, she forgot about it once she hid it.


After Thanksgiving, we decided to take a small family vacation to Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas City. We had a lot of fun. Surprisingly Olivia slept the entire way there and back. Lucky for us because she hates the car. She will cry nonstop once in the car. We had a lot of fun at the water park and arcade. McKenzie also got to go to the kid spa and get a chocolate manicure. She loved it of course. Olivia seemed to enjoy her first time swimming. She's always loved her baths so that wasn't too surprising.


Well its back to normal everyday life for us. We hope you had a great Thanksgiving. Now on to Christmas!!


The Byers

Happy Halloween

It's Halloween time! McKenzie is excited. I think Bobby is just excited because we are actually going to go out tonight! (after trick-or-treating of course) McKenzie has been Sharpay (from High School Musical) this week at her Halloween parties. Tonight she will be a snow princess. I had to talk her into this so that she would have a warmer costume for trick-or-treating outside. Olivia will be pink leopard. Bobby will be a pirate and I'll be a tavern lady.



We've had quite the month. It seems that we never have a second just to be home as a family. We are constantly on the go. That's just fine with us though. Bobby and I get restless if we sit for more than a few minutes. We seem to find ourselves going out of our minds if we don't have anything planned for the day. Those days are very few and far between so we must be doing something right.


McKenzie has had a few Halloween parties already. She had a party at dance and gymnastics this week. She has a party at school today and then we'll take her trick-or-treating tonight. She also has a fun night planned with her cousin Alexa.



We hope that everyone has a great night!!



Happy Halloween!! - Kari, Bobby, McKenzie & Olivia

Big Weekend

McKenzie hitting the pinata

Pumpkin carving

Olivia's baptism

Baby Ava and Olivia

McKenzie in the rain

Ali, Nicki and Kari at Ali's birthday party

Kari and Bobby

Last weekend was a long one for us. We decided to have Olivia baptized and McKenzie's birthday party on the same day. Both parties went very well.

The baptism was interesting. We went in front of the congregation and stood proud of our family while we waited for Olivia's turn to be baptized. From what I am told, McKenzie stood there looking out to the crowd as she picked her nose. Wonderful! Then, Olivia spit up on me. We had no burp cloth with us up front. Bobby was so nice as to use his hand to clean it up (it wasn't a lot). Then Olivia started crying. Of course I didn't have a binky with me either. Thank goodness for uncle Brian (Brian and Heather are Olivia's godparents). He rescued us by going through Olivia's diaper bag (looking through every single little pocket) until he could find one. The party afterward went fine.

Next on the agenda was McKenzie's birthday party. Like usual I had way too many pumpkins for carving. It was a great time though. The best part was the pinata. Each kid got a chance to hit the pinata. McKenzie ended up breaking it open for the candy to fall out. It was very entertaining to watch them.

Thank you to everyone that joined us for the parties. We had a great time!

Happy birthday to Ali and Brian! We had a great time at Ali's party last weekend as well at the Piano bar. That's always a fun place to go.

Congratulations to my cousin Shaina and her husband Trevor (and also to big sister Ava and big brother Carter). They just welcomed thier third child on October 9th. They had a baby girl named Brooklyn. Congrats guys!!