Movin' On Up....

This is what we did this weekend:


Yep, we did it. We bought this minivan. 2008 Chrysler Town and Country. We are now officially part of the New Parents Club.

We started out looking at SUVs but the price tag for what we wanted was still a little steep. Plus, with us living out of town so far, gas mileage is a big deal. Our Honda Accord fits pretty well, but when we thought about taking the entire family (dogs included) on trips, the Honda wasn't going to cut it. In the end we needed a car that could handle 2-3 dogs, a kid with the carseat and have enough storage that can hold all the stuff we would drag along. So the search began.

With all that is going on in the car industry, it really is a good time to buy a car. We got a killer deal. We got everything we wanted except leather seats. But in the end, we couldn't see finding anything that fit our needs better than this.

This sucker is loaded!! Storage galore. Automatic everything - sliding side doors, rear hatch..etc. Dual DVD system, satellite radio, MP3 player, rear back-up camera. Way cool. This sucker is so big, its like a limosuine! The only thing missing is the wet bar.

We hated to give up leather seats, but these seats are scotch guarded to help out with clean-up. Still looks like new.
Touch screen radio/dvd controls.

The DVD system is pretty awesome. 2nd and 3rd row each get a screen and can each watch seperate movies if they want to. Comes with a remote and wireless headphones. This will make the long drives to Denver a piece of cake. Parents, kids, and dogs can ride in style and comfort.

The best part for us was the low mileage (22,000) and the 100,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty.

Now we pray that Chrysler doesn't go out of business.

Cravings

People are always asking me what cravings I have had these past few months. And I always reply with the truth. Not many. Sure, I have a hankoring for something that sounds good at the time, but I have yet to experience the true "craving". That is, until yesterday.

It actually started the night before. After Gabe and I test drove really nice Chrysler Pacifica, we stopped for gas and I was left waiting in the car staring across the street at a Krispy Kreme. I thought to myself "ooooh, that sounds pretty good"...but I suppressed the thought and we drove home for a more nutritious dinner.

But I couldn't get those donuts out of my head. All night I thought about them. Dreamed about them. I could even taste them and feel them melting in my mouth. I have a Krispy Kreme donut maybe once a year. Honestly, I don't really care for them. They are too sugary in my opinion. I would rather have a sprinkled cake donut. So what is going on?!?!?

The next morning, I asked Gabe to look up Krispy Kreme on the Internet and tell me where there is one on the way to work. Turns out, there isn't one that is on my normal route to work. Bummer.

So in the car I go, trying once again to suppress this now obvious full blown craving. Nope, I gotta have them! I know where there is one a little out of the way, but not far off the route. I am gonna go!

Radio traffic says there is a big wreck on the highway. Looks like I can't go that way today. POOP!!! Guess I will take the back way. Radio traffic then says there is a big wreck on the back way too!!! What to do??? I am already late for work. This is just a bad morning. Again, I talk myself out of Krispy Kreme. I don't need them. They are not good for me and baby bean anyway.

Fast forward to the traffic jam I am sitting in. Stop and go. Uh oh, my pea size bladder is full. I have about 20 minutes left on the drive. I am not going to make it to work. I gotta go! I can't hold it too much longer! Agony! Guess what? The turn off to Krispy Kreme is coming up! I am goin'!!! I mean, I gotta empty my bladder anyway, I might as well do it at Krispy Kreme right? YES!!!!!!

Decided to get a dozen and share at work. I had to fight really hard to not tear the box open and eat 1/2 of them in the car.

Finally make it to work. Ate two of them faster than you can say Krispy Kreme. It was Heaven! Everything I dreamed it would be!!! Ate another about an hour later. Yummmy!!!

Major tummy ache. No more Krispy Kreme for me. Craving over.

Happy New Year!

Dear Friends and Family,

A virtual toast from our house to yours. Here's to a happy, healthy 2009! [clink!]

Gabe, Alli, Cheyenne, Angel, Cookie, Brody, Linus, and Baby Bean!

Schnelle Christmas

Gabe and I spent Christmas with his family in SW Missouri. Christmas at the Schnelle's is always an awesome time. The whole family gathers for feasting and fun and it usually is at least a 2 day affair.

Gabe's mom with all the grand kids. Yea, we are adding a little late, but there is always room for one more!
Patiently waiting to open gifts.
It isn't Christmas in Missouri without the St. Louis Cardinals apparel.

Its too much excitement for Cheyenne.

As is tradition, after feasting, the family gathers for some type of game. (this year it was competitive BuzzWord). Then we break up into smaller groups and play games and watch movies until the wee hours of the morning. Of course, I am always the first to poop out. I end up going to bed at 11:30.

The weather was really strange. It was 70 degrees and very humid, making for a very uncomfortable night. Then a cold front moves through and this morning, as we were packing up to head home, we were under a tornado warning. Tornadoes at Christmas??

Tonite, back at home, Gabe and I celebrated our Christmas with a quiet meal and leftover fudge and cookies. Check out my Christmas gift! Yep, I have the world's greatest hubby!
The little bean had her share of fun too. She is moving around more than ever now and certainly made her presence known when she felt like it. My tummy actually visibly moves around now. My weekly preggo email says I have 77 days left. eeeeek!

Motherhood....oh my...

As the big day draws closer, I often find myself daydreaming about what's about to happen. And often, I find myself on the edge of sheer panic when I think about how drastically our lives are going to change. How will we handle it? Will I be a good mom? Will I be a patient mom? Will I feel smothered? Overwhelmed? Will I be affectionate enough? Loving enough? How will our animals suffer? I am already filled with guilt. What did we get ourselves into?


That is when I know its time for Cjane. In the blogging world you happen upon some great blogs. Cjane is has become a daily favorite and a source of comfort and reassurance. Her family values are something to be admired. She makes motherhood/parenting/family seem like heaven, even in the face of tragedy. So, whenever I get anxious about the massive changes that are coming our way, I go to Cjane and read this. Or my personal favorite.

Then I fill up with warm fuzzies, look lovingly at my husband and our home, thank god for all our blessings, and know everything is going to be alright.