Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Lighting Up the Barnyard

The Tuesday night before Thanksgiving we all headed out in our shorts and flip flops to visit Santa's Town in College Station. 
Now If you're a non Texan you might be thinking...College Station? 
Yep, College Station.
 Home of Jason's alma mater, Texas A&M. 
And for you Aggies out there, I'm sure I was supposed to 'Whoop!' or 'Howdy', but as a Texas graduate I just can't bring myself to do it.

Now you'd think I'd come home from Santa's Town with a camera full of Christmas light pictures.  And though the lights were amazing, I have exactly one picture of the lights. 
I do, however, have tons of these:

Kyle with a goat

JR and Kyle with more goats

JR and Kyle with a llama

Kyle with a pig

Kyle with yet another goat
Now, besides being tired of seeing pictures of Kyle with goats, you might be wondering why Reed has no goat pictures.  Well, that would be because Reed looked like this the entire time he was in the petting zoo.


So to sum up:
Christmas lights great.
JR and Kyle love petting zoos.
Reed? Not so much.

Monday, November 29, 2010

I Guess I Should Mention It

So I figured I should write about Thanksgiving day since that is the reason we went to Texas in the first place.

First, and most importantly, it was Jason's birthday.  And though we celebrated what felt like a million times, and this picture was taken a few days before at his dad's house, I figured I better include it so I don't hear, "Why didn't you say anything about my birthday being on Thanksgiving?"

My parents had 31 family members over for lunch, or as we call it in the South, "dinner". I didn't get out my camera since I was too busy talking and stuffing my face, but my cousin, Kristi, did snap this picture of our boys right before they left.  It was one of those, "Oh! We need to take a picture of JR and Caleb!"
JR and Caleb are 6 months a part and both in 2nd grade.  JR certainly has some growing to do if he's going to catch up to Caleb.

That evening we had a visit from everybody's favorite friend, JD. At one point I felt like JD was the celebrity guest star on the Muppet Show.  My 3 children surrounded him on all sides (one above his head) while they played the keyboard, a toy horn, and sang. 
JD also inherited a "cool" new nickname.  Kyle started calling him "ABC".
I'm not sure if Kyle just gave up on all the initial names (JR! JD!), or it was because when I told them to sing for JD (isn't that what you do when an opera singer comes to visit, make him listen to your kids sing?) that Reed broke out into his rendition of the ABC Song.  I'm guessing the latter.

Before I go I just had to add this little extra bit. Kyle just climbed in my lap to look at the pictures.  He pointed at JD and said, "There's ABC! There's ABC!"

Sunday, November 28, 2010

What a Way to Spend an Evening*

*Please sing the title as if you were singing the 2nd verse to the chorus of 9 to 5.


My friend, JD, said it better than I ever could, so I'm stealing this straight from his blog:
 "If you’re not a Dolly Parton fan, then don’t continue to read. (Actually, if you’re not a Dolly Parton fan then we probably shouldn’t be friends.)"

And really, truer words have never been spoken. 

I love Dolly. I love to hear her sing. I love to watch her act.
(There are about 5 movies that I will always watch when they are on TV.  Dolly is in 3 of them.
Steel Magnolias, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and 9 to 5.)

And speaking of 9 to 5, Jason took me to see 9 to 5 The Musical on closing night at the Hobby Center in Houston. 
I knew it was going to be good since JD and Shelley (TX Shelley, not CO Shelly) had already told me I would love it. But I really tried not to get my hopes up. I was super excited to see it, but at the same time I didn't want to be disappointed if it wasn't gooooood

This is what I looked like before the curtain rose.  This would be my I'm super happy to be here face.

And that smile didn't leave my face through the entire performance.

It was SO GOOD!
I loved it, loved it, loved it.
And I think the best way to describe how much I loved it would be to recount my phone conversation the next day with my friend, Caroline. (Caroline and I love all the same things.)

Me: Caroline! We have to talk about 9 to 5 The Musical!
Caroline: Ohhhhh! Was it so good?!
Me: It was amazing!
Caroline: Was the Violet and the candy striper scene in it? You know that's my favorite part! 
Me: It was! Everything we love was in it! But you're not going to believe this. They wear the same costumes as the movie. THE SAME COSTUMES, CAROLINE!
Caroline: You're kidding!
Me: No! But listen.
(Dramatic pause)
The Doralee character wears the blue leather coat with the white fur collar.
Caroline: Nooooo! I love the blue leather coat with the white fur collar!
Me: I know!

And the conversation went on like that for about 30 minutes. 

And if you're thinking "I have no idea what coat Jan's talking about." 
Well, as a little girl I thought it was the most beautiful coat I had ever seen in my life. And let's just be honest, if I could find that coat I'd put it on and strut around town today.

I had a hard time finding a picture of the blue leather coat. I could only find this one of Dolly wearing it, so I also included a picture of it from the musical.



 And if any of you would like a full reenactment of any scene, I'm happy to oblige! (blue leather coat optional)

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Jigity Jigging

We saw as many Texans as we could. Ate as much Mexican food as our bellies would hold. And had lots of fun. With Durango about two more hours away, I'd say these guys have got it right. Nap time!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Breakfast with My Mom

Reed said he was ready to eat, so my mom started getting out the cookies.
Jason: Why don't we eat something besides cookies for breakfast?
My mom: I've got Cracker Jacks!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Soakin' It In

I certainly won't be seeing weather like this again for quite awhile. Sure everybody's wishing for some cooler temperatures, but I'm loving it! I'm wearing my flipflops and not even complaining about how flat my hair is in this humidity.

Monday, November 22, 2010

H-Town Girls

I got to see some of my Houston girls tonight. So much fun!

Look Who Had Breakfast With Me

It's Allison (my friend of 20ish years) and her daughter Gwen. And though Allison and I quite enjoy being thought of as cute and fun, we're totally okay with Gwen stealing our thunder!

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Nothing Tates This Good in Colorado

Sure it's a Sunday after church, but how could JD and I not celebrate seeing each other without a margarita?

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Where in the World are The Ingys?

The Donut Stop in Amarillo! We've been wanting to try it out since I read about it in 'Southen Living'. Their claim to fame is they put all the Krispie Kremes in town out of business. Reed couldn't finish his 'pink donut', so I was happy to help him out. And JR took down a dozen holes in the blink of an eye.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Pack it up, Pack it in

Here's how I found Kyle and Reed this afternoon. Kyle didn't seem to realize that was JR's suitcase and not his. But I don't think he cared whose bag he had, he was just ready to hit the road! Hang on, Texas. We're coming!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Not What I Planned

This post was supposed to be about celebrating Jason's birthday tonight.
(His birthday is really Thanksgiving day, but I wanted to give him his present tonight so we could use it for the drive to Houston.  It's a car refrigerator!)
But as I was looking at the pictures, I just couldn't focus on anything but Kyle's ensemble.
The poor child has been sick today, and I'm pretty sure this is outfit number 5. 
And I'm also pretty sure he's feeling much better since his sense of accessorizing seems to be back in full swing.


Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Fair Warning

Jason is home.

Which means he has a camera full of pictures, that I (loving, devoted wife) am supposed to be proud to post.
I do have one non dead animal picture, but then you might need to look away quickly and join me back here tomorrow when I'll once again be showcasing cute pictures of my kids and my own amusing stories.

So, would I rather go hunting with my husband or a spa weekend with the girls?
I'd say there's no contest.

 Hunting pictures:


And my wifely duties have now been completed.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Completing the Trilogy

I figured I'd just go with the Walmart trifecta today since I have another story.

One day last week (or the week before, I can't remember) we walked in Walmart when Kyle started screaming "Bear! Bear! Big Bear!"

Thinking he saw a stuffed bear on a shelf, I said, "Oh, a bear? Where do you see a bear?"
But he was already running down the aisle.
Now if you're one of those observant people, you may be thinking, "Jan, how did you take that picture when I can see you pushing the cart behind the kids?"  (Yes, that's me back there.)

Well, besides a giant Coke bear, there was also Walmart paparazzi present.

 Why does Walmart staff their own paparazzi?
I have no idea.
Why was the giant Coke polar bear hanging in the Durango Walmart at 9:00 AM on a weekday?
No idea.

I am, however, thrilled to see that even my cellphone pictures are better quality than this sad bunch taken by "professionals".
 

Monday, November 15, 2010

Devine Design

Well, Jason is still on his hunting trip.

Which means:
A. I still don't have a camera.
and
B. I get to do girly things with the boys.

So, Thank you 75% off Halloween aisle at Walmart. (I seriously write about Walmart too much!)
You made a lazy Sunday afternoon around here quite entertaining.

Shirtless Halloween gingerbread haunted house decorating...it's the sport of the future.

Kyle's not deciding where to place candy, but which piece to pick off and eat.

 The Boss was not happy about Kyle snacking on the house before it was done. 


 Hanzel and Gretel look out!

And again, I apologize for my cellphone pictures.
In this home, we need portrait quality photos of ourselves with dead animals.
 (And cue my eye flutter.)

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Party.Party.Party.Party.Party.

You counted right.
That would be five parties.
Five parties from Saturday to Saturday.

Party hop with me...

Party #1- I hosted a Christmas themed baby shower
Of course, I have no pictures since I was trying to be a good hostess. 
AKA: "Okay y'all, so get something to eat and drink whenever you want. And don't worry, we won't be smelling diapers smeared in chocolate candy.  Our game for today is just to visit with each other." 

Party #2- Jason's surprise 40th birthday party. 
Surprisingly (pun intended), I really did surprise him!
I knew he had no idea when I casually told him where we were going to dinner and he said, "Why are we going there? I went there for lunch one time and I didn't like the food."
(He did like the food for his birthday dinner.)
But how could you not? Just look at that cake they made him!

Party #3-Kyle and Reed celebrate Price's 3rd birthday. 
We let the boys party during small group with chocolate donuts. 
(I use the term "small group" in the truest form of the word since the only members are Niki and me!)

I couldn't find any birthday candles, but the boys seemed to think that was just fine!
  Photos taken by Niki (which is why they are amazing).

Party #4- JR attended an ice skating birthday party. 
JR and his buddy/our neighbor Jacob (who was not the birthday boy).

Party #5- Shelly's 30th sort-of surprise birthday party.
I went in search of appropriate party hats for the big occasion, and since I don't have a Target, Hobby Lobby, or Party City in a sixty mile radius I came up empty handed.  I took my own stash of Christmas hats as a substitute.  (On a related note, can you believe our WalMart doesn't sell feather boas?! What a travesty!)
Picture stolen from Shelly's Facebook page.

Tiffany, Jill, Tiffany, and Ashley waiting for the birthday girl to arrive.
Picture taken with my sad, little camera phone since Jason took the real camera on his hunting trip.

With all these parties I'm finally feeling in my element.  Let's keep it up!

Friday, November 12, 2010

Don't Snow on My Parade

I took JR out of school for a few hours yesterday to participate in the Veterans Day Parade. The parade was great, but I've never seen such crazy weather.

We left the house with snow falling from the sky. I grabbed our heavy coats.
We got to the parade line up, and the sun was out. No coats needed.
Headed to main street to stake out our spot, and it turned cloudy.  Got out the car jackets. (Jackets that are always in the car...just in case.)
Kyle and Reed took their mittens on and off about 15 times in the span of a 30 minute parade.  Hot then cold, hot then cold.
And as we headed for lunch, the snow was falling fast and furious again.

But thankfully it was a snow-free parade!

We plopped ourselves down right in front of the historic Strater.  Only the best spot for the Ingersolls.

The Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Brownies all walked together. They were definitely one of the biggest groups.

 My little scout
Thank you Veterans! And thank you to all our servicemen and women!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

It's Back

It wasn't much, but it showed up after all.
Much to our delight, it finally snowed.

I say 'wasn't much' and 'finally' like the Coloradoan I'm pretending to be.
(Instead of "Oh my goodness! It snowed!" like the native Texan I truly am,)

Last year we'd already had more snow than this. (Our first snow came before Halloween.)  But even though it's late, I'm thankful for the first snow since it sure makes the waking-up-JR-for-school-process easy.
It goes a little something like this:

Me: "JR, it snowed last night!"
And poof! He's out of bed like a rocket.



If you look at Reed's neck you can see Kyle's sporting his MJ one glove look again.