It's going to be good.

So about this time every year I start to break down. I have just gotten through designing all of the Christmas and New Years ads for work. My mind is flustered with thoughts and ideas for the perfect gift for everyone. I go full-force into hiking through all of the frustrating holiday crowds. Christmas cards are usually at the printer, since I waited till the last minute to get them done....

I hear others talk about how this is their favorite season and I so wish I could agree. I love the snow and the lights and the trees and the decorations....but still, there's just too much stress and pressure. Why? This is supposed to be the time to enjoy life and people. Instead I find myself stressing out about where I'm going to be; who I'll get to see; what to get every aunt, cousin, friend and family member; what our Christmas card will look like;who to send it to; when I need to send out packages and how much it will cost to send them with express or priority shipping (since I was too busy stressing about everything else and missed the normal shipping time.)

So as of now, I have decided to slow down and enjoy this years' holiday season. I'm tired of trying to please everyone, and in turn, killing the holiday cheer for me. I'll get the best gifts I can find; design the best card I can; be where I can, when I can; sit back a little and even crack a smile maybe. It's going to be nice. I can tell.

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I'm Thankful for...

A very cute puppy dog!
Her chair. Her mess.
We have our very own personal paper shredder.
Resting very comfortably while Dad works.

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Weekend Trails

This past weekend we went backpacking.
Yes, it was very very cold!!

We left Friday night after everyone got off work,
which meant we hiked
in and set up camp in the dark.

Here we are trying to figure out where we are and where we missed our turn.

It was a cold weekend, with very cold nights.
It was also opening weekend of deer season.
And we picked a very safe trail.

We all sported bright orange and yellow colors.
No one felt the need to feel the sting of a hunter's bullet.

There were many beautiful views along the way.
We peaked at about 1200 feet.
But we were up and down most of the walk.

He claims he was not hugging me, he was holding on for dear life!

Saturday night was especially cold.
I (Stacey) wore 7 shirts (long sleeve, sweatshirts, t-shirts...),
3 pairs of pants, two pairs of socks, a hat, gloves, handwarmers,
and I was stuffed inside a very warm mummy bag with
only my nose sticking out. I was still too cold to sleep!
Sunday morning, we woke up to frost on our sleeping bags inside
our tents and frozen water and gear.
The dogs had fun too. Though we wore them out.
Here they are very studiously watching their boys eat their lunch
and hoping they will drop just one little crumb of moose-goo or beef jerky for them to eat.

Cold, yes. Fun, definitely!

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The End Of An Era

Last week, I finally worked my last day at Steak-n-Shake.

Yahoo!!! I am now a one-job woman!!

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Week of Firsts

First Shopping ExperienceFirst Favorite Chew Toy (paper)
First Bath

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Introducing...

...our new little baby girl, Diesel Tripp!

She's a 10 week old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
She's just as sweet and lovable as can be!

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The search is on...

...for the perfect Halloween costume.

Every year, Dustin and I are determined to have
a crazy cool and unique costume.
We are still undecided about this year though.

Halloween through the years with Dustin & Stacey

This was before we were even dating. We both showed up
with cowboy/cowgirl costumes. hmmm...Destiny?

2004: Chia Pets

2005: Jack & Jill...
...went up the hill to fetch a pail of water.
Jack fell down and broke his crown
and Jill came tumbling after.

2006: Waldo and his girlfriend, Wenda.
Didn't know he had a girlfriend?
Neither did I. :)
Where's Waldo? I found him! I found him!

2007: Lego people
We made those heads out of styrofoam.

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Today

Today is this cowboy's birthday!

Happy Birthday Dustin!

I just love this guy!!

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K.C.

A few weekends ago, Dustin and I went to Kansas City.

He had a medical conference and I got to go along.
He went up earlier that day, so I met him when I got off work.
His car was ready to go, including printed out mapquest directions
and his whole collection of Adventures In Odyssey CDs to keep
me company on the 3 hour trip. How sweet!!! :)

While he was at the conference I spent my time sightseeing.

I went to the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art.One of the main exhibits was really neat. There were tons of huge sculptures made completely of old used tires, wires and tools. I really enjoy different things like that and could have spent hours looking at these sculptures. It kinda reminded me of something my Dad would enjoy and maybe even try.

Outside the museum was this sculpture. It's called the Crying Giant.I got lunch at this little downtown joint.
It said "World Famous BBQ" so I knew it had to be good. It really was.

I took it to go and ate here, at this cute little river spot across the street.

Kansas City is called the "City of Fountains."
On my way back to the hotel to meet Dustin, I decided to check some of them out.

By the PlazaFirefighter's Fountain
A tribute to many current and fallen firefighters.
It reminded me of my brother.
It wasn't running that day, so I didn't get to see it it's best.
But it's still cool.

Outside our Hotel

It was a fun weekend.

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