So what is the deal with colds, croup, congestion and coughs this year? I feel like as soon as one of the members of my household gets all mended a few days later another one comes down with some sort of ill symptoms. Nikia woke up yesterday barely able to breath because she was extremely congested. All she could manage to do was squeek out a croupy cough. I was already feeling lousy the night before as I could feel a sore throat and the body aches coming on. So Nikia and I spent the day together being lazy and laying in bed watching cartoons and reading books. It's hard to build up an immune system when it's right back in the same household within a few days. I have bought more medicine this winter than I ever remember doing before.

Nikia is back in school today and feeling much better. I'm feeling better too. I'm praying this is the last of the winter colds and sick days.

A little of this and that.....

This morning Trevor and I over slept - talk about a panic to get the kids up and out the door to catch the bus. Nothing like shoving food in their mouths and throwing their coats/hats/mittens on. Thank goodness the bookbags get all packed the night before. I think I remembered to comb Nikia's hair - I hope I did!

Trevor left a little later this morning for what has become his annual snowmobile trip with the guys. I'm still trying to think of what I can make an annaul trip for me and the girls. I just know it needs to involve sunshine and a lounge chair - and not snow and a jacket!

Over the last couple of weeks I've been babysitting my little 2 1/2 year old niece, Shayne, for my sister. She is such a little angel and so fun and easy to watch. I don't know a little kid that says "please" and "thank you" or is more polite than her.

This weekend Kale has a basketball tournement. Should be fun! He takes his games very seriously - sometimes a little too intense. We've had a little talk about learning from the mistakes and letting them go and not dwelling on them - cause if he doesn't it just makes the rest of the game no fun for him and more mistakes will happen. We'll see how much he remembers about that conversation. :)

On Sunday our local fire department has their annual fund raiser. I love going to these events not only to help raise money but some of the elderly people who don't get out as much usually find a way to make it to these events and it's always good to visit with them and other friends and neighbors in the community.

I don't know about you, but I love going to our tax appointment. We got that all taken care of last week and the deposit should be made to our account today. YAY!! I wonder if Trevor remembers the exact amount? You know..... if I should happen to go on a little shopping spree while he's out of town if he'll even notice..hmmm.

The school conferences were last week. They went really well. I have to say that I LOVE the teachers my kids have.

The neighbors dog won't go away. Obviously our female dog is a big attraction to him. Let's just say that if she has little black mutt puppies this spring - Trevor will be very upset. In trying to avoid that - I've been letting her stay in the house. If you know me very well then you know this is not something that will become a habbit. I can't stand animal hair clinging to stuff. Ick! She has strict orders to stay in the entryway, however, this morning we discovered a very warm spot on the livingroom carpet where she ventured onto during the night and slept comfortably. Naughty girl! (I could put up with puppies more than dog hair flying around in my house)

I really, really hope winter wraps up soon. I want to go places without a jacket. I want to step outside and feel the warmth of the sun on my skin. I want to see farmers out in the fields. I want to see green shades of spring. I want to hear birds chirpping in the mornings. I could go on but I'll stop with those. I just really want the snow and cold to be over.

Home!...and back to reality! Can I just get back on the plane and head South?

Before I begin I have to say I did a quick read through Heidi's journal of her trip and I could literally just insert our names and faces into her journal and photos. So, I've decided not to post many photos or go into a lot of detail.

We had an AMAZING time and the weather couldn't have been any better. I have the tan to prove it :) .

On the first day when Trevor and I had just arrived at the Omni Hotel in Orlando, we were literally grabbing our luggage and heading into the hotel when his phone beeped (he has the weather forecast on it). It said "windchill advisory for xxxxx, SD". We both looked at each other and started to snicker which quickly turned into a full fledge laugh. Yep....we were definately in the right place. The hotel was gorgeous and so was our room.

Trevor was supposed to have a meeting Tuesday morning but they cancelled it and so it left the whole day wide open for us to do whatever we chose. After my very delightful, relaxing, can't-wait-to-have-another-one morning in the spa.... a group of us decided to go to Sea World. Our way was paid and so it left us with only food and souveniers to pay for (very NICE). It was really alot of fun and the shows were great.

Wednesday..... let's see....I sat by the pool all day and soaked in the warmth of the rays!!!!

Thursday....we headed to Ft. Lauderdale and boarded the ship. Our room had a balcony!!! We left the sliding doors open the entire trip. Nothing like good fresh air 24/7. At night we laid in bed and fell asleep to the sound of the ocean waves - awesome!!!

Friday.....let's see....we laid out and did absolutely nothing! Well, we did get up off our lounge chairs long enough to eat and fetch a few drinks from time to time.

Saturday.....we had one stop on our cruise at Cozumel and left the ship for our mini jeep excursion. Our tour was amazing. We drove along a beautiful beach which our group had totally to ourselves, Trevor went snorkeling (I would have given it a try but as soon as the they were done our guide said we were leaving the beach - which ment no laying-out time???!!!!) Trevor snorkelled about a mile! He loved it, except his float vest wouldn't hold air (which of course he didn't realize till he was way out away from the beach) so he had to work extra hard to stay floating (NO touching/standing on the coral reef!!). Next we headed to a very old lighthouse and ate some tacos -spicy, spice hot - but very good. Then we headed to the saltwater crocodiles. Three of them came right up to us - YIKES! Then off to the ruins - very interesting! Our tour guides were very funny but took great care of us and gave us a lot of information at each stop. All together we were gone five hours - it went by so quickly. We did a little shopping and then back to the ship we headed.

Sunday.....it sprinkled very lightly in the morning - perfect day to sleep in! The sun came out so we headed to the lounge chairs and settled in for the rest of the day.

Monday....arrived back at Ft. Lauderdale and headed to the Miami airport, which we sat for SEVEN hours. It was in the 80's when we left Miami and by the time we arrived back at Watertown, SD the temp was windy and below zero. UGHHH!!! That first step off the plane was a hard one to make (very small airport - you get off the plane outside and walk into the airport). I didn't want the trip to end and I really didn't want frost bite - we didn't have any coats along!!

Every evening on the ship we took in various entertainment but the best was just sitting in a corner of a nightclub and doing a little "people watching". There are some people who think they can dance and can't, quite obviously!!!! Then, there were some who were really fun to watch. We never went to bed before midnight and had so much fun with all the ship had to offer. I'm quite thankful I forgot to weigh myself before we left for the trip. I ate like a pig. The food was really good and it' like never ending and always available - YUMM!

Between laying out and all the airplane/airport time I managed to get through two books and three magazines. I really couldn't have had a more relaxing time.

We were treated to such luxury the whole trip. The company that took us on the trip could not have made it any more perfect for us. Everything was paid for - everything!!! Except the souveniers we bought, our excursion and my spa treatment, but heck, I think we can cover that much!. For our first cruise we were spoiled tremendously. The ship we were on was one of the largest out there - Royal Carribbean - Navigator of the Seas. I would highly recommend this ship if your thinking of a cruise. When we docked in Cozumel there was another ship right beside ours - it was about 1/3 the size of ours. We then realized just how good we had it.

It is good to be back - kind of! We missed the kids but we called them often so we knew they were doing fine. Would it be bad if I told you I've already been on Trevor's case to get selling to meet the requirements (which they increased) for next years trip (a different hotel on the beach in Miami and a longer cruise). Chop, chop honey, Sell! Sell! Sell!!!

Since you asked......

This trip is for Trevor and I. He earned it through work (sold enough stuff), so it's also a free trip. The best kind, right?!!! Well, free except for the morning at the spa Trevor booked for me and the jeep ride/snorkeling excursion I booked in Cozumel. We also get a $100 credit on the ship to put towards whatever. Couldn't get much better, huh?! I know, we're blessed! Times like this I love that my husband is in sales and welcome the perks that come with it.

Even if the weather isn't hot or even if it rains a little, so be it. It can't be any worse than negative degree weather like here. I'll try to bring the sunshine back with me to unthaw everyone - no promises though!! See you when I'm back!!

We've done a lot of talking about taking the kids to Disney this year also but then got to thinking about a Disney cruise. If you've been to/on either maybe you could give me some feed back on the pros and cons of each. Which is better?

I'm back..... for a few days anyway!

Wow, were to begin. I'm not going to go in to much detail about our Christmas/New Year break since it seems like so long ago now and such old news. We did have a great holiday. We were actually home for Christmas and Christmas Eve - it was great!! It didn't seem like such a rushed holiday for once. We stayed home and just enjoyed our family time. Even New Years Eve we were home - but that's because I was sick.

Remember Trevor and the kids were both sick right before Christmas, well, guess who got hit hard during Christmas. I was sick from the weekend before Christmas till about five days ago. For about four of those days I hardly had a voice. The doctor said that it was viral and of course just needed to run its course. However, the day I went in I was really feeling terrible and I think he took one look at me and had pitty because he still gave me some antibiotics just in case they might help. Needless to say, I was completely miserable (healthwise) for the majority of the holidays. I even missed two different basketball games (if you know me at all - you know that means I was VERY sick).

Last week Nikia started to come down with the same thing I had. She even lost her voice for a couple days too. Yuck! Finally, we are all better now!!!!!

Trevor's gone this week for three days at meetings and then next week we leave for our vacation. 3 days in Florida and then a 4 day cruise. I'm already dreaming of soaking up some sunshine. I can't wait!

Before I started this I went through and caught up on everyones blogs - I haven't been on the computer since.....well, I can't remember...but pretty much since before Christmas. I thought about a lot of you and wondered what you'd been up to and how your holidays went but I just had no desire to sit down at the computer to find out til now.


Soooooo...... I am alive and doing fine and it sounds like all of you are too. It's good to be back and I look forward to reading your posts again.