Our Trip to Dallas

The day after Tom got back from Norway he had to go to Dallas for the re-opening of the National Boy Scout Museum, something his partner wanted him to do. So, we decided to go with him. While he was at the museum I took the kids to the Dallas Aquarium. We had a lot of fun. We walked around part of Downtown Dallas for a little bit and got something to eat and then went to the Aquarium. I thought Dallas was really nice. It was a beautiful day as well, which made it even better. The kids loved the Aquarium. Especially the turtles, the big fish, and the giant river otters. They liked being right up against the glass while the animals swam by them. Charlie would just scream, "here they come" and "hi turtles" or "hi fishy". They were hilarious. When Tom picked us up we went to Costa Vida for dinner before our drive home. Costa Vida has close to the same food as Cafe Rio, a restaurant we loved in Utah. Kind of like Chipotle, but yummier! We had such a good time together! I love days like that!

Charlie vs. The Mosquito

I wanted to show everyone what happens when Charlie gets bit by a mosquito.

Tom went to Norway for a week and we were here alone. It was very frustrating because Tom's cell phone wouldn't work over there so he could only call us using a calling card. We could never get ahold of him. One night, that will apparently go down in history, we went over to my friend Tonya's house to play. We were there for about 2 hours. I had spoken to Tom earlier in the afternoon and when we got off the phone he was supposedly going to bed, since it is 7 hours later there. So we went to Tonya's house, which I had told him we were doing. While we were there we played out in their backyard while my cell phone was in my purse inside since I wasn't expecting any emergency phone calls since it was the middle of the night in Norway! Anyway, I sprayed Charlie down with bug spray, even on his head, but I didn't spray his face. As you can see, he received three bites on his face which proceeded to gradually swell for the next few days until his one eye was almost shut! What's the deal with that?!? O.K., back to blaming Tom...so while we were outside I guess Tom decided at 2am Norway time to change his flight home. He wasn't able to change it himself with his calling card so he tried calling me to do it. When he couldn't get ahold of me he called everyone else we are related to and tried to get them to do it. The only people he got ahold of were Betsy and Mom Kiehl. He lead them to believe that he had not spoken to me in a long time and that he couldn't find me. Instead of explaining that he had just spoken to me and wasn't at all worried about he, he just wanted one of them to change his ticket. They both thought that I had been missing for days and that we were all laying dead somewhere! So I received several panicked phone messages and spent the rest of the evening resolving concerns and calming nerves. Needless to say, I was not happy with Tom!

Sorry about this long story, for those of you who didn't hear about it, it probably doesn't make a lot of since, but for the rest of you: this is my side! Ha!

Tropical Storm Edouard

This was our first "hurricane" which turned out to be nothing more than a little rain. Meg was prepared though! She got out all of her rain gear from Aunt Heather which she quickly started to sweat in since it is so HOT here! Tom worked from home. We had a great day!

Outer Banks 2008

Sorry, it's been so long since I have posted. During quiet time in the afternoon, when I have time to do stuff like this, I normally feel terrible and just need to lay down. So, today I decided to stay home from the gym and work on it in the morning. Luckily the kids are being really good and allowing me to do this!

We had so much fun on our Kiehl Family Vacation this year. We went to Kill Devil Hills, NC. That's the first town after you get on to the Outer Banks. We really loved seeing everyone and wish we could do it more often. Meg had a ball with all of her cousins. I think that's the best part: seeing all of the kids interact. We didn't get any photos on the beach, I think because we were scared to take our new camera out there. We hope everyone is doing well! We miss you all!

These pictures are two of my favorite. Meg and Alli really bonded during our vacation. Alli is such a sweet little girl. And this was Charlie's nightly ritual when he was tired after a long day. He would lay on our bed and watch Dora. I love this picture because it shows him rubbing his blankie tag on his toes! He loves his tags!

Outer Banks 2008

The view from our porch, Meg at the Wright Brother's Monument, our family and Charlie after a little too much sun!

Outer Banks 2008

These are more pictures from the Wright Brother's Monument. Meg bought a bird that flew in the air that they all loved playing with. Charlie enjoyed his freedom to walk out in the open air (he couldn't maneuver very well on the sand). The picture of Charlie in the car seat: if only he was that happy the whole drive to and from the airport! Cameron and Meg enjoying some time together with the DS.

Outer Banks 2008

I'm trying out Picasa here, so bare with me here. These are pictures from our trip to the Wright Brother's Monument and Museum. There was a great view from the top of the hill here.