The Cruise

OK, so we celebrated our 12th Anniversary last night with a cruise. Of course it isn't until Sunday, but we were both not on call.
We boarded the Avenger, a sleek yellow jet boat at the Beaver Bay Marina. Our captain was Captain Dockter and his first mate Feist. After departing from the dock, with all the fanfare, we sped across the bay, skull and cross bones flag whipping in the wind. The plume of water we shot out behind us was quite impressive. After a short 5 minute weave around the submerged trees we beached our liner at the Prairie Knights marina. THe seas were calm, and not a one of us was sea sick. A short hike up the marina mountain brought us to the Marina phone, where we called for our driver to come retrieve us. Our captain Dockter entertained us with his antics with the driver. The trip to the Casino was longer than the journey across the bay. We arrived at the Casino and weaved through blue hair and smoke to the Feast of the Rock. We dined with the natives and it was quite good. After a fine meal we tried our hands at the slot machines, and I won a bit of money; a whole $9.00. Of course I can only speak for myself. First mate Feist and I enjoyed a cocktail at the bar, then we all proceeded to the Black Jack tables. I was just a spectator, as I don't know the game very well. The first set was favorable for the players, but the second set went to the Casino. As it was getting near sundown, we daparted from the Knights, and had Jeeves our driver take us back down to our vessel to make the journey home. No one left empty handed, but no one came home rich either. We took our time coming across the mighty Missouri and enjoyed the beautiful glass like water and cooling eveing. Bugs greeted the light First Mate Feist shone one the water to guide our way. WE shut down the motor and just drifted for a while enjoying the quiet and solitude of the sea. Then reality of the time set in and we docked and departed the vessel, and made our way home. It was a fine evening, and the entertainment was spectacular. We filled the natives pockets and our bellies with their Feast. Karady's relatives would have approved. WE checked on our bronze baby who was in peaceful slumber. It was a fine time, and we would suggest it to anyone. The Marina pontoon runs on the weekends, and the schedule is 10 am to 8 pm, departing from the bay every 2 hours. Try your hand and take a trip if you have the time.

Happy 12th Anniversary to the love of my life. THanks it was fun.

TTFN

Lori

No Turning Back Now

Well Lulu is well on her way to walking. She barely crawls at all anymore. At the lake this weekend she really got her exercise.
Speaking of the Lake, it was crappy weather for 2 days, one beautiful evening, and of course the day we were to leave it was beautiful. The kids still swam in 70 degree weahter, and we all swam on Sunday before we came home. It was nice to be together. We had 13 people sleeping inside a 2 bedroom cabin. We had a great time though. Brian put the water tramp and slide out between the docks, and unloaded the wave runner and took the kids tubing. They had so much fun. Karady and I swam a bit and went down the slide. She had a ball. She tried to bite her cousin numerous times when he cut in front of her to go down the little slide. I got lots of my book read and it was wonderful to get away. NOlan fished, and didn't catch much, but he has been looking forward to getting away for a long time. It put the itch in him to have a place like that. Just a pipe dream my man. We want to thank Kristin and Brian for their hospitality. We greatly apprecaited it. Hope to do it again some day.
The countdown is on to our Sturgis vacation. I am not looking forward to leaving Karady. She will do fine, but I am afraid she won't know us after a week. She will have fun at Grandmas, and I am sure she will get to go swimming and play with all of the Daycare kids.
Made a new drink last night. Got the recipe from the Cabin. I think it is called Skip and Go Naked, but I am still verifying that with Kristin. It sounds wierd, but Norris, Muriel and I loved it. here goes:

1 can frozen lemonaide
2 can water (24 oz. total)
1 can vodka ( i Use only 1/2) or 6 oz.
1 can beer

Mix together and serve over ice.

You could use any type of lemonaid and I used crystal light tubs and filled my measuring cup to make 12 oz. Try it, you might like it. It makes about 2 quarts.

Well thats all

Oh P.S. Nolan had a hearing test today and it was a little better. He still has some packing in. GO NOLAN>

TTFN
LOri

Now we're MOvin'

Last night Lulu took the most steps ever!! She walked from her firetruck in the dining room into the kitchen and then into the hall. SHe is doing less scooting and more walking, touching things as she goes. We praise her so much and she claps.
We are busy preping to go to the lake tomorrow. I am praying for some warmer weather then they are predicting. We are taking the car, so we will be packed tight. And you have to bring so many different clothes when it might be cool, or it might be a little warmer, plus all of LULU's stuff.
Last Sunday we went to the pool. WE were the only ones there for quite a while. She was in her floatie in the big pool, and the lifeguards had the music cranked. She was boppin her head to the music and the life guards got a kick out of that. SHe loves the water; I hope that continues.
Having a wonderful day at work today, no BOSS= Whoo PEE!!!

Well TTFN.

Independence

Independence means a lot in our house lately. Lulu is getting more and more independent. She likes to help dress herself, and put her shoes on. The other day she had her nail clipper and was acting like she was going to trim her nails. She has yet to take off walking though.
She seemed to enjoy the parade on the 4th. I had to drive a float, so I only saw her from afar. We ate lunch at the church then she went to see GG in Strasburg while mommy and daddy went to the Derby. I kind of got fried, but it was a good Derby. The beer tasted good on such a hot day. Our good friend Kameron took 3rd. Yeah KAM. It was kind of more fun when you know someone in it. Then we had a pinic at the Sannes with grilled bugers and dogs and great salads and desserts. Then of course we had the fireworks. I think the boys outdo themselves every year. LULU was filthy and tired and had a bath and was in bed by 9:30. Next year she might be able to stay up and watch them. I ate way to much, but after my stomach emptied a little we broke out the margaritas and sipped cool raspberry slushes while we enjoyed the fireworks. WE finally concluded the show at 12:30.
Lulu was up bright and shiny ant 7:30 the next morning. We played a while and then she took a nap from 10 to 11, and mommy did too. Then we made plans to go to the pool with the Sannes'. WE got to the pool at 2:00. Lulu kept wanting to sit in the water, but she is too short. So she walked around the edge for a while. She climed out of her baby ring, so we tried another ring that we borrowed from a fellow Daycare kid, and she loved it. She is a maniac in the water. She has no fear. WE were at the pool then until it closed at 5 and made a date for the next Sunday when Tammi's family would also be in Linton from Bemidji. Lulu barely made it home before falling asleep. I changed her into dry clothes and she took a 2 hour nap. Then of course she didn't go to be until 10:30. I finally just laid her in her crib and she fell asleep on her own. it was worth it though. All of her Daycare buddies were at the pool with us at the same time.
Yesterday was my mom's birthday, Happy Birthday MOM!!!

Blowing Kisses

Karady learned something new again yesterday. Joann taught her to blow kisses. Also she does say thank you when she wants something, and when she gets something. It sounds very similar to get down, but just a bit different. We are going on a boat ride tonight with a friend. I already have a life jacket for LULU. WE should have fun. One good thing that's come out of the flood is Beaver Bay is full and full of life again.
WE are planning a fun filled 4th. We will take in the parade, have lunch at the church, Mommy and daddy are going to the Derby, and then a picnic at the Sannes. Paul is in charge of the fireworks this year. WE should have a good time. I can remember back to last year when LULU was so little, and I missed almost all the fireworks because she was cranky, and then she threw up all over me. She only did that to me a few times. I think it was because too many people were trying to feed her. It should be a funner 4th, for all of us.

Well TTFN.

Lori

Doin the two step

Well on June 23rd Karady took her first steps, just two of them. Nolan said that he saw them first, pushing the little popcorn popper, but I say I saw them first after supper. She has been standing alone for short periods of time since about the 15th of June. So now I "force" her to try to walk more, but she is still very unsure.
She also has learned High Five. Not sure where, who knows. She will do up high and down low also. She just giggles.
As I have probably blogged, she got her pictures taken last Friday, and we picked them up yesterday, which by the way was one year since we picked up our little baby girl. Oh what a journey. I wouldn't change a thing. Anyway her pictures are ablsolutely georgeous. going to be so hard to pick. I will try to scan a few to post. WE get them done by Morgan's Memories. Her number is 223-9769. Tell her I sent you and I can get credit. Her email is morgansmemories@hotmail.com. If you use the referrel program you get 10% off your sitting fee, and I get 8 free wallets. Let me know if you are interested, I can hook you up. She is reasonable and you get to keep all your proofs. Bonus, for us scrapbookers.
SO yesterday we celebrated by going to the zoo. It rained on us almost the whole time and we spent a good amount of time in the stinky monkey house waiting for the rain to pass. Karady seemed to enjoy the zoo. Karady fed the goats, and the horse with the nasty teeth tried to get her finger. Of course as Nolan always says, Next year will be funner. I told him to stop wishing her life away. Nolan and his dad went to a movie, transformer 2 and Muriel and I traveled way north of Bismarck to the Luck's house to visit with Karady's Foster family. They live in a georgeous house, and were so happy to see here again. They celebrated her adoption day with us in December, but we only spoke for a short period of time. I put on the adorable dress they sent her for her birthday. karady is still kind of shy and kind of hung around me and Muriel. Tricia's parents were also there, and they enjoyed seeing her again. Tricia does daycare for her nieces, and the little girl who is 6 months older that LULu is named Taylour Lou, and they call her LULU too. I laughed. They also told me they nick named Karady Ray Ray while she was there, which we also call her sometimes. We had a wonderful visit, and I told Karady when we left she is very lucky to have had such a wonderful family for the short 17 days she was with them. They have 2 other foster children now, and Karady was just their 2nd. Thanks to the Luck's for starting our baby out right.

Well TTFN. i will try to get caught up on pics.

Sand between my toes

Well it was a big weekend for us, second only to the big birthday bash.

It started out on Friday with pictures, which are going to be so dam adorable. Lulu did very well. Only took about an hour. They were very fun. I would highly recommend Morgan's Memories. I can give you the info if you want it. Tell her I sent you, so I can get credit. Then we had shots and a Dr. check up. Lulu weighs 22 lb, 2 oz. and is 30 1/2 inches. She is slimming down, but still very tall for her age. She got 4 shots, and luckily they had 2 nurses for this. Then we saw the BM. Well I have to say I am sure it was eye opening for Norris and Muriel. This goes to show that Environment wins over Genetics. Karady was cranky towards the BM, and didn't want to be held by her. Don't think she was very happy about that. But otherwise we had a good visit. We then waited for Nolan to get to Bismarck and then we took off on the bike to Richardton. Karady went with Gma and Gpa back home.

We took off quite late the next day on the bike, but it was great to sleep in. We went up thru Killdeer to Watford, thru New Town, Garrison, and then back home on 83. My butt was very sore, but the ride was nice. WInd could have been a little quieter. Gma and Gpa kept Karady up until we got home, and they were waiting in the stroller for us at the end of the block. She gave us a funny look when she saw us in our helmets. She was glad we were home and didn't go to bed until 10:30. we had friends over for a fire that night, drank a few beers, and had a nice night.

Went to church on Sunday, and Nolan opened up the Storybook I made for him, from Karady. He told me I have too much time on my hands. It turned out very cute. I know he appreciated it. It was written by Karady. Then the guys constructed her sandbox and put up her swing. Note to Nolan, get eyebolts so your daughter doesn't go flying off the swing, in her swing. She loves the swing, and the sand. Nolan says No sand outside the sandbox. he told me I have to be firm with her on that. I just rolled my eyes at him. We had coctails and snacks on the deck, ate supper and Lulu who had only a 45 minute nap was in bed by 7:30. What a great weekend. I will post pics later.

TTFN