Holiday Blizzard

Well, we sure got a lot of snow! I drove home from work yesterday and it took me over 2 hours to drive from Greeley in the morning. Scott left work at 1030 and didn't get home until 130. I was supposed to go to work last night, but I wasn't willing to risk myself to get up there and get stranded up there.... so it goes.

We dug ourselves out this afternoon. I don't think Scott's car will be going anywhere for a while.

Visiting with Santa

Kaitlynn and I went to Flat Irons Mall to see Santa this year. She wouldn't sit on his lap, but she told him what she wanted this year "sweatshirts, a purse, Dora cash register, and Diego Rescue center." She did give him a hug and the photographer took a quick shot.

We then did some shopping and then went back to see Santa as Kaitlynn said that she would sit on his lap this time and I could take a picture... but Santa was feeding the reindeer and wouldn't be back for an hour. So we went home... and luckily Santa was visiting our neighborhood! How cool is that? So she told Santa again what she wanted for Christmas and wasn't scared of him at all.

Halloween

Kaitlynn woke up Halloween morning with a really sore throat. Later that week she ended up with croup (swelling around her vocal chords with upper respiratory infection - no voice and a cough like a barking seal). She didn't feel very good on Halloween, but she was a trooper and did lots of trick-or-treating. She could barely even say "trick or treat" and "thank you"... but she made it through the night.

Now we have way too much candy and Scott and I can't stop eating it! UG!

Kaitlynn loved her costume and wore it alot! We were glad that she picked a warm costume this year since it was so cold out... but no snow or rain!

Kaitlynn's Halloween party at preschool

Kaitlynn's preschool class was the only grade level that could dress up for Halloween... times are a-changing that's for sure! She dressed up as Cheer Bear (a Care Bear).

Finished Home Theater

In our basement, we were able to include a home theater. This is Scott's room. The projection tv gives us a 10 1/2 foot screen... that we just painted on the wall. The room is very comfortable, and can be very loud! The painted screen is very good and we can't complain. We love watching movies and our favorite tv shows down there!



We also have a finished storage area that we can keep everything organized and put away... sure helps!

Our finished basement

Well, we finally finished our basement... actually it has been complete for some time now... but I had some painting that I had to finish up. So we took some pictures to share with our friends and family that can't visit often... and show where all our money went!The top 2 pictures are the craft/computer room that I got to design and decorate. The bathroom is asian inspired... and the bedroom is simple and more antique-like.

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Pumpkin Patch

Before the snow came in, we decided it would be fun to go to the pumpkin patch. The big one on 287 allows you to go pick out and cut your own pumpkin. It was a lot of fun. They also have a little zoo area with little goats, sheep, cows, pigs and even turkeys. The battery on the camera died, so we weren't able to get pictures of the animals. We picked out pumpkins for all the family members in our house. One for each of us, and Kaitlynn picked out smaller ones for both of our dogs and both cats. No one gets left out!

Derek Robert Castro

Proud parents David and Kristel Castro (Scott's sister) had a baby boy on September 26, 2006. He was born at 11:49am and weighed 6 lbs 7 1/2 oz and was 19 1/2 inches long. He was very close in size to Kaitlynn when she was born. Kristel's labor was quick and with little complications.

Kaitlynn was so excited for her new baby cousin. When she first saw him, she wasn't sure what to think...but within an hour, she wanted to hold him and not share.

Scott's first bio nephew. And Kathleen's first grandboy. Everyone was so happy for the new addition to the Lohmann/Castro family!

New Orleans Trip part 3

We got to take an airboat tour in Lafitte, LA to tour the canals and see the alligators. We even saw a bald eagle swoop down and get a fish. It was a amazing and a lot of fun!






The BEST part of the whole trip was coming home and seeing Kaitlynn. We both missed her SO much! She had fun at Grandma and Poppa's, but was glad to see us too.

New Orleans Trip part 2

Now for the fun things! We took a riverboat dinner cruise on the Mississippi River. The view on the way back was amazing as we could see the New Orleans skyline and the bridge across the river all lit up.

We went to Mardi Gras world where they build all the floats for Mardi Gras and let people tour the facility... they even plan dinner parties with mini parades complete with 2 motorcycle cops and a high school band! (Sorry the jester picture is sideways)

New Orleans Trip

Well, after Scott's surgery I got a sinus infection and then we traveled to New Orleans. Boy, that was fun. Scott had a conference there for his job and it was all paid for, so even though we were not in the best of physical condition to go... we went anyways. It was nice to visit, but neither of us would ever go back. It was hot, muggy, and dirty. The whole town looks like a construction site... and not just because of Katrina. In the French Quarter where they didn't get much destruction... it just seems... neglected. We did enjoy ourselves... but we were ready to come home early. Scott was really sore, but he did well. Here are some pictures from our trip.

These are pictures of the French Quarter area... this sign really says it all about Katrina. We talked to several people down there who lost everything. New Orleans is at less than 1/2 the population that they were before Katrina. The people were all really nice... probably the friendliest town I've ever been in. Too bad they can't clean up their streets. Even on Bourbon Street, there were 2 foot wide potholes, broken glass everywhere, and dumpsters overflowing. In front of the police station there was a light pole that had fallen down and was broken with glass everywhere, and had been there for a while.

Scott in the hospital

I know... this isn't the most pleasant post... but life isn't always pleasant, right?
Scott started feeling a pain in his side on Thursday afternoon and it became so painful that he called his dad to take him to the hospital. It was a kidney stone... and it wouldn't pass. On Friday afternoon, he had to have surgery to remove the stone. The doctor had to put a stent in from his kidney to his bladder to help the drainage since the stone and surgery created a lot of injury. He has to have it removed next week. He came home from the hospital on Saturday. His medication makes him dizzy and he still has some kidney and bladder pain, but he is getting better.
I am sure that he is thrilled that I am posting this! And yes, this is a picture of the stone.

Helping Daddy

Kaitlynn got a mower for her birthday from her Uncle Troy and Aunt Jessie, so now she can help her daddy mow the lawn.