I have to admit, the boy is all his daddy! He's definitely a Ripple!
What a cutie!
Proud parents!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Brodimus has finally arrived!
The most exciting news in my life recently was the birth of my little nephew, Brody Ripple, last Saturday morning! Jessica, my older sister, and Bryan are his proud parents. Brody is truly a miracle baby and I just can't believe that he is finally here. I prayed for him for quite some time before he was born and even more as he was growing in his mama's belly. We rejoiced on Saturday after learning that Jessica had a safe and successful delivery and that Brody was a BIG healthy boy at 9 lbs. 1 oz.! God is good and His timing is perfect.
I have to admit, the boy is all his daddy! He's definitely a Ripple!
What a cutie!
Proud parents!
I have to admit, the boy is all his daddy! He's definitely a Ripple!
What a cutie!
Proud parents!
My 30th Birthday Surprise!
For my 30th birthday, we took Linkan to Moab for our first camping trip together. Ben said that he had a surprise planned for me. I really had no clue what was up his sleeve. We woke up early on Saturday morning (left Linkan with Nate, H and Denise) and Ben made me close my eyes for the ride. When the car stopped, I opened my eyes and stared up at some biiiig rocks!
My big surprise was that we were going to climb Ancient Art, a 4 pitch 500 foot tower with a corkscrew summit. Wowzers! This was my very first view of the tower. In this picture, it is the corkscrew tower on the far right.
WTF!? was my first thought. Remember, I haven't done any REAL climbs since I was 2 or 3 months pregnant (and Link is 6 months old!!). So, of course, my first question was...what is this graded???? It's a 5-8 climb with two 5-10+ sections. I'm a 5-9 climber so let's just say that I might have cheated a teensey bit. ;) It was mainly sport with some trad. I took up the tail end and cleaned as I went.
Close up of the corkscrew summit.
The weather was perfect except for one thing...30-40 mph wind but the climb was still do-able.
"Slack", our climbing buddy.
Ben, on the second pitch climbing up the chimney.
One of the 5-10+ sections...
At the end of the second pitch, this was my view.
Don't look down!
Ben, on the last pitch.
Making a difficult and very exposed move to get to the summit.
Gargoyle on the summit. haha :)
Notice how hard the wind is blowing the rope?
There are people in this picture...see the little white dot?
I had just done a delicate walk across the "diving board". Yeah right! More like a delicate scootch!
I'm almost to the summit!
The wind was blowing 30-40 mph so when I got a little higher than I am in the previous picture, I said that I couldn't get to the very top. I was FRIGGIN scared!!...and holding on for dear life for fear that the wind would blow me off. Ben encouraged me and told me that I was almost there and that I could do it. So I mustered up my courage and went for it and boy was I happy that I did!
What I love about rock climbing is that you get yourself into situations and you think to yourself, "there is no fricking way that I can get myself out of this!". And then you try a different move or two or three and you figure out how to push yourself up higher. It is SO empowering once you make that hard move and beat the rock! Ben told me that that I am far stronger than I give myself credit for and I'm actually starting to believe him. What a great lesson and reminder it is for me as I embark upon my thirties. Thank you, my love, for this wonderful birthday surprise.
My big surprise was that we were going to climb Ancient Art, a 4 pitch 500 foot tower with a corkscrew summit. Wowzers! This was my very first view of the tower. In this picture, it is the corkscrew tower on the far right.
WTF!? was my first thought. Remember, I haven't done any REAL climbs since I was 2 or 3 months pregnant (and Link is 6 months old!!). So, of course, my first question was...what is this graded???? It's a 5-8 climb with two 5-10+ sections. I'm a 5-9 climber so let's just say that I might have cheated a teensey bit. ;) It was mainly sport with some trad. I took up the tail end and cleaned as I went.
Close up of the corkscrew summit.
The weather was perfect except for one thing...30-40 mph wind but the climb was still do-able.
"Slack", our climbing buddy.
Ben, on the second pitch climbing up the chimney.
One of the 5-10+ sections...
At the end of the second pitch, this was my view.
Don't look down!
Ben, on the last pitch.
Making a difficult and very exposed move to get to the summit.
Gargoyle on the summit. haha :)
Notice how hard the wind is blowing the rope?
There are people in this picture...see the little white dot?
I had just done a delicate walk across the "diving board". Yeah right! More like a delicate scootch!
I'm almost to the summit!
The wind was blowing 30-40 mph so when I got a little higher than I am in the previous picture, I said that I couldn't get to the very top. I was FRIGGIN scared!!...and holding on for dear life for fear that the wind would blow me off. Ben encouraged me and told me that I was almost there and that I could do it. So I mustered up my courage and went for it and boy was I happy that I did!
What I love about rock climbing is that you get yourself into situations and you think to yourself, "there is no fricking way that I can get myself out of this!". And then you try a different move or two or three and you figure out how to push yourself up higher. It is SO empowering once you make that hard move and beat the rock! Ben told me that that I am far stronger than I give myself credit for and I'm actually starting to believe him. What a great lesson and reminder it is for me as I embark upon my thirties. Thank you, my love, for this wonderful birthday surprise.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Moab
I turned 30 on May 16th and told Ben that I didn't want a big party. I just wanted to do something fun with my lil family and have some quality time together. So, for my birthday, we decided that it was time for Linkan's first camping trip! We've done A LOT of camping in the last 10 years but didn't know how it was going to go with a baby so we planned accordingly and crossed our fingers! We chose Moab because we went there over Memorial Day last year (I was 3 1/2 months pregnant) and loved it! Also, we knew it would be warmer there for Miss Linkan. Our good friends, Nate and Heather and Nate's mom, Denise joined us!
The first night was VERY rough! We didn't arrive at our campsite until 11:30 p.m. so we didn't get bedded down until 1am. It was chilly so I bundled Link up and she decided that she was happy as a clam and wanted everyone in the campgrounds to know it. We were giggling and sweating a little as she chattered for a good 30 minutes. She finally fell asleep with Ben and I but woke up not long after and was VERY cranky because our air mattress had a leak and was making everyone uncomfortable. We finally got her calmed down and decided that she would be more comfortable in her car seat next to us. She agreed. :) Ben had a big surprise planned for me on Friday and we were supposed to leave at 7am that morning. Unfortunately, Linkan woke up early on Friday morning and was having a very hard time because she was so tired and her schedule was screwed up. Ben made a phone call and were we able to postpone the outing until Saturday to my great relief. We spent Friday just hanging out at the campsite and enjoying the weather! Once the sun came out and warmed things up, it was great!
I took a nap that afternoon while Linkan and Daddy hiked around and played together. She was getting back on schedule and the smiles were back!
On Saturday, we were able to leave Linkan with Nate, H and Denise and left early for my birthday surprise! Holy crow! You will have to read my next post, because it deserves it's own post! :)
Boss and Stella zonked out early after a hard day's play.
Snug as a bug!
She was SUPPOSED to be tired by now...haha
On Sunday, we packed up camp and did a great hike (Negro Bill trail) before hitting the road. It was really cool because it was dog friendly (most of the trails aren't in Moab!), winded in and out of a beautiful crystal clear creek and at the end of the trail was the world's 6th largest natural bridge (arch). It was amazing! I'll have to post pics later because I didn't have my camera (but H did). Link had enough by the end of the hike and was letting us know it! Once we got her in the car, she fell asleep and did awesome for the 6 hour car ride home. Good times! What a fun birthday weekend!
The first night was VERY rough! We didn't arrive at our campsite until 11:30 p.m. so we didn't get bedded down until 1am. It was chilly so I bundled Link up and she decided that she was happy as a clam and wanted everyone in the campgrounds to know it. We were giggling and sweating a little as she chattered for a good 30 minutes. She finally fell asleep with Ben and I but woke up not long after and was VERY cranky because our air mattress had a leak and was making everyone uncomfortable. We finally got her calmed down and decided that she would be more comfortable in her car seat next to us. She agreed. :) Ben had a big surprise planned for me on Friday and we were supposed to leave at 7am that morning. Unfortunately, Linkan woke up early on Friday morning and was having a very hard time because she was so tired and her schedule was screwed up. Ben made a phone call and were we able to postpone the outing until Saturday to my great relief. We spent Friday just hanging out at the campsite and enjoying the weather! Once the sun came out and warmed things up, it was great!
I took a nap that afternoon while Linkan and Daddy hiked around and played together. She was getting back on schedule and the smiles were back!
On Saturday, we were able to leave Linkan with Nate, H and Denise and left early for my birthday surprise! Holy crow! You will have to read my next post, because it deserves it's own post! :)
Boss and Stella zonked out early after a hard day's play.
Snug as a bug!
She was SUPPOSED to be tired by now...haha
On Sunday, we packed up camp and did a great hike (Negro Bill trail) before hitting the road. It was really cool because it was dog friendly (most of the trails aren't in Moab!), winded in and out of a beautiful crystal clear creek and at the end of the trail was the world's 6th largest natural bridge (arch). It was amazing! I'll have to post pics later because I didn't have my camera (but H did). Link had enough by the end of the hike and was letting us know it! Once we got her in the car, she fell asleep and did awesome for the 6 hour car ride home. Good times! What a fun birthday weekend!
Kansas Whirlwind!
Ben, Link and I flew to Kansas on May 13th. We had a lot of ground to cover in one weekend but we made it! Ben parted ways with us at the airport. He met up with his friends to go down to the Lake of the Ozarks for a bachelor party weekend for Kourtney Hopkins. Grandpa P took Link and I back to their house where Link met her Aunt Sara for the first time!
On Friday morning, we all went to Topeka to Grandpa's retirement party. He is retiring from Westar after 36.9 years. WOW! We are so proud of Mike! He had a great turnout of friends and co-workers. Compared to the pics with Aunt Sara, Link looks teenie tiny in Grandpa's arms! Mike plans to take a little time off from work and then will be working on contract for a little while. His first project will be at Wolf Creek and he is really excited to get started!
On Saturday, we caught a ride with my good friend Angela Ziegler to Wamego for Amy Jones' bachelorette party! Linkan has never really taken a bottle successfully (even after going back to work for 2 months) so we don't even bother with it anymore. Unfortuantely, that meant that I couldn't leave her with grandparents but she was a trooper and (hopefully!) wasn't too much trouble to the girls. She got lots of volunteer "holders"! Amy insisted that Linkan and I go in the limo with everyone so we loaded her up. At 6 months, this girl has already been on an airplane three times AND got to ride in a hummer limo! Where is the silver spoon??? :)
Here is the bride, handing Linkan her "pin". ;)
On Sunday, Angela and I stopped in Topeka and we had lunch with my parents, Molly and Tim. The 16th was my 30th birthday so it was really wonderful to be able to see them. Linkan was all smiles!
On Friday morning, we all went to Topeka to Grandpa's retirement party. He is retiring from Westar after 36.9 years. WOW! We are so proud of Mike! He had a great turnout of friends and co-workers. Compared to the pics with Aunt Sara, Link looks teenie tiny in Grandpa's arms! Mike plans to take a little time off from work and then will be working on contract for a little while. His first project will be at Wolf Creek and he is really excited to get started!
On Saturday, we caught a ride with my good friend Angela Ziegler to Wamego for Amy Jones' bachelorette party! Linkan has never really taken a bottle successfully (even after going back to work for 2 months) so we don't even bother with it anymore. Unfortuantely, that meant that I couldn't leave her with grandparents but she was a trooper and (hopefully!) wasn't too much trouble to the girls. She got lots of volunteer "holders"! Amy insisted that Linkan and I go in the limo with everyone so we loaded her up. At 6 months, this girl has already been on an airplane three times AND got to ride in a hummer limo! Where is the silver spoon??? :)
Here is the bride, handing Linkan her "pin". ;)
On Sunday, Angela and I stopped in Topeka and we had lunch with my parents, Molly and Tim. The 16th was my 30th birthday so it was really wonderful to be able to see them. Linkan was all smiles!
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Mother's Day
Ben is flying to Cleveland tomorrow for work so we celebrated my first mother's day today! He took me and Linkan to Bass Pro earlier this week to buy Link a life jacket. This morning, he took me out to breakfast (I love going out for breakfast!). Linkan had LOTS of admirers at Village Inn. A nice man thought she was so cute, he gave her a dollar. We just cracked up. A mama loves to hear that her baby is cute. :) After breakfast, we headed to some reservoirs up by Ft. Collins to get Linkan out on the canoe for the first time. It was the first of many times in the canoe, I'm sure! We had a picnic lunch while we were up there and let the dogs run around in the woods for awhile. We ended the evening with a yummy dinner at Yak & Yeti (Nepalese cuisine - YUM!). A whole day that I didn't have to cook...now that is what I'm talking about!
Linkan was not fond of the life jacket AT. ALL.
We really felt sorry for her. hahahahaha ;)
She settled down and was mesmerized by daddy's paddling.
Daddy was making her giggle.
Back on shore, safe and sound!
Da pooches!
My love. He made my first mother's day very special!
Linkan was not fond of the life jacket AT. ALL.
We really felt sorry for her. hahahahaha ;)
She settled down and was mesmerized by daddy's paddling.
Daddy was making her giggle.
Back on shore, safe and sound!
Da pooches!
My love. He made my first mother's day very special!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Yuck!
Now that Linkan is a BIG girl at the ripe old age of 5 1/2 months, we decided to have some fun with solids for the first time last week. Rice cereal was the main course for the lil bugger. As you can see, she had NO idea what to do with that first bite.
She just stared at me as if she was saying, "What did you just put in my mouth, lady?"
We are calling this the "double handed shove"
She isn't buying it...
Listen, Missy! You're gonna eat it!
Growing very wary of "the spoon"
"Yo essa, put that spoon in my face again and I'll cap you. Que?"
She was pretty happy when that was over with.
She wants to touch everything in front of her now, including mama's camera...
Toes are cool.
Sure, she'll eat her bebe chair but not rice cereal...
Num num num!
She just stared at me as if she was saying, "What did you just put in my mouth, lady?"
We are calling this the "double handed shove"
She isn't buying it...
Listen, Missy! You're gonna eat it!
Growing very wary of "the spoon"
"Yo essa, put that spoon in my face again and I'll cap you. Que?"
She was pretty happy when that was over with.
She wants to touch everything in front of her now, including mama's camera...
Toes are cool.
Sure, she'll eat her bebe chair but not rice cereal...
Num num num!
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