Happy Birthday Kyla!

Today is the day, although it feels like just another day... Kyla turns ONE! I just keep thinking she doesn't seem like she's a year old. She's just a little baby! But, I guess I'm wrong... Although she'll always be my baby, she's technically crossing over to be a toddler.
I haven't been around enough one-year-olds lately to compare, but Kyla doesn't walk yet, she's just so little in size, and she only has 4 teeth, thus she doesn't seem old enough for a birthday.
We're working on the walking thing, but Kyla simply finds it easier to crawl. She'll stand on her own... until she realizes she's doing it... so she's getting close to those first steps!
She's also working on her 5th tooth. She's been chewing/sucking on her thumb and drooling everywhere, but her mood's been okay.
She is good at talking! Jabber, jabber all the time. Though most of her "words" don't make sense, there's definately a few that she knows for sure: Puppy, kitty, baby, hi, bye-bye, dada, mommy, baba (bottle). She also knows the sign language for more, food, and all-done. We've been working on saying "How old is Kyla?" And she'll point up her "one" finger (sometimes). It's so fun now that she'll do "tricks". LOL
Greg had to work today, but we've been getting ready for the big party tomorrow. I've made and decorated cupcakes, made punch and dip, and gotten sandwhich ingredients. We're going to have a little back yard party at my parent's house tomorrow afternoon. I'll be sure to post pictures!

End of Vaca

Well, family vaca took a turn for the worst on Sunday evening. After going to Watiki water park (and having fun!), Kyla started puking everything she ate, and Greg was in bed by 7:30 with a fever. I toughed it out, even went to bed somewhat early, but woke up ever 30-60 minutes while Kyla heaved. The next morning I was tired and nauseated. Thankfully Kyla was done puking and Greg felt better. We took off for home in the late morning. Kyla and I slept the entire way. After we got home last evening, my fever and dizziness set in, as well as diarrhea.
Today, I called in sick to work. Kyla and I have been taking it easy and staying close to the bathroom. Kyla is extra clingy and tired, but is able to keep food down. Greg did go to work, and I'm excited for him to get home! We'll see what tomorrow brings...

The Hills

On Friday, we got up early and headed out of Inwood at 6:30am. On the way to the Black Hills, we went through the Bad Lands and stopped at Wall Drug. Kyla did fairly well in her new forward-facing carseat, but I think she's working on some more teeth and is kinda crabby.
We met Greg's parents and his Brother, sister-in-law and kids near Whitewood, SD in a rented basement of a nice house!
Yesterday we all went to Mount Rushmore, had a picnic at Sylvan Lake, walked around Keystone and went out for supper in Rapid City. I'll have to post pictures when we get home.
This morning we had a little birthday party for Elyssa and Kyla, and now have just been relaxing and playing outside. We'll venture out this afternoon for some more tourism.

Happy Weekend!

Inwood had it's big 4th of July celebration yesterday- parade in the morning, potluck at grandma & grandpa, bingo/cakewalk, then demolition derby at night. I'm going to be honest about the parade... it was a disappointment. There was like 5 floats, the rest of the parade was machinery, cars, and tractors. To the people of Inwood: maybe we can work on that for next year! :)
Last year was my first Bingo experience in the Inwood Community Center, which is a lot of fun! My mom and brother both won at Bingo, me and my grandpa won a cakewalk, and poor Roxy (my sister-in-law) walked out with nothing... but admits it was fun!
The derby is always fun as well, gotta love small town Iowa! Entertainment at it's best!
Today is Sunday, and tomorrow I get a paid "observed" holiday off work, it's pretty awesome...
Now Greg and I can start thinking about this weekend. We are meeting Greg's parents from Montana and his brother and family from Sioux Center out in the Black Hills. We've got a big cabin reserved there and plan to do some relaxing and site-seeing. I'm looking forward to a little vacation!
I've also started to think about Kyla's 1st birthday bash. I think we are going have a party on July 25 (the day after her birtday) in my parent's backyard. Better start planning!

Five years!?

Today is me and Greg's 5th anniversary. Can you believe it? Me neither! Five years is a long time, but boy, has it gone by fast.
Yesterday at work, the cutest elderly couple came into the clinic. I could just sense their compassion for each other... After discussing how active they are, and how the wife got her husband a cane for Christmas, which he was very proud of (lol)... I asked how long they've been married. "Sixty seven years," said the lady. And the husband chimed in, "But we really don't think about time, we just keep living for the day with gratitude for the past."
I'm always thankful to hear about long, happy marriages. What a good example!

Greg is working all day today, so last night we met after work and went to Minerva's in Sioux Falls for supper. It was fun to get dressed up and go out. AND... Greg, being the romantic that he is (which I love), surprised me with a 5 day Bahama cruise at the end of January!! How about that for an anniversary gift? I've always wanted to go on a cruise. They sound awesome, from what I've heard from friends. I'm very excited, it'll be a good time of year to get away!
Perhaps I should start a countdown. 7 months.....

Pretty as a Picture

Here's some pictures my mom has taken recently...

Grandpa pulling Kyla in the new bike trailer

A typical snack time; Kyla and Mason sharing crackers

So cool on Grandpa's old Harley

Showing off all the new teeth, the 2 top ones just came in

Just cute

Work is... Work

Time has just flown by since we've moved. And the most commonly asked question I hear right now is, "How is your new job?" Well... it's different. I loved my last job (in the Pella hospital). I was good at it, I was comfortable after being there for nearly 5 years, I was confident and effecient. Now, everything is new and I feel dumb. Don't get me wrong... I am learning ALOT, and happy to be learning, but it's hard to learn new things. I am so grateful for all my friendly and helpful co-workers.
My day usually consists of rooming clinic patients, ordering tests, returning patient phone calls, renewing prescriptions, and calling back test results and doctor's orders. It's not hard work, there's just a lot of details to learn, and some symptoms/results that I'm not familiar with.
I am working four 10-hour shifts per week (7:30am-5:30pm). It is really nice to have weekends off, and have the extra day to spend with Kyla (and sometimes Greg, if he's not working).
Please excuse me if I am sounding whiny... it is Friday after a long week at work... but I just wanted to inform you all in case you were wondering "How my new job is".
As far as life otherwise; we are going to Pella next weekend to move the rest of our things. Bittersweet. What a relief it will be to not worry about the house, but this means closure, which makes me sad.
We've looked at homes in Sioux Falls on the internet a little, but nothing official. We'll take our time and probably stay in Inwood for the summer. (Aren't my parents lucky?! ;)