Double Decades, the Zoo and Being a Scientist

Thats right people, I'm proud to say that I've lived to see two whole decades!
Im hoping now that maybe the dropped jaws will be a little less dramatic when people find out my age and that I'm married!

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I had such a fun day. Kyle and I went to this place called Color Me Mine. We got to paint our own pottery and then they fire it for you. I painted a cute little cupcake platter and kyle painted a candy dish. It was lots of fun!
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Then I went out to Texas Roadhouse for dinner with my family. They made me sit on the saddle while they all gave me a big Happy Birthay YEEHAW!!
Embarrasing...I know.
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My sister made me this super cute cupcake flower cake.
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This last Saturday the Denver Zoo had a free day. So Kyle and I took his three youngest siblings to the zoo with my sister and her husband and Parker. Since it was a free day, BEAUTIFUL weather and a Saturday, the zoo was PACKED! There were SO many people!
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Parker didnt like riding in the stroller but he sure liked walking around with Uncle Kyle.
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Since Parker didnt want his stroller, Jonah took advantage of the open seat! Jared pushed him around for the last part of the day. It was nice to know that Jonah was with Jared and not getting lost in the crowds.
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Jonah thought most of the animals smelled!
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It was a fun day and a nice break from work!
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Speaking of work. I had a funny experience at work the other day. We test fire alarms in the Denver Public Schools. We carry these poles that have a little doohickey on the end that sprays fake smoke into the detectors, and it tends to draw quite a spectacle. Especially in the elementary schools.
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Well we were at an elementary school and this third grade class walked by me in the halls and a the teacher stopped and told the class to make a prediction about what I was doing. They all made guesses and then I told them what I was doing and the teacher turned to the class and asked them "Is she a scientist?"

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Now, I dont have much of a love for my job, and I'm not sure I've ever felt like a scientist. But all the kids excitedly shook their heads and for a moment I felt like I had a pretty cool job.

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Thats right, I'm a scientist!

The Small Things in Life

Today I learned, or should I say RE-learned a valuable lesson.

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On our off-track from school Kyle and I test fire alarm systems in the Denver Public School district. Well yesterday DPS was closed along with EVERY other school district from North Denver down to Pueblo because of the absolutely FRIGID temperatures. We're talking frigid like the high in the negatives. Frigid.

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So today was not much warmer and every school district that was closed yesterday was closed again today, or at least delayed. All, that is, except for Denver Public Schools. So Kyle and I woke up at 4:30 in the morning, got in the car and it was -11 degrees. WITHOUT the wind chill. So needless to say, we weren't the happiest campers when we arrived at work. And of course no one at the school was happy to be the only ones in Colorado at school. So I was pretty annoyed by the middle of the morning.

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But then....I remembered my wonderful husband packed me some oreos for the day! So in hopes to brighten my spirits I dug into my bag and found the goods. But what I found was not just any plain joe oreos. No, no, no. These were FOOTBALL shaped oreos!

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Now I know what you're thinking. "That's it?!"
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YES! Yes, that's it! I didnt even know there were oreos shaped like footballs! I was expecting plain circle oreos and instead got a new and unexpected football oreos. And I was delighted! I had found a small moment of bliss in my new found oreos.
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What can I say? Sometimes it's the small things in life that make your day! Like football oreos.

That's about all folks!

Well hello again blogging world! Its been a while!

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Our lives have become rather monotonous these days. We started work in January so our schedule consists of waking up BEFORE the early risers, driving a hour to and from work and returning home, eating dinner and back in bed by 8:30 so we can do it all again the next day.

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Its rather uneventful and not really worth blogging about. However, there are a few exciting things to update about for my future posterities sake.

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First, I blogged last on Christmas Eve and mentioned we were going to Idaho since we didnt know when my sisters little dude would make his entrance into the world. Within hours she texted my mom saying she didnt this she was going to make it until Monday, her scheduled date to be induced. And by 11:15 pm Christmas Eve night Parker Daniel Rucks made his debut into the world!

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He came weighing in at 6 pounds 7 ounces and 19 inches long.

He has been simply perfect, but my opinion may be a false representation since I get to hold him and love him and then give him back and get a full 8 hours of sleep at night! :)

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Second, my cousin got married! We went to their wedding just this last weekend. It was a very nice ceremony and they left in a wonderfully decorated car :) Unfortunately, I'm often a failure at documenting our life experiences!

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Thats about the extent of excitement for us these days. We've just be chugging along through work. One month down, two more to go!

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When we were in Utah for my cousins wedding, Kyle and I were so close to Rexburg! We were tempted to just forget work and go back up to Idaho instead of returning to Colorado. We've been living with Kyles family so we can save as much money here as possible. We're greatful for the blessing and opportunity we have to save money for school, but I've been rather home sick for our own place these last couple days. I miss that place and I cant wait until work is over and we can get back to our normal life again!
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But until then, thats about all folks!