So, since our previous post, lots has occurred in the lives of we three Davis'. Of course, everyone's favorite, Bella, celebrated her first birthday on Nov. 16th. We had a weekend affair for her, going to a cabin at Don Williams Lake near Ogden on Saturday. She enjoyed hiking, in which we saw a plethora of deer. I'm now firmly of the opinion that Don Williams Lake is shelter for approximately several hundred deer. I saw hoof prints and actually sitings galore to back up such claims, don't worry. But that's neither here nor there.
Continuing, BellaRose also enjoyed going down to the dock and peering out on the lake, though she continually tried to crawl off the edge. We're entirely certain she would have plunged into the frigid water if we would have let her. No fear at all, that one. Saturday evening, BellaRose enjoyed her first campfire and we all had a good time enjoying the brisk fall weather. The next morn we packed up and made a quick trip the beach to gaze up on the lake once more (further hoof print sitings as well) before heading home.
The following Monday, her actual birthday, we celebrated at home with her Omi, Opi, Grandma and Grandpa (with Aunt Leisa and the twins), opening presents and eating some delicious Barbie cake. She had fantastic time tearing into her cake and presents. She's always been a fan of sweets and gifts, like her father. Weird to think she's already one now. Where'd a year go?
A couple weeks before Bella's b-day, I turned 27. We had a quaint evening, going out to eat at the Spice and I got a couple presents. Elizabeth is an excellent gift giver, though she'd deny it. I always enjoy the bounty of candies I receive. I'm still munching on them nightly. Yum!
Thanksgiving was the week after Bella's b-day, so we asked people who wanted to give her gifts to bring them then. There's little point in having a huge party for her, forcing relatives to drive to our house, which doesn't exist, when we're all going to be together for Thanksgiving a week later. When we have a house and room for it, perhaps we'll have a larger gathering. Anyway, Thanksgiving was enjoyable and BellaRose had a good time hanging with her grandparents. She also got to meet her cousin Roscoe for the first time (same for Lizzie too). Its not that we dislike him, he was just in the Air Force and stationed in Florida and it seemed that everytime he was back, we could never arrange a time or place to meet. Well, now he's out of the Air Force and living in Iowa so hopefully we'll see a lot more of Roscoe. Speaking of which, I need to call him.
Ah, now we are to the cruise. For those that don't know, Lizzie and I purchased a 5-day cruise to the Caribbean. It left Dec. 19th (from Miami) and went to Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Grand Cayman Island. Though it rained at both ports, it was still a great time. We even purt our SCUBA certifications to good use, going diving at Grand Cayman. We saw a sea turtle, an eel, tons of fish and endless amounts of coral. It was pretty cool. We also went to Margaritaville in Jamaica, which was fun too. Either way, it is fun to say we did it and we got some great pictures.
We returned on Dec. 24th, Lizzie's golden birthday, and started making our way back home in time for Christmas. It was an excellent trip and probably the best time to take it. BellaRose stayed with her Omi and Opi, which is her home anyway, and they took care of her. We are truly blessed to have them so close and have BellaRose firmly attached to them too. According to them, she barely noticed we were gone and had a blast with us not there to temper their wild abandon with BellaRose, offering nothing but sweets and never ending playtimes daily. Naps, who needs 'em? Right?
The trip back to Iowa was eventful, what with the storm and all. We spend a lot of time in airports. I read one book and at least three magazines and that's saying a lot for a person that doesn't read all that much, especially in one sitting. But what other choice did we have? It was read or stare at the passers by, counting weird haircuts, foreigners and people with awkward gates. That latter was quite interesting but that's another post in itself.
We luckily made it on the plane to Iowa from St. Louis. We were half-worried the flight would be canceled but as we approached Des Moines, we were met with some bad news. Apparently a snow removal truck was broke down on the Des Moines airport runway so we were being diverted to the nearest airport...Minneapolis! So, yes, in snow storm that was embattling the midwest, we went further north, into the lion's den. We landed at Minneapolis, got some more fuel and were hosed down with some sort of de-icing solution and back to Iowa we went. This time were were successful at landing in Des Moines, a full 2 hours behind schedule though.
We got out, got to our car, which had been sitting in the snow for five days, and after scrapping it off, started making the deadly trek to Ames. The snow plows hadn't been out at all, really, so we were making our own path on the interstate. Other cars decided they could still go 55+ and zoomed past us but most of us making the trip maintained a speed around 25 to 35 the whole way. We made it, no problem, back to Ames around 12:30 am. We were glad to be home and after getting setlled in, we went to bed anxiously awaiting Christmas morning with BellaRose.
We started our Christmas with endless kisses for BellaRose, whom we desperately had been missing since we left. We also enjoyed a new family tradition, French toast a la dad, which Bella enjoyed greatly. Then it was time for me to wrap her gifts only to have them opened immediately following. I know it seems like cross purposes--wrapping the gifts just before they are opened--but it was how we used to do it in my youth, with my mom making my sister and I wait in our rooms,, plagued with anticipation, while she wrapped our gifts downstairs. Though Bella was likely not anticipating much, she still was happy to tear open her gifts, which she thoroughly loved. Her favorite? An inflatable microphone which came complimentary with a sing-a-long DVD of the Backyardigans. Of course, she loves the free item the most. At least she didn't like the wrapping paper the most.
That evening we had dinner with Omi, Opi, Uncle Jordan, Aunt Leisa, Parker and Kale, after which we opened up our gifts. Bella got a giant pink tub full of clothes and toys, though she seemed most interested in her cousins' similar tub full of toys. That's our kid, always curious about others.
The next day we went to my grandparents in Jewell for my mom's side family Christmas. Bella had a great time there though it was a bit overwhelming at times for her with there being so many kids and such loud noises happening almost constantly. She had a good time, again, tearing open gifts and investigating her neighbor's gifts too.
The day after that, we had my parents Christmas at their place in Boone. Bella once again made out like a bandit, getting lots and lots of toys. We also exchanged gifts with my parents, sister and nephews. We gave my parents some glasses we got at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville in Jamaica. We also got them some other random things. My dad thoroughly enjoyed his official Tony Stewart pit crew hat. I'd rather have a Jeff Gordon hat myself, but I digress.
So, in total we had four Christmases and after the weekend we were all just happy to be doing nothing. We spent the week in between catching up on all that we had put off after arriving back from our trip and sorting through all our Christmas gifts. Also, we all three began coming down with the same cold. Bella had a fever, Lizzie had a sore throat and I am just now getting over my sore throat and congestion. Which brings me to New Years.
Last year we didn't do much for New Years so this year hoped to be a bit more exciting. However, since we all were starting to come down with something, it was proving to be just as simple as last years. I ended up going to James and Amy Hawcott's place to watch the Iowa State vs. Minnesota Insight bowl for the evening, which was very nerve-wracking to watch but in the end, I was overjoyed to see ISU win. After a raucous game of Settlers of Catan while watching Tropic Thunder, I left for Ames. I was home by midnight but my two soldiers, Lizzie and Bella, were long since asleep. It was a pretty decent New Years, though I did miss my Lizzie.
So, that should bring us up to date. Currently Lizzie is a week away from starting her last semester, which includes an intership at Creative Counseling Services with Amy Hawcott, and I am more seriously looking into careers. I mostly stay at home with Bella but soon I hope to take on some part time work. There is also an opening at the Story County Jail that I'm applying for, as well as others, so I am hopeful.
That's about it for now. Sorry for the lack of posts. Its been rather crazy around here. It hopefully will slow down soon, though I doubt that. Keep you posted the best I can. Until then, thanks for reading. Later all.
-Mike
