The Difference Between Guys and Girls

We recently welcomed a new addition to the family (yes, vans have feelings, too) and the experience really highlighted the difference between guys and girls for me. I'm pretty sure it went something like this when we got to the dealership:

Courtney: I can't believe I'm shopping for a mini van! My chic days of riding in a sporty suv are over. I don't want to be a soccer mom yet:(
Carl: Man, think of all the space. Do you realize how many tools and building supplies I could fit in here. Not to mention, I could probably fit a whole basketball team in here for pickup games at church. Just...plain...awesome!
Then we realize the one we're looking at is the XLE Limited, Toyota Sienna's top of the line.
Courtney: Wow! This thing is fully loaded! Leather seats... I like. Okay, so maybe I COULD get used to a minivan.
Carl: Oh, crap. It's the expensive one. Yeah, I saw your eyes sparkle salesman. You try one move and I walk. Don't think I won't.
Of course, before we can even step in the car the features start exploding at us like fireworks on the fourth of July, the salesman, very carefully pointing each one out and the advantage it would give us. This is where the difference really started to set in.
Courtney: Oooh! The side mirror blinks when your turning, and they automatically dim when someone shines their brights.
Carl: Oh, boy here we go. How much do those cost to replace?! I'll bet a hundred bucks a pop, minimum.
Sensors for backing up...
Courtney: Perfect! I'll never hit anything ever again!
Carl: Is that a dent next to it?? Dumb things probably don't even work. There's another hundred bucks. I can already hear the mastercard commercial cueing: 'labor costs: $155... parts:$236...wife's happiness: priceless, no wait, make that $391 plus tax.' And we're not even in the dumb vehicle yet. Oh boy...
Built in window shades that roll up and attach at the top.
Courtney: I wouldn't have even thought of that! That's perfect for the kids in carseats on trips.
Carl: Window shades!?! Are you kidding!?? Completely unnecessary. I give 'em two weeks before the kids rip 'em off. $100...cha ching.
DVD Player and Flipdown screen.
Courtney: The perfect addition for the perfect trip:)
Carl: Yeah, right. I wonder how many quarters Emma Jane can fit in that little slot before I have to replace it. And I hate listening to a movie I can't even watch (signing time songs begin dancing through my head at this point...).
Heated seats.
Courtney: And I thought they couldn't do any better. This is better than coconut cream pie from Jim n' Nicks.
Carl: Please!?! The epitome of pointless! It doesn't even get cold enough here for seat warmers. There goes the kids (see link). I hate this van.
Oh yeah, and upgraded JBL sound system, complete with built in subwoofer in rear and midrange speakers in the dash.
Courtney: But... why?
Carl: Now that's what I'm talking about!!! Where do I sign.


Courtney and I always end up on the same page, but the book always reads way different to get there. We're both really happy we got the van. And we got a killer deal on it (yeah, that's right salesman!), so I listened to signing time the whole way home, in surround sound. So this is bliss!

NO MORE MONKEYS JUMPING ON THE BED!

Well, EmmaJane had her first accident yesterday that took her to the Emergency Room. We were on the bed playing, playing tickle monster, and throwing her into the pillow. As she was getting thrown into the pillows, she twisted her body, and landed wrong on her wrist. She ended up with a buckle fracture in her right wrist. She has a cast, but she should only have to wear it for a week. Then, she will get a brace that she can take on and off. Sad though.

Emma Jane cheesing it up for the camera. Showing off her cast.
I asked if they had any darker colors, and they said no. A one and a half year old with a white cast that we cannot get wet. Yeah...we will see how that goes!

Lake Eufaula

Well, these past few weeks have been a lot of fun. There will be more posts soon, showing more pictures of our travels. But first, here are some pictures from our most recent vacation to LAKE EUFAULA! We took off last Wednesday and left on Sunday. We met Carl's sister, Amber, and her family at the Grantham's lake house in Eufaula. (THANK YOU GRANTHAMS!!) It was a well needed vacation from working on our house. I think Carl and I needed to schedule a vacation just so we could see each other. It has been pretty crazy working on the house. Everyday presents a new obstacle, so we were over due for some major R & R! And, we got it. I think I could live on the lake...Let me rephrase that, I know I could...And, I hope to someday. It is the most relaxing place. It was so much fun. We wake-boarded, knee-boarded, tubed, swam, played in the sand, jet-skiied, watched movies, and played games. Thanks Amber and Ryan. It was a blast vacationing with you guys! And thank you Granthams and thank you mom and dad for coming up and letting us borrow your stuff! Here are some of the pictures:

The baby bjorn--the only way to survive at the Lake!

Carl and Emma Jane--in their quest to get a tan.

This captures Emma Jane's personality perfectly. She is such a goof!

Once Emma Jane got used to the sand, she loved playing in it.

Our Little Sun Babies: Halle and CJ...the only way we could keep them out of the sun.

We took a picture similar to this a month ago of the two of them. Halle is almost twice CJ's width. I quess we aren't feeding him enough.

Carl and Emma Jane enjoying a little tube ride...I think Carl was the only one that enjoyed that ride.

I finally got Emma Jane to like the Wave Runner...the key was letting her play with the stretchy, rubber cord that was attached to the key.

After a day of fun, Emma Jane relaxes and chugs down a Capri Sun.
Carl and EmmaJane burning rubber on the 4 Wheeler.