October Update!

Well I've had a week off work so far, another one to go and what a great feeling that is!! Bob and I spent most of the week together since it was our 31st anniversary, afterall. I got my hair done on Tuesday, met with girlfriends for wine, helped stuff wedding baskets (remember those?) and just woke when I wanted, no worries. What a life. Wish it would last.

I do love my job, I really do. I cannot imagine having to get up in the morning to go to a job you can't stand. That would be dreadful. I like the interaction with the kids, counselors and teachers. Too bad it doesn't pay the bills, but I will get a decent retirement out of it.

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Bob and I took day trips. We drove up to Payson, had a good lunch, drove into the national forest, talked and talked. It's nice when there are no distractions and you can so much easier clear your head. One day we took our light rail subway system to the end, stopping in Phoenix and then again in Tempe for a glass of wine, or two. It was a fun day. One day we just exercised and went on a long bike ride, grocery shopped, and then went out to an outstanding dinner at a new restaurant in town. We went to breakfast at the Chandler Municipal Airport - somewhere we've heard about it but never went until now. Incredible old fashioned breakfast food - they even have a FLO working there - I swear!!!

Ok one complaint and I need to vent. So we went to Stodemiers Restaurant in Phoenix while we were jumping on and off the light rail. Some of you may know him - a Phoenix Suns player. We ordered a chicken quesedilla and a beer. Typically I get a headache when I order a draft beer - who knows why - and so I usually order a bottle of beer, which I did. WELL, I asked for a glass - I've never been a fan of drinking out of a beer bottle. The waitress said sure, and brought me a nice frosty mug. Now, the vent - time to pay. They CHARGED me $2.00 for the GLASS!!!! Have you ever heard of that before?? We had already paid when Bob looked a little closer at the tab and we were shocked. Remember, this isn't a high class restaurant that charges you for everything, it's just a sports bar...

So.....what did I do? lol. Well I had just refreshed my lipstick and so I decided if they were going to charge me $2.00 for a GLASS for my beer, they would have to clean it by hand instead of just putting it in the dishwasher. I preceded to kiss the glass with lipstick prints all over it. All of us women know how a pain THAT is to get off the glass! hahahahaha. Yes, the Ritchie in me still lives strong.....

Next week I plan on getting some things done around the house. Make my picture album for Christmas, clean out a few drawers, perhaps finish reading a book. I will work a few hours, to get some comp time for our BIG adventure coming our way.....

Oh, you don't know?? lol. Well Tiffany, Jenni and myself are going to be sitting in the audience of THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW on October 29th. I will let everyone know when it airs. We will have no idea what the show will be about beforehand - how cool is that! We have always wanted to go to a show of hers and Jenni tried ONCE and got 3 tickets. So very excited, we are.

Chow for now!

Update Time here too!

Well, life has finally calmed down. It got a little nuts in the last few months, just as expected. BUT a very fun time and worth all the craziness. Jenni and Justin came home (yeah!) and we had a great time catching up on laughs. Tiffany and Kyle got engaged - yeah!! What a great feeling that both our girls have found such wonderful men to share their lives with.

Tiffany is in her final year of school and we are delighted to be done writing checks to ASU. Having both your children finish their degrees, find a wonderful partner, make great future plans, all of these things make us proud as parents. Bob and I are enjoying our time together, just the two of us, knowing the girls are happy too. It was a tough go for a little bit though, I won't lie. When that feeling of being finished as parents when that's where you've put so much of your energies hits you - can be an eye opener. But we made it through and are looking forward to all the great change coming our way.

We still don't have a dog and the plans right now are not to get one too quickly. We do get to see Mo every week and so he fills us with enough kisses to last at least 1/2 the week. There will be too much traveling in the next few years and without the kids living close, we don't want to impose on anyone to watch a little critter. We become too attached to our pups to take them to a kennel so that wouldn't work either. So.....pupless a little longer.

Work for me is insane - seems like I add more and more to my plate every year. Bob's work is crazy, but we are thankful we both have jobs in this tough economy.

I'll be traveling to Chicago to visit Jenni and Justin in a few weeks - I can't wait. I really really fell in love with Chicago when we were there this summer. I won't be visiting in the winter, I want to keep the good attitude....haha.

We are looking forward to seeing everyone at Thanksgiving - Tiff and Jenn will be together in Chicago so we definitely don't want to be alone! See you soon!
Bob and Carol

May-June Update

So May has passed and we are into June - time is sure flying as usual. May is always a crazy month for me. There is so much to do in the last month of school, most of it on the computer, fitting in helping students. The last thing I ever want to do is come home and hang out on the computer - hence no blogging for awhile. Well, schools done for the kids, I have a few more days of work - much needed at the end of the year to clean my room and get ready for the next group of seniors.

We had an addition to our home this month. Tiffany (and MO) are living with us for the summer until around the time school starts for her. It's giving her a few months to save money and its giving us a great time. I honestly think I could have a huge house - like 10000 sq. ft. and have both my kids and their other half live with us. I love the fact that my children have grown up as nice people that I like to be around. They have both chosen to be with someone that I also love being around. How lucky are we - that just doesn't happen all the time. When I hear of parents irritated with their adult children I feel so sorry for them.

Turning the big one on my birthday this year is also giving me some thoughts. It does not bother me one bit though. I don't feel like I'm getting too old, or sad in any sense. 30 was weird but since then I haven't thought much about age. It is different though now that the 40s are done and I have to say that next number. Now I will say, the fact that I will be celebrating my birthday in Hawaii - yes Hawaii - certainly helps!! Good friends of ours called and said "wanna go" and we jumped on it. We will be going with Tiff's godparents, Laurie and Brian and will have a complete blast I'm sure. We just talked about our next travel adventure about a month ago and decided to go to Hawaii next spring break. Well this opportunity came up and it was a no brainer to say yes.

When we return, we will be saying goodbye to Tiff for 3 weeks as she goes to Boston to pick up Kyle and then they fly together to Greece to be with Jenni and Justin for 10 days. No doubt having the time of their life I'm sure.

I'll post more when i have the Hawaii pictures.

April Update

Hi Everyone!
Well the guests have come and gone and it seems pretty quiet around here now. We had a blast seeing everyone and we hoped we spoiled them enough with the new "quarters" that they will come back again! Mom and Frank are back home, after being here for a few months. We didn't get to see them as much as we had in the past this year - those two keep themselves busy! It's nice to see them having fun. Debbie and Jimi came and we had a great time with their visit, even though I was sick for half of it. We got to enjoy some spring training and get a head start on our summer tan! It was HOT! Then Bob's brother Mike and his girlfriend Lynn came in for about 5 days. That was fun - we actually went to see Kid Rock! I only knew two songs, but I loved the music. What a performer and the talent he has is amazing. I'm a fan now! We went to Sedona for the day - that is always a treat. Sedona has a calming aspect for the soul for sure. Next week Kyle's mom and dad and aunt will be coming in - staying in a hotel near ASU. We have been to one of Kyles track meets - it reminds us how much we miss sports events with Tiffany! We were a little disappointed we couldn't bring MO to this meet - why would anyone NOT want a cute doggie like that crusing around? I don't get it. haha. The next month at work is the busiest as ever for me - working long days and coming home pretty tired. Before I know it another school year will be gone and summer will be here again. I do miss my pool and look forward to swimming again in the afternoons. We continue to skype with Jenni and Justin when time permits, and love hearing the stories of their travels. They seem very excited to be going to Chicago this summer. Enjoy your April!

Had to post this!

I am in love.....

March Madness

We went to our fourth wedding of our friends kids in the last year and a half. We are on the professional wedding circuit now I think! It's fun to see what everyone has chosen for their special day from the color of the dresses, the brides dress, the shoes, the cake, the food, the venue, and the dj. Everyone is so different, their personalities all just show so much in their choices. It's the most Bob and I have danced together in 10 years.....hahaha. We should fix that! Heres a picture of the treasure chest money box that started with Justin and Jenni's wedding and is still being used by many!

2009 has just flown already - two months down. NOW for the best part - spring in Arizona. We always look forward to spring - even though our winters are not anything to complain about. The birds I have decided are the reason why. I miss the sound and don't realize I am until I hear them singing so much again. The best part is here in Arizona we can rely on beautiful weather right now. Even with a hint of rain - it's ok because we know it won't last long if it comes and it will give the air such a fresh feeling. This year with the spa, we are warming it up to use during the day! It would take too long to heat the pool, so we are just hanging out in the spa enjoying 80 degree weather. What a life.

Lots of fun things are planned for this month. TOMORROW Jenni comes home to spend 50 hours with us. We are very excited and looking forward to some good laughs. It's a long story but basically she needs to come pick up some medication that can't seem to be shipped too easily. Whatever the reason, we are glad she's able to take a few days with us.

Next, spring break for CJ. No kids at school next week so that will help me get a bit more organized and ready for the last nine weeks, then a week off. Ahhhhh....the best part of working at the schools! Debbie and Jimi will be visiting that week, staying with us in the "guest" quarters. We love it when you all come and use it! We will be enjoying some spring training games and enjoying every bit of it. Next guests = Bob's brother Mike and girlfriend Lynn! They will be coming in for a weekend and we bought tickets to see Kid Rock!!! haha. Never thought I'd be doing that.

Tiffany is busy with school and enjoying raising her new pup. We enjoy her and Kyle's visits mosts weekends.

I've decided on this blog thing - we do hear a lot from some of you on your thoughts and daily excursions but I guess I don't like to blog as much - I don't think I have that much energy after being on the computer all day at work to sit here at home on the computer again. So, blogging from the Lytles will be about as consistent as I can. Enjoy them when they come! I'll try to make sure I post some pictures of the March visits as they happen!

Lytle Update

Well it's been awhile since we've done a decent blog so we thought we'd do an update on everything. First off, our trip to Europe was amazing and we made so many fun memories, they will never be forgotten. If we had to do it all over again, we would stay in Poland the entire time. The people are great, the shopping is fantastic and the food - well we wonder HOW everyone can stay so slim with all the fried foods they eat - and yes it's delicious. Seeing Justin and jenni there, how they live, who they hang with, where they shop, etc. was perfect. They are having an amazing experience and we are very jealous.

We've settled in to our routine again, working (thank goodness), and happy for the most part. Arizona has taken a huge hit on education funds and next year is predicted to be worse. We are hoping Tiffany's last year in college won't be ridiculously expensive - very thankful she will be finished though. She will be going to graduate school, occupational therapy is her choice of careers at this point. Our advice is to keep going to college since there aren't too many jobs out there right now. Perhaps once she has her masters, the economy will be thriving again.

Kyle and Tiffany have reached their one year mark and have moved to the next level.....they got a puppy. Mo is his name and he is simply adorable. He's a rambunctious little guy, full of energy for about 2 hours, then completely DOWN for an hour. You can hardly wake him.

i went to Grandmas yesterday and she taught me how to do the wii fit program and some wii games. I want one of those now! We figured out that we are the only ones in the family that don't have one yet! My legs are actually sore today! haha. Of course I am a little out of shape.....

Tiffany and I went with Grandma today to see Bride Wars. Cute movie. We are so excited to have Grandma all to ourselves (well we do share with Frank) for so many weeks. I look forward to seeing Debbie and Jimi too during spring training. Our weather is teasing us right now, 80's one day and 60's the next.

Until later...chow.