Schultz Party of Four

2012-01-29T18:05:00.000-06:00

The National Aquarium is now in a close second place with Mount Vernon for most awesome place to visit in this area! The girls absolutely LOVED it, the sharks, the rays, the dolphins, the puffins... visiting "Australia" and "the Rainforest"... and watching the dolphins perform. For about fifteen minutes after the dolphin show Julia was SURE she was going to be a dolphin trainer, but she's back to artist.

2012-01-24T21:00:00.000-06:00

handful of hearts, gloves from yastikizi

About once a month (in a cyclical pattern) I have a day like this…

On days like this I’m sure I’m going to die of cancer. Probably tomorrow. My boobs ache and I’m sure that’s a sign of impending doom. I should probably participate in the Pink Cancer Walk now, to help fund the research to save my life.

But when I Google the Pink Cancer Walk I realize it costs money, and besides I’d need new shoes - and a better sports bra, you know for the sore boobs. And I remember that we have no money and probably never will. I probably will have to work until I’m 100, unless I don’t do the Pink Cancer Walk, and never buy new shoes, or a house, or an alpaca.

I should start biking to work so we never need a second car, besides the 30 miles would help me lose weight, and maybe the cancer.

On days like this I think a long warm bath would be nice, but then I’d feel guilty for coming home from work and leaving the children yet again. I spend too much time away. And I’ll never stop working, not ever, cause of the money and the health insurance (for the cancer).

Instead of a bath maybe I’ll have a donut, or a frappucino, or a donut dunked in a frappucino.

But then I worry about what my eating choices are teaching my daughters. Will they turn to high calorie, chocolate-laden frappucinos someday instead of dealing with their feelings? Should I demonstrate discipline and do some yoga or pray all evening so they can see there are better ways to deal with bad days than drowning yourself in overpriced coffee?

On days like this I want to cuss like a dirty sailor, like Sharon Osborn or that Andrew Dice guy who used to be on Comedy Central late at night when I was in college. I want to express everything with language that would turn my mother’s hair gray… grayer. Dang I love my mom, I’m so glad she can take a joke. I hope my kids poke fun at me someday to spare some other poor soul their brilliant revelry.

I bet I look so disinterested in every meeting, why can’t I have a jovial perpetually happy looking face?

And so on, and so forth…

2012-01-23T18:20:00.001-06:00

Saturday we tried this art project, from Wee Folk Art. It was fun and very easy. That really summarizes the fun of this weekend, we just hung out in the suite life and watched the snow fall.

2012-01-21T11:18:00.002-06:00

Update...

I read Eloise to the girls last night. Oh my Lord I had never read it before but Oh my Lord it sure does use "Oh my Lord" a lot.

Things Eloise loves, loves loves: Room Service
Things I love, love, love: Chef Meg's Blueberry Flaxseed Muffins

Which leads me to my second point which is I joined SparkPeople and the whole intentional eating thing is going surprisingly (read: unexpectedly) well. I track my calories. It's that simple. I was completely ignorant before SparkPeople about what/how much of anything I consumed or how that might have explained my expanding waist line. I actually thought about writing a book...

"My Underwear is Shrinking and Other Signs I am Losing Control"

Seemed like a catchy title and certainly reflects where I was as 2012 rolled around. Three weeks in and I'm feeling way less out of control with my choices. Who knew I just needed a basic low-down on serving sizes and calories. Simple. Yes.

PS - It snowed here, with ice. And I am extra tired after a long week. Like 10 hour days with no break week. Like my eyes are burning from staring at my screen week. Like give me a freakin nap already week. So now... I nap.

2012-01-15T21:54:00.001-06:00

Friday went swimingly well. We ate delicious food in Chinatown and saw gorgeous art. Our stomachs and eyes were full. The National Portrait Gallery even had an open studio for the girls to do their own paintings, we would highly recommend it!

2012-01-12T20:38:00.003-06:00

Art is the girls' go-to activity of choice in the suite life. Pinterest has been a great source for inspiration on projects, but the best ones are the ones they come up with all on their own. Tomorrow we're heading to another local gallery which is free which makes it fabulous. For this field trip we've chosen the National Portrait Gallery after which we will explore a few new portrait techniques like this and this. We'll see how this goes, at least the intention is good.

2012-01-09T20:53:00.003-06:00

The weather man said there was no way there would be snow this whole entire week. But around 4:00 I looked out my office window (whoot, my office is NOT a cube AND it has a window!), and 'sure nuf' it was snowing. Big fat flakes were making Carolyn's dreams come true. I texted Brandon and told him he might want to look out the window. I came home and found photos galore, apparently they did more than look... they even played house under a big evergreen. Yay for a light dusting of completely manageable and non-traffic-inducing snow!

2012-01-07T21:26:00.004-06:00

Who'd of thunk it? Weather in January that allows for a hike at Shenandoah National Park!?! The views from Skyline drive were breathtaking, we absolutely have to go back in the Spring!

2012-01-07T18:36:00.000-06:00

Julia worked on her photography skills while we hiked.

It was pretty adorable, and not too shabby!

2012-01-05T08:14:00.002-06:00

The nice thing about this suite life, which I am beginning to think of as more of a sabbatical from real life, is time to plan the future... well as much as anyone can really plan in this crazy world. I am fixated on small houses (and alpacas). I long for a simple/affordable existence. I don't want to go home to a huge mortgage and space to fill with stuff. I want my architect/photographer to build me a simple house that keeps us warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

I also want chocolate chip cookies available at all times, which is why last night I baked and googled small houses. Life is good.

2012-01-04T08:33:00.002-06:00

We spent a day in Lawrence over Christmas, visiting my folks and our dog Miles. The girls were so excited to see how our poodle was enjoying the Poodle Palace (my parents have three other poodles, they all live like kings). Needless to say he was fat and happy. My mom even had him groomed before we got home so he would look his best.

It was good to see that Miles is enjoying his year of luxury, and the girls received Fur Real pups to walk around the hotel which seem to be an adequate replacement for now.

2012-01-02T09:01:00.002-06:00

Julia and I dozed off on the couch shortly after we landed in KC. Brandon got out his photo lights (cause he wanted to try them out, it'd been a while). He and Carolyn apparently stayed up for several more hours taking silly pictures. I love that about them.

2012-01-01T17:02:00.005-06:00

I've been thinking a lot about a new year and what it might bring. I have a tendency to set a high bar and be frustrated by January 9th (at least that's what happened LAST YEAR). So, I'm going to take it a bit easier this year and pick a word...

I want to be more intentional with my money, my food, and my faith. That means think about it before I spend it, eat it, pray it.

My tool of choice for this 2012 journey: a journal.

Plain and simple, but I've never really tried it before and I'm hopeful it will slow me down enough to start thinking and stop spending/eating aimlessly, and a place to capture all of the beautiful ways that God is working all around me that I too quickly forget.

2011-12-30T19:25:00.002-06:00

Christmas Eve is always a mixture of crazy and sacred, busy and peaceful, but always family and friends. We go to church for the candlelight service and lots of hugs, head to my mom's side for delicious appetizers and photos, then Brandon's family for more yummy eats and gifts and striped pajama pictures (and watching for Santa)...

The night always ends with two serious little girls preparing Santa's cookies and drink. This year they chose chocolate milk because they are pretty sure "he loves it!" They were exhausted enough that sleep came easily, but they prayed that they "go to sleep FAST" just to be sure.

2011-12-30T08:23:00.003-06:00

Several years ago my sisters-in-law and I talked about starting a striped pajama tradition at Christmas. In the early years it was a manageable goal, now its become hectic and way more fun! The kids all look so precious in their traditional garb, and the good news is that these pajamas go all the way to adult sizes! Plus, with the growing array of sizes we usually only have to buy one pair total every year for the next largest little, passing down the rest to the cousins.

2011-12-29T18:20:00.006-06:00

The THIRD ANNUAL Allen Family Trivia Extravaganza was a blast. This year Team Black took the trophy, though the new Team Blue was in hot pursuit. The Gold Team declared they were just there to have fun (and to watch the hooligans on Green and Black), and the Red Team was at a serious disadvantage for the abundance of pop culture questions. There was an additional "Sarah Elliott" category because she is marrying into this craziness in June (see the proposal news HERE) and I am SO excited!!!

I have an amazing family, seriously. I love listening to a room full of my favorite people laughing (sometimes at each other, but who cares!)

See posts from the 1st and 2nd annual Trivia Nights HERE.

See all of the photos and so many more HERE.

2011-12-28T18:58:00.004-06:00

Our 8th year of the traditional Santa visit was held during our Christmas in Kansas City. The kids are getting so grown up, this was the first year with NO tears! Remeber years past HERE!?!

J: Barbie Mermaid

C: Kit's Bed

2011-12-28T13:47:00.002-06:00

We flew home on a Thursday night and Brandon watched the sun set over Missouri and all of the other states in between. There is nothing like Kansas City all lit up for Christmas, just right, that's how I would describe it.

We took off on Tuesday morning. It was still dark as we waited in the terminal at 5:30 AM for our flight to depart back to the suite life. In front of me a scene unfolded as a soldier hugged his three children goodbye countless times with tears streaming. Over and over again he would hold his baby's face in his hands, lift his young daughter for one more hug, and squeeze his son's shoulders tight as he looked him in the eye to say "I love you"... one more time. The kids were in their footed pajamas. He was in his uniform. I tried not to stare, or cry. It was breathtaking, but not in a good way. Not in a Christmas in Kansas City kind of way. In a painful, I-can't-imagine kind of way, that's how I would describe it.

The view from the clouds, witnessing goodbye's, experiencing hellos - our world is rich with emotion and beauty and goodness and love. Love wins, remember? Especially at Christmas time.

2011-12-27T17:27:00.002-06:00

P.S. i want THIS print to hang at Christmas time!

When I walked into the suite after our 12 days of Christmas in Kansas City the first thing I did was bury my face in a fluffy white {clean!!!} towel. Clean towels, freshly made beds, restocked soap, and only 450 square feet of space make me happy. Christmas made me happy too, but truly I was able to exhale a bit when we walked into our suite and I knew it would stay clean for the next 8 months. Manageable space, that is what I will be looking for in our new house when we return to Kansas City in August.

I have already saved THIS floorplan, and THIS one.... now I just need the land and the alpaca for things to be complete. Oh but August can wait, for now we enjoy the east.

Unfortunately on the 10th day of our stay {Christmas Day to be precise} Julia got very sick. Now Brandon has it, and therefore the sweet photos that I am dying to share are being held captive in his camera while he recovers. Stay tuned.

2011-12-14T21:52:00.005-06:00

My meeting in D.C. yesterday sounded like a perfect excuse for a Daddy Date in D.C. for the girls. While I worked they explored and took goofy pictures and walked around and such. When work was done we drove down to the White House and saw the National Christmas Tree with some of my coworkers. It was beautiful, surrounded by 50 smaller Christmas trees representing each state. Then we headed to Tyson's Corner (wowza, the shopping, eek) and had a delicious dinner that included Carolyn's FAVORITE... SHRIMP!!! By the time the waiters brought a birthday cake out for Julia she was struggling to keep her eyes open and the rest of the night was a blur from then on out.

2011-12-11T19:34:00.003-06:00

Someone is turning five this week, and today she shared a birthday lunch with her Baltimore friend. We dined at Chuck-E-Cheese, opened a few gifts and won lots of tickets. Carolyn in particular spun the wheel-o-tickets and got 100 which was pretty much a highlight of her seven-year-old life. Julia was super excited about her gifts and the fact that she could continue to remind us that this is her birthday WEEK!

I totally did not even realize Julia's dress was on backwards until I saw these photos... it's an East Coast hip five-year-old thing I guess

2011-12-05T18:58:00.004-06:00

Our Maryland church had a Christmas party on Saturday. I thought it would be a great way to make some friends, needless to say Brandon was *thrilled* (cue sarcasm). They had a photo area set up for family photos, an idea I totally want to bring to Lakeland next year.

We didn't exactly dress for the photos, but it was nice to get Brandon in front of the lense since he's usually behind it.

This party and a night of watching Polar Express and sipping hot cocoa by our poorly lit Christmas tree (along with some awesome friends and their adorable baby) finally jump-started my Christmas spirit!

2011-12-03T19:46:00.004-06:00

Wow, wow and wow. I absolutely loved our day at Mount Vernon. By far this is the most engaging, educational and well-done site we have visited so far. The museum and education center was like nothing I'd ever seen, with life-sized models, phenomenal movies, and a room for younger children to read books about Washington, dress in colonial clothes and play with toys of that era. The educational map the girls received had a puzzle that walked them through the whole site, with the promise of a 'prize' for completing the clues (the prize was a pressed penny). We saw a demonstration on how chocolate is made (who knew!?!), and toured the amazing mansion.

The girls learned a TON, I learned a TON and have a new respect for George Washington's ingenuity, and Brandon got a TON of gorgeous photos.

We even had lunch at the Mount Vernon Inn, served by a waitress in colonial-era dress with great food grown on the farm.

Fantastic day!

PS - Did you know that the Kennedy's hosted a state dinner on the lawn of Mount Vernon overlooking the Potomac? Did you know Queen Elizabeth visited Mount Vernon? It is all so darned fascinating!!!!

2011-12-01T18:16:00.002-06:00

Brandon got new photo gear this week... can you tell?
I love the days when I come home to fresh photos of happy girls!

2011-11-30T17:41:00.002-06:00

On some days they do school in the suite, but for a change of scenery there is always the library. Today Carolyn learned about fractions and Julia worked on reading with her Tag Reader. There was also ice skating and naps, sounds like a pretty sweet setup to me.

2011-11-28T16:28:00.003-06:00

Last night was the start of Advent.

We are using the Lakeland guide from far away KC, you can too, HERE.

This year's guide includes coloring sheets, Julia gave Mary some rockin' eye shadow

so it was extra special indeed.

Since candles are not allowed in the suite,

we used construction paper flames on our construction paper wreath

beside our teensy-tiny tree surrounded by a village of felt houses...

nearby hangs our countdown-to-home paper chains.

2011-11-27T21:48:00.002-06:00

Our {glorious} four day weekend began with adorable Thanksgiving place cards. Brandon's Aunt and Uncle hosted us in their lovely West Virginia home. Their grandchildren (our second-cousins) made place cards and played Polly's with the girls. Brandon and his cousins chatted about life-and-such on the back porch in the unseasonably warm weather, and I dreamily gazed on the acreage in the middle of gorgeous West Virginia and imagined something similar back home.

On Friday, back in the suite life, we trekked to Whole Foods and purchased a small tree. The girls made ornaments with felt, glitter and pipe cleaners. It was... messy. Thank you to the housekeeping staff who magically made all the excess glitter disappear.

And Saturday we headed into D.C. to see the Muppets with our good friends.

The girls enjoyed the photo props in the lobby, and the loved the movie too.

I mostly enjoyed holding sweet baby Jad as we walked through D.C.

Oh he is scrumptious!!!

Back at our friends' apartment the girls played Wii,

the mamas went shopping,

the guys watched some football,

and the baby slept.

For dinner we recreated Thanksgiving,

and I learned about the joy of roasted chestnuts (who knew?!?!)

On the Metro ride home we looked at a {Kids} National Geographic

and I said a little prayer that we not die in a fiery Metro crash

because my gosh those things sounds fast and terrible sometimes.

2011-11-23T19:18:00.001-06:00

happy thanksgiving my sweet friends.

2011-11-21T18:28:00.002-06:00

Brandon sketched this up to teach the girls about perspective today.
I like his perspective.

It makes me happy.

2011-11-19T22:04:00.006-06:00

After only two short-hours in the car we found ourselves, Friday morning, sitting on a duck boat/bus for a tour around historic Philadelphia. The girls were moderately interested in listening to the tour, and extremely interested in when they would receive their quacker-whistles.

Following the tour we spent the rest of the cool fall day checking out the sites, and enjoying authentic Philadelphia Cheese Steaks.

The girls loved (*loved*) Betsy Ross's house (no photos were allowed). We walked through the restored home, and found "Betsy" sewing a flag in her sewing room. "Betsy" was very authentic and sweet and talked to the girls about the importance of learning to sew, how much she loved Turkey Pot Pie, and how George Washington had recently come to her front door to ask her to make this flag. She also showed the girls how to quickly cut fabric stars (which was awesomely quick and Betsy should totally put that action on pinterest).

Next we headed down the street to Christ Church, where the girls' Great-Great-Great-...-Great Grandfather Robert Morris once worshiped and was buried. The girls thought it was pretty awesome to see his grave, and the pew in which he sat every Sunday. Admittedly it was a gorgeous church and the staff was very friendly. It is amazing to sit in pews hundreds of years old!

We ended the day in Elfreth's Alley which was my very favorite. "The Oldest Residential Street" in America, this street looked like it came right out of the 1700's. And you, too, can live here in one of the two homes currently for sale for a cool half-million bucks.

See all the photos HERE.

2011-11-14T19:07:00.003-06:00

I hope the nights when tears come easily and they ask "how much longer do we have to stay here?" are soon forgotten. I hope instead they remember making leaf angels at the National Zoo, riding the Metro, and making no-bake cookies for the first time. I hope they won't think of their mommy always at work or on her computer, I hope they remember the walks we took in the woods, the hours of Sequence we played, and bedtime stories every night. I hope someday when they are fighting over clothes or makeup they remember this year when they had to be besties everyday, when they cuddled together at night and ran to check the mail every morning. But mostly I just hope they are happy.

2011-11-13T20:27:00.004-06:00

We met up with my friend Jennifer (see her website HERE) in D.C. today. She took the girls to the National Zoo and photographed them in the leaves. She's got a gift with dealing with kiddos and photography, and Julia kept giving her random hugs afterwards to prove it. She also made us the most amazing Jordanian lunch and let me hold her sweet baby boy, so I gave her a random hug, too.

2011-11-12T21:07:00.004-06:00

Carolyn brought her science notebook and new pocket microscope. But we forgot a pencil so Brandon had to photograph her findings (see deer track above). Julia timidly climbed atop the moss-covered rocks, Carolyn wanted to go further... and further... and higher...

See all the photos of our day HERE

2011-11-10T19:03:00.005-06:00

Turning seven in the suite life looks like phone calls from the front desk telling you *another* package has arrived. Turning seven in the suite life looks like opening a check from Grandpa and telling all of the business men on the elevator that you are "RICH because you just got ONE-HUNDRED-DOLLARS" (displaying for all to see - and all are impressed). Turning seven in the suite life means ordering a cookie cake from the mall but telling Mommy that "I still like your cookie cakes best". Turning seven in the suite life looks like video chats and emails full of birthday wishes. Turning seven in the suite life looks a lot like this....

2011-11-09T20:29:00.003-06:00

Dear Grandma,
It's been three years.
Three years.
Ugh.

My girls are getting so big.
I am working on the East Coast.
Wearing fancy clothes that I know you would like.

Three years.

I would have stayed longer that Tuesday.
If I could have a do-over I would have stayed until midnight.
To hear your voice one last time.
Had I known.
I would have stayed longer, if I had known.
I wouldn't have hurried off.
I know you would say "Oh, Kate, don't worry about it".
But I do.
I would have stayed longer.
I'm sorry.

I think about you every day.
I think about you when the girls get presents in the mail.
I think about all of the birthdays in Albuquerque.
I think about when I was little, and you would send a box full of gifts.
Shirts that said "Someone in Kansas City Loves Me".
I think about you ALL the time.

I know you are still here.
I see you in my hands, they look a lot like yours.
I see you in my girls and their determination.
I see you in my dreams sometimes and I like that a lot.

I can't believe it's been three years.

I miss you.
Ugh.
I miss you.

And I love you,
Katie Beth

2011-11-09T17:46:00.005-06:00

This weekend we had visitors!!! My friend Becky came into town and we spent all day Saturday exploring D.C. The girls *loved* riding the Metro (especially when it went underground), we saw the Natural History Museum, took a walk to the White House and saw the Washington Monument and Capitol from a distance. The girls were fascinated by the protests, and the White House gift shop in equal measure.

2011-10-31T19:55:00.005-05:00

We trick-or-treated, Maryland style. It looks pretty much exactly like Missouri trick-or-treating only colder. Julia insisted on going authentic Pocahontas with no coat for a bit, but I finally insisted she put on the coat before I get a phone call from child services or my mom, or Aunt Jill.

The hotel began the candy fun by hanging a bag for the girls on our door this morning, then the laundry mat gave them more, and then of course the trick-or-treating madness. We have four huge bags, I guess that makes one for each of us.

My co-workers' sweet wife prepared us a DELICIOUS homemade dinner to ready us for the fun. Their adorable little boy and Julia have really hit it off, and we're hoping for more play dates soon. [Julia spent time this weekend lamenting Maryland and her lack of friends, so this is good news indeed!]

After the outdoor fun we headed back to the suite life. During the week I often have co-workers from KC in town, so the girls paid a visit to one of them in the hotel.

2011-10-30T00:33:00.005-05:00

Because our new suite life includes cable, the girls have been a bit over-exposed lately to all the cable television holds for children - namely mediocre programming and tons of toy commercials. I don't want to be the mommy who says NO (with that mean pinched face) to my children to every plastic creation ever, but I know they like more than what the TV tells them.

So, in anticipation of a certain someone's seventh birthday (ugh, did I just type that, ouch), I have assembled the following super-compromising gift ideas - she'll love them all, I'll just smile and nod through a few.

1. Moon in my Room - um it's a remote-controlled moon... IN YOUR ROOM! Hello.

2. Pocket Microscope - did my daughter see this and say "gee mom, I would really like to own my own pocket microscope!" No. Will she like to own her own pocket microscope, without a doubt.

3. Sky Umbrella - what is it with kids and umbrellas? Well, this one would make a great photo prop AND my daughter would be on cloud nine.

4. Creationary - its like Pictionary with Legos. Maybe she'll like it, maybe I'll LOVE it.

5. Marble Run - Yes plastic, yes she wants, yes I loved it as a kid too. So this is a win-win-win.

6. Barbie Designable Hair Extensions - at least she has to be creative to make it work.

7. REI Gift Card - this could mean so many things for our little climber, I think her little exploring head might explode when she walks into this store!

8. Knitting Dolls - I have no idea how these work but they are adorable and under $5. I am fairly certain they function as some kind of crafting device.

9. Fur Real Walking Pup - she for real wants this, and I do not get that, but I promised I would add it to her wish list so here you go.

2011-10-29T22:47:00.003-05:00

Today was C-O-L-D, the girls woke up giggling because they just *knew* it was going to snow and they were right. So we headed into DC and checked out the National Gallery of Art.

After the gallery visit we grabbed dinner in downtown then started the slow drive home (seriously, traffic here is a drag). As the snow began coming down stronger Brandon stopped at an overlook point to snap a few photos - Carolyn *HAD* to make a snowball!

2011-10-26T19:07:00.004-05:00

As we packed the Kansas City house for our Suite Life I tried to think of some simple (small) touches that could make a hotel feel like a home. A Kansas City mug my Cubeville friends gifted to me, photos of friends and family on the fridge (along with magnets from our adventures), a Jayhawk throw and tea towels from home - a few familiar touches that are helping us feel settled. And of course, as we do at our house in KC, we are taping little girl art to the walls - the haunted house project is from HERE.

Besides a place to sleep and play, this suite is also school for a lot of every day - so the tiny "kitchen" table serves many purposes, including science lab...

science experiment from HERE

2011-10-25T19:22:00.003-05:00

Sometimes I want to dress them like the kids in the GAP ad, and I for sure want them to be straight-A students. When they make mile-long Christmas wish lists I panic that I'm raising greedy brats, or worse still - hoarders. When they tell me that Justin Bieber is "dreamy" I get a glimpse of the future and panic just a little more. When they dream of being figure skaters or professional gymnasts I think about how impractical it all seems and then smile because my parents encouraged me to be an engineer, and now it all makes sense. Sometimes I want them to sit like robot children at dinner and quietly make grown up conversation about "what they learned today." Usually I wonder if we're inhibiting some special spark deep within them that just needs the right nurturing and time to grow into a purpose. But mostly I just pray that God takes them by the hand and shows them who they are, and I hope its like nothing I've ever seen before.

2011-10-24T19:06:00.003-05:00

A few weeks ago we fell in love with BMA (Baltimore Museum of Art). Not only did they have a great selection of art, but they also had tons of kid-friendly programming. Their "how to help your child enjoy art" brochure suggested the following activity (which the girls LOVED):

- Take your child to the center of the gallery space

- Have her close her eyes tight and listen carefully

- Describe one of the pieces of art, the colors, the figures, the details

- Tell her to open her eyes and *quietly* find the one you've described

The other adorable activity they offered was dress-up like art. Julia dressed up like Edgar Degas' Little Dancer, and Carolyn was given an amazing costume from Bartolome Serrano's Infanta Isabella, huge puffy collar and all. The girls had to "hunt" through the museum to find the art that matched the costume they wore.

And Julia fell in love with Matisse and all... those... COLORS!

2011-10-23T21:41:00.002-05:00

One of Carolyn's biggest concerns about living in a hotel was that we could do no baking. No oven, just a two-burner stove top. But today her mind was blown when I introduced her to the beauty of the no-bake cookie!

Of course, we had to overcome the challenge of limited hotel-supplied utensils and cookware. Luckily the non-stick pot fit all the ingredients, and since we had no cookie sheet we had to lay the parchment paper directly on the bottom shelf of the fridge and drop them directly into the fridge... which got the job done!

I love our tiny space, and I love showing the girls that we can be innovative even if we don't have every supply we are used to.

I do not, on the other hand, love the hat Carolyn insists on wearing. It may find its way to the bottom of a deep drawer (cough *trash* cough) very soon. That child is her own person, and I love her for it!

2011-10-23T20:04:00.004-05:00

We were lucky enough to have two photographers capturing all the pumpkin patch fun. My friend Jennifer has a great eye (and adorable baby), and caught some gorgeous shots of my girls - check out here website HERE.

2011-10-23T08:53:00.005-05:00

This weekend we met some friends at the pumpkin patch. They brought their beautiful baby boy, so Julia had trouble focusing on the pumpkins for her love of the baby.

The girls hunted and hunted for the right pumpkin, and then all we bought them were gourds because our 400 sq. ft. can't exactly accommodate a great big pumpkin. But they got to ride ponies, so they were thrilled.

And then.... oh the fun... we got to meet alpacas in person. And my oh my they were SO soft, like you can't imagine. And cute. And yes, yes I want one (or two).

More photos HERE

2011-10-21T23:05:00.006-05:00

A beautiful Friday off work means exploring, and today we explored Great Falls National Park in Virginia. We climbed the cliffs of the Potomac and enjoyed the changing leaves. There was even a historic canal run that George Washington had commissioned for boats to be able to go around the falls.

Highlight of this "field trip"...

K: Carolyn, do you know how the trees are able to grow on the sides of these cliffs and not fall?

C: [way more interested in rock climbing than discussing rock formations and/or trees] No

J: The roots!

See all of Brandon's cool photos from our day HERE

2011-10-21T20:08:00.004-05:00

The final day of our Disney trip was actually spent at Universal Studios Hollywood. The highlight by far (for me and Julia at least) was when SpongeBob came walking by and put his arm around Julia and they walked together to the "Crusty Crab" photo area. She... was.... BEAMING. Julia LOVES SpongeBob and the rest of the day she would say "Mom!?! Why do you think SpongeBob likes me so much? You think it's cause I watch his show all the time? You think it's because I'm funny and he's funny?" Other highlights included face painting, the back-lot tour when we saw Wisteria Lane and the experienced the King Kong 3-D ride, the Waterworld show, and random strangers photographing our children with Curious George.

Have you had enough of the Disney archives? No? Here's MORE photos!

2011-10-18T19:50:00.008-05:00

Day Two at Disney. If the pictures don't say enough than here are the highlights: My brother and his wife joined us, we introduced our girls to roller coasters with Space Mountain which is pretty intense, Natalie kind of hated all of the rides except Small World, my Mom LOVED Small World, it was kind of packed so that was a bummer, Brandon and I took Carolyn on Splash Mountain and she was NERVOUS, Splash Mountain is my new FAVORITE ride ever, we opened and closed the park so we were mighty tired, the kids and the grown ups had SO... MUCH... FUN!!!

2011-10-18T09:17:00.002-05:00

As soon as the girls had been beautified we wandered over to Main Street Disney to meet the rest of the family. Just as we were settling down on a nearby bench the Disney marching band came out for a performance. Just after the first song they decided they needed an announcer from the audience and selected my mom, who resisted just a bit and then happily announced the rest of the songs to the crowd. The kids danced to the music and mom was beaming - it was pretty epic really. And she got a pin, just sayin, it's pretty official.

2011-10-17T15:47:00.005-05:00

One of my favorite things to do with my girlies at Disney is the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. During our last visit Julia wasn't old enough (and probably didn't have enough hair) to get her royal beauty treatment, but this time they were both primed and ready bright and early Saturday morning!

The hour of beauty begins with the girls getting introduced to their "Fairy Godmother-in-Training." These ladies are sugary sweet and dressed in adorable blue dresses. They let the girls pick from three hairdos, Julia picked the classic princess and Carolyn picked rockstar (says a lot really). The ladies get out the gel and the hairspray and go to work!

The girls get their hair done, makeup, face jewels and nails. Julia got a tiara to go with her do, Carolyn got a rockstar hair piece that we still have (jealous???) The Fairy Godmother (in-training) tell the "Princess" sweet stories about how Tinkerbell had been causing mischief again, and other sweet stories that Julia LOVED. Then they are sprinkled with Pixie Dust while the Fairy Godmother (in-training) says some adorable princess wish over them.

When the transformation is complete the Princess is turned to face a curtained wall, and when she says "Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo!" the two birds pull back the curtain and a sparkling mirror reveals their loveliness - it is so darned fun to watch!

And here are the princesses looking dreamy. Carolyn added the face jewels to her nose for extra pizzazz, as if she needed it.

2011-10-16T11:31:00.005-05:00

The First Day at Disney! So much fun... the girls wore matching Mickey shirts and we wrote our cell phone numbers on their arms just in-case they would get lost. We rode the Buzz Light Year ride, Starwars 3-D, drove the cars and so much more. We met Minnie and Mickey, saw the parade, and at the end of the day the kids put on their costumes so we could head back to the park to Trick-or-Treat.

2011-10-15T22:03:00.003-05:00

The first night at Disney we all ate at the Storytellers Cafe. As with all-things Disney it was totally cool. The girls got to make their own pizzas on Mickey-shaped pizza pans. Brandon got to sit by Noah and catch some priceless photos - LOVE!

2011-10-15T21:45:00.003-05:00

Venice Beach on a sunny afternoon - the kids looked for sea shells and sand dollars. My sister and I lay on the sand and listened to the sea lap at the beach. We wondered how much sand was getting in our hair and socks, then the kids kicked in each others eyes and we decided it was time to go.

2011-10-14T14:33:00.003-05:00

While Brandon's folks were out visiting a few weeks ago, we discovered the brand new Robinson Nature Center. There are hiking trails and a beautiful (gorgeous) LEED-certified learning center that knocked my socks off. We got a membership so the girls can do school in the woods on sunny days while climbing rocks and exploring the ruins of an 18th century mill-run along the river... so cool. Of course, while they explore you can bet they will be wearing mis-matched shirts and ratty skirts with high socks and tennis shoes, it's kind of their trademark at this point!

2011-10-14T09:56:00.002-05:00

Today is ice skating. Carolyn will whirl and twirl while Julia reads "boring books" from the sidelines and pretend-writes tons of notes on what she is "reading". They are each their own person, that's for sure!

School is going well for them, and there are many Disney photos yet to post. We have a wide-open relaxing weekend on the horizon, so I am looking forward to sharing more then.

2011-10-06T21:41:00.004-05:00

Today we landed in LA - and immediately hit the beach. The girls found shells and played in the waves (well, Nathan literally fell into the waves) but most importantly got to see their cousins! Tomorrow... long-awaited DISNEY!!!!!

2011-10-04T21:38:00.002-05:00

In an experience that none of us will soon forget, my mother-in-law got us reservations to attend tea at the American Girl store in New York. It was incredible. The room was set for 130 mothers, daughters, aunts, grandmas and a few reluctant dads, too. We were served tea and yummy bite-sized treats like Kit's pigs in a blanket, Ruthie's mini calzones, Molly's victory garden cookies, and eight other delicious treats. The girls dolls were pulled right up to the table in specially made doll chairs. And they got birthday crowns, since this was in celebration of their upcoming birthdays.

You'll note in the last photo the quilts on the girls' laps. Brandon's mom made them 1930s doll quilts to go with their dolls, I'll have Brandon get better photos of those soon.

You'll also note in the first picture that Carolyn insisted on raising her arm to match her new doll Kit exactly.

2011-10-03T20:23:00.006-05:00

New York City, oh my word. I am in love. The sites, the sounds, the energy, it is contagious (well, there are probably many contagions, let's be real). My friend Molly was an amazing tour guide. The girls walked miles without (much) complaint. Brandon's parents thoroughly enjoyed their first-ever visit to NYC, and oh the American Girl Store - wowza.

We rode a ferris wheel inside Times Square Toys R Us (awesome)

We attended a tea party at the American Girl Store

I bought a Starbucks in the same building that Tina Fey works!

We saw Ground Zero

We saw the Statue of Liberty (see family photos above, off in the distance)

We rode the subway, we rode in a cab ("um, Mom!?! It's called a TAXI")

We ate good food

And we walked - a LOT

I can't wait to go back, that place is incredible.

2011-09-25T19:15:00.002-05:00

A first of many visits I'm sure, we saw D.C. today. We decided to start with the Smithsonian American History Museum. We learned about the history of transportation, saw a wall o' Presidents, Dorothy's shoes (which the girls did not think looked like they had expected) and the girls got to operate an old printing press.

The silver knit cap Carolyn was wearing was from H&M, but it was not really very cold at all.

Julia had her new H&M skirt and shirt on, which I love by the way (the skirt, the store, the girl, love them all!)

2011-09-25T18:45:00.001-05:00

On Wednesday we met some friends from way-back-when for dinner. Familiar faces (plus a new little one!) make everyone happy, especially Julia who got to hold baby Jad, which is pretty much her very favorite thing to do ever!!!

2011-09-23T21:54:00.002-05:00

Its kind of chaotic, you know in an inner-personal kind of chaos, to move half-way across the country. Like you get really tired on the car ride and quiet for a real-long time and in between your own wonderings you wonder what he's wondering. But he isn't real chatty so you hope nothings wrong and then have to change a DVD, or hand out snacks, or hold together your sanity so you put those worries on the back burner. After two days of driving and months of wonderings you arrive late in the evening and he carries up all the bags (every last one) while you settle the kids and put away clothes and you're both too busy to stop and hold hands or say "honey" and you hope everything is ok but maybe tomorrow we'll sort that out. And a week goes by and school starts and work starts and you text during the day to say "hi" and simple stuff but when you get tears at dinner cause you miss your people he kind of just stares cause maybe he does too and no one knows what to say.

But then, at 2 in the morning, everything is alright again. For you see, at 2 a.m. the little girl wanders over unusually fussy and nervous. At 2 in the morning you both dart out of bed and pat her back and encourage her to not be upset, that this happens to everyone. At 2 a.m. he finds your glasses in the dark and you both give her a warm bath and he calls the front desk for more towels and you rearrange the beds. And at 2 in the morning you both know that this is totally doable.

You smile and laugh a lot more the next day. On the drive to work, in the rain, on the side of the road you coach eachother on where the trash bags are and napkins. On the way home you do more of the same, and each pick a child to carry inside. You both agree to take the elevator instead of the stairs, and he buys you dunkable Trader Joe's cookies to go with the chicken noodle soup and your heart swells just knowing that the chaos is subsiding and things are going to be great.

2011-09-20T20:10:00.002-05:00

Monday was the First Day of {Home}School: Suite Life Style. C started 1st grade using the Calvert Curriculum, Julia is doing Pre-K but mostly 1st grade along with her big sister (the beauty of homeschooling). For art we are turning to pinterest for inspiration, and for physical activity they are riding scooters in the parking lot and hiking at the local parks. Admittedly this year may be low on socializing, but plenty of "Miss You" packages are being composed daily to send to friends back in KC and beyond.

2011-09-17T20:42:00.006-05:00

It was a brisk day in Baltimore as we explored the Inner Harbor.

There was a powerful monument to 9/11 that included twisted metal from the World Trade center, as an engineer, mother, sister, daughter and all-around fellow-human I find anything pertaining to 9/11 to be nearly unbearable. The girls were intrigued, and we discussed it a bit, but had to move on. Just too much, even 10 years later.

Baltimore was hosting an art fair in the Harbor, so we bought a pretty sail boat glass thing-a-ma-bob by a lady with a name that included "Soul". It will look nice hanging in our (Kansas City) kitchen window someday to remind us of our adventure. And it was only $10 but the girls thought it was priceless, so we all win.

We did enjoy some authentic Baltimore seafood fare, with fried shrimp and fish n' chips (and hushpuppies, oh the hushpuppies). We also walked this off with about 3 miles of hiking around and photo taking (and souvenir buying, never forget the souvenir).

It was brisk, it was lovely, it was followed by the art museum (which I will share tomorrow!)

PS - miss you!

2011-09-16T22:47:00.008-05:00

Let's pause for a moment to remember the lovely (read: incredibly long) drive across the eastern United States that brought us to this suite life.

We began with breakfast with my grandparents, and a quick photo shoot on their porch. Then it was into the incredibly stuffed (read: Beverly Hillbillies) car where the girls received their travel bags. The bags were mostly a hit, until about hour 17 of 20 when the notebooks seemed to have exploded in the back seat where there really wasn't any room to accommodate such an explosion and my head almost exploded likewise.

I had seen an awesome idea for road snacks on pinterest, and it worked brilliantly. I highly, highly recommend that one.

The hotel we stayed overnight in was a gigantic bust. The internet was S-L-O-W, which is pretty critical to me. The front desk staff had me wait at least 10 minutes (at 11:00 at night mind you) while she wrapped up her phone convo, and the rooms were nast (which did not stop Julia from crashing on the floor the next morning as we brushed teeth and what not). But, keep in mind I am a princess (also been called a diva, your choice), and granted 99% of the world seems to be sleeping in squalor so ya, just disregard my complaints about a safe, warm bed and carry on.

And we had every intention of taking a cute family photo in front of the Welcome to Maryland sign, however it was rainy and actually incredibly dangerous so we punted. I did snap a blurry pic to prove that we made it, in case the suite photos aren't enough.

Ok, now let's forget all about long road trips and celebrate stretched legs and non-exploded travel books.

2011-09-16T19:20:00.005-05:00

A look at the Suite Life of C & J. They would probably say their favorite part is the candy shop - good call. The total square footage is about 450 and it is working for our needs at the moment. We will for sure be getting plenty of together time in the next year, and maid service, which makes the togetherness doable.

Today we explored a sandwich shop and the big city park.

Tomorrow we do Baltimore.

2011-09-15T22:03:00.002-05:00

About hour 15 I told Brandon, "I know what this drive reminds me of! A Bob Ross painting!" Well, a rainy Bob Ross painting, but lovely none-the-less. The hills, the trees, the trees, oh the happy little (huge) trees. We survived, and will have photos as soon as I can locate the gosh-darned photo cord. Ah moving, so much work you quickly declare "We're never doing this again!"

PS - I read an entire issue of Mother Earth News on the drive and now have a very real interest in owning an alpaca when we return to KC (and buy some land obviously), I'll name one Al and one Sal. I decided all of that in the last 30 hours, and I also read the entire magazine over again out loud to Brandon. That my friends is how very exciting our drive was!

2011-09-13T20:57:00.006-05:00

Tomorrow we begin our big adventure eastward, 18+ hours eastwardly to be exact. And to keep the girls distracted I have been planning an epic road trip bag... behold the finished product.

I ordered them each a Thirty-One Bag with their names for school this year, perfect to hold markers, colored pencils and wipes for the road. Then I bought large binders and personalized the cover with a map of our trip and their names (and doodles, what little girl doesn't love doodles?)

Inside the bag is Hair-do Harriet, a small note pad, a pencil pouch with glue stick and scissors, and several pocket dividers with blank paper and coloring sheets.

Rather than pack all of the fun into the notebook, I decided to put various activities in sealed magazine envelopes numbered 1-10. This way they get a "surprise" when they open each envelope, and we will space out the opening throughout the two day drive. Otherwise I was worried they would quickly blow through each activity in the first hour and I would be in big trouble.

1. The first envelope is simply blank sheets with red garage sale dots randomly placed. I am going to challenge them to come up with a neat drawing that incorporates the dots.

2. Magazine scavenger hunt to find items like the letters B, K, C and J, a smile and something the color red.

3. I bought a book of hidden picture sheets (don't you remember these from Highlights, loved them as a kid!) and tore them out of the book so each girl could have a handful.

4. A ton of stickers from U.S. Toy and a packet of blank notecards can magically become postcards to send friends, I hope.

5. Road Trip Bingo printed from THIS great blog.

6. Color-by-number coloring sheets I found for free on google.

7. I printed the girls' names and their cousins and friends very large in fun fonts for them to decorate and hopefully send to each kiddo in a "miss you so much" package.

8. Fun magazine pictures should hopefully inspire something similar to THIS art project we did a while back.

9. My friend Teresa suggested a game of "Guess the Flavor" with jellybeans - brilliant, even the parents can play this one!

10. A funprints book by Ed Emberley in which you use a (washable) stamp pan and your fingers to create cute drawings.

Do you notice my multiple uses of the word "fun", ya let's hope this works...

2011-09-11T23:14:00.002-05:00

...“We want people to know there is a call to live life for other people,” Schultz said. “Yes, we are giving them food, and yes, the kids are going to school. But the Kingdom of God is moving forward. That’s what is important.” See the entire article HERE.

2011-09-10T21:53:00.003-05:00

Since we will be on the East Coast for Thanksgiving, we decided to celebrate early, with turkey and everything. My brother and his wife made an epic pull-apart cake, I attempted apple pie and the kids danced to Smurf Dance Party on Wii. It was deliciously fun.

2011-09-07T21:43:00.004-05:00

Santa-Cali-Gon Days was the third fun part of our busy Labor Day Weekend. Julia performed with her dance studio, in the rain. She had to lie in a puddle at one point and probably will remember her devotion to her craft forever because of it. The crowd went wild, nothing like devoted 3 and 4 year olds to get a crowd roaring. Bella slept.

Remember how little she was at her first SCG performance? Wow.

2011-09-07T13:39:00.008-05:00

from pinterest

Encouraging words regarding an upcoming adventure...

My Mom: I am excited for you, I want to come visit!

Friend 1 - 10: We will miss you but it will be exciting

Sister-in-Law: What a fun adventure!

Dad: This sounds like a great opportunity

FB Friends: How great! I've lived (and/or) visited their, its beautiful!

Pastor: Have a wonderful time!

Fellow Engineer: Do you have any idea what you're doing!?!

(I kid you not, this is my life, remember this, it's for real)

2011-09-06T23:29:00.006-05:00

Part 2 of the Labor Day Weekend fun included a visit to our favorite apple orchard (Weston Red Barn Farm). Cousin Ava and sleeping Bella joined us for the fun, along with Grandma and Grandpa. We took a peaceful wagon ride through wooded and beautiful northern Missouri country, the girls practiced their photo skills and their horse riding skills, and of course picked apples.

2011-09-05T22:23:00.003-05:00

Labor Day Weekend was full-up, and that is a very good thing. We will begin our four-part series with a visit to cousins Sam, Joel and Leisel Jane. Julia continued her training in amazing baby care, and Carolyn enjoyed playing with the boys! Plus we got Shakespeare's Pizza and great conversation, it was a good time all around.

2011-08-29T20:52:00.004-05:00

Another year of Family Camp, another year of fun. This years hot spots included the pool and shade of any sort. Oh, and we mustn't forget the snacks, oh the glorious snacks. I also took my first canoe ride which I loved A LOT and want to do again soon, minus the four little girls plus one handsome photographer.

2011-08-25T12:43:00.002-05:00

image

The “extended stay” hotel that we will soon call home has a 24-hour convenience store that also sells something like Raisinets, Snickers and Trident. The girls saw a photo online and have told everyone, “we’re going to live in a candy shop!” Then we found out they will be sleeping on a pull-out couch. “What’s a pull-out couch!?!” they asked. “A couch that turns into a bed” I explained. “THAT IS AWESOME!” they squealed. Adventure, here we come!

2011-08-25T08:31:00.003-05:00

imag e

The thing about a big impending move, and skin cancer, is that they can kind of overwhelm a girl.

When the “suite life” calls and says they only have one king sized bed for your family of four, or your dermatologist removes a large mole from your hip that hurts surprisingly badly, you just need a hug. But, since you work in Cubeville where hugs are forbidden you decide to retreat to your spreadsheets and swallow that lump.

When you drive through McDonalds for the nutritious dinner that you’ll be sure to include in your Mother-of-the-Year portfolio and the two Happy Meals come with very different toys which results in much weeping and gnashing of teeth, you once again swallow that lump and the guilt, always the guilt.

When the children are asked to select a few things we might get rid of before the move, and they select random puzzle pieces and a Polly Pocket outfit, you laugh a little but realize that this too will become your job, which of course you will do behind their back, hence more guilt.

And when the handsome photographer works until two or three in the morning every night to wrap up all the loose ends that remain from his bustling business you wonder if he might be a teensy bit stressed too, so you do not ask him to make you a homemade frappucino in the morning.

But in the quiet twilight of a busy day as your big first grader sleeps angelically, you ask your sweet Julia to be your nurse and she gently applies medicine to your back where more moles have been chopped. She is gentle and talks quietly and presses the bandaid on thoughtfully. She asks if it would be possible for her to be a nurse AND an artist AND a mommy when she grows up? “Absolutely!” you tell her, and she cuddles up in bed and tells you Fancy Nancy jokes until you both doze off to sleep. And you are thankful for this day.

2011-08-19T07:54:00.002-05:00

image

We have no electricity, so I put my makeup on in the dark. The girls got in our bed, and I woke up several times to beg Brandon to turn on a fan or something - but of course that is how a delirious engineer thinks in the middle of a power-outage, which is to say not at all. My husband was patient, reminding me the power is out, as he lay wide-awake waiting for power to return so he could continue the photo editing that had interrupted his all-nighter. Unfortunately for him it never came back, like I said I put my makeup on in the dark.

2011-08-16T08:22:00.002-05:00

image

My days lately have looked a lot like limping. And thinking about all the organizing and packing I should be doing but can’t …do to the limp. Yesterday I rediscovered my favorite pair of wedge shoes (from Payless) and limped-no-more. But still, it’s hard to organize and clean in wedge shoes. So I sat, and read my new Kindle, and beckoned the children to fetch me a heating pad.

As I sat in some kind of important meeting on Monday I noticed a VP staring at my foot, covered in three or seven days of bandage residue and Vaseline along with leaky bandages and unpainted toe nails (which you could see of course due to the wedge). I decided last night to give the feet a good scrub, so I soaked my feet in Julia’s bath while she repeatedly inquired “Are you going to get blood in my bath!?! Are you going to get BLOOD in my bath Mama!?!” It took some seriously painful scrubbing but I think my mother would be pleased that I am once-again semi-presentable.

At the grocery store, where we dined on a delicious dinner of everyone’s liking of whatever-you-please-so-long-as-Hy-Vee-is-cooking-it, I reminded the girls that “Mommy needs butterfly band aids, don’t let me forget.” They were sorely disappointed to learn what butterfly band aids actually are – which is to say they are a marvel of modern medicine that hold together wounds of 22-stitches in length so the choppery can heal in record time – with nary a butterfly in sight.

We leave for Baltimore in a month or less. Sometimes I get a panicked feeling thinking about all I need to do, people I need to see, house I need to weed out before we leave – and then I remember that I just downed a frappucino during a rush-hour drive to Cubeville and the panic has nothing to do with Baltimore. I am looking forward to the adventure, but mostly not looking forward to saying good-bye to anyone. Even though it’s only for a while it’s still going to be ouchy in a choppery-ouchy kind of way, maybe I’ll limp for a while afterwards, and complain, that seemed to help with the foot.

2011-08-11T08:26:00.003-05:00

Brandon is on the border this week. He is visiting our friends in Anapra, people who are feeling the financial crisis pinch in a way we can't even comprehend. We used to cross into Mexico to visit, but lately its been too dangerous. So at least for now they are meeting through the fence, as four different Border Patrol trucks look on. Hugs aren't possible, but man I sure want to reach out to each of these people and let them know that they are not forgotten. [Read more on the trip from my friend Jenn who is traveling with Brandon and others]

2011-08-04T07:44:00.002-05:00

Julia got to help Aunt Jami with her new baby Bella yesterday. She was over the moon when she got home, she loves babies, A LOT. Especially beautiful babies with full heads of hair who are only 2 weeks old, how amazing is that!?! She goes back today for more baby holding and Ava-playing. Being a cousin is the best.

2011-08-02T08:37:00.002-05:00

image from Here

The skin choppery begins today people. My sister will be in attendance, she watched me birth Julia (and she wasn't watching from the cheap seats if you know what I mean) so a little arm cutting shouldn't bother her. Next week are the feet (eek) and then tummy and legs. August is totally hacked.

PS - Someday I'll tell you about the faces my sister made whilst my sweet Julia was entering this world, it was priceless.

2011-07-31T22:37:00.004-05:00

My sister's kiddos celebrated birthdays this weekend. Nathan turns 7 1/2, Natalie 5 and Noah 4 so we partied it up at a Chuck-E-Cheese-on-steroids type place called Power Play. My children attempted a ropes coarse that required an adult to assist, lets just say they hated it and I found arm muscles I didn't know existed. Then Julia was about one-hundred-million tickets shy of any toy in the entire prize shop and so I approached the ski ball game machine with the song "I Can Be Your Hero Baby" song in my head as I saved the day by landing the 10,000 cup and dancing a strange "Boo Ya" dance in front of many concerned teenagers in incredibly tight clothing. Overall I would say it was a pretty huge success; the kids birthdays were celebrated and no one threw up - SUCCESS!

2011-07-28T07:41:00.002-05:00

The story of my life people.
Story. Of. My. Life.

thanks seester, you know me well!

2011-07-24T21:38:00.008-05:00

Brandon's sister, Jami, delivered the most amazingly beautiful little girl on Friday.

Bella Marie was born weighing 9 lbs. 13 oz. and measuring 21 inches long with a whole ton of thick beautiful dark hair. She looks just like her big sister Ava.

Speaking of Ava, I love the photos Brandon caught of her meeting her baby sister for the very first time. And of course her Daddy cuddling her for the first time, and cousin Julia loving on her for the first time, the list goes on. They're all great shots mostly because new babies are the BEST.

2011-07-22T12:48:00.004-05:00

We've got news...

We're moving... errr... we're taking an extended vacation.

Yes, we're taking a year-long vacation to Baltimore, MD.

My work has provided us the opportunity to move to "the ocean" (or at least that's how we sold it to the children), where I will help in the opening of a regional office and Brandon and the girls will do first grade and pre-K in style. They will take day-trips to DC, Philadelphia and weekend trips to NYC. Or at least that's the plan. [NOTE: We have lived so long without cable its possible they will just lounge on the hotel bed day-after-day soaking in cable television... oh yes, you read correctly - we are living in a hotel for the next twelve months, did I mention this is going to be an adventure?]

But have no fear KC friends, we shall return before you know it for more squelching hot summers and freezing cold winters and the best friends a girl could ask for. It's a short-term adventure, the best type!

We leave in mid-September. Adventure indeed.

2011-07-20T15:41:00.002-05:00

If you have an interest in the talk Estela and I shared at Lakeland back in May,

it has been podcasted and can be accessed at the link below...

(this is for my mom mostly, but everyone else is welcome to a listen as well)

2011-07-19T15:13:00.002-05:00

My sweet (and talented) cousin has just opened her own etsy shop!
Check it out HERE.

2011-07-19T10:33:00.001-05:00

About two months ago I started getting really freaked about my moles. I have them checked yearly, and it is always a lovely experience involving an airy gown and awkward bra-less conversation. The climax is inevitably the removal via razor of several questionable spots, which the nurse always follow-up calls to say are weird but not so weird as to be dangerous. Two weeks ago I returned for this yearly revelry, and for kicks I brought the husband and kiddos. I told my doctor I wanted him to explain to Brandon what we’re looking for on this awkward expedition, “Cause I’m always freaked out that I’ve got cancer or something” to which the doctor might have rolled his eyes but it was hard to tell under all of that awkwardness.

This visit there was only one spot of interest, and the doctor cored it out, you know to change things up a little. I got stitches. Just sayin’, my kids thought I was pretty brave.

The following week I had a voicemail from my doctor’s office, and it was my doctor calling. Uh oh. It’s never good when the doctor calls with results and asks that you “please call me back as soon as you have a chance.” I spent the rest of the day attempting countless times to reach the doctor, and waiting, which is the WORST.

At 5:45 that evening the doctor finally called, and turns out my core was an in-situ-melanoma, which is fancy words for skin cancer, which is an overly dramatic way of saying a teensy-tinsy spot of stage zero cancer, which is to say he totally should never roll his eyes at me when I half-joke that I am totally freaked about skin cancer.

Things I did immediately: enjoy a leisurely dinner with my Aunt Jill who took the girls shopping and to Sonic which was marvelous.

Things I did not do immediately: google ANYTHING

My mom went to the follow-up visit with me the next day, since Brandon had his fair share of fun with the core-business. The doctor provided an encore awkward and extremely thorough review of every spot he could spot, and selected three more for immediate removal – ouch. He also explained the procedures he will be performing to remove more around the core on my arm, as well as an extremely nerve-racking procedure I will have done to remove a large mole on the top and bottom of my foot…. Biting nails and stressing at this very minute. My mom said she’ll get me a pedicure beforehand, and admittedly this does almost make it worth it.

I spent the weekend in St. Louis avoiding any tv show on the free cable having to do with skin beauty or death, both of which I want to have nothing to do with. I am very white, covered in chicken-pock, gallbladder removal, baby carrying, and now mole factory removal scars. And I am fine with that, and so is my dear husband, who applied medication all weekend to my open wounds and only gave me a kind of weird look when I asked if it would be weird if I went out without a bra on (cause it hurts so much).

Supposing all future spots come back fine, I should be good. But I will now be purchasing long sleeved shirts for sun protection at all times, which is literally all-the-time because my gosh that sun is EVERYWHERE. I might become like the mother on The Others and keep the curtains drawn, but long-sleeved shirts may be less awkward, and we already know how awkward this has already become what with the whole bra-less action and what-not.

2011-07-14T08:46:00.004-05:00

If I was a teacher, or a sylish homeschooler for that matter, I would buy these posters to inspire both science and design. Since I am neither I shall merely drool from my Cube at their brilliance and then shut the browser promptly to remind myself that I am saving for a Subaru damnit.

2011-07-13T09:32:00.002-05:00

1. Fabric Lanterns - Under the catergory of "Crafts my kids could help with" are these beautiful lanterns, perfect for a summer evening on the patio. From Make Grow Gather.

2. Upcycled T-Shirt Dress - This is a must-do project before fall. Using old t-shirts and paired with some cute leggings, this is perfect. From I am Momma Hear Me Roar.

3. Flores - The girls are always looking for a new pretty picture to make. These flower portraits made from recycled yarn could find a long-term place on my fridge. From El Hada De Papel.

4. Peasant Top - Because if I had time I would totally sew this adorable top for my girls, and then they would wear it once before it needed ironed and would never get worn again, but it sure is cute! From Craftiness is not optional.

5. Memory Game - This gorgeous fabric memory game would be a great gift for some sweet baby nieces in my life, don't you think? From Purl Bee.

6. Pillowcase Nightgown - My girls may be outgrowing this kind of pretty up-cycling project, I sure hope not before I can make one of these though. From Sew, Mama Sew!

7. Polaroid Magnets - Such a fun idea to make for a festive fridge, you know to hold the flower art the girls will make! From Ambrosia Girl.

8. Owls from Toilet Paper Rolls - The name is way cooler in spanish on the blog, but I have no idea how it translates. To me it translates "cheap craft the girls will really enjoy making and will look cute sitting on shelf indefinetely". From El Hada De Papel.

9. Tea Towels - Tea towels have a very special place in my heart and home. I am not sure what my attraction is, but seriously they brighten up my kitchen. From Sew4Home.

2011-07-11T21:48:00.004-05:00

Ten years ago this month we were engaged. It was a hot summer day in Venice, back in the days when we could live out of a backpack for weeks on end without cutting the crust off bread for any wee ones. We were in St. Mark's Square, it was picture perfect, and the old film camera captured it all. Someday we'd like to go back, but for this weekend we shall celebrate by driving across the great state of Missouri for a getaway in St. Louis. We won't live out of a backpack, we won't share a hostel with dozens of other questionable twenty-somethings, and we won't get to eat Haagen-Dazs in a country that actually knows what the two little dots are all about... but we'll still have a great time. And the photos may actually be better this time (though we may look older, and slightly heavier in them).

2011-07-07T08:06:00.005-05:00

The second beautiful wedding that Brandon had the opportunity to photograph was for lovely Katherine and Christian. This was extra fun for Brandon who got to take photos in our old stomping ground (Rock Chalk!) and of course the 19th century stone barn was fun to photograph, too! You may also recognize my sister (of Little Reminders of Love) as one of the lovely bridesmaids as well. I was the photobooth lady, during which I spent most of my evening looking at the hand-hewn logs that were holding up the barn around me wondering how much longer they would last... darn Civil Engineering degree ruining all the fun. See all the great images HERE.

2011-07-06T19:36:00.002-05:00

Do you remember when we fixed up the office all nice like? And then life got hectic and Brandon's business picked up and he spent most every day and night at his computer work-work-working? And do you remember when the 4th of July came with no picture to be had even though I've previously been notorious for insisting that every moment be documented? Ya, that is now. And this is the office (see above). And those two twin-looking girls are our growing daughters with fresh haircuts you can see from a distance. Perhaps one day soon we will go out for a leisurely photoshoot again like we used to and you can see the new do's upclose. And also, that mess on the floor is "not a mess! It's a project", that's what the twins would tell you.

2011-07-06T08:11:00.003-05:00

Brandon shot a few more weddings this summer, and they have turned out beautifully. The first is a college friend of mine who married in Mexico and had the reception back at the groom's hometown in Iowa. She looked gorgeous and glowing, and her daughter's matching flowergirl gown completed the picture. It was priceless. Brandon was most impressed with the wide array of barbecue sauces, I loved the sweet details the mother-of-the-groom had put into the reception. See the entire gallery HERE.

2011-06-30T08:25:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday Brandon!
I hope you like this year's gift as much as you liked that Go Bot!

2011-06-28T22:07:00.005-05:00

Baptism night has got to be one of the highlights of our year. Our whole church gathers at the "beach" (and for us land-locked Midwesterners this totally counts as "beach"), and we witness the baptism of friends and family. It is sacred and sand-covered at the same time, joyful and totally marvelous. Next year Julia wants to be baptized, she pretty much has told everyone she comes in contact with including every woman in the dance studio lobby tonight. She is very much my deep thinker, and when asked why she thinks she should be baptized she is quick with a very matter-of-fact response, "To be part of God's Kingdom! And cause I love Jesus!"... Alrighty then.

It should be noted that when she told her sister, "Carolyn! Next year I'M going to get baptized", Carolyn simply replied "Where are the cookies? Don't they have cookies at this thing?"... Alright then again.

2011-06-26T23:18:00.003-05:00

The weekend was full, and that is a beautiful thing. But the most beautiful thing of all is coming home from a brief girls night out with friends to two sleeping beauties cuddled up in my bed together. I should like very much to freeze this moment for the days, weeks and months to come that will fly by of course, they always do. My heart is full up to the brim, just like a weekend should leave a girl.

2011-06-24T07:54:00.003-05:00

My current obsession, besides owning a Subaru which is a whole other story, is small spaces. I fantasize about selling (almost) everything and moving into a small, modern, eco-friendly space where my family and I spend quality time together enjoying simplicity and eachother. Over lunch breaks I surf this blog and email Brandon house plans and google land for sale in the metro. Only the Subaru is for certain, the rest is just a dream for now, but it sure makes lunch breaks more interesting.

2011-06-20T22:01:00.003-05:00

The note from the studio read "Makeup as you wish" and they wished for plenty of eye-popping makeup for their big stage show. I was impressed that they danced their hearts out in front of a huge audience without a tinge of nerves, Carolyn even did a cartwheel. Grandma tap-danced without any nervous jitters, too! Go Grandma!

2011-06-12T21:45:00.004-05:00

No lake for us this weekend....and the tans are quickly fading. Bummer.

The girls and I did see the Princess Diana exhibit which was phenomenal (have you seen what Princess Kate wore to her first gala...sigh...gorgeousness). We also made a quick visit to the new American Girl store which was a hard lesson in budget management and resisting the urge to splurge. If anyone is curious about birthday or Christmas ideas going forward I am set.

I had my first gig as photographer's assistant while Brandon photographed a gorgeous wedding at historic barn in Lawrence. It was exhausting, purely and totally. And I found out that photography is not my calling in life, not by a very long shot.

My world traveling sister was home for the wedding festivities before she heads back for more fun in Germany tomorrow. The girls spent some time with her this afternoon during which time they lamented not having glasses. So we let them try ours on. They are insisting that we now make a visit to Claire's in the near future for some 'fake' glasses so they can rock out like Aunt Anna more often.