Cabin Fun!

What a beautiful weekend to head up to the cabin for the first time of the season. Last year we only made it up once due to...well, due to being due...and than doing lots of taking care of an infant. But this year we hope to do better. We had an absolutely spectacular Saturday...lots of family time on the boat, in the water, eating, reading, and talking by the fire (even Alix talked...chatted...without a scowl...it was a beautiful moment). Anna and Daddy did lots of napping too. I think we all went to bed feeling like it was a really nice family day!

It was perhaps a little bit too much closeness, because Sunday brought Father's Day, a nice breakfast at Peggy Sue's and then a little tension. I think it might have been the change in air pressure with the incoming rain (I blame everything on changes in the weather ;) Oh well, not every day can be perfect, right?! So,after lunch we headed home...to more tension due to a dripping water valve and wet dry wall (hmmm, quite an oxymoron there, huh). After some dinner and a little time to calm down the night ended with lots of happy memories from our weekend excursion and a feeling of how lucky we are to have such opportunities to get away and enjoy nature...and each other.




The girls enjoying the leisure of the hammock!


Dad and Anna enjoying the boat ride


Watermelon Face!



Anna loves the water...wasn't sure about the sand at first, but she came around.



Ride 'em Anna!




Anna is showing Dad the ropes on how to drive the boat.




BBQ'n



Pure Cuteness!



Anna's first campfire...or is it just smoke. Either way, she enjoyed the marshmallows and the graham crackers.



Pure Beauty!


Pure Beauty Part 2

Let Summer Begin!!

Alix and I are both finally out of school and today we enjoyed our first day of summer vacation! Here is the excitement from day 1: Our drywall was started!! Anna went from walking 2-3 steps to a whole lot more (and being more brave about letting go of one object and heading toward another!) And, most importantly, the sun reappeared...finally after about a week of cloudy, rainy, yucky weather!

We're looking for a lot more excitement as the 80 days of summer pass by...Anna turns 1 soon, Alix will go to a tennis and writing camp, we'll get to hear about our family's amazing trips abroad (parents in Italy celebrating year 40 together and Amy in Kenya helping give a group of students their first experience with computers!), trips to the pool...and more trips to the pool, cabin adventures, and so much more...Stay Tuned!!

Here is what we've been up to:


We have walls!! And ceilings!!! I can't stop walking downstairs to look at it.



This is the 20 sq feet of tile I special ordered and then didn't like because it didn't match the other tile like I thought it would, but can't return...ahh, the joys of remodeling. Anyone need some gray hex tile??? I did order what I should have ordered all along. It means that our shower won't be done for 6-8 weeks, but it also means I won't have to regret putting in something that didn't match well, so I guess it'll balance out.



Alix being a ham...as usual



Steve's trip to the Boundary waters with his friend Chad, and Chad's Brother and Cousin (or was it uncle?). They say they had a good time, but I can't figure out how since it was cold, there were mosquitos, and they had to poo in a hole. I will take their word for it. The picture with the pinecones is Steve winning big as they were playing poker.






Anna walking



Anna's favorite past time...climbing up her little slide. We're still working on what to do once she gets up there :)

What a busy weekend!

What a weekend...anna's first long travel in the car, my cousin's wedding in Omaha, good visit with friends, and lots and lots of gin.

It all began Thursday as we headed out on our 6 hour journey to Omaha, NE for my little cousin Sara's wedding. (OK, so she's not so little anymore...when did all my little cousins grow into adults?!?!) I wasn't too worried about this part of the trip, since it would be at night. Anna was sure to sleep, right?! Well, she did fall asleep about an hour in...then she woke up. She was sure to fall asleep again soon, right?! As each moment passed I was even more sure that she would fall asleep at any second. It was after 8, and her bedtime is 7, so she must be tired. Only, I guess she wasn't because she sat in the backseat for about an hour and a half (until 9:30) just staring into space with her eyes wide open. At least she was quiet. Not sure what she was waiting for...i would've fallen asleep well before then if I hadn't felt guilty for leaving steve to drive in the dark alone. Finally asleep, and stayed that way until we arrived in Omaha around midnight. Off to bed we went...a long day was finally over.

Friday we were lucky enough to be invited over to my dear friends Brandi and Eric's house. Brandi and I were college roomies for a while and she had met Eric working at Boys town in college. Now they live and work in Omaha and have 2 sweet little boys. They had us, and another college friend--Emily, over for a DELICIOUS lunch. I must get the recipe for those yummy panini sandwiches!!!!!!!! Lots of good talk later and it was time to take my 2 tired girls back to the hotel. Later that night it was more good conversation and food as we hit the rehearsal dinner at Sara's in-laws home. It was a beautiful sunny evening in a beautiful setting, add in some great italian food, some wonderful family and it was the perfect ending to our first day in Omaha.

Saturday was very busy. We hit the mall...I mean is a vacation complete without some shopping?! Then it was off to the wedding at St. Bernard's. It was a beautiful catholic ceremony (which says a lot since catholic masses are not really my cup o' tea). The priest was witty and made the homily very personal which I really appreciated. Another highlight was when my cousin-in-law (is there such a thing?) Gini, sang the Ava Maria. I swear it was the most beautiful thing I have ever heard! Then I think I almost started bawling when sara waved up to her school kids (she teaches 3rd grade) as she walked out of the church newly married. I think they were just as excited as anyone there...what a memory for them! Later that night...after a nap and a swim...we headed out to celebrate the big event. It was another great opportunity to catch up with relatives we see much too rarely, drink some...ok, a lot...of cocktails, and dance a dance for two--yes, I actually danced. Grabbed a cab home and called it a night.

Sunday was the day I was dreading. Up and out by 8am. I was nervous all week about how Anna would do on this drive. Night driving in one thing...almost guaranteed a lot of sleep time, but day time driving was a whole different deal. We had no idea what to expect from Anna during this time of day. Luckily, we had about a repeat performance...up for a while, asleep for an hour, up for a while, asleep for another couple of hours until we pull into home. Amazing...6 hours and only a few wimpers. I'll take it!

It was a great weekend,couldn't have asked for a nicer time, but so glad to be home again. It's our last week of school and it doesn't seem possible, but summer vacation is right around the bend. Ahhhhhh...I can't wait!

Some pics from the weekend...unfortunately, no good wedding pics (we need a new camera...they all turned out too dark!!!) or pics of the college friends (I must be better at remmebering to use the camera!) But some cute ones of anna outside the church and a few cute ones at the reception...enjoy...

Birthday fun!

So,I have been a total slacker lately. School and springtime has gotten the bast of me. Not really much has been new either, so I haven't had much to spout on and on about. What IS new is that Alix has turned 12!! We had a great family celebration this week, where we all enjoyed Alix's birthday dinner choice of crepes and trifle...YUMMY! She received some wonderful gifts and is growing into quite the young lady!! I am so proud.

Anna is growing up too. She has taken her first steps and although she doesn't seem too eager to do more than that, I'm sure it's just around the corner. Her new favorite trick is climbing UP her little slide outside. She is quite good at it and is keeping us on our toes since she can't quite figure out how to get down once she gets to the platform.

The basement...well, what do they say? "Slow and steady wins the race", right?! If that is the case then we are true winners ;) Dry wall goes up the first week in June, bathroom is finished a week or two later, and then it's all the finishing touches. We are using FLOR carpet tiles for the flooring, which should be interesting. I just pray it looks nice. We figure with a dog, cat, and 2 kids it is safer than regular carpet. This was just reinforced a week or so ago when Alix broke a whole bottle of red finger nail polish ALL over our living room area rug...which we had to throw out. I can't imagine what we would've done if it had been a whole room full of rug...I'll keep you updated as things come together.

Summer begins for us all on June 9th...YEA summer!! Alix is doing a week long tennis program and 2 weeks of a writing camp. Anna is going to daycare one day a week so she doesn't forget her friends over the summer. I am just going to try to work in some pool time now that Anna is old enough to get out in the sun. We all are hoping to visit the cabin more often this year than last as well...fingers crossed!!

Here are some recent pics:

I can't quite pull myself up...how about a little help Dino?

Dorky Daddy and Anna

The birthday girl...what do you think she's wishing for???

More birthday fun




Hmmm, that ended up being one BIG bag...maybe it'll be a beach bag?! I must choose those patterns more carefully.

Let's ride!

Reading is fun!

I'm cute ;)

What's happenin?

Life is busy...but good. Steve and friends/family have finished framing the basement and we are looking forward to drywall bids and the electrician and plumber returning to continue their work. It's so fun to see the rooms come into focus. It won't be a big space down there, but it should be a nice one! I am currently stressing about couches and flooring (linoleum--looks like wood, carpet, carpet squares, cork...so many choices, so few that are perfect for our space.) Steve thinks I'm crazy b/c there's no place right now to put either, but I like the pretty stuff. As for the rest of the family: Alix is getting ready to finish up sixth grade and is currently playing volleyball. She spends most of her time thinking I'm a general pain in her... It's ok, the feeling is mutual ;) Anna is still cruisin' around, chasing the dog, and laughing. As for me, I am still trying my hand at sewing. I have done a couple more pinafores, my first successful purse, a bib and burp cloth for a friend's baby, and whatnot. Little by little I am getting more proficient. I am also counting down the days to the end of the year. I had a pretty good one (especially since I was told it was going to be a nightmare) so I'm not dieing to be done, but it sure will be nice!!

The bathroom...ready to go to drywall and finishing touches!

The laundry room...backs up to bathroom...Steve's favorite place (nothing better than a laundry doing husband!! I'm so lucky!)

My first successful purse. Now that I know what I'm doing I want to make a more summery one!! Here I come Crafty Planet!!

Anna looking cute in her springy pinafore (a reject from another project I did for a friend's baby) and her cute pink flower...

Easter

Hop, Hop, Hop...Easter has come and gone and what a great day it was. A quick jaunt to Gammy's after church for some brunch (and a nap for Anna). We enjoyed spending some time with Nana and Auntie Amy as well. Then off to Steve's family gathering at the Hamer house. The girls enjoyed the egg hunt (Anna got her first egg!) and we enjoyed some yummy ham and good conversation. Anna looked adorable in her Easter outfit (made with love) and Alix looked beautiful all grown up looking and with her adorable shoes. OUr girls are so beautiful...and smart ;)

What we've been up to...

Family day at Underwater World, sewing (and ripping and sewing again), framing, cookie eating...we've been busy!


Framing Fun! We're on our way now!



Anna's first cookie...chocolate chip, YUM!

cute bag...bad advice. The interfacing is MUCH too thick (thanks lady from Joann Fabrics) and so the bag is much too stiff. Cute design...cute fabric...but all a waste since I can't even finish it due to the thickness. Ugh.

My first bag...went well up to the straps (oops, I guess I should read the directions more carefully)...next time.

Underwater world fun (watch out Anna, that giant fishie is going to eat you up!), followed by crepes...yummy! The empty plate(s) in front of Alix tell the story!





More mess ups...the first is the final product (darned adorable if I do say so myself.) But before we got there I put the "sides"on backwards...had to cut it apart at the shoulder seams. It's no longer reversible, but just as cute.

Which is Funnier...Dogs or Cats?

Which is funnier...dogs or cats? Anna will tell you about 30 seconds into the video. I know she's my baby, but I just think she's so darned cute!

Education for All Comes to an End

Today was the last day of the Education for All Scholarship drive!!! Students and staff really pulled through in the end and I am quite pleased with the over $600 we raised for a Pullman Elementary parent to use to help defer educational expenses. I look forward to sharing the results of the winner of the actual scholarship when one is chosen. We will give parents another week or so after Spring Break to hand in their applications before a panel decides on who will receive the funds. I know it will go to a worthy individual who is setting a good example for our students by being a lifelong learner!

When I look back to how this all started I'm amazed that we ever made it to the end. It's hard to believe that it was many many months ago that I received that envelope with $40 in it...and that we turned that into $600, and a sustainable schlolarship! There were ups and down along the way, and of course I have things I wish I would have done differently, but all in all I am pleased with the outcome. Next year I'll have all the basics taken care of and be able to concentrate on my goal of finding different ways to involve the Pullman Community in a deeper way.

A big thank you to everyone who read about my vision and helped it become a reality. I have such an amazing support system-- without the encouragement and donations of you all it wouldn't have been 1/2 as successful. Thank you for the deepest part of my heart!!