whatever

this past weekend i got to go back to chicago
for my cousin’s wedding.
i haven’t seen him in at least 5 years.
and i have never seen him look happier.
he married an amazing woman.

this picture went all glowy from the lighting…
but look at this room.
“isn’t it beautiful?”
it was.

and she was.
wow.
i could’ve maybe worn a dress like that back in 6th grade…
she’s so tiny and cute.
gorgeous.

watching them through their wedding was just adorable.
they must have whispered “i love you” 25 times.
and her smile is so genuine and sincere.

officially mr. and mrs.
way to go!
you did it.

it was across the street from the art institute on michigan ave.
these are the lions that greet you.
way cool to be here for a wedding.

i absolutely loved getting all dressed up.

this is my other grandma.
not the exercise ball grandma…but just as sweet.
she is such an elegant lady.
always dressed up no matter what.
she told me she misses wearing high heels so much.
“the shoes were my thing!” she said.
and she laughs so easily.
i am so glad she was able to make to chicago…
and to be there for brian.
she even listened to mom’s iPod on the plane…

and my sister lorel…
isn’t she wonderful?
isn’t she beautiful?
i salute you.
what a great time we had together this weekend!

wait…how did this picture get in here?

my mom and aunt jan.
they were party animals…
dancing on the tables…lampshade on the head.
oh…i hope their co-workers don’t read my blog…
how embarrassing for them.

me and my mom and sister…
our dad is tall.

all the cousins.
all grown up.
and our new cousin julie.
congratulations brian and julie.
thank you for including me in your special day.
i had so much fun.

more chicago girl’s weekend photos to come.

i am off to chicago for a wedding.
see you all next week!

this is the girls and friends at lauren’s volleyball game.
it was hot.

they are together everyday.
they share a room.
they share their toys.

it’s not always sweet but usually.
talby has taken on the role of teacher.
she shows annie what to do.
she encourages her to try new things.
she teaches her songs.

annie is so happy to included.
but wants it to be equal…”i not a baby!”
yet she still needs help.
and talby gives it willingly.

they are so much fun to be with.
to hear them talk to each other…
watch talby be patient…
see them giggle and be goofy.
very few people can understand annie’s words…but talby can.
i pray that this bond gets stronger.
it is so real and genuine.

yesterday annie said “talby my best friend.”
it was precious.
and when i told talby she was beaming.

i am so glad i get to be their mom.

last week i took talby to the nursery while annie was at school.
it was a last minute thing.
i didn’t have my camera.
i seriously felt sick about it.
and you can see why.
4 days later i took annie back when talby was at school.

it was even better.
on talby’s day the pumpkins were still in boxes from the truck.
on annie’s day they were so displayed so beautifully.
it was just so pretty.
with both girls we spent over an hour each time
looking…
touching…
marveling at god’s creations.

there were so many mums just waiting to pop!
all the mounds of flowers everywhere around us.
in every fall color.
the pumpkins were in all shapes and sizes.
i wanted this big one but couldn’t justify the cost.

annie picked out this little one first thing.
she carried it the whole time.
she loved to feel each one especially the big bumpy ones.
we counted and stacked and rolled and compared pumpkins.
they had gray/blue, some were almost brown, almost red,
almost yellow and the white.
one variety is called the cinderella…how cute is that?
and then another is called hubba hubba.
it is so funny to hear annie say hubba hubba.
don’t you love the twisty twirly dried up vine?

isn’t it mysterious how plants grow?
fascinating to me.
we bought 2 purple mums…i hope.
we’ll see when they open.

if i had an extra $750…
i might buy this fountain.
(and then craig would have a stroke and i’d have to return it.)
it was pretty neat…complete with moss.
i bet that part is free.
and this statue…look like any one to you?

it was such a wonderful way to spend a morning.
twice.
we came home with these baby pumpkins…
as much as her dress could hold.

welcome fall.

yesterday.
such a nice birthday.
after church i picked for us to go to pizza hut.
(not many choices in our town)
we hardly go there and very rarely go inside and sit down.
and the kids love to do that…
a diet pepsi in a big glass sounded good.
and there was no mess at my house!

i got to open my present.
we all guessed what it wasn’t.
it’s not a pumpkin.
it can’t be a set of pots and pans.
it isn’t coffee…too light.
it isn’t a pizza…too small.
it was much better.

i have no idea how to even turn it on.
but it will be fun to learn i am sure.
oh…my husband is funny.

before the day was over lauren had my headphones out & on her iPod.
i will have to keep them in a safe spot…
away from grabby hands.

we had birthday cake.
made by the kids and dad.
very yummy.
love the pink and brown too…they picked that.
it was a super sweet birthday.

thanks everyone for all my gifts, phone calls and emails.
i feel special.

as part of my new chore system
the kids have to help fix dinner once a week.
i thought they’d be mad.
i was surprised.
it’s their new favorite part of dinner
when it’s their night.

scott chose chicken pot pie…
we made up the recipe.
it tasted okay but scott loved it.
we made one with peas and carrots
and one without.

i made this big chart of dinner time chores
to make sure they all helped and things got done.
and it turned out to be a treat for them.
i have always kicked them out of the kitchen when i am cooking.
it just overwhelms me…
but that was when that they were all “helping”
(and fighting, talking, sword fighting, singing, spilling, whining..)
now it’s one on one each night.
picking the meal, making it, and having time with mom.
very cool.

i am so excited for tonight!
i love tv premeire week.
seriously.
there is really nothing the shows could do to disappoint me
other than not record on the DVR.
after my kids are in bed
i will be firmly planted on my sofa
ready for my shows.
i love it.
here are some clips…not that you all have 7 minutes to sit and watch these…but if you do.
at least watch the first one.

but i still miss seinfeld and friends.