Baby's First Haircut

If you're gonna do it, do it in style!!



We took Parker to get her first haircut today...she had a great time, no tears.



The baby mullet is gone!! Although if anyone can pull off a mullet, it's a baby...fo sho!!



I know I say this all the time, but she is growing up so fast!



Parker Faye, 22 months old.

Progress Report Part 1

Are you hanging on the edge of your seats?!? I am!! I wish I had more to show you in terms of progress on the kitchen, but I don't. It's just taking longer than what we had originally expected. Just so you all know (well, except for Shalee, she already knows this...wink, wink), it ALWAYS takes longer than what they originally say it's going to take...ALWAYS!! So here we are. We got back from our vacation on Saturday afternoon to a kitchen with floors, but no walls.





We set up camp in the basement for the most part. That's where we moved all of our kitchen stuff. So we're preparing and eating food down there, while the fridge is now in the sunroom. We use the sink in the bathroom for drinks, hand washing, etc. It's a mess.




(Anybody want some old metal cabinets circa 1960??? Everyone keeps telling me to try and sell them on eBay, but I'm kinda thinking the scrap yard sounds about right...any opinions???)

But it's not all bad. I do see progress every day. Even since I took these pictures yesterday afternoon, they have finished the drywall, and are now taping and mudding the sheetrock. The wiring is all in place too. I think the next steps are installing the light fixtures, finishing the walls, finishing the tiling and grouting, and then painting. After the paint dries, they will install the cabinets, countertops, appliances, etc...and ultimately restore order to our universe.

We are soooooo excited to see the finished product!!!!!!

In the meantime, I LOVE my new tile!! Here is a view of the hallway leading back to the bedrooms.

Something to Look Forward To...

While we are away next week, we can all dream about how our kitchen will be transforming from this...









To something spectacular!!!!!

Stay tuned for the BIG REVEAL!!

Eeeeee!! Aren't you excited?!?

Fun Fourth

We had a fun 4th of July, how 'bout you? We decided to get out of town for the day with a quick day trip south to Peoria. We went to the Zoo, and had a great time! This was a new adventure for Parker who really hasn't experienced anything other than our cat up close. She loved the monkeys, the Africa exhibit (the giraffes were spectacular!), and especially the ZEBU!! You may wonder what a zebu is...it is apparently the exotic version of a cow!! Too perfect right?!? Especially knowing Parker's affection for cows right now...she latched onto that zebu like it was a long lost friend. Now when we ask her what her favorite animal at the zoo was, she seriously says, "zebu!" LOL!!











We made it back home in time to grab a quick dinner, and then headed staight back out to a town west of here called Hennepin for their fireworks. Hennepin is right on the river and the fireworks were set up on a barge. We got seats right on a bluff across from the barge. We may have overshot it a bit cause we were literally right under the fireworks...they were big, loud, and in our faces the whole night. It was intense. Parker did not like it at first and wouldn't budge from Mark's lap, with his hands situated over her ears. Poor little monkey....I think she just suffered through it for the most part.





Either way, you can't miss fireworks on the 4th and we are glad we went!! Happy Independence Day indeed!!

A few thoughts on the 4th of July

Happy Independence Day Everyone!! I hope you are all enjoying a day full of sunshine, friends, family, BBQ, cool treats, and a few fireworks!! (Sparklers are still my fave, but I do enjoy a good fountain from time to time I must say.)

Have I ever mentioned how grateful I am to be an American? I know it must sound cheesy, but I really do mean it. Having lived in a country other than the USA, I really do know the difference and it is remarkable. We are really very fortunate to have the freedom and the advantages that we do. We are leaps and bounds ahead of the majority of countries in the world in regards to so many things. Mostly our freedoms and liberties. Thank goodness for democracy!! And I don't mean that in a "I'm a democrat" kind of way. I am glad that we all get a say, that we all get to stand up and be counted, and all that stuff. It really is a privilege.

I guess it's no secret that I really like our President. Lots of reasons really. This picture of he and his family kind of sum it up for me though.



I believe that Pres. Obama is a good guy at heart. He is a devoted family man; loves his wife and kids, and is loyal to the family ideal. I would suspect that we won't be hearing of any "sex-gates" with Pres. Obama in office. I am glad that I voted for him. Still am. I know that many of us have our opinions, but I don't regret my decision at all. Mark and I had a conversation the other day about whether we thought Pres. Obama would be elected to another term. I guess we'll have to wait and see what the candidates bring us when the time comes, but I would hope so.

Say or think what you will about taxes, healthcare reform, and the like, but President Obama will be remembered for many great things. On this 4th of July I am grateful for a President who has ensured that our country will not be terrorized by Osama bin Laden again, that the WAR is finally done, and that thousands of soldiers will be reunited with their families and loved ones soon. That's the kind of America that I am proud of.

Looking Forward To July

So June came and went in a flash. There was lots to do and lots of memories and fun were had. July is shaping up to be a good one too. With plenty on the schedule, it should not disappoint.

Mark gets to cross a big item off his bucket list the first week of July by going downtown to Soldier Field to see his beloved U2 in concert. Aren't you kind of excited for him?!?

Maryn has an appt. with the Ortho; cross your fingers that it's finally time this year. She has been praying and pleading for braces this year. Hopefully we can get that process underway. (Did I really just say that?!?)

The moment we have been planning and preparing for awhile will finally arrive the 2nd week of July. We will getting our brand new kitchen and floors!!!!!!! It has literally taken months to pick colors and styles, to measure and design, and finally the day has come!! I am sooo excited, but at the same time scared to freakin' death that something will/could go wrong. We have decided to turn the keys to our house over to our contractor and leave for the week. The prospect of living in a construction zone with 3 kids; one of which being a toddler is overwhelming and unrealistic. Hopefully the house doesn't explode, or get ransacked before we get back. Please pray for us!! (Specifically pray for me that I might not internally combust from a panic attack before, during, or after the process. :-)

Whilst our house is in the process of demolition and installation, we have decided to take our holiday on the white sandy beaches of Lake Michigan...specifically we are renting a little cottage on a private lake outside of South Haven, MI. We are super excited. The Norman's inspired us with their trip to San Diego. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that lounging at the beach was so much more realistic for everyone in our family. If we had gone to Nauvoo, which we had originally planned, Parker would've ended up in a stroller all day, and we probably would've been miserable in the humidity, and eaten alive by the mosquitoes. (For those of you planning a Nauvoo trip, wait till Fall or Spring...it really does make a difference.) This way, we can go do something fun in the morning, have lunch at home, put Parker down for a nap, swim or ride bikes while she sleeps, and then BBQ at night. Hopefully it will be fun and relaxing for all of us. We are really looking forward to it.

The 3rd week of July brings swimming lessons, and the 4th week brings an Outdoor Edventure camp through IVCC. Maryn is signed up for all kinds of art and music classes, and Avery is signed up for a mish-mash of classes; one of which is Native American art. Should be an ED-venture for sure!!

Last week of July is the end of the semester for me at the Writing Center. Then we get 2 1/2 weeks before Fall starts. Same goes for the girls pretty much. School will start that 3rd week of August. It really does go by way too fast!! I guess we'll keep on trying to live it up while we can!!

Return and Report: June 2011 Edition

It seems like time is flying this summer. A week is like a day practically. Things have been busy, but also fun. What have we been up to?

Mark
Sent off his prospectus draft to committee members a week or so ago...in the process of waiting for revisions. Since then, he's been doing lots of reading in anticipation of what comes next. He's been on campus this past week as part of the hiring committee for the new college librarian. His other jobs include taxi-ing the girls to their multitude of activities, pushing Parker on the "wee" (swing), mowing the grass every other day (practically!), discovering the joys of a gas-powered weed-wacker, and enjoying the Next Food Network Star.

Suzy
I have immersed myself in the art of garage saling and am having a blast! My proudest moment thus far was walking away with a vintage Fisher-Price baby toy for a couple bucks. Besides that I have found some great things for the whole family; clothes, shoes, toys, furniture, athletic equipment, lawn/garden equipment, and basically the pieces for re-doing the half bathroom!! A pedestal sink, mirror, and light fixture for about $50. It's been great!!



In addition to garage saling I've been trying to figure out this whole extreme couponing business. I've been clipping my coupons from the paper, matching them with store sales, and stocking up on some sweet stash!! My food storage shelves have never looked so bright and shiny, and FULL!! I've still got a lot to learn, but it's been fun to feel the rush of adrenalin from getting a great deal! My proudest moment there was walking away with Pantene shampoo/conditioner for 97 cents a bottle, and BIC razors for 13 cents a piece!

Maryn
Sustained her first serious sunburn of the season at Artrageous Day Camp for Girl Scouts. Seriously, this burn was way worse than Crystal Lake. She is peeling now, and let's just say Mark has found a new hobby. EWWWWW!

Both of the girls had a great time at the Father's Day hike in Starved Rock. It's so much more fun to hike around muddy, precarious terrain when their over-protective, OCD Mom isn't nagging them. (They actually said that...:-)







Maryn enjoyed her week of acting camp at Stage 212. It was finished up with auditions for their summer production of Willy Wonka. Maryn and Avery were both excited for the prospects. Sadly, with over 100 kids trying out for only 30 parts neither of them made the play this summer. They both had great attitudes about it though, and figure better luck next time.

Avery
Avery actually attempted to prevent her sunburn at Girl Scout camp and ended up with only patchy burns over her back and face. At least she tried, right?!? I think they both learned their lesson. She loved the slip 'n' slide they had set up from the top of the hill into the lake...very cool.

Avery won 3rd place in her basketball camp. She absolutely loved it, and is so excited about when she can finally play intramurals in fifth grade. I really think the height thing gives her an advantage.

She's also been doing great in softball this season. Even though over half of their games have been rained out so far, their team has done really well. She's enjoying it more too, which is the most important thing. We were scheduled to finish up at the beginning of July, but it's looking like rain make-up games may take us into the 2nd or 3rd week.

We attended the wedding of Mark's colleague, and my boss at the Writing Center this past weekend. In anticipation, we all got dolled up for a "night out on the town". I curled the girls' hair, they wore cute outfits complete with accessories, and Maryn even wore her first pair of "high heels". It was fun to see them look all grown up, and have Avery keep asking how her hair looked all night long. Only down side was the rained out outdoor wedding, and free bar that was free-flowing all night. Needless to say we left early.



Parker
Her hair is long enough for piggies now. That's her top news. That and plenty of time on the swingset. Oh, and I also found her a new bed at a garage sale...painted it white and I think it's pretty durn cute. She's not sleeping here yet, but will when we say goodbye to her crib...whenever that happens!