NKF Auction Wreath - finally get to post it

My cousin works for the National Kidney Foundation.  She asked me to make a wreath for the silent auction.  My parents were going to be there and we were thought it would be fun to surprise them

Here it is at the auction - they said it got a lot of attention, hope it brought in some moola for the foundation! UPDATE:  Lucy's cousin and long-time family friend Molly won the wreath (Molly, I would have made one for you...) But how fun!  Glad to be a part of it, thanks for including me Sarah

Bridgette's Senior Prom

Let's start with the fun.  Bridgette couldn't get Josh's boutonniere on.  Everyone was shouting at her, so she was slightly annoyed

And then pissed.  Ha ha, I died when I saw this....don't mess with Bridgette!

Grandma swoops in to save the day

I had to cut out Grandma because her eyes were closed- but it was too cute of her and Grandpa, so I had to keep it

I LOVE her face in this one

B, Danny, Carissa, Kelsy, Kateland and (?)

Grandpa trying to get the best shot

Bridgette's good friend Danny- isn't she a doll?

Is that a Bill Divine face or what??

Model Train Show

I took Charlie way the heck out to Odessa for a model train show

It's just this little club of old men who mess with trains.  Charlie was, of course, over the moon

There weren't that many people there so it was pretty quiet....except for my son, who kept pumping his arm and shouting 'CHOO CHOO' and 'BYE-BYE CHOO CHOO EEOOYAYER!!' (translation bye bye choo choo, see you later)

It would have been embarrassing if is wasn't so hilarious.  It actually lightened the place up a bit and all the old men loved his enthusiasm. 

They had all these free train coloring books, which was so awesome.  Charlie was engrossed the whole way home.  Odessa isn't close, but there was also an accident, so it took forever- I was so glad to have these, he didn't make a peep the whole way home!

Mom and Dad's Getaways

Finally had a long overdue, semi college reunion last weekend- it was a BLAST.  Headed to St Louis with plenty of local brew from the college town we all lived in.

My favorite boys from college- Scott and John

Scott's absolutely fabulous wife

Scott and his brother Bob

Playing basically Apples to Apples at their awesome basement bar

Most of it pretty much went like this.....

After just 'a few' tasty beverages, we turned it into charades, which was hilarious

Had extremely LONG conversations about a butcher shop in NYC where John now lives

The infamous Butcher shop - this is too long of a story to even elaborate

Andrew and Court-another guy from the architect clan that met up with us, which was so fun

It was a much needed get away for me and so good to see old friends.  We spent the rest of the weekend sitting outside, in gorgeous weather, in downtown STL, partaking in more tasty beverages.  Forgot my camera Saturday and have nothing to show for it....so sad.  Scott and Courtney were awesome hosts.  It's hard to have your house invaded like that for an entire weekend and they were the best.  Good beer, good food and great company. And a extra special thank you to Matt's parents for making it happen by babysitting, not only Charlie, but our two mangy farm dogs....

And my hot husband got his golfing weekend in Vegas with the guys in...This was the only picture he'd let me post!

I'm all for, every once in a while, a nice seperate vacation.  I swear, it's so good for our marriage, and I love that we're the couple that can do things like that and be better for it.  Aaaand, I don't have to force my husband to another 'this one time at the the Replay lounge' story

Old Man Reading His Paper in the Morning

I put all the books I can't 'read' to Charlie in the back seat in a basket.  I finally strapped them with a seat belt.  (something I only did after it dumped all the books 183 times turning corners).  They are just simple picture books that he can scan while we drive back and forth to daycare.  Plus, I just think it's super cute when he's engrossed in these giant picture books, chillin' out in the back seat, legs crossed, readin' his book.

busted....

Lost Love

'The artist Marina Abramovic did a 2010 performance art piece at the Museum of Modern Art, where she sat in a chair, and, one by one, people could sit opposite her and look into her eyes. It was a powerful experience even with strangers, but then her former love Ulay arrived without her knowledge. This video shows the moment she sees him. Apparently they had had a passionate love affair back in the 70s, but when they felt the relationship was fizzling, they decided to walk the Great Wall of China, each from one end, meeting in the middle for a last hug and never seeing each other again. Here they are, meeting once again.'

I'm putting this video on my blog so I can see it whenever I want. I have watched it probably 10 times- I just love it, and I can't get through it without tearing up.  The looks they give each other...amazing.  I love that art can take so many different forms.

Originally found on Cup of Jo

Fat Kid Likes Cake!

Licking the beaters from Ethan's B-day Cake- Party Tonight!

B's Senior Pictures

Can you believe this gorgeous girl is graduating next month???

It seems like yesterday she was 13, flying around on her wheelies

You can see her Softball State Champ ring and her high school ring

The little country girl...

I think this one is my favorite