Election Day 2012!

Today was a crazy mess at Aspen. It was election day and our school is a polling location. I'm so thankful for the long lines, messed up carpool lanes and disorder because that means people came to vote. No matter which side you fall on this is a pretty cool place to live. I'm proud to be an American and grateful to exercise my right to vote...my right to have a voice and be heard. 

I won't express my personal, political views here, but I will have to say it saddens me how divided this country became and how for some reason it became okay to be rude, offensive and discriminatory to other people based on their political and social beliefs. I'm all for opinions and friendly, respectful sharing of thoughts and debating. But, the amount of crap that circulated on both sides was really disappointing. And, what I actually found alarming was the disrespect and slander thrown towards each candidate as a person, as a human being. At the end of the day they are fathers, they are sons, they are brothers, they are cousins, they are husbands, they are just like the rest of us...human beings. I'm disappointed that because they chose to run for political office it somehow gives people permission to treat them as something other than fellow human beings. 

I pray that the political world looks a whole lot different when Abby and Avery have the privilege to vote. May it reflect more of their innocence, good will and optimism. May the political world be a place of honesty, respect and an example of how people with different views can work together together to accomplish things for the common good in a peaceful and harmonious way. 

Paper chains and sticker charts

Daddy left today for two weeks. He is training in Tennessee. We are very grateful for the opportunity he has with FedEx and all this job will provide for us. We are grateful for how this distance and absence makes us take a step back and notice and appreciate his daily presence in our lives. 

The girls miss him though and saying goodbye was pretty hard for Abby this morning. So, in an effort to help a little we made countdown charts. They put a sticker on each day so they can watch how close we are getting to him coming back home. Same with the paper chains. Each morning they rip a link off. It has helped them understand what two weeks means a little more. Makes it a little less overwhelming for Abby.

Disappointing dinner menu

Adam had been working all weekend at the new house installing floors so when he got home just in time for dinner he wanted to go out to eat. I had been prepared to make a chicken and mushroom dish. When we asked the girls if they wanted to go out to eat or stay home to eat Abby responded with a very fervent "Go out!". When we asked Avery she said stay home. Half under her breath Abby said, "Avery, if you knew what we were having for dinner you'd want to go out to eat." Adam and I died with laughter.

Abby won. Chili's it was and a nice dinner was finished off with a family favorite...molten cake!

Spa time!

A pink robe, flip flops, spa treatments and a retreat house combined with nine high school girlfriends made for a perfect Saturday. I think it is pretty neat that I can still count nearly a dozen girls I've known since high school as my close girlfriends. We get together every month for dinner and meet yearly for a weekend away at the spa. We also periodically take a girls trip together. I hope I can make the one we are planning for March. Florida, sun, beaches and wonderful friends sounds exactly like something I'd be interested in!

Pockets full of fun

I haven't seen much of my nephew Carter lately. With school schedules in full swing and us not living in our own house my time with him seems to have been a lot less lately. Noticing such and wanting to do something about it I had him over to play today. 

He always has a little something up his sleeve and a hint of mischief in his eye and he didn't disappoint today. After Stacey left he unpacked his bags of toys he brought and at the bottom they were loaded with Halloween candy that he took unbeknownst to his mom. Then through out the day he kept pulling candy out of his pockets. He had stuffed so much candy in them it was like those cars where the clowns pile out one after another. He was very proud of his candy, but very willing to share with myself and Avery. He cracks me up!

Thanks for coming over to play today, Carter. You make me laugh, you make me smile, you remind me to enjoy the moment. You are the perfect example of the playful child who God loves and wants us all to be more like. 

Shoe line up

I was watching Avery take her shoes off. After she got them off she very purposefully lined them up next to Daddy's. I thought her arrangement was cute and worthy of a quick photo. 

Trick or Treat!

Halloween was an epic fail as far as photos go. I failed to get any of Steph with the kids or any of the cute treats she brought them. She made them the most adorable kitties out of Swiss Cake Rolls and each of the kids got a glittery pumpkin pail filled to the brim with treats, pencils and other goodies. Thank you for making the drive down to see us after your busy day at work. We know this Halloween wasn't as exciting as last years for you, but the kids were really happy to see you and are still playing with some of the things you got them!

My little angel and mermaid...

Abby and Avery trick or treated around Jen and Brian's neighborhood with Brody, Lauren and Carson. All was going well until Avery tripped on a driveway and things went spiraling downhill quickly after that. So, Abby joined up with Kaylin in her neighborhood and had a blast collecting over five pounds worth of candy!

An unhappy little pumpkin beret!

 

Pumpkin butt!

Jen and I share a love of any design element on babies' butts. This pumpkin is no exception!

The pumpkin and his superhero brother.

Cutest little pumpkin beret ever!

Superhero here to save the day!

Where Brody is Abby is not far...

Boo!

Abby and I made a "haunted" fort and decorated it with ghosts. I thought her little ghosts were pretty cute!

Behind the camera

When the girls were swimming the other night I was taking pictures of them and reflecting on the fact that I am rarely in any photos because I am behind the camera. Then I started wondering what I looked like while taking photos. I guess this is it! :)

Hunting down treats

We love aunts...especially the ones without kids. They come with fresh energy, excitement and plan fun activities. They are jazzed to see the kids and have lots of energy to play with them. Kjelsey's visit today was no exception. She knew she wasn't going to be able to see them on Halloween so she came down today and planned a special hunt for treats. 

Loving the laundry

I know I'm not alone in my laundry woes, but I had to document what a week's worth of four people's laundry looks like. How is that possible? Especially when two of the four are half the size of the others?! I'm thinking it has something to do with my youngest changing her clothes no less than three times a day (not exaggerating). Add the random swimsuit, leotard and jammies that she throws into her daily wardrobe change and the above shouldn't be a surprise to me.

Thursdays are great for swimming!

Daddy had an idea and the energy to execute it. So, we went swimming on a random Thursday night. An evening loved by all. We love Daddy and his spontaneity.

Happy Birthday Batman!

Happy third birthday to my fun loving nephew. I can't tell you how much I don't take for granted the opportunity I've had to live with my sister, brother-in-law and two nephews for nine months. It has allowed me to simply be a part of their lives. Don't underestimate the power of "simply being" a part of someone's life. There is so much you feel, experience and get to be a part of when you are involved in someone's daily life. It is one of those things that slowly grows you, slowly attaches to your heart. I've always loved Carson, but what I feel for him after nine months of getting to be with him everyday is far beyond that. It is difficult to find words that encompass my feelings and the experience.

But, I can tell you that these two have thoroughly enjoyed their Carson and Brody time. I think there are going to be some serious withdrawals come December 14. 

I love this photo below because Carson's expression is priceless. It is so him. It is so the little boy who is always goofy and looking for a laugh. It is so the little boy who is fun-loving and full of energy. It is so the little boy who just wants to play. There isn't time to be worried and sad in his world. Life is about playing, loving and laughing. I think he has it figured out and am blessed with the daily reminder I get from him to lead my life more as such. Play. Love. Laugh. Thanks for teaching me something, Batman!

Belly laughs

Belly laughs are one of my favorites when it comes to kids and my nephew Carson has one of the best. He and Abby playing together were so cute it needed to be documented. 

Very grateful to be sick

I'm very grateful to be sick today and be able to walk into here and not think twice about our insurance coverage. After three years of self employment and extremely high deductible insurance it was such a relief to now pay a $25 copay and walk out with a diagnosis and prescription. I'm not excited about this sinus infection. In fact it is really starting to frustrate me, but I am very thankful for better insurance coverage. Looking at the bright side here!

Valleyscare

We have season passes to Valleyfair and love going so when Stacey said she was taking Carter and Kaylin the girls and I happily tagged along. When fall rolls around Valleyfair turns into Valleyscare, but it is very kid friendly during the day. A fun afternoon had by all!

Penguins slide on their bellies

Did you know when penguins want to have fun they slide on their bellies? Did you also know that penguins use each other as shelter. They huddle in a circle and when those on the inside are warm they move to the outside and let the others warm up. 

Abby did her first official presentation in front of others today at school. She had to select an animal, research it, create a presentation board and then present the information to her class and any adults who wanted to come and listen. She did fantastic. She spoke confidently, slowly and presented all the information she was supposed to. Proud parent moment!

Abby was really excited about her evaluation sheet. She couldn't wait to show us. I hope she always takes this much pride in her work.

Fifteen minutes of every afternoon

This is where I spend 15 minutes of every afternoon...in Aspen's pick up line. Fifteen minutes I spend eagerly awaiting Abby's smiling face. Fifteen minutes I spend thinking about her day and wondering if it was a good one. Fifteen minutes I spend chitchatting with Avery as we both wait with anticipation for sight of her sister. Fifteen minutes I spend waiting for this...

I'm sorry God

I'm in the pick up line waiting to get Abby from school and Avery and I have about 15 minutes to kill. I love this time with her. I unbuckle her and let her roam free in the car and she chitchats with me. I put my phone down and clear my head of all my to do lists and simply just be with her. In the moment. I soak all of her in.

Today she tells me that if she makes a mistake she tells God "I'm sorry". Good advice for all of us…young and old.

A lipstick lesson for Avery

Today Avery had a makeup swim lesson. I was trying to explain to her that she was having a makeup lesson for missing when she was sick and she thought she was going to have a lesson about lipstick. We laughed pretty hard at that one. Especially because she was really jazzed about getting to learn more about lipstick. Maybe she has a future with MaryKay? 

Actually, we hope she has a future in swimming. She LOVES the water. She willingly would dunk her head underwater before she could even walk. Her love of all things aquatic (including mermaids) hasn't waned. Over the summer my family nicknamed her Michelle Phelps. The kid is seriously obsessed with the water. So, naturally FOSS is a favorite place of hers. We couldn't be happier with our experience there for both girls. I brought my camera today to snap a few shots of Avery during her lesson. Maybe during the 2028 Olympics these photos will be shown on NBC as they cover Michelle Phelps and where she got her start. :)