My Cute Grandparents

It was so refreshing to be back at my grandparents farm again! Hallie loved running around their land. As always, Grandma cooked us incredible meals. Being with them just made me wish that we lived closer so that we could see them more often. Hallie loved Grandpa and followed him like she was his loyal puppy. When she didn't know where he was, she was always asking for him. Whenever Claire was fussy for me, she would be an angel for my grandma (who obviously has the magic touch). These are my mom's parents and one of the reasons Hallie has the middle name "Laine" is for my grandma "Elaine." And the reason Claire has the middle name "Caron" is for my grandpa's grandma Pheobe Caron and her mother Caron Happoch. We were so lucky to spend the weekend with them. I can't think of a way it could have been any better. Looking at these pictures makes me miss them a lot already! Thank goodness we have these fun pictures though.
on the front porch on the fourth

drying dishes with grandpa

the girls

the parade

just hanging out

Grandpa and Hal

reading together

be still my heart <3

I am taking an online Photoshop class about special effects. Here are my two projects so far . . .
Ha! Ha! This one cracks me up!

Sweet!

And by the way, even though I complained last Wednesday . . . I really have to get my root canal today. It starts in forty minutes. Please send gift cards so I can get through this trying time. Just kidding-- seriously.

The Zoo

We finally made it to the zoo last Monday. We are so happy to have passes because we can just do quick trips. For this visit, we visited the animals we don't always get around too. That meant we saw hippos, penguins, orangutans, gorillas, lions, and more. Since the giraffes are at the beginning (and because they are so cool) we had to stop by and say hello to them as well. Hallie's favorite part was likely the little spray park. Chris and I loved the gorillas. One gorilla put his hand on Chris's hand and looked straight into his eyes . . . the only thing that separated them was glass. It was so magnificent to watch. After about two hours, we headed over to Culver's for some lunch. Chris and I posed with Claire at the restaurant since we didn't have any pictures of her at the zoo. Hopefully we will get to the zoo again this week too.

I have to get another emergancy root canal today (this is my third in life). I am feeling a little bit sorry for myself. :( Thank goodness I have a supportive husband to watch the kids while I mope.

Pause

Life right now . . .
wake up
take care of girls
straighten house
work on projects for new house
take care of girls
do one of the always behind loads of laundry
go to Target to get stuff for house
take care of girls
start work at 2
cook meals
straighten house
do the never-ending dishes
go to Lowes for stuff for house
take care of girls
put Hallie to bed
put Claire to bed
watch movies and/or talk with Chris
go to bed
take care of Claire in the middle of the night
begin said process the next day
Chris has the same schedule (including take care of girls) but his schedule includes yard work as well as official curtain rod and picture hanging duties.

Life is good-- but even summer stays busy, busy, busy.

Today we are going to the zoo. After I pay bills and Chris spends the morning at Lowes-- of course.

We can't wait to be settled in so that we can appreciate the break part of "summer break."

But, we can't complain. We have a beautiful house; a big yard; two beautiful, happy, healthy children; and each other.

And we have moments where we can stop all the work and just have fun.

Disneyland

When we were in California recently, we got to go to our favorite place in the world-- Disneyland. It is such a special place to us. Of course it is magical because of the childhood memories. But for Chris and I, it was where we fell in love. Our first date was at Disneyland and much of our courtship, engagement, and newlywed years were spent within the park and at Downtown Disney. And because I was a passholder during many child and teenage years, I sort of feel like I grew up there. There are so many fun pictures from our visit. Honestly, this is the best I could do to edit them down. I've posted them small so click on an image to see it larger.

Kitchen and Family Room

I am so pleased to present more photos of our first home. Today, your tour includes the kitchen and family rooms. These rooms are still "in process." We would love new light fixtures in the kitchen (but will wait for that) and mini-blinds in both rooms. Although we need curtains on windows and pictures above the couch in the family room, the psycho perfectionist in me can show you what it looks like for the time being.

We love this home. It isn't grandeous. But it is so grand to us. After six different apartments in seven years, it feels fantastic to finally have a real home. This August when we celebrate our eighth wedding anniversary it will be so nice to reflect on great things we've accomplished: two bachelor's degrees, two children, and now we own a home (and a cute one at that). Things like a driveway, good-sized yards, steps leading to our front door . . . they all make us stop and pinch ourselves. And for the first time upon moving in, we didn't have to stop hanging pictures at 8 pm to be respectful of neighbors. We were ecstatic when we realized we could bang nails into our walls at 1 am and wouldn't bother soul (except maybe our two sleeping babes). It was a long road to home ownership, but the wait and hard work is more than worth it. We love you our home, sweet, home!