Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to Our Dads

My dad, pictured here with his younger brother. I don't have any pictures of him as an adult because our scanner isn't cooperating and all the other pictures are on a different computer without Internet access. But this photo always makes me smile. My brother's Facebook post sums it up:

Dear Dad,

I hope that where you are, all meals are midnight snacks and bad puns are used as currency. It's been a long twelve years without you.

My cute father-in-law
Pictured here (far left) with two of his brothers at this weekend's Ragnar Relay in Utah. Way to go Charlie!

And So It Begins

We're just in the beginning stages, but round #2 of potty training has commenced. Let's hope it goes better than the first time around with Ben which left me in tears, making desperate phone calls to my mom about how I was swimming in urine. I didn't even start with Ben until after he was three because he had no interest, but Lucy happily sits on the toilet, and has even had one successful attempt. I've learned to go slowly and follow her cues, but my goal is to be done by the end of the summer. I take that back. Realistically, more like once Ben's back in school since we have some summer trips planned and there's no way I'm going to mess around with accidents and wet clothes on long plane flights.

Here's to hoping little Lucy takes to the potty like a duck to water. I can tell by our horrendous experience at church today that her fiery indepence and iron will are going to give us a run for our money as we embark on the terrible twos, so it would be nice if this went smoothly. Fingers crossed.

Life As I See It

My mother-in-law sent me this card and I love it.

You can't see the words very well, but the bottom row of folders are labeled: Non-fiction, Memoir, photos, keepsakes.

The middle row of stacked boxes read: Work, marriage, money, kids, socks, stuff.

The top row she's reaching into are the containers for dreams, adventure, and hopes.

I seem to always be on a similar stepstool. What about you? What box(es) are you in right now?

Sign Me Up for a Piece of that Action

Self portraits never looked so good. Wish I was part of the action at my sister Bekka's house in Phoenix. Her bro and sis-in-law are staying there now and my sister Kira and her hubby are moving there in August.

Have I mentioned a time or two thousand that I love Arizona? One of the first things I do when reading the newspaper each day is the flip to the weather listings and compare temperatures, which is a form of sick torture during long Columbus winters. Andy and Randy could be perma golfing buddies, the kiddos and and cousin Harper would live it up poolside during the long summers, and Bekka and Kira and I would chat it up, bake it up, walk it up, shop it up, explore it up, and nerd it up. All.Day.Long.

If they keep posting pictures of all their fabulous exploits, my plane ticket for this winter's visit might be a one way.

Hip, Hip, Hooray!

Three cheers for:

Dairy Queen

I can't tell you how many times we've gone in recent weeks, it's kind of embarrassing. But who doesn't love a good swirl cone and their new mini Blizzards?

Visits from far-flung aunties

Thank you for coming to see us Char!
Let this be an open invitation to any of the other eight aunties. Two little varmints in Ohio would love to play with you. We'll even take you to DQ while you're here. How's that for incentive?

Adorable and affordable rhinestone stud earrings


I can't find a picture of the exact ones I got from Forever 21 that I've been wearing nonstop for the past week, but I wouldn't mind a pair of these.


New swimsuits and long days at the pool with good friends



Our summer swim season at the Y officially began yesterday. Can't beat the the zero-depth entry so kids can easily jump in and out without total paranoia on the parent's part.




Visits from Grandpas and Grandmas

What would life be without wonderful grandparents to read stories, assist with home projects, get Happy Meals, push tiny faries for hours in the swings, make Star Wars sugar cookies, orchestrate water fights, laugh at endless rounds of burping, give expert baths, go on golf outings, snuggle for movies, and help out in millions of untold ways so that everyone is sad when they leave.

Growing your very own tiny garden

Made our first batch of pesto with homegrown basil and whipped it up into pasta salad with chicken, caramelized red onions and dried cranberries. Not only is it a favorite easy summer meal, but Ben ate four servings to boot!

Bright colors and decorating inspiration

Getting a hankering to spruce up our interior a bit. Love these luscious hues and am wondering where in my house this rug would go best.

Long Ago In a Galaxy Far, Far Away...

A young Padowan learner was getting ready to take the next step towards becoming a true Jedi. So his caregivers decided to host a gathering with other younglings to celebrate this rite of passage. They faced many challenges as they learned the ways of the Force...

Earning their light sabers and fighting the Sith Lord

Showing their best Jedi poses

Completing the Jedi Training obstacle course

Turning on the fair princess

I just love this face. Period.

Performing multiple stances, trying to find the best one

The excitement of the afternoon: Finding a dead bird in the back corner of our yard

A full-blown light saber war

Showing off the official Rebel or Imperial markings they received upon arrival

While the Jedis played, preparations were made for provisions to sustain the troops. I am by no means creative or crafty, so thanks to Party City, the Dollar Store, and ideas stolen from the Internet, the decorations and food turned out well, albeit very simple.

The menu consisted of Battleship Chips (Ben's favorite: Doritos)

Chewbacca cupcakes (chocolate with color-coordinating sprinkles)

Yoda sodas (lime sherbet with Sprite)

Darth Dogs (hot dogs)

Singing to the birthday boy. We have friends who created an X-Wing fighter cake for their son's Star Wars birthday, but I knew that was way beyond my talent and commitment levels.

Chow time

We ended with a generour friend who came and made balloon creations for the kids (more light sabers, of course, as well as hats, flowers, and animals).

We had 11 little Jedis running around and are glad for such fun neighbors and friends

Master Andy orchestrated the present opening

The happiest face of the party and our biggest helper - we couldn't have done the food without her. While the light saber battles raged outside, she came in and assisted with cooking hot dogs and setting out food.

The ultimate birthday hat and one tired Jedi.

Live from Chuck E. Cheese

Lucy's favorite ride: The clock. She kept pulling me back to it and rode it about five times.

Ben and Whac-A-Shark.