Water Baby

As you know Zoe and I spent some time swimming at the YMCA this summer. She loved all the singing and the noodle. She wasn't so interested in trying to climb out of the pool, kicking, blowing bubbles or putting her face in the water. She almost took on a DeNiro-like attitude about it. It was as if she was telling the teacher, "you lookin' at me?"

It's because Zoe doesn't like structure. She'll kick and blow bubbles when she's good and ready.

Apparently Hermiston is the perfect location to showcase her mad swimming skills.

Where it's just her, mommy and the open water. That was just above freezing at -30 degrees. Kicking wasn't just fun, it was a life-saving measure.

She showcased all of the things we learned at the Shrimp/Kipper class this summer. She put her whole face in the water. She kicked. She demanded grandma watch her jump in for the 573rd time. She was apparently getting ready to be a diver in the 2024 Olympics.

I have no doubt she'll be amazing.

Although I think she already is.

E = MC2

Yesterday began a new chapter in our life. We will have piles of books, notebooks, pencils, new calculators and we'll be packing lunches.

N started college yesterday. I'm so proud of him. School is not his favorite pasttime. This will be a little different. Instead of history, chemistry and economics, he has machine tools, machine theory and applied math.

I think there may even be a blueprint class in there too. I may be getting ahead of myself on that one.

Here he is on the first day of school.

Knock 'em dead my love.

The Pink Baby Shower

This weekend Zoe, my mom and I all went to my friend Steph's baby shower. In Hermiston, OR. The land of watermelons.

Although in all the times I've visited Hermiston, I've never seen a watermelon.

Enough about fruit.

I haven't seen Steph since my wedding. Even though it's been three years, it's like we never missed a day. Apparenly we've both been busy in the last three years.

Can I just tell you, she's the cutest pregnant lady I've ever seen. I couldn't stop touching her belly. Don't worry, I'm not normally a "toucher." I called her the day before the shower to warn her. Fortunately I was on the "okay toucher" list. I think it's like the VIP list at a club, but I'm just guessing. I've never been on one of those lists.

Her mom and future sister-in-law put on an awesome shower. It's was a pink baby theme. We had cute place settings, great food and to-die-for strawberry cupcakes. We even took a walking tour of Hermiston's adorable boutiques.

I got to visit with some college friends.

It was the best time.

Zoe was an angel. She wasn't into everything, was charming and didn't make Steph worried about the future challenges of motherhood.

Without further ado, pictures.

Back row: Heidi, Jody, Lindsay, Steph, Zoe and Me.

Front row: Emily, Ashley, and Holly

I like to call this one: "what do you think this is, the head or the rump?"

With the quilt for Finley's tummy time. My mom and I made it. Zoe played on it. She's our tester.

Steph, we got married around the same time and now we're mommies at the same time. Both with girls too. Your friendship has been a genuine blessing in my life. I'm so glad we can continue to share our lives. Finley will be truly blessed to have you for her mommy. I know you'll be fabulous. Love you friend.

September 16, 2005

This week has been a bit nostalgic for me. It's hard to believe I've been a married woman for three years. I do have to brag a little. I've never signed the wrong name since being married. However, 6 months in, I answered the phone at work by my maiden name. I guess I'm not perfect afterall.

I know. Newsflash.

Like all emotionally-charged, married women, I pulled out the wedding album this week. Some good memories. I got married in my childhood church (where we still go). Both of our dads (both pastors) married us. While the wedding party was huge and the ceremony long, it was the perfect way to start our life together.

Since I know all one of you out there are interested in pictures, here's a recap of September 16, 2005.

The Mr. and the Mrs. The Mr. was apparently saving his smiles. I came out a little too quickly and got stuck like this for most of the evening. Then I had to take Advil.

With my girls. Man how they've grown.

My new family.

With my mom. She even got her hair professionally-colored for the big event. If you don't know my mom, that's a HUGE step in her beauty regime.

With my sweet dad.

He didn't know, but I secretly planned for the recessional to be the Star Wars Theme Song. Because I'm sly like that.

Look at what it got me? I do things for his kisses. It's the only reason I would spend hours watching all 6 of the Star Wars movies.

Our toast. Him - Mt. Dew. Me - water. We are a little on the wild side.

He still begs like that. Although not whilst dressed as fancy. Not quite as soft around the edges either.

**photography by Dan Eakin at Insight Photography.

Friday Five Faves - vol. 12

This is a record Friday Five Fave post. I have actually had time to scrapbook. Let's have a moment of praise together.

I didn't realize how much I needed it. Apparently I have a need, a deep seeded need to create.

Coming in at numero uno are two cards that I have helped me feel semi-normal this week. They are both for a dear friend of mine that I get to see this weekend. Steph is expecting her first child, a daughter to be named Finley. We're going to her baby shower this weekend.

Because Steph's birthday was on September 14th, I also created a birthday card.

2) Portable DVD players. The road trip will be just the ladies: me, Zoe and my mom. It's about a 2-2.5 hour drive to Hermiston. I am fortunate enough to know that whole 120-150 minutes will be full of Tigger and Pooh, The Little People and Handy Manny coming from the backseat.

Believe you me, I'd rather have 2 hours of Tigger bouncing around 100 acres than all the crying, whining and gnashing of teeth.

That's just from my mom.

3) At home oil changes. Don't think for one second that I had anything to do with that. Granted I do drive the car all those miles, but I don't do dirty. N does dirty. He got under the car and changed my oil. In our garage. I don't have to go to the creepy oil changing place anymore and get hassled into fancy performance oil and a top-of-the-line, never needs to be replaced air filter.

That is romance my friends.

4) Slow cooker mixes from McCormicks. They make 4 of them: stew, pot roast, italian chicken and BBQ pulled pork. Our two favorites are the pork and chicken. It's heaven in a pot. Not to mention you put it on before you leave for work and come home to dinner. Not to mention a house full of happy, smelling goodness.

I think these are going to help my sanity.

5) My final top 5 is a fun website that I found this week. It's called Yearbook Yourself. It's a great for a laugh. Check out my creations. I think 1972 was a good year for me.

1968
1972

Happy Friday all. Enjoy the yearbook!

Ms. Zoe's Opus

Zoe loves pens, pencils and crayons. I'm sure if we let her have a marker, she'd love that too. Her grandma's house has a few new pieces of wall art.

I chose to learn from Zoe's gracious art giving. I took the ink out of a pen and let her run wild with it.

This week she was obviously conducting her orchestra.

Then writing her opus.

The Angels

About a month ago Grammie and Grandpa sent California Angels attire for all the grandkids. The hope was to take a picture of Grandpa and his angels.

With the addition of N, we got the shot. D & E are ready to be bat girls. Micah is ready to be bat boy. Zoe, she's the cheerleader. Can you tell what's she's yelling here?