Blue Door

Here's an oldie by goodie I've had bookmarked since the summer. It's an actual house that was for sale in Melbourne, Australia (it sold). I love the clean, contemporary look of the white and wood, with the perfect amount of color splashes. More photos here and here. (via Desire to Inspire)

Cheryl Maeder Photography

Stunning "Dreamscapes" by Cheryl Maeder. (via Black*Eiffel)

Snow Snow Snow

We finally got more snow. And, I have to admit, I kind of love it. I didn't have commute into the office today, so fit in a little run after dropping the boys off to school. Brian laughed at me when got home, completely covered in snow (he had an all-day meeting in the area -- we liked having him home for a couple extra nights this week, that's for sure -- he even got to snow blow!). You can't really see it, but that's the school playground in the background. The sound of kids laughing and playing filled my house whenever I opened up the back door. It was awesome.

Art by C: Snowman

Brothers :: 6:10 pm Tonight

No shirts. They were sweating from playing football upstairs. Sitting on top of each other. They always do this -- both have to be right next to each other.

Another Weekend

I can't believe another weekend is over. Those long ones really spoiled me. They seem to go by even quicker now that Brian is only home for those couple days. We spent this weekend watching Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. (The boys watched it over and over and over.) We worked on packing up some house stuff and making it all pretty to show soon. I have to be honest ... it makes me very melancholy. I'm super excited about everything happening, but we love this place and never thought we'd move. I hate packing up all my personal stuff that really make our house our home. And I'm not looking forward to everything that comes with showing it. The uncertainty kind of freaks me out at this point in my life. I wonder how long it will take (could be awhile). How uncomfortable it will be packing up the family and dog and heading out each time the agent says someone wants to see it (not fun at all). Where we'll end up in Wisconsin (that's the exciting part though). You know, all of that little stuff. I guess we just have to wait and see. And deal.

This weekend, was filled with quiet time and Lego playing. H is a pro at building the big Lego kits, while C just makes his own wacky creations. It's funny that how they tackle Legos it a total reflection of their personalities. H is a total rule follower, and C just marches to his own beat. But I think those Lego creations turn out great both ways. This weekend was also filled with play dates for H. In the past, he's been kind of a home-body kind of guy so the fact that he's so anxious to get away from us and be on his own a bit is big deal actually. In a very good way. Granted, one was at our house, but he and his friend Z totally arranged themselves. This weekend, the boys also started soccer. It's C's first time (he's such a second child, poor guy) so he was so super excited, and had a really great time. H had a blast too. So yeah, it was a pretty standard, pretty fun weekend. Sad we have to say good-bye.

Catching Up with Megan

Meet Megan. She is a friend of mine from many, many years ago. If you were at our wedding, you may recall that she is the one with the beautiful voice who sang for us. I'll never forget it. She and Melissa came over the night before our wedding for a really fun little sleep-over, watching Father of the Bride and eating cheese and crackers. The three of us even had a little catering side business together for a while. But then we all decided that wasn't for Megan and me, and Melissa thankfully took her skills to a insane new level (don't get me wrong, Melissa was always a culinary genius, far exceeding our skills, by far -- I was pretty good at reconciling the bank statements).

Anyhow, like it happens to many over the years, we just lost touch. The last time we ran into her was in 2004 when I had just had C and we were at Bar Louie in Bucktown. He was probably crying. And that was that. Last year, Melissa told me she and Megan were Facebook friends, and she was now living in Zambia. Excuse me, what? So I immediately found her, and it was true -- Megan had been living in Zambia for three years and happier than ever.

We've been in touch several times over the year. Like the time she wrote me to tell me she was jogging in Zambia when it started raining and she flagged down a car who happened to be Americans and who knew Brian and me. True story. Talk about a small world. Honestly, I may have met these guys before, but Brian really was the one to know them. The company he used to work for started a non-profit called World Bicycle Relief based out of Zambia. It was a couple of the guys who work for that organization who live there. Anyhow, still pretty amazing. When I found out Megan was going to be in the US for three months this year, I asked if we could get together, and I was so excited when she said could. We had a great dinner, and awesome conversation. Let me tell you, the things that have happened, and the things she has done in the past seven years is absolutely amazing. Later in the evening, Melissa came over and the three of us got to hang out together for a bit. Megan leaves again next week, but it felt so good to see her. Have a safe journey back home Megan! (To read some of the story Megan told, click here.)

When the Kids are Away ....

the dog keeps the kids stuffed animals safe and sound. Doesn't he look comfy?

Family Portrait - Not Ours

Since C's been around, we have never gotten a true blue family portrait done. He's 6. We probably should get going on that one. I know this isn't a typical one, but there's something I absolutely adore about it. (Family Portrait by Lori Andrews via Poppytalk)

My Little Lemon Lover

He ate it like a grapefruit!

Art by C: Our Family on 1.1.11

New Year 2011

Here we are -- another new year (1.1.11). We celebrated New Year's Eve. with a delicious dinner with the Elsmo's and Scott & Ali. It made me very happy ... being with these people on this evening. We started with oysters (which were very tricky -- thankfully Melissa figured them out, because I'm not sure if any of us could have done it. We make our friends work for their meals.). Brian and H made mussels, pomme frites and a salad. Melissa made beef tenderloin sandwiches. And I made Car Bomb Cupcakes for our friend Dejan, who was celebrating his 40th birthday. After dinner, we went over to Dejan, El and Z's house for cocktails and dessert. It was a nice, low-key evening. Some of the kids (my C included) were on the verge of a melt-down so we didn't make it until midnight with the birthday boy. But we got home just in time to pop open a bottle of yummy bubbles and sparking apple cider, and ring in 2011.

Year in Review

I'm signing off for the new year. Getting ready to soak in some family time. Once again, another year has gone by in the blink of an eye. I know I'm an old dog learning new tricks, but I really do think I'm getting better at some things, and will continue working on them in the new year. I need to remind myself to be patient, not to worry so much, take a little time out for myself, relish the little things, take better care of myself again and just live life to it's fullest. Who knows -- maybe I'll even make a Life List. Anyone else ever dream of holding a monkey? Maybe it's just me....

Anyhow, despite my foot surgery, a knee replacement for Brian's mom and medical issues with my mom (even Storm has surgery this year -- we're all falling apart), overall, we've been very fortunate again this year. 2011 is going to be a year of change for us, and I'm really excited. Back in October, Brian accepted a Creative Director position in Milwaukee. He's there during the week and home on weekends. It's ok and we are getting by, but we will all be happy to be back together as a family again. We'll be listing our house in the new year, and after 18 years of being in Chicago (23 for Brian), we are going to be making our way north again. (Never in a million years thought we'd be saying that, but it's a good thing). It will be busy around here, for sure. But we have a lot to look forward to, and lots to be thankful for. We are surrounded by loving, supportive friends and family. And when it comes down to it, really, what more do you need? Here's some highlights of our past year.

- Taking the boys skiing a couple times
- Long walks home with C
- Visits from family
- H turned 8 (and had a very medieval birthday party)
- Even though it was very hectic, H's t-ball season was pretty fun -- and he had a blast
- C graduated from Montessori school
- The boys spoiled me on Mother's Day (Brian was out of town)
- H&C went to Florida for a week with my parents and visited Disney
- I completed a couple triathlons again (Brian finished his first half Ironman)
- We enjoyed several awesome dinners with friends (just wait for next year -- we've got a biggie planned!!)
- We spent a week in upper Wisconsin with my parents, sister and her family
- C started Kindergarten, and H 3rd Grade
- C turned 6 (and turned our backyard into a dog pound)
- We went camping with friends
- Brian, H, C and I went to visit my host-family in Germany and spent a couple days in Copenhagen

Not too shabby, if you ask me. So, here's to the best year ever in 2011!

The Great Gingerbread Demolition

Early this evening, my cousin Justin, Amy and their girls stopped by. They had spent a night in Chicago, and were heading back to Amy's parents in Wisconsin where they are staying while visiting from Tampa, Florida. We don't get to see them often. In fact, I think it's been a year since we last saw Amy and the girls. Way too long. We ordered Thai food and caught up while the kids played. Afterward, we figured it was a great night for the gingerbread house demolition. The kids had a blast and even got to use a hammer. Fun times. Thanks for the visit TAAJ!