January 4:: Patience

January 3:: techno kid

January 2:: Andy tinkers

January 1:: new sleeping bags

my favorite picture

We were in the studio a few weeks ago, taking lots of pictures for clients and monkeying around with the girls a bit in between all of the action. Our girls don't really like us taking their picture and it is usually a pretty big fuss to make it happen. It almost always includes a bribe of some sort too - at least some m&m's.
So, when this picture popped up I was in complete mommy heaven.  I mean really!  If only Andy was in the picture too - but then I wouldn't have this little beauty if he wasn't the master behind the lens... I'm just really thankful that he humors me and my Christmas card picture ideas each and every year.

These two girls

They make us laugh and they make us cry. Mostly, it's the little one making us cry. Ginger has been a part of our family for about 6 weeks now and she is a lot of fun. This is where Andy would also point out that she is a pain in the rear, barks at Charley (only because she wants to play or because Charley is hiding her toy - totally typical sibling stuff), she poops a lot, she eats a lot, she likes to find socks, chase the girls, play tug o' war with their clothing, did I mention poop? Anyhow...
We all love Ginger. She is fun and energetic (which is great, especially when Charley gets in on the play) and soft and sweet and loveable, etc. Just like Charley. At first, it appeared that Charley wasn't at all interested. But then, the second night that I spent on the couch next to Ginger's kennel, Charley spent the night next to her as well. Now, Andy and I wake up in the morning to see Charley sleeping next to her almost every day. In the beginning, it seemed like Ginger was too much for Charley to tolerate - so much energy and spunk - Charley is almost 11 years old after all. But, now we find Charley sneaking off with one of Ginger's toys, knowing full well that Ginger is going to want it like mad when she discovers it between Charley paws. She taught Ginger that the sound of the freezer door opening means ice cubes (yummy, yummy ice cubes) and they are both learning the limits - and testing them constantly.
So, it seems that everyone is happy and adjusting nicely to our new addition. Aren't these girls the sweetest?

Hoyt Arboretum

The girls had yesterday and today off from school for conferences. They had their conferences first thing in the morning yesterday and we now have a long weekend to enjoy. We also have Nana Barbie and Papa Tom visiting for a few days. So, after conferences and a quick stop for lunch, we headed to Hoyt Arboretum. It was pretty nice - the views were lovely, the tree climbing was top notch (even Nana Barbie climbed a tree) and it appears that Hoyt Arboretum is a pretty nice spot for a nap as well.
We were actually at Hoyt Arboretum just a few days ago for a photo shoot with a long time client. So happy that the weather is holding up nicely, allowing for another visit so soon.

Soccer

Several weeks ago, I asked Emma if she wanted to play volleyball. There was a short volleyball camp at the start of the school year that her friend was going to sign up for. I thought this might inspire her to try something new (this is exactly how we managed to get her to try soccer in the first place). Her response to me was something along the lines of... "Mom, I don't really like any of those 'ball' games, like basketball, baseball, volleyball. So, if it has 'ball' in it, you don't have to ask."
So, I don't make a fuss about the other sports that she could try - although, I do still offer everytime a letter comes home about yet another sports clinic. I don't want or need her to do everything, but I do hope she is willing to try new things. For now, it's soccer.
Emma and Sophie both have soccer teams this season.  They are both on teams with very sweet friends that they have lots of fun with.  Lucky us!  We only have two weeks of soccer remaining and then sadly, the season ends.  While I know the girls will miss it (and we will have to come up with something else for the winter), I have to admit that 6pm games and practices three nights a week is not going to be missed.  Nope.  But, they have had fun playing and we have had a lot of fun cheering them on.

Tail wagging goodness

In two weeks

 A lot can happen in two weeks, for us it's a lot of prep work.  Cleaning up toys, organizing our house and getting things put away.  Off the floor.  Out of reach.  Really put away.
Because in two weeks a puppy is coming to live in our house.  This one right here...

Her name is Ginger and we are all really excited to bring her home.  At least we think it's all of us, we are a bit unsure of how Charley will react when they meet.  Hoping it's love at first sniff...

off she goes...

This is Kristine, our babysitter. We met her almost 4 years ago, on the day we first began moving into our new home. We immediately knew that we were going to keep her as long as we could. The girls were always giggling madly when we returned from any outing. She taught them how to use her iphone (before either of us had a smartphone of our own which made us look really bad when the girls knew more about our phones than we did, just saying). She has more energy than anyone I know. Really, it pays to be young. Unfortunately, along with being kind and thoughtful and energetic and wonderful - she's also smart. Darn it. Tomorrow afternoon, she will head off to college and we are all going to be really sad here. But, she promises to come home on weekends and I'm sure she will - because college isn't really that much fun and our girls ARE really cute. How could she possibly stay away?Oh my, we are going to miss this girl!

Back to school 2011

This is the picture I managed to snap super fast on our way out the door this morning for the first day of school. They certainly do look pretty excited about going to school and I was thrilled when we got there and we weren't late. Because we were really pushing it this morning.
But - we made it and Emma has a lot of friends in her class and a great teacher who went to art school before becoming a teacher and loves art and wants to give the kids the best art experience possible. I really love that.
Sophie had her orientation for kindergarten today and goodness, her teacher is going to have her hands full. There are 38 kids in her class!!! One teacher (one full time aide as well), but one teacher who has to teach and instruct and evaluate and manage 38 kids. Goodness! (I really needed to say it again).
The girls are excited to be back to school, back with old friends, making new friends, learning, the routine, all of it. I am thrilled to have time to grocery shop by myself again, maybe keep the house clean, spend lots of time in the classrooms (I imagine they will need it) and other fun school year stuff I like to do.Day 1 seems to have been a success - looking forward to all of the learning and fun this year has in store.  :)

Little Bohemia

On our vacation, as I have mentioned already, we went back to Little Bo. This is where Andy and I got married in 2002 and every time we venture back to the Northwoods, we make a point of heading there for a quick visit.
Some of the history of Little Bo can be found here.  At our wedding, there weren't any gangsters (that we know of) and there weren't any shoot outs either.  Some people did drive away with bullet holes in their cars though (thanks Aunt Cathy).
On these visits, it's all about taking pictures of the girls.  We did go inside (but not to eat, it's really all about the wild rice soup and with new owners it isn't a sure thing...).  The wall that once was covered in newspaper articles about John Dillinger has been cleared - now there are a few articles hanging in frames at the entrance.  And the big stump outside that we set the girls on for a picture three years ago - it's gone.  That's the stump they are on for the header image on this blog. 
It's still the place where we were married and we still love going back.  And the girls make pretty cute subjects for this little spot in the Northwoods. (but I really was hoping that stump would still be there - don't they know that mamas like taking pictures of their kids in one same place year after year?)

about a wedding

When we went to the cabin, a few weeks ago, we made a point of going to church to see Pastor Chips and visit Little Bohemia - the site where it all went down.
At church, we saw Suzanne, Pastor Chips' wife and had a chance to chat with her for a bit after service.  My favorite memory of all of this?  Well, this is what she said to me (and it's been over 9 years)...
"We love getting a card and picture from you every year.  I hope you will keep sending those."
And she also said...
"I remember your wedding.  You are the bride who wore tennis shoes, right?  I thought that was such a smart idea.  It is the Northwoods after all."

Family photo

We have plenty of cameras, lenses, and lighting equipment.  That is not the problem.  Getting our girls to smile at an inanimate object (the camera) with no human behind it so that we can have a family photo - that's the problem.  It's really, really hard to take your own family photo.  But, if you go on vacation with lots of family and dress everyone up for church on the last day, and head straight from church to the site of your wedding - well, you are bound to end up with a nice family portrait.  We are so happy that Andy's parents joined us for the visit to Little Bo, and gave us this shot.  I'm really glad that Andy decided to shave for church.  I'm thrilled that the girls decided to cooperate!

boat + water = fun

Emma's first time in a kayak looked just like this...

On the same day, Emma progressed to this...

Not to be outdone by big sister, Sophie spent a little time like this...

Now if only we had four of those kayaks right here at home so that we could keep playing (best idea ever, Papa Tom)...

Early morning

This is what 6am looks like on Van Vliet Lake.  We have many more shots just like this, and much better than this one.  One will definitely grace our walls soon.

we went to the cabin...

This is where we go...

It's easy to find your way, with all the signs...

Even though the weather is fantastic, there is bound to be one stormy day, so a crafty day is planned...

When the kids look that cute, you know the grandparents will want to be crafty too...

Tie dyed t-shirts for everyone was super fun.  I got in trouble just today because the girls' tie-dyed t-shirts were in the wash.  The day we made these, it was so stormy and awesome (Andy and I really enjoy a good thunderstorm, we just don't get many of those in the Pacific Northwest).  

we were so jealous...

When we were at the cabin, we enjoyed lots of veggies fresh from Nana Barbie's garden.  Finally, we are able to do the same at home.

She really said it.

Sophie:  "I've never burped before."
Me:  "Sure you have."
Sophie:  "No I haven't.  You have though."
Me:  "Yes, I know.  Lot's of times.  Sorry about that."
Sophie:  "Not lots of times, mom.  Just twice.  Me and Emma."
Me:  "Oh."