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Happy Birthday Jayme!!



Today is my sister-in-law Jayme's birthday!! Kirk is out of town and we just want her to know how much we love her!!

As Kirk is the only boy in our family I used to wonder what it would be like when he decided to get married. I really hoped that we would like the girl he married and that she would fit in with all of us. Well...things couldn't have worked out better. Jayme is so much fun...she fits in perfectly...and brings so much excitement and humor to our family. She and Kirk are a perfect match. The two of them together have me laughing my head off. Kirk is extremely funny and how he managed to find a wife that is truly just as funny as he is...is amazing.

Jayme is so loving and giving. She lets us crash at their apartment for days when we are in town and makes everyone feel welcome and wanted. My kids adore her...as do Tyler and I. When Kameron was about 4 years old we were in town and meeting her for the first time. Kirk asked if we wanted to come over to his apartment and Kameron looked over at Jayme with love struck eyes and said "Will SHE be there??" He would go anywhere and do anything if Jayme was there.

Jayme is such a good aunt. While we were in town this summer she spent lots of time with Reilly cutting her hair...teaching her how to style it...and listening to Reilly's preteen woes. That means so much to me to see the time and attention she is so willing to give to our children. And when Jayme is around Ailey is nowhere near us...she follows Jayme around jabbering away.

Jayme is a wonderful sister and I so appreciate all the time she has spent hanging out with all of us. She is an absolute riot and always up for a good time. There is never a dull moment when she is around and I absolutely love that about her.

She is also an amazing mother to Kaiden. That kid is one of the coolest, smartest, and most loving children I have ever met and that is due to her hardwork, love and dedication. She also makes my brother extremely happy and for that I am truly grateful.

Jayme we love you and miss you so much!! Wish we were closer so we could go out for sushi to celebrate. Our one complaint is that you live too darn far away!! I hope you know how much you mean to all of us.

Have a wonderful birthday!!

WE LOVE YOU!!

Sick

Hurricane Ike...YOU SUCK!! When I woke up to the news this weekend and saw the devastation of Galveston it literally made me sick. Houston is my old home town and my heart goes out to all the people who are struggling though the aftermath of the hurricane. I love Houston and I love Texas and I would move back in a flash if possible. Tyler and I always say we want to spend our "golden" years living June-Jan. 1st in our town and January -May 31st in Houston.

Galveston is one of my absolute favorite places in the world...

My family and I spent lots of time there and after I got married it was one place I couldn't wait to take Tyler too. We had a fabulous vacation in Houston and Galveston when Reilly was a baby and Tyler fell in love with the area too. I have so many great memories of time spent there.

Houston and Galveston you are in our thoughts and prayers...as are Kelly A. and her family!!

Book Reviews up the Wazoo

I've been reading lots of books but not taking the time to write reviews. So in case you are looking for a good book to read here are a few reviews.

#34 Lie Down In Darkness by William Styron



This 1951 novel by William Styron won several literary awards. It is the tale of the dysfunctional Loftis family...their betrayals, infidelities, and disappointed love that ultimately results in the suicide of their daughter Peyton. The story is told as the family accompanies her body to the cemetery.

I really wanted to like this book...in fact I really wanted to LOVE this book. But I didn't. This book was recommended to me by my Uncle Steve. He LOVES it. So do lots of other people I know. I was surprised that I didn't. I usually love books of this genre. Dark Southern novels...quirky characters...psychological turmoil. It didn't happen for me with this book. I really wanted to feel something... anything for the characters...but I didn't. Maybe that was the point...all I felt was cold and remote like the relationships they had in the story. But in the end I want to "feel" something and I didn't.

The writing was excellent...the stream of conscious narrative in one part of the book...amazing. But all in all, it just didn't do it for me.

My rating: OK

#35 Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

After Lie Down in Darkness I needed something lighter to read. As I still hadn't read the final book (or so I thought) in the vampire series I thought I would. I feel just the same as I did reading the rest of them. Entertaining...cheesy...Bella Swan is STILL the most annoying character on the planet. I just constantly kept asking myself...Couldn't Edward (and Jacob for that matter) get someone better? Really? In a hundred years of immortality this is the best Edward could get? But saying that I read it...and I'll read the next one too. Could someone please just make this girl a vampire and shut her the heck up!?!

My rating: Better than OK but not quite Good.

#36 Thirtynothing by Lisa Jewell

This book I found at the lake...someone's cast-off. As there wasn't much else of interest to read I read it. It is the story of two 30-something Londoners, Dig and Nadine, who are best friends and unlucky in love. After a decade of failed romances they decide to get their lives together and find their perfect mates.



This book had a lot of charm and some very funny scenes. Laugh out loud scenes. It was sassy British fiction and romantic comedy ala Bridget Jone's Diary. The problem...literally the most horrendous language imaginable. I'm not easily offended and I was cringing throughout the book. Which is unfortunate because otherwise I would have really liked it.


My rating: would be Good but due to horrible language is just OK.


#37 The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

This is the book that I had been savoring all summer to read. A thick historical fiction that came HIGHLY recommended. I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. Everywhere I went people raved to me about this book. In Costco as I picked it up a woman just gushed about it, at swim lessons other parents told me how much they loved it, literally everywhere I went fans of this book stopped me to exclaim their love for Pillars of the Earth.

I opened it up and was hooked right away...a hanging...a curse...a mystery. Good stuff. It is the story of the humble mason, Tom Builder and his family...The quirky Ellen and her odd son Jack...the lovable pious monk Philip...the lovely Aliena...and the treacherous Hamleigh Family...and the conniving Bishop Waleran Bigod.

I started out really liking this book...but the "true" main character of this book was the cathedral and all the details of the architecture and building process literally bored me to tears. Now don't get me wrong there are people who probably love those parts of the book...architects...engineers etc. I think my husband Tyler would really like it but not me. I felt like it really slowed the story down...bogged it down. That is my main complaint...the story dragged too much for me...with not enough pay off in the end. But saying that there were aspects of this story that I really loved. The whole complex world of monastery life that I learned about, the love story of Aliena and Jack, and the EVIL EVIL Hamleighs.

Sometimes as I read I hoped that the book would be worth the time and effort it required. Was it? For the most part yes. But is it one of the best books I have ever read like I hoped it would be? No.

My rating: Good.

#38 A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

This book was given to me for Christmas by my friend, Carolyn. This is another book I have had on hold for the perfect time to savor it. This summer was the time. I really loved The Kite Runner so I couldn't wait to start this book.

This book tells the story of two incredible women...Mariam and Laila. Two very different women who face unbelievable adversity in Kabul, Afghanistan, personal tragedy, loss of freedom, and national tragedy and yet form this amazing friendship. This story is truly the story of the triumph of the human spirit despite overwhelming odds.

I LOVED this book!! I loved the characters, the story, the story within the story, the insiders view of Afghanistan during the last several decades, and that it is all seen through the eyes of two women. I really liked that this book also told the story of the amazing love between Laila and Tariq. I loved this book from start to finish. I was in tears through out and took away such gratitude for the country that I live in and the personal freedoms I enjoy. This book is a must-read!!

My rating: EXCELLENT!! Read this book. Even better than the Kite Runner in my opinion.

Ailey's First Day of Preschool

Ailey FINALLY got to start school too!! Preschool started this week and Ailey was thrilled. She is going to the same preschool that Kameron went to and that we just love. It was fun to go to the open house and see the wonderful women who run the preschool. Kameron felt like a celebrity...they were so excited to see him and kept hugging him. That made Ailey even more excited to go to "Kameron's Old School".

Finally the day came that she could don her backpack and head out the door with her big brother and sister.

Outside her school and ANXIOUS to go in!!

No fear here...she was on her way in!!

She loves going and I'm glad that she has such a great preschool to attend. Yay Ailey!!

Exciting!!

Ballet is in full swing again. This year Reilly had the opportunity to audition for Theatre Ballet Junior Company. Reilly's instructor told her on Thursday during her class that she wanted Reilly to audition for the level above the one she was planning on auditioning for...Reilly was extremely nervous!! The auditions were downtown on Saturday morning. Reilly did FANTASTIC!! She made it!! Now she is a proud member of the Theatre Ballet Junior Company. She will be at the ballet studio twice as much now...which is already a lot...4 days a week just for classes (including one on Saturdays) now she will have extra rehearsals and will be at the studio nearly all day on Saturday (I know all you soccer moms are laughing...this is what we have always tried to avoid...disrupted Saturdays. Oh well. What can you do?) But...she is really excited and will have lots of opportunities to perform at different venues in our community.

Good Job Reilly!! We love you very much!!

New Cook in the Kitchen










Remember my post about the Daffodil Principle? Where I was bemoaning the fact that my plans for the summer weren't working out the way I wanted them too and that one thing I had really wanted to do was to teach Reilly to cook this summer? Well...all is not lost. Apparently all that was needed was two sick parents and kids that were tired of eating Ramen and Mac and Cheese. Behold a new fantastic cook has emerged...Reilly!! Truly impressive.


In our stint of sickness Reilly took the reins in the kitchen (something she hasn't ever done before) and made vegetarian tacos, spicy tortilla soup, pesto pasta AND her finest creation yet...Gourmet Baked Stuffed Confetti Tomatoes. For most of these recipes Reilly would come into where I was moaning on my sick bed and ask for step by step instructions...which she followed to a T. For the stuffed tomatoes she asked her dad if she could have free reign in the kitchen and could make something out of a cook book. As kitchen Nazi mommy was asleep...dad said yes. Reilly grabbed a cookbook and without any help whatsoever she made these amazing gourmet stuffed tomatoes...a never tried before recipe. They were fantastic. Tyler ate three of the huge stuffed tomatoes. Even Ailey and Kameron...our super picky eaters scarfed them down.


What joy!! What bliss!! I can put the ladle down every once in awhile now. Reilly rose to the occasion and really liked cooking. Growing up in Tyler's family all the kids had one night a week when it was their night to plan and cook dinner for the family. I think we will be instating that soon at our house. Good job Reilly!! We are so proud of you!!


Tonight she is making Tuscan White Bean Salad...I think she will do great!!

The First Day of School

The past few weeks since our family vacation have been germ-filled. We have been sick for what seems like forever...fevers, colds, vomit, bronchitis...ugh. It's been fun. We are slowly but surely recovering. Needless to say summer ended on a low note...and now...School already? Bummer.

My friend Tiffany mentioned on her blog that she isn't one of those people who longs for school to start each fall. Neither am I. Sure my house is cleaner and I get more done...but I love those long lazy days with nothing to do, no where to go and no schedules to adhere too. I love lounging around laughing and talking with my kids. Like Tiffany I HATE the frenetic pace of the school year...running, always running, here, there, and everywhere...the phone ringing off the hook...obligations up the wazoo. Summer is a nice breather...albeit much too short for me.

My kids, on the other hand, were utterly ecstatic to go back to school. Remember Reilly the crier on the last day of school...still baffling to me. My mom called after the kids left for school and asked if the kids were excited to go back or did I have any one who tried playing "sick"...not in this house. I would feel a little hurt if I didn't catch Reilly on the phone about a week ago telling my sister, Jordi, that yeah she was excited to go back to school but she would miss a few things...and hanging out with her mom was on that list. That must be documented. Ailey, on the other hand, was less than thrilled to have me all to herself...she was ticked off that preschool starts next week.

Here are Reilly and Kameron all raring to go...


Reilly is a 6th grader this year and was stoked to "rule the school" this year. I can't believe it is already her last year of elementary school. The girl has grown about three inches over the summer and her feet are a size and a half bigger than mine. Unbelievable. She is excited about her teacher Mr. Nye but was bummed because none of her good friends are in her class this year. She is very outgoing and confident so I'm sure she will do just fine.

She was funny in that I thought she would be "too cool" to want her mommy to walk her into class on the first day...but oh no...she had me in the death grip so in I went but she drew the line at a picture at her desk.

Kameron is a second grader this year. He is still totally toothless and lisping which is truly one of the most adorable things EVER. Although those big front teeth have cracked the surface and are just starting their descent. He was ok with his teacher this year...and his class...even though most of his buddies are in a different one. But he knew his great friend Jonathon was in his class so he was happy about that.

Ailey and I walked Kameron into his class which was complete mayhem. For every child there was at least one parent if not two...taking pictures...filming their child's every move. You could barely get around. And...the parents had work to do...we had to unload and organize all their school supplies into specific tubs...which included removing everything from it's packaging. It was hellish. I made Kameron help me which he did by flinging four large glue sticks over the top of several other parents heads...completely missing the tub...and and nearly taking out a girl and her mom. Whoops.

The parents had papers to fill out and Kameron was trying to shoo me out the door. Other parents were lingering until the bell rang sitting by their kids and Kameron was hissing "Go! Go!". I did manage to snap a few pictures of him at his desk though.

Picture #1...graciously agreed to...

Picture # 2 a little annoyance is showing..."Why are you still here?!?"

I left Kameron grousing about the busy work they were supposed to be doing. They had to draw a picture of how they were getting home...bus, car, walking etc. Kameron was grumbling about why did he have to draw a stupid picture when he can WRITE the word...he's not a baby!! I told him to take that up with his teacher and off we went.

Both kids ended up having a great day and it was fun to hear all about their classes over our family's "ice cream dinner" at Baskin Robbins. I'm still sick so I couldn't enjoy "ice cream dinner" to it's fullest. But all in all it was a good day for everyone.

The Wedding

I'm going to let the pictures do most of the talking. The wedding turned out beautiful. The weather couldn't have been better. Mom and Ken had the photographer take family pictures, individual family pictures, and grandchildren pictures rather than typical wedding photos. The pictures I've included are all just candid shots of the setting, decorations, family members, and candid shots of people while getting their professional pictures taken...that's the reason not everyone is is "picture ready".

The wedding colors were white, chocolate and stem green. My mom looked gorgeous in a champagne gown. She wanted her bouquet and our corsages to have a "Vintage" look and so crystals were included in our corsages and a brooch was added to her bouquet. They were beautiful. The family was all in white and khaki. The effect was very Great Gatsby. My mom and Ken had a DJ (a friend of Kelley's) and we danced the night away under the stars. It was a wonderful night and a beautiful wedding.

Here are some pictures:

Congratulations Mom and Ken