list of the randoms...

::: I'm back in town again... and so far, no big travel plans in my near future. HALLELUJAH. don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed being able to go fun places and do great things this past month and a half, but I am a HOME-BODY. And, I'm just glad to lay low for a bit. And, maybe, you might just get lucky and see that I start blogging a little bit more?? 

::: Went to Quilt Market in SLC, Utah this past weekend with one of my favorite human-beings---my sister, Becca. She's a good one. And, a great little business associate. We have been on FABRIC overload, but it was SO cool to have a peek at this fascinating world of the fabric industry.  It was nuts. Obviously, I took some pictures---and some really GREAT ones of Becca dancing in our 80's garb for a big party with employees and friends of Riley Blake. You are in for a treat.

::: Speaking of Becca, remember how I talked about that amazing magazine, Seeing the Everyday  ???  Remember?  Anyway, Becca is going to be one of their interns this summer.  I am super jazzed for her!  And, she and my other sister, Emily, will be roomies for a bit.  Awesome squared.  And, Emily just moved into her OWN place this past Friday.  And it is rad.  I can't wait to grace the space with my presence.  Until then, I'm so excited for everyone involved.  Here's more on Becca's blog about the details. 

::: Let's take a time out and do another little "GOOD NEWS MINUTE".  Speaking of sisters---my little sister, Lizzy, just made the high school's Dance Company.  I'm so happy for her.  And, speaking of other sisters, my sis-in-law, Melody, just made it into the BYU's incredible theater company AND got a scholarship---as a FRESHMAN.  People, that's UNHEARD of.  Amazing.  Wow, I can't believe how lucky I am to be related to all this great talent.  Awesome.

::: I've been reading again. GASP! I know. I know. I'm not a big BOOK reader... I like magazines, blogs, internet reading, but don't really make the time for actual adult books (not shady/racy kind, just the normal human-being chapter books). Anyway, topping my recent reads is Princess Academy (a Newbery Honor winner that was recommended by one of my little sister's best friends, Mary Alice). Loved it. Read it in two days on vacation. And, am currently enjoying The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (it's my mom's copy and I've heard several great reviews). 
Any other books you think I DEFINITELY should read? I'm thinking a trip to the library is in order. I'm liking this book train I've been riding. NOTE TO BOOK ADVICE GIVERS: I like happy/uplifting reads. I am not a big fan of unhappy endings, really depressing story lines, and books that make me cry a ton. Just putting that out there.  Give advice accordingly.

::: I have a long span of time to cover here on the old BLOG. I was looking at all the photos I want to post----let's just say, we're in for a verrrrry verrrrrry long journey. I'm warning you in advance, my kids look a billion years older than they did last time I posted. (oh wait, Aaron posted ONE picture yesterday, but you catch my drift)

::: Traveling on an airplane by myself is MUCH more "enjoyable" than it is traveling with two kids under the age of three. For a long time, I've really pretty much HATED air travel of any sort---but as of late, think it's not too shabby when you aren't responsible for little bodies and you have a good book to enjoy. Just wanted to put that out there.

::: Our new house is coming along swimmingly. It's exciting to see the boards come up. Why don't I go ahead and show you the MATURATION PROCESS----of our house, silly. I don't know what you are thinking about. Oh, you may remember how we had to go that program in the 5th grade? And it happened to be on my best friend's birthday? Remember? And, then remember when it was OPTIONAL in 6th grade to attend again, and my mom was like, "Are you sure you don't want to go again, Melissa?" And, I didn't. But she still went. Oh yeah. I remember.

Let's talk about our house's maturation process. Here are some photos, as promised:

It started out with a cathedral of trees.  It was amazing.  Unfortunately, our house had to go somewhere, so MANY of those amazing oak trees had to go.  Boo.  Big BOO!  But, luckily there are still a bunch around the edges.

I got back from California to see the cement foundation all poured and ready for us to ROLLER BLADE on it!  AWESOME.  Look how smooth that big cement pad is?  And, look at those two crooked trees in front.  Crazy.  I hope a big wind gust isn't going to blow them over.  Aaron assures me that it probably won't happen.  PROBABLY being the key word.  

Kind of funny trees, but I love them all the same.

I was happy.  Tillie?  Not as happy.

 

The framing has happened.  Awesome.  Now it's seeming legit.

And, look what we spied with our little eyes... BRICK!  And, do you love that amazing million year old oak tree on the back corner of the lot?  Yes.  I do too.  It's the CROWNING JEWEL, if you will.  

 

So, thanks for appeasing me.  That's the latest and greatest for the time being.  

Updates to come soon (as she always says...).

Tillie and Calvin and Me went to Seaworld while Melissa was playing in Utah.

The first 1.5 weeks of May. Photo-Happy mother. Wow.

Okay, so I must have been feeling pretty sentimental on the girl's trip I took---b/c I was PHOTO HAPPY when I came home. 
Believe it or not, ALL of the following photos were taken in only 1.5 weeks.  Wow.  I wanted to capture everything.  So, feel free to see what we packed in during those few days.  Apparently, it was a lot. 
But remember, you've been warned.

::: Since we had a FREE birthday meal for Matilda at Red Robin, you KNOW we cashed that one in.  Boo yah.  Love free meals.  Looks like she does too.

I love this fake smile.  So funny.

Cal loves a FREE birthday meal too.  Aaron does too, he's just hiding his emotions...

big boy calvin.  don't believe me?  check out the next one.

wow!  There's a REASON he's as big as he is!  :)  I love this shot of him taking the bull by the horns.

 ::: After our FREE lunch (do you like how I keep capitalizing it?), we went to the school's playground by our new house.  Luckily, it's going to be within walking distance for us.  Tillie is elated at the thought of it all.  We decided to test out the playground for a little while. Both kids were fans.

I'm loving that so many playgrounds are putting these new swings in!  What a blessing for so many parents with disabled kids!  And, well, what a blessing for kids who just love to relax.  Err...

love those whispy hairs.

oh yeah. this is nice.

love the tummy action happening.  she's relaxed. what can you do?!

::: I finally finished those red cushions I made from all the faux red leather I bought.  Here's the tutorial if you are interested in trying them out.  Super easy to do---if you don't use faux leather.  It was a butt to hand sew in the end.  Yes, I just used the word "butt".  I may very well get grounded for saying that.  It's a risk I have to take.  It was that annoying to do.  But, really, if I would have used NORMAL cloth fabric (Even canvas would have been better), I think I would have had a better experience.  

Thankfully, the kids seem to enjoy them and Cal uses them every time he wants to watch a movie.  Darling child.  I love him for it.

Here they are playing with them.  Both in stripes.  I love a good stripe.

 I love that the kids both got sick of playing with them, so Cal grabbed a Placker and started flossing his teeth.  Tillie grabbed her crayons and got to work.  Funny.

Since they were both happy, and I had some extra bananas laying around, I decided to make some banana bread.  I wanted to experiment with different types of chocolate chips and nuts---so I added them at the end and mixed them around with a spoon.  I thought it was pretty genius, but I'm sure others have thought of doing this before. 
Oh, and yes, they all turned out delicious.  You know I scarfed daintily sampled them all.

:::  Playing in our ghetto grass.  Thank you Texas weeds.  Anyway, since we had just started showing our home to perspective buyers, we decided we'd better try harder at watering the yard.  Well, one thing leads to another and people get wet.  You can see the rest of the story now...

portrait of a DRENCHED child.  don't worry, he got even.  Tillie got soaked.  Decided to take matters into her own hands...

apparently her wet threads were holding her back...

freedom!

feeling so proud of herself with a coy smile.

"Oh yeaaah! I'm number one!"

back to work.

 hAAA!  Sorry, I had to.  It was just TOO funny to see her strap her high tops back on after she'd stripped down.  I had to record the event.  And, of course, I had to show you all how funny it was. 

::: Progress on the house.  ALWAYS a highlight.  

::: I had just come back from the Girl's Trip and decided to take a few photos of a few of the goods I had purchased.  Look at these awesome HUGE spools of thread we got for a $1/each.  Awesome.  I compared it to the little spools they sell at JoAnn's and Walmart for normally $1.30 +  ---and seeing the group all together made me happy.  Such fun colors.

here's the linen I got a billion yards of.  I love it.

I had a ton of paper laying around (Weird) so we did body tracings of Tillie.

Apparently Cal wanted in on the action.  Can you tell?  So funny.

Love his little faux hawk.  He is so cute and pudgy.  Oh, I love this boy!

 ::: Twinner sunglasses. I love it.

 ::: More house progress!

 

 ::: Random happy face of Cal.  Look at those chompers!  Love it.

 ::: Random day at SeaWorld.  Love that place.

But what I love even more is Tillie's accessories.

No, what I love MOST are Aaron's sunglasses.  Yes, those are the ones his Grandma Petty let him have.  They are the same kind they give you at the optometrist after they dilate your eyes.  So convenient that you don't even have to take off your regular glasses.  I get the convenience.  But, "The Look" isn't all that awesome.  What a sordid group.  You should have seen me.  I'm sure I fit right in.

she LOVES her carousel time.

so does Aaron.  even though you can't tell.

again, awesome glasses.

::: We ate a LEGIT dinner.  It was worth making record of.  I think this was Aaron's gift to me on Mother's Day.  Delish.

::: Random day cleaning out the car.  Poor Cal is in his hot jammies in the crazy heat.  Whoops.

Tillie collecting her flowers.

::: More progress on the house!!

Whew!!! You made it!  Wow.  Go give yourself a break.  I'm gonna take one too!