Day 1

Although our vacation was cut many days short by a tropical storm (stupid Faye) we managed to have 2 1/2 days on the beach and lots of rainy days in the condo playing cards...

Our story starts like this...

DAY 1:

The flight was uneventful other than it being Kellen's first time on an "hair pane." He did wonderfully despite falling asleep 30 minutes before landing. We got to the condo around 4ish and soon after we walked to Johnny Rockets along the beach for dinner.

After dinner we went out to the beach. I think Kellen was a little unsure.

Nana and Kellen.

Aunt Morgan and Nana are holding Kellen steady. Kellen and Pa. Still not sure what to think. My love and I.Child and Mama with child (p.s.- ITS A BOY!) Morgan and Luke enjoying the hot tub.The movie (Remember the Titans) that was played on the pool deck.

The End (of Day 1)

Officially On Holiday

Matt and I are officially on Holiday...image: Summer of 1969 at my great grandparent's pool. Taken by my Grandad Dudley on Kodachrome (the best slide film EVER). My Great Grandmother, Grandma, and Aunt are pictured.
This was part of my senior thesis titled Tied to Me. Maybe I will post more about that some other time. Right now I am being whisked away to the tropics.

Vacationitis

This past week has been one of those weeks. You know the kind where you feel like you have done everything and nothing at the same time? Yeah, one of those.

Matt and I are leaving for a tropical get-a-way on Friday with the whole fam (Sans Karsten). Both of us are getting antsy but there is SO much to be done before we escape south (cleaning up the house, putting fresh linens on the bed, finishing the laundry, packing, giving Izzy a bath, paying bills, tying up loose ends at work, preparing for our first Sunday school lesson, etc.).

This last weekend we were SUPER busy. On Friday we headed to Chevys with our good friends Brent and Amy. We hadn’t seen them in months so it was GREAT to catch up. Afterward we went to L & B’s for an Olympic party - complete with Chinese food, Chinese finger traps, international decorations, AND Chinese checkers. We “watched” the opening ceremony and played games in true Olympic Spirit (thanks to Betsy for an awesome theme party).

Saturday, our friends Chase and Alisha were in Champaign for a conference so we had them and L & B over for a cookout. It was the first time Matt and I have seen their new baby, Simon. He is ADORABLE! We had such an awesome time catching up.

Sunday, after Church we lounged around a bit and then headed to L & B’s again for homemade pizzas and some Olympics-watching (or the Cards/Cubs game).

Altogether we had a GREAT weekend it just went soooo fast.

Now we really need to buckle down and get packing. It doesn’t help that Matt and I have been staying up all night watching the Olympic coverage. You can see how passionate Matt is about the Olympics on his blog.

To add to the chaos I had another photo-shoot last night with a coworker. I have started a new photography blog- {Entertaining Angels}. Check it out!

Roland Bello Photography

Oh my goodness, I totally have a crush on his photography. I love the way he uses light and organizes confusing space.

Me- a Photographer??

Saturday I was commissioned by one of my best friends to take some graduation photos. She came to town along with her boyfriend, Nate. Matt and I had a GREAT time hanging out with them and catching up. Here are some images from the shoot.

When I got my current job at the University I figured photography was something of the past, something I would just do as a hobby. However, even though I spend 8-5 as an HR Trainer I can't get photography out of my head. So Matt and I have really thought and prayed about it and I think I am ready to go out on my own and start doing photography for real, obviously on the side for now. I know it sounds kinda crazy. So, If you or someone you know want some photos taken let me know. :)

The "L" Word...

I am pleased to announce that I have been christened as a true Chicago traveler. I have ridden then "L" folks, all by myself. Walking along the streets of this windy city one is inundated with the sights and sounds of the screeching "L" as it whips along above. Since I began coming to this city the knowledge of its existence was enough to perk my curiosity and the reality that I had never experienced it loomed over me every time I heard the squeal of the rail. You could imagine my excitement when Brooke invited me out to Oak Park this past week. Although unsure, I decisively mustered my courage and fared the Green Line on the CTA.
(Thanks to Brookie for the very specific instructions. I couldn’t have done it without you!)

Leaving my hotel (one of the many makeshift sidewalks due to construction)

Trekking across the river.Kids running (I love the hand in the far left of this image).

My first view of the station on Lake and Clark.

Platform from above(hoping to find 9 & 3/4)!

The people who ride the "L" regularly.
On the "L"
My Stop.

Leaving the station.

Home Improvement

After a fabulous date last night (the concert was o.k. but it was more fun just hanging out with the hubby) Matt and I were exhausted and slept in this morning. After we ran a bunch of errands and took my car into the shop (apparently my muffler was about to fall off). Now that we are finally getting a lot of the "bigger" house projects finished like establishing a yard, we get to move on to the more fun ones like decorating. We honestly haven't done much decor wise. We finally painted a wall in the kitchen and I whipped up some curtains that are only partially finished. There is SOOOO much more that I want to do. I did get to redo some garage sale finds that I decided to put in our entryway.

Before: The mirror was nasty gold.

Now it's nice and white. The table was also a garage sale find. It was an old sewing table whitout the sewing maching. It looks much better now that it has a fresh coat of paint.I only have one mroe photo: my handsome husband standing in front of the Virginia Theatre. :)