Children's Museum

For those who have moved, you know that there is always a period of "quiet". Its a time of reflection from where you've come, a re-framing of where your going, and it offers the opportunity to change things up a bit schedule wise. So that's what we've done. We've reflected {better known as crying}, remembering all our sweet friends, and fun summer time activities, that we miss. We are changing up where our priorities are, not what we value, but where we are spending our energy. For example, Justin is leaving around 6:45am every day, and returning well after 10pm... yes this is a little more than we thought it was going to be. But that means we make it a point to drop of lunch and dinner to him. He hops in the car, we drive around the block while he talks with the kids, sometimes we go to a nearby park for 20 minutes, and then drop him back off. Today Blythe said, "I really like the stairs at daddy's new home where he lives" , she is referring to the steps that lead to the front door of the law school {hilarious and sad all at the same time}. So when Justin says he has a free moment, we stop what we're doing, load up in the car, just for a few minutes here and there.

Thank goodness there are just a few more weeks left of craziness and then he has a 2 week break to be all ours! So as not to dwell on the past and everything great that we left, we have been motivated to make some new memories here to make it feel like home. We've visited the Indianapolis Children's Museum, which is the largest children's museum in the US. It is amazing, and if you're ever in the area, it is worth the price to drop in. Justin and I have talked about how we would like to go on a date there {that is how cool it is}!

So in efforts to make new memories, here we go.



There was a Dora the Explorer exhibit for kiddos ages 5 and younger!














Dinosaur Exhibit was so cool!
A little over our kids head,
but there was a section that looked like you were
walking through Jurassic Park!



A whole area dedicated to trains, this was Big Guys favorite!
They had an old caboose that was simulated as if
you were riding it. I think he could have stayed there for hours.

Barbi! This was Peanuts favorite!
There was a design studio, fashion runway,
doll dressing area, pretty much a little girls dream!

Big Guy was quite intrigued with the phone!

Iron, Sugar and Wood {wedded bliss, year six}

So after doing some research, year six is supposed to be a "home" anniversary gift, suggestions are iron, sugar or wood. But in light of our current circumstances {being a law school family}, I opt for a dose of pictures {where we looked much younger} and your favorite Starbucks drink. So here you are honey, I'm being sentimental, just for you ;-)

The year we started dating!
2004

The year we said "I Do"
2005

At Justin's graduation {ironically!}
2006



One of our Florida vacations
2007



California vacation
{apparently, after you add a kid, you forget to take
pictures of only you and your spouse together}
Year 2008



Epic summer adventure of STP! Again, same kid problem.
Year 2009


















2010


So we finally figured it out {how not to take pics with your kids}, not marriage! The past five years have been quite the adventure!

Justin, I am more in love with you today, than that day in July six years ago when we said "I do". You are an amazing father to our children, and leader of our household.

Your commitment to our marriage; growing in the Lord, serving others, ministering to those in need, laughing, dating, studying, buy gifts, opening my door, mowing the lawn, praying with me, doing the dishes, cleaning my car, writing me cards, doing the laundry and so much more, and I am proud to call you mine and am so thankful for the commitment we made six years ago!  You are my very best friend.



2011

Mexico, the Wedding {Part 2}

Joel and Brigitta's Wedding was fabulous!



The reception was BEAUTIFUL!





 

The cute cousins were adorable!

Rara and Blythe

And the food was great!

If you are doing a double-take, thinking surely thats not the pool... you are right! It is the pool. And jump in the Bridal party did! Yes, the bride in her dress, everyone fully clothed! I guess you only wear it once, right!






What we miss...

Since becoming situated in Bloomington we talk about things we miss. Unfortunately, there are to many to list. Everyday the kids ask when we are going back home, "to the ranch" are their exact words. When we first arrived, it was like a dagger digging deep in to my heart, and I'd wipe away tears and get the lump out of my throat before responding. You would think that after several weeks they would quit asking; however,  that is not the case, so I digress.

Here are some of the things we love {and miss}!

We miss the horses riding right in front of our yard. Now we settle for cars, dogs and a few people.

We miss the dining hall, because I'm actually having to cook, now we eat a lot of the same stuff over and over. We kick ourselves every time we go out to eat because the little people treat restaurants like the dining hall, where it is okay to stand on your chair, yell, chug pitchers of water and so on!

We miss our private pool. Now we must share with whomever decides to come out to the local pool. It's always great people watching, but we miss the calm of the Ranch.

We miss our Rara {Aunt Rachel}. We're excited she is coming to see us.

We miss this girl! I'm sure Rara could fit her in a suitcase to bring her for a visit!
















More to come!

Mexico {Part 1}

We went to Mexico for the most fabulous wedding celebration! My brother Joel and his new wife Brigitta had the most fun wedding week and ceremony! It was such a blast! Just six weeks after Tenley's birth and four days before our move to Indiana, we had the most relaxing week at the beach with family. It was tons of fun {side note: I highly recommend all-inclusive resorts with children}!

We had lots of Spa Resort Credit to use, so Peanut enjoyed her first mani-pedi~ She enjoyed Dora on the flat screen playing behind the lady more than the actual process!

We enjoyed laying by the pool, 

and took advantage of the swim up bar... the kids loved it! 

Sweet Baby T, spent most of her time sleeping in various places by the pool! Did I mention the "all inclusive food" aspect was perfect with kids! 

And then we took a bus ride down to the local market. This was Big Guys favorite activity {besides swimming}!

And then there was more sleeping {Peanut slept in the enormous bathtub, placed in the middle of our room... a little odd, but very useful!}

More to come, Birthday and Wedding!

A tour of Kansas!

It's been a while, and you may be wondering why I haven't blogged... well, because life has been in transition, and it has mostly been sad!... yes, depressing to say, but when you blog about everyday life, and you are getting ready to leave a sweet place, its hard to share what is going on, so here is what HAS gone on! Since adding kiddo #3 we have traveled to Mexico, Manhattan, Kansas City, and moved to Indiana...

We went to Kansas City to celebrate Cousin Grace's birthday, and while there got to see longtime friends at a BBQ and connect with family. This was a great time, before moving father away {where a weekend trip is not possible;-(}.

Aunt Hannah did a great job putting together a Snow White themed party, with "Apple" cake pops! It was adorable! Happy 3rd Birthday Grace

It was also "wear your favorite princess dress party" so Peanut dressed up like her favorite {and who she looks most like} Cinderella!

Big Guy enjoyed cake, playing with cousin Noah and Aunt Rara held Sweet Baby T!










Manhattan

Justin and I traveled the following week to Manhattan to attend a wedding of a longtime friend. While there we stopped by my childhood home {lived there for a a decade... almost 20 years ago}, and also visited the house of Pi Beta Phi, just so Sweet Baby T and myself could get a picture together {of her future sisterhood}.

So the fireplace mantle {far right} was always taller than me... funny, I have grown... it hasn't.

My room {it was previously purple, now its pink}, the park across the street {newer playground equipment}, the neighbors yard {they didn't like people stepping in their grass... to bad for them a family of five kids lived next door... and when we moved, a family with 11 moved in...}, and the tree!

AggieVille looks the same... and the House of Pi... pretty as ever!

Saying good-bye means great food!

So, we're leaving... all to soon. But before we pulled out we got to spend some great time, with great people and eat great food. These are people we are going to dearly miss. Great friends, neighbors, people who we work with, they've been like family and we are so thankful to have known them.... and will continue to know them ;-)

Umm, well, here is an idea of our evening... entertaining...

We ate it all! Yum!