Sunshine? Fun at The Gateway.

While the Carters were in town last week, we spent a sunny day at The Gateway Mall. It was so nice, that some of us (Jack) got soaked playing in the Olympic fountain. I feel kind of nostalgic looking at these pictures--remembering our nice short-lived weather we had.

 Blaine and Jake watching "the show"

There's Chris in the background... I love my in-laws. No really, I seriously do. They are awesome.

Daddy trying to get Jake to get in on the fun

Handsome man. Handsome boy.

Brothers and cousins.

Markelle and Jack.

Check this out. I love his expression.

Jack giving the ball to Grandpa Steve. He loves his ball almost as much as he loves Grandpa.

It doesn't get much cuter than this... Gosh, I can't wait until Jake is walking around with him.

Sad

So, I have been using Blaine's work Mac here and there for a few months now... and I've been spoiled. I'm not a total Mac snob like so many of you out there (come on, you know who you are), but this machine is just so much nicer than mine.
Blaine informed me (a little too casually) today that the ride is over; the MacBook Pro has to go back. The man wants it. And I'm sad.

I can Caulk my own Kitchen

Well, I guess that enough hinting can sometimes get you a great birthday present: like, new counter tops! Yes, they are much prettier than the ugly "land of Oz" fake marble-emerald green ones we used to have.
Blaine and his brothers made a valiant effort to put them in themselves... and... then our amazing neighbor installed them for us. However, Blaine and I did the tile back splash ourselves, I (yes, by myself!) installed the knobs and handles and well, I couldn't be happier with the end result.
I'm so happy-- that I may not get the itch to paint the cabinets for another three months or so.

Playdate: Will you like the other Mom?

I just found this on Parenting.com. I thought it was pretty funny. I guess I hope someone else does too.

Will you like the other mom?

she shows up with... she's late because... she's wearing... she was up late because... she dishes out...

no maybe yes a sour puss Sour Patch candies for kids sour mix (and the fixin's) for you both she's so busy with the PTA she misjudged her ETA her other kid was being a PITA Manolos moccasins mismatched loafers her kid was so pukey (OMG!) her husband is so sexy (TMI!) Jon Stewart is so funny (ITA!) flaxseed cookies from her purse good advice (not that you asked) gossip about the local alpha mom (they aren't real!)

Kaiya's Blessing Day

Kaiya's Blessing day was perfect. Her dress was custom made (by Jes, check her out!) and it was so beautiful... Kind of made me super-jealous. I sure hope Jes will make a baby girl dress for me someday. 

Anyway, My family was in town and as always, we had a great time. I just wish we got more time together. These trips are always so short.

 

The Walkers. Brad, Michelle and baby Kaiya.

The whole clan.

My little brother, Matt is always sneaking sleeping pictures of my mom and dad with his cell phone. I had to get in on the fun.

Playing with Kaiya on the floor as things were settling down after the blessing. Isabel LOVES her cousins. She is always mothering them and trying to help them with whatever--whether it's putting binkies back in Kaiya's mouth or soothing Jake in the back-seat. I love it.

Michelle and me ogling baby.

The Richardsons. Jason, Isabel and Laurel.

Michelle and her little girl. I love these pictures. It's pretty fun seeing my baby sister with her baby.

Aren't they pretty?

The star of the day.

And... The Carters. Aren't we cute? I saved the best for last. I can say that because for some weird reason I don't have a picture of Scott and Megan--and we all know
that they are really the best. :)

Worst Auntie Award

Isabel's 2nd birthday was in January... as I was perusing some pictures tonight, I realized that I never posted any pictures. I also don't even have pictures of Jackson's birthday party. (They share the same birthday, and we actually made it to both parties.) I blow.

 I love this picture of Isa... she looks so much like Laurel--which is rare. She definitely looks like her daddy most of the time.

Scotty and Megan. These two are the greatest auntie and uncle in the world.
They wanted a picture with the kiddos and I'm pretty sure Jake pulled Isabel's hair. Oops. Where were his parents!?

Isabel with Grandma Dee Dee's present. (My mom didn't really send her just a sucker; she just wrapped it with a sucker on top.) Izzy didn't let go of this thing all night.

With her babies

I love that she loved the gift we gave her. Megan, Michelle and I went in on this Costco gem: complete baby set--baby, stroller, infant seat, diaper bag, laptop, wi-fi, deep-freeze, and KitchenAid. :)

Happy Birthday to Me!

So, it was pretty much a great birthday.
My amazing sisters threw me a themed party (see invite below) a la John Hughes. I love the Brat-Pack movies and after doing
some imdb research, I realized I love everything else he's ever had a hand in (minus the Beethoven fiascoes and Baby's Day Out). I've spent almost my whole life wanting to be Molly Ringwald. I'm pretty sure I was first attracted to Blaine because of his name "That's a major appliance, that's not a name!"--Pretty in Pink, and may or may not have named my son because, like "Jake Ryan" in Sixteen Candles, Jake Carter is a hot-guy-name.
Anyway, it was a great time. I'm so happy so many people got into it and came dressed up. Aside from the fact that I'm actually thirty years old now... the night was perfect.
If you're interested in reading a really cool article about how John Hughes makes great, fun and poingant movies, click here.

How great are these invites?

Blaine and me:
"Blane" (Andrew McCarthy) Pretty in Pink and "Claire" (Molly Ringwald) Breakfast Club
I promise the hair was (not much) better than it looks here. I should have opted for a wig, but instead sprayed it red.
Note skinny tie and diamond earrings.
Also note that I may have wanted to date Blaine when he told me his name, I started quoting Pretty in Pink and he finished the quote.

Margaret and Brady as themselves.
Brad and Michelle:
"Harry" (Joe Pesci) Home Alone and "Allison" (Ally Sheedy) Breakfast Club.
Note the authentically burned beanie and tons of eyeliner.

Valerie and Ben:
"Andie" (Molly Ringwald) Pretty in Pink and "The Geek a.k.a. Farmer Ted" (Anthony Michael Hall) Sixteen Candles.
Note the fantastic pink flowey prom dress and wigs.

We thought it would be funny to buy some TAB... Yeah-- I think I have an entire 12-pack left-over. Oh well, it is the greatest invention next to the Walk-Man and Velcro.

Why is Ally Sheedy so angry?

Doug and Jen:
"John" (Judd Nelson) Breakfast Club and "Sloan" (Mia Sara) Ferris Bueller's day Off.
Note the bandannas, steel-toe boots, and fringe-jacket.

Markelle, Brent and Jack:
"Iona" (Annie Potts) Pretty in Pink, "Cousin Eddie" (Randy Quaid) Christmas Vacation, and "Dennis" (Mason Gamble) Dennis the Menace.
Note the beehive hair, the spray-painted yellow slippers, the white tassel-shoes, and black dickie.

Megan and Scott:
"Ginny" (Blanche Baker) Sixteen Candles and "Abe Froman" Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
Note the WEDDING DRESS! (Megan made best friends with an ex-wife, donating her dress at D.I. ... awesome.) Also note that Scott's character is never actually in Ferris. This is so freaking cool. He donned a snooty tux, glasses, and little sausages that he passed out all night. He even had business cards made up that said, "Chicago Meats Inc. : The Sausage King of Chicago". If you don't know what I'm talkng about then shame on you! Go watch Ferris Bueller right now. It is timeless and is still one of my all-time-favorites.

Jason, Laurel and Isabel
"Jack" (Michael Keaton), "Caroline" (Teri Garr) and "Kenny" (Taliesin Jaffe)
all from Mr. Mom
Note the tool-belt, Jack's favorite shirt, the power-suit, blue high heels and amazing blouse, the Sesame Street tank-top and woobie.

Laurel LOVES being a working mom in the 80s!

Megan trying to snap her fingers while trying to get married doped up on muscle-relaxers.
"Bet those people who thought we had to get married feel pretty stupid right now, 'eh Padre?"

Close-up of Isa's rockin' Sesame Street digs. I think I had this shirt when I was a kid.

Janelle (another Ally Sheedy from Breakfast Club), Ange and Craig as themselves... well Ange did sport a side-pony-tail and we did make Craig participate in our Breakfast Club photo op.

"HEY! HEY! HEY! HEY! (Don't You Forget About Me)"

The beginning of a series of dancin' pictures.

Okay, so maybe it was just Michelle and me.

Still going...

I'm pretty sure Michelle's going to kill me for this one.

This is actually the poster from Breakfast Club...

...And a few of us trying really hard to make an idea work.
Thanks, Craig and Jason for being our Emilio and Anthony.