Driving in the car with Burpy McGee

Hey! Remember how I went on a girls only vacation to Cape Cod for a whole week and I was the youngest person present (which is a good thing)? No? Yeah...probably because I never blog. But here I am blogging about it now for those of you who may have missed my Facebook updates and Tweets while events transpired. And, yes, by "events" I mostly mean "eating food."

Did you not catch the part about it being a girls only vacation? We sat poolside, went to the beach, shopped and ate. And read a lot of books. And crocheted. Because that's how we roll in my family.

So my mom and my sister and I drove up with my mom's cousin, Nancy, and met my Aunt and my cousin's wife, Sherri, at the house. My cousin, Kim, joined us for a couple of days in the middle of the week.

Here we all are at an awesome tea place up the street from my Aunt's house. It's some kind of renovated meat barn that now serves as an art gallery and serves tea parties. It's pretty much amazing. Apparently I like a place that serves dainty tea cakes while I look at location-specific art and giant meat hooks hanging from the ceiling. The thing is, the art is gorgeous and the food is so incredibly tasty...and giant meat hooks! Who doesn't love that?

(and this is where I tell you to please overlook the fact that these are all cell phone pictures. my camera is broken and our life is not properly documented when my camera is broken. end disclaimer.)

Mom and Lauren posing, even though they didn't really want to. How I love them.

L to R: Aunt Sharon, Nancy, Sherri and Kim

Me and my sissie.

Extreme close-up, but the other one is too blurry and gives me three eyes. Which is not a thing that I have. So close-up is what you get.

I didn't get any pictures, but the first day there we all went to brunch and I got to do the one thing I wanted to do on this trip (besides tan and not work), eat delicious Eggs Benedict. Along with a lot of other delicious things, but the Eggs Benedict was divine. And then, Nancy taught me how to make my own AND she put crab meat on them. So my life is pretty much complete.

The second day there (after a day at the beach), I was cooking dinner on the grill (another new skill I learned...but will henceforth claim I did not learn bc I never want to be in charge of grilling things), and I realized how great it was that we all basically did the same things at the same time. We came home, cleaned up, then sat down and picked up a book. I walked into the living room and everyone but me and whoever was in the shower was reading a book. All happily enjoying the peace and quiet of a house free of children. So the week basically went on like that and we were all so happy.

And now a selection of random photos:

The lobster thingy that vibrated when our food was ready at Seafood Sam's.

Eating delish ice cream.

Oh thanks, Forever 21. Thank you so much for this awful mannequin pose. And by awful I mean great.

Dwight K. Shrute.

My mom is awesome. The end.

These statues were every where in this one shopping place we go to. They reminded us too much of a Weeping Angel, so I took a picture and then avoided all the others. This is what happens to you when you watch Doctor Who 75% of the time.

I ate a lobster roll. And it was good.

I miss that Monkey face

The Hoho brings presents

Indeed.

Monkey calls Santa "The Hoho." I told Lauren that it sounds slightly inappropriate. Megan says it makes her think of a snack cake delivering presents. Both provide lovely mental images.

Yesterday we got to talk on Skype (best invention ever) so I got to stare at how beautiful Bug is (and how much he's changed in just twoish weeks - the difference is amazing when you don't see them everyday!) and I got to sit and talk to Monkey. Talking to Monkey basically means I just watch him do his thing and listen to whatever he feels like sharing. Sometimes that means nonsense words, sometimes I get a song. Yesterday I got both of those and I got to watch him writing. He wrote my name and said "This is your name, Zizi and you're a famous mom and you're a mom." I have no idea what that really means, but I loved it. I think he also told me at one point he was pretending to be a doctor. I'm guessing he was thinking in terms of writing notes in a folder or on a prescription pad as I'm sure he's seen the doctor do both. He started asking me questions at one point too which was, of course, adorable.

It's amazing how much they've both changed. This is for Lauren's sake that I'm writing this as she sees the boys everyday, but they are different. There were words Monkey was pronouncing much clearer and I even heard a distinct "S" during the alphabet song. Bug's face just looked different. He really is a handsome boy. They both are.

Anyway, I thought I'd share some of that. I miss those boys and my sissie and Wil. Not to mention my mom. Mom and I also had a good talk on the phone Saturday morning that made me stop and appreciate the fact that Mom, Lauren and I truly are more than just family, we're friends. It's an amazing blessing and makes all of this easier and more difficult all at the same time.

conversations with a 2 year old

Monkey: Zizi, Zizi. My job is tomorrow.
Me: Your job is tomorrow? What is your job?
Monkey: My job is to work hard, Zizi.


Also - this is totally random.

Me: You are getting so big Monkey. Do you know that?
Monkey: Yep. I'm big.
Me: How big are you?
Monkey: I'm big and beautiful.

Brothers

Look at these boys.

I figure that eventually we will forget that while these photos were being taken we had to remind Monkey to share his blocks with Bug, to let Bug have one block, to get Bug a new toy of his own if he didn't want to share the blocks, to be gentle with Bug, to not open the cabinet while Bug is in front of it, to not climb in the cabinet, to not taunt Bug.


That's right. Someday we'll look at these pictures and think "oh, look how nice they were to each other" and "they were so happy playing together." Of course Bug thinks Monkey walks on water so he truly was happy spending some quality time. Monkey was happy as long as Bug didn't mess up the "bus" he was building. Haha. Brothers are fun.

It makes me wonder (and try to remember) what was going on while my mom took pictures of my siblings and me when we were younger. I'm sure there are some awesome stories in there somewhere.

For those of you without Facebook

Which I'm pretty sure is none of you, but still. Here's a little more backstory.

He just woke up. The position of his fingers is accidental. He refused to cuddle with me and then voluntarily got up, walked over to my friend John and cuddled with him for like 5 minutes.
This boy has a habit of not being able to decide which sister he would like to cuddle with. I almost always lose out in the end, but that's the way it should be. It's fun to watch him go back and forth giggling and smiling at whoever isn't holding him.
This is just such a great face he's making. That would be mid-screech. It was a happy screech at least.
A bathtub in the sink! Mostly because I wasn't paying attention while feeding him and he kicked squash all over himself. Oh well. He loves baths. Isn't he just so pinchable?!
Modeling the legwarmers and getting ready for a nap.
We rolled around for a while with Monkey's towel. He loved being wrapped up in that.
Playing peek a boo and trying to cuteness his way out of a nap. Don't worry, I was strong and he slept for a long time.
This was when we were standing in line for the giant yard sale we went to on Saturday. That hat was too small and it made me laugh. Still, he's so freaking cute!!
Monkey was showing me his hat. He had a good time with Grandma and Papa on Saturday.
And he got a Lightening costume! This is him "riding" the car. haha. He's happier than he looks.
Lauren's awesome yard sale purchase. We took a bunch of photos with it.
The only one i got of him looking at the camera and smiling. It probably would have worked better if i had tried to take the photo before the cookie eating.

We had a nice Sunday as well with a delicious dinner prepared by Lauren and Wil for Christy (she left for Texas, then she's home to Australia). Our friends John and Jacob came and we mostly just sat and enjoyed each other's company. It was a very nice and relaxing (and fun!) day thanks to Lauren and Wil and their adorable boys.

Big News

Here's what I have been keeping from you.

I'm moving back to Utah. Provo, to be exact.

I'm not really sure when. It could be November. It could be January. I could show up on your doorstep with all my worldly belongings in tow three days from now. How's that for unpredictable? I'm a loose cannon people!

Also, I'm really not sure how to spell cannon, like on a pirate ship or the civil war.

Also, AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

There is a lot more to say about this but mostly I just had to share it with you as I just told my boss and co-workers so it is no longer top secret.

I'm excited and freaking out, but in the best way.

updates

i posted new tutu stuff on my projects blog - go see "I Make Stuff" over on the left side bar. Cute stuff, I promise.

i, like Megan, am trying out the new followers widget mostly for my own curiosity. All i ask is that you add yourself to the list and don't make yourself anonymous because what would the point be then? i don't even care if i really know you in real life, i am curious to find out who actually reads the craziness i am putting out there.

i miss my friends today. well, i miss them all the time, but especially this week.

i need something new in my life because apparently whatever i'm doing now is causing me stress and pain. even when i make a conscious effort to alleviate stress in my life it doesn't seem to be helping me physically. i've been super productive creatively speaking as well as trying some new recipes and keeping my room relatively clean and organized AND, most importantly, i've been taking on fewer responsibilities and commitments. i'm trying to say no to things when i really feel i should and not guilt myself into an overly hectic schedule. i'm trying to work really hard on this physical therapy thing and it is helping in a lot of ways - maybe it has to get worse to get better? all i know is that my sleeping is all thrown off and i am a person who needs a lot of sleep. also i have a sore throat and i hat that.

today is my daddy's birthday. happy birthday to him. i love him and i hope he has an awesome day. i also hope he likes the card i bought him and his present which is very random...but he likes random.

this is taking a lot of energy and i still have to work till 5 (now you know why i've been posting such short photo posts).

What a difference six months can make.

I count six adorable children, five noticeable growth spurts, four haircuts, three full-time school attendees, two almost 3-year-olds and one crawling baby.

More about Saturday with the kids

We went to my brothers house to celebrate K and Hailey's birthdays. Caleb turned 8 recently and the princess will be 3 on Friday. The princess was wearing an adorable dress that matches a dress for her American Girl doll (Lindsey Jr.). I think my sister-in-law found it at Ross.

I gave the kids their gifts I picked up for them from Cape Cod as soon as we got there. The younger ones got Webkins and Noah got a shirt. The shirt is a Men's Medium. He put it on and said, "See? It fits perfect!" It was down to his knees. This is the fashion sense of an 11-year-old boy.

A little later K and Hails opened their birthday gifts. K got more Webkins and Hailey got new stuff for her bunnies (Calico Corners animal doll house stuff). I made her doll a tutu and gave her an Amelia Bedelia book (Amy - get Boo an Amelia Bedelia book - she will love it).

We ate some yummy dinner then played for a little while and had some cake. I love playing with these kids. They are all so different and they love spending time together. Everyone wanted to help feed jBug or play with him or hold him. Monkey is always happy playing there because he loves his older cousins who are always happy to stop what they are doing and play with him. Plus, Hailey and I get to do silly girlie stuff like play dress ups or dolls or just lay around laughing and giggling at silly things.

So then there was cake. Ice cream cake and regular cake. The kids "dug" right in. With their mouths. It was fun and they are old enough not to make a huge mess. Monkey didn't know what to think of it and was very neat while eating with no utensils. They thought it was funny that they had icing all over their faces and noses.

So it was a fun afternoon with the kiddos.

Oh...and that photo of all of them was pure luck. Noah, Caleb and Josh are all old enough now to behave and smile for just long enough to get a photo. Or I should say if you give Bug to Caleb then K will smile willingly. Once we got Monkey on Noah's lap then Noah was making Monkey smile. The first photo with just the boys had Hailey over to the side pouting to hold Bug. Then I just put her in front of the boys and clicked real quick. The luck came in when I realized no one had blinked or turned their head or made a face. Really I just click and click and click and hope that at least one of the photos will be a good one. And there's a lot of "look over here!" "smile!" "Monkey come sit here!" "look at the camera!" along with various other noises.

Happy Birthday K

Caleb turned 8 last Saturday. He was born right after I moved to Utah for my freshman year of college. He has the most beautiful eyes and amazing curls. He loved Blues Clues for the longest time - I knew all the songs from the show because it made him happy that I would sit and play Blues Clues with him and sing all the songs. He had a thinking chair, a shirt that looked like Steve's and more note books than any one child could possibly have.

He's a collector. He picks something to like and then sticks with it for a long time. Blues Clues, Batman/Superheros, Pokemon and now Webkins. If all else fails, buy him a superhero toy and the kid is in heaven. He is silly and loves to dress up. He has a great imagination.

K loves to hold his baby cousins. When Bug is around, K is usually waiting for his turn to hold him. He will sit and just look at Bug. He doesn't fidget or get bored. I think he will have a connection with Bug the way Noah and Monkey have a connection. I can see so many similarities in them.

Finally, photos. These are some of my favorites from the last 8 years.

a few items of business

1. MEGAN IS HOME! Not that I can see her, but now I can talk to her on the phone and text her and that makes me happy - because she listens to a whole lot of my craziness and still likes me.

2. I have new readership! Emily Albright and her mom. I will be posting a wedding-related post for them, which sounds weird, but it's not really. I promise.

3. Cristin had her baby, Owen! 4 weeks early! Apparently he was ready to be born. He's in the hospital so he can finish growing and getting ready for the real world - so best wishes and lots of prayers to the Ricks family. He's a cutie!! Congratulations! (and in related news, I got prezzies sent out there just in time for his arrival! When he does come home, I hope they are enjoyed by him and his mommy.)

4. I spent most of my day yesterday with the kiddos. I took K his birthday presents early since I'll be gone this weekend. I can't believe he's 8. Craziness. He and Joshie are way into this Webkins thing - which I'm loving because it's so not as confusing and/or annoying as Pokemon. So he is now the proud owner of a Rotweiler named Steven (a name I chose) and a Gecko named Mark. K's name choices are the best ever - he doesn't waste his time with silly pet names - he goes for the serious people names. Love it. The rest of my time was spent playing pretend and dress ups with the Princess. We had a tea party (during which she remarked, "this is a wonderful tea party") complete with princess dishes, real (and delish) cookies and water instead of tea. I think she likes playing with me because I play all her girlie games with her. And I'm totally fine with that. It was such a fun day. I love those kiddos.

5. I'm going to the beach on Wednesday with one of my bestest pallies, Jamie!! I am so excited and so happy we made this vacation work! See all my exclamation marks?! That's how happy I am. I need a vacation very badly.

6. This is my final point and maybe it should have been first so in case I lost any of you. I need an idea of a name for my projects blog. Something fun but not annoying. Something having to do with me or a nick name of mine (Lindle, Linnie, Lindsey Lou Who, Zizi, Scooter, etc.) that I can put up there as a title so it's not so boring. So, pass along your ideas. I figure who better to ask than the ones who know me so well?

That's all for now. More posts to come soon!

fashion - update!

I posted this photo on the new blog:

That would be my Grandad, Grandmother and her twin sister, Marion, and my uncle Paul (Grandad's brother). First of all...look how tiny they were (the twins)! No one in that family really got any tall genes, but since they were twins, they were always tiny - they even went to school later because of their size and that's how my Grandmother and Grandad ended up in the same class where they would meet when they were 18 and 15 years old.

But this is about the clothes. I don't know what they were doing, but they all look so nice. Clean shaven, crisp lines, there's even a nice breeze blowing. Sometimes I wish they still made clothes like this. The heels are sturdy, but amazing. Gram is wearing an awesome hat and the skirts are knee length! That may have had something to do with the fact they are both only 5 feet tall (at the most) but who cares.

**Update. This was my grandparent's wedding day and they are on the family farm in PA. Aunt Marion was the maid of honor and Uncle Paul was the best man. I've previously written about certain stories around their wedding (they honeymooned in Eerie, PA and then Grandad went back to VA to finish up his service in the Navy). I really don't know why I love this picture so much, but I do.

welcome to the world baby blog!

So I started a new blog. It's a photo blog for family photos as I get them scanned into the computer...well, not all of them, but some of the good ones. Anyway, if you ever get bored photos will be there to look through.

Just because.