I came across this and it made me think about how nice a spa day would be…even with toddlers running it. It also reminds me of the cute back rubs Maddie gives me. 🙂 ...

We combined December and January for book club and read The Paris Wife. I had a hard time getting into it, but the other ladies loved it. Chicago, 1920: Hadley Richardson is a quiet twenty-eight-year-old who has all but given up on love and happiness—until she meets Ernest Hemingway. Following a whirlwind courtship and wedding, the pair set sail for Paris, where they become the golden couple in a lively and volatile group—the fabled “Lost Generation”—that includes Gertrude Stein, Ezra... Read More Read More ...

Here are a couple other bonus photos I got. The photographer from our family phot shoot asked me if I’d be interested in doing some newborn photos with Dannie. Apparently new moms don’t usually like to do this pictures and she wanted a few more shots for her portfolio. I was happy to oblige! ...

A couple months back we read The Red House for book club. It didn’t go over very well. Only one person finished it and most didn’t come close to finishing it….including me. Here’s a summary. The set-up of Mark Haddon’s brilliant new novel is simple: Richard, a wealthy doctor, invites his estranged sister Angela and her family to join his for a week at a vacation home in the English countryside. Richard has just re-married and inherited a willful stepdaughter... Read More Read More ...

Since today is February 1st, that means Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. If you are in the market to get me something for Valentine’s Day, I have the perfect gift! Not that I need another bag, but I need another bag! The colors, the stripes….it just screams LOVE! It’s a Retro Metro Tote. And a nice bonus would be the green or teal flower to go with it. 🙂 Just a suggestion! 🙂 ...

So yesterday when I posted the bonus pictures that I got of Dannie, I mentioned they were by a photographer that took some family photos for us. I realized I didn’t post any of those pictures. As a baby gift from Chuck’s sister, Paige, she found a photographer to take some family photos for her and for us. She was local from Flutterby Photos. Here are some of my favorite pictures we got from her. ...

The photographer that did some family photos for us, called to see if she could borrow Dannie to model a new headband for a local boutique. Of course I said yes. Here are the bonus pictures she sent me! ...

This was so funny. I may be 32, but this still cracks me up! 🙂 ...

Our dear, sweet, sometimes infuriating, always silly, lovable, adorable toddler is almost 2. She’s 23 months old and I spent time today making invitations for her birthday. She says so many words and phrases that there’s no way to keep track. We are pretty certain that she isn’t going to ever stop talking now that she can communicate. 🙂 And she has been gradually correcting the way she says many words. She likes picking out her clothes and dressing herself.... Read More Read More ...

I mentioned that Dannie is a pretty good sleeper. Well, she is also adorable when she sleeps. Here’s a bunch of proof! 🙂 ...

Our sweet, happy baby girl is two months old! What a sweetheart she is! Those kissable cheeks and that smile…oh man…melts my heart! She likes smiling at Chuck and me, but she lights up when Maddie talks to her! It is so sweet. I can’t wait for them to play together. Dannie had her 8 week checkup last week and the doc was impressed with her growth. 11 pounds, 4 ounces…up 3 pounds in 6 weeks. And 23″ long. She’s... Read More Read More ...

I know you probably don’t care about the Xmas cards I got this year, but I like taking a picture to remember them. And to remember how lucky we are to have so many great friends and wonderful families! And this really is the last Xmas post. I promise! 🙂 ...

Because I’m too lazy to get my laptop so you can see the video on here, I’m attaching a link to a video of Maddie playing with some of her new toys! Enjoy! Maddie & Her New Toys I guess I wasn’t quite done with christmas posts. 🙂 ...

Ok everyone! Be thankful this is the last Christmas post! This one was with my dad, stepmom, brother and sister-in-law. My brother came over in horrible footed pajamas. He was so proud! Such a goofball….and I was so glad he changed after the picture! He thinks it’s amusing to see a look of horror on my face when he walks in wearing this! 🙂 My Gwen and Katie got some snuggle time with Dannie! Dannie spent her time awake staring... Read More Read More ...

This Christmas was with my mom, stepdad, stepdad’s parents, brothers and sister-in-law. Here’s a look at all the presents under the tree! Which is impressive since we don’t do adult gifts. (My mom still breaks the rules and gets everyone a little something!) Before we ate and opened gifts, my brother, Charlie, got an iPad for Christmas and spent time playing with that. He’s 15, so he isn’t the most talkative. 🙂 My mom, Adam and Katie spent time in... Read More Read More ...

On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, we were invited to two big extended family events. We decided to pass them up this year to avoid the risk of getting Dannie sick. Just too big of a risk when she is so young. Instead, we decided to have our Christmas at home in the evening when Maddie got up from her nap. First we made some popcorn for a snack. She loves popcorn! Then we got to present opening. Maddie got... Read More Read More ...

Today is my dear hubby’s birthday! That’s right….he was born New Year’s Day! What a fun birthday! (He thinks my birthday is cool, too…election day!) We celebrated by going to see The Hobbit at the IMAX then had dinner. Neither of us remember when we saw a movie last, but we think it was before we had kids! It was a nice evening of getting out of the house! Chuck: Happy birthday to my dear hubby! You’re the most wonderful,... Read More Read More ...

We usually make a trip to Omaha for the holidays to visit Chuck’s grandparents. But with a toddler and newborn, that just wasn’t in the cards this year. Thankfully one set came to Austin, MN to stay with relatives, so we made the hour and a half drive there instead. It was great to see his grandparents and visit with family. Here’s a picture of Chuck’s grandma and grandpa with all their great-granddaughters….and Paige and me. 🙂 ...

We had our first Christmas celebration way back by Thanksgiving when Chuck’s mom was in town for Dannie’s arrival. We had Chuck’s sister, brother-in-law and daughter over too. Here’s Paige and I with my girls. Chuck’s mom (Linda) made the coolest gift! She made Maddie a play mat for cars and decorated some matchbox cars to be girly! It is so much fun to play with! Dannie wasn’t much of a participant at this Christmas since she was only about... Read More Read More ...

Yesterday my friend Trisha came over with her two kids. Our oldest is 3 weeks younger than her oldest and our baby is 6 days older than her baby. It’s been great having our kids at the same time as Trisha and her hubby. We have lots of play dates together and would have lots more if we didn’t live 45+ minutes from each other. But we try to get together once a month or so. Chelsea and Maddie are... Read More Read More ...