Man Trips & Girl's Week

Chris and two of his brothers just returned from Man Time (it's capatalized because they went mountain biking in Moab, Utah and you can't get a more testosterone laden trip than that). I stayed home and hung out with my two sister-in-laws, Jenny and Eileen--technically, Eileen is my sister-in-law-to-be, but in just two months it will be official. We also had Jenny's two female dogs (I make that distinction because there truly was not a male on this place for 4 days).

Jenny came up with a saying, "What happens at Jane's house, stays at Jane's house" and thus I am unable to divulge any real information. I can say there was alot of eating and talking. We discovered that all of the boys share an affinity for kitchen knives and are over-reactive when someone places knives in the stainless steel kitchen sink. Weird. I wonder if there is a gene gone awry that would cause this?

The guys came back spent from their vacation, and I can honestly say that I think I spoke more words in 4 days than I have all year long. It was great fun, but we missed Carrie. Family gatherings are not the same without her.

Chris took the camera with him on his trek, so I don't have any pictures of us girls--probably just as well because then there would be evidence. Chris informed me that he jumped off of this cliff with his bike:

And he has video to prove it--which wasn't the wisest move on his part because it will not help his case when he wants to take this trip again in the future. I reminded him before he left that he had a small child that is quite dependent upon him. Because I know that when he gets with his brothers there will be an over abundance of dare-devilish stunts. I grew up with Chris and his brothers.

Haven fell in love with her aunties. But, we were all cast aside when Daddy walked through the door. And now, she and I are headed to California tomorrow to meet up with my mom, dad, and grandma. Chris will be bachelorizing. I don't know if two weeks of strictly male influence is going to be harmful or not.

From My Mom's Garden

Haven, We Have a Problem...

We had a great evening with friend's last night. Miss Haven did especially. My friend, Sarah, has 3 little boys now. Haven loved baby Nathan. She gave him kisses all over and tried to pet his eyes. I've taught her the word, "gentle" which I use when she pets the dogs. Sometimes she can be over exuberant when touching them. She'll tone it down when she hears "gentle"; however, it's difficult to explain to a one year old that you can't use the same gentle touch with the dogs as you do with a week old baby. She had good, loving intentions. Even if she wanted to poke his little eyes. He slept peacefully on through all the loving.

We used to think that Sarah's two year old, Owen, might be a problem because he was kissing on her when she was just a few month's old and sharing his pacifier with her. However, I think the problem might be with our daughter. I happened to glance over at the two of them while we were all eating dinner and Haven had Owen pinned against the wall where he couldn't get away with her arms on either side of him. She wasn't sure what to do with him there, and Owen had to pretend he didn't like it, so he ran away, but kept coming back. Haven's Daddy might have a couple words to say to his frisky little daughter before she turns 16.

First Time with Pig-Tails

I think it might have immediately increased her orneriness quotient by about 64%.

Haven & Pfeffer (the Bunny)

Daddy, we need a bunny too!

Giving Pfeffer a hug

Mission Accomplished

Are You a Contender?

My sister-in-law's fair trade business is conducting a contest. All you have to do is take a photo of yourself (it's actually easier if someone else takes the photo of you) in an apron (any apron that you own) and send it to Scarlett Threads. In addition to the photo, there are other ways to increase the odds that you win (such as what I'm doing...blogging about the contest).

Anyhoo, here's a photo of me in my apron. This is a rare sight. Me in an apron. Not because I don't love my apron. No, no. Because finding me cooking in the kitchen is akin to finding...well, let's just say it is difficult to find. This apron is one of Scarlett Threads products. I may not cook in it, but it makes a great clothing protector when I am feeding Haven her dinner. Seriously, how come I have more food on me than what she gets in her mouth? I do not know.

I told Chris that I needed him to take a picture of me in my apron and when he asked why I told him about the contest. He wanted me to be sure to include the many great qualities my apron possesses:

1. It never fades, tears, or wears out

2. It always looks brand-new

3. Like it's never, ever seen an oven, stove, or cooking pot

I could go on, but I think you get the idea. Chris is now lying on the floor of the kitchen unconscious. Unfortunately, the back of his head can not say the same about never seeing a cooking pot.

Good luck. And, don't forget to enter the contest. You could win an apron!

Women & Babies

I had a fantastic weekend. It started out with a girl's evening (which means lots of food) that extended until 8 the next morning. My lovely friend, Sarah, went into labor on Friday and had her baby boy, Nathan, the next morning. It was possibly one of the most important things I've ever seen in my life. Through the whole labor she just amazed me. I think it gave me a new respect for women. Sarah did the birth un-medicated, and she was serene and calm and focused. Everyone in the room was crying when Nathan made his appearance. The only birth I've ever attended was Haven's (well, and my own, but I don't remember it), and it's quite different when you are the one in pain. Plus, I was so exhausted after Haven's birth that I don't really remember much of it. Anyway, I am so grateful to Sarah for allowing me to witness such an important moment. I've never seen a woman look so beautiful.

After a day of recovery (that means two beers and a good night's sleep), Chris and I went biking. Haven ran through the sprinkler at my parent's house, helped Daddy work on his bike (she loves doing this), and ate quite a bit of bird feed. She's unstoppable when she gets outside. She's really growing up. I love this age, but it's sad to think that she's definitely on her way out of babyhood and onto toddlerhood.

You've Outdone Yourself

I didn't think it was possible, but Chris has actually reached a higher echelon of dorkiness. You probably thought that there was no place for him to go but up, but alas, he has succeeded in out-dorking Urkel.

He rode his bike to work this morning and apparently it was cold out. He had to camp out in the Cedar Crest coffee shop until the sun came up. At least that's what I would say, until the sun came up. That's what most people would say.

But, when he called me to see how my morning was going that is not what he said. He said, "I had to wait for thermal loading." Thermal loading? Are you kidding me? I had to explain to him, very patiently and kindly, that only a geek would say "thermal loading." He didn't think it was weird at all. That made it even funnier. I told him not to ask the people around him at work because they are dorks too (I have evidence of this because he will come home and tell me jokes that people at work have told him and they aren't at all funny and usually involve words like "double helix" or "time-space continuum" or "string theory"--there is no way a joke can be funny with those words--it just can't be). He matter-of-factly told me that he'd said "thermal loading" this morning to quite a few of his co-workers and no one called him on it. What a missed opportunity.

It isn't an opportunity I'm going to skip out on though.

I have one more thing to say. I don't want to shock his mom or anything, but just before we started dating, Chris talked to me for two hours one night about God and the time-space continuum. And, I would have done anything. Anything. To make him stop. I'm not saying I did, but when I heard him talking to his friend Zach about it, I warned Zach that people get taken advantage of when Chris starts talking about stuff like that. It happened to me. I ended up married four months later and now we have two dogs and a child. Beware those science guys. You think it can't happen to you.

Don't Ask...Oops

If you read my last post "Don't Ask" then I'm sorry. Chris said it sounded harsh. And, no one would want to talk to me anymore. Please, still talk to me. I won't thump you on the head.

I deleted it just in case you are now curious about what I said and are trying to find it.

Easter Shots

The Way I Feel About Your Wheels

Chris got a new bike today. I haven't seen him this happy since...well, since our honeymoon night. He even took a few hours off work so he could be here when "she" finally came home. He was giddy when I saw him and demanded that I come voice my joy over his newest fling. I didn't do it justice so he called his brother, Nick.

Haven likes Daddy's new bike and won't leave it alone. Thus turning her into a grease monkey because her favorite part is the chain. The bike is in our house. Chris told me that he doesn't have room out in the shed for it (which I think may be a bit of a lie since he sold his other two bikes which means we are down one--unless he is using some kind of mathematical calculation that I'm not familiar with). I suggested he put it outside that way we don't have to keep reprimanding our baby for going into the bedroom where she's always been allowed to be. But, apparently, it's too cold outside for her. Who knew?

I came home this afternoon and caught him stroking the bike lovingly. I could be a jealous wife and demand that this other woman be cast out of my sight. But, I'm more open-minded than that. If he gets a girl, then I get something too. Apple is coming out with the i-pad this week. It's only fair.