postlessness

Settling back into the routine has been anything but "settling". Seems I have been home over a week and haven't gotten all the laundry done, I can barely keep up with the dishes and sweeping the floors and then I ended up with mastitis over the weekend that went away yesterday. On top of that we had to deal with a population of fleas that moved in while we were away (they seem to be gone thanks to Anna's suggestion of Borax!). And Isabel has been the ultimate grump. She used to be the happiest baby in the world, and now if we aren't going anywhere or doing anything social she is completely fussy and grumpy and is only quiet if she is sleeping. I think she is just a little social bee, wanting to buzz around and be cute for everyone. Well. Its cute until we bring her back in the house. ha.



I started cutting out squares for my first ever quilt. I cut out 5 of them before someone small desperately needed me. again. Someday I will make a quilt. I envision sitting around all day quilting when my kiddies grow up. In between quilting I will knit sweaters and hats for the grand babies. I will get nice and plump watching chick flicks and crafting all day. Actually, I thought of the perfect store in the world that I need to open. It would be a little fabric/yarn store in the downtown area with bolts of designer fabrics and bins of super soft yarns made of natural fibers. If I have room, I would also include paper-crafting supplies as well. There would be comfy chairs, couches and tables in the back for crafting and chatting. There would also be a kitchenette for coffee and tea making. Because caffeine and crafting were made for each other. :)

So all the little things combined with time outdoors, walking and the girls wading in their pool while their mommy hangs ridiculous amounts of laundry on the clothesline because the dryer isn't working well either. Did I mention the vacuum cleaner also broke? So I have been slightly overwhelmed since we returned home, as well as inspired to redecorate. Let me make it clear that being inspired and having the time to do are two different things entirely. so while I have so many great ideas, I don't have the time or money to put them into action. And I am secretly dreading winter. I mean, 2 days until August? Holy cow... then fall and winter. I hate winter. I just hate being cold and I am always cold. I wouldn't mind if it snowed all winter and I had a warm house. I do love snow. I love Christmas but would be perfectly happy celebrating it in Australia on the beach. I guess it wouldn't be as "cozy" but it would be warm.

I think I will stop rambling and go to bed.

Trip in Pictures

I am posting pictures and short captions of our trip. I really meant to do it while we were on vacation but forgot my camera cord, and heck, it was nice prying myself away from the computer for 10 days. I realize the my blog helps me when I scrapbook because everything is in order, and I write certain details I might otherwise forget. So, I hope you enjoy the pictures!

Days 1-2

We left at 11pm friday night and after a very smooth car ride (including a nap at a rest stop) we arrived in Munster at Grandma and Grandpas around 1:3o. We relaxed and napped the first day and had a surprise visit in the evening by Jimmy and Carolyn, and Shelly and Ashley. It was tiring, but great to see family again.

DAY 2

We started the day right with a midwestern breakfast at a 24-hour diner, as we did almost every day on our trip. And we had Gayety's icecream:

Poor Isabel wasn't feeling her best, and came down with a bad cough. Poor thing. She recovered quickly. We also went to Cabelas, a sportsman's paradise. I didn't buy anything, but did really well on the shooting gallery. Anastasia loves the glass elevators and all the animals. What fun!

Day 3 Shedd Aquarium

We went to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. It was AWESOME. Pricey, but worth every penny. Anastasia loved the penguins, and being one and playing on the "penguin playground".

Isabel made an ADORABLE penguin too.

The jellies were nifty.

Day 4 Lincoln Park Zoo

It seems to be our tradition to go to the Lincoln Park zoo. My favorite zoo ever.

We FINALLY got to see the polar bear. How cute and wonderful is he?And he got to see us. What fun.

And they have sprinklers like every good zoo should. And after all that, some Jamba Juice, and Sanfrantello's for dinner. Isabel went NUTS for the pizza. They put it in front of her and she dove in. Thankfully it wasn't Too hot. She might not have cared if it was so long as pizza was in her mouth. lol.

Day 5-7 Brookfield Zoo

We started out Wednsday as usual and went out for a hearty midwestern breakfast. Mmmm. Then we took a quick trip to Cabelas to look for some sandals for Nick. Here is Isabel in the cart: We then headed to Brookfield Zoo with the Grandparents. It is a HUGE zoo. Almost too huge to see in one day! Anastasia loved the sea lions, dolphins and the "Fari Train" (Safari Train).

Watching the sea lions swim is really fun:

Before we left we had to see the giraffes per Anastasia's request. Then we rode on the carasel which was really fun:

Until it started moving. It was a bit of an overwhelming day for a 2 year old.

Isabel woke from a nap, and was pretty mesmorized by the carosel.

After the zoo we had an insanely wonderful meal at Connie's Pizza. It was heavenly. Delicious pizza, and scrumcious tirimisu. The best I have ever had.

DAY 6

It was July 16th, our 4th aniversary!! It marked the fourth best year of my life! I didn't take any pictures, but we did eat a yummy midwestern breakfast, went to Chicago to REI for sandals for Nick, and then I found a cute little fabric boutique called Quiltology. I didn't find any FarFar Away fabric, but I did find some aqua and green fat quarters to make Isabel a quilted blankie. Maybe I will do it in my spare time! In the evening we went to Nick's brother Jimmy's house.

DAY 7

Another day with no pictures. What is up with that? We had another big breakfast and went to Nick's sister's house. We had a very low-key day relaxing. Anastasia watched a lot of TV. She loves TV. Maybe because we don't watch it at home. I watched this show called YoGabbaGabba, and it was SO WEIRD. I have a stupid song from it stuck in my head STILL. grrr. We had dinner at Aunt Marsha's house where we all sat around watching HGTV and it was a surprising highlight of our trip.

Day 8- I <3 Chicago!!!

We woke up early on Saturday, and being our last full day at the parents house, we decided to do something fun. The family already had their own things to do so we headed out by ourselves into Chicago to Millennium Park. I love Millennium Park!! All the gardens and promenades, and exercise classes in the park on Saturdays: And of course the bean: Here is us taking a picture into the bean:

Isn't that just the craziest thing? Anastasia loved it. Don't you love how both of my kids are picking their nose in that picture? lol. I think it is called the skyscape or something nice like that. But really, it is just a giant, reflective bean. Am I right? Unfortunately the big fountains were closed because of technical difficulties, but with some Jamba for Nick and a latte for me we went to Buckingham. Buckingham Fountain that is.

I love how Chicago feels old and new all at the same time. When I walk around among the old buildings and parks, I can almost see horse drawn carriages, and families in Victorian attire sporting parasols and prams walking to the beach or along the old streets. And in some places... I can almost see Al Capone. Definitely my favorite city!