The Best Week in the History of Weeks

Last week was so good for the soul.  It was the first time in a long time that I've taken proper vacation time when family has come to town and getting to just relax and spend quality time with them and my girls was just what I needed. 

We've really been feeling the "busy" lately with all the little projects around the new house, constant messes from my sweet little hooligans, and trying to get ready for our visitors.  I found myself being frustrated more often than not.  Frustrated with the messes and never ending list of to-dos.  It was almost impossible for me to just sit and play, I always had a load of dishes or laundry or one more picture to hang. I'd get frustrated at not being able to get anything done if the girls were around - frustrated with them for not giving me a single minute to concentrate, frustrated with myself for not being able to do it all, and then frustrated that I'd just wasted those precious moments with my babies being frustrated about something that really didn't matter at all.

Last week was such a good reset.  I put the chores out of my mind and just focused on having fun.  We went swimming as much as possible, ate ice cream, made cookies, and roasted marshmallows.  We went to the mall, braved the rain for donuts at the farmer's market (because going to the farmer's market for fresh veggies is overrated), and played our guts out.

I had so much fun with my family and as always felt that twinge of sadness when they left.  It makes me miss having them around more often, but I also think that these memories are even sweeter when they're more rare, so I'll hold onto that - and just hope we can make it an annual trip.  I mean, who doesn't want to visit MN every year?  ...Bueller?

- K

Holidazzle Parade - A Christmas Recap: Part 1

The last week and a half has really lived up to all the festive hype a Christmas should.  Well, besides our New Year's Eve which included Ryan getting surgery, my sister and step-mom leaving town, and a crazy and wild record of Lyla's all time latest bedtime and Ryan's all time earliest...both at 8:30 PM.  Which I followed up by 2 hours of cleaning and 2nd birthday party planning.  Can you hear the party horns??

Anyways, Christmas was just as white and full of Santa sightings, little parties, baking, cooking, and eating as I could have dreamed of.  I ended up taking a bit of a somewhat accidental social media break because of everything going on, and I keep meaning to post updates and photos, but the more I procrastinate the more there is to post, and the more I procrastinate.  You know how it is.

So, I'll go ahead and start simple with some photos from the Holidazzle parade we went to the Saturday before Christmas.  It was sort of pure chaos, but I think it was a success because I'm kind of a sucker for anything festive.  I'm not sure Ryan feels the same way though.  Especially considering the fact that our alma mater, CSU, was playing their bowl game and somehow pulled off possibly the craziest win in the world's history.  Which we didn't get to see.  But let's not bring that up.

Now, if you know Ryan you know that "waiting patiently" isn't exactly his forte.  Nor are crowds.  Or traffic.  Now what I knew about this parade and he didn't (since I'd seen it with Lyla last year) is that it's pretty darn pathetic.  I mean, cute because it's Christmas time, and the Christmas lights, and people are excited and yada yada, but it's, I would guess, about 15 total "floats" which are mostly just Comcast vans with Christmas lights strung on them, or something similar.  What I didn't know was that we happened to be going on the very last day of the very last Holidazzle parade to ever exist.  I also didn't realize how many people would choose that day to go see these lit up Comcast vans.  Let me just say it was a lot.

I won't go into the details of just how hectic it all was, but after approximately 2 hours of having plans thwarted and finally getting something to eat, we headed out into the bitter cold to watch the parade.  After about 15 minutes of freezing, and 15 "this is seriously it?!" exclamations from Ryan we decided it would be best to head to our warm car and get the heck out of there.  Little did we know the parking garage exited into the street that was blocked by the parade, so we ended up sitting in the garage for about another 20 minutes before being able to move.  But at least we were warm?

All things considered all 3 of us really managed to keep it together and have a good attitude, which is somewhat astonishing.  There's something to be said for Christmas miracles, I think.  ;)  Here's some photos from the night.  Please note Ryan's pleasant smile in all photos.  And also note the incredible crowd...but mostly that skyway above the bridge.  It's hard to see but I'm pretty sure they reached max capacity and/or the weight limit.  The thing was completely packed from all angles.  It gives me claustrophobia just looking at it.

- K

Lake Harriet

My mom came into town this week for an impromptu trip, and it's been nice to have a helping hand around!  Today for some reason we became overly obsessed with the idea of getting Lyla a baby doll.  I don't even remember how it started, but it quickly spiraled out of control and turned into a multi-store search, which I'm glad to tell you ended successfully.  We then went over to Lake Harriet, baby doll and stroller in tow.  L is very serious about her motherhood duties.

We played at the park, fed some ducks - well, mostly Lyla ate the bread herself while yelling "duck!"  We also had some delish burgers and L found out she realllly loves ketchup. 

They had a 9/11 remembrance concert going on at the lake, and I feel like it would be remiss of me to not mention such a significant day in our recent history.  It's so easy to push it into the back of your mind, remember the date and think something like "wow, can't believe it's been 12 years already" and move on with your day.  Except then you see the footage replayed, and stumble upon story after story of people that were there, family members that were missing.  That's when you remember exactly how real it was, and the feelings you felt watching it all happen.

I don't have words for this day, or the people that were there.  The people that helped and the people that are gone.   I am extremely blessed to not have had anyone involved, but I am forever impacted.  I will never forget.

God bless the USA.

- K

 

 

 

BBQ

When Jo got here on Saturday she was laughing about how excited she was to visit Minnesota, and who would have ever thought she'd love this place so much?

Little did she know that Minnesota would welcome her with about 120% humidity and bugs.for.days.  I'm talking Miserable with a capital M.  Luckily she has the cutest niece ever that follows her around like a little puppy dog to make things somewhat tolerable.

As soon as us girls got home from the airport we had a BBQ for some of Ryan's work people.  L thought she was queen for the day with all the extra attention.  I think the picture of her about to drink out of the beer bottle might be my all time fave. 

- K

The Weekend

 

Last Saturday was the best.  We strolled around 50th and France, this cute area in Edina with lots of shops and restaurants.  Lyla stole my necklace and ran around like she owned the place.  She's such a ham, stopping and waving at everyone that walks by.  When we found a baby store with a just-her-size shopping cart, she was in heaven.  I think we have a shopper on our hands. 

 

We, on the other hand, were in heaven sitting on the patio at Barrio drinking margaritas and eating tacos.

 

- K