Stupid formating problems, &%*@#!!

This is at the wedding of my cousin Vanessa (my other cousin, her sister Meredith is on her left). I know you don't know them and probably don't care, but I thought her wedding dress was quite unique and exquisite. The guests were all in black and white and Vanessa was in silver.

Next is Sean and I at the 2nd largest (the first is the Bellagio in Vegas) timed, lighted, musical, fountain in the world.

The same fountain at night when it's being timed, lighted, and musical.

Lastly, me messing around in the bathroom (a favorite pastime of mine) of an old fire station where we had the family wedding brunch. The bathroom was really nice.

More Chicago cause I Can't figure out how to format more than 4 pics at a time

Here we have Sean on the "invisible" observation deck on the Sears/Willis Tower. The bottom two are 1: Eating at Giordano's Pizza and the authentic Chicago style pizza. Rating- Two thumbs and two huge guts way up! 2: The "El" train station. This is Chicago's iconic elevated train that runs through the city. It's old, rickety and tremendously loud. Loved it. I'm trying to signify the fact we were at the "El" by signing an "L" forgetting that that sign also signifies something else, which I seemed to look like anyway. So, now there is this "double meaning" thing going on.

Chicago Highlights

Here are a few highlights from our recent trip to Chicago. The first picture (above) is the view from our hotel window. We had a nice view of the Chicago river, two towers obviously designed in the 60's and the Church of Scientology (below right hand corner). If you look closely you can see Tom Cruise peeking out one of the windows.

This picture we took for Dennis. We stayed in the Hard Rock Hotel and in the main lobby was this shimmering display.This was the actual outfit worn by the lead guitarist (?) for Styx. It has "Domo Arigato" written all over it, wouldn't you say?

On our first official day in Chicago we visited the Sears tower which is now called the Willis Tower (Wha' choo takin' bout Willis!). This is the downward view taken from the clear observation cubicles. Wowza! Isn't it stunning!! (The toe nails I mean...I guess the view is ok too).

View from the Sears/Willis Tower.

That date that started it all...

I just wanted to say thanks, Sean for that first date years ago that lead to me getting my first sister!  Who knew that "Guys and Dolls" and dinner would lead to such a perfect addition to our family?!  We love you guys and hope you take a minute to remember your special first date today!

And, of course, Happy Birthday to Lucy!  See the post below for all the mushy stuff! ;)

Happy, Happy Birthday Children Dear!

Happy days will come to you all year!

If I had a wish then it would be,

A happy, happy birthday to you from me!

It is common knowledge that I have the very best of the best nieces and nephew... Unfortunately, your aunt dropped the ball in calling all of you on your birthdays!

I hope all your birthday wishes came true (and I hope yours come true on Thursday, Lucy-Bear)

I love you guys!!!

May 31st:  Happy 4th Birthday Skye!!!

I am so glad that you are my niece!  You are so much fun.  You have the cutest grin and definitely know how to find trouble, giving you plenty to grin about.  Its been hard for me to get to know you since I've lived away your whole life, but I love coming to Utah and seeing what a cute, spunky little girl you are!  The first time you ever talked to me, I cheered!  I think you weren't too sure about that crazy lady that kept saying she was your aunt.  I'm glad that you let your mom do your hair sometimes, because it always looks so cute (and all the hairbows are a great addition) that was always something I struggled with.  I know how it is growing up with all brothers, and you're definitely holding your own.  Way to go Skye! You have a spark in your personality that makes me want to hang out with you more and more, you are just so much fun!  I love you!

June 4:  Happy 3rd Birthday Lincoln!!!

Can you really be 3 already?!  I remember when you were born and I was so jealous that your mom had her baby, but I still had to wait for mine!  I'm pretty sure you were the only one of your parent's kids that has come close to comparing in size with my kids.  I love your big eyes and I love your silly smile.  I love playing catch with you and am amazed at how well you are able to throw and catch that ball, you'll be a great athlete before we know it!  I love hearing you talk in the background when I'm talking to your mom on the phone, your voice is so cute and you seem to be only a little more advanced than Levi, so it gives me hope for him!  I am so looking forward to you and Levi becoming the best of cousins!  I love you!
June 5:  Happy 10th Birthday Ethan!!!

Holy cow!!! How can you be 10 already?!  It really only feels like yesterday when you were a little baby I got to babysit and pamper.  I did a flashback post a while back for those of you who don't remember what a cutie he was... just click the link.  You have literally grown up into such a great young man!  You are so smart and terribly funny, though I remember a time you HATED it when people thought you were funny.  You set a great example to my kids when they're around and I really appreciate it.  You are kind and sharing and they think you are so totally awesome!  I know you don't really know me very well, now that I'm a stranger, but you'll always be cute little Ethan to me that I love almost as much as my own!
June 11:  Happy 4th Birthday Lucy-Bear

Lucy, you are such a beauty!!!  Simply stunning!  I love you so much.  I love to talk to you on the phone and hear your sweet, sweet voice.  I love to see your BIG blue eyes that just make me smile.  I love that you love to pretend as much as your cousin Jonas.  You two would make quite a pair creating your own world!  You have such a gentle, sweet nature people just love to be around you.  Thanks for knowing me, loving me and always calling me Kimily.  You are a sweetie and I love you.

And the ideas just keep getting better...

I have talked with Heather and Adrienne about this idea and we all agree that we could really simplify Christmas this year.  If we all pitch in $20 bucks to Mom and Dad to aid in getting gifts for the kids, then that eases the burden on everyone.  No one has to save a month's worth of work to pay for the cousin gifts.  The kids still get gifts, but not so many that it overwhelms the spirit of Christmas or the toy box.  If you really, really want to buy gifts for the kids, maybe you could go shopping with Mom and/or Dad.  Or if they want help, maybe you could at least be willing to offer it.  (I would love to go shopping with you guys if you wanted to do it in July :)

For the sibling exchange, we'd do something totally different as well.  We each buy a $20-25 gift card to be used on a date.  Then when we'd usually do the exchange we play a little game to exchange cards (I say we, but it would really be you... since we won't be there).  This way we don't end up cluttering one another's homes, but we get something we all need... a nice date that we might otherwise get to go on.  Adrienne and Heather both suggested that whoever's card you end up with will babysit your kids while you use their card.  That sounds like a great idea to me.  Mom and Dad could even participate in this exchange rather than buy for all of us, if they'd like.  

OK, so far this is the idea going around.  What do you think?  Talk about it with those who are too cool for the blog and see what they think.  I know its May, and if we end up with this plan it won't really matter having it planned this far in advance, but if we go with other plans then I'd like time to budget and shop for it.  Thanks for working with me!  I love ya!

I've been thinking...

It is now officially May and that means we only have like 6 1/2 good months to figure Christmas out.  My thought is the earlier the better.  So what do you guys want to do for Christmas this year?  My family will not be making the trek for the holiday, but that's all the more reason for us to know the plan sooner than later.  I'm just going to list all the ideas I can come up with, good or bad, for consideration...

• family gift exchange like last year
• individual gift exchange
• couple gift exchange and individual kids 
• family gift for mom and dad's house
• festival of trees or some such service
• $5 gift exchange game
• just individual kids exchange
• homemade exchange

I know only a couple of y'all read this blog, but hopefully this will  be enough to get the ball rolling so a decision can be made soon!

I don't know how everyone felt about last year's gifts but it was great for us.  And I really enjoyed the service trip as well, although it didn't really feel like we were doing much.  I love the pictures I got of those cute girls (and boy) with the smiles on their faces.  I also have a great family gift in mind, so it wouldn't hurt my feelings any if that's what we did.  I'm quite open to whatever the family decides they want to do.  I know my list isn't complete, there are lots of options you may come up with that aren't listed and I know that some of you may hate some of the ideas, like I said, just wanted to get the ball rolling.  

Let's get this figured out soon so Christmas doesn't have to be so stressful or expensive for all of our sakes!