Screw Built-ins, I Want This

...and I think I have a good start on the collection needed to build it.

Happiest Babies In the World, Turn 1.

...here's to another year of smiles. Happy Birthday Melina & Kosta!

Nothing Happens, Actually.

I went to see Love Happens yesterday expecting very little from the plot or actors, but at the very least a love letter to my home town. But instead NOTHING Happens in this movie - I've seen rugs with more personality than either of the characters.

...and a note to the editors: you cannot just place the space needle in the background of every scene and call it Seattle. (But that ampitheater in the middle of Queen Anne sure would be fun!)

Only thing that interested me were Aniston's boots and floppy hat. Anyone know where I can find that hat...?

In there, is a BOY!!

I am so thrilled for Lorelei, David, McKinnon & Carsyn. Now get here already...

A Birthday, by Christina Rossetti

A Birthday
by Christina Rossetti

My heart is like a singing bird
Whose nest is in a water'd shoot;
My heart is like an apple-tree
Whose boughs are bent with thickset fruit;
My heart is like a rainbow shell
That paddles in a halcyon sea;
My heart is gladder than all these
Because my love is come to me.
Raise me a dais of silk and down;
Hang it with vair and purple dyes;
Carve it in doves and pomegranates,
And peacocks with a hundred eyes;
Work it in gold and silver grapes,
In leaves and silver fleurs-de-lys;
Because the birthday of my life
Is come, my love is come to me.

This is dedicated...to the one I love.

Happy Birthday Scott!

One year and a coif to die for...

The Family

who can resist such a charm?

we bonded via nux!
I love you Caleb more each day. How can one resist a boy who loves the kitchen AND is also a cowboy.
yee haw!

Feeling like this as we near the day...

Happy Half Birthday Talan!

someone is a funny little man, already. where does he get it?

Happy Half Birthday Caleb!

someone has mastered the fine art of CUTE...

Day 1 in the Month of Shan

Nan decided to celebrate ME! this June. Sort of like the 24 days leading up to Christmas only these are the days leading up to my birthday. Not to say I am like Jesus... but apparently we have mothers that appreciate us just the same. I get to open 1 gift a day.

Here is day 1:

I now own the birthday bells of Nancy - they used to hang on my knick knack shelf when I was young and I gave them back when I moved away to college. They are again gifted to me and with appreciation I did not have for them as a child. Thank you - I love them!!

Thanks Mom - you must really love me. I am thankful for you!

California. Still Disappointing.

Can't wait to mee you, Annalea Grace...

Waiting...

This little guy and I are eagerly awaiting the arrival of his baby sister.
Get here already - we are so excited (plus, Trish has now been in labor for 14+ hours!)
Or maybe she's arrived - I don't know for certain. I hate missing out on these events...

Just when you thought you knew funny...

This is funnier!

Happy Irish Day!

With my permenant green tattoo - I will never get pinched again. Happy St Patty's Day!

Happy Half Birthday LaneyBug!

who is sweet as honey - - LaneyBug!

Modest Mouse @ Stubbs

Last Wed Night - Modest Mouse @ Stubbs. Brock showed up, not wasted..but proceeded to such direction by end of show.

For every show I go to, there is 1 song I have to hear before I can leave. For Modest Mouse it was 3rd Planet. It was the first song, followed by We've Got Everything, so you can imagine my excitement for the show that lay ahead of me. By song 14, he was unintelligible and screaming. (Just as it should be)

Stubbs is a must-see venue...

Happy half-birthday Gavin - - - Auntie Carr loves you (and you are a stud)

Kite Festival

Whenever I miss home, I think about my favorite March days in Austin - cloudless blue skies, warm temperature and a cool breeze (it's on par with a perfect summer day in Seattle). Today we trekked down to Zilker Park for the Austin Kite Festival.

You couldn't help but have a good time...
...except for the kid who's kite flew into a tree and attempted to rescue said kite by throwing his converse at it and achieved only in permenantly decorating the tree with his shoe.

The Big Race - Scott runs the Austin Marathon

Preparation for the big event has consumed the past 6 months. It's eaten up every Sat and Sun morning with training runs - putting a small crimp in our style. Weekends were focused on heathly eating and nights full of sleep. The day came and Scott ran the 26.2 miles it takes to complete a marathon. Not his first (he ran in 2007) but possibly his last competative race. Now onto triathalons!

WHAT and accomplishment! We are all so proud of him, none more than me. Even if the races do not continue, I hope his passion, committment and dedication do.


Scott has good friends, good people in his life. Both our mothers were on hand to watch him run - Nancy flew in just to cheer him on and Sue drove down from Dallas. His father and Reagan were there too at mile 17. Here's a pic as Kevin (and Jen - not seen in photo) gives him the 'man's congraulatory hug'. Jeremy & Lisa were also waiting at water stop mile 25 and joined him for half a mile towards the finish - the boost he needed to finish hard.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Spectating is hard - but it cannot compare to the requirements of running the race. I am so proud of Scott and his accomplishments.

We celebrated at the house with all the righ ingredients - friends, family, beer, fajitas and a sunny afternoon.

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentiens Day!
Nothing says I love you like celebrating Valentines Day with your mother (this is really cool until the age of 13 and only becomes cool again after 30). Scott I spent the evening at home with Sue & Nancy. We went to Whole Foods and picked up a carb-loaded dinner for Scott (night before the big marathon) and gelato for the ladies. We enjoyed the meal as a quasi-family -- The moms and us.


Earlier in the day, we made signs to hold at the marathon. Our love and support of Scott's race could only be measured in the words scripted on poster. Not only will HE know how much, but now every other runner will know too!

Nan's Visit & a Little Bit of Culture

My mom came to visit and I took this chance to hit up a ballet with the one person who couldn't deny me... my mother. The ballet was just okay, the evening was great and the company was more than I could wish for.

Miss my moms - here is a pic of us waiting for the valet to bring around the car (it took almost 45 min. So natch, I got my money back - do you know me at all?!)

Well Done.

He took me here. Where we met.
It was surprisingly cold.
For just the day. And to propose.

It was perfect.

Close to my LEAST favorite place on earth...

Heading there tomorrow. Wish me luck!
Did you know that you can see the light shining from the Luxor all the way in space...

He runs 20 miles on a Sunday. For fun.

Scott is training for the Austin marathon and this last Sunday ran 20 miles in preparation.