Vacation: Part 1

I don't know how many parts there will be to my vacations posts...but there will be a lot!  We were gone for 8 days, the highlight of our trip was Chicago.  We stopped in Des Moines and Omaha as well.  It was a great week and we had tons of fun.  Lauren travelled well and had a blast, and Addison...well she is 2 1/2...what did we really expect from her!  But now that I think about it, I can't really remember what she did that was that was so tough, so it could not have been too bad!  Mark said we would not travel next year and put her on a plane for 3 hours...but believe me...we will. 

Due to the flooding along the Missouri River it was tough to get to Omaha, so we decided to drive to Des Moines on Friday and stay with some friends for the night, Jim and Tammy.  Lauren loves playing with Riley, and well Addison can entertain herself wherever we are.  The girls decided to make mud pies in Jim's garden, he was not happy!  But, the girls enjoyed it and were covered in mud by the end...

I was able to get in touch with Jim before we arrived and asked him to get a cake for Mark's birthday.  He decided to make a cake for him!  Mark was very surprised, which is hard to do.  He loves all the attention on his birthday...just like a kid.  We were also lucky to visit with Jenny and her kids.  Lauren was uncooperative for a picture so Molly, Addison and Riley took a picture with Mark for his birthday! (doesn't he look great for 24? Those were the only candles in the house!)   

Saturday morning we got up and headed to Omaha for the family reunion.  Both girls took naps on the way over and were ready for fun when we arrived.  Addison swang most of the afternoon and Lauren had fun in the pool with her cousins.  Mark enjoyed catching up with his Aunts, Uncles and cousins as well. 

Lauren had a blast in this little pool.  She is really doing good with swimming this summer. 

One of the few pictures of Mark and I from the trip.  Thanks Gerilyn for taking it!  We enjoyed our visit in Omaha with Mark's family and the girls had a blast with their cousins.  We put them to bed early and they slept for 11 hours that night! They needed it. 

Sunday morning we headed to the Omaha Zoo...

Vacation

8 days

7 nights

6 different tourist attractions

5 different beds

4 wonderful families that hosted us, and 4 different states we travelled to

3 days in downtown Chicago

2 girls who had a blast

1 wonderful family vacation  

and more to come after I sort through the 379 pictures that I took.  It was an amazing week with so many incredible memories...but now I am back to reality, laundry, and sleep. 

Father's Day Projects

For Mark this year for Father's Day the girls and I made him these stepping stones to go outside in a garden, for landscape, or just to look at.  I bought the kit from Michaels and it was very easy to do.  The girls loved making them and Mark loved seeing the finished products.  He was very surprised. 

The girls put all the mosaic pieces in place, leaving the middle open for foot or hand prints.  It took a while for the cement to really set up, but the girls were very patient (and played for a while as well while we waited.) 

Lauren did her foot print. 

Addison did her hand print.  It is a little hard to see in this picture. 

I love seeing them outside under this small tree.  The girls love it too!  Happy Father's Day Mark. 

Lights

Another thing we wanted to change when we got the house painted was the outdoor lights.  They were old, faded and just run down.  I decided to spray paint them and see if I liked the finished product, and well if I did then there was no need to buy new lights (and maybe save some money!) 

Here is the light on the back porch before.  The house is still gray at this point...

And here is the new spray painted light on the new brown house...it is not perfect, but I am impressed and happy...and when Momma is happy well everyone is happy right :) 

So the painters removed the lights from the house and I took them into the garage. 

I attempted to take the glass out by removing the screws and them removing the glass, but the screws were so corroded that that was not an option.  So I placed paper and tape over the glass.  It took a while, and I had to be very precise, but it worked out fine.  After all the glass was covered then I painted away...

Here is the finished product.  Looks brand new!

I am very pleased! 

Wordless Wednesday

Painting

Right before the garage sale we had some painting done at our house.  The outside really needed a new paint job and Mark convinced me to totally change the color, and I am glad we did.  I looked a looked for an old picture of the house, but I just can't seem to find one.  If you remember, the house used to be gray with white trim and red shutters.  We love the new look. 

We also added on the master bedroom and bathroom for only about $500 more and it was so worth it.  The room used to be just a plain beige color.  I knew I wanted something bold and it did not take much to convince Mark about what I wanted.  I loved the way it turned out, although it looks a little more orange in these pictures than it really is.  The color is from Valspar and it is Cinnamon Cake (or something like that!)  It is a red, orange, rust color.  Very warm and cozy. 

The bathroom we painted a taupe color and it really changed the look as well.  I got new towel and rugs to make a change too.  I still need curtains, hardware for the cabinets, and some new flowers to really make a change.  But for now it looks great and we are very pleased. 

Happy Birthday Mark

This is one of my all time favorite pictures of Mark, taken a few weeks ago at the Royals game...I just think he looks so handsome. 

Happy birthday to an amazing husband and father.  The girls and I adore you and love that we get to spend the day with you.  I hope we make it very special! 

More Cute 4th of July Pictures

This stroller goes everywhere with us lately.  Minnie went to the fireworks tent, Babies R Us and the Bass Pro Shop all in one day...I even had to take pictures with Minnie in the stroller...oh and the slippers...don't even ask!

4th of July

We had a great 4th of July weekend.  It was so fun to have an extra stay home day with the girls this weekend.  My sister always has a 4th of July party and it is always a lot of fun.  The girls enjoyed swimming and playing with all the other kids at the party.  There was tons of food, tons of people, good eats and drinks, and a great fireworks show put on by Steve. 

Mark and my Dad just chillin...

Addison was scared of the fireworks this year, so her and my Mom spent most of the night here...

My sister, Jen, and Lauren.  Jen is about to have a baby girl...5 more weeks to go! 

Lauren loved the poppers, smoke bombs, and sparklers this year. 

We were there late, until almost 10:30.  The girls were beat and went to bed fast.  They had a great time, but were so tired.  It was a fun night. 

The weekend also included a visit from Lauren's friend, Seth.  We went and saw Cars 2 Sunday morning.  Lauren really enjoyed it.  Addison, well we should have kept her home!  She did good for a while, and then was bored, so I spent about 30 minutes walking around with her.  We had fun together.  Mark went golfing Monday morning and the girls and I went to the Bass Pro Shop, after running a few errands.  Lauren really loved spending time with me this weekend, she missed me a lot when I was in San Diego.  We went for another run together.  She really loves running with me.  The first time she went a mile, and this weekend only a few minutes, but we enjoyed a nice long walk together. 

Happy 4th of July. 

San Diego

So I spent all week here for a conference for work.  It was amazing.  I love San Diego.  3 years ago Mark and I took Lauren for our first family vacation, and I am pretty sure we will go back next summer with Addison and Lauren in tow.  I love this city.  The temperature was 65 in the morning and 75 in the afternoon.  Sunny and no humidity.  PERFECT.  I took a run along the bay both mornings, 6 miles on Wednesday and 3 miles on Thursday.  It was "easy" to run in the cool mornings in such a perfect setting. 

I went with my co-worker, Pam.  We had the conference all day (8-5) but were given long lunch breaks, and breaks in the morning and afternoon for poster and exhibit viewing (or walk outside, along the bay and grab a coffee.)  After 5 we were free and had fun each night. 

The bridge to Coronado. 

Navy Ship. 

We stayed at the Hyatt.  The massive hotel on the left. 

We did a lot of shopping here.  We also hit the Gaslamp district for some lunch and sight seeing on Wednesday. 

Thursday night we took a boat to Coronado and walked along the beach and had dinner on Coronado Island. 

I can't wait to come back with Mark and the girls. 

This was my first real trip away from Mark and the girls (for more than just one night) and to be honest with you I missed Mark the most.  I missed his companionship, his wealth of knowledge about everything (he is a walking encyclopedia) his company, his hugs and just his smile.  I talked to him a lot on the phone and via text.  He missed me to and really appreciates everything I do around here to keep this house running. 

I was so excited to get home and see the girls today.  Honestly, I probably should have missed them more!  I felt kind of guilty for enjoying a plane ride alone.  Three hours to myself to read a book, in silence.  No kids to entertain, no hassle's through security, no trips to the bathroom, etc.  No sassy, like to talk back to her Mom, 5 year old and a 2 1/2 year old who I swear can change her mind in a snap. 

I really missed them when I saw all the families out with the kids along the bay, shopping, eating lunch, running and playing.  That is when I wanted my girls there.  Not on the airplane and not crammed into a hotel room!  Three days away was good, relaxing, and rejuvenating for me as a Mom.

When I got to daycare early today (3:15) to pick up the girls one of the teachers told me Lauren was so excited to have me home today.  She kept telling the teachers that her Mommy was coming home today and is picking me up early.  She was very excited too see me, and so was Addison.  I hugged them tightly and have them extra kisses.  I truly missed their little smiles this week.  They are such a blessing.