Harry Potter Happiness

In the weeks before our trip, Universal Studios started running ads for their new Harry Potter attraction.  We hadn't made plans to go to Universal, because it was expensive and having been there nine years ago, didn't think they had much to offer then.

But then, there was an hour-long TV special on Diagon Alley, at Universal Studios.  Will and I watched together, amazed.  I said to Brian, "Now I'm dying to go!"  Because he's so wonderful, he said "Not like we're going to Orlando all the time.  Since Sean and I won't get anything out of it, why don't I drop the two of you off one day?"  :)

And so we went!

Hogsmeade, the Magical Village.  We got to try butterbeer here!  It's delicious and tastes like butterscotch.

Trying to pull off a selfie in front of Hogsmeade.  

Look!  It's one of Hagrid's "Monster books."  This was creepy-looking up close and actually growled.

Hogwarts!  The ride "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey" is inside, and you walk all through Hogwarts to get to it.  We went through some passages that had talking portraits just like in the books.  In one area, the portraits of the four founders of Hogwarts argue with each other...it was incredible.  I had to beg/convince Will to go on the ride with me, it wasn't easy.  Afterwards when I asked what he thought of it, he said "Uh....it had it's ups and downs.  I liked the quidditch flying but was scared of the dementors."

Bought him his very own wand.  One of the COOLEST features of the Harry Potter Wizarding World is that there were wand prompts everywhere, and they were interactive with the wands.  Standing in front of Honeydukes, if you made a particular movement with your wand arm and repeated the spell written on the ground, a big box of chocolate frogs would open in the window and start ribbitting.

Bertie Botts every flavour beans!  We brought some home and are afraid to try them.....you would be too with flavours like earthworm, earwax and ugh....VOMIT.

This is where we picked up the new Hogwarts Express Train and took it to the other side of the park, to Diagon Alley.  Diagon Alley was simply incredible.  You step out onto what looks like the streets of London, and have to go looking for Diagon Alley because obviously there's no signs.  And then suddenly, there you are!  It was absolutely crowded, but you couldn't hear the people in Diagon Alley from the street.  I don't know how they do that!

Weasley's Wizardly Wheezes.

I can't say enough good things about this experience.  I love how Universal Employees really get into it.  We were in a shop and looking at hats and gloves with "Gryffindor" markings and an employee said "Professor Trelawney warned me to expect this....need to restock the gloves!"  I was paying for a Christmas ornament in the same shop and when it came time to sign the receipt the cashier said "Your signature for the Ministry, please."  They did such a great job bringing the pages of the book alive!

p.s.  the only thing I feel that we missed out on was not getting to ride "Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts."  Brian dropped us off really early, soon after the park opened.  We went to the Hogsmeade Side first and by the time we made it to the Diagon Alley side the ride had a 300 minute wait.  Yeah.....that's five hours.  FIVE HOURS.  There's no way a seven year old can stand in a hot line for 5 hours....and I promised no more wild rides after the last one!  There's always next time.  :)

Hello, Disney!

We just got back on Saturday from Orlando.  Whew!  I cannot put it all in one post, but in a word, I can tell you that the trip was FANTASTIC.  And after that....I can tell you most of it in pictures.  Day One:  Magic Kingdom

 The boys' first flight was great.  They loved it, especially Sean. 

 Mom and I arriving at the Magic Kingdom.

 My parents and Will on Main Street USA, with a glipse of the Castle in the back.  Sean is currently going through a phase where he doesn't like his picture being taken.

 Everyone told me that it would be hot in July in Orlando, but it wasn't unbearable.  The parks had lots of cooling stations and splash features for kids.  Here's the boys, cooling off.  

Oh, and those great tie-dye shirts that we did?  Yeah......I didn't "cure" them so they stained all over everything.  Bummer!

 Happy Seanie....take him to Disney World and he's happiest playing in a puddle.

More pictures, more posts, COMING UP!

Fourth of July Weekend!

These are all the things that made for a special Fourth weekend.  We tie-dyed shirts (and I'm still washing dye off my fingers, and oddly, two left toes.)  The next picture is of my mom at my SIL's annual family picnic in RI, showing off her homemade pie skills.  (It was just as delicious as it looks here)  The last one is of my boys playing with the BALL that comes out at the picnic each year!  It was the first time that the picnic was held on the fifth of July, due to rain/thunderstorms/Hurricane Arthur.  It was a gorgeous day for it, though.

But the biggest part was finally letting the cat out of the bag to the kids....We're not going to the Cape for vacation as promised....we're going to ORLANDO!!!  At first they were a little skeptical, now they're totally excited!  And making lists and schedules of what we're going to see, Will watching the TV special of "The Making of Diagon Alley" the newest Harry Potter attraction at Universal Studios....etc etc.  We're all so excited!

E-Z Bake

We gave Will an Easy Bake oven for Christmas this year.  He loves to bake with his Dad so I thought it would be a cool gift.  He thought so too....upon peering in the bag, before gleefully shouting the contents he said "AWESOME!!!  Now, Dad....this is mine."  :)  We've already made chocolate chip cookies in it and I have to say, they weren't half bad.  it also came with mixes for vanilla and strawberry cakes, chocolate icing, whoopie pies and pretzels with nacho cheese sauce.

Tonight, Will wanted to make "pretzel appetizers" for when Dad got home from work.  We've got an "extended" winter break with two snow days, so we are all developing a bit of cabin fever.  So any ideas of new activities is great at this point!

The pretzels?  Tasted horrible.  The cheese sauce?  Beyond reproach.  Even Will said so, though not those exact words.  They had fun though, and have absolutely decided that it should be done again and again.  "Only we'll make just sweet things, Mom."  I've  played around on Pinterest a bit to see if one can make their own mixes for this thing instead of just buying the mixes that the Easy Bake Oven Manufacturer puts out.  Because that is obviously where they make their money, and I'll bet there are better-tasting ones out there.  After tonight, I know it for sure!

Maine Trip

We took a family trip to Maine two weekends ago.  The move made it pretty much impossible to plan a week-long getaway as we usually like, so it was just a few days.   We went to Lincolnville, Maine, which is a part that I wasn't familiar with at all.  Lots of quaint towns, pretty sights from coastal Rt. 1 and all-around "Fun for the Whole Family!"  We stayed at a resort in a little log cabin, which the boys thought was pretty cool.  We squeezed a lot of fun in those three days, starting off with a pre-trip to Water Country in Portsmouth, NH!  The boys have been begging to go since we went to one in Williamsburg last year.  Sunday morning brought us to a diner for breakfast, followed by a little back-to-school shopping at the Kittery outlets.  Then the trek up the coast, where the air conditioning died in my car (a second time....frustrating) and was fixed with a quick stop at a local Walmart.  The boys and I worked on this while Daddy recharged the AC in the parking lot of a local Red Robin:

34.  Get pictures done in a photo booth(8/19/13)

And as soon as I find them....I will share.  Rest assured, they are hilarious.  Sean isn't tall enough for the bench in the booth, and Will chose a background that cuts off all of us in varying degrees.  Still, a good time was had by all.  

You can cram in a bunch of activities on a short vacation.  We went to the beach, drove up Mount Battie in Camden, Maine, explored Camden and Belfast's quaint downtowns, eat at lovely restaurants and taverns (well, the tavern wasn't so lovely.  But I digress.)  AND hit two local yarn shops.  :)  The yarn shop in Belfast was small but cram-jammed with local Maine yarns, and a super-pleasant shop owner who brought out a small electronic piano for Sean to jam on while Mom perused the skeins.  And the other shop....lovely as well.  It also turns out that they offer occasional knitter cruises on the harbour.  You can bet that I joined their mailing list!  

 Sean playing with the flying tricycle, downtown Belfast.

 Will takes a turn on the flying tricycle.  (It was bolted into place.)

 Boys by the harbor in Belfast.  They really are growing too fast.

 Will took this photo of Mom and Dad by the harbor.

Gorgeous view from Mt. Battie

 Dinner in Camden:  "Mom, I think that this hanging plant is trying to turn me into a vegetarian."

 Playing in tents at the sports store, Rockport.

 Big hug or flying tackle?  You decide.

Sleepy Seanie on the way home, in Brunswick/Woolwich.

36.  Picnic in a park(8/20/13)  

Mount Battie in Camden was lovely at the top, with breathtaking views of the harbour.  We found a shady place to sit and have lunch, and read some more of the first Harry Potter book.  (Will's been begging for about a year to read it, and I relented at our last library trip.  We read a little out loud every day, and he's quickly becoming an obsessed fan, chatting excitedly about all of the characters.  His favorite is Ron Weasley, BTW) 

43.  Build a sandcastle with the boys(8/20/13)

It's not exactly pretty, but it's a castle.  And we had a ton of fun building it.  The boys collected rocks and seashells to decorate, and then we all helped out in creating this "masterpiece."  The moat didn't stay full very long, but then again it never does.  

Home Sweet Home

Home from a vacation that took us to Williamsburg, Virginia.  Here's our numbers for this vacation:

number of carsick incidents, involving changing a child's clothes AND scrubbing out the car in a rainy Rite Aid parking lot:  1.

number of streetlights that the State of Virginia uses on main roads:  zero.  Number of scary incidents of driving around without streetlights and getting lost on "Airport Road" in the pitch dark:  1.

Number of running jokes about Airport Road the rest of the trip:  I lost count.

Boys favorite place to be for the trip:  Water Country, two trips.  Sean is such an adventurous boy, he went on just about everything that his big brother went on, including one slide that you had to climb a net to get to the top.  They liked it so much we went back again on Friday.

Number of days where the temp outside hit over a hundred degrees:  three.  One of these days was our trip to Busch Gardens.  It was an incredible park!  However, when it's that hot outside it's tough to enjoy everything.  We did a pretty good job of staying hydrated and having fun, but it was nasty out.  I bought a straw hat at the gates that probably looked ridiculous, but when it's that hot you just don't care.  Whew!

Number of yarn shops visited: one.  Knitting Sisters in Williamsburg.  Really nice shop with gorgeous yarns.  And I found the perfect pattern for my niece's Christmas present!  :)  They also had a nice selection of classes, but alas it was not meant to be.

How many states we passed thru on the way home:  nine.  This included a surprise trip through Washington DC where we accidentally got off the highway.  It's a very confusing, busy place.  And why is it when the GPS sends you thru a city, it puts you thru the worst part of it???

And now HOME SWEET HOME and back to unpacking.  :)

Murphy's Laws on Vacation

Good Ol' Murph....he's a pip.

According to Mr. Murphy, here are the rules on the week before vacation:

-one child must spike a fever.  The closer to departure day, the better. 

-There needs to be ridiculous busyness at your job.  Between transitioning from one site to another, processing files and getting the stage set for signing the first eight leases on August 1st (Because I am crazy to sign eight in one day, that's why), the big Dedication Ceremony for the new building on Saturday, I am a feeling a little nuts.  Just added:  there's going to be a big meeting next week for government employees here because it is a good central location for three of their offices.  Smack me now.

-There is one thing that you are forgetting to do, despite reminding yourself several times a day.  Mine is putting things on the shopping list for our next trip to Target, and remembering to stop the mail.

-The packing itself....something is bound to disappear or break between now and then.  Or as you are pulling onto the highway you realize that someone's swimsuit is still hanging on the dryer rack.  Last year on the way down to PA to drop the kids off so we could go on our cruise we forgot the diaper bag.  We remembered in New York, resulting in a $75 trip to Target for a new bag and supplies.  Not our proudest moments. 

But in the end, it will all be worth it.  Right now is the time of year that we're itching to get away.  It's going to be a fun trip and result in happy memories for the boys, Mom, Dad and Nana!

Sunny Surprises

Sunny Florida:  I got the opportunity to surprise Heather for her baby shower.  It's not often that something is truly a surprise in life, and this one went particularly well.  She and her boyfriend met me at the airport, I just walked up to the car and said "Hey Lady, can I get a ride?!"  She was FLOORED!  She thought it was going to be her brother, so when it turned out to be me she could've been knocked over with a feather.   We had a great extended weekend, with two baby showers, taking the boat out to the Gulf of Mexico, eating, sharing stories from the past and laughing so hard our sides hurt.  It was truly a fantastic, relaxing time.

Well.  The only NON-relaxing part was when I found out that the package of baby things that I had sent the week before hadn't been delivered.  Then it turned out that it had been delivered, but WHERE???  There were a couple of streets with similar names so we did some investigating and left a note at this kind of creepy-looking house.  The next day, I was just settling in for lunch salads with her mom and stepdad when the doorbell rang.  It was a guy...holding my package!  He had gotten my note and brought it over to the correct address.  Turns out his wife was also expecting a baby, and they were getting stuff in the mail too so when they got the box they opened it without looking.  When they opened the box and discovered girly stuff they were like "What the hell?"  They were kind enough to return it, and I won't be spending countless hours knitting things that I had already made and cursing the Post Office.

I came home to a clean house, and not only did the kids behave for Daddy, Daddy had time to move the desk to our new office!  AND set up our new TV stand!  Everything looks great.

Tomorrow it's back to the daily grind.  I'm not looking forward to it, I'm still visualizing the Gulf of Mexico, palm trees and good food and friends who really are family.  But it is good to be home with Brian and my boys!

We're Going on a Trip!

Day Thirteen:  Somewhere You'd Like to Move or Visit:


There really is nowhere that I want to move, I'm quite comfortable where I am.  In a couple of years, we plan on selling this home and moving into a bigger one, but plan on staying in this area.  I'm a New England girl, and have a hard time picturing living anywhere besides Massachusetts.  It's what I know, and I feel settled and content.  When Brian and I first were married and he was getting out of the Navy, we lived in New Hampshire.  We were both pretty certain that we had no interest in staying where we were, and decided to settle in either Pennsylvania or Massachusetts.  Massachusetts won, because I had a job I could come back to, plus it was relatively easy to find an apartment.  And with a little research, we soon found that job opportunities for Brian were more plentiful in MA than in PA.  So it was an easy decision.  Not that I wouldn't have been happy in Pennsylvania, I think it's a beautiful state with a rich history.

Now, the list of places I'd like to visit.....that's another story!  I enjoy traveling, and pretty much will take any opportunities given to me to travel.  And I'm lucky to be married to a man that likes traveling as well.  However, he has no interest in traveling outside of the United States, and I have quite a few places on my list that I want to see in other parts of the globe.  Perhaps when the kiddos are grown.

United States
San Diego:  I've been intrigued since my parents went on a trip there ten years ago.
Seattle:  I don't know why.  It just sounds beautiful.
Alaska:  We plan on taking an Alaskan cruise someday.  I've heard nothing but good things!
Outer Banks, North Carolina:  I've been once and it was one of the nicest vacations ever.  So nice, we're going back next year.
Wisconsin and Minnesota:  Wisconsin surprised me last year....I would really like to go back.  And a blog that I read, called The Yarnista, makes Minnesota sound serene and beautiful.
Chicago:  I'd love to explore this city.
And naturally:  Hawaii.

Outside of the United States
Southern coast of Spain:  I've been to northern Spain, but have never seen the beauty of the southern coast.  Oh, and Barcelona.  I'd love to go there too.
Ireland
Greece.
Argentina
I'd like to explore more of Canada.  So far I've seen Prince Edward Island and Saint John, New Brunswick.  I'd also like to see Vancouver, Toronto, and Halifax.
And finally, I want to see Italy.  All of it.  This is the one trip that I will not allow Hubby to say "no" to forever!

There you have it.  The list I'm sure is longer than I've written, and over time I'm sure there will be more.

The "Battle of the Sexes" Incident

Just to let you all know, I'm married to the guy who won Battle of the Sexes on the cruise ship.  Yes...the men ousted the women.  I'm not proud.  BUT!  If it wasn't for Brian's victory, the women would've prevailed.

So what did Brian do?  Well, I'll tell you.  There were three rounds in the competition.  One was people putting together numbers that the emcee was shouting out.  I volunteered for the second round, which ended up being everyone having a letter, and having to spell out clues that the emcee was giving.  Since *I*  vacated my comfort zone volunteering to go up on stage, Brian just couldn't sit there and be bested. So he jumped up and volunteered for Round Three.  The emcee announced that it was a physical challenge, and "man, you guys don't even know what you are in for!"

The challenge was to take a quarter, walk across the stage and drop it into a plastic cup.  Sounds easy, right?  Well....the twist was that you had to carry it there, using nothing but your butt cheeks.  Fully clothed, of course.  (Thank GOD I volunteered for the second round!!!)  Brian, being a good sport, was the third guy to go in the challenge.  This was not an easy thing....most people dropped it before taking a step, or laughed so hard that they never even got to move before the quarter plunked to the floor.  But Brian...Brian not only got it to the cup, the emcee made fun of him for this weird dance that he was doing, causing him to laugh and almost lose it.  but he didn't....and the entire male population of the room was up and jumping, cheering when he got it in the cup.  But nobody was more excited than him, I thought that he was going to jump off-stage from the excitement! 

Now, I should mention that Brian was wearing a bright red "Phillies World Series" t-shirt.  And if you've ever met my husband for five minutes, you  know that he is a diehard Philadelphia sports fan.  He has many Philly sports shirts, which draws other Philly sports fans to him like moths to a flame.  Rarely can we even go to Target, much less Disney World or Universal Studios (happened both places) where other rabid Philadelphia fans don't come up to us, bubbling with excitement over finding "one of their own" outside of the Philly city limits.  We met one such couple on the ship, at the Battle of the Sexes.  Later on we ran into them again,only we had changed clothes.  The wife asked Brian why he had changed his shirt.  Brian's sheepish reply?  "I didn't want to be recognized as "That Guy Who Had a Quarter Up His Butt."  HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!  In my mind.....he'll be That Guy.  Forever.  :P

Post-Cruise World

Hubby and I just got back from the best vacation ever!!!!

We purchased a cruise package back in December, just a short one because we didn't know if we would like it. Boarding in NYC, it cruised up to Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada then back again.  Now that I've been....What's there NOT to like????   There are no dishes.  No laundry.  Taking out the trash?  No.  Cooking?  HA HA HA HA  no!  For four days, all you have to do is go to shows, lounge by pools, visit the bar for frosty drinks, play games, and eat.  I have to emphasize the eating:  you EAT.  Like you never have in your life.   Breakfast bar in the morning with every type of breakfast food imaginable.  A lunch buffet, with many hot dishes, as well as a deli and a burrito bar.  And dinner...either you could go back to the buffet or to one of the ship's restaurants.  We went to the main restaurant twice and had dinner in their fancy steakhouse once.  (More on the Blue Plate Special for that one)  And if you were STILL hungry after that, there was 24-hour pizza and soft-serve ice cream.  Wow!

Where were the kids during all of this?  They were happily spending some time with Grandmom and Grandpop down in Pennsylvania.  I thought drop-off would be tough, but Will was very excited to see them and couldn't wait for us to leave!  They had an awesome time and were quite spoiled by their grandparents, who they only get to see a couple times a year.

Now we're home....and it's a bit of a downer.  I want to move a breakfast bar into my house.  And have a cruise director announcing the day's activities.  Well....maybe not, if they include laundry and going to work.

There will absolutely be more cruises in our future.  Next time, we'll even (sigh) bring the kids with us.  :)

Time Travelers

For two mornings this week, I have had the pleasure of having the morning to myself.  No kiddos to get ready, no drop-offs, no trying to keep Sean from chewing on Will's toothbrush or listening to "But Mom!  I don't need school, I already KNOW EVERYTHING!!!!"  Two blissful mornings.  Both mornings I knitted a little before work, lingering over my second cup of coffee.   Perfect makeup, put on without interruption.  I even had time to use styling products and a blowdryer!  With Hubby bringing the kids to my parents for the day, as soon as his car hit the streets, BANG!  It was 2005 again, with me being on time for work, going back and forth between Led Zeppelin and The Beastie Boys in the car.  Of course, in 2005 I didn't work so close to home, and I wasn't a knitter.  Minor details!

And next week we're planning a BIG trip into the past.  Brian and I are dialing it back to 1998....going on our first vacation sans children.  We're going somewhere that we've never been, but it'll be just the two of us, kind of like that first summer together.  And we're planning on coming home needing a vacation from our vacation, exhausted from the fun of it all.  Can't wait!

2010: A Year in Review

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?

I guess I was pretty boring this year....because I can't think of anything at this moment! 

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I'm not a fan of New Year's resolutions.  I used to make them but they're short-lived.  I improve on things where I can, and let the rest lie.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

I did!  Our boy Sean was born in January.  I can't believe it's been almost a year already....  Also, there were three babies born on Brian's side of the family this year.  Lots of new kids to play with in years to come.  :) 

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Brian's grandmother passed away in June.  We really, really missed her at Thanksgiving this year, and every day.

5. What countries/places did you visit?

We drove out to Wisconsin to visit friends this past summer.  And I had my first trip to New York City!    

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?

I can't think of anything, 'cause I've gotten everything I've ever wanted.  Wait....I want to start my new job.

7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

January 10, 2010....the day my youngest son was born!  That being said, there are no other dates etched upon my brain....'cause my brain's been compromised and I'm lucky I know who I am half the time.  :)

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Adjusting and being flexible.  Also, starting a weight loss program a week after Thanksgiving!!

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not being patient enough, especially with myself. 

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

It's been a good year.  (knocking on wood right now!)  No trips to the hospital, nothing crazy to get the doctor's opinion on!

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Brian and I bought a cruise for ourselves next summer!  Five days, four nights, just us.  :)

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Pass.  I can't think of anyone. 

 13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

I hate these kinds of questions.  I don't know, nothing really surprises me anymore.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Down the toilet.  Just kidding.  Mostly towards bills and necessities.  Not a lot of wiggle room for "extras" this year, but it was a good year.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Sean's birth, duh......  :)  Also, our trip to Wisconsin!  It was SO GREAT to be on vacation with the Ratties, checking out a different part of the country.  Ahhhh.

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?

Sadly, nothing comes to mind.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder? I've been some of both this year.  Some times have been harder than others.  But I've always been a "glass half-full" kind of girl and I've got lots of blessings to count.

b) thinner or fatter?   thinner.  Though 2010 got me on the right track to getting healthier, and 2011 will be even better.

c) richer or poorer? Richer in some ways....poorer in others.  I'm rich where it matters...in love and family.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Living in the moment.  Relishing life's simple pleasures.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Multi-tasking.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

Happily celebrating with the boys and my whole family.  Goodness, I love a full house!!

21. Did you fall in love in 2010?

I fall in love a little bit more each and every day.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

I'm really enjoying How I Met Your Mother and 30 Rock.  The writing for those shows....genius. 

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

I make it a point not to hate anyone.  There's people that annoy me or I dislike, but hate's a pretty strong word.  (yes it's last year's answer, but it still applies!)

24. What was the best book you read?

I didn't read as much this year....once I got knitting I kind of forgot about reading. I did read some, though.  According to Goodreads, I read sixty-five books.  To be fair, these include books I read to the kids.  Most of what I read are cookbooks and knitting stuff.  if I had to pick a favorite for 2010,  I'd have to say The Help by Kathryn Stockett.  I'd also have to say that I really am looking forward to when the movie comes out!  (I don't say that very often about a book.)

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

I didn't discover anything musically this year really.

26. What did you want and get?

All my needs met, and some of my wants too.

27. What did you want and not get?

The uncanny ability to always be able to tell the difference between needs and wants!!  :)  I'm also disappointed that I haven't yet been able to grow a third arm or the fact that the government doesn't provide you with a personal assistant/maid/chef when you bring home a new baby.  (LOL!)

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

I can't think of a single movie that I was wowed....but I really can't say I saw too many that weren't animated.  I just saw Toy Story 3 and I'll admit it, it made me teary.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I had a fantastic birthday weekend.  Hubby let me sleep in, I got a manicure and pedicure, we went out on a Date Night the night before, and I had a fabulous dinner with my family at Longhorn Steakhouse.  Lots of simple pleasures, it was great!

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

A new job.  Talk to me in the Spring.  

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

Thrown together and harried.  I am trying to make changes to that, though.  

32. What kept you sane?

Knitting.  Lots and lots of knitting.  My fiber addiction keeps me calm, that's for sure.    Also, learning to count to ten.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

None of 'em.....so over it.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." It's about time!!!

35. Who did you miss?

Lots of people.  All I can say is that I'm still very pleased with the invention of Facebook.   

36. Who was the best new person you met?

I've made some new friends in my knitting group, and gotten to know others better.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.

If at the end of the day the kids are reasonably cared for, you have clean clothes and dishes, everyone's been fed and watered, it's been a good day!  The rest of it can fall by the wayside.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

"Aint no rest for the wicked, money doesn't grow on trees.  I got bills to pay, mouths to feed, aint nothing in this world for free.  I can't hold back, I can't slow down, you know I wish I could...but there aint no rest for the wicked, until we close our eyes for good."  (Cage the Elephant, "No Rest for the Wicked.")

Fabulous Wisconsin Vacation, in Photos

Wisconsin was fantastic!  Good friends, good food, good times.  It was more of a laid-back vacation, which is just what the doctor ordered.   We hadn't seen the Ratties in about two years so there was a lot of catching up to do!  (I've been meaning to post pictures since we came back, but the Internet hasn't been entirely cooperative)

Both boys LOVED playing with Gilli.  As I was posting this, Will kept telling me how "cool" this photo was because Gilli is in it!

Trevor climbing up the rope maze.  He and Will sure did have fun together. 

Will playing on the swings at the coolest playground that we have ever been to!  It has an all-rubber surface and is designed for everyone, including kids with disabilities, in mind. 

Livvie is the Queen of the Castle!

Sean, waking up from a nap at the playground.  He really enjoys being outside.

Will and Liv getting ready for the pool.

Me, Will and Gilli playing in the pool.  Gilli spent a lot of time playing with the boys this week and they loved every minute of it!  Will kept forgetting her name and would just call her "the girl with the glasses."  :)

Sometimes we give Daddy the camera, just so there's proof that Mom goes on these trips, too!  Posing with the boys at the fountain, Lake Geneva.

We got some eats before we boarded for our ferry tour of Lake Geneva, or the "Newport of the Midwest."  This is a "Chicago-Style Hot Dog."  It was a monster!  Delicious, and something I'd definitely have again. 

Jen and I.  A hot and humid day at Lake Geneva!

 

Will was a little tired and under-the-weather from all the traveling.  Here he is, being carried by Scott before we boarded the ferry.

The boat! 

Daddy and his (sleepy) boys on the ferry.