Dancing Queen

Isabel had her first dance recital on Saturday. I had no idea it would be such a production. There were about 100 dancers plus moms, dads, grandmas, etc. I was thinking it would last 45 minutes....2 hours later we were just about ready to leave. When it was Isabel's turn, the music starts and the other girls in her group get into 1st position. Not Isabel, she just stands there so Ryan and I were deciding which one of us would go get her off stage when all of a sudden she danced the entire dance. She really liked it. In the car she wanted to know the date of her next 'cital. Thanks to Almas for enduring the whole 2+ hours and being our photographer so we could chase Liza (who will have no problems performing on stage.)

Congratulations Isabel!!!!

Isabel's Princess Tea Party

Isabel had the cutest party this year. She had been saying she wanted a tea party so I found a lady who has converted an old little house downtown and she does parties for princesses. The girls got to choose a dress, shoes, purse, and jewelry then have their nails done. They put on a fashion show, decorated cupcakes, and were served tea. Isabel's comment: This was my best birthday ever!

Happy Birthday Isabel!

The first picture of me being 5.


All About Issi on her 5th birthday!

Favorite color: pink
Favorite food: cupcakes and vegetables (what!?!)
Future profession: ballerina
Favorite place to eat: McDonalds
Things I love: puppies, swimming, anything girlie, flying up to ND in the summer, play dates, tire swings
Advice most frequently given to me by dad: Marry rich
Best anecdote from the last year: Isabel declared she would only be eating vanilla cupcakes from now on. Upon further investigation it was determined that she had decided brown foods make you poop and she did not want to do that anymore. She was actually willing to give up chocolate for this.

Wasting away again in Margaritaville.....

Well I have done it...I've solved a number of problems that have been plaguing me for years now. After careful research I have found the perfect combination of floaties to meet all of my summer needs. There is one that I can read on, one I can tan my back on without being dumped into the pool, and one for drinking margaritas while listening to the Margaritaville station. I even have one for playing volleyball that doesn't compromise my mobility. Other new discoveries: the best after-sun lotion (Hawaiian Tropic Cucumber Melon) and the perfect haircut when you don't want the ends of your hair constantly dipping into the pool. Life is good.

June 2009

I have only been off for a week but it feels like we have crammed in a month's worth of activities. We go to the shadiest parks and the mall playgrounds. Liza had her first carousel ride. She is walking now and taking those Frankenstein-like steps. She is quite proud of herself. We got to watch Isabel's dance practice today. She is excited about her first recital on Saturday. Isabel and I use the pool while Liza is asleep and I am ready for bed long before she even thinks about sleep. Isabel was happy to go shopping today and spend Grandma Bear's birthday money. She insisted on finding something special and decided on Thumbelina dolls. She can't wait for her party on Sunday.

June 2009

summer 2009

I got a call yesterday mornng (Schaf)from North Dakota informing me it was snowing there!! Ryan had to confirm this on google. So for all you North Dakotans suffering up there in the snow and cold, my main concerns are too much sun and too many margaritas. I have forgotten all about parkas and snow shovels. All this is only a plane ride away.

May

Going to see Seinfeld....one of my birthday presents



Isabel having an indoor picnic




Liza secretly playing with Isabel's toys



Isabel packed a bag already for grandpa's house this summer



Quote of the week by Isabel in all of her four-year-old fury: THAT'S IT!!!! I'm going to Disney World.

Memorial Weekend

Our pool is officially open for business. Almas came for her annual weekend. Liza discovered the joys of wearing her birthday suit in the pool. Both of the girls really enjoyed the long weekend and as a bonus they were both asleep last night by 7:45.

May

We have been making good use of the backyard these days. It has been so humid my eyebrows are curling. It finally rained last night so we have a break from the heat today. Isabel is busy planning her princess tea party birthday and looking forward to the end of school. Just 3 more weeks!!

Before



Before



after



After

We finished this project a long time ago. I've just been lazy with the photos plus its harder than I would have thought to take pictures of a bathroom. This one is the guest bathroom upstairs. Ryan is becoming a pro at this stuff.

Summer has Begun

Even though the official start of summer is a couple of months away, we decided to kick things off early down here. We heated up the pool and had a BBQ for Ryan's birthday. Ryan's gift....Guitar Hero. We may be the last people on Earth to have acquired it but we are making up for lost time. I have new found respect for guitar players. I miss 1/2 the notes and I'm sober. We are not gifted in musical ability. The only instrument I have ever played is the recorder back in grade 4. I did a mean Hot Cross Buns. And Isabel thinks the guitar is a violin. But fun is had by all.

Happy Easter

carrots and milk for the bunny





So the Easter Bunny went to bed really early last night. Good thing Ryan thought to lure him to our house with a plate of carrots and some milk this morning. Ryan spotted him hopping down our driveway shortly after putting out the treats. Isabel found her basket in the dryer. Poor bunny is out there hopping around in the rain now.

Speaking of the Easter Bunny, I once had a patient at the Osawatamie State Hospital who thought he was the Easter Bunny. He signed all of his paperwork E. Bunny. It wasn't him that we spotted in our driveway, thank goodness.

Liza's First Birthday

Cake!




My present from Gramma Bear




My favorite activity



All tuckered out

Fargo Flood

Here is a link to a good youtube video showing pictures of the Fargo flood. For many of my friends this will bring back memories of Grand Forks in '97.
click here

All About Liza

The first picture of me being 1




A little light reading


All About Liza on her Birthday

Favorite Toy: mom's car keys

Fovorite Game: putting things in/taking things out

Favorite Food: pancakes or waffles

I could win a trophy for: Most Bald Baby

I am famous in my family for: pooping in the bathtub

Favorite Activity: eating

Favorite place to go: down the slide at the park

Cutest Feature: the gap between my two front teeth