Chi Town

Chi-Town!

I loved it. The chill. The skyscrapers. The art. The beautiful coats and scarves. The ocean like lake. And of course, the pizza.

Tim had work meetings in Chicago, so I taught online while he did whatever he did! We played every night. At least half of our dinners included deep dish pizza! And while we loved Geno's East and Jordano's, we made it official that Zachary's in good ol' California is still da best!

Have you been to Chicago? Do you love it? I hear it's a lot hotter in the summer and crazy cold in the winter. I'm pretty sure September was an awesome month for our travels.

Birthday Wishes

So many fun birthdays this week! I love celebrating people.

The most adorable 2-year-old living in Roseburg ever turns 2 exactly today! Happy Birthday, Paige! We love you so. Keep your sparkle and joy, little one!

My one and only 28-year-old baby brother turned, well, 28 yesterday! Geez...when did he get so old? :) Really, I feel like we were just sitting on the living room floor, well past bedtime, playing "house" with the micro machines (that was the compromise -- and the secret to staying up late). There's nothing else in the world quite like the memories with family! Love you, Andy! Hope you had a spectacular day yesterday!

To my sweet nephew, Sawyer. I love how daring and funny you are! Already at just one year we have a glimpse into the darling (thrill-seeking) personality that God has blessed you with. We love being your aunt, uncle, and cousin. We are stoked to have you visit with us next month! Happy birthday, little (big) guy. Blakely's been working on a birthday message for you. Yesterday she made a cake for you and your daddy. On your actual birthday, she had baby talk wishes for you! All good things, we're sure! ;) Check it out.

Have the happiest of birthdays, Paige, Sawyer, and Andy!! We're sending you lots of love and aloha!

From the Ledge to my Home

I'm hooooome!

Man, it feels good to be home.

Are you like me? Do you try to deep clean your whole house, empty the dishwasher, put away the last load of laundry, and leave yourself a treat (for later) in the fridge--all on the day you leave town?

p.s. -- I blame (and truthfully, thank) my mother for this type A habit that this type B girl could never shake. ;)

I love to leave just like that. There's nothing better than knowing the freshness and peacefulness that awaits me when I step off the plane to come home.

Unfortunately, that was not my reality this time! Work and life were slammed up until the end and we left our little hale a wreck. I pushed it all out of my mind until the moment my garage door lifted. Yikes! It was the middle of the afternoon and our bodies told us it was crash time (NY is six hours later than we are here in Hawaii).

I painfully started the clean up/un pack process for maybe 10 minutes before Tim bossed me to stop and sit. Tim doesn't offer many directives, so when he does, I usually oblige... ;). Best decision ever. Blakely napped and we sat. Literally.

The next day, we jammed out our house work and slid back into our jobs/life. Now, a few days later, I've carved out quiet time to sip my Tazo Orange Spice Tea and catch up on my blogs!

Dear friends have had babies (welcome Halle Kate and Quinn Lily)
My nephew turned one (happy birthday, Sawyer)
Olivia is growing and changing (thanks for the blog updates, Luciena)
My dear Yasi just blogged my sweet girl on her photography blog today: ykvision.com

It's fun to play catch up and bask in such lovely photos!

We were in NY and Chicago for the last two weeks. We left B with her grandparents (all four of them). It was a blessed trip all the way around. I'll admit, it was killer to be away from my little one, but everyone won!

I'll share more soon. For now, here's a fun photo of me and my taller love on the ledge at Sears Tower.