Honestly, what is wrong with this child? Notice his father in the background... not even flinching or moving a muscle. Why, you ask, this is considered "normal" behavior in our home...

Last weekend, I stole the opportunity to sneak out of the house to visit the Logsdon's while they were in town (they live in Champaign, which is about 3 hrs South). Cynthia's parents live in Addison and have a luau every end of summer. Charlotte was just born in July and y'all know how much I love babies. I was so excited to meet her. And yes, I did get to hold her, so eat your hearts out Tolman family!

... I have NO idea...

This is a new cat post, but please, I have no idea what is going on here...

..."Forever Strong"...

Y'all have got to check this out. Dustin is a long time family friend who grew up down the street from us (or us them... whatever). Tyler and Dustin were good friends, and Mom was the Den leader for both boys for some years. Dustin would come over and hang out sometimes while waiting for Tyler to finish his "jobs" he would fiddle around the piano. Dustin has never had lessons (I don't think) and he does not know how to read music. He is just gifted and blessed with talent. We used to hum tunes to him and he would plunk around for a minute or two but then he'd just start playing whatever it was. He is seriously awesome. Dustin has done many things of notoriety but just recently I found this (as I was nosing around his blog). It is so awesome to see and hear his talents recognized. I am such a huge fan. One day when he is hosting some big awards show I can say "I used to know that kid".
http://dustinonline.blogspot.com/2008/08/forever-strong-song-clip.html
This is the theme song from a movie that is coming out later this year, I think, which Dustin wrote and perfoms. I am always in such awe whenever I hear something he does. Dustin is also Jerrytown.

Flashback

Okay, it's not Friday, but flashing back nonetheless. I have been sporadically digging through old pics and trying to get them all scanned. Here is one - it's a fav for sure!

Todd was working on the set of Pool Hall Junkies in 2000 as a production assistant. I was visiting the family and got to stop by and meet one of my crushes. Yep, you guessed - The Ricker (that's Mister Rick Schroeder to you)! I have always been a huge fan and he was between NY PD Blue seasons. I love him. Not in a creepy-psycho-stalker way, but in the not-creepy-because-I'm-cute kind of way.

This is actually fun - I got it in an email from my mom-in-law, but it would be a fun tag:

YOU fill in the blanks about ME and send it back to ME. It only takes a few minutes, so just do it! First send (forward) this survey to everyone you know to see how well he or she knows you. Second, hit 'reply' and fill this survey out about the person who sent it to you and send it back to them.

Where did we meet?
Take a stab at my middle name?
Do I smoke?
Color of my eyes?
Do I have any siblings?
What's one of my favorite things to do?
What's my favorite type of music?
Am I shy or outgoing?
Am I a rebel or do I follow the rules?
Any special talents?
How many children do I have?
If you and I were stranded on a deserted island, what is one thing that I would bring?

...New Baby...

Congratulations Pete & Christine who welcomed their new baby girl with their two sons Tyler and Jake.

Sunday Aug 10th at 12:59 a.m.
Allison Kyline Foster 7 lbs 14 0z 20 in

Ethan says the darndest things...

Okay, so last week, we were at the doctor's office for Larry's foot. It's in a medical complex, which also houses our pediatric group. While Larry was in his appointment, I decided to stop in at the pediatrician and ask the nurses a quick question. A nurse greeted us with what appeared to be a temporary patch over his eye, Ethan saw this and proclaimed "Argh"! I tried to throw it off by saying, "yes, scary monster, roar" but he shook his head, swung his arm in true pirate fashion and said "argh" again. As if the nurse didn't hear him, and he was waiting for the pirate response. I immediately left, I'm sure red in the face, all the while Ethan swinging his arm and saying "argh".

Happy Birthday, John!

HaPpY BIrtHdAy to a very sweet and generous father-in-law!

John is dedicated to his family and is notorious for spoiling the grandchildren.

We are so happy to be in your family!

Yum Yum

Last week Larry needed to go grocery shopping with me - for whatever reason, he had some secret ingredients he needed to pick up and apparently I could not be trusted with the list. This is a surprise, because as you know Larry is a master of the grill, but not in the kitchen. Even though he was only a few days out of surgery, he was up and about. Last night, he finally gathered the ingredients and made Ethan a special treat... I don't know what they're called, but they are a sugary gooey delight!

Today was the NIU Dept of Public Safety picnic. Many worked hard, but everyone had fun. These guys really work hard, and this was a needed break. There was tons of great food from everywhere, a magician who also made balloon art, facepainting, bags, and games. We missed those who were working or could not attend, and we appreciate those that did.

Here are the pics from Kim...

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Happy Birthday Rhonda... belated!

Okay, so I'm late with the birthday wishes, but intentionally. Here's the deal. Rhonda, my sister-in-law celebrated her "29 again" birthday last Saturday by coming to Chicago with her best friend, Kim, who flew in from Florida. They stayed at the newly remodeled Renaissance Blackstone Hotel. Rhonda is a Lt with the Ripley Fire Dept and works part time for another nearby dept as well (sorry, I forget), she is mega busy with two jobs, 3 dogs and Chelsey! So, this trip for her was much needed. Anyway, I met them downtown to celebrate because really, this was the first time Rhonda and I would get to hang out as friends - and, I love the City.

We had so much fun! I had never met Kim, but she was a blast. Kim is Carla's picture twin - she was snapping pictures left and right for everything. It was awesome. So, that's why the blog post is late, I was waiting for some pictures, still don't have them, but I am posting the pictures I have regardless.

Rhonda and Kim were awesome because they were so easy-going. We first went to Taste of Lincoln Avenue. I always have fun there, we picked up my friend Debbie, who lives near and we walked over. We always run into someone we know, and we did! We saw Vedran and Canadian Steve. We hung out there for a while. On the way back, Kim saw a bicycle rickshaw - this is so wrong on so many levels, but we hopped on... this cannot be safe with the 6-way intersections on a Saturday night in Illinois. The poor "driver" was carrying a load, let me tell ya. We were laughing all the way - the WRONG WAY! He completely went down the wrong street, and admitted he was not from here, but just got his personal trainer license and was having a yoga party next week. Then we went back to the hotel and changed for the night.

We stopped by Frankie Z's to say "hey" to Casey (Larry's best friend since knee-high athletic socks), we met up with Jessica at Frontera Grill, then went to get Rhonda and Kim a late night pizza snack. There, I tried to get a drink, but had a ticket and the waiter would not accept the paper ticket with my Sam's Club ID - ridiculous. I had a discussion - I didn't win, but on purpose to make a point (Here, in IL, if you get any kind of ticket, the police officer issuing the ticket will either give you an option to pay cash for the ticket amount of the offense on the spot, surrender your license, or post bond - this is the dumbest thing I've ever heard of. I don't have bond insurance - didn't know I needed it because even in Utah, we don't do such ridiculous things - and if you surrender your license, the paper ticket should suffice as your DL).

After that, we headed to Jilly's Piano Bar where Debbie and her 'date' grabbed a table. We only hung out there for a bit, and Jessica had to leave to catch her train back to Evanston. Debbie and date left too. Rhonda and Kim wanted to go dancing. Well, I thought I'd show them a good dance club. Bad idea. We went to Crem, which was bought from some friends of ours and used to be called Sauce. It was not at all what I, nor they, thought it would be. After a bit of wandering around, we sat on some benches and a guy - who seemed to be 18 - preceded to hit on Kim. Kim has a son, mind you, that is probably his age. Rhonda and I were laughing. We were laughing so hard, I couldn't breathe! All-in-all it was a super fun time, and I am so glad I got to hang out and share those good times with Rhonda!

Love ya!

Holy Crap! Look what I found... this girl, I have no idea who she is, but I was trying to find some cake ideas, she is so talented:
http://layersoflove.blogspot.com

"No Limits But The Sky"

My sister-in-law, Rhonda gave me this book for my birthday this year. I found some very inspirational thoughts within. Tami often sends inspiring quotes via text message, and they always seem to provoke thought or edification in my day, so I thought I'd share a couple too:

Be Different

"To make a difference in the world, you must first dare to be different"

Launch Out

"One doesn't discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time" - Andre Gide

Say 'Yes' to Life

"Always laugh as much as possible and cry a little less. Conceive the inconceivable and dare to tell life, 'yes!"

Make the Discovery

"The Future doesn't lie ahead of you, waiting to happen. it lies deep inside of you, waiting to be discovered."