Ten on Tuesday! ...and even way before the clock strikes midnight

1. The second half of August was a whirlwind!  A week vacation in the Gulf, followed by a special birthday of the littlest person in our home, and then major catch up from all of that!  And as you have seen, the little guy is now on two feet so the biggest adjustment has been for little MC to share the attention.  For some reason, it seems that she is a bit jealous of all the attention Rylan has been getting which has back lashed into a spree of acting outs.  I just want my sweet, little girl back..peez!  Although I am sure this is just another one of those phases.

2. On a happy note, Makenna Claire started back to preschool!  On the first day she was so very excited and couldn't wait to see her old friends, see her teachers and make new friends.  She anticipated a lot of homework (hmmmm), but of course came home only with a big smile and lots of stories!

3. And since I started with the most current, now we can move back a few days when Rylan turned ONE!  I can't believe a year has gone by already...seriously, I can feel the anticipation of his arrival like it was last week...so full of hope, joy, love and eagerness as the day came closer.  Then to hold him in my arms for the first time, I was smitten in love all over again.

So with much joy and some momma tears, our baby has reached his year mark. We celebrated him all weekend long and he had a total of three times to eat his cake, and wear it too!  He did his finest work on his actual birthday where as his Uncle Brad stated...he turned into a smurf!  evidence. below.

nice work, Ry guy!!  We love you so very much.

4. We were fortunate to celebrate Rylan with our friends and family.  We had a wonderful time and it certainly was day full of memories. Somewhere along the way in the party planning, animals entered into a theme.  Not sure how that happened, but it worked!   Mom and I had a blast making safari cupcakes, and although the heat of the day caused their faces to meeeeelllttttttttttt, it provided many laughs and good times.

5. Wow..still so much to catch up on!  It's amazing how some times life seem so very busy with much a happening and then other times, it's back to the every day.  They each have their benefits, so it's great that life gives us both.  :)

We had just a magnificent time in Sanibel Island, Florida.  Scott, the kids and I first ventured to Punta Gorda before landing on the island.  It was a nice way to go slowly into a very relaxing, not much to do vacation. hee,hee...  We thoroughly enjoyed being together, so much so that I think the kids are still into Daddy withdrawal.
Once on the island, we met up with Gaga, Pop pop and Auntie Kellie.  Makenna Claire, especially, was in heaven.  All these playmates with a pool of water and a never ending supply of sand....all was good in her world!  We spent many days doing, well, not much but enjoying the sun, the water and each other.  Ahhhhh....

6. One of my favorite memories of the trip....

Makenna Claire, hosting a tea party for all at the pool... each and every day!

If you were at the pool, of course you were there to "play" with MC and were offered a drink.

Such the hostess with the mostest.

She is also quite the fish and loved swimming underwater.  At her first few swimming lessons, I thought I would never see the day, but with a bit of confidence and her making the decision to do it, whamo! 

7. Some of favorite photos.....oh how I L.O.V.E. these!

  

Somewhere, in some form or another, these will find a place within our home.  

8.  Here's a few more snapshots.

9.  Hmmmm...what else is going on???   I have gotten reacquainted to my craft room!  Oh, happy place. I actually have three layouts that are almost to conclusion and  I will post them soon.  It creates such a harmony and balance in my life and with Fall upon us, I should be able to find more time to get in the zone.  

10.  On a side note..we had our driveway blacktopped today so I had to use the front door to get the house.  Did I even have a key??  I found I did.  Did I know how it worked? Well, that was another challenge, but I made sure I could lock it, so I can get back in the house!!  ;0 

Oh how we have become accustomed to technology. 

 Hope you enjoyed the update!  Be back soon..xo

So much to share...will be back soon!

And today's highlight...RYLAN WALKED!!!

In the room, over lunch, we just looked up and there he was, trucking across the living room. Needless to say, it was a cause for celebration and there's a hell of a lot more footage available than this, but it's a representative sample of what is now the next stage of his life. Four days shy of his first birthday...we're mobile and agile!

Dolphin cruise (or: What is my issue with going to bed at a rational hour?)

Today was another fun day and after several hours spent at the pool at Casa Ybel, we opted to go for a dolphin and wildlife sightseeing cruise out of a marina on Captiva. It was a very spacious boat and everybody had a good time.

This is only the second assembly of this. The first one apparently had some kind of corrupted video clip that I spent at least a half hour trying to repair to no avail and just started all over again. The final product, though, is worth it without question.

And after this is uploaded for you, the blog follower, I'm going the hell to bed. It's late and the kids won't sleep in because I was doing something nice for them till the wee small hours of the morning.

Sanibel, day three

It's another beautiful and hot day here on Sanibel Island. We're having a ton of fun and the kids are enjoying it even more.

Ga-Ga, Pop-Pop and Auntie Kellie all arrived on Friday afternoon and we went for dinner at The Lazy Flamingo, a great raw bar that's been around for a bunch of years (in the old Harbor House Restaurant space, that's making me show my age). Best damn grouper sandwich on the planet and come to think of it, the ONLY place I get a grouper sandwich for that matter.

Yesterday was spent enjoying the sun and pool. I went for an "early" morning run and it was hot. Insane hot. I was jealous of the guy who went by on the Cervelo thinking that was probably the most optimal way to keep cool while exercising. Snuck some laps in the bathtub, er, pool, er, bathtub (it was that warm) in the afternoon.

The kids have had a great time in the pool. The $15 plastic tea set we bought at Target Thursday has been the best investment. Rylan loves the floatie we can't use at Lifetime and has nearly fallen asleep in it a few times.

We went out and played in the sand late in the afternoon and Makenna could've been out there for hours. The surprising thing is that we haven't seen a DROP of rain so far (that's the sound of a jinx being deployed). The heat index today is supposed to top out around 108 - 109, so another great day to just keep wet. We're looking to try to land some cruises to see the dolphins as well as the sunset, so maybe we'll get one of those in tonight.

This morning has been a "divide and conquer" morning. Makenna is off with Ga-Ga, Pop-Pop and Auntie Kellie, I'm sitting in the Poco Loco coffee shop in Jerry's Plaza (they're three months old and crank out great espresso and have some stellar gelato) with Rylan and Kelly is back at Casa Ybel reading her book.

Time to sign off. I've got the little guy with me and he's getting antsy. We thought he'd nap, but not so much. All is well, we miss everybody back home and it's FIVE DAYS until he turns one. Sweet mamasita, where did the year go?





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Location:Periwinkle Way,Sanibel,United States

Lazy Flamingo

Dinner of champions with everybody!



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Location:Periwinkle Way,Sanibel,United States

Morning everybody!

Cheerios for R and espresso for daddy!


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Punta Gorda...day two

Well, day two of the trip is in the books. It was another fun day. We woke up around eight or so and wandered off to grab some breakfast and do some shopping for "staples". Panera and then to Target to get formula and diapers.

It was a *very* expensive formula and diapers stop, adding a host of toys and books for the kids to play with. (Shrug) "We're on vacation!"

Makenna go a Beauty and the Beast tea set to have tea parties by the pool (or on the beach), Rylan got a talking pot in which you can add plastic veggies to make a soup. Of course, Rylan's toy immediate got co-opted by his big sister.

After shopping, we went to the pool for the afternoon and Makenna met a new friend Brenda. Brenda is from Chattanooga, TN, and has kids in her early 20's. Makenna played and PLAYED with her all afternoon. It was funny and sad that when we returned from dinner tonight, they were headed out (and leave tomorrow) and Makenna gave her a big hug, came into our room and bawled her eyes out about how she'll miss Brenda. We exchanged muffled laughs, because it was really funny how absolutely torn up she was.

Dinner was at Chick-Fil-A (had to, just absolutely had to) and then we tried to wander to a place called Fisherman's Village and at 7:45 everything was closed with the exception of the restaurants. It had cute shopping but even the dang ice cream shop was shut down. We're learning that apparently Punta Gorda is a little older (and consequently, sensitive to noise after the locals probably leave Perkins where they're showing up for dinner at 4:30 in the afternoon). We're hoping the coffee shop is open in the morning to get a decent espresso. There are two that I have to choose from and here's hoping I can get to one of them. If, of course, they're open.

We're here because originally I wanted to burn some Starwood Preferred Guest points and get a free room, but the 7000 points Starwood wanted was the same to stay at the Westin Michigan Ave., so we decided to pay cash and the rooms were *insanely* reasonable on a prepaid rate. I think we're under $90/night including tax which is pretty impressive. The hotel is gorgeous for a Four Points, it's Starwood's only property on the whole SW coast which makes little sense when you consider the other opportunities and given the opportunity, we'll come back. Makenna also made friends with Lorrie, the woman who works at the front desk and checked us in last night and saw us coming and going this evening.

There's an old axiom that the only friends you don't have are the ones you haven't met yet and that's Makenna dead spot-on. She's having a good time. Check that; great time.

The kids are peacefully asleep (it's alarming how we swarm into a hotel room and stuff just explodes covering nearly every square inch with something) and we're doing some reading and blogging. Once I finish this post it'll be time to fire up the laptop and triage that which is the most urgent and bugger the rest. Tomorrow we trip down the coast to Sanibel where Makenna doesn't know that Ga-Ga, Pop-Pop and Auntie Kellie are arriving tomorrow. Plan to get stills at a minimum and hope to snag some video as well. I'm writing these posts on an app on the iPad and it only allows to send one picture. I'll work up an album to link out as well with all the pics.


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Location:S Tamiami Trail,Punta Gorda,United States

Having a good time

Day one on vacation and safely arrived



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Location:S Tamiami Trail,Punta Gorda,United States

Ten on Tuesday!

1. Wowie...did we do good this week, or what?  I do keep my promises and Scott did his fair share as well..thanks babe, those videos are awesome!

2.  It's the day before vacation and all through the house, not a thing must be forgotten and....

3. We are so excited to be together for the next week in a half and it culminates into a big birthday bash for the little guy.  It's so hard to believe that our baby is one already...I remember the anticipation of his arrival like it was yesterday, and now it's a year later.  Wow.

4. I have my crafting on again and it feels great.  My craft room is in order and it feels like a creative space again.  So happy!  I have been working with my cricut expression to make this birthday banner for you know who.  Here's a sneak peak! (more info to follow)

5. On a side note, Three cheers for those steamable vegetable bags!!!  Love them...so easy, so fast, so my style on most days.  And my kids just devoured an entire bag themselves.  They didn't even notice that the asian vegetables kinda contradicted the bean and cheese burrito they were eating.  That's what happens when you have a refrigerator ready to go in vacation mode.

6.  "You're having cereal for dinner Momma.  Why?",  MC asks me.  Because it is my GO TO for a snack or a meal.  It's easy, quick (note a theme...) and I love it!  Lately my favorites are Honey Sunshine and multi-grain Cheerios.  I know I'm not alone. :)

7.  Fall begins so very soon with preschool starting in just two weeks.  Is the summer over that quickly?

8. We are loving our new bedroom and look forward to a few painting projects come this fall.  One project always leads to another one, doesn't it?  I am also anticipating dusting off my sewing machine and making a few pillows and decor items.  In the respect, I am really looking forward the change of seasons.

9. Look who has found the TP.

       And has been caught!

10.  Night..must go finish packing.  I am always doing the final packing late into the night before a trip.  How does that happen??  I thought I was doing really well this time too.  xo

Rylan and Dad at work...

A week (or so) ago, Kelly, Makenna and Nana all went to a big convention in Rosemont on Friday. I was going to get the kids after work and bring them home but Rylan was not feeling himself. We thought it might have been a cold but turns out it was probably teething and so I came and got him before they even headed over. So the afternoon was spent at daddy's office.

The plan was to get out the door, but we got a call from an importer who was in a desperate situation. He had a shipment of tropical fish from the Philippines that came into Detroit, he didn't have the necessary paperwork to clear it, so Delta was sending it to Chicago for clearance with Customs and Fish and Wildlife.

I had one foot out the door and wound up sticking around to help the guy out personally. And I met the Fish & Wildlife inspector at the airline to see the fish. Having the little guy in tow, it flashes back to how I started going to the airport with my dad, thirty seven or so odd years ago. It was a pretty special afternoon and evening.

A flurry of postings from dad...

Work has been very busy and when I get home, the computer that I like to do my blogging (and video editing with) is in use by Kelly making some insanely creative Photoshop picture or collage that everybody who follows the blog is fortunate enough to share. So this weekend, whether by accident or on purpose, I swore that I'd catch up on some of the video and things that I've shot and wanted to share with you.

We are so fortunate that Kelly is able to be home with the kids full time and raise, support, nurture and guide them into the little people they are becoming. It means that when I have time with them, the enjoyment for both me and them is amplified. The last two days, I've rocked Rylan in my lap in his room for his afternoon nap. Two plus hours yesterday and another hour and a half today. It's unparalleled to get to have that kind of bonding time.

Eagerly looking forward to vacation this week and having a week and a half with them full time; it's going to be insanely fun.

So while you got a few things of Makenna from me yesterday and last night, the next couple are going to be about the little guy. Today we were shopping for toys for him for his first birthday which is coming up later this month and we wanted to gauge his reaction to seeing a Jack-In-The-Box for the first time. Needless to say, anything you want to share with the younger will immediately be pounced upon by the elder. Case in point (pun not intended) below:

Makenna the musician

Everybody says their kids are artists of some kind. They sing, dance, paint, whatever. To people other than their family members, it's little more than screaming, jumping around and scribble.

Not mine (chest puffed out proudly). Kelly and I both have iPhones and you've got to hand it to the kids at Apple, iOS is rather intuitive and easy to use. She's been able to point and swipe and find shows to watch (that we've bought, uploaded, or borrowed from the library and ripped to our own libraries) and they come in mightily handy over dinner.

Her two favorite songs are Sugarland's All I Want To Do and the Indigo Girls' Closer to Fine. The latter, she's got a pretty good command of most of the lyrics and will sing along with it when we're watching the DVD (highly recommend Live From the Roxy and if you don't own it, then you ought to plunk down the coin and just buy it). On the same day we got the parasol footage, we stopped at Barnes and Noble and while Kelly was playing with Rylan across the way at the Thomas the Train table, Makenna was on stage doing what Makenna does best, holding court.

First, disable the player that we have running in the background since we've got audio for you to enjoy.

And so, for your viewing enjoyment, I present Makenna Claire Case and the Indigo Girls, collaborating on their hit song, Closer to Fine.

Daddy footage of a Makenna shopping day

Makenna is at the age when there's really nothing that she can't or won't do. Some things are expected, some come right out of left field. We were at The Promenade doing some shopping and were in H&M and she absolutely FELL IN LOVE with this pink umbrella. She was opening it in the store and would not put it down. There's no shortage of things we'll buy for our kids that are little more than impulse purchases and this one is front and center for that category.

But she knows that it's not just for rainy days. When it's a thousand degrees outside, sometimes a little respite from those sun's beating rays are JUST what the doctor ordered...

{wordless wednesday} Summer lovin...MC style!

Ten on Tuesday...

1. Jeeeezzz.....how does this happen?  It's been another week and here I am posting on Tuesday. Will. be. better. this. week.  Just watch and see.  =))

2.  Home from a great dinner and visit with Arizona resident Auntie Alice.  We had a wonderful time and MC insisted on her sitting in the car with her on the way to the restaurant.  And on the way back.  Cute!  Thanks for the visit Auntie Ali!  It was so great to spend the evening with you.

3.  This past weekend us girls went to CHA craft and hobby SUPER show at the Rosemont Convention Center and boy did we have fun.  On Friday, MC joined us and made lots of super cool things and loved helping us make some crafts and even ate dinner with us at 8pm..what a super star.  She is definitely a girly girl who loves to craft, which makes my heart so happy!  She also got her face painted for the first time and loved it.

beautiful rainbow

getting her crafting on

4. Weekend part 2, kinda.  

On Sunday I admit I was tired from our two days of non stop fun, BUT the house needed a little polishing and we needed to reload on fruit and veggies.  Scott took the kids grocery shopping while I stayed behind and cleaned the house (well, the downstairs, anyways!)  It was perfect..

Getting back to the point of the story....One of our goals this year is to remodel our bedroom.  The kids both have adorable decked out rooms, so it is now our turn!  We have had our eye on a few pieces of furniture here and there but it never seemed right.  In walks our favorite store, COSTCO! and our dream of finishing our goal was made to fruition!

Yep, while Scott was grocery shopping he found a bed and a lounge couch for a great deal and it was perfect for our room!  Yippeee... oh how we LOVE that store.

5. continued.. So last night we rented a van, picked up our new furniture and our room is on its way to being our perfect little place for us, and for our growing family in the early hours of each day. WE are so excited!  

6.  Rylan is almost walking.  He'll take a few steps on his own, start to laugh and it's over.  He also apparently thinks the walls will move for him and his push walker if he can make a big grunt!  hee, hee  He is so adorable and brings me such joy.

7. One week from today, our bags will be packed and we'll be headed for the Gulf.  Can't wait!  

8. Time changes many things, but some things remain the same.

7 months

3 years old

9. A few more pictures from tonight.

10. And with that, I am signing off.  My lack of sleep last night (furniture party) is

catching up to me.  But I'll be back, before next tuesday!  Pinky promise..night..