Walla's Wedding Weekend

Val and I have a close group of friends from IU that we absolutely love. Many of them actually went to high school with Val which is how I got to know them. Others are from the east coast but now almost all of them live out west. The incredible thing about our relationship with these friends is that it just keeps getting stronger. Every wedding, or get together is amazing and now the group is growing with children. They are like family.

George and Cory

The beautiful bride and groom.

Me and Sue
Mitch playing at the ceremony.
Val and Baby Jade

Eric and Mike

Sarah and Sue

sweet little Luke

Walla giving some love to Jade

Bill, Val, Don and Eric looking good!


This past weekend Val and I got to slip away to Rochester to celebrate the marriage of Matt to his awesome new wife Liz. This was our first trip away, together, with out the kids and it was just what the dr ordered. We actually camped thurs night, it was freezing but so great. The stars were amazing and that made the cold worth it. The next day we headed to Pittsford to the Del Monte where we parked it for two nights and three days. From the minute we got there to the minute we got home we were laughing, talking, partying and enjoying every minute of this weekend.

The wedding was sweet and beautiful and in an instant I could tell Matt and Liz are perfectly in love and perfect for each other. Sue actually officiated while Don was the best man. They both did a great job, Sue so professional even in the face of a snotty baby and little sleep, and Don's speech at the reception was perfect. Mitch played piano and Val did a great job on baby duty during the wedding. Eric and I both had very important roles in the wedding.

Got to meet little Luke, Sarah and Mitch's baby boy. He is so full of life, a sparkle in his eye that reminds me so much of baby Drew. We also met George's really cool new girlfriend Corey, hung out with Bill and had a great time with Valenti, one of our best friends from Portland (and IU). Andy, little Oscar, MB, Sacco, Isadora, Karen and Sam were missed but of course were there in spirit. And as always when we see this group, I think of Joe a lot...our buddy who passed away in college.

Cheers to all my friends, I am already wondering when we will see you all again!

Drewism

"MMMM this is a good chocolate magnolia bar!"

Turns out the bar was granola, but we do have two beautiful magnolia trees.

Claire and Drew's first MLB game(Cubbies of course)

me


Drew


Drew and Puckett conversing(not sure what about but my guess would be baseball)

Puckett, Joanne, Drew and Val

Whatever you say about the season and first round sweep, I gotta admit I really enjoyed watching and (haphazardly) following the Cubbies this year. It was the day Drew was saying "YES!" about runs scored all by himself in the family room while Nora sang the family anthem, 'Go, Cubs, Go' in the kitchen that I knew this team and sport was officially a commonplace in their childhood. It definitely is our past time come spring...

ANYWAY, I have been meaning to post these pictures for a while now, they are from before we won the pennant(the day before) and before we forgot to show up in the playoffs. Val, Drew and I got to go to the game with Ryan and Joanne and to be honest it was a little on the scoreless side, but with a late rally I could imagine how Wrigley could be rocking with a lead in a big game. Drew, luckily has not become cynical and thoroughly enjoyed it all. That night, we stayed at a lovely hotel in the heart of the city, had two fabulous meals, swam and hot tubbed - thanks puckett and joanne for a wonderful night away!

I know you hate to hear this Cubs Fans but maybe we really will go past the first round(or whatever you call it) next year. I certainly plan to be at one of the winning games!

Jade

We were so lucky to have Sue and little baby Jade visit us...Jade is so perfect and sweet. Nora and Drew LOVED her and we can't wait to watch her grow!

One more!

Good Times, Great Lakes

We went up to Leland, MI again this summer for a week of relaxation. Leland is in the pinky of Michigan, really the Lelanau Peninsula, surrounded by lake Michigan and a huge bay. It is absolutely beautiful and the backwoods, small town living is such a good change of pace.

Here is Pop on a hike, pointing to Pyramid Point, a huge dune that juts out into the water, Emily, Pop and Drew climbed it the day before.

Val and Drew swimming at South Manitou Island. Pop, Emily, Val Drew and I took a boat over to the ghost island for a day.

The middle of the peninsula is filled with rolling hills, farms and winerys. From the top, you can see all the way to the water. This is peaches. She was born on one of these farms.

Nora loved the beach.

Nora on the way home (these pictures are really out of order!) She had a tough time of it with the sleep thing on vacation so this was a much needed crash.

Nora with her favorite person ever, Grandma





This is a shot of a dune south of Leland. Pop convinced us to climb down (bounce would be a better word), and then we ended up walking the beach back to town. I'm glad we did, it was great!

Aunt Emmy playing with the kids, and giving me a break all at the same time:)

We climbed up this light house, very cool.

on the boat

Me and Aunt Emmy (aka Emily)

Benzine update

OK, so I think we have done as much with this toxin as we can....

1. The water test that included benzine was about $500. Needless to say, that won't happen. (there is a much cheaper test that tests for a few things that I will do when I get to those toxins:) )

2. We have phased out all unnatural cleaning products. I did a little research on Johnson's baby shampoo and turns out it is full of Benzine...Didn't find much on Tide but commercial laundry soap in general contains benzine, so we have switched to an all natural product. (if it is biodegradable, it is a safe bet)

3. We do intend to paint a few rooms soon so I will have to do some more research in the paint department but know that it at least must be water based.

4. Got rid of the elmer's glue (has yucky animal products in it anyway) and now make our own paste- here is the recipe:

White Flour and Water Paste

In a saucepan, mix one part white flour with two parts water. Slowly bring to a boil over low heat. Mix until thick and shiny. Let cool, store in airtight container. Use paint brush to apply. This is cheap and a great way to use up white flour!

5. I have eliminated swifter juice, instead I use a mop and vinegar water on the tile. I add a little pure castile soap to the vinegar water for the hard wood floors. Besides from the house smelling like salad, it works great (and i really kind of like the vinegar smell).... If it smells "clean" it is probably toxic. I already use T.J.'s all purpose cleaner, vinegar, baking soda and castile soap to clean just about everything else. Mineral oil is a good substitute for furniture polish, just rub a little into the wood, i would do a spot test first though. (castile soap and a wet rag works well on the wood/laminate kitchen table).

6. I am trying to fill up at the gas station with out the kids which proves difficult on road trips.

Ok, i think that is it...off to wash the floors with my new mop (it's the little things these days:)...)

Next toxin: Lead (yikes)