Daily Nuggets..

I know I've talked about this blog before, so now I'm wondering if you guys have  checked out the Beauty Broadcast blog yet?  I love the beauty tips and especially the beauty tutorial videos.  So much so, that I've totally revamped my entire "beauty regimen"  since I've started watching/following Emily's videos and blog.  In a non-creapy way I think that she's so cute, and I just love her happy personality.   If you haven't already, take a ten minutes and check out her blog,  but be warned, the first time I watched her videos on youtube, I was only looking for one specific video, but I ended up spending an entire hour online watching more videos.   Don't say I didn't warn you.  
Anyway,  the reason I bring her blog up is because,  at the bottom of every beauty post, she has a short section called "Daily Nuggets".  It's a section of little things she's doing, done, learned, wanting to try etc.  I love it, and I am totally going to copy this from time to time.     You know what they say...imitation is the best form of flattery!


 Family Daily Nuggets ...

• Jax had a Doctor's appointment on Monday.  As of Monday, July 16, 2012, he is 41 inches tall and weights  42.5 lbs.  He's one big and tall boy.  

• Issy learned to ride her bike over the 4th of July weekend.  We are so proud of her.  As a way to spend more family time together (and exercise), we bought a bike trailer for Jax and we've been riding around the neighborhood.  

• I just finished the Fifty Shades of Gray books.  I read them in about a week, and truth be told, I got tired of the repetitiveness of the books and the writing.  It is a love story, but I think I enjoy Nicolas Spark's version of romance 100 times better.  It's good to venture out of your comfort zone every once in a while though, so I am glad I read them. 

• Brandon's Birthday is coming up.  I'm super excited for him.  This year, he hits a BIG 3-0 milestone.   He didn't want a party, so I have a little weekend getaway planned for next weekend.  I can't wait. 

Meet Oreo Chopko

She's a six week old kitten. And she now a part of our family.  Can you believe that?  I know, I still can't either.  Haha.  

 A friend of ours has a daughter that works or  does some volunteer work for an animal shelter.  Apparently someone brought in or found this liter of kittens.  They were tiny, sick and severely dehydrated.  My friends daughter "K" as I'll call her, brought them home and nursed them back to health.   Amongst the liter, was our little Oreo.  I had mentioned that I wish I had a kitten at work and that was that.  We got pictures from K and although I was persistent, Bran was dead set against it.    We talked about it for several weeks before I rebelled and got it anyway.   Because I am the one that rebelled and decided to get a cat, Bran tells me I am 100 percent responsible for Oreo, and all of her (hmm....messes).  I'm okay with that.  My friend's daughter had her eating solids, and litter trained her before I brought her home.  I was smart enough to say NO way until those two things were done. 

We brought her home on Friday, July 6th.  I get off early on Fridays (I try to anyway) and I waited for Brandon to get home so we could pick the kids up from Daycare together and surprise them.   Issy screamed when I told her, and stayed giddy as could be all weekend!  It was super cute.  Jax has been a little apprehensive, when the kitten comes to him, but he's fine if he  is the one that approaches her.  

And Bran, who wanted absolutely nothing to do with this kitten, has come around.  This happened on Saturday morning, when Oreo sat right next to him and watched about 15 minutes worth of Motor GP with him.  Her head bounced around in a circle, as she watched the motorcycles turn on TV.  Now, she finds him and lays on his lap or his shoulders to fall asleep.  Figures right?  

Look at her, she's adorable!  She makes us laugh ALL the time.  She so curious about EVERYTHING!   I'm seriously so glad we brought her home.  She has a vet appointment in a few weeks,  and I've already scheduled her to get fixed in a couple of months.    Sandy our dog, is super sweet with her. As a matter of fact, they play together and I think it's been good for sandy because she has one to interact with during the day when we are all gone.  

If you are wondering, Jax and Issy are the ones that came up with her name.  Issy liked the names Harper, phoebe, and Jax said "NO, she's black and white...see?  like a cookie".  Oreo! 

4th of July 2012

I was reading through some of my old blog post, specifically the 4th of July post from two years ago.  On that post, I write about how homesick we were and how much I wish we had family around.  That part about wishing we were with family has not changed, and I don't think it ever will.  The thing that has changed about how we feel this year, is that unlike two years ago, our feet are more rooted.  We've made some friends, and we are no longer "the outsiders" from Idaho.    I don't know if that will make any sense to some of you, but  I can't tell you what a great feeling  it is to be a part of a community. 

   This year I couldn't be more thankful for the good fortune we've had with our jobs, the incredible people we have met, and most of all how supportive our families have been through this whole experience.  Sometimes I feel like we are older and wiser, and then I look at the decisions we have made (like moving out here) and I realize that no matter how old we get, our decisions still effect everyone who loves us.    I don't know what the future holds for us.  I'd love to say that we know we will stay or we will move back, but those are heavy decisions that have a lot of factors that need to be considered.  What I will say is that if money was no object, our hearts belong with our families - regardless where that is.  

Where I was going with this is that I am just amazed at how much things can change in such a short span.   Two years ago, I never thought we would be here today.  Happy & Content.   I like this.  Our 4th was simple.  We got off work early on the 3rd, so we took advantage of the time we had to buy some fireworks for the kids.  The neighborhood has a block party every 4th of July so we hung out and watched the neighbors blow up fireworks next door.  

 Our neighbor had at least 30 fireworks that he lit up so we hung out for about an hour watching.   I feel like this was Jacksons first time really understanding what fireworks were.  And of course, he being a total boy, LOVED it!  The louder the better.   

 Issy was a hoot with the sparklers.  Another set of neighbors had music blasting, so she danced for about an hour writing lyrics or her name with sparklers.  She took had a grand time.

 Jax tried to play with sparklers, but that was scary.  Bran had to stay on top of him for fear that he would light his hair or clothes on fire. 

 Issy made he 4th of July hat at Daycare.  That hat was really cute, it actually looked like a firework had gone off on her head. She was so proud of it, and wore it pretty much all day. 

Here's a portion of our  personal firework arsenal.  Bran was letting Issy light the small fireworks, while I sat there and practically had a heart attack in silence. Thankfully all is well.  And I am happy to report that Issy still has all of her limbs in tact.

Happy 4th of July! 

Father's Day 2012

For Father's Day, Bran requested that we make a day trip to the beach.  We usually go to Newport, but this time we decided to drive down to the Narragansett and check out the State beach there.   

For lunch we stopped at Iggy's. It's a local favorite. They have the best clam chowder I have ever tasted.  The place itself is a little hole in the wall, but it's always packed.  

 We played for several hours.  Never realizing that Bran - the man of the hour, had failed to put his sunscreen on.  To say that he was a sunburned was a huge understatement. He woke up like a lobster on fire!  Here he is with the kids having the time of their life.  

Bran:  I love you for being such a wonderful, hands on Dad.  The kids adore you, which speaks volumes.  I am thankful that the kids have your same quirky sense of humor.  I'd hate to picture our life without the amount of laughter you bring us!  

A perk!

The day after getting into town from Boise, I was scheduled to attend a networking charity event for an organization we get a lot of our education and training from.   The charity event took place at the Boston Harbor, on cruise ship.  I really enjoy my job (most days anyway)  but I could seriously get used to perks like this!

Our dinner on the harbor cruise was non other than.... Lobster with clam chowder and an assortment of other sides.  My mouth is salivating recalling the event becuase  the food was freakishly delicious!   I don't believe that I have ever had a full lobster before.  I've gotta tell you, it was out of this world AMAZING!

Boston. View from Cruise ship.  Breathtaking isn't it?  

Me.  Like a kid in a candy shop.  Except, this was 100 times better.  

Lobster, a glass of vino and good company. Doesn't get better.  

P.S.  For the event, I had no choice but to put my big girl panties on and drive the hour and ten minutes into Boston. BY. MY. SELF.  It's a first for me. And, in retrospect I'm glad I had to do it.  I finally got over my fear of driving along side all of these crazy east coat drivers (DURING RUSH HOUR).   When I arrived (balmy hands and all), I couldn't believe that 1. I did not get lost, and 2.  I did die.  I almost kissed the valet guy out of relief (Just don't tell Bran that).  ha!

I'm back...

It's been close to a month since I have been back from my trip to Idaho.   The trip was too short, the flight was long, but what matters is that I had the BEST time  while I was there surrounded by my whole family.  

I missed my rug rats, but since I was traveling alone, I got be my completely carefree self.  On the flight, I was able to sleep, or read or chit chat with my flight neighbor (which I have to admit that I love to do. Ha!).    

I got to meet the newest addition to our family.  Jacob.  He's was such a sweet little boy.  Aaah!  Totally makes my heart melt when I see him through pictures.

And theres the sweet and sassy Ms. livi.  I had such a blast with her.  I love being an Aunt.  She cracks me up, and reminds me SOOO much of Jax.  At this age anyway, they have very, very  similar personalities.   

I just love this kid...