Father's Day

I didn't know what I would be getting Adam for his first father's day. For mother's day I got flowers and a pint of ice cream (a few days early- the flowers died before mother's day and there was something wrong with the ice cream- like it melted then re-froze before I even peeled off the plastic liner under the lid). So I knew Adam wasn't going to expect anything really big or expensive. I was going to make a shutterfly book since i had a free promo code- but I don't have enough pictures to make it worth it- maybe next year)
I finally decided on something that had been floating around pinterest for a while.

A Salt-Dough keepsake of Kate's foot.

*not Kate's foot*

I had heard of salt dough ornaments before, but never tried to make any. The recipe is from here, though I needed to add more water.

I wanted to make an impression of her hand, but being 2 months old Kate's hand is basically in a permanent fist. So I went with her foot. Which was much harder to do than I thought. Push too hard- squished blobby toes that look like she is swollen (or has hobbit feet). Push lightly- no clear impression.
When I finally got it right, I put it into the toaster oven. I found out my toaster oven will only cook for 2hrs at a time, so I needed to go back and add another hour to the baking time.

 I painted the inside and added her name and the year. Adam declared it 'cute' and can take it into work.

We spent the day at my parents' and Kate did pretty well with her naps. My only request was to have a picture taken of us all together.

 Happy Father's Day!

Baby Shower

I had my baby shower this past Sunday at my mom's house. My sister threw the shower with help from my mom and Adam's mom. It was great, I couldn't have asked for anything more. The food was good, people had a good time, the kids were adorable (Kaelyn thought I was "taking a shower at Grandma's") and everyone was beyond generous with their gifts for the baby. I have a million thank you notes to write and send off.

We had a rubber ducky theme. It all started with my mom's idea to make this ducky cake she saw online. From there we had duck pond punch, duck cupcakes, and duck favors.

It was cute, and thankfully not too overboard.

The most emotional part of the day happened before the shower even started. Adam's mom brought down a special present- a blanket, bonnet, bootie, and sweater set his grandmother knitted.

She passed away last year before we were even thinking of getting pregnant.
Adam cried, his mom cried, I cried.
Some people think we should save it for the baby, for when it grows up, as a memento of his/her great grandmother. Adam says we should use it now. That's what it was made for. What use is it going to have if it is just boxed away? It is a very special gift and we will remember her every time we use it.

But on a lighter note...

There were a lot of presents, and thankfully I had some helpers to open them for me. I didn't realize how tired I would get from sitting and opening presents, but it was exhausting.

It was great seeing friends and family. My friend Annie is due two weeks before me with her third baby. She says she feels huge, but I think she looks great!

And at the end of the day, we finally got everything home and loaded into the nursery. I, of course, had to immediately sort through everything and organize the  clothes and assemble the baby gear.
After about 2 hours, the nursery went from this :

To this:

Adam asked if doing that helped my nesting. My answer: not really. I still have the itch to wash all the clothes and blankets, get more clothes and diapers, get the crib from my sister, install the car seat into the car, and about a million other things. But I am feeling a little more prepared to bring this baby home. Even if  I do have 7 more weeks.

California Dreamin'

Just one more day of work, then it's off to San Fransisco! I've never been and am excited for a little get away. Work has been stressful and annoying- to the pint where I don't want to go to work in the morning. Don't get me wrong, I love teaching, my class is great, and once I'm there I'm fine. It's the other BS that comes along with a new curriculum, and 2nd year principal who is trying to prove herself, and extra 'support' that is forced in and out of my room all day.

But just gotta get through today and then a 6 day vacation, followed by 1 1/2 days of work then Thanksgiving.

I'll be sure to take lots of pictures, and post (not too long) after I get back.

CAPS Convention

I'm taking full benefit from the day off school today by finally taking pictures off my camera. Hopefully I'll get back into regular-ish blogging now.

Saturday my dad and I went to the Washington Capitals convention in DC. Adam was busy but he lovingly gave us his Geico early entrance passes, which included autograph session tickets. So we got down there around 9:30 and took in the sights.

There was the Alumni panel, talking about playing in the alumni game the night before.

Mike Gartner, Rod Langway, and Yvon Labre

Peter Bondra and some other alumni I'm too young to remember

 Dad made sure to get Mike Gartner's autograph on an old poster.

 

Dad said "I cried like a baby the day you were traded" to which Gartner responded "Me too".

Lots and Lots of memorabelia for sale.

The Veznia Trophy (which my beloved Olie won 2 times :))

Performances by the Red Rockers (I still don't know why hockey needs cheerleaders... but the 2 we rode with on the metro were really nice)

Appearances by Adam's two favorite CAPS personalities: Slapshot, the mascot, and Wes, the stadium announcer.

Discussion panel with Ted Leonsis, owner. It was moderated by LaVar Arrington (former Redskin).

And of course the Autograph session. There were 4 tables, and 4 sessions. We chose a time, were assigned a table, and the players were left as a surprise until after we were already in line.
Speaking of the line- people were lined up an hour before the session started, and I thought well 30 minutes ahead should be fine. I was so wrong. The line stretched from the middle of the room to one wall and, after I was in line, began wrapping around and basically doubled.

 At my table were Matt Hendricks #26 (one of the starting lineup) and two newer players who may or may not be sent back down to Hershey.

Of course it was a fun time, a bit too many people for my liking, but there was a great energy in the room and I am so excited for the start of the season!

And now for Adam's favor from the day: His Slapshot jersey signed by some important non-players.

Top Left: Wes the announcer. Bottom: Slapshot; Top Right: Ted Leonsis, owner; Middle: Craig Laughlin, former CAP, TV announcer

*Side note about Craig- He is a SUPER ANNOYING TV announcer. He may be by far the former player I hate most (well besides Jagr, But I'll pretend his season didn't happen). Here's a link to the a clip of his announcing.*

Here's to a great upcoming season!

MIA

I'm at the beach this week with my mom, sister, niece, and nephew. With no wireless (and checking emails and such on my phone) I'll be mostly MIA this week.
Hopefully I'll  be back  to semi regular posting next week.
I hope everyone is having a great summer!

This Weekend

For the 4th I'll be heading to the beach with my parents. Adam has to stay home for work but I'm trying to think of a surprise for him (tomorrow is his birthday, and he'll be home alone) and get house things done today so he won't have to worry about dishes or laundry or other general cleaning. Adam said he doesn't want anything for his birthday because Crabfest is his birthday present. But I still want to surprise him with something. (Side note- I am horrible, I didn't take any pictures this year- at all -but thankfully Lisa came to the rescue and she took a couple!)

So I'm  spending today cleaning, packing, and picking up Adam's surprise present. Then I'm off to the beach. A relaxing weekend trip to get away and keep my mind off of recent events.

What are your plans for the 4th?

Feeling a Little Crabby

Tomorrow is our annual Crabfest! 

(You can see pictures from last year here and here)

I am so excited to see friends and family, spend time with a few drinks, good food, and picking a lot of crabs.

To top off this year's celebration Adam and I picked up probably the best/ tackiest thing ever:

A crab flag. Yes the cr-ag is bright yellow and red, sure to draw unnecessary attention to our house and party. But it should also help point people in the right direction if they haven't been here before (or in a long time).

I will hopefully get more pictures than last year, but I'm sure it will be just as much fun!

Memorial Day Mountain Trip (Part 2)

As I mentioned yesterday, I took almost 170 pictures over the weekend at our friend's parents' cabin. Here are some of the more "interesting" pictures from the trip (I am assuming that you do not want to see 5 pictures of a fat millipede, correct?).

Anyway. Behind the cabin is a little creek. Shawn's dad (I think) built this bridge over the creek and up into the mountain.

I have yet to cross the bridge, it just looks a little wobbly and I think I would fall in.

The creek (or river?) is so peaceful, but trying to take a picture is almost pointless. It just comes out brown, with none of the glistening rocks. I did manage to get a nice pic of the fog one morning.

Of course the reason I ended up with so many pictures is partly due to all the shots of nature I happened to take. I'll keep telling myself that I'm a photographer and everything will be ok.

On the walk I took with Adam, we went up a dirt road along the mountain. We were up and away from the creek, but there was still water flowing. There were all these little waterfalls coming from the rocks in the mountain. It was all very pretty, I must say.

 

 Also on this walk we went to one lane bridge. 

With a little mountain shack beside it. Literally carved into the side of the mountain.

Seriously, this thing had a metal "no trespassing" sign from the 30's on it. $300 fine for trespassing.

SO, that's some of the more post-worthy pictures from the trip. How did you spend your weekend?

Memorial Day Mountain Trip (Part 1)

For Memorial Day weekend, Adam and I went with his friend Shawn and his wife Erica up to Shawn's parents' cabin in northern PA (that was a mouthful-did ya get all that?)
The trip up was not too bad, until we hit the dense fog, and pelting rain, on a one lane road, in the mountains, close to midnight, with no guard rail... When we arrived at midnight, there was no power at the cabin- which sucked, but thankfully it was on in the morning and we were left with beautiful weather.

The cabin is in Crossfork, PA about an hour or so north of Lock Haven, where Adam and I went to college. There is not much in Crossfork except for cabins. And what country town would be complete without the country store?

I'm telling you this is THE hotspot hangout for anyone in the area. I mean, you can buy fishing lures, jewelry, AND get a dip of ice cream?! All in the same place?!


Oh, and if you didn't think the cabin wasn't country enough- check out the outhouse!

Yes. An outhouse. In 2011 we still need to use an outhouse at the cabin. I have never been so thankful that I do not wake up frequently in the middle of the night with the urge to pee.


The cabin also has a water pump outside. I have never seen anyone use it, there is plumbing in the cabin (kitchen sink/ shower) so I don't know if it is just left behind from waaay back when or what, but I think it looks pretty cool.

Even though it may seem like I am complaining about the cabin, but there are some nice things about the trip. It is so peaceful up there. No phone. No internet. No distractions. I spent a lot of time reading, walking, and taking pictures. It is always fun to have a campfire too.

mmm...s'mores

Because I took almost 170 pictures this weekend, I'll post later with more pics of the flowers, water, and, bridges.

I hope you enjoyed your memorial day!

Happy Memorial Day!

Just got home from a trip to the mountains with Adam and a couple friends.
Pictures and stories to come later :)

Happiness is...

Having a wonderful hubby make you breakfast on Saturday morning :)

They're Here

We picked up our mugs from Color Me Mine yesterday. I think they turned out really well.

before

The mug is so big, perfect for my morning cup of coffee.

Adam is going to take his to work.

Have you ever gone to color me mine?