Christmas 2010

Santa brunch a few weeks before Christmas. Jackson was talking Santa's ear off. I literally had to pull him away so other kids could get a chance to tell him what they wanted for Christmas. Julia had the opposite reaction. She tucked her head down a started to cry when I put her up in the chair. She was okay before that with walking around.

Christmas morning Santa brought several instruments!

Grandma and Granddad Rhamy picked out this puzzle for Julia.

Julia's opening the gift that Jackson picked out for her. Moon dough, which is a never drying playdough. But, it's extremely messy! It's already banned to the outside!

Hooray! Santa brought Jackson his violin. At first, he was a little upset that it wasn't a "real" violin. But, it has quickly become a favorite present.

Julia's 1st bike from Santa and Jackson has a real scooter. Both have been riding them around the house since it's been a White Christmas this year.

Safari exploring gear that is an incremental part of Jackson's wardrobe.

Cody even has a stocking from Santa.

Things I love....

I was lucky enough to catch this moment. I was just going through my pictures and saw this photo. It made me smile:)

Change in gears... documenting a near death experience

About 2 months ago, my husband went on a guys trip to Costa Rico with some of his high school buddies. One of them was turning 40 (as did Scott this year) and decided to take advantage to celebrate big. On of the adventures they did was white water rafting down the Rio Naranjo. Above, is Scott contemplating his decision to go. I swear I can see him thinking, "I rather be hanging out just drinking beer"!

And, now you can see why! It was a class 4 rapid in areas! None of these guys had rafted in many years, if ever! Scott said the guide gave them a look of "oh great" when he asked their experience levels.

I just want to yell "PULL" with the above shot. Scott is front left with biceps burning.

Scott told be to say "WTF"! They literally thought they were going to die. Apparently the raft went underwater several times! Glad I didn't know this as I was probably watching TV back home.

Scott, after the rapids, looks glad to be on solid ground again!

At Work...

This weekend I had my partner in redecorating crime come over so we could move, ponder, and attempt to recreate spaces in my house. It was so much fun! It's amazing what you can do with what you already have. You just have to move it around. We moved chairs, tables, and taped curtain ideas to windows. There was just the occasional yell for mom given that we did this with 4 kids under 5 in the house!

I came out of it with some many ideas and this urgency to find what I need. We later, with 3 of 4 kids (you know who was left at home), went to Izzie's furniture consignment shop. Early in the week, we had gone their to just see what they had and found 2 beautiful club chairs. At that time I wasn't in the market but now my family room chair is in the living room. I have a large bay window in my family room that I want to find 2 club chairs and an oval table two set in the middle with a lamp. The chairs were a pretty bluish green background with fine brown check stitched checks. Perfect to off set the dark brown rug and bring out different accent colors within the rug. Only problem - the fabric is silk! With 2 kids under 5, I don't think so! Needless to say, I'm still on the hunt.

"I'm like 4 and a half"

This morning, as we were watching Sesame Street, Julia was pointing out a baby. Jackson said, "Julia's not a baby anymore but she's still young." I agreed and told him that he was also still young. He really disagreed and said, "I'm old because I'm like four and a half". Well, who can argue with that!

Halloween Fun!

Jackson's saving the day and attacking the monster aka Uncle Eric.

Vampires!

Pirates!

Stormtrooper!

Fall time fun!

How tall are you this fall?

Carter's Mountain apple picking

If I could only get that one!

Jackson standing in a field of "olive trees". He loves them because Vincent Van Gogh paints them.

Just plain beautiful!

Remembering the lakehouse...

Every summer we try to escape to the lakehouse in Brown County Indiana. It's definitely a laid back place to go. The nearest grocery store is about 30 minutes away. Scott's aunt and uncle own this house and are gracious in allowing the Rhamy family (extended people too) to descend on their house. Aunt Punk is an interior designer and I adore her choices for this house. It provides a great decor to relax!

Main level family room.

Lower level screened in porch. It just screams for you to snuggle up with a book or take a nap. Neither happens for me since Jackson and Julia require hands on.

Ah! The lake view from the porch.

Lower level family area that connects to the above porch.

Lower level bedroom.

kitchen - obviously.

One of two upper level bedrooms. I couldn't capture a good picture of the other one.

Upper level deck. It's like being in a tree house.

View from the deck.

The outside view of the house. We went in June and I'm ready to head there now!

Come on in...

I don't know if it was the dog days of summer or just not in the mood to blog, but it's been sometime since I shared. Here's one thing I've been up to lately. A new entry! I found this table at the Lamp Emporium - pretty random place to find an entry table but they had just what I was looking for. A table that would (1) fit the small without causing an obstacle for the running path of the kids (2) deep colored wood and (3) character. I should have taken an above photo b/c the curves of the table don't show up well here but it's and amazing table. I'm probably going to replace the drawer knob with a crystal one.

Then, I happened upon the perfect mirror. Again, not the best detailed photo. I'll have to post the picture I took when I found it at Arhaus. Which, by the way, I'd love to just move into that store. I literally drool and have heart palpations when I am there.

And finally, the finishing touches start. I wanted something crystal or glass to lighten things up. I really liked this vase (or candle holder) for it's lines and options. Just got these flowers today at Tom Leonard's while shopping with Julia. Jackson was at his first day of preschool this year. What a big boy he is! I'm so impressed with his ability to just adapt to new environments and kids. When I brought him home, we actually used the front door and he walked in to say "wow". That definitely gave me the positive feedback I was looking for even if it is from my 4 year old!

I'd like to find a small lamp to join the vase and some smaller nick nack for the odd number of objects rule. But, I'm waiting to see if this vase lasts with the kids first.

More changes are coming in my bedroom:)

Focusing on the funny things

So, it was another Sunday that Julia decided to skip a much needed nap. Thankfully, we had a friend's 2 yo birthday party to go to this afternoon. Much to Julia's dismay, it was not her birthday - although she kept trying to convince me otherwise by saying "MY BIRTHDAY!". All in all, the party was fun but the drive home Julia was crying and begging for her "paci" which I didn't have with us. Jackson said, "Julia, you don't need your paci because you are a big girl". To which, I agreed. But, then Jackson turned to her defense, "but she likes her paci when she's crying". I explained further that she needed to stop using it and that he didn't need one when he was crying. "But, I need bandaids!"

Chopstick Skills!

Here's Jackson eating chicken nuggets with chopsticks. I'm impressed! He actually wanted to order Chinese food and did try the dumplings. He was inspired by a cartoon Ni Hao Ki Lan, which is a cute show about a Mandarin girl and her friends. Actually, it's Julia's favorite show and she demands it regularly. Thankfully, Jackson gives in to her requests most of the time.

An Out of this World Room

Recently, Jackson and I added this cool wall decals to his room. He loves planets so I choose this for his "big boy" room decor.

A fun magnetic chalkboard in red - his favorite color!

His 2 print series paintings of "waterfalls".

The sun and hat are pinatas from previous birthday parties. Not too long ago, Scott added an activity table to his room. One day maybe he'll actually use it:)

Julia's 2nd Birthday Party

My grandma from Florida even came to my party.

Big "cheese".

My special yummy cake.

Blowing out the candles and making a wish.

Eating cake with friends.

Yeah! Presents!

Big brother helping her.

Yes! Dress up like a ballerina butterfly!

My new favorite outfit!

Even with my crocs on the wrong feet!

Jackson with his "best friend", Katherine.