Puzz Please

I saw these puzzles in a catalog over Christmas that I nearly threw away. How great are they?
I immediately loved the trees because they look like 3D paint-by-numbers.
When they came I checked out the source on the label and went to their site, HERE.
Now I want this Giraffe and Koi (er....for me).
Cool toys for the kids and easy on the eyes so I don't mind them in my office. Win-win.

Happy Birthday to Me!

So, I'm not much for attention on myself, but yesterday was my Birthday (which felt like a week long celebration) so thanks are in store!
First Scott took me to CA last weekend and this Thursday my Mom, sister and younger brother came for a quick 48 hour trip in my honor. As soon as they arrived on Thursday night, we left Richard with Scott and the femme fatale (minus one- we missed you Jess!) checked into Mandalay Bay. We then went and saw Phantom. I did just go a few weeks ago for the first time and was looking forward to seeing it with them. As you know, Julia and I have a new man in our lives- Gerard Butler from this new infatuation with the movie, so we just had to gush about comparisons after the show. Very fun indeed (Review finals are in: the movie can't be beat with that man as the lead and those voices are too beautiful).
Next day was full of lazy, slow shopping. Rich met us for some mall food and we ended up laughing hysterically (thanks to Rich, mostly) and basking in the 2nd hand Wynn sun. It created a fun falsy glow so we lingered and photographed each other. How lame am I that these are the only pics I took the entire weekend and they didn't even work, so I actually swiped what you see here from Julia (Thanks, J). Poor Mommies- she may look sad but we probably snapped that after a laughing low and her cheeks were recuperating. After major fashion over-stimulation (more on that later) we went back to our room, ordered room service and watched 'Stranger Than Fiction'. I LOVE that movie. LOVE it. If you have not see it, buy it. Then watch it. So romantic and poignant and beautifully written. The filming is cool, acting superb, I know- you've seen it so I won't go on.
Anyway, very fun 2 nights + day. Thanks for coming! I haven't stayed downtown in Vegas and it was an odd and liberating feeling to be close to home yet completely removed. A nice mental getaway.
Also, always fun to have my Birthday month shared with my brother, Marty. His was on the 15th and since we are just under a year apart (Irish twins, me-lads!) I wanted to give a little tribute to our bond, since I neglected to put an embarrassing picture, like this one, up on his actual Birthday. So here you go, Mdog! I love you!

I also got some calls from family and friends and Emily even brought me a swank home-made 4 LAYER cake complete with raspberries atop. Very fancy. I thought about taking a picture about 10 bites into the side of it... so you'll have to imagine it's greatness. Thanks, Emily! xoxoxo

And now, some fashion foes. Female viewers, I expect comments because the awareness I gained regarding some coming trends? Depressing.
1) Puffy sleeves. Hello? I am not in Hamlet. What are they thinking? They are everywhere. It's either Alice in Wonderland (so 2nd grade) or Elizabeth the 3rd, down at your elbows. Who does this flatter?
2) 80's pumps. They are still pushing this. I am not going to be in a ZZ Top video, so please hold off of the hot lemon-yellow or lipstick pink 3" heels.
3) And bathing suits! Oh please help. Why is it so hard to find a cool bathing suit? The lines are a little strict now that children are involved, esp. at the public pool. I mean, all of my super small string bikini's will not do in that setting. So what to wear? They have a name for these... half bikini, half one piece things. MONOKINI. You know what I am referring to, where it looks like a toddler cut circles out of the sides, down the front, added some rubber bands and voila. Or you find a cool one but it has some J-Lo deep V thing going on. And I am not too fond of the "cruise" suit made with a print that resembles hotel room artwork. The between? You tell me.

Come, Spring... I can't wait...for the most part.

Big Sky

Since I ride my bike in the summer, I try to mix up my fitness during the winter.
This year I have been running some trails up at Red Rock. It is more enjoyable for me than running through a neighborhood, but it requires some discipline. I have to go really early in order to return in time for Scott to leave for work. This means I have to leave my house around 5:30am. In the winter, it's dark and crazy cold that early. Sometimes I will meet a group of friends up there, but they are too slow so I save them the discouragement and run alone with the coyotes. Okay, I'm the slow one and my body can't take the beating, but that's good because I found I kept looking around to take in the views anyway and kept tripping on rocks so now it's less embarrassing.
Anyway, during the drive home yesterday I was loving the incredible sky. I love the west and this desert and it's enormous sky. Driving during that twilight time when you can see everything go from light to dark is awesome and throw a few clouds in and a full moon? So beautiful. So it inspired me. I decided that this morning, during my run, I would take photos of this progress since, you know, most normal people aren't up that early and it will be fun to see.
All I needed to motivate me was this image of the sky. Before I went to bed last night, I noticed as I was turning off the lights how bright it was outside. I stepped out in my backyard and stared at the sky for a few minutes. Isn't it pretty!? Pink cotton clouds from the city below hiding a glowing full moon. Stupenda!
So this morning I toted my camera along and stopped occasionally to try and capture the beauty. I played with all the funky settings but my little point-and-shoot can only do so much.
Now, let me just set the stage for you.
When I get up there, it is dark. Dark like it's 11pm dark. And the loop begins with me running further from the light, towards the mountains. I don a swanky headlamp but if it wasn't for an ipod blasting distraction, you can get pretty spooked. Is that a joshua tree or something else (Tiff?)? But the higher you go, the lighter it becomes, revealing the serene desert atmosphere. This is why I go.









Here is a bad shot of what it looks like when I start. Today was a good day with moonlight. Usually there is none and you can hardly see the silhouette of the mountains ahead.







This is about 15 minutes into the run, looking behind me. The sun barely coming up and slowly lighting the ground.







Now it's about 6:20.












Coming down to cross the river, now I am running towards the city. This is a shot of me looking back against the mountains. You can see the blue morning light getting better.










Here I am standing in the same place but facing forward, the sunrise getting brighter. I love the color of the water at this time... it looks milky, like liquid silver against the dry rocks.







And now I am done! Back at the parking lot to stretch and see the sun break across the mountains. There really is a rainbow when you scroll your eyes up. Yellow grass, green bushes, pink and orange rock up to a pale blue and lavender sky. Awww- look... she knows her colors!


And now the car ride home.
Isn't that so beautiful!??!
I promise I don't talk like this during the run.... I just trip looking at it.
Hope you liked!

(Make sure you click the pics to see them bigger in all their splendor)

Ramona

In December, Scott told me that he had arranged for us to 'go away' for a few days in January. Because we needed to use some time share credit, he chose Ramona, CA. It was a quiet place with not much to do, but I didn't mind so much because sometimes I need to be forced to hold still. On the way out we crashed with our great St. Louis buds, the Hills. So fun to see you guys! While in CA we managed to eat fresh fish taco's on the beach watching the ocean, hit the Rainbow sandal factory (Scott scored on the last of his now-discontinued fave's), Hang all Sunday with the Allens (thanks again for the yummy food, Natalie!), frequent the huge hot tub at night and explore the area around our place.
When we first arrived, I was looking out the window at the interesting random rock terrain. It reminded me of the rock dude from Galaxy Quest. So it became a funny inside joke anytime we'd be in car and looking at the mountain, one of us would say "Rock...rock....rock..." But it's true! I mean, I know it's not Goblin Valley, but if you've seen the movie I'm not too crazy.
We also did some trail running around the place. It was so cool to run under enormous, old trees... and nice to not have to go super early in the morning for once.
On our last day we decided to go get massages. Oh yes. The perfect yin-yang of relaxation. They are wonderful and torturous at the same time, yes? Because it's like a relationship in hyper-speed. I shake "John"s hand and next thing I know, I am lying face down under a short, thin sheet. I have 'thrown myself out there', naked and vulnerable (literally!). Do I really know this guy? Does he really care about me or is he just in this for the money? And these people try to make you feel all comfortable with their flutey cultural music and low lighting, but it's all for nothing. So on goes the oil and off we go. What am I thinking about, you ask? of sandy beaches? of floating in water at sunrise? Have I escaped into a fantasy where Antonio the flute man is playing a song for me?
No. I am wondering if 'John' is noticing that I haven't shaved my legs or thinks it's funny that my hands are cold. And there it goes- the sheet is now off of half of my body and I just breathe..... just relax....it's cool... this is normal.... I am a mature adult.... no weirdness here.....
Seriously. It feels great to get rubbed down, but I think the ideal way to do it is to see the same person on a regular basis so they know where all your weird moles are and I can think about Antonio. Unless of course 'John' was some tan Swede...
All in all it was a nice relaxing weekend with a delicious blue-eyed, tall, dark and handsome.
(Scott, not John. Please!)

Park Play

This week we had some warm days so a couple of times I would stop at the park on the way home from school and let the kids run around. Again, caught without my camera as they all climbed on TOP of the train and would slide off over and over.
Bad side to this game is other kids see what they are doing, then want to do it and their parents get annoyed. Oops!
Now it's cold again so no park time for a while.

Fit or Fat?

We bought an Elliptical machine right before I had the twins. The idea was to use it postpartum since going to the gym would be unlikely for a while.
I never used it and now it's mainly functioned as a place for Scott to hang his clothes.
Until I get around to putting it on Craigslist, it has proven to be a useful energy vacuum for the kids. Like moths to the flame, they are like hamsters to the wheel (which... now that I think of that, why hasn't Graco made one?). Above: Exhibit A!

And below, Exhibit B.
Unfortunately you have to hear my dorky Mom laugh, but I couldn't help it. They can get going really fast...


And the last of childhood fun, another zoo escape in the playroom. This time it's a Geo Trax invasion. Everyone to their post! They are clearly organized and are moving in perfect formation!

The Balm of Life

Life has been emotional for me these past weeks. What is it with January? There is so much warm fuzzy/super stressy excitement in December and then you are left with a house that was already messy and now needs to absorb more 'stuff'... into cluttered closets, with old clothes you need to clean out, and while you are there you want to change the bedroom furniture and linens and do those projects this year that you didn't get to last year and oh, yeah- add that to the freaking long resolutions list that is mutating in your head.
So you know what I use to get through life? I am a music organism. I feast on it. I thrive on it. I need it to survive! And it changes all the time, like my interests, I suppose. I need newness, inspiration and motivation. Not only does it sustain you through workouts, it is therapy.
Anyway, since I haven't had much fun to blog about lately, this has been one solid issue so far this month that has saved my soul. From the ups to the recent downs. So I thought I would share some tunes that I highly advise you seek out. They have helped me think and unfortunately embarrass myself (caught dancing with the headphones in-and I'm not a good dancer, people).

Go forth and download these songs for your workout:
Whitey- Wrap it up E.P. (for the Jan. fitness goals- this will move your fanny on that run)
Radiohead - Bodysnatchers (again, raise that heartrate!)
Kenna - Say Goodbye to Love (Don't lie- I see you just fighting that inner running man)
Spoon- Don't You Evah (awesome beat. Try not to sing, I dare you)

Go forth and meditate:
Panda Bear - Ponytail (if you have kids, get a tissue)
The Shins - Wincing Album
Clinic - Paradise
Primrose League -
Band of Bees - Got to let go (I love the 70's vibe in this song. Very 'white polyester')

TipToe Sadie

I was at the Library with the kids the other day and was watching Sadie, yet again, doing normal activities on her toes.
She does this all the time.
She runs through the house on her toes, brushes her teeth on her toes, plays on her toes, watches TV on her toes... We can't figure out why she does it.
I don't know if I have documented this strange phenomenon of hers yet so I whipped out my camera phone and memorialized it.

We had Elliet's first Parent Teacher Conference on Friday. She's doing great and the funnest thing to hear was how imaginative she is. The teacher said that they enjoy seeing what Elliet will wear to school (oh, yeah....) and how her drawings are especially full of interesting details. She was impressed at how she draws things from the side and peeking over walls, etc. Anyway, that's my little creative girl. I sure hope she gets Dad's wicked math skillzzz.

I apologize for my not-very-fun content lately. My attention has been in other places that have a deadline attached to them. We were asked to speak in church tomorrow (yeay. wahoo. hoorah.) as well as some freelance work that the company needed 'yesterday'. Once these things pass I hope to have time to waste on silly things again. :) Happy Weekend!

New Year... New Fat

http://www.walkjogrun.net/

Visit this site to route out your next run. It's genius! So much better than trying to guestimate miles from your car.

Mimi gave the girls some new ballerina outfits for Christmas.
This was what they did when they got home from school yesterday.
They promptly removed their clothes (costumes or not, this is a habit at my house) and put on their ballet duds.
Do you think it's time for me to put them in a class?
Poor Luke felt so left out. He kept asking me where his 'ballerina' was. He even pulled out a pair of Elliet's flats and tried to fake the moves that way. I nearly put him in tights. Wouldn't that have been fun?

Around the corner

'Twas the 4th day of January with gloomy skies here
When what to my wandering eyes should appear...
A sweater on Jcrew... and WHAT'S THAT I SEE?
Some bathing suit strings peeking out already?!

I'm not ready at all to start thinking about this...
The way I've been eating (the workouts I've missed)!
And then what!? The shaving? the waxing? the tan?
It's only January! So go eat some flan.

The Start of 2K8

Well, the re-entry to real life has started off with a bang.
Monday and yesterday were full of clean up. Don't you love that feeling of a bare house after you take down holiday stuff? I also notice how full it made my house feel. Oh well. I have gone this long without finishing decorating the rooms, what's another year! It feels good to have that extra clutter away so I can focus on eliminating stuff. A new year encourages purging, yes? Esp. when you are putting new Christmas away and toy cubbies are busting at the seams....
Being home was a nice change so Scott and I took advantage of it and stayed home all day. The kids were happy to be back playing with old things so it kept them occupied. That night we had our Leaver holiday get-together and had a New Years/Christmas night in one.
It was so fun. I can enjoy these things more and more as the kids are old enough to occupy themselves (twin babies didn't give me much time to socialize at past holiday parties). Scott's parents, sister Amy and her husband Fritz and us were the attendees. We had a yummy dinner, fun table conversation, opened presents and watched 'Stardust'. We didn't leave until 11pm. Did we go home and stay up to watch fireworks? Are you kidding? We're not that fun and we went to bed. OK- I didn't go to bed and painted my fingernails... but I could hear the fireworks. Does that count? As usual, there were too many presents under the tree. But that is what makes Christmas fun, right!? We set up a little circle around the tree and had the kids start off. Oh, they knew what to do after last week. I am always impressed with what MJ gives. She thinks! Her gifts are always considered and purposeful. Case in point. Check out Sadie's hat. It was with a cute little outfit MJ gave her and I figured it came from the store.
No.
She made it.
MADE it! I'm a crafty person. I should try to make my gifts. I don't know how she had the time to make something, let alone KNIT something. So cute and Sadie loves it.
We all had a great time. Being together is always fun.
And Stardust? Have you seen? I liked it. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Men really need to wear boots and low waisted belts again. I mean, I am telling you... wow. The military style fashion of their coats has a melting power. What do women want, men ask? Hand them the movie and say, "THIS!". Oh yeah- and the story was cool, too. Thanks for the great time, Leavers!
After spending two days of picking up, I figured we should actually bathe and leave the house. We went bowling today with some friends. It was the kids first time. As you can see from the photo, we had such high-action fun. Seriously, stop the presses and just settle down to write your book in the time it took the freaking ball to get to the pins. Holy cow! But really, it was fun and a little unnerving to see Elliet tie me at one point. My game is off, man. I need to whip out my glove and short shorts to bring back my groove.
As for the rest of the pics, random little things I wanted to make sure I recorded this year. Hooray for blogs. I feel less guilt about my repeated goal to scrapbook every year (which I have not been doing) but must make sure I include details I want- so... sorry they are scattered and random. Welcome to my brain.
While in Utah we hung out with Marty and Jess at their place one night and we finally saw the Christmas tree. Marty goes OFF every year on their tree and lights them like they are the Plaza tree. If I remember correctly, there are 2600 lights on this tree. He even had to use tricky little 'lifting' techniques with the strands to hold the branches up from all the weight. It is pretty though, eh? He has blown fuses and I am not joking. Way to go, Marty!

We also enjoyed the babies. Julia's little Cole is just like a cherub from a Michelangelo painting. This picture doesn't do him justice. He has shiny, rosy cheeks and folds of white baby skin all over and as jolley as can be (har har). He's at the stage where you talk to him and he coos back all up and down. So cute.
And lastly, some photos of us sledding. This was hilarious! The kids went down by themselves most of the time and Scott and I just watched and laughed. They were so funny all waddly in over sized winter clothing, rolling off the sled at the bottom of the hill. Pink noses and all. We had a great time.
Sheesh, this was long. I will try to be more frequent or include less details so these aren't mini novels. Happy New Year!