Sunday Livingroom Open House

This is the room that gets lived in. Where Tobin makes elaborate train tracks, where Saturday morning cartoons get watched, fires are made with a remote control, babies are safely "caged in". The carpet is so gross. They haven't been cleaned since Jon found his calling to serve and protect.

This room boasts of three sets of french doors.

I found this clock when I was newly married. It was a steep $45. I remember feeling so guilty to spend that much on a clock but what is a girl supposed to do when she falls in love with an object that makes her long she was living in New York City? Buy it.

The twins are 15 months and I still use a changing table. I used on for a long time with Tobin too. I just would rather not be bending down too much if I can help it. And it helps keep my wiggle worms still.

Love, love old books. When I was first making a home for Matt and I, it was my cheep decorating secret to find lovely books to use as accents around the big empty space I was trying to fill. Now ten years later, how did we manage to "collect" so much stuff?

And lastly this picture of my big brother and me. Taken in a photo booth, I adore it.

A bad day made better by Dutch Brothers

It was a rushed morning. I had a dentist appointment and it was picture day at Tobin's pre-school. So in between feeding the twins, getting in one more floss on my teeth, and trying to find a clean shirt for Tobin that didn't draw attention to his bruise on his left eye and the bloody scratch above his right eye, I skipped breakfast. This years school picture will be a treasure sure to go strait on the mantel.
I'm not a big fan of going to the dentist. Truth be told I'd rather have my annual exam with Dr. Gyno than have someone scrape my teeth with a sharp object. But the worse part is having your mouth full of of fingers while being asked questions that you'd love to answer but can't because of said fingers. Torture.
I rush to pick up Tobin from school when his teacher tells me that she's been having difficulty with Tobin the last few days. Ugh it just was a sick feeling in my stomach. Matt and I both were very compliant children. I have a vivid memory of my teacher using a sharp tone with me in Kindergarten. It crushed me to think I may have disappointed her. Tobin on the other hand was not granted the genetic gene that makes tears well up when you're not the winner the best citizen award. Oh well we need activist in the world as well.
So where was I? Oh yeah. So I am in the van with Tobin driving to pick up the twins from my mothers. He is mad at me because I told him no movie because of his misbehavior in class. When he starts in that he doesn't like me. I ignore him and maturely turn up the radio to drowned out his hatefulness. I am wishing that I had a hot Starbucks in my hand and am so angry that Matt and I are so strapped for cash that I have swore off all such extras. So just as Tobin is now kicking the back seat and added his third, I don't like you, I open my mouth to tell Tobin that I really don't like him right now. BUT instead the voice of an angel comes over the radio and announces that a grand opening of Dutch Brothers is giving away FREE coffee. AND it is just a block away. !!!!!! Just more proof that there is a God. So after waiting in line for half hour I got my free tasty drug of choice.

I have been way out of the loop in blogworld. My free time has been ate up by my quest for a the perfect house plan. I have found that it is as rare as a winged, fire breathing unicorn. And when I'm not looking for that I've been working on Christmas presents. Being on such a tight budget I know that thoughtful cheep gifts mean.....spending a lot of time making things. So to tidy up my last post I have to say that house # four is my all time favorite! And as soon as they left the restraining order, I'll go back to my binoculars and lawn chair across the street looking at every little wonder that makes up this craftsman perfection.

Open Neighborhood

We took the kids to the park yesterday when I was remembering that I needed to post a new open house. So even though I felt very "stockerish" I snapped a few of my very lovely houses on my street. So take a look and vote for your favorite. Maybe I'll leave a basket of cookies on the winners porch (and a paper bag full of poop on the loser's)

You'll notice that I am a sucker for porches. It's the first impression of the home and a porch is like a warm friendly smile that says, "Welcome".

So here are the contestants. Lets start with the craftsman houses.

House # 1

House #2

House #3

House #4



Victorian House #5

House #6House #7 (in an effort to save my sanity and to get the milk Tobin has been requesting for 15 minuets I am giving up on my attempt fit in "Colonial House #8" between the house pictures) WHY can't I will the cursor to go where I want it???? I am counting on all your intelligence to image where house #8 is.

And just went you thought all we had to look at was charming houses, we also have the picturesque red bridge to use to cross the creek.

I Miss Maui

We're home. As a public service announcement, I feel obligated to advise all of you mommies and daddies out there to drop the kids off and go somewhere, anywhere together. Forget, for just a moment, the little darlings and re-connect with each other. Laugh. Create inside jokes. Cut no one else's food during dinner. Don't be afraid of the silence, soak it in, stare at each other's eyes and see that boy you fell in love with.

We are back now. Back to dirty dishes and poopy bottoms. For the life of me I can't seem to get warm. I've been tempted to even make a fire but it just doesn't seem right when it is still summer. Matt and I have a spring in our step and our tans are a reminder of the island just a five hour plane ride away.

Hawaii was a paradise but I have to say that the language was so intimidating to a phonics failure such as myself. But I really tried to sound out everything and learn the streets and town names. Ka‘anapali was our home base and nearing towns like Lahaina provided shopping and dinning. When we passed a new sign I tried to audibly sound it out, "Maui El-Dora-Doo" That's a pretty name, I say to Matt. Matt can't contain his laughter. He says "I think that's a Spanish restaurant: Maui Eldorado" Ooops..

We didn't bother buying Tobin any fancy gifts while we were there. Literally just rocks and shells we found on the beach. But this kid just loves his new "treasures". Here's a video of him showing off his stuff. Sorry it's a bit long.

Things that are hard to do with kids

Sail the Pacific.
Loved this dinner cruise we took. We meet great people from all over the world. Our favorite was Aric and Lucie from London. Hollar!

Go on a forbidden hike.
After a visiting a popular tourist attraction at Iao Valley state park we saw a slightly warn foot trail leading to a unknown tempting mystery. The sign clearly said that we were not welcome but we helped ourselves to some adventure. We hiked up for thirty minuets or so and saw lush plants, waterfalls, and a pristine lagoon. Matt even took a swim. We are dangerous, dangerous criminals!

Dress for dinner at a waterfront seafood restaurant.
Matt made reservations at six so we could watch the sunset at seven. Food was plate-licking-good and the view was well.....see for yourself.

Bath in the sun.
Let your mind get lost in a novel and only get up to go down the water slide to cool off.

Open House Maui

Ok so I'm not home to post pictures of my house.* So...... will you settle for pictures of our resort in Maui?

Lets start with our huge room that includes a bedroom, full kitchen, laundry, living/dinning room and giant bathroom. Our room was our anniversary gift from my in-laws. We feel like royalty.


The jet tub has this pass though that allows me to watch TV while I bath. Fantastic.
The view from our balcony. The ocean is just beyond the trees. The courtyard with koi ponds, pools, waterfalls, cabanas, and live music.






In case I don't get a chance to post for awhile, (you know because of all the merriness that I'm having) I wanted to also post some of my highlights from our first day-a-half. I got a henna tattoo. I know, totally wild of me! I haven't been this rebellious since college when I broke all the rules and used an electric blanket in my dorm room. Shocking information, I know.
Our first night we went to eat at this outdoor restaurant with thatched umbrellas and sand under our toes.


This morning Matt and I went to a really cool Church service. It was so awesome to worship in God's creation. We sat under banyan trees with the ocean as our backdrop. Not hard to praise Him while in Hawaii watching a school of sea turtles play in the surf. (Do sea turtles travel in schools, swarms, flocks or gaggles? Someone google that for me, will ya?) Anyway it was really cool. I even recorded a bit for you.








*For anyone reading my blog that is tempted bust into my house and steal my generation one TiVo or my elaborate New Kids On The Block collection......It's only fair to warn you that the house has been boobie trapped with trip wires connected to bouncing betty's and claymores in addition to a brood of deadly snakes that we let wander the house. (broods, maybe turtles travle in broods....) We also hired a full time sniper ready to protect said NKOTB memorabilia, (thank you officer Pinkerton).