Chicago - Part Three

Last batch. I promise :0)
On Sunday, we decided to go to Millenium Park since we had never been there.

I thought this was an interesting perspective. Mike took this one, but we both had cameras:0)

I liked this drawing they had displayed.

Of course trying to get a picture of the two of them is always fun. Evan seems to like the headlock pose and Erin isn't to crazy about it.

So she'll move away.

And then he'll try again.

This time he fell over and started acting silly though.

Which always makes her laugh :0)

And it was cool that Mike and I were actually able to get a picture together without handing the camera over to Evan or a complete stranger.

We liked the amphitheater there. A very cool stage. And Evan and Erin liked the steps and the big grass lawn for seating.


Mike took this one of me and the kids.

And then Erin actually took this one of him. With a little help from me of course but it was mostly her.

All in all, I would say it was a fun trip!

Scrapbook Layout Time :0)

Evan just went to play at a neighbor's for a bit and Erin is (hopefully) in there napping. I'm not convinced yet though.
So I am going to take a short break before I have to get back to cleaning up the kitchen and doing some laundry to post some layouts.
These days it takes me a while to complete a layout unless I have a solid block of time set aside. And I usually don't. But the layouts are getting done by sneaking in my scrap room for ten minute chunks here and there :0) This one was created using the June sketch by Kelly Purkey in her 2p's sketch class. I also combined it with a challenge over at Scrap Diner to use a white pen for doodling, which I did on the blue felt flowers. That stitch like look was created using a Uniball white pen.
I just felt like scrapping these photos of Erin in the "t.v. room" at the Magic House back in April. She could not wait to get in there and sit at that desk after seeing all of these big kids in there. She had no clue what was going on but she liked sitting there. And I love the second photo where she's pointing. She was doing that because the teenager working the booth was pointing at me trying to get her to look at me for a photo instead of looking at him. It was so cute!

A layout of Evan and his bedtime prayer. I could not skip scrapping this. It is such a crucial part of his bedtime routine, although now the prayer has increased in size since he started saying it. Plus he's now added the Pledge of Allegiance after it is over because that's what they do at school. Say a prayer and then the Pledge. To funny :0)

And last but not least, the April title page for our 2009 family album. Hoping to catch up and do the May one soon because it's now July and the June photos should be coming in the next week or so. I like making these title pages. It captures just a bit of what our month was like and I love square, linear, balanced layouts like this. More my comfort zone when it comes to scrapbooking.

OK, break time over :0)

Confessions of a Shopaholic Review (Possible Spoilers)

I LOVED the books!

So of course I had to see the movie. And thankfully I was prepared ahead of time for how much it is changed from the books. For starters, it's set in NYC instead of London. So Rebecca Bloomwood is American instead of British and that makes a huge difference. At least they kept Luke british. Instead already being a successful businessman, Luke is just managing a financial magazine. Although by the end of the movie, he is starting his own company thanks to Rebecca of course.

I absolutely did not like the changes they made to two of the characters. Her best friend and room mate Suze is just not the same in this book. She was just a little two off the wall and slapstick for me. And Derek Smeath, the bank manager who dogged her throughout the first book, is definitely not what I expected or wanted. It was kind of fun at first how they had him in a cloak of mystery and you could only hear his voice. But in the end, they just turned him into a jerk and he is much more understanding and compassionate in the book. Even though financially Becky doesn't deserve it.

I was satisfied to an extent with the actor they picked to portray Luke (Hugh Dancy) I pictured him a little more solid and confident, but overall his character stayed the same. Rebecca was a little disappointing for me but I don't think it was the fault of the actress (Isla Fisher) I think it was the changes they made to her overall character and story line that brought her down for me.

Her parents were John Goodman and Joan Cusak who are a charming almost ditzy English couple in the books. Here they are almost hippie like and very frugal. Plus, Joan Cusak just did not seem old enough to play her mom. I know she's in her 40's, and Rebecca does not seem as young in the movie as she is in the book (23 or 24) I think.

What I found most interesting was that they basically crammed the first two stories (Shopaholic and Shopaholic Takes Manhattan) into one movie. I didn't realize when I first started watching. But the ending is pretty much the ending of the first book. So if they do another movie, it will all begin with book three - Shopaholic Ties the Knot. I wouldn't mind a second movie. And I'm pretty sure they were setting things up for one since they talked about Luke's mom a lot, but never introduced her on screen.

Overall, I would give it three stars out of five. It was still kind of a fun movie. The acting was pretty solid and the story line would be interesting for those who have not read the books. But for serious fans of the book, I think it falls a little flat. I had high expectations when I heard a movie was being made, and am left feeling disappointed.

Chicago - Part Two

And the real reason we went up to Chicago (although Evan would probably still tell you it was to go to the LEGO store :0) )
Mike's sister Marygrace earned her Phd in history!!! We are so proud of her :0)

Marygrace with her husband Terry and Mara!

Marygrace with her mom, who we all know and love as Mimi. Besides finishing up her Phd, Marygrace is also expecting a baby this month!

And I thought this was a sweet photo! Terry is so proud of Marygrace and he threw her a great party to celebrate.

Congratulations again, Marygrace!!!!

Finally!

U2 is officially on tour!

I am so ready! :0)
Lots of good info on the www.atu2.com site.

The Art Museum

My dad had promised a special trip to the Art Museum with my nephew Brenden yesterday not realizing that the art museum is closed on Mondays :0) Brenden is really into art lately and he loves to draw as much as Evan does. So I offered to take Brenden today with Erin and Evan since my dad had a doctor's appointment. I have been there so, so many times. I love it there. And I've never really had any problems bringing children there...until today.

Seriously, when we arrived I was excited for Brenden because I knew how much he had been looking forward to it. I had a few doubts about Erin though. I know it's not super kid friendly there except on Saturdays when they have art activities and tours for families. But I've really never had any trouble with Evan there.

Erin is a whole 'nother ball game. She just has this insatiable curiosity. Not that Evan isn't curious, but my brother describes the difference well. Evan's is more of an intellectual curiosity. Erin's is more of the go out in the world and explore it type. Bingo!

Like I said never had any real problems before. I always try to be super respectful there. Today I couldn't seem to make those guards happy at all :0p. From the tiny three goldfish I had set on her stroller tray, to the unopened bottle of water in the storage compartment underneath, to the fact that without any intention of touching the exhibit - Brenden and Evan were standing just a little to close for the guard's liking. After Erin through a humongous temper tantrum fit on the floor, I scooped her up and put her in the stroller. She screamed as I wheeled her through and one guard came up to me and asked "is the child all right?" "This is just what I like to call a temper tantrum" I said.

After being followed around by several more guards, we gave up and took a few more photos outside and then went to meet my dad for lunch. Just a little frustrating overall though.

But the important thing to me is that Brenden still had a great time! Or so he said ;0) And that makes me glad that we tried.

The Weekend the Day Before my Birthday :0)

Yep, today I am thirty-eight. The cake was from last night though since Mike is going to be out of town for work today. Not the best indoor photo, but I was happy to have my friends and neighbors Rob and Bridget to come over and sing happy birthday. Bridget and I had gone to a strings concert up at church together. It was so fabulous! The man who played the cello, Richard Belcher is a member of the Enso Quartet and comes all the way from New Zealand!
Afterwards Bridget and I went to dinner just the two of us without kids! So we were able to chat and eat without interruptions. Not something we are used to (lol)

And let's just say besides the concert, dinner and cake it was a very busy day yesterday because we also had our annual mother's day/father's day brunch with our parents. Mike and I have this tradition every year where we take my mom and dad and his mom to brunch at our favorite brunch place nearby.


I made this for my mom. It is a photo of my nana (her mom) on her wedding day. The journaling strips say "You told your mom she was the most beautiful bride you had ever seen. And I have to agree with you. Nana was definitely a beautiful bride." I placed the layout in a 12x12 shadowbox with a door that opens.

My mom loved it :0) I don't think she was expecting it though

We were also lucky to have my niece Brianna join us. She had spent the night with Mike's mom and Evan was so happy to see her. I loved having the chance to catch up with her as well, since we haven't had as much opportunity to see her the past year and they have moved about 45 minutes away.


Erin with her new trademark smile and daddy :0)

Mike took a few photos up by the fountain. This was one of my favorites.


And we call this the "Erin strut". This is how she walks around. Like she owns everything!
And a few layouts. I have been doing some more events type two page layouts lately and it feels good to get lots of pictures on a page. This was from when we hosted playgroup for the first time. It was so much fun seeing Erin interact with children older than her.

And this one is from when Erin and I decided to go to the Magic House together one day. She was literally all over the place and had so much fun! I on the other hand had fun but was completely exhausted by the time we were done!


And the color is a little off on this one. I just couldn't seem to get a good photo of it. I think because of the color of the die-cut paper.

Well, off to exercise!!! My work-out plan is still going well. Exercising 6-7 days per week - Yay, me!