Week in Review: Late February 12

I've been MIA this week, but thought I'd update us all (when I type "all" I mean for me to remember later as well). What have we been up to? Glad you asked though it's only a figment of my overactive imagination. It was mid-winter break and we had something going on every day...

We've been getting tatted up.

Doing vintage crafts...do any of you remember these? I burned the first two before I got the hang of it.

Many many library visits...

Bike rides with Daddy...

And generally goofing around... Also, time with Gamma Polly, fro-yo stops, shopping for Pea's upcoming trip to Arizona (sans Momi, sort of sad about this), and lots of ipad playing (here's hoping the weather turns nice soon...).

The old college try

Honestly, we have been trying to venture up to visit Aunt Chandler at SPU for a month now; we've just been too busy or sick or busted to get our act together. The last time we came to see her was so fun and such a perfectly beautiful day I didn't imagine we would get a repeat in February, but we did. Andi and her girls came to visit Chani too and see her "department" at college. Hilarious. When we walked in to her dorm, we immediately felt old for two reasons...the first thing we see is a poster on an event to, "Celebrate the Nineties." Excuse me, didn't they just happen? Oh, wait. Chandler's "90's" are my "80's." Realization: Time is marching on and fast. Secondly, there was a row of telephone booths constructed in the dorm for something, I'm not sure what. Then Andi had to EXPLAIN what a phone booth was to Kyla since they know nothing of their function. They didn't get it. I'm not sure I did either. Then we got to go to lunch on Queen Anne...such a fun and sobering day...

Confessions (new year, new admissions).

I wear my dollar store sunglasses more than my expensive ones. My 22 month old knows how to say "boobs." I will watch any movie with Collin Firth in it. I'm highly concerned I have gingivitis. Pea just told me her nightmares involve scary robots. Someone flipped me the bird for throwing a banana peel out of my car window. It's biodegradable right? I hope that's right. My husband wrote me a love letter that changed the way I see him and myself. After 10 years. Amazing. Cadbury eggs are back; I won't be giving up chocolate for lent. Many of my confessions involve Easter candy, the dollar store, and littering. I'm desperately hoarding ideas to keep my little ladies busy for the summer. Facebook is getting on my last nerve these days yet I'm on it more with this iPhone. Considering just taking it off said phone, but I've forgotten my apple password. One time in college I took NyQuil at 6 pm and then changed my computer password. I then had my genius brother reconfigure the whole thing. I love my hair. As Pea says, "It's easy "pea"sy.

And for my fifteenth and final admission: right now it does NOT look like the above...most days it doesn't. At the moment it looks like a dirty emo boy's mop.

Be My

Valentine. My personal Valentine is in San Fran today (sniff, sniff...) so instead of sending my own valentines out signed with a sweet; I'll give you a glimpse into my heart. Here are a few snapshots of things that made me happy this Valentine's season...

We're back, baby.

Swim lessons are BACK (in preparation for the older Bell belles forthcoming trip to Arizona). Sans the parents. They get to be REAL big girls and go with just Gamma, Papa, and Yaya at the beginning of March. Harper and Molly have to stay behind. Here are Heidi and Pea in all their glory the first day back to swim...

30

This weekend we celebrated my man's 30th birthday in style at the family cabin in Cle Elum. He invited his cousins and wives to celebrate with us. It was stated by THE man to be the best birthday he can remember, which I'm over the moon about because as they say, "The best laid plans..."
We all know that planning and details are not my forte, but in retrospect I'm thankful I put the work in for him because I hope he felt special and loved which he so is.
Some things to remember:
The cake pop and champagne toasts.
Sweet, sincere friends who are also family.
Nine's goldies.
Games and Rasta Mon.
Singalongs.
Shooting.
Drinks.
Dancing.
The happiest boy band ever.
Buck.
Last call.
Too many cooks in the kitchen, except for the REAL cook micromanaging from his throne.
The Finger (the Johnny Cash painting presented to Ty and Joe's maimed hand).
And the birthday boy himself who by all accounts had himself a REAL good time.
We love you, LTG, and you are like a fine wine; you only get better with age...

Party Prep

Psst. Hey, did you know it's Tyler's 30th birthday tomorrow?

Holy Cow. I've been with him since he was 20 and now it's a NEW decade. I'll post pictures of his actual birthday day (February 4th); we'll be going to a family cabin to celebrate! Should be a memorable time; to tide you over until Sunday, here's our girl's birthday party bash they are throwing their daddy tonight...