MS Ride

The MS Ride team that my Uncle Dan and Brother Nick have been participating in for years now has grown significantly.  (See last years finish line here)  Last year, there were only three riders.  We were able to meet the team as they crossed the finish line from their 150 mile, two day ride.  They raised a lot of money as a team to benefit MS research.  MS is something I come across more and more.  Just this year, I have learned of two other friends that have been diagnosed with MS.  Friends, my age with little ones like me.  It hits home when you can relate to people that struggle daily with the disease.  This year, the team had eight riders (nine, if you count my cousin Chris, who rode with another team)!

I was so excited when my Uncle Dan asked me to design the team logo and jersey.  This was something I had never done before, but I was so excited how it turned out.  I think Team MS Curitol's logo turned out amazing, and I was able to incorporate everything my uncle wanted: a pill, bikes, and flames (because flames are fast!).  The jersey design came out better than I expected too.  My brother, Nick and his wife, Megan are my jersey models.  My Aunt Jenny's law firm was a major sponsor for the team this year.

Operation Bunk Bed

Last weekend, the girls got to spend the night at Ma & Pa's house (my grandparents).  Jon and I took advantage of the kid-free time to purchase and set up the girls new bunk beds.  We've been talking about it for months now with them, so when they got home on Monday night, you can imagine the excitement.  I have been a bit worried about the transition to two girls in the same room.  Mostly because Cecilia has started to become hit or miss on her naps, and has been known to stay up way past bed time, even though she stays in her room (for the most part).  Luckily, Lilly Jeanne is a really good sleeper.  Cecilia has had several melt downs at sleep times this week, but we will push forward and she will get used to it.  They do love their new beds, and they are very excited that Tater Tot will be sleeping in Lilly Jeanne's crib soon.

One night this week, I found Cecilia sleeping in style.  I couldn't help but take a picture :)  

As for Lilly Jeanne, I think she will always be a tummy sleeper.

Silly Lilly Jeanne

Oh, this girl!  She cracks me up.  She has such a personality and sense of humor right now.  She is talking talking talking all the time.  My favorite thing with her right now is that she is adamant, ADAMANT, that her name is Lilly Jeanne.  If Jon or I call her a pet name, like "big girl" or "muffin", or "Lil", she'll sweetly say, "Noooo. Lilly Jeanne!"

Yard Work

A few weeks ago, I was out for a few hours in the morning and left the girls with a sitter.  When I returned home, they were playing in the backyard.  I immediately noticed white string all over the yard.  Upon inquiring what happened, Cecilia was proud to tell me she made a "spider web".  Oh what a web it was.  She had unwound the ENTIRE spool of string and wrapped it around the swing set, garden posts, patio table and chairs, the playhouse, grill, bikes, patio posts, etc.  There was probably over 300 feet of sting that had to be rewound onto the spool.  

Summer means lawn mowing.  Looks like Lilly is *almost* ready to take on this chore.  Take a bow, Lilly Jeanne.  Take a bow.

The new water table has been fun to play with, and ON.  When I caught them playing like this, they were just too cute.  The table is full of water and dirt here (their favorite combination).  Very shortly after I snapped these pictures, Cecilia dumped the entire table over on to Lilly Jeanne and covered her in dirty water.  Then, the fun and games were over.

We've had watering restrictions in place because we are in a drought, but that hasn't prevented me from getting out the new water toy.  The girls took a few minutes to figure out if it was fun or not.

My youngest brother, Pete, is home for the summer, and living and working in Denver.  It has been such a treat to have him around.  Pete and Jon decided to brew a batch of beer with Jon's new turkey fryer.  This way, the brewing can be done outside, keeping the heat and mess out of the house.  Cecilia helped, of course.  Cecilia and Lilly Jeanne were both fascinated with the beer as it fermented too.

Cecilia Says

Me (talking to myself): oh, I need to email your daddy the address for tonight.

Cecilia: Daddy doesn't wear dresses!

Me (giggling): You're right!  But I said address, not dress.

Cecilia: Well, if Daddy wears a dress, I match?!?!

I hand Cecilia a Birthday Cake Oreo (if you haven't tried them, you really should).  She says "MOM!  Amazing!!  Party in my mouth!!!"   

The other morning, Cecilia crawls into bed with Jon and I.  
Me: Good morning sweet girl! Did you have any dreams last night?
C: Yes.
Me: What did you dream about?
C: You!
Me: Me?!?! What about me?
C: You rock Tater Tot (folds her little arms and rocks them back and forth), and kiss her on the head.

A Wedding Shower

My brother's, wife's, sister is getting married!  In other words, a very close friend of the family is getting married, Lizzie & Eric :)    My mom and I threw a shower for her and her fiance on a lovely afternoon in June.  We will not be able to go to the wedding because it is in Iowa and I will be too pregnant to travel that far from home.  It was a couples shower and we had a BBQ theme.  Everything came together so nicely.  I designed the invitations (I also designed their wedding invitations, I'll do a separate post on those).  We served sliders, chicken salad in carrot shaped buns, corn, french fries, fruit kabobs, broccoli salad, s'mores cupcakes from MadiCakes, and the signature beverage was a beer-garita in mason jars.

We embarrassed the couple a little and played the shoe game.  We asked questions like "who spends more money?", "who sunburns faster?", and "who is a better driver?"  Lizzie and Eric each held a shoe belonging to Lizzie and Eric and they answered by raising the shoe for the person that best suits the answer.  It was pretty funny, especially since Lizzie kept trying to clarify her answer.



Lizzie and Eric received many wonderful gifts to get them started.  The shower was a way for many of their Colorado friends who won't be able to make it to the wedding to celebrate with them.  We also did a large group gift and got them a new grill and grill accessories.

 For fun and games we made giant letters for a relaxed version of scrabble.  Guests also played croquet and had their pictures taken by the tractor.  It was great to see Pat and Sarah, and meet their new addition, Haley the Golden Retriever puppy.  My grandparents and parents crack me up sometimes...