mi familia summer visit

My crazy family came to visit us!!!

(except Stebie son, who was greatly missed)

See????

We had so much fun cramming everyone into our tiny home! And were able to enjoy a few days of sunshine that didn't make you feel like you were melting.

Here's Dad and Patrick headed to the zoo!

MC was already saying she was tired and hot before we even made it to the entrance - so she got a courtesy ride to the front gate. Nice little space heater on your back on a sunny August day :)

This may be my all time favorite zoo animal. He's a Takin. And I like him.

Stroller ride

Mmmm purple and blue snowcones!

Many days were spent playing in water...here's the fountain on our street

And two soaking wet children!

Nice ride back home for Patty

Mom and Mary Clare

And then there's the playground. The second Patrick hit the green turf he morphed into a little crazy man. He just took off running, playing with any and everything, diving head first down slides after a swing on a bar to give him an extra good thrust down...and then there was the fountain in the playground. This was the highlight, and the reason we had to leave...

You see, there is metal, and then there's a 2 1/2 year old about *this tall* and then there's a right eyebrow. Well they all met! One smack into that metal and surprise!! An eyebrow laceration!!! No stitches needed though - just a little holding down by Maymels and glueing by Pat and tadaa, good as new!

Did you know Patrick (big Patrick) is an artist???!!

Look at that sky line!!!

I wanted a picture for above our bed and found a few I liked online, but of course didn't want to spend $600 on them. Instead I had some hired (free) help and my sister and I painted a big ol' picture while they were here! (and coaxed Pat into playing with us...we gave him margaritas)

Now...remember those pillows I was going to make? Well I figure it may be a bit too much for this room since I finally have a picture above our bed. So instead, they're going to decorate the guest bedroom!

We miss y'all already...come baaaaaaack

bon jovi

Jenn and I took a trip up to Chicago for the Bon Jovi concert. Let me tell you. I liked Bon Jovi before...but he does an amazing concert. They played for.ever. I was very impressed!!

We did some shopping while we were there...

check out these outfits.

Leather leggings and a jacket that costs several hundred dollars (seriously? the thing is heinous). And Jenn modeling her snake print leggings and another to-die-for jacket.

Apparently Kid Rock is Bon Jovi's opening act??? What??

I was a bit confused. Not the biggest fan...but whatever.

There's Jon!

I know you can't really tell, but it's Scotty Pippin!!

Of course we had absolutely no idea who that tall guy everyone was taking pictures of who arrived in a very sweet car was - but we asked. I decided I should take a picture too.

(I have a few videos of bon jovi but seem to be computer illiterate today? can't get them on here...)

?

Log cabin lamp, anyone??

I made this fine discovery while shopping at Home Goods. I'll buy it for you...because I think it's hilarious. I offered to get it for my sister for her b'day at the end of the month...I did not receive the response I wanted, so I left it at the store...

???

I mean, seriously??

fabric

I am not sure what it is about fabric - but I just love all of the different types, colors, patterns. I will say, after much searching, there are a LOT of fabrics that I don't like. at all. BUT every now and then you get a surprise find - like this one! A while back Pottery Barn had placemats made out of this fabric and I loved them. Our room is cozy, but kinda dull. I thought these would make lovely pillows :) So I am working on finishing them up (...stay tuned, in a few blog postings you'll see that this plan has changed.... apparently I just can't ever make my mind up)

There is a fabric store here in STL that I l.o.v.e. called Antol's Fabrics. It's a fabric outlet and I think the prices are fairly reasonable, and definitely cheaper than most other places.

The pillows are for sure still in the works, but will just have a new home instead of my bedroom!

catch up

Alright - this is a long one - hang in there!!

July has been flying by so far. Which is so nice because it means we've been busy doing fun things.

At the beginning of the month we finally had some visitors! Geez....took y'all long enough...

BUT - I am a complete slacker and did not take a single picture! This is one from the last visit. This time Aunt Gail, Mary Lauren, her friend Katherine, and my Mom all made the drive to St Louis. (so..for this picture put Katherine's face on Amy's face...and that was the group ;) )

You name it, we/they did it -

six flags

city museum

cardinals game

art museum

zoo

the muny to see beauty and the beast

dinner at the boat house

ted drewes for dessert

...am I missing something??

Oh - and sitting on the grass behind the Arch on the 4th of July to watch some fireworks!! (with the bazillion other people who decided to show up...)

I had some off days at the beginning of the visit, then had to work 3 of the days they were here - but thankfully Pat had a few of those off (the weekend) so it all worked out! We loved having them and they better come back....hint hint..

Just a few days after they left, Patrick and I loaded up the car and headed towards Birmingham for a surprise 50th birthday party for Mom.

Of course our fur baby came with us and the squirrel fur baby (aka sophie mophie) got to stay home and had some peace and quite.

Usually Eloise stays at Mom's house - so we had to make a new plan. Elle got to play with Sue and Wally (my sister's dogs) and even got to swim in her Great Grandaddy's pool. Pat and I got into Bham late Thursday night and as my dad says, had a room reserved at the Moses Bed and Breakfast, which allows large dogs to sleep inside and even has a pool!! Thanks for making those reservations :) and another thanks to Grandaddy for putting up with our furry child and giving us a bed to sleep in!

So...

Happy late 50th Birthday Mom!

This is one of my favorite pictures of her...so pretty :)

She walked in on a walker, which was hilarious - and then was dressed by one of her sisters in this lovely fiesta wear.

Her adopted children were there too!

The Hamilton's were so nice to let us bombard their house with close to 50 people - and Mrs Hamilton always has some kind of hat or something crazy to wear - hence the birthday cake headband...

the party even came with a Geriatric Pinata!! Full of old people things - made by Aunt Ann!

Mi Familia

And one of my favorite surprises - Mom and Dad B made the trip all the way from Savannah to celebrate with us all! It was so much fun having them there...and we are so thankful they took the time to come!

We were able to get this party together with the help from a lot of friends and family and couldn't have done it without them. My sister and I were talking about how great it is to see all of these people in one place together, who love our Momma so much - thanks for celebrating with us!!

A friend of ours from Children's in Birmingham got married the same weekend.

Here's Miranda and Erik!!

Love this picture (stolen from facebook) even though you can barely see her Hubby - she just looks so happy!!

Patrick and I at the reception

Her new sister in law

And I got to hang out with more work friends at the reception - it was sooo good to see everyone.

and no. im. not. pregnant. yet.

haha. that was the question of the night

pretty sunset on our drive back to Stl

Becky's Bridal Shower was this past week.

Some girls from work got together to celebrate her upcoming wedding and we had a great time.

Thanks for hosting us all Jen!

Of course no post is complete without an update on Monster.

See this face?

Does it look like the face of a dog that would've eaten a cute summer wedge shoe from banana republic???

I'll let you decide...

And here's the weigh in-

67.6 lbs and hopefully not growing...

She even got a visit to the vet yesterday. With all of her summer swimming, those floppy ears have drainage and she keeps scratching them - now she has to endure ear drops x 1 a day - which I just attempted to do, and I was beat up by her. Not sure if the meds are in those ears or not, but I am going to need back up for round 2 tomorrow.

The baby got a new necklace!!! Her old one was just nasty, and after many washes it just looked gross. The muddy dog park finally won - and we've bought a new collar and leash. I just love the pink and gray - the leash is solid gray so Pat doesn't have to carry a pink one anymore ;)

Elle and I are going to lounge around for a while and hope the rain stops so we can get out of this condo. Headed to the hospital soon to take Patrick lunch!

iPhone

Finally. It has arrived. Well - mine did at least. The iPhone is here!

We went to pick them up yesterday, only to find out that Pat's wasn't mailed to us yet :( How disappointing!!! BUT - it should be here today!!!

Here is a pic of Lola from my new phone!

I was looking on Ballard Design the other day and found these pictures...

I want them all. But that's not practical. So I will make them instead!!! I am enrolling the help of my sister for the tree paintings (over $500 if you bought them both!!!! geeeeeez!!!!); eventually I will get around to attempting the birds; and for the mosaic looking one, I think i'll choose multiple fabrics and frame them all....

It will take some time, but I am sure it will be much much cheaper!

the moment you've (well really, I've) been waiting for

It has been completed. My dearest sister hath penned our verse, this which I am most pleased.

I say to my blood relative, "something wrong with us, I think not???!"

Please enjoy

(a disclaimer I must make, this below hath been borrowed from my beloved sister)

Also - if you wish to see the offspring of my sister and her dearest hubby using Photo booth (it's a must...) - click here

And, Mel, here is our Olde English conversation which is clogging up my phone. Using Dad as our reason for being so weird (love you Dad!) or not, it still begs the question: What is wrong with us?!?!?!!!??!?!? :)

Mel: "Pat is ignoring my chatter, and a friend said I should speak to him in olde english the rest of the night...hahahahaha"

Me: "What be thou address numerals? I knowest well the code of zip but hast forgot the rest"

Mel: "Streams of water escapeth me eyes. This I cannot halt. Disgruntled are those surrounding this person. Ohh how I longeth for time with my beloved sister. When shall I be graced with thou presence!??

Me: "I cannot bear such humor! How my breath doth also escape me! methinks my libations maketh me a trifle to merry! Ah, if only I were with thee what mayhem we would make?! In but a weeks time, fear not dear sibling. My fingers doth protest at my disgraceful abilities upon this miniscule machine."

Me: "I cannot still this new speech. It pours forth like the fountains of wine from which we partake. Oh dread...I find myself thinking in such verbosity though quite alone...I fear the permanence of such dialects."

Mel: "i hath not felt so much cheer in many changes in the seasons. Oh how thou hast restored laughter in my heart..."

Me: "I have just let a gutteral laugh escape my girlish mouth, akin to a man with a robust middle...I fear I may wake the sleeping babes with my frivolity?!?!"

Mel: "how dost they sleep through such laughter? I musn't stir to hastily...insects are stirring as though my flesh is but a stream of honey"

Mel: "woe is me...I wish to retire to my abode. Locked into this hellish weather, I must stay as this entertainment doth continue..."

Me: "Yea it will continue for many more bites of the mosquito and loathsome flying intrusions. But take heart! Thou lodgings are but a jog away?!?!!"

Unfortunately, it didn't stop there....days later I receive another text from my Olde English sibling:

Mel: "Dearest sister, I pray this letter finds you well. I am to board the strangest of contraptions. Hast thou heard before of an aeroplane?? It shall deliver me to a destination shortly. My heart overfloweth with the joys and anticipations of our travels."

Me: "Of such a strange innovation I have heard tale! In truth I have witnessed this mythical metal beast but this very morn. I write you with all warmth of eager expectation of your long awaited arrival"

So ends the tribute to my singular sister, whom I cherish with all love and doth hope with all my being to see again in the quickest of days.