this little piggy...

We went to the park the other day. Here's proof.
Ruby wore a bright yellow tutu. It was easy to keep an eye on her.
Some friends were at the park. A three-year-old friend asked, "Karyn, why are you wearing shoes that aren't matching?"
Good question.

Have I told you that we are moving?

It's true... though the house we were planning on buying isn't really working out. And this house is SOLD! So we are moving into a rental this weekend.
So things have been somewhat busy here. Lots of packing and hauling stuff to storage... in the awesome minivan with seats that fold flat.
It was after one of these hauling sessions that I had to put the seats back up from their tucked-away positions. Normally I would put the seat up from the trunk area, but on this occasion the car was parked in our spot with the back tight up against a wall... so I was unfolding the seat from the inside. On the bottom of the seat there is a latch that secures the seat to the floor when it is in the upright position, and when I popped the seat up my foot was covering the hole where the latch lands. And I was wearing sandals.
And so I broke two wee little bones in my toes.
And it hurt.
A week later, I finally went to the doctor. I have a special (that means ugly in this case) shoe and I have to tape my toes together for a few weeks.
Two toes take too long to tape.

***I was trying so hard to get "tutu" into that last sentence... and find a T-word for "long."

Taping two toes is too tedious to try in my tutu.

Thank you and good night.

$6.99 motivation

This is Ruby's new umbrella. This was her motivation to become fully potty trained. She had to poop in the potty five times to get it.
She hasn't had an accident since she got this special rainbow monkey umbrella.Yet another way an umbrella can keep you dry... and fresh and clean.
Worth every penny!

PS- She calls herself "Monkey Poppins" when she plays with the umbrella.

Roll call!

In Ohio, we got to see my newest nephew Spencer! This little guy is about four months old. He (obviously) doesn't drink skim milk. Check out his juicy baby legs! He is much heavier than June.

June's arms look like twigs in comparison.

hitched

Last weekend we took a little trip to Ohio for Marissa and Tevita's wedding! The wedding ceremony was beautiful. They were married in the Columbus, Ohio Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. That is where Andy and I were married 8+ years ago. We enjoyed reminiscing about our wedding day. I remember my face hurt from smiling so much.
Marissa was full of smiles too. It was fun to see the happy bride and groom. Marissa's dress was gorgeous. Janis and I did her hair... that was a fun sister-bonding moment. Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Falahola! And welcome to the family Tevita!

Stay tuned for more pictures...

housekeeping

I made a carrot cake this weekend... Grandma's recipe.  The cake is gone now.  The memory of it still makes me salivate.
Get the recipe here.  True confection perfection.  Make the cake... and call me.

Marissa's wedding is this week!!!  There are ten kids in my family, and Marissa is #9.  I must be old if my baby sister is getting married!  I am in charge of the decorations for the reception.  To see my ideas for that, click here.  I will post pictures from her wedding next week.

my favorite graffiti

There is an artist in Bucktown.

For those of you not familiar with Illinois politics, late night TV, or I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here, this is a painting of the infamous ex-governor Rod Blagojevich.