International Perspective

For a recap of our big weekend from a different perspective (and alot of cool photos), you can go to Carla's Blog by clicking on her name!

BrrrBaby Weekend in Wausau

A Memorial Day Weekend for the record books. I was lucky enough to have some friends come visit for the weekend. When I was pregnant with Bennet I met some women who were pregnant at the same time and due in December. I met up with some of them last July in Chicago (Carrie, Betsy and Carla) . The whole group still keeps in touch on a message board on a daily basis.

Carrie, her 4yr. old Dylan and 17 month old Colin (born the same day as Bennet) came all the way from Kentucky. Heather, her nearly 5 yr old Angela and 17 month old Heather (12/15) came all the way from Hanover, Ontario CANADA for a long weekend in Wausau (of all places ;))

They drove up from Chicago and surprised me at work on Friday. Totally surreal to see them outside my window. Friday night was pretty mellow- we just hung out.

Saturday we went to a picnic of sorts at Ma & Pa Sweeney's. Also went to the mall (Thrilling- I know) so the kids could play at the Play Center and Carla could get her Bath and Body Works fix.

Mom's and the little kids

Sunday we went out for a greasy, spoon breakfast- DE-LISH. The weather wasn't the best- but that afternoon we took advantage of the brief sunshine and went to the park.
We like to live on the edge in WI.
That night the ladies made cards. Nick made us froofroo drinks with the blender before it started to smoke and die. Ooh la la!

Monday the weather was gorgeous so we went to the Eau Claire Dells. The big kids had fun climbing on the rocks.

Bathtime!

Our last night together (tears tears!) Oh- Carrie made me the COOLEST shirt. This babies nickname is Leg Lamp (Bennet was Truck). The front has a LegLamp box on it that flips up to reveal LL's ultrasound photo- so awesome

Tuesday morning Carla, Carrie and the kids were on their way back home. SOB!!! We had a wonderful weekend. Well- I won't speak for them- but I had a blast. Simply couldn't contain my tears the morning as they left. I'm blaming hormones but that's not why. I just wish all of us lived closer together because I gotta tell ya- BrrrBabies are irreplaceable.

Weed-Be-Gone Weekend

Where did the weekend go? Nick and I were in the yard by 9 a.m. on Saturday to attack Project Weed-Be-Gone. We made some decent headway and Grandma and Grandpa Trunnell pulled into town around 11:20.

Saturday between the rain and sun we got 5 gardens weeded and mulched, basement spare space converted into a bedroom, Nick's office furniture moved down the basement and a bed brought back upstairs to his office, and laundry. Somewhere in there I managed to run to the grocery, marinate a flank steak, prep strawberries for shortcake and take a shower We had a nice dinner- marinated flank steak, garlic ranch smashed potatoes and sauteed red/green/yellow/orange peppers. Delicious if I do say so myself. Then Nick and I took advantage of a babysitter and bolted to see Spiderman 3. It was ok- but nothing like the 2nd one. It was a FULL day!

Thank goodness Sunday had a high of 53 because I don't think I could have done another full day in the yard. As it was we still managed to put up a playset for Bennet and work in the house. Nick pulled a muscle or pinched a nerve in his arm and was out of commission for part of the day, so Grandpa helped with the playset.

Bennet enjoying the lilacs. Grandma enjoying taking photos.

Bennet discovered drinking from the hose is fun. She was drenched but happy.
A new playset? For me?

Thanks Grandpa- but I'm far more interested in putting rocks in Mom's new water bottle.

I have bed head again. I promise I do style my hair.

Matt & Katie- check out Nick's sweatshirt. He gets alot of wear out of it. Best gift EVER!

A big thank you to M&D/G&G for all your help this weekend. The house/yard isn't perfect- but it looks a heck of alot better now than it did. Thanks again!

Mother's Day Milwaukee Weekend

Nick and I had our first date on Memorial Day 2001 in Milwaukee. Spent the day at the zoo, bar and then grilled out dinner. We've been meaning to get back for a visit for years. I think the last time we were there was 2002-2003. So for Valentine's Day this year I surprised him with a weekend away. Things certainly have changed since that first date. When we walked past the place where we had lunch I clearly remembered sitting on the picnic table and having a big part of me know that day that he was the one.

Friday Kari went to visit a work customer while Nick and Bennet chilled at the hotel. Ok- she didn't chill. Threw a hissy fit. Did not want to nap. That night we met up with Nick's friends from high school, Caroline and Leslie. It was a nice, relaxing couple of hours to catch up. It was far past Bennet's bedtime, but she was a trouper! Driving home we saw 2 guys in a Cadillac watching an adult film while driving down the freeway. Not shy about holding anything back. It was Nick's highlight and my lowlight of the trip. :)

Saturday we were off to the zoo. It was a little chilly in the morning. Bennet's favorite animals at the moment are elephants, monkeys and lions. Before we left the hotel Nick asked Bennet, "What does the elephant say?" She looked at me and made the trunk motion with her arm and made a little noise. Melt your heart that kid.

I am so glad I'm not a giraffe.

We took a little break at the FarmLand play area. Genius!

"Hey Dad- I like this chair."
Stereotypical pregnant woman with a giant pickle. Pickles are DEE-licious!

First ride on the carousel. I'm pretty sure I enjoyed it more than she did, but hey- who says you have to grow up?

As soon as we left the zoo Bennet was zonked out. So Nick and I drove around, went through a drive through and killed an hour. We joked that it was like a Mastercard commerical - que Billy Crudup. "Taco Bell drive thru- $10.02. One and a half gallons of gas- $5.00 Sleeping toddler- PRICELESS" We spent the rest of the day shopping and relaxing. Truly a wonderful weekend away.

Mother's Day morning. Complete with bed head.

Basement Project

Our basement project is complete. It took a lot of hard work and many hours, but it's done. New floors, cabinets, counter top, paint, sink, etc.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Weekend in St. Paul

We had a fantastic weekend at Katie and Matt's in St. Paul. They were superb hosts. I honestly can't remember the last time we had such a nice getaway. Thank you for having us.

On the way into town we stopped at Fort Snelling to see my Grandpa Trunnell's gravesite. Looked high and low. but never quite found it. It's the thought that counts though right?

Saturday we all took Bennet to the Como Zoo. She did not like the dark monkey house, but was amazed at the giraffe and sea lion.

Aunt Katie holding her up for a better view.

That night the entire family went out to Buca di Peppo for dinner. OMG- italian, cheesecake- what else do you need?! It was heaven. It was Matt G's 27th birthday and Ma & Pa Trunnell's 34th wedding anniversary so we had many reasons to celebrate.

The whole group.

It was so sunny so we're a bit squinty- but not a bad family photo.

Back to the house for a rousing round of Karaoke Revolution. It was so much fun I seriously thought I was going to wet myself. Nick and I sang 'Endless Love' and let's just say it wasn't pretty. Will be confiscating that video I tell you. My parents rendition of "Sweet Caroline" was pretty classic too.

Bennet wanted in on the action.

Jam on Nick- Jam On!

It wasn't that bad Dad :) Katie is really good. You can tell she's had practice.

We did the March of Dimes WalkAmerica walk Sunday and it was gorgeous. Temps in the 80's with a cool breeze. A nice 3 miles walk around Lake Phalen.

It's a . . . BABY!

We had our big ultrasound yesterday. Baby looks healthy. 10 fingers, 10 toes. Heart beating away. Arms and legs dancing.

We chose not to find out the sex of little Leg Lamp. So- you'll have to wait along with us until the big announcement on delivery day! We're still on for a Sept. 23 due date. But you know how reliable that is.