Happy Birthday, Matty! Happy Birthday, Wowo!

Today is a really special day because not only is it the birthday of my best friend in the whole wide world (who also happens to be my husband), but also that of my best sister in the whole wide world (who also happens to be my only sister).

We celebrated by going to Ted's Montana Grill for dinner for bison burgers and Guinness (and chicken strips that G DEVOURED) and coming home for a Cold Stone ice cream cake. Among M's presents are the 2008 version of the official Michigan football fan shirt - one for him and one for G. [G was very disappointed that he didn't get a toy.] M sets the standard for how to be a good person, a good husband, a good father, and a good friend, so please join us in celebrating the wonderful person he is.

Laura (and Mom and Dad) showed up from the airport just in time for us to redecorate the cake and put in a fresh candle for her to blow out.

It's super late now, so rather than upload photos, for now I'll just say, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!" XO

G's First Day Of School

Today went really great - couldn't have been better. He really loves his school. Today, they did a scavenger hunt in the school to learn where everything is (and learned about "marshmallow feet" to stay quiet in the hallway), leading to a treat in Ms. Karen's, the director's, office. They had snacks, read a story together, and played outside. G was the snack bringer-iner and had a special job today as the teacher's helper. We think this is a really great school. We are really pleased with it!

first day of school

Wish Us Luck!

Well, tomorrow marks the beginning of Gabriel's life as a schoolboy and ends his life as a baby. We hope that we will be very brave and stay focused on happiness and excitement for him, but we don't know what to expect from ourselves. Here are some photos from his open house, so you can see what his school day will be like.

Happy Birthday, Jen!

We hope that even though you are working very hard and are very busy, you took a little time to enjoy your birthday!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Today, Dad K turned a year older, but he is still the youngest of all our friends' dads! Ha! We went to dinner at Johnny's, an awesome pizza place, where we drank so much beer that we came home and took a nap... hence the late post. Anyway, happy birthday, Dad! We love you!!!

p.s. We wish we'd thought of this great idea for a cake, but alas, it's just a photo we found online...

My Yearbook Photos

I dug out some old yearbook photos of myself. I have always kept up with the style of the times, and I like to think that I have aged well. Please to enjoy.

Our Little Magician

G has gotten into magic lately, and we went to HobbyTown USA to buy him his first magic trick. Here he is showing his new talent.

And Now For An Awww Moment...

...which means, of course, photos of the Chipster. And can you see how great M is looking lately? He's in great shape!

An explanation of the latter photo: I was doing something in the family room, and I heard the front door open and shut. I went out onto the front porch and found G standing (with his shoes on) on the sidewalk, looking around. I said, "What are you doing out here?" and he said, "I'm just thinking what flowers you would like." He picked one for me and one for Daddy. *swoon*

Newest Ami

I made an ami today for a customer and just wanted to share. I call her Young Scarlet Rainjacket.

In other news, we've decided the best name of an Olympian: Pieter van den Hoogenband. He gets a gold in Name-Having.

Crochet Stuff

We have a new item for sale in the Etsy shop - check it out on my other blog!

In other news, birthday season has begun, so we are super busy. We'll try to post a little more often, at least with a photo or two so you can see what we're up to. Oh, and we have to take the final "after" pics of the bathroom upstairs. We are really happy with it, and G likes it a whole lot, too.

Air Hockey Wizard

G is REALLY good at air hockey!

The renovation of G's bathroom upstairs is nearing completion. We have completed a little more since these photos and have one more thing to do (frame the mirror), but here's a little before and after.

First, looking toward the hallway.

Next, the view as you walk in.

Here are the details. First is the old wallpaper. Second is the framed prints we put up. I used the copy of Charlotte's Web that Matt's Grandma Kranz sent him, because it was his favorite book as a kid. I scanned in a couple of illustrations from it, printed them out, and tore them around the edges to make them look like vintage pages. I adhered them right to the top of the matting, rather than underneath, so you can see the edges. I'm pretty proud of it and think it looks really nice in there.

Paris for Pres in '08!

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

Blackmail Photo, Paint

One day, G will bring home a girl he really wants to impress. This is only one of many great photos we will bring out:

We painted the bathroom upstairs yesterday, which is not finished but close. Here's the color of the top half: