Isaac's Wedding

A few of my favorites from my little brothers wedding that I took...

The waiting groom.



Wedding guests.



The stylish maid of honor, Jen.



Here comes the bride.



Daddy gives away daughter.





Mother and father of the bride look on as vows are said.



You may kiss the bride.



Mom loses her baby boy.



My brothers.



Two of my sisters Emily and Katie, Hannah is the third.



Isy hugs Hannah.






Father of the bride toasts the happy couple.



Cheers!



The getaway car.




I love this car!





She is so Audrey in Breakfast at Tiffany's!



And they're off!

Night from HE "double hockey sticks"

Who's genius idea was it to fly overnight? Oh wait... that would have been... MINE! What the HECK was I thinking?

To sum up the worst night of aviation ever: In a total of 7 hours travelling time the kids slept 40 minutes, the kids generously donated a few chocolate covered raisins to my seat which = melted chocolate which = me looking like I pooped my pants while walking through 2 airport terminals, a bag that was heavy enough to feel like I was lugging Mike Tyson around, Sydney throwing up partially in an air sickness bag but mostly on me, Blake having a meltdown at the same time as said throwing up because he did not want to sit next to a total stranger across the isle in the 4 seat across plane (oh the wonders of bribery!), both children having a massive meltdown after I had to wake them up from our very short (and last) flight from Vegas and Sydney falling asleep WHILE WALKING as we tried desperately to make it to the baggage claim.

Friendly skies my foot.

And yes, this was much worse then the time Sydney had diarrhea all over my lap and I had nothing to change her into for 3 hours.

We were on about 5:30 am our time without sleep when we pulled into the driveway, and wouldn't you know it, Blake woke up at 7:30 a.m. bright and c h i p p e r.

at least for now.

Nobody call me until after 7 pm.

Sugar

I feel like... well... lets just say not so great. Could it be because I have managed to ingest two boxes of aux caramel snack cakes (hey I can only get them in Canada!) all by myself in two weeks? Perhaps...

I miss my mommy.

Well, my sis Emmie, the kids and I all drove back from the cottage this afternoon. Luckily we didn't have to deal with much Detroit traffic and the kids were awesome. I think they are getting used to all of the travelling.

The cottage and lake were so much fun. Blake was a little fish and wouldn't leave the lake the entire time. We figured it must be because the word "lake" is literally a part of his name. He would get so cold, his little lips would be purple and he would be shivering like crazy but still he would swim.

Sydney on the other hand only wanted to get into the water once and awhile. She did love building sandcastles with Hannah on the little beach next door. The entire two weeks she has been calling Hannah (my 13 year old sister), "my fwiend". She wakes up in the morning and first thing she asks is "whewe is my fwiend?". It was truly adorable.

I took some amazing pics that I will be sure to post as soon as I get the chance when we fly home on Wednesday night (or should I say really, really early Thursday morning?).

It always seems harder and harder to leave my parents. It is just so... sad. I wish so much that they could be a daily part of the kids lives - beyond phone calls. And I miss them more and more. I keep telling my mom and dad, if we ever strike it rich, the only reason I would want that kind of money would be to be able to just buy them a house. Preferably in the same neighborhood. It just seems so unfair at times. They love the kids so much and are so good with them - and Blake and Syd love them right back as hard as they can.

My mom said that Hannah had big tears running down her cheeks after we drove away. She said she missed the kids so much already. They missed her too. Blake had the saddest look on his face for the first 45 minutes of our car trip. It just about broke my heart. We had only been in the car for about 10 minutes when it came over his little face and he cried out "I miss Hannah". Oh Canada...

We were dirty and tired when we walked into my parents house (they are staying up North for another week), and it seemed empty and kind of lonely. Dave will be travelling to California when I get back home - I have only seen him for a handful of days this entire month!!! Hopefully this is just part of the training or else I may also end up getting an additional husband along with a dog!
Anyone up for a visit?

Just had to share

I just can't get this song out of my head. I love it and as soon as I get home it is getting added to my ipod.

Rain, rain go away!

It is raining here as in NOAH'S ARK raining. We were supposed to leave for the cottage today but since none of us are anxious to be stuck in a place the size of a large bathroom with two restless toddlers, we are postponing to wait and see if the weather man is right. Pretty disappointing. The kids and I were really looking forward to being up there. Now we could end up flying home earlier. UG.

In the meantime, I am going to do some self-soothing at the mall (they have an h&m store!) Errr, I mean look for rain gear for the kids - right! Rain gear!

In Canuck Land

So I am here and having tons of fun with my family. Unfortunately I really haven't had time to see many friends with all of the preparations for Isaac's wedding (which I got some really great photos from - later), and now for the cottage up in Northern Michigan. Dave was able to drive in for the wedding which was a surprise for Isy. Katie looked beautiful and fun was had by all :)

Now I am busy stuffing myself with all the butter tarts, good chocolate and aux caramels I can possibly get my hands on before I head back into the US and away from all that fattening goodness! 10 more lbs, here I come!

I drove out to Harrow today to try and get some pictures of the two most adorable children (besides my own of course! LOL), Mckenna and Cailie (sp?). It rained all day and I couldn't manage to get enough natural light to get anything decent so we are going to try again on the 28th, the day before I go back.

The kids are having a blast with their aunts. Syd calls my youngest sister Hannah "my best fwiend". In fact, I don't think she even knows her name! Hopefully the weather is a little better up North or else I am not sure what we are going to do all day cooped up in a cottage the size of a large bathroom.

NEW BEAUTIFUL BABY TO ANNOUNCE!

Welcome to the world little Caili Dean Russell!!! Congratulations to one of my bestest friends Alyssa and her hubby Ryan on the birth of their 2nd beautiful baby girl! And mom did it naturally - what a trooper! As soon as I get back from Canuck land, I will post my photos of the wee babe - lucky me!

So I fly out with the kids to Windsor tomorrow. Our flight leaves at 4:45 and doesn't get in until midnight. Should be interesting! The kids are a little older though so I am hoping it is all a little easier. Isaac is getting married on the 18th and Dave is driving in from Ohio (where he will be on business) to join us for the event. SO EXCITED!!! And keep that a secret - we are going to surprise Isy poo...

My house is in need of cleaning, I need to pack, and somehow manage to settle down enough to sleep. Dave is in Chicago... I need some ice cream!

Christmas is coming!

Anyone want a purty Christmas card? Check out my photography blog (link to the right). I can insert your photo, one that I have taken for you and even customize colors. Just let me know!

Cleaning out the clutter...

Have any junk you want to get rid of? Go to www.freecycle.org. You can offer up items that you are trying to get out of your house (for free) or take others stuff that you might need, off of their hands (for free). Anyone need moving boxes? I just put those up for the taking...

Things are good. I finally got the bedroom organized and unpacked today. Now if we could only find the time to get rid of the horrible purple color it is painted! YES PURPLE!

Dave has been in Colorado the past few days and I have slept surprisingly well. I thought it would freak me out to be in this house by myself at night but I kind of actually enjoyed the alone time... or maybe I could just eat all the peanut butter cup ice cream I wanted at night without having to look at my reflection of guilt in Dave's eyes!

I took a bath in my big new garden tub. I LOVE BATHS. It was so nice... a few candles, really hot water and voila - stress is gone. Now if only there wasn't a water shortage in Eagle Mountain at the moment!

5 more days until we head to Windsor. Our flights are at night so I am hoping that means I won't have to entertain the kids and they will just sleep. This could also have the opposite effect and they will be overtired and wired and I will be doomed to hairy eyeballs from fellow passengers the entire flight.

We will see.

More pics of the house tomorrow!

They really do love each other...

House Part 1

So I am slowly getting things put together in the house. A couple nights ago, Dave and I painted the kitchen green (it was previously purple!). I will post pics as I finish rooms. I know it seems like a lot of pics of a kitchen but since mum and dad can't be here to see it in person :( There is a splotch of paint on one of the walls - we are testing out colors for the great room - let me know what you think!

I love my new kitchen *sigh*

Connected Once Again!

We finally have internet access. They told us it would be 9 more days so we are pretty thrilled to have it today! We are giddy after the move into our new house and the kids love it! I still have a ton of unpacking/cleaning/organizing to do and Dave travels most of next week and I travel with the kids to Windsor the following week so needless to say, this will be a MONTH! LOL

I will post some pics of the house as soon as I get things somewhat organized. Right now we are off to do some "pretty shopping" for the house with my lovely gift certificate that the Weekley's gave me for my birthday. YEYEYEYEYEY! Thanks Virginia, Ken, Jen, Krissy, Heather and Chris, Lauren and Adam!!!