Monday, March 30, 2009
Our Little Diva Girl
We know it. We're raising a diva. She loves hats, scarfs, boots...anything that adds to her fashion sense. Here's a couple pictures of our little one enjoying the latest in fashion trends!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Uncle Jeff Turns 39!
We love our Uncle Jeff. ("un-tle deff") He's great and we're so lucky to have him. He turned 39 years old last weekend and the party wouldn't have been complete without time with Jeff and his best friend...Maelin.
We took Jeff out for his favorite dinner on Friday night: Outback steak house. Maelin was very good. She loved twisting around in the booth and watching the people behind us. She was very proud that she wasn't in a highchair and was a big girl sitting at the table.
Then on Saturday night, Jeff and Kat came over (Auntie Heather was spending the weekend which was great fun!) and we got Jeff's favorite pizza and cake. Even though it wasn't Maelin's birthday (which I said to myself a long time ago was the only time she'd ever be allowed cake), it was her BFF's, so she got cake. She LOVED it. (shocking, right?) Then we played and played till it was time for bed.
We adults stayed up with some nice beverages and watched "Stardust." It's a great movie. If you've never seen it, I highly recommend it. Full of adventure, humor, romance, evil witches, brave princes, etc. (oh...and Robert DeNiro is a gay pirate which helps....)
We had a great birthday celebration with Uncle Jeff! Kat's is next!
We took Jeff out for his favorite dinner on Friday night: Outback steak house. Maelin was very good. She loved twisting around in the booth and watching the people behind us. She was very proud that she wasn't in a highchair and was a big girl sitting at the table.
Then on Saturday night, Jeff and Kat came over (Auntie Heather was spending the weekend which was great fun!) and we got Jeff's favorite pizza and cake. Even though it wasn't Maelin's birthday (which I said to myself a long time ago was the only time she'd ever be allowed cake), it was her BFF's, so she got cake. She LOVED it. (shocking, right?) Then we played and played till it was time for bed.
We adults stayed up with some nice beverages and watched "Stardust." It's a great movie. If you've never seen it, I highly recommend it. Full of adventure, humor, romance, evil witches, brave princes, etc. (oh...and Robert DeNiro is a gay pirate which helps....)
We had a great birthday celebration with Uncle Jeff! Kat's is next!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
The Girls in My Life
No, this is not going to be about Maelin. If you only ever visit my blog to see what's up with Maelin and/or to live vicariously through a teacher in the ghetto, this is not the post for you.
I've been getting some slack lately about the posts I've been writing. Some people (who shall remain nameless) are a little annoyed that they've been there for me through every single major life event that I've ever had, held a leg when Maelin was born, helped me pack up and move out of my ex's house and gave me a place to stay when I was so terrified that I'd be homeless, went with me when the previous love-of-my-life had to be put to sleep (my wonderful kitty Chloe) and cried just as hard as I did, showed up at the hospital too many times to count when my mom was close to death and argued with the nurses there when I was too exhausted to do it, almost got on a plane to Italy when I was too scared to contemplate going by myself in the hopes that I would go after all, and countless other amazing, selfless things that only true girlfriends will do for you...and there's been yet a post about them.
Ok...you've earned it.
So this post is not about the current love-of-my-life Maelin: it's going to be about the other girls in my life that give me the strength, courage and most of all, the humor to do what I do every day. This post is about my friends.
I have been really lucky all my life to be surrounded by brilliant, self-assured, hilarious and extremely grounded girlfriends. I know not everyone is as lucky. 2 of my oldest friends have been involved in every major life decision since I was about 20. So that means we've been as close as sisters for almost 15 years. Another friend has been around in one way or another for about 10 years and it feels like she's always been here. The final two are newer friends: but that doesn't mean that I don't totally adore both of them and thank god every day that I'm that lucky to have them in my life.
I'm going to start with Kat. As you probably know, she is married to my brother now so not only is she one of my best friends in the world, she's my sister-in-law and Maelin's auntie. That's pretty cool. I am so lucky to have her. She drops everything the minute I call. She is probably one of the most fun people I know: she has an awful singing voice, but that doesn't stop her from belting out any song (complete with incorrect lyrics) if it means it will put a smile on Maelin's face. I'll never forget when Maelin was born. Long story short: although I had wanted all my girls in the room with me when Maelin came, Kat was the first one who made it. She brought snacks. She drank with Kevin to pass the time. She argued with the nurses when they wouldn't give us a sheet when I desperately wanted one. She held my legs and helped me breathe. Then she cried as Maelin entered the world.
She has been there every day since. Who knows better how Maelin likes to dance? Or sing? Who else would I trust my precious little girl with as much as Kat? No one. She loves her as much as I love her and that's so much more than any mom could ever ask. I'm so lucky to have her.
Then we're going to Sherry and Emily. These two have been my rocks through life since I was 20 years old. They've helped me through everything: grad school, parental illness, breakups, weddings, children, etc. They met me out in Italy when I was teaching out there for a fun 2 weeks of girl time and they were sure to call me once a week while I was teaching to be sure I never got too lonely. They were the ones that convinced me that I could go to college and be successful and they were the ones who wrote letters of recommendations and helped me with the essays. They held my hands during my wedding(s)! and held me when I cried over them. They have been my sisters through life. They drove me to doctor appointments when I was in labor for 3 days, showed up just as Mae was making her entrance to get pictures and they love my family as much as I do. Even though we're all busy now and don't get to see each other as much as we'd like to, they are my family and nothing will ever change that.
Now Katey and Christina. These two are awesome. I've known Christina for about 10 years and Katey for about 5 but it seems much more than that. If you've ever met someone and felt an immediate attraction to them because you feel like your souls speak to each other, that's what it was like with both of these ladies. I met them through the people they were dating and even though those relationships are long gone and over, my friendship with them will always be there. I love how much they both love life and adore their friends. I am so lucky to have girlfriends who are as loyal and true as these two are to me.
Now here's the best part: ALL these ladies know each other, like each other and we actually choose to all hang out together! How lucky is that?!? I love that when it's time for me to go out, I don't have to choose who I'm hanging out with that night...we all go out together! Everyone loves everyone else. It's very much like 90210. :-)
There's my post about my girls. Here's a few pictures of some of the amazing things we've done together over the many years.
I love you ladies!!! I'm so lucky to have you!
This is last summer in Seattle with Kat, Maelin and I. We had a great week out there visiting my sister.
Emily, Sherry and I at Em's Bach Party.
This is Katey, Em and I at Emily's "Cowboy" Engagement Party
Kat and I...where we were officially made "sisters" (even though we already were)
Kat, Christina and I at a party for Christina's birthday...honestly don't remember when this was. (there's been a lot of birthdays)
All my girls and I at my baby shower they threw for me. I'm very pregnant and I love my girls!
Emily, Sherry and I dancing at a friend's wedding. Who needs Men when you have friends like this?
Christina, Emily and I at Katey's Bach Party. Oh, we girls LOVE to celebrate!
Love this picture: Kat, Emily, Christina and I at Katey's wedding. We're the cutest girls ever!
Katey and I went to Rome for a week a few years ago. We had an amazing time!
My girl Kat and I enjoying our wine in Paris. I think this was in the red light district right across the street from the Moulin Rouge. We enjoyed our wine that night!
Christina, Kat and I in Santa Fe. For those of you who don't know, Santa Fe is an AMAZING girls' trip. It's a 6 hour drive from Denver and we used to go every year. We love our time down there.
Christina, Katey and I when "Phantom of the Opera" came through a few years ago. We lived it up that night!
Emily, Shery, Katey and I trooped down to New Orleans for my 30th birthday. We spent about 4 days down there and really enjoyed Bourbon Street and our late-night pizza!
I've been getting some slack lately about the posts I've been writing. Some people (who shall remain nameless) are a little annoyed that they've been there for me through every single major life event that I've ever had, held a leg when Maelin was born, helped me pack up and move out of my ex's house and gave me a place to stay when I was so terrified that I'd be homeless, went with me when the previous love-of-my-life had to be put to sleep (my wonderful kitty Chloe) and cried just as hard as I did, showed up at the hospital too many times to count when my mom was close to death and argued with the nurses there when I was too exhausted to do it, almost got on a plane to Italy when I was too scared to contemplate going by myself in the hopes that I would go after all, and countless other amazing, selfless things that only true girlfriends will do for you...and there's been yet a post about them.
Ok...you've earned it.
So this post is not about the current love-of-my-life Maelin: it's going to be about the other girls in my life that give me the strength, courage and most of all, the humor to do what I do every day. This post is about my friends.
I have been really lucky all my life to be surrounded by brilliant, self-assured, hilarious and extremely grounded girlfriends. I know not everyone is as lucky. 2 of my oldest friends have been involved in every major life decision since I was about 20. So that means we've been as close as sisters for almost 15 years. Another friend has been around in one way or another for about 10 years and it feels like she's always been here. The final two are newer friends: but that doesn't mean that I don't totally adore both of them and thank god every day that I'm that lucky to have them in my life.
I'm going to start with Kat. As you probably know, she is married to my brother now so not only is she one of my best friends in the world, she's my sister-in-law and Maelin's auntie. That's pretty cool. I am so lucky to have her. She drops everything the minute I call. She is probably one of the most fun people I know: she has an awful singing voice, but that doesn't stop her from belting out any song (complete with incorrect lyrics) if it means it will put a smile on Maelin's face. I'll never forget when Maelin was born. Long story short: although I had wanted all my girls in the room with me when Maelin came, Kat was the first one who made it. She brought snacks. She drank with Kevin to pass the time. She argued with the nurses when they wouldn't give us a sheet when I desperately wanted one. She held my legs and helped me breathe. Then she cried as Maelin entered the world.
She has been there every day since. Who knows better how Maelin likes to dance? Or sing? Who else would I trust my precious little girl with as much as Kat? No one. She loves her as much as I love her and that's so much more than any mom could ever ask. I'm so lucky to have her.
Then we're going to Sherry and Emily. These two have been my rocks through life since I was 20 years old. They've helped me through everything: grad school, parental illness, breakups, weddings, children, etc. They met me out in Italy when I was teaching out there for a fun 2 weeks of girl time and they were sure to call me once a week while I was teaching to be sure I never got too lonely. They were the ones that convinced me that I could go to college and be successful and they were the ones who wrote letters of recommendations and helped me with the essays. They held my hands during my wedding(s)! and held me when I cried over them. They have been my sisters through life. They drove me to doctor appointments when I was in labor for 3 days, showed up just as Mae was making her entrance to get pictures and they love my family as much as I do. Even though we're all busy now and don't get to see each other as much as we'd like to, they are my family and nothing will ever change that.
Now Katey and Christina. These two are awesome. I've known Christina for about 10 years and Katey for about 5 but it seems much more than that. If you've ever met someone and felt an immediate attraction to them because you feel like your souls speak to each other, that's what it was like with both of these ladies. I met them through the people they were dating and even though those relationships are long gone and over, my friendship with them will always be there. I love how much they both love life and adore their friends. I am so lucky to have girlfriends who are as loyal and true as these two are to me.
Now here's the best part: ALL these ladies know each other, like each other and we actually choose to all hang out together! How lucky is that?!? I love that when it's time for me to go out, I don't have to choose who I'm hanging out with that night...we all go out together! Everyone loves everyone else. It's very much like 90210. :-)
There's my post about my girls. Here's a few pictures of some of the amazing things we've done together over the many years.
I love you ladies!!! I'm so lucky to have you!
This is last summer in Seattle with Kat, Maelin and I. We had a great week out there visiting my sister.
Emily, Sherry and I at Em's Bach Party.
This is Katey, Em and I at Emily's "Cowboy" Engagement Party
Kat and I...where we were officially made "sisters" (even though we already were)
Kat, Christina and I at a party for Christina's birthday...honestly don't remember when this was. (there's been a lot of birthdays)
All my girls and I at my baby shower they threw for me. I'm very pregnant and I love my girls!
Emily, Sherry and I dancing at a friend's wedding. Who needs Men when you have friends like this?
Christina, Emily and I at Katey's Bach Party. Oh, we girls LOVE to celebrate!
Love this picture: Kat, Emily, Christina and I at Katey's wedding. We're the cutest girls ever!
Katey and I went to Rome for a week a few years ago. We had an amazing time!
My girl Kat and I enjoying our wine in Paris. I think this was in the red light district right across the street from the Moulin Rouge. We enjoyed our wine that night!
Christina, Kat and I in Santa Fe. For those of you who don't know, Santa Fe is an AMAZING girls' trip. It's a 6 hour drive from Denver and we used to go every year. We love our time down there.
Christina, Katey and I when "Phantom of the Opera" came through a few years ago. We lived it up that night!
Emily, Shery, Katey and I trooped down to New Orleans for my 30th birthday. We spent about 4 days down there and really enjoyed Bourbon Street and our late-night pizza!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
I Love My Cousin
We have a good-sized extended family. My dad is the oldest of 5 kids, so there's always an aunt or uncle nearby. However, we were a bit isolated from our family when we were growing up (thanks to a crazy religion that kept us that way) so we didn't get to see our family as much as we would have liked to.
I remember the few times that our aunts/uncles got to come visit us. It was better than we imagined Christmas would be. We were excited for weeks. They would finally come visit for a day or so (that's about all they were allowed or could bear) and we had so much fun with them. I remember just sitting next to my aunt Jane and rubbing her sleeve because I was so happy she was near.
Then they always left. They took the sunshine with them.
As I got older (and crazy religion was a thing of the past) I really took time to make good relationships with my extended family. I spent hours at my aunt's house. I got on a plane and went to visit my only 2 cousins that are close in age to me in Milwaukee...Caroline and Peter. I had only met them once or twice up to that point so it was like meeting strangers. However, it was like the years apart had just made us stronger: we were family.
Over the years, my cousin Peter and I became good friends. I've out to visit him quite a few times and he's come out here and we always had a lot of laughs and fun. We've gone tubing and hiking up in the mountains during his visits. When we went out there, we all went to Chicago together and spent time clubbing at different Blues clubs. We have been to Wrigley Field together and spent many a fun day up at my grandma's Traverse City, MI beach house. There have been many a beer over the years...and many a laugh. For my 30th birthday, he flew out here to surprise me: I'll never forget how surprised I was when I was hanging out at the bar with Kevin and my brother and around the corner was a guy who looked an awful lot like Peter. It took my brain a few seconds to realize...it WAS Peter!! He had been planning the visit for a while and was so excited to surprise me. I'll always remember that as the best part of my 30th birthday.
I adore my cousin. Even though I don't get to see him or talk to him as much as I would like because we're both busy, I consider him one of my best friends. He is one of the most genuine and fun people you'll ever hope to meet.
I was lucky enough to have him out for a visit this past weekend. We had a great time. He brought his girlfriend Megan with him and she's wonderful. I was able to take Friday off of work and we hung out in Boulder doing Boulder-Things and we toured a brewery. We spent last night at my dad's house where the whole family was able to come...all my family who lives nearby and whom I love so much. My aunt, my younger cousins, sister, nephews, etc.
One of my favorite parts of this past weekend with Peter was when we were driving home from Boulder. We had Maelin in the car with us and she was a bit cranky because I refused to put on "Mama Mia" for her (yes, my daughter is a bit demanding). Megan and Peter were in the backseat with her and I turned up the 80's music hoping she would forget that it wasn't "mia". Peter and Megan spent the entire ride home from Boulder (about 45 minutes) dancing with Maelin, clapping, singing, kicking and laughing. Maelin had a blast. We have pictures of her just grinning. At one point I looked back and caught a glimpse (yes, I was keeping my eyes on the road as best I could with the dance party in the backseat) of Peter just smiling and laughing as he looked at my daughter and Maelin laughing back at him.
I had a glimpse of the future: Maelin has a built-in friend now too. Although Peter lives far away, he will always be there for us. Maelin will now be the one who looks forward to his visits and when he finally gets here (or I take her out there to run him crazy), she'll be the one who just sits and pats his sleeve. Family is a precious thing and I am so lucky that mine is so wonderful.
Maelin is a lucky girl to be a part of it.
Here are a few pictures from our visit this weekend...
4 Generations of Kimlings: My grandma, my dad, Maelin and I
Cousin Pete, my brother Jeff and I after many, many, MANY hours of beers. This was at about 2am
Our extended family. My aunt and her daughters, some other friends, my sister and nephews, etc.
My grandma and her grandkids...all the Kimling Cousins
Cousin Peter, my sister Heather, Jeff, Mary, Emmie and I.
Peter, Jeff, Megan and I at the best brewery tour I've been to in a long time. Dale's Pale Ale folks! Gotta try it...
At Boulder Falls...so pretty and relaxing
I remember the few times that our aunts/uncles got to come visit us. It was better than we imagined Christmas would be. We were excited for weeks. They would finally come visit for a day or so (that's about all they were allowed or could bear) and we had so much fun with them. I remember just sitting next to my aunt Jane and rubbing her sleeve because I was so happy she was near.
Then they always left. They took the sunshine with them.
As I got older (and crazy religion was a thing of the past) I really took time to make good relationships with my extended family. I spent hours at my aunt's house. I got on a plane and went to visit my only 2 cousins that are close in age to me in Milwaukee...Caroline and Peter. I had only met them once or twice up to that point so it was like meeting strangers. However, it was like the years apart had just made us stronger: we were family.
Over the years, my cousin Peter and I became good friends. I've out to visit him quite a few times and he's come out here and we always had a lot of laughs and fun. We've gone tubing and hiking up in the mountains during his visits. When we went out there, we all went to Chicago together and spent time clubbing at different Blues clubs. We have been to Wrigley Field together and spent many a fun day up at my grandma's Traverse City, MI beach house. There have been many a beer over the years...and many a laugh. For my 30th birthday, he flew out here to surprise me: I'll never forget how surprised I was when I was hanging out at the bar with Kevin and my brother and around the corner was a guy who looked an awful lot like Peter. It took my brain a few seconds to realize...it WAS Peter!! He had been planning the visit for a while and was so excited to surprise me. I'll always remember that as the best part of my 30th birthday.
I adore my cousin. Even though I don't get to see him or talk to him as much as I would like because we're both busy, I consider him one of my best friends. He is one of the most genuine and fun people you'll ever hope to meet.
I was lucky enough to have him out for a visit this past weekend. We had a great time. He brought his girlfriend Megan with him and she's wonderful. I was able to take Friday off of work and we hung out in Boulder doing Boulder-Things and we toured a brewery. We spent last night at my dad's house where the whole family was able to come...all my family who lives nearby and whom I love so much. My aunt, my younger cousins, sister, nephews, etc.
One of my favorite parts of this past weekend with Peter was when we were driving home from Boulder. We had Maelin in the car with us and she was a bit cranky because I refused to put on "Mama Mia" for her (yes, my daughter is a bit demanding). Megan and Peter were in the backseat with her and I turned up the 80's music hoping she would forget that it wasn't "mia". Peter and Megan spent the entire ride home from Boulder (about 45 minutes) dancing with Maelin, clapping, singing, kicking and laughing. Maelin had a blast. We have pictures of her just grinning. At one point I looked back and caught a glimpse (yes, I was keeping my eyes on the road as best I could with the dance party in the backseat) of Peter just smiling and laughing as he looked at my daughter and Maelin laughing back at him.
I had a glimpse of the future: Maelin has a built-in friend now too. Although Peter lives far away, he will always be there for us. Maelin will now be the one who looks forward to his visits and when he finally gets here (or I take her out there to run him crazy), she'll be the one who just sits and pats his sleeve. Family is a precious thing and I am so lucky that mine is so wonderful.
Maelin is a lucky girl to be a part of it.
Here are a few pictures from our visit this weekend...
4 Generations of Kimlings: My grandma, my dad, Maelin and I
Cousin Pete, my brother Jeff and I after many, many, MANY hours of beers. This was at about 2am
Our extended family. My aunt and her daughters, some other friends, my sister and nephews, etc.
My grandma and her grandkids...all the Kimling Cousins
Cousin Peter, my sister Heather, Jeff, Mary, Emmie and I.
Peter, Jeff, Megan and I at the best brewery tour I've been to in a long time. Dale's Pale Ale folks! Gotta try it...
At Boulder Falls...so pretty and relaxing
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Winter Time in Colorado
It doesn't snow here very much. Oh, I know if you don't live here, you hear awful horror stories about how much snow Colorado gets and it sounds awful. "Boy, I'd never want to live there" you probably think.
That is true: the MOUNTAINS get a lot of snow. Here in city, not so much. In fact, I think this winter has been one of the driest in recent years. We still have the month of March to go (which historically, has always been one of our snowiest months), but up till now, I think we've only had 3 or 4 good snowstorms all winter.
That presents a problem for a little girl who has a sled that Grandma and Boppy gave her. She LOVES her sled and we've been waiting to take it out and use it. Only problem? Yup...no snow.
Being innovative parents, we have solved that problem. For those of you who don't live in CO and would hate it because of the harsh winters...I give you the following pictures. Keep in mind it's 60 degrees in Feb while this is taking place.
Enjoy!
That is true: the MOUNTAINS get a lot of snow. Here in city, not so much. In fact, I think this winter has been one of the driest in recent years. We still have the month of March to go (which historically, has always been one of our snowiest months), but up till now, I think we've only had 3 or 4 good snowstorms all winter.
That presents a problem for a little girl who has a sled that Grandma and Boppy gave her. She LOVES her sled and we've been waiting to take it out and use it. Only problem? Yup...no snow.
Being innovative parents, we have solved that problem. For those of you who don't live in CO and would hate it because of the harsh winters...I give you the following pictures. Keep in mind it's 60 degrees in Feb while this is taking place.
Enjoy!
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