The Lily Log

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1st Drive-in Movie

June 28, 2008, 6:23 pm

In honor of Melissa's 29th birthday, we went to the drive-in movies with the Swiftys. Noah and Lily were so excited to watch a movie in the back of the truck in the dark. They loved King Fu Panda. If you ever see the movie, the panda walking the steps up the mountain is exactly like me climbing the volcano in Hawaii. Nathan and Noah even stayed for The Incredible Hulk, but 11 p.m. was late enough for me and Lily and the Swifts.

Nathan and I reminisced about drive-in movies from our childhood. We both remember specific movies at the drive-in theater when we were younger. Nathan remembers seeing the Star Wars movies at the drive-in, and I remember The Secret of my Success and Harry and the Henderson’s (remember, Mom?) We feel there is nothing more typical of the midwest than watching a movie outside next to a corn field. There was even a train made out of a riding lawn mower. I bet you don't have that in NY, JJ.

Excited kids:

I asked the kids to pretend like they were watching a movie which Lily didn't really understand:

Ooooh, the dark:

[ 4 comments ] ( 36 views )

The Mainland

June 28, 2008, 11:26 am

We spend the last 5 days adjusting to the time change. Nathan and I were exhausted at work on Tuesday and yawning all the while. I helped at Vacation Bible School all week which Noah and Lily attended, so my days were busy with VBS in the morning and work in the afternoon. I think we are adjusted to the time zone except Lily who is still asleep now at 10:30 a.m.

I finally finished uploading pictures to the website picture page. I also discovered some group shots that I really liked from Matt's pictures:

Thank God for coffee...

[ 4 comments ] ( 23 views )

Destination: Hawaii

June 25, 2008, 9:47 pm

We left last week in search of Hawaii. After 11 1/2 hours in the air, we arrived in Oahu. We had the pleasure of staying in a beautiful beach house provided by Nathan and Matt’s company. I knew that I would love Hawaii, but I didn’t realize the joy I would see on my children’s faces for the week we spent at the beach house and exploring the island of Oahu.

After counting down the days until “Hawaii” for so many weeks, Lily was (of course) a little confused. This place/concept/goal of Hawaii was hard for her 3 ½ year old brain to grasp. At first she thought the beach house was Hawaii and when we left the house we were no longer in Hawaii. Then she felt the beach and ocean were also Hawaii. By the end of the trip and countless questions, Lily accepted that all of it was Hawaii. Noah was a bit frustrated by the question, “Are we in Hawaii?” while the rest of us found it pretty amusing.

Noah likes to be at home, but he loved being an adventurer with his Uncle Jason in Hawaii. About 2 hours into the plane ride home he asked, “Can we turn this plane around?” He wants to live in Hawaii as long as his friend Cade can be our next door neighbor. Noah can’t pick a favorite part of the trip, but I saw him smile the biggest while boogie boarding in the ocean, swimming with sea turtles, visiting Pearl Harbor, and watching a luau. He also had a great time swimming in our own personal pool with Emily.

Lily states her favorite part of the trip was “swimming!” and “napping!” and she did a lot of both. She didn’t actually nap, but she slept a long time in her room after days filled with swimming and exploring. Lily was unsure about swimming in the ocean until Papa took her to Waikiki with Noah and got her used to walking into the waves. After that we had to really keep an eye on her. She enjoys jumping over waves like her Papa taught her to do.

I know that Noah will always remember his week in Hawaii. And if Lily doesn’t remember she will have plenty of pictures and videos to jog her memory.

Here are my two favorite pictures from the trip:

And some video...

Noah playing in the ocean

Lily playing in the ocean

Lily chasing birds on the beach

Emily and Noah in the waves

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QC Triathlon '08

June 14, 2008, 6:19 pm

Nathan competed in his 4th triathlon today. He shaved off over 10 minutes from last year's time and made us all proud. Noah, Lily, and I are now experts at cheering for Papa. Lily and Noah brought shovels to play in the sand while Nathan swam. We ate doughnuts and colored while waiting for Nathan to complete his bike ride. Nathan's cheering section included Noah, Lily, Mama, Jenn, Chad, Scott, and even Staddler, the Great Dane (and quite the companion for Noah):

The triathlete and his biggest fan: (Noah said I'll be watching him complete triathlons some day)

In the sand:

Noah and his big buddy:

Click to see Nathan finishing the race:

Nathan QC Triathlon '08

[ 4 comments ] ( 27 views )

Hey Mama

June 13, 2008, 8:48 am

Just two Mama's out on the town in a flood...a little deaf, a little tipsy, and soaking wet:

Dawn and I went to the Kanye West concert last night while tornados and floods hit the area. I laughed at the commercials for the concert which claimed that it would be a concert to tell our children and grandchildren about. Well, I think they're right. After the concert, we waded in knee deep water to a bar where Matt picked us up and then made the journey home down flooded streets. Truly a night to remember...

[ 3 comments ] ( 27 views )

Chatting with Lily

June 11, 2008, 11:01 am

I have many pictures of Lily talking to me in the backyard. In the summer time, Lily and I like to move our black chairs into the sun and sit and chat. We started this summertime ritual when she was 1. She's really chatty now and asks me many times (if there is a moment of silence), "So how was your day?" Even though I've spent the day with her, she likes to hear my summary.

Click for video of my interview with Lily:

Lily interview

[ 2 comments ] ( 17 views )

Chickens

June 11, 2008, 10:58 am

Dawn has 8 chickens (for fresh, organic eggs of course) and just got 3 new baby chicks. Noah and Lily couldn't wait to hold them. Is there anything cuter than a chick?

One of Dawn's chickens is named Lily, and Lily named one of the chicks Poopsies. We hope Lily and Poopsies live a very long time...

[ 3 comments ] ( 17 views )

June!

June 8, 2008, 10:54 am

We are happy that June is here. In one week we will be in Hawaii with our feet in the sand. We are going to Hawaii with the Kruses and Uncle Jason for a week of relaxation and fun. I think the adults are counting down as much as the kids.

Jean commented that I had not blogged in 11 days, so this one's for you Jean:)

Noah had a double hitter on Friday night as two of his baseball games were cancelled due to rain. Noah was VERY excited to have a double hitter "just like real baseball players," but I have to say I wasn't so thrilled about entertaining Lily for so long in the heat. Nathan was in Chicago with Uncle Jason for an R.E.M. concert, which left just me to occupy the very active Lily.

So, midway through the first game, the Kruses came to my rescue. Matt and Emily took Lily off to play in the park and explore the area. Then they took Lily to their house so that I could enjoy the rest of the game.

Here are some pictures of their adventure: (Thanks Kruses!)

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