Perhaps that is the wrong title. How could a hat disguised as a lobster be wrong?
I picked up this gem for myself, actually, at a gift shop in Booth Bay Harbor, ME, while wedding-ing. Chase has since inherited it. As you can see, he has found the humor in it. While it may not have white fuzzy trim and a pom-pom on the end, I think New Englanders would certainly find it festive.
Here we are with the princess pre-trick-or treat...
the little devil...
and Thomas the Tank Engine!
Football season is upon us! Here is a photo of the boys before Chase's first regular season OSU home game. Everyone is Beavered up, and ready to go -- all smiles because we haven't loaded in the car for the three-hour trek yet. We dropped Hayden off with Grandma, and went to the game. Chase loved the action, but we had to ply him with M&M's to get him to stay put for the durration of the game.
Are YOU ready for some football?
"Why Maureen, did you spy any celebrities while in Vegas? " As a matter of fact, Sarah and I (with our reluctant husbands in tow) stalked the cast of Ocean's Thirteen to the Bellagio. We spied Andy Garcia and Al Pacino from the gawker section while they filmed a scene in a casino bar. Amy and Andrew grabbed a picture of the back of Bernie Mac's head, and were threatened to be kicked out of the casino. Also, Shawn and I met one of our many favorite reality TV stars. If you watch the Amazing Race, be JEALOUS!!! Yes, that IS BJ from the Hippies!
Here is Amy winning big at the penny "Lucky Seven" machine. That is her bonus dance. Her husband, Andrew, watches on in pride. Did any of us win big? Uh, no. But I enjoyed watching Sarah's fascination with the Star Wars machine...
Here are the six of us after our "last meal." We ate more food that you can imagine -- unless you know us, and have seen our mad eating skills in action. We took advantage of some awesome buffets, particularly the the Paris champagne brunch.
Amy's birthday dinner was at the Pink Taco in the Hard Rock Cafe. Here we pose with the infamous "Hit Me Baby One More Time" outfit that skyrocketed Britt's career. JEALOUS? We thought we looked attractive going out, but upon arrival at the HR, realized that we were wearing entirely too many clothes. I saw some WRONG tube tops...
While vacationing, the girls practiced our art of self-portrait taking. This way we didn't disturb complete strangers with our shenanigans. Here we are on a shopping excursion to purchase outfits for Cirque Du Soleil's O. What an amazing show. Great. Highly recommended. So is spending a long weekend with some of your favorite and dear friends.
This is the happy face of a woman whose children are napping. She may look a little worse for wear, but her soul is free.
And so the 40th season of the Sawdust Theater comes to a close. Last night was "closing," and so there were as many photo opportunities OFF stage as on. For those of you who have never been, The Sawdust Theater is performed in the melodrama style of the 1890's. There is a play (complete with heroes, villains, and damsels in distress[es?]). In between there are singing and dancing numbers called olios. This is the venue you can catch Yours Truly performing in most weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Meet Amber Dawg. A natural brunette, she is seen here sporting her Marge Simpson hair.
Here we have the "glow worms," just about to hit the stage with our shenanigans. You haven't really lived until 200 people see you in a black leotard and pink feelers, shakin' what yo' mamma gave ya. At least it's not a solo number.
Here are Susie ("She's 50! 50 years old" - say that like Molly Shannon in the beloved SNL sketch), and David -- a few of my fellow performers, backstage enjoying some tasty beverages.
And so, next summer, if you find yourself in Coquille, Oregon on a Friday or Saturday night, come on down to the Sawdust Theater. It is well worth the $12.50.
Is that the baby SMILING!?!
Unbelievable!
Well... We don't really "rough it," since we use a trailer. Ask Tim and Deana how I freaked out when we were temporarily without power. Chase had a blast playing with his lady friend and running about the riverbank barebottomed. As for the baby? Shawn and I decided we may have to move into our trailer and park it in Powers, as it seems to have calming effects over colic...
Hello. Aren't I cute? I found Mommy's OSU hat and matched it with my jammies and mud boots. Too bad you aren't seeing the full effect here...
Love, Chase
This is how normal people sleep.
This is not.
If it looks like string cheese, and it acts like string cheese, is it REALLY string cheese? No. Unfortunately, I missed snapping a picture of Chase's face upon tasting playdough for the first time. Sometimes you're just too busy laughing to get the good shot.
You always hear that breast milk is best. It is full of nutrients, results in higher IQ's, helps mommies lose weight after birth, blah, blah, blah. Well, easier said than done. In my case, not done at all. My first son, Chase, was born with a galactacemia enzyme, which makes milk difficult to digest for his first year. He drank soy, and all is well (by the way, at 2 and a half he can count to 10 -- so much for the IQ theory). Since my husband and I each carry this recessive gene, our pediatrician suggested we put our second son, Hayden, on soy from day one. All WAS well, until we were alarmed two nights ago by blood passing with his poop. Several phone calls on Memorial Weekend Saturday (because these things NEVER happen on a weekday), and a trip to the ER later, we discover that Hayden is allergic to soy. You may be asking yourself, "What do babies eat if not breast milk, formula, or soy?" The answer? Hypoallergenic formula. The cost? You don't want to know. Will we pay it, of course. How can you think about immense credit card debt, when this is the face that stares back at you?
