New Beginnings

What a week it's been! So much fun and busy-ness, it's time to get this update started...

By far the biggest event this past week+ was Chandra & Matt's wedding. It was absoultely gorgeous and lots of fun. If you remember, the weekend was actually a bit chilly, but on that Saturday, the sun shone bright and was the perfect temperature for dancing and celebrating! We were so fortunate to have Ann with us to help with the kiddos, which allowed us more time to help and catch up with our family/friends. She was such a good sport and was rightly coined a "saint" during the weekend. Chandra and Matt just beamed in happiness and all of their hard work in planning showed in the seemlessly perfect wedding. Some of the big highlights from the weekend:
*pictures at the park, complete with Chandra squatting in the back of a minivan
*the emotional ceremony along the river
*decorating fun, complete with mimosas
*the impromtu picnic of Erbert's & Gerbert's with Ann & the kids...in the hotel
*watching little B dance up a storm and catch bubbles with his cousins--amazing!
*catching up with so many family members whom we haven't seen in ages
*literally the MOST DELICIOUS cake(s) I have ever eaten--no one could stop eating it!
*Ann, crammed in the backseat between 2 young children...both of which were excitedly poking and playing with her during the rides back and forth
*the customary Ribclan toast of Yukon Jack shots

We were so wiped out, but truly wiped out from happiness and fun. It was a great time.

The week that followed was a full work week (phew, who knew writing a marketing plan could feel so like college again?!?!) and a chance to catch up with friends (Ahhh, Indian with Angie and a fun daycare get together)...all leading up to the first "widow" weekend...that's right, hunting season is now officially underway. ribB was like a little kid preparing for his first weekend up north. Initially the kids and I were going to join him, but after the busy wedding weekend, it was clear they needed time at home (did I mention my kids get REALLY whiney when they're tired? Did I mention how impatient I get for said behaviors when I'm tired?).

ribB was able to leave for his weekend straight from a training in EC, so the kids and I made the most of our weekend...a little too much Saturday morning (filled with an early Dr. appoint--Kdee has swimmer's ear--then a family funeral, lunch with my mom and a chance to see her/Paul's new puppy, Nitro...it was a whirlwind morning, all before Noon!). The kids were a bit geared up with some behaviors (little B turning the lights off during the Dr's appointment!), but as things settled down, so did they. We ended up having an awesome time playing outside as much as possible, and really enjoyed a trip to the ocmmunity playground with my friend and co-worker, Mindy, and her children. The kids also took advantage of a the warm weather and had some last "water play" with the hose. As for me, I got to sneak in some cooking and baking to the max--homemade applesauce, applesauce cake, apple pie (complete with homemade crust), ham dinner and 7-layer casserole (an old family favorite). Obviously, you can see the apple theme--I'm using up my apples from last year's orchard pickings (which I freeze each year) and getting the freezer ready for more (can't wait!). Ya gotta love the fall...

In other big news, little B's daycare provider is moving--not hugely far away, but definitely far enough out-of-the-way for us. So, he's moving on to "big boy school" (as we're selling it to him; it will be the same center Kdee went to) next week. It could be quite the transition, as Ms. Jan (and her family, especially Al) have been a huge part of his life since he was 10 months old. His little friends there have grown up with him as well. We're hopeful that our little guy plows through this stage with his usual easy-going manner, but we'd certainly understand if it's tough. Fortunately, we can always visit with Ms. Jan (since she's still in our area) and that makes the bittersweet transition a little easier for us in the end.

On a "just cuz I said so note": A couple blogs back I mentioned my quest for a new perfume. This has proven to be quite the search, complete with oodles of scent strips littering my purse, car..."smell tests" with the family (just once, I really wasn't pestering them!). So today, a winner was crowned--Armani Code. Perfectly delightful for fall/winter! (Thanks to Trace' for the tip!)

On a totally unrelated endnote, have any of you watched the reality show, "The Pickup Artist"? This show literally gives me the giggles--it has an extreme cheeseball factor, especially the master pick up artist, "Mystery". Come on, seriously? And these guys are crying to win? Dear Lord...Now, "Rock of Love", that's some good reality TV!

And, yes, I'm pumped today...the Foo Fighter CD comes out! Yea!!! What a great day it will be...

Photos: The bride & groom, family photos & Ann/the kids on the way home...