So, the first night after I cancelled cable, we actually still had cable running through our house's veins. And the second, third, and finally the 4th day the cable guy (hehe) came to disconnect. But, on that first night we lived it up and partied like it was 1999. or 2009. Trust me, Travis captured on camera Adalynn and I dancing and jiving in the living room. Wonderful experience, I wholeheartedly recommend weekly, if not daily, dancing parties.

However, we are not showing the video because I write this blog and upload the entertainment. Sorry.

Let's back up a little.

Since I am one who should not be bored (boredom + me = t-r-o-u-b-l-e), recently I learned a new hobby: Knitting. I've always known how to knit a little...mainly (ok, only) scarfs. After a while scarf after scarf gets boring and after searching I discovered a little gem of a forum called ravelry.com. It's a new love of mine - totally fun, sweet, sassy, and funky patterns of all sorts of stuff to knit (including thongs...who knew? and no, getcha mind outta the gutta, i will not be undertaking a thong pattern anytime soon.) Onto better things, I found this delicious pattern for fingerless gloves. (tiffany, merry christmas!!! i'm sorry i didn't get these to you sooner. i'm blocking them today and they will be in the mail for you by this weekend.)

It only took me three different yarns and 2 attempts (i knitted 1 whole glove just to find i knitted it inside out. not pretty.), but I got'er'dun.

2nd on the docket was Gloves for T. He was complaining that I don't love him enough to make him anything, as I mostly craft for the girls, so...eat this, buddy!

Next: Longies for Keely. For people who don't know, and not long ago I would have fallen into this category for sure, wool is an awesome, natural material for diaper covers. So, longies are basically knit wool pants. Yes, they can be out of other materials and created by other means (ie crocheted, sewed, etc), but for the sake of simplicity I am knitting Keely a pair. We may, or may not, use them as a diaper cover.

Either way, she will be one awesome lookin' 80s baby.

In other news. Yesterday we met Trav in town after work to buy items to organize our life (ie pantry) and spend the girls' gift certificates from Grandpa Bob and Grandma Lynn at Target.

On clearance we found a yummy (read: quite discounted) kitchen.

Adalynn fell in love. For the next 3 hours while assembling at home Travis discovered why it was on clearance. We're positive that a smart set of parents opened the box, looked at the gazillion step directions, multiple pieces, and large discrepancy between size of box and finished estimated size of project, and promptly taped it up and returned it.

Still. The beautiful kitchen turned out totally worth it.

Awwww!

I wish my kitchen looked this tidy and neat.

We moved our china cabinet to open up the dining room and positioned Adalynn's kitchen in place of the cabinet. Adalynn appears to like her corner of the world and setup shop reading to Keely. Notice that Adalynn follows her mom - not hardly 10 minutes of playing and she already has a sink full of dirty dishes and a counter full of stuff. Sorry girl, you're doomed.

Keely. Did you know she turned 6 months yesterday? In some ways it seems like just yesterday I was pregnant and waddling around, but mostly I feel like she's existed forever in our lives and I'm surprised she isn't older.

We have fallen seriously in love with this grin.

Overall, a joy. She smiles, grins, coos, giggles, and is growing busy busy busier every day. No more leaving any forbidden items within a 5' diameter - she'll find the treasure and eat it up!

She's growing stronger - still rolling front to back frequently, turning in circles, rising on her forearms and knees and rocking back and forth. Like she thinks she's going to crawl. And Keely has decided that 5:30am has a certain sweet ring to it - she loves to wake up and coo/giggle/growl herself into the corner of the crib so Mommy must wake to rescue. It's lovely.

Tiff, she loves this octopus. What a great idea - the legs are so colorful and make great noises when scratched and there are so many of them!

Even the songs aren't obnoxious. A huge bonus and hard to find!

So Keely, we're so glad you made it to 6 months. I know the odds are against you, with us as your parents, Adalynn as your sister, and the boys romping around, but just know - we'll always love you.

And, before I forget:

Scott and Laura - so true! I recall that as a younger child we'd stay a night in a hotel for vacation and always looked forward to 2 things: Jumping on the bed and Watching TV. Looks like that's what we're going back to!

Tiff - thanks! I love that picture too.

Also, Jean, I found a longies pattern. I've started it, I'm super excited.

Monday, December 29, 2009.

Finally, Monday rolled around and silly excited me thought we could share a quiet day at home.

Backing up.

Did I mention Trav's Christmas present?

Here's a hint:

Backing up even further.

We've been rollin' around town in the truck below, and a Jeep. Since before we married, I assumed ownership of T's Malibu and he 'reluctantly' (not) drove my baby-of-a-truck daily. Add on 2 kids and cold winters where most assume we are pet abusers as our dogs flap down the highway riding in the bed, and maybe this isn't the most practical choice anymore.

But it's my baby. My splurge just out of college. It's only got 100,000 miles on it. All Me.

and T.

Then my dear husband heard wind of this baby. Drove and peeked, and fell lusciously in love.

Merry Christmas, Babe.

Which leads me to this. Monday, Dec 29. I'd just laid the girls down for a much needed nap, and T rings. A fellow from Kzoo called on the truck, says he's coming to look at it and bringing his son "just in case". Just in case what? So, the trucks out with a for sale sign on it. It doesn't mean it's really for sale".

But keeping the both of them would be kinda greedy.

And Clifford does have more room. Sits higher. A little shinier on the tires.

And check out that grin. Does me in. I'm sold.

So, long story short, the fellow bought it. He promised to love and cherish and hold my baby forever and ever amen. And that makes me happy. So long, loyal traveler. Do me proud.

Guess what, I'm married to a fireman!

Tonight at the township meeting there were some very special things happening.

Travis was sworn in and is now officially Mr. Firefighter-Man. We're so proud of him.

So proud. Keely, in fact, was singing for him. And wouldn't stop. It was sweet, really.

Congrats, honey, you dun good!

Wednesday Night: The Late, Late Show

It started out not so very late.

Evening-ish, and Henry, Amy and the kids met T and I (and the kids) out in Holland. Being short-staffed, Henry and Henry John were asked to accompany the sailors, to which they readily agreed. Amy, Megan and I took the 'lil ones for a walk.

And Ginger...can't forget Ginger.

Megan and Adalynn played at the beach.

One clothed.

One naked.

Then it started to get late...

...and the first sailboats finished.

We waited for our boys to arrive...

...and waited...

...and waited...

...and waited some more...

This was the scene when they finally pulled in to the slip.

Not exactly daylight anymore, boys.

Henry John certainly looked the part, and I guess he experienced all facets of sailboat racing. The race started fast; with a great start, rolling waves and blustery wind galore. Almost 3 legs into it life slowed down...when the committee boat passed them with mark in hand and calling off the race, the wind speed measurer thing (can ya tell i don't sail?!) was reading "0.00 knots". i.e. "Going nowhere fast." Sounds like a night where Mother Nature is PMS'ing. Better luck next week, boys!