2010...Goals and wishes...

As we rang in the New Year this year, I asked everyone in my family to think about a list of places they want to visit in 2010. Sometimes I feel like time just flutters away and we get to the end of a year without doing so many of the things we had planned on just because we either forgot about them or just couldn't squeeze them in. But this year I am determined for it to be different around here. We will set goals and meet them! So here are our top 10 places...

1. Starved Rock

My son Shawn wants to visit Starved Rock because they told him at school that a bunch of Indians starved up there and he really wants to see it in person. I am not sure if he has some idea that there will be a bunch of dead Indians there or not but it is close, and doable so it is on the list.

2. Brookfield Zoo

This was Ella's contribution to the list. It was one of the items that got talked about last year but never seemed to materialize. This year...it's on!

3. Camping

Tim's contribution (of course). You all know that my kind of camping is at the Holiday Inn. Hmmm...I will have to think hard on this one.

4. Pheasant Run...Again!

Since our summer trip to this resort ended in Shawn's hospitalization, the kids want to try it again...to make better memories. I agree...we will be headed there for a weekend soon.

5. Iron River

We missed going to visit my cousins in northern Michigan last year...I miss you guys!!

6. The beach...any beach...

A few summers ago we rented a house on Lake Michigan in Michigan and it was fabulous. The kids really want to go back again.

7. Disney World

Working on this one...I want to get there before the Princess Magic is gone for my daughter.

8. Museums

All of them...my children would like to live at the Field Museum. They really want to visit the Planetarium which we have never been to before and to go back to the Aquarium again.

9. Big Blue Lake

We don't go up for a week any more but a weekend would be nice. Terry...Debbie...want to join us for a weekend away?? Big Blue is calling...

10. Galena

This is a Mom wish again. I would like to do a spring weekend there alone with my husband. Of course I need some babysitters for this...anyone...hello...

Now I know that this list may not seem too exciting to many of you out there. There are no exotic locations on here but with 3 small children this is pretty ambitious for us. Now they are published...out there in blog land so of course I have to get it done!

In addition to the trip list...I have also been making a more personal list of things to achieve this year. And since I know you really want to know what I have planned...here goes...

1. Finish this house darn it! All those little unfinished projects...wrap it up already.

2. Build a garage...a big one...really big!

3. Complete phase 2 of our rennovation project which involves opening up the existing garage to our living/dining room and getting my long awaited fireplace...(hear that Jason??).

4. Get organized...once and for all.

5. Start working again...business is calling and I have to start answering the phone already.

6. Be nicer to Brad...LOL.

7. Pick a school and get registered...yes people...I am going back!

8. Rub my husband's feet, back and any other part he requests...frequently and without complaint.

9. Get my health under control...which I have a pretty good start on now with a diagnosis finally. And get in shape as well.

10. Most importantly of all...spend even more time with friends and family...more dinners, nights out, camp fires, hot tubbing, and parties...so come on over...the water's warm!

For a while now I have been collecting "H"s. You know...like my husband's nickname..."H". I have had them packed away because I couldn't figure out what to do with them. But now, thanks to our recent kitchen reno, I have finally found a home for all those letters. The two pics above show just a few of the seriously large collection. When I finish putting them all up I will post a picture of the wall. So far...so good. The painting is also hanging in that stairway and is larger than it looks...like 5' tall. I love the wall color and how all the other colors pop from that.

And since someone asked me recently, yes...I am back to producing children's clothing under my Cricket label...guess who that's named after??? Here is an outfit I created for Shawn's teacher as she is about to have a baby soon. All of my denim jackets are repurposed which is good for everyone. The accessories are crocheted...like the hat here. And I have some funky new ideas for 2010 that I hope will be as well received as the products from 2009. I even have a new label...

So there you have it...all my lists for 2010. Just keepin it real around here at the studio. Now I am accountable...we will see how I do when I am writing this same post again next year. Sadly...it will be here before you know it so I better go get busy.

Happy New Year everyone...

2009...A Recap...

As we rang in the New Year...I looked sadly on my blog from 2009 and realized that, due to unforseen circumstances, my blog did not get updated for 8 months. With a firm resolution to get back to blogging...I knew that my first task would be to catch up on 2009. With that in mind...here is a brief (LOL) recap of the rest of our year...

April brought Shawn's 8th birthday. He opted to have a bunch of friends over for a hot tub party. Seeing him, hanging out with his friends was such a flash to the teen years for me...

He also chose his annual dinner at Domo for the family dinner.

Of course he also likes the girls...well...this one in particular...

And then there was the Cricket's dance recital in May...for a girl who refused to practice...she sure did well at the dance.

May also brought Tim's annual Canadian fishing trip...What started with a snow storm...ended pretty well as you can see here.

In June I finally decided to tackle the repainting of Ella's room. She loved her new space but was upset with me that I did not paint the floor and ceiling pink as well. Yikes!!

Also in June, we attended the D-Day anniversary at Cantigny. What a fabulous event. We met some of the remaining D-day survivors as well as a lot of current soldiers. My boys loved seeing the aircraft.

Oh My!!

Also this summer...we decided to finally tackle the remodel of our bathroom to make it wheelchair accessible. Of course, this meant removing walls and, since, we were doing that anyway...a new kitchen for me! Yeah!!!

Of course we spent a lot of time looking at this...but it was worth it in the end.

Our summer was filled with playdates, hot tubbing, swimming in the little pool, car shows and girl's nights out.

And then there is this...I have no idea what this was about but it is still pretty funny!!

We spent the 4th of July with friends and fireworks...both were wonderful!

I somehow missed our photos from Pheasant Run but...in the middle of the remodel...when the dust just got to be too much...we decided to take the gang for a long weekend at the resort. It was such a fun relief to swim and enjoy a clean room.

Just as we returned from our trip, Shawn got what we thought was a cold. After days of a high fever, he finally had to be admitted and we found out that Shawn had a severe Staph infection which damaged his kidney, spleen and heart before it was resolved. Poor guy spent a week in the hospital and then came home to a month with a picc line and IV antibiotics 3 times a day.
This is what we found when we brought him home on the last day...

He is such a well loved guy around the neighborhood!! (Please disregard the dumpster in my driveway...thank you)

This summer we were able to take a fun trip up for my cousin Julie's wedding. Here are our kids, all sweaty from the dancing, posing with their cousins on my Dad's side. We love them all so much and we hardly ever get to see them so this was very special to us.

Also this summer we had a fantastic opportunity to visit with some old friends of Tim's from his grade school years. We have both been so lucky to reconnect with many old friends via Facebook. It was interesting meeting up with all of these people who knew my husband long before I did and to hear all the funny stories about Tim...the Bully...Who knew???

Uncle O'Mango came up for a visit several weekends and my kids loved him so much. They had the best time visiting and my daughter came up with his new name.

Our gang spent some time downtown this summer...visiting with Sue...Austin's favorite gal. We went to see the Pirate exhibit which was fabulous! I think all 3 of my kids would move into the Field Museum if we let them.

And then it was time for school to start up again. This was the boy's first day.

A few days later Ella started her first day at Preschool. She was so excited!!

In September we celebrated Austin's 7th birthday...and our 19th wedding anniversary...both on the same day.

The Bubs decided on a Mad Scientist party for his friends so we hired one...and it was a great time for all. This girl kept 13 small children entertained for over 1 hour.

And for his present...he simply wanted a rat...so...introducing...Rosie the Rat...

and shortly afterwards...Shawn had to get a friend for Rosie named Chalka. (don't ask)

The beautiful flowers from my husband in honor of our big day.

This year Austin decided to join Cub Scouts with Shawn...and the rest of us. He is a Tiger and really enjoys the program. He attended his first official campout and has been on many hikes as well. We spend a lot of our time volunteering with this program which we feel is so important to boys of all ages.

And then it was fall...and Pumpkin Farm time. We hit a few this year...

I love this shot of all of us...

We had a great time hosting the Halloween Pack meeting...

Oh my...the Cricket was a Princess...of course...

Shawn decided on a hobo...

Austin chose a Nomad...

I went at a sexy Granny...

and...best of all...Tim decided to use my old Witch costume and go as...well...a chick!!

Fall brought with it some fun leaf piles...

Yikes...buncha dirty kids...

Except this one...he always looks so perfect...

Here is the gang hanging out after some trick or treat fun!

We had a great time at Amy's birthday party...visiting with family and friends.

Ella loves her Uncle Jeff...

Austin got to pet a chicken and has decided that he now wants a pot belly pig...which his mother has regretfully declined...

We got a few last hurrahs in the hot tub...

My beautiful girl...

And these bozos...

Tim took a few pies in the face for a good cause...

He works so hard with the kids in the scouts...and loves every minute of it!

It was a slow year for my business (here is one project that I completed)...I was recently diagnosed with Celiac disease, a gluten intolerance, which explains months of sickness. I had a hard time keeping up with the basics this year...and my business suffered. But now that I am on the mend...things are looking up for the new year...

We celebrated a quiet Thanksgiving at home and moved right into the holiday season with Christmas Caroling at the assisted living home. The boys love singing to the residents.

And are loved right back...This guy brought tears to my eyes when he handed out hand made whistles to each boy even though he is blind. I don't think there was a dry eye in the room!

This kids spent some time playing in the snow...

Shawn made a late First Reconcilliation at St. Michael's...where the kids are all taking religious education now. It has been fun seeing them go through many of the same rituals that I grew up with. Poor guy was worried about whether he should tell the priest "all" of his sins...

We finally got our Christmas picture down...even though it wasn't the best...but after 100 pictures you just have to pick one and move on...

I love this picture because it really reflects the relationship between my children so well. They are best friends...they fight and argue...but when it comes down to it...they are always the happiest just being together and hanging out.

Of course...this one is the leader of the bunch...crazy Cricket girl...

We hosted the Christmas pack meeting where Santa (Uncle George in disguise) made his appearance and handed out gifts to the kids.

I worked at Austin's class Christmas party which was fun. He has so many good friends at school and his teacher is such a joy!

And then it was Christmas...we spent our eve at John's as usual catching up with family and seeing Santa again. And then it was on to Christmas morning and the present fest. I was proud of our kids this year as they were as excited and grateful for the smallest gift as they were for the biggest.

And right after Christmas we reconnected with more old friends and got together for a roaring good time that left me sore the next day from laughing so hard.

All in all...I have to say that 2009 was a blessed year. There were challenges to be sure..but they only served to remind me of how fortunate we are as individuals and as a family. We have each other, our health is improving, we are out of debt (Yeah) and as we move into 2010...I am dedicated to finding more ways to worry less, spend less, enjoy more and spend time with the people who matter the most...

Happy New Year everyone...