Shopping alert: Sales!

Despite the fact that "I wasn't spending any more money" this month, it does happen to be the best time to snatch up those winter sales. One New Year's resolution already broken.

Anyway, hurry and check out:

J Crew - final winter sale, plus if you use the coupon "freeship" you get (guess what?) -- free shipping. Check out the tall khakis - a personal favorite! (http://www.jcrew.com/)

Also -- Old Navy 75% clearance sale. I basically stocked up on all the kids' next years clothes (including 4 pairs of shoes for Evie) for really cheap.

Friday I'm in Love

I've now been the (mostly) proud owner of a minivan for 4 days. With only a few jibes from my friends at work (yes, I think you can go cruising in a minivan). I have to say -- I really am sold. I'm converted. I really, really like driving it. My kids are happy (and quiet, mostly). Which means I'm happy. Ken got the short end of the stick as he is now being the great hubby that he is and driving a hand-me-down car for the 2nd time in a row. It's his turn next (and I owe him a truck after I graduate residency -- that was our deal).

I'm feeling a little nostalgic about saying goodbye to the Pathfinder. It's the first car I ever really bought, during my 3rd year at BYU. I realized I've owned that car for 9 years. It's made it through tons of road trips (camping in southern Utah, snowboarding trips, multiple climbing trips in the Red River Gorge in Kentucky, Arizona, the Boundary waters, the Appalachian trail). I've driven that car faster than any car I've ever been in (I used to have sort of a lead foot -- I've been way better recently, I swear -- I think it hit well over 110 during a long, nighttime road trip to Arizona I'm embarrassed to say). It's been through several college boyfriends and hour-long car trips to visit Ken while we were engaged. It got some med school friends and I to a final following a huge Michigan snowstorm that about 1/3 of our class missed 'cause they couldn't get out of their driveways. It made Ken the coolest young men's leader ever with his 11-12 year old boys (nice radio, lack of good shocks made it feel like it had hydraulics). We've driven around 2 kids in that car.

I feel like I'm leaving a little chapter of my life behind me. And starting one consisting of initiation into mommy-hood and settled-down-ness. Which, I've decided, is just about perfect. Plus, I think minivans can still go off roading -- and can certainly pull a canoe to the Boundarywaters. The kids will just whine less in it. And if I blast some 90s rap, I can still feel like I'm 20.

Baby on the Move

She may be little slower to pick up on things than her older brother, but once she gets it -- she really gets it. She has crawling down pat and she is getting speedy. She's already figured out the things she shouldn't be going for (ie the buttons on Daddy's TV receiver, Luke's toys, the stairs) and generally makes a beeline straight for 'em. It's pretty cute to see her wobble-crawling across the floor, adding her jabberish (and expressive!) commentary as moves around. She is cutting 4 teeth right now (poor girl) and has certainly picked up eating - she loves table food. Anything but baby food, please, and meat is even better. We may yet make that 20 lbs at the one year mark (what you need to flip their carseat facing forward).

Channeling My Inner Soccer Mom

We found out this week that our 11 year-old beater Pathfinder that I've had since college will likely cost more to fix than it's worth. I was hoping it would make it until the end of residency, but frankly I'm glad (and surprised!) it made it this long. Especially considering all that car has been through (we do not believe that off-roading cars should not go off-road). So we decided to bite the bullet and get . . . drumroll please . . . a minivan. I tried to fight it. I swore I would never have one. I tried to convince myself that an SUV would be just as roomy and easy to tote kids around (and look way cooler). Then I realized that my 4-year-old still can't climb into the Pathfinder and that he is HEAVY and I don't want to be lifting him in and out of cars for the next 4 years. And we found a really great deal on a very pretty (can a minivan be pretty?) 2005 Honda Odyssey. It's pretty souped up - dark blue, leather seats, sun roof, DVD player, seat warmers (oooohhh), nav system (now Ken has a new toy). I am quite excited about it. But I still feel like I'm letting go of the dream.

Cars Party: Part Deux

I was doing a little happy dance and plotting my evenings resting on the couch following a pretty busy (but great) holiday season. Then I realized it. I have not one but TWO kid birthdays. In the next 3 weeks (what brilliant person planned that one?). Which means parties. I love parties, I love having people over, I love entertaining. I have dreams of super-cute coordinated kiddie parties with creative invitations and activities that will make the guests drool. However, I don't really love planning them when I don't have the time or energy. Thank goodness for "Cars." My now 4-year-old is still obessing about the movie and anything closely related to Lightning McQueen. In fact, he had a Cars party last year. But that was all he wanted again this year. So after 2 Papa Murphy's pizzas, some left-over Cars decorations, one Cars cake from Sam's Club (quite good, actually), 8 3-year-olds and one Cars movie showing we had ourselves a great little Cars-themed movie party. Luke was pleased with it anyway -- and I guess that's that the important thing. Maybe I'll come up with something more creative next year. Now I can get back to my couch. At least for the next two weeks, until it's time for Ev's birthday.

Luke and his "girlfriend" Anna (of 2 years! That's longer than any relationship I had before I met Ken!)

2007 in Review

2007 Rehash:

Ken:

- finally (for the first time in 3 years as he's been following Kelly around through school and residencies) found a job he really, really loves.

- became a world-traveling-business man (Germany, Italy, next onto China and France)

- Lost all of his hair (and only partially to shaving it!) and added some facial hair. I think he looks rather dashing.

- Became the daddy of a little girl (who totally has him wrapped around her finger, already)

.

- Taught Luke all about girls (best pick up line? "hey babe, you're smoking hot!"). And that telling Mommy's she's beautiful will get you anything you want.

- Continued to be a huge support for Kelly -- taking care of kids, not complaining about long work hours or not having a wife around, taking kids to church alone, lots of take-out pizza for dinner, etc, etc, etc.

- ran a 10k -- the longest he's ever done!

Kelly:

- started her last year of residency (yay!)

- added more work on (what?) by serving as chief resident this year

- accepted a job for next year at the hospital she's currently working at (part-time-- wahoo!)

- became the Mommy of the most adorable little girl ever. Started a rather large collection of baby shoes and accessories and reveled in a closet full of precious little girl dresses.

- taught Luke all about the "difference between boys and girls" as he learned all about his little sister. Which he promptly shared with his 3-year-old cousin (oh how happy were his parents!)

- Ran a 1/2 marathon -- a mere 5 months after having a baby!

- learned how to be a resident, mommy and wife of a world-traveling husband (thanks to all my friends who helped!)

- continued learning more about the gospel and Jesus Christ by teaching Relief Society (women's class in church) once a month

- started teaching Luke to play hockey

Luke:

- Gave a talk his very first Sunday in primary (being the very youngest kid there). He gave it his best effort -- and even got a few words out.

- Continued loving "Cars" and can now quote basically the entire movie

- learned how to write the alphabet, his name, and read several words

- became the ultimate snow-loving Minnesota boy

- loved saying prayers and learning about Jesus in Primary

- became our official "car protector." Informed Mommy that "daddy is a better driver" and "be careful! you can't give Daddy's car any more owies!"

- continued to give great hugs and love to his Mommy and Daddy

- became a big brother -- and loved being the one who could make her laugh the hardest

Evie:

- joined our family!

- made history as the calmest, smiliest, happiest, most agreeable baby ever

- frustrated Mommy by not growing enough hair for all of her cute hair accessories

- made up for it by learning to smile when she saw the flashing light of the camera -- thus making the way for thousands of adorable pictures

- worried Mommy and Daddy by being a peanut (she's so little) and a little pokey from a development perspective

- but finally learned how to crawl (yesterday!) and say "Uh, oh!" for her first word (3 days ago!)

Here's to a great 2007 -- and hopefully and even better 2008!

What I'm Craving

It's cold. My toes are cold. Really, really cold. Okay, I know you're all thinking "It's Minnesota, you have like 6 more months of winter left." True (and I'm still telling myself I'm enjoying it. I have to do that until at least February for sanity's sake). So what would be a better anti-winter pick-me-up than these? I used to be anti-Ugg. I'm not sure why, really, because now I'm plotting how I can afford these (and justify spending the money on them). My toes are worth it, right?