auntie karrie and the cash man

Gosh, I love all these little faces! Aren't they about the cutest kids you've ever seen? Karrie came out for a short visit before Halloween. I set up a bunch of hair appointments for her so she worked her hiney off.  We had a great time talking all day, every day. We went to eat lunch with Ty one day, and to his costume parade another day. Cousin Sarah came up to make caramel apples and visit. I feel so lucky to have family come and see us. It means so much! I love you all.

full house = fun house

Joan & LaMar, Emily and her two munchkins, and Zack-attack all came up to our place for a long weekend visit. We jammed in as much as we could and had a great time with them. The boys were ecstatic for their first-ever cousin visit and loved having Molly and Abby with them! I loved playing with baby Abs - she made me want my own baby dolly.

It is becoming a trend to hit the Boot Barn (I love saying Boot Barn) every time a visitor comes to town. And hit it we did. Emily scored some gorgeous red boots, Molly some adorable brown boots and a pink "woody" hat. Joan and LaMar got the boys some chaps with matching leather vests (Bex wears his almost every day). And Joan searched the town (really, the entire town, as all the shops are found on Main street) for the perfect cowboy and cowgirl hats for cousins that couldn't make the trip. I am kicking myself for not getting a shot of the kids in their western wear. They were adorable - if you saw them you surely would want to get your picture taken with them. Ah!

Em and Zack joined Matt for noon ball at the Y while the kids spent time at the park and splash fountain - those crazies love playing soccer with each other, and LaMar loves watching them.

We went up the mountains one evening for some hiking. Only the toughest made it to the falls (I'm telling you, the grandchildren in the family inherited that determined Frischknecht blood.) Zaccy made up some diddies with the boys on the long car ride down the mountain. Our favorite goes like this:

Rollin' rollin' rollin' down the river now,
We'll be paddlin' paddlin' paddlin' through the rapids now,
Gonna show ya show ya, show ya, how to catch that trout,
With your bare hands and a knife.

One night Matt grilled up some pizza - soon to be on Hoosier Cook - it was good. After, Joan strummed the guitar while we sang. I love that when we are with Matt's family, there is always, ALWAYS music. Joan played my favorite, Edelweiss.

We had a blast with you all and I hope that you come again someday. We are so excited for Ferron, which will not only mean that we get to hang out and sing with you again, but will also mean Matt will be done with yet another bar exam!

To end this lengthy post, Matt and the boys made up a second verse to the River song. It goes like this:

First ya catch it, catch it, catch it with your right hand now,
Then ya stab it, stab it, stab it with your left hand now,
Then ya cook it, cook it, cook it in the fire now,
Then ya eat it, mmmmmmm, that's nice.

whiz bang

Our 4th of July was very fun filled! My parents drove out (bless their hearts) to visit us, and we packed in as much as we could into their 4.5 day stay. To initiate them into our new state and town, we went shopping on main and hit the local Boot Barn where both Mom and Dad bought cowboy hats, and the boys got new cowboy belts with big buckles. Mom and Dad looked like they fit right in to this western town because they brought their very own cowboy boots (bought from Ream's when I was in 1st grade). Dad wore his snake skin boots and mom wore her cute gray ones. My mom also surprised me by bringing my Grandmother's cowboy hat. I love it.

Well, our state is known for fireworks, so Dad bought a mother load of illegal (to Utah) fireworks. We set less than half of them off that night, Hoosier D looming in the background, because apparently it is illegal to light off fireworks within She-town proper limits. Hoosier D didn't really want anything to do with the whole fiasco because he's gotta stay clean with the bar coming up. But Dad had a blast letting off the big ones and scaring the kids with the fire crackers. We all started getting a little nervous because of how big they were, and ended the shebang a little early, which was good because shorty thereafter a cop drove through the neighborhood just as we cleaned up the last of it. Shady town. So Dad took home a bunch of illegals, and we're hoping Chris "the daring one" will find a good place to light them off when we get to Utah.

On the fourth we watched the city's fireworks. We thought we were pretty clever by finding a nearby neighborhood outlook, but we didn't know the the retirees in that neighborhood also liked that spot. Mom ended up sitting next to some wine connoisseurs. One guy kept hitting on her and we had a good time hearing their conversation and how they had to keep "clearing their pallets" before tasting a new wine.

Mom and I played tennis and went walking almost every day. We also got to go see Eclipse which was a super fun girly time. The boys went fishing up in the mountains twice, and they loved it. I'll post some pics about that tomorrow.

Thanks for coming all that way Nan and Pop. We loved having you here with us and can't wait for the cabin!

karrie and the little peso

We love having visitors, and feel super spoiled that both Karrie and baby Cash came all the way from Utah to see us! Karrie truly is the ultimate hangout buddy and Cash is a dream baby. He is so snuggly, and happy - ALL THE TIME - (except for the time I tried to bathe him, oops!) We really wish she could have stayed longer. We were told that if Matthias sung the U's fight song to Chris over the phone, that he would let Karrie stay longer. Knowing Chris wasn't serious, Matthias didn't try, but if Chris were you better believe we ALL would have sung it. I really wanted Karrie to chill and relax, but she wouldn't let me cook without being at my side to help, nor keep her hands out of the dirty dish water. She was too sweet to us; she made it a vacation for me! We loved showing her around Bloomington, especially because the fall colors arrived during her stay. Oh how visitors are loved and the memories will be cherished! Thanks Karrie and Cash for coming, and to Chris for being willing to spend 10 days alone! We love you!

iceman or goose?

What do you say? The glasses scream Iceman, but the goatee and humor make me lean towards Goose. My younger brother, Chris, is in flight school. He decided to fly to Btown to visit us for one of his cross-country flights.

He flew in and flew out like a summer breeze. In fact, I think it was the summer breeze that brought him. We only had him for 18 hours, but what a fun 18 hours we had! He is the first sibling on my side of the family that has come to visit us, and thus has reached favorite brother status. I'm not shy about saying it, even if it was a flight-school requirement to come all this way :)

The coolest part about him flying here is that he let the boys climb in the airplane and stand on the wings. They loved it, I loved it.

Chris left to fly home on Sunday. He told the boys that he would wave the plane wings when he flew away to say goodbye. He did indeed, you can see it in the video below. Later that day, Beckham kept saying he was sad that his uncle Chris had to fly away, his Nursery leader told me so. Beckham has found and is still playing with a toy airplane. We love you Chris and are so proud of you and feel so lucky that you flew all the way here just to see us!

schnitzelbank

Matthias' parents and little bro, Zacc, came in town for graduation weekend! It has been so much fun to have them here. Events taken place thus far: celebration of Zacc's birthday at the Schnitzelbank (German restaurant), family game of bowling, trip to pouring Nashville, IN, and the Law School Party. Joan and LaMar have been so sweet and delightful to be with, and Zaccy has become the kid's new jungle gym! What a fun time we are having. We can't stop saying Schnitzelbank. . . or Leiderhossen.

We hired a babysitter and went out to the Law School Party tonight! We introduced Matthias' parents to all his favorite professors and friends, tapped our toes and snapped our fingers to the rhythm of the live Jazz band. I definitely had a proud wife moment tonight - seeing Matthias in all his Law school glory, he's worked so hard and I can't wait for the big and final celebration tomorrow: GRADUATION!!! That Matthias is one handsome man. Schnitzelbank!

just what the doctor ordered

We had such a fun Easter!! My mom came to visit - and as always, she brought the sunshine! Nothing beats having a fun visitor to play with. Mornings always start early here for Mom. The boys hopped in bed with her for some snuggle time right as the sun rose - every morning! I put a child safety lock on the outside doorknob to her room so that they wouldn't be able to get in, but without fail she kept the door open a crack so they could come in. I thought maybe she didn't realize that there was a safety lock and so I again pointed it out, but Mom insisted that if she didn't want them coming in, then she would shut her door. Mom is such a good sport - she insists sitting in the back between the two car seats.

Some of the fun memories we made:

Cheeseburger in Paradise - our traditional dinner there is always fun. Of course, Mom ordered her strawberry milkshake FIRST!

3-D movie Monsters vs. Aliens - I sent Matthias to get the boys a popcorn and he came back with 4 drinks, cotton candy, popcorn, Dots, and Licorice. After I got over thinking just how much that cost, it was super fun to have a full movie experience!

Bowling - we always get the gutter rail so that the boys can actually knock some of the pins down. It was a riot watching Bex pick up his own bowling ball and roll it down the lane all by himself. I smoked everyone - Matthias didn't believe that my strategy was all about the angles I used off of the rail. It totally was.

Bean Blossom Bottoms - see below.

Easter - It's always fun to cook with my mom. Easter morning breakfast was tastey and pretty. We had sticky buns, recycled fruit bowl, and soft boiled eggs. (Oh, Chris, that's one up on ya. . . recycled fruit bowls.)

Thanks again for coming out Mom! We love you!

sooey

Oh how I love the county fair: carny food, cowboys, caged animals, country music, good ol' boys hanging around the tractors, 4H club, bright colors, and rides that make me sick. What's not to like?

Some of our county fair highlights: rides rides rides, the boys went on a bajillion, Matthias chickened out and wouldn't go on the fire ball (the one that does a full loop, and stops up-side-down), papa being the official line spot saver, the pigs sleeping all over eachother, becks putting saw dust on all the animals, Becks (all on his own) putting his hands in the air for the "coaster" ride, amazing hand sqeezed lemonade, and kettle corn. The picture of me on the ride below makes me laugh every time I see it! The ride was outrageous, I don't even know how I held onto my camera and took a picture!

Every time I go to the fair, I can't help think of this song from Charlotte's Web:
Oh wow look at him now,
Zuckerman’s famous pig.
Sooey, what do you see
The greatest hog in history!
Fine swine wish he was mine,
What if he’s not so big?
He’s some terrific, radiant, humble
Thingamajig of a fine phenomenon!

My land isn’t it grand!
Zuckerman’s famous pig.
Golly, you got to agree,
He’s a real celebrity.

Fine swine, wish he was mine
So what if he’s not so big?
He’s some terrific radiant, humble,
Thingamajig of a pig
The terrific….radiant… humble
Zuckerman’s famous pig!

nana, stay for "just a couple more whiles"

This past week, over Easter weekend, my sweet mom came to visit us! I told my dad on the phone today after we sadly took her to the airport that it was just a tease visit - not long enough! We had a wonderful time with her and I wanted to hilight a few of our moments.

She didn't get here until midnight (after Beckham had fallen asleep), and when he woke up and found her, he immediately attatched himself to her. It was like his toungue was stuck to a frosty flagpole. He wouldn't let her out of his sight - while he ate his breakfast that morning, he did so with one hand holding on to her and the other hand feeding himself. He wanted nothing to do with me while Nana was here, which provided me with a wonderful break. This picture is exactly how he spent a third of his time. It makes me so happy to see how much the boys love their Nana and how even though we live so far away and only see each other a couple times a year, that their bond is still so strong.

Mom and I went to a Ballet that was delightful. I felt like we were such little girls because we kept whispering to each other through the performances and couldn't stop talking about it after. It was so fun! Something else that we got to do (that we used to do all the time) is go on a speed walk - she's a hard one to keep up with! You'd think I'd be able to smoke her, but she's still got it!

Yesterday we broke the news to Ty that Nana had to go back home today and he kept saying, "Nana, can't you just stay for a couple more whiles?" He tried to think of a way to get her to stay and asked if she could ask her teacher if she could stay longer. After we got home from taking her to the airport it made me cry (again and again) because Ty kept saying, "Mom, I'm really sad that Nana had to go home today," and then he laid on the couch for about a half hour with just the most bummed look on his face.

Anyways, it was the best treat ever to have my mom here. We went shopping - she bought me the ship shaped butter dish that I have long been coveting. We love going to Cheeseburger in Paradise as a tradition whenever she is in town. She is so funny because she orders her Strawberry Milkshake to come out FIRST... now you know where I get my love for treats. We colored easter eggs and had a hunt, cooked together, went to Ty's favorite restaurant: the Cereal Barn, took Beckham to the Barber Shop, played outside, played games, had late night chats, and had a grand old time being in each other's company. My mom is like a ball of happiness and sunshine and I love being with her! We love you Nana and will miss you tremendously! (As we do all our family! Please come visit - any and all of you!)