The day of our fourth!

I was really bucking for 31 posts in July! The end of the months crept up on my, and now here we are the 2nd day of AUG! Life has been mostly crazy in the last three days. I am not sure why? I need to sit down today, and re-evaluate my "time management" and see where I am going wrong. I was doing really good there for a minute. My sewing machine has seen more action in the last week then it has the entire time I have owned the thing. I have to admit, we have been getting along great though, and I think we have a great relationship. Absence makes the heart grow fonder!

As I mentioned in my last post, we celebrated our 4th Anniversary on Thursday. I think Joel was feeling guilty about my birthday, and so he took the whole day off work. In the morning, Nora and I went to get our hair cut! It was her first hair cut. She looks like a little girl now! NO MORE MULLET! It is definitely a challenge to get a 21 month old to hold super still long enough to get an even cut! Katie did awesome! (Maybe because she has a 22 month old?) We didn't do the bangs, because, well... that would be too easy! and mommy wants to grow out her bangs.

BEFORE-Mullet

DURING- 1st hair cut
Almost AFTER-Trying to keep her distracted.

Later that day, "Hay J", a.k.a. that best 14 year old I KNOW! came to watch Nora, while Joel and I went to play in Ann Arbor. We brought the new camera/anniversary gift, and took some fun pics in the Law Quad, and the Diag at University of Michigan. We walked, and talked. It was a great kick off to number five. I felt like we were college students preparing for an exciting adventure.

This cube actually spins. I gave it a a couple run arounds, and I think I may have messed up the Tau Chi Class going on. Oops.
I have never been in such a clean pool hall! It was so refreshing!
This is Joel as "Two Face". He is such a goof ball! (By the way, two face is the Comic book Character. I just learned of him while watching Batman!)
I found this in my garden when we came home. Apparently it is someone elses anniversary too. Had to break up the party... Not happenin in MY beans!

I have been asked a few times, "What is the song you and Joel danced to at your wedding?" Well, we didn't have any dancing at our wedding. No, not because Mormons don't dance, MORMONS do dance! It was a personal preference. We had a very small simple reception. The song that we have for each other is by Joel's all time favorite artist Tom Petty. It is the perfect song that sums up the way we feel about each other!

On to ETERNITY!

Chicago Cool Down!

These next pictures are of the coolest way to cool down! The city has these two structures that are about 100 feet high, an 100 feet apart. They have live faces on them. Water pours from the top, and then shoots out the mouth of the live face. There is about an inch of water for lots of splish splashin. It is almost like the local swimming pool! We splashed around for a few minutes, then we really missed out babies, so we had to go do something else. It was so fun to see the kids go crazy though!

Calling RALPH to the porcelain telephone!

We all made it through the Cedar Point trip! It was a blast, even though... well, I am not 16 anymore!

We left for our trip Thursday when the dads came home from work. We drove for about 10 minutes, then needed to stop for dinner, and while we were in the area, a Super Hero movie!

Then alas... on our way out of dodge! Because we were going to stay the night in a hotel for only about 8 hours, we didn't want to spend a ton of money on a room. We stayed in the Travelodge 10 minutes from the park. Against my better judgment, and the HORRIBLE reviews! Joel and I got to our room, while Mr. and Mrs. Smith went to theirs. There was a knock at the door, where Mr & Mrs asked, "Is your room cleaned?" Theirs was not! No sheets on the bed, dirty towels, etc. Se we called the front desk, and they had keys to a new room, a suite room! HOT TUB, and Mirrors on the ceiling! (Bount chicka bount bount!!!) Come to find out, they had a night of laughing hysterically at themselves in the circus mirror!

The next morning we headed out, taking the scenic Lake Erie route there. I love the Great Lakes! Our God is truly amazing, and when I see the HUGE lakes, I am reminded how amazing He really is!

In the park, ready, set, GO!!! 1st ride- The Cork Screw!!! Never one of my favorite rides, but good way to start the morning! It was great to see The Smiths, and their 10 year old excitement! It was followed by slight disappointment when The Dragster was not open. No race cars going up 420 feet today! Bummer, or alright with me?


Next up-The Magnum. Has been my favorite ride, since it opened, well, the year after it opened. The year it opened, my dad brided me with ANYTHING in the whole park, for me to go on it. I refused. The next year, I was trying to impress a boy, so I HAD to go! This year, when we got in line to go on it, I saw a 12 year old girl crying, and her dad, pushing her to go! Ahhh, the memories. After The Magnum, we all felt great. Short lines, great weather. Life was fantastic!

The third ride was, The Gemini. This ride has been around way longer then I have. It is a sissy ride compared to The Magnum. No problem, right? Um... problem... I got off this ride, ready to "toss my cookies". I was with three people who were all having a great time, and I didn't want to spoil anything. I just kept going, like I would be fine. No big deal.

The fourth ride (and final in my book, for a few hours) was The Mean Streak. It was literally MEAN! After the longest and tallest wooden roller coaster, my insides needed a break! The Mister and I went for a much needed lunch break. Mr and Mrs Smith kept pushing on. They went right for The Millennium (A$25 Million ride!). Joel and I rode that one in 2005, so we didn't need to go again.

After lunch we waited to see the Smiths come off what happened to be their favorite ride. They loved it, and thought that I was right... you look down when you are at the top, and everyone looks like little dots!

I was feeling a little better, so we took a ride, standing position, on The Mantis. Standing didn't make me feel any better then sitting. It was all the same no matter how I was tossed around. So, Joel and I hit the arcades, the sky cap, the baby swings, the train, and then a shady grassy spot for a little nap! In the meantime, The Smiths went right for The Power Tower.

We met up once again, chatted about how the rest of the day should play out. Then in the corner of my eye, I saw it... at 120MPH and 420 feet in the air, not a bird, not a plane, not a super hero, a RACE CAR! It was empty, but being tested!!! So we rushed over to the frightful, and dare devil ridden, THE DRAGSTER. Let me first tell you, Joel was really looking forward to going on this ride. We saw it the last time we were here, and weren't able to ride, because it was too windy. So we talked about riding this for quite some time. Then he saw it going up, and down, and he opted to take pictures, rather then ride. Isn't he sweet? Girly, but sweet! The ride is only 17 seconds long, so I thought, I would do it. It can't be that bad right? Joel took a video of the ride in action. He then took several pictures of me before the take off, during, and after. After I rode, he videoed Mr and Mrs Smith before the take off. Right before they left, the battery in the camera died, and he missed it. It is quite hilarious to see them in the waiting tank. The way it works, is you hear the hydraulics start to pump, you hear the gate fall, then you wait. There is a traffic light, that goes from Red light, to Green Light. This ride goes from 0-120 MPH in 3 seconds. It is unlike anything you can experience anywhere else.

I am glad I did it, but like The Millennium, never again, would be soon enough. After that, the day was pretty complete. Mrs Smith could have gone all night, and the next day too, but thankfully, the rest of us were all pooped!

About these two love birds. Since I have known them, all of 1 year, I have thought that they are the ultimate power couple. They are so great as husband and wife. So supportive of one another, and generous to each other. It was so fun to spend the day watching them lovingly gaze. Their sweetness had nothing to do with the fact, that I puked on the way back to their house, then again on the way to our house, and one last time when we got home. I am glad I could at least enjoy the day!

Getting to the POINT!

In case this is my last blog post! Tonight, our Smith friends, and us (minus 4 kids) are going to Sandusky, OH. and tomorrow morning we are going to ...

The last time I was there, was the year before Nora was born. When I was a teenager, I would be up all night anticipating the day of fabulous fun! The last time I was there, I thought, I AM TOO OLD FOR THIS CRAP! I guess this time we are anxious because The Smiths are so fun to hang out with, and they have never been there. So seeing their excitement is going to be worth the whole trip! Last time I checked, this park had the most roller coasters in one park, then any other park in the world. It is always competing to be the biggest, fastest, tallest, longest, longest lines, and most expensive park ever! The "Millennium Force" was the last biggest Joel and I were on. I remember getting on, thinking, this could be it. I am going to be on the news! As we were inching towards the top, I thought, "Wow, we must be almost there... OH MY!!! Not even close, look down... I can't see anything, my vision is clouded by... CLOUDS!" It was quite the thrill, and honestly, I can't believe I am doing it again. But of course this year, they are even bigger! The "Dragster" is supposed to be great, but the last time we were there, they couldn't open it, because there was a light wind, and when you have that tall of a ride, it is dangerous to ride when there is even a teenie blow of wind. What happens if someone sneezes? Maybe we will sit that ride out. Then again, what fun would that be?

Happy 29th

I need to explain the previous post, it by no means defends, or promotes the behavior!
As Joel mentioned, he is great at many things... he is very committed to being a hard worker for our family. He creates value in himself with his company. One of the ways he does that, is whenever there is a holiday, he works, so everyone else doesn't have to. He will take the on-call pager, because he doesn't drink, and all the guys want to party during the holiday. Anyways, he does that often. The night before my birthday, there was lots of RAIN. Lots and lots and lots!!!! When he went to work on Thursday, he learned that several of his tenants had some serious issues with flooding, and sewage backup. Because it was before the big 4th, he and only a few others were there to take care of this situation. So soon, noon turned into 6pm, and he was just then on his way home. We had planned to have a nice family dinner, get a babysitter, and make it to a concert. He got home just in time for us to make the concert. There were a few things that he had wanted to do, but because of work, he wasn't able to. So, maybe I was a little hurt, and disappointed. My love language is "Acts of Service", followed by "Receiving Gifts". Joel and I speak totally different love languages. I am ok with that. Putting a post on the blog is one way he speaks his love language. He is almost 100% "Words of Affirmation". So this weekend, we are working through some of our imperfections as a married couple. We all have em! Just keepin it real!

Things I'm good at

There are lots of things I'm good at. I can fix anything that's broken. I can build a building. I can give a great pep talk. I can pull out a smile every time. I can wash the dishes like nobodys business. I can unconditionally love. I can see both sides. I can catch a big bass or not, and still have a great time. There are lots of things I'm good at. There are also things I want to be better at. My job, my faith, being a good friend and most of all loving my wife. I have only gone to God with all my heart twice in my life. Meeting Kirstynn was the answer the second of those two prayers. Every day with her is confirmation for me that despite myself my Heavenly Father loves me and so does my wife. Just the other day when she told me she loved me I said, "Really?" "Of course" she said. "I don't love me most of the time, how do you do it?" I asked. She just smiled and kissed my cheek. Sigh, she's the best. I don't know how it happened that the one person who can put up with the insensitive and stubborn nature I have, landed in my lap. Well, truth be told it did require a little convincing on my part. We had only been dating for a bit when after a particularly great date I caught Kirstynns eyes (my heart still pounds nervous when i think of it) and told her I was in love with her. "I'm in love with you," I said. "oh", she said and looked down. "Thank you." A quick peck and she fled into her apartment. Little over a year it took for me to sell her on the idea of spending her life with me. Another year to win eternity with her. To this day being Kirstynn's husband is on my list of things I need to do better. I am just grateful that she loves me today and will give me one more birthday to get it right. Happy Belated Birthday Baby! I love you Kirstynn.

Keepin It Real

Joel said to me the other day, "Your blog is always happy, and positive. Don't you think people will stop believing you, and think you can't be happy and positive ALL THE TIME?"

So, I got to thinking, and thought, there are some things in our lives that may not be the most uplifting. I looked around other blogs, and didn't see a lot of posts on negative, and unhappy things. There are some out there, and I even enjoy reading some of them. Here are a few things in my life, that I have to "Keep it real".

DISCLAIMER: Overly super happy people, quit reading now. This post will not be held responsible for any negative thoughts by the reader, of the author or the individuals involved in the posts.

I have not worn eye make-up in two weeks. Which is a HUGE deal for me. I usually don't wear a lot of make up, but my eyes are the one thing that must have some color, and definition. Nope... not since the 15th of June. Just keepin it real!

The good news is, I got my first allergy shot today, and it wasn't so bad. I am 1/37 of the way there! (Sorry Joel, is that too positive?)

At the beginning of the month, when I thought, "I can take a Claritin, they don't make you drowsey...." I zonked out! Nora played tea party while I sawed a few logs! Sorry, baby girl! When I woke up, this is what I saw!

What you don't see, is the three stickers all over my face. I still to this day, don't know where these stickers came from, and cannot figure out how she got her clothes off. Just keepin it real!

The dishes in my dishwasher have been clean since Sunday!
The whites in my dryer have been clean since last Wednesday!
I have three cases of craft "crap" that is waiting to be crafted!
I also have 1 box of stuff to ebay, that Joel and I have wanted to ebay since... May... of 2007!

Just keepin it real people. My intent to blog is never to show the person who I want to be. It shows the people WE ARE!

MUST Have- GOOGLE READER!!!

I was at lunch with a friend the other day, telling her how much I admire her blog, and how even my mom enjoys her blog. We got into the discussion how she can't believe I check her blog that often, to know when she puts a new post up! Ok, friends, there are some of you out there that have been blogging a long time, and some of you that are new to the community, like me. This next piece of information will come to you either as old news, or the best news you have had all year! The brains at Google have thought of it all! Instead of having to check every ones blog everyday for updates, you can install Google Reader. Every time a website is updated, Google Reader tells you. It is really great, and I don't know how I lived without it! If you have any questions about it, let me know!

Speaking of Google, super sweet story, (if you have time to read, otherwise... not that important!):

Joel manages the office building that Google rents. He says that it is so sweet! They have a super awesome setup for their employees, and if this property management gig doesn't work out, he says, he will go work at Google for free! Anyway, Michigan has recently tried to help the economy, and is giving a HUGE tax break, (the biggest in the US) for anyone who makes movies in our state. So there has been a lot of movie producers, and directors, checking out the state. Last week, Drew Berrymore was here, and was looking for a space to house her production company. Joel's company is the largest Property Management Company in Ann Arbor, and Ann Arbor is the most liberal, tree huggin, funkiest town around, (P.S. I LOVE ANN ARBOR!), of course a star like Drew Berrymore would check out Ann Arbor! So the CEO of Joel's company was showing her around. She wanted the BIGGEST openest space they had. They have a space right downtown, near the BIG HOUSE, that sounded perfect. The reason she needed the biggest space around was because she has a "Portable" track that she has to have inside the space. Apparently, this portable track has been custom made for her, and lives where ever she lives. She saw the space, loved the space. The track would fit in the space, but... the space wasn't big enough to get the track in. So, Drew will not be living in Ann Arbor! Maybe Detroit? Birmingham? Bloomfield Hills? Who knows! Be on the look out!

Happy Father's Day of FOOD!

I am so blessed! I have a great father with so many great qualities. I have a father-in-law that also has great qualities! My daughter is so lucky to have a dad, that has all those same great qualities, PLUS... he is soooo cute!

For fathers day, Nora wanted dad to have great food ALL day! She made his favorite breakfast; burn bacon (no really, he loves burn bacon), scrambled eggs, juice and fruit. For dinner she made lasagna, and cheese cake! It was a fun day.

Notice the black to polish? I won rock, paper, scissors!!!!

A Strawberry Stud Muffin is BORN!

Sometime last month, when I bought a schloo of my favorite strawberries at Costco, I made strawberry muffins. I thought they were... O.K. Joel on the other hand... well here is the email he sent in refrence to my muffins!

> From: Joel Evans
> Subject: Lament of the last muffin
> To: "'kirstynnlq
> Date: Thursday, May 22, 2008, 10:38 AM

> To start a day hungry is yuck. To start a day with a muffin
> or four is grand. My life has been brighter evey day this
> week nibbling the tasty strawbery love you baked for me.
> Today i took the last muffin. Only one bite left... And its
> gone. So i morn the end of happy days. I weep for the empty
> bellys to come. I whale aloud knowing tomarow will be
> muffinless. Thank you for the joy you have given me. More
> please?

Some day he'll read this blog, and will be very embarrassed that I publicly outed him as a sensitive guy!

Anyways.... three weeks later, I make more muffins! It is always nice to be appreciated for the simple things. If they make him happy, then it is my pleasure to serve! I am also going to use them to bribe my brothers father-in-law into teaching Sunday School next Sunday for me... hehehe!!!

I have been playing around with my camera, the settings and the lighting, etc. I really don't know what I am doing, and reading the stinkin manual is not what I want to do in my free time. By the way, this is my current camera, that I am trying to get along with until I prove to Him, how much I want the new one. Still working on it! Here are some cooking shots. Please... I need feedback! What am I doing wrong? What should I change? What looks alright?


Cleaned, and chopped strawberries... the essence of the muffin.


1/2 Cup half and half (I used whole milk)


SO, I know my laptop is in this pic, but other then that I really like this. Am I wrong?


Gently folded, I like, it's coming together!


Why does it look sooo blue? What did I do? HEEEEEELLLLLP!!!!