4 months old!

oooh
Originally uploaded by Kirsten W

I can't believe how big this guy is already. I love him more every day!

the new Itty Bitty Kitties

In case you're going through kitty withdrawl, I have a new batch to share with you. Last summer, a little kitten showed up in my parents driveway, with a pitiful meow. Since then, she's somewhat adopted them (and the neighbors) while still adventuring around outside. Recently, mom and Bethany suspected that she might be expecting kittens of her own. Sure enough, four baby kitties made their debut on Thursday afternoon. I can't wait to see them in person!

Back in Iowa

Lachlan and I had a wonderful trip to CO for Meredith and Ed's wedding. The ceremony was in an outdoor chapel basically at the top of a mountain in Estes Park. Gorgeous weather & great company made it so much fun. He was a real trooper on his first big trip, too. Now we're back in Iowa and I've survived my first two days back to work (I'm sure it was harder for me than for him). Happy to be back at Preucil and lucky I have two great women who are coming to our house to take care of him. We also survived his 4 month shots today - he's doing great - 15 lbs!

More wedding trip photos are here.

We're on our way home from the mountains!

Guest room redo

So, my last summer project was to finish redoing the guest room - it used to have cutesy 80's wallpaper, which we had a heck of a time taking down a few weeks ago. Now it has a lovely new green wall color and new shades, and some other little patchwork details. I sewed the runner on the dresser and made the pillow in the center of the bed (the rest of the bedding looks deceivingly handmade - but it's actually from Bed, Bath, & Beyond - oops!). I'll share some close-ups of the details soon, but for now it's off to bed to prepare for a big weekend and week to come. I'm meeting up with a friend in Des Moines tomorrow and we're flying with L. to Denver then driving to Estes Park for another friend's wedding. I'm a little nervous about traveling with an infant, for sure, but even more nervous about starting back to work on Monday (even though I am so glad to be going back and am confident I am leaving him in very capable hands). Eek. Ok - have a great weekend all!

Just a couple new layouts to share - these two have been "in progress" on my desk for awhile now, but Deb came over yesterday to scrap and hang out with us, so I finally got around to finishing them.
And just a silly baby picture for your Saturday. Have a beautiful weekend!

Thanks for the peach tips! We spent much of the day baking yesterday. I found some recipes on the internet for Peach muffins (I added blueberries), Peach cookies, and Peach Cobbler. There were so many baked goodies here I had to go give some away. Anyway, still planning some peach smoothies and that grilled peach idea - and I'd love to try this jam recipe, but I've never made jam before! Kinda intimidating!
Also finished my curtains for the new and improved guest bedroom. I was inspired by my friend Kristi who had made shades for her dining room by sewing fabric to the front of some roller shades. I kinda made it up as I went along, but they are doing their job whether down (blocking the light which can wake you up early in the morning) or up (looking kinda cute). As you can see, the bedroom also doubles as our "work-out" space.
And, anyone who remembers troll dolls - you much check out this flickr set!

Peaches

Picking peaches from our peach tree today - does anyone have a must-
try peach recipe for me?

I love this idea for documenting your souvenirs in the place they belong. So fun, a must-try for our next trip!

back from the Fair

Recovering from our Fair weekend here - baby L had an exciting time taking in all the sights, sounds and smells, so he's pretty tired today. My sister and brother are busy working the Fair every day, just like I did in high school. Bethany is showcasing the new "Salad on a Stick" in the photo below. You know that everything is on a stick there, right? She says that people have been coming up to the Salad Bowl counter and asking to take a photo with one. That's right, they want to hold it and take a photo, but then give it back. That seems hygenic, right?

Bill and I went Saturday night while Grandma & Grandpa A. babysat. We rode the Ye Olde Mill (see blurry self-portrait above) and the Sky Glider (although we were both pretty nervous way up above the trees - decided it was the new parent factor). Then we took Lachlan back on Sunday and saw all the annual sights - butter cow (and butter gymnast, Shawn Johnson), the big boar (extra big this year), the Avenue of Breeds, and lots of people watching - and ate our long list of food must-haves. Mmmm...

Cutest. Coasters. Ever.

If I do say so myself. :) Whipped them up with the leftover fabric from the pillows - I'll be taking them over to B when we go for the State Fair (almost Fair time!)

More pillows!

Mom & Bethany came over for the weekend and we went crazy sewing pillows. I was still fired up from the new pillow skills I acquired at the Home Ec class last week, and Bethany wanted to make pillows for her new apartment at Luther this year. I think they turned out great! Lachlan likes them, too. Mom & B also offered their babysitting services so that Bill and I could go see Dark Knight - I think we were about the last people in the country who hadn't seen it yet! Ha - just kidding - but it was excellent. Totally lived up to the hype!