Photos

There are lots more photos that are stuck on my mom's computer at the moment. She promised to send them to me so I can share them with you. I have a few to put up but not many.





Veronica has been trying to say her name lately and it sounds like "Rockeeka"...very funny. Now, she's shortened it to Kika. That's her chosen nickname. Very Hawaiian! lol

Here she is playing with her baby at dinner in Kauaii. She was wrapping her up in the napkin and kissing her and rocking her to sleep. It was so cute.

Here we are on the hike to the lighthouse on Oahu. We saw all kinds of whales. Veronica fell asleep on the way down and Daddy had to carry her the whole way (it's pretty far!)

Mom, yucking it up at a carnival in Kauaii.

This was the view from our room in Kauaii. It is so beautiful. The weather was spectacular the whole time we were there. It was HOT with blue skies every day. I really miss it!

Hey Dere, we're baaack.

It always hits me in the face the minute I land in Chicago how different Hawaii is from here. It's a completely different culture. After the musical lilt of the island pigeon-slang wafting around me for weeks on end, it is a shock to return to the terse, nasal Chicago "sout-side a-ccent" (pronounced with a long "A"). I always think back to the great Super-Fans SNL skit. We really do talk like that. Horrendous.

Then there's the whole wardrobe thing. Every time I go to Hawaii I pack an entire suitcase full of clothes only to end up wearing the same pair of shorts, two tank tops and a bathing suit...the entire time. After a week, the bathing suit becomes the most important item. It all revolves around the bathing suit. Then you start hating the one you brought from last summer... and the search begins.

Now we're back and it's snowing. But not for long. I have hopes that nice weather is around the corner. I don't want to lose my tan.

I have, however, lost a considerable amount of brain cells while watching the new Bachelor. The highlight, for me, was the overinflated Bush staffer who liked to drop names. How do these bimbos keep getting hired by politicians? This is why they are losing the public confidence. They don't have their head in the game. They're all busy trying to get shagged. (Excuse me for being so crass but does crass even have any meaning anymore? Current number of Governors in the news for salacious behavior- 3. Current number of Governors engaging in devient behavior on the sly-47.)

It's late. I'm still jet lagged. And I've just talked your head off. Ciao!

We're still here

Jason and I both got the flu but he got home before his set in and I just got it so I missed my flight home yesterday. Veronica got it yesterday so we're going to be here a while longer. It's not so fun to be sick in paradise, but it's a heck of a lot more fun than being sick in Chicago! My mom dragged us to the beach the last two days because she said I needed some fresh air. She was right...as usual. I'm starting to feel better but poor Veronica is just getting started. I tried to post more photos than this but something is wrong with the computer and they won't load! That's the only one I could get! More later!

More Photos from Paradise

Someone got into Grammy's jewelry box!

Daddy came to visit!

And taught her some new bad skills

Under the table...

Here we are at Ko'olina lagoon...our favorite baby beach. No waves...so nice. The water was COLD though.
Kisses for Mommy and Nana!

Eating at the famous North Shore Kua Aina Burgers...SO GOOD. (and soooo fattening. whatever.)
NAKED BABY ALERT!! Here we are getting ready to play in the famous North Shore surf of Waimea Bay. This is a very dangerous beach but it was pretty flat that day. Even so, Veronica got hit by one wave and decided she should play with Nana on the sand. This is the beach where the famous surf contests are held with the 40 foot waves. It's INSANE. I was there for it last time and it's crazy. They have to haul the surfers out by helicopter or waverunner. It's a wonder more people don't die.

Here's an example of when the surf's up at Waimea!

See that wave? That's Waimea when it's calm.

There are lots of interesting places to sleep at Grammy's

Popo and Veronica have style!

Aloha Suckers!

To all of you poor folks suffering in the Midwest in below zero temps, ALOHA! It's 75 degrees and the sun is shining on this side of the Pacific Ocean. We made it! We couldn't have been happier to be off that plane. Flying these days is like riding a Greyhound bus. They make you pay for everything (including a pillow and blanket for $9.95. I spent $16 on bad crackers and cheese and we froze because I wouldn't spring for the designer polyester blanket/pillow set) and you could end up sitting next to a guy from a third world country, carrying fatal TB and a chicken. The flight attendants also treat everyone like they have TB and a flea-bitten chicken. I guess I can't fault them too much considering what they have to put up with (drunks, terrorists, screaming super-models) but I can't really understand why they insist on scolding everyone for the entire flight. Where is the attendance in flight attendant? Every time I rang my bell it felt like I was disturbing someone's bridge match.

"Yes?" (raised eyebrows, annoyed expression)

"Could I have some more water? And I have some garbage here I need to dispose of."

"Sure. What's in the garbage? Is there a diaper in there?" (Accusatory tone.)

"Well yes, but it's a wet one and it's completely wrapped in plastic and in the throw up bag"

"We don't do that." (Very stern teacher voice) You're going to have to take it to the lavoratory" (what is a lavoratory anyway? Why don't they call them bathrooms like everyone else?)

"Well, I would, but my child is sleeping without a belt on and I can't just leave her there"

The flight attendant and the man with TB and a chicken simultaneously say, "I'll watch her for you"

"Okay" I say, ashamed that I tried to pass off a diaper on a flight attendant as regular garbage. I spent the rest of the flight too embarassed to ask for anything else.

Veronica is still very tired and jet lagged. Yesterday she took a 2 hour nap, then woke up and continued her nap in Grammy's swing for another hour. The tropical breeze put her right out. It was so sweet. She had the best nap of her life.
Other mommies get dandelions. Look what I got! Giant RED GINGER!!!

Veronica is learning how to garden with Grammy. She's the best teacher around! Veronica came running to me with a flower as big as she is saying "big flower!" So cute!




More to come!

Birthday Pix!

Veronica's 2nd birthday party was at her favorite place. The Oak Lawn Gymnasium! What a blast. There's so much to do!


Here's Elizabeth going down the slide with Chris watching over her. She's so adorable.



Kayla had fun on the trampoline!

I think the adults had as much fun as the kids. Here we are doing our favorite thing on the trampoline...BOUNCY BOUNCY BOUNCY!


Gramma and Pa had fun too!

Elizabeth knows good Elmo fashions when she sees them.






Dancing on the trampoline!

Look at Kayla fly into the foam pit! I see Amanda and Cassie in there too. I hear from a good source that Cassie was pretty sore the next day.




Gayle and Thomas and Buddy sitting down to have their pizza. I think Buddy had the best time of all. Wait till I post the video! He is hillarious.

Abbi and Quinn (Mom, these are Kim Treizenburg's kids...aren't they cute?) Chase is the baby and I don't think I got a picture.



Still haven't figured out how to blow out candles...but we tried!


Veronica loved her cake. And I think that's what put my muffin top over the edge. It was delicious. Chocolate and white cake with banana cream filling on one side and strawberries with mousse on the other....mmmmmmmmm.

More later!

Muffin Top Update

As of weigh in this morning I'm down 5 lbs! 5 lbs in a week! YAY! And that's with a brownie breakdown yesterday.