HybridizationingsMix-ins, Notions, and Plugins of our Lives

Dr. Swainston is my OB who delivered Thomas and Natalie. I made this cross-stitch for him as a thank you. We could not have asked for a better doctor or friend.

After my mom selflessly spent over 4 weeks helping us, I shamefully did not get one good picture of her holding both her grand babies. Mom, the first thing we do the next time we see you is get some pictures. I love you so much!

Last weekend we took a fun, spontaneous trip to St. Louis to visit the growing Katzoff family. It was the perfect weekend, because we wanted to get away, see friends, and relax. We got to see baby Lotus, and Taj is a growing little man with SOOOOO much energy. And of course it was so fantastic to see Ben & Denae. We wish they lived closer to us, or we lived closer to them, whatever, just closer.

We ate really good BBQ, saw the St. Louis Arch, ate sushi, drove to Bloomington, IL, (the most coolest place on the planet!) went to the City Museum, and just plain old hung out.

The City Museum was sooo cool! If you are every anywhere near the St. Louis area you should plan on going. Made from an old shoe factory, it is unlike anything you have ever seen.

Housed in the 600,000 square-foot former International Shoe Company, the museum is an eclectic mixture of children’s playground, funhouse, surrealistic pavilion, and architectural marvel made out of unique, found objects. The brainchild of internationally acclaimed artist Bob Cassilly, a classically trained sculptor and serial entrepreneur, the museum opened for visitors in 1997 to the riotous approval of young and old alike.

Go here for more information and pictures. But here are some other pictures:

Here are some pictures that I got online that were taken during the daytime.

Karen & Michelle dreaming of Edward

I had so much fun last night going to the midnight showing of Twilight! The girls night was just what I needed and here are my top five favorites why.

#5 – When Karen Stewart jumped up and started dancing during the movie (I didn’t know Karen was so awesome!)

#4 – Four words: “Hang on Spider Monkey” (tree climbing sequence)

#3 – Cheesecake Factories’ 30th Anniversary cheesecake. As yummy as Edward.

#2 – Being the only group wearing Team Edward shirts.

#1 – Being in the “older” group but feeling so young at heart. (The best was when Michelle was throwing obsenities at Edward when he had his shirt unbuttoned and the girl behind me said to her friends, “Ew, she’s like 40!” I died laughing. Maybe when “she’s like 40″ she will understand this sliver of joy that we “older ladies” felt last night. Priceless.)

Some of Team Edward pre game at Cheescake Factory

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The anticipation is agonizing! The movie starts in an hour and the girls are getting so crazy. This has been so great to get together with friends. We went to Cheesecake Factory and I had the Awesome 30th Anniversary cheesecake and I had to make Courtney eat half because it was so rich. I will of course write more later but, hey I have an hour to kill.

Now 5 months old, Denae reports that Taj is sleeping through the night “like a champ” and is developing a hilarious personality. What a sweet thing!

Betsy and Kris found out they will be having a baby girl…yeah!!! Betsy had to endure a little bit of bed rest, but is keeping her spirits high. Anyone read any good books lately? We need to find somethings for her to do while she is down. I’m bummed that she is so far away now, but who wouldn’t want to experience that rockin earthquake?!?!?!? Hang in there kid, only 20 weeks to go.

Welcome baby Branson into the world. Mom (Marie) and Dad (Josh) are doing well too with their first baby. Congratulations to your whole family. We love you.

For those of you that don’t know, our sweet Sherrie needs our help and prayers. Recently doctors discovered a growth in her throat. They removed both tonsils, but found that the growth had spread to the lymph nods. Sherrie will undergo a PET/CT scan (pretty much full body) on Thursday to determine the extent of the growth.

Her family will be fasting on Thursday and I’m putting this up to let everyone know that they are welcome to join our fast. Pray for Sherrie and also for her doctors to find the best course of treatment. Pray that the tumor might be 3cm or less to avoid more dificult therapy. And pray for yourself and her family to have the strength and peace to to be there for her.

Anyone that knows Sherrie knows that she is the most kind, generous, loving individual. She has been there for all of us, now it is our turn to be there for her. We love you Sherrie.

Born: June 17, 2006, 5:04 am
Weight: 7 lb, 12 oz
Length: 20in
Hair: Black!? and tons of it

Mom & Baby are doing well, and Ben (aka Super Dad) is doing good too.