22 Feb
We spent the weekend in Nebraska, playing games with the Smith family. I didn’t have my camera at the ready, but fortunately, Aunt Jess was on top of it. Here’s a shot of Ava with her newest cousin Sylvia. You can check out the rest of the weekend’s photos (along with other hilarity) at Laugh at Jessie.
17 Feb
I made chicken noodle soup for dinner. Here’s how the conversation went:
Rebecca: “Guess what, everyone! I came home over the lunch hour during a very busy day to make you homemade chicken noodle soup, because I am the best mom ever.”
Olivia: “I don’t wike chicken noon-nul soup.”
Rebecca: “Yes! You do!”
Ava: “Me either Mom. Why can’t we go to Crush Sandwich for dinner?”
Rebecca: “I think you mean Smash Burger.”
Ava: “Yeah, that.”
Rebecca: “Ava, you love chicken noodle soup. It’s just like Gramma Great’s!”
Ava: “Oh yeah? THEN WHAT IS THIS GREEN STUFF?”
Rebecca: “…celery?”
Ava: “Gramma Great DOES NOT put celery in her soup. Also, what is this OTHER green stuff?”
Rebecca: “Um….dill.”
Ava: “Mom. Seriously.”
—
All of this aside, they both had three bowls!
16 Feb
A few weeks ago, I mentioned that we were the grateful recipients of several handmade gifts this Christmas. Karyl kindly gave me this gorgeous holiday quilt, which—as you can tell—did not get put away with the rest of the Christmas decorations. I love it so much I think it will always be on hand—it’s perfect for snuggling under when you’re dressed in nothing more than swimwear in February.
12 Jan
Consider this the first of a series of posts regarding recent handmade gifts. Over the holidays, we were the grateful recipients of several—from quilts to cradles. More to come soon, but I’ll start with this special pillow my mom made for Ava. It has a little pocket on the back to hold a tooth until it can be surreptitiously replaced by a coin.
Rumor has it there’s one waiting for her little sister, too. Someone’s sure thinking ahead. Thanks, Mom!
Bryan’s response to this gift opening was, “Wow, kids these days have EVERYTHING.”
Calling to thank Gramma and report on the tooth that’s getting a bit looser every day.
2 Jan
“Home” has been a bit of anomaly for me since I moved to college. For so many years, I thought of home simply as a house—specifically, the one I lived in from the time I was six months old. My parents and sister were there, I knew every creak and cranny, and the sounds and appointments were perfectly familiar and most welcoming. The structure itself, and more importantly my part in it, defined me. When that house ceased to be, I mourned for it, and I mourned for what I was sure was loss of home.
In reality, I had many homes, starting with the new place Bryan and I were making for ourselves in a spacious and bright apartment in Lincoln. And, when we tired of that, his parents welcomed us at a moment’s notice, heating up the grill and pouring red wine on the deck. A stone’s throw away, my grandparents’ warm and comfortable house—which I’ve known my entire life—still feels like my own, as does their cabin in Minnesota. I know I am always welcome at my dad’s and grandpa’s.
And, of course, my mom’s house will always be home—especially her house on the lake, where my kids play with the toys that once belonged to me, and I sleep soundly in a room surrounded by furniture I remember from my childhood.
When Bryan and I bought our first house in Madison, I promised myself I would remember that it was just a structure, and what really mattered would exist outside of it’s small but comforting walls. When we moved, I cried not for the home we were leaving, but for the friends that had become family. That was, I suppose, another important but painful lesson in all of this.
And now while comfortable here in Kansas, we still seem like satellites in orbit a distance from what we truly believe is home. And so, we travel. For more than a decade, we’ve left our house and traveled to be with our family before Christmas. And, I suppose, that is what makes our home feel somewhat temporary. This year, though, we had Christmas at home, at our house. My parents and grandparents traveled to us for Christmas Eve, and Bryan’s parents graciously arranged their celebrations to accommodate our mid-day arrival in Nebraska on Christmas Day.
It was wonderful. I loved cooking for my family and hosting them here, in my own home. I took extra care in decorating, and I served dinner on our wedding china. My kids came down our staircase on Christmas morning, and Santa—grateful for the direct delivery—made the most of the change and left presents not restricted by size. (More on that soon.)
But on reflection, what made this particular holiday seem right was not the venue, it was the company. Really, this is something that should have been apparent to me last year: After snow delayed traditions and plans for a few days, our celebrations, while not on the prescribed day, still seemed like “Christmas.” The location and date matter not as long as you’re accompanied by the people you love.
16 Dec
Our holiday preparations started Thanksgiving weekend–given the crazy amount of travel we’ve planned for this month, we had to get an early start. And yet, somehow, the month is already more than half over!
We arrived back from Nebraska the Sunday after Thanksgiving weekend, opened the door and threw our luggage, then headed out to cut a Christmas tree from a nearby farm. It was windy, but warm–perfect for a hayrack ride. (It was not perfect for hauling a giant tree back on the top of your SUV, but we made it, despite 45 mph wind gusts.)
I selected a tree in record time–after all, 17 loads of laundry awaited me at home.
The following weekend, Doug and Karyl came down. We spent Saturday morning at the Old Fashioned Christmas Parade, where we paid for the warm weather from the previous weekend. Fortunately (?) my car battery died on Mass Street the night before, securing us a fantastic spot to watch the parade with friends.
Olivia–not one for serious winter wear–kept saying, “Mom, my eyeballs are cold.”
We kept warm with coffee and hot cocoa. Every five minutes, Bryan would say, “Wow, I wish we could turn on the car and enjoy the heat!”
The big girls didn’t seem to mind the cold.
Once the Pilot was back up and running, Bryan and I went to the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City while Doug and Karyl stayed with the girls. We had a great time watching the Big 12 Championship, though admittedly, it would have been better with a Nebraska win. We spent Sunday being grateful for grandparents and making a big dent in our Christmas shopping.
Last weekend, we attempted to make our way up to Nebraska to celebrate birthdays with Wyatt and Grampa Great. However, 45 minutes outside of Omaha, Olivia threw up. Between the blizzard and the desire to spare our families exposure to a stomach bug, we turned around and drove three and a half hours home, without seeing anyone. Bryan–in good humor–promptly proclaimed it “the worst trip to Nebraska EVER.”
We recovered at home, playing Candy Land and finishing Christmas shopping. While it wasn’t the weekend we had planned, we did appreciate a quiet day at home together.
I just returned from a three-day trip to Madison (with an extra night at the KC airport hotel due to an ice storm yesterday). It was fabulous to see Alisa, Melissa, Lori and Liana–the spa and the snow were pretty awesome, too.
So, while December has been a blur so far, we’re having a great time. We’re looking forward to the coming two weeks and all the gatherings they will bring. Hope the holidays are off to a good start where you are, too.
13 Dec
Grampa Great is celebrating his 75th birthday today. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing him for all of my 32 years, from the time I was certain he could repair my broken balloon at age three, to the time he fixed my oven to save one of my first Thanksgivings. From Elmwood, Nebraska to Little Birch Lake, I can always say, “Yes, Grampa, we are indeed having fun now.”
Thanks for all you do, Grampa Great!
1 Dec
One of the benefits of holding birthday parties in Nebraska—especially over Thanksgiving weekend—is that most of our family members are able to attend. Here are a few shots of those who helped Olivia celebrate.
Bryan and his dad, Doug:
Gramma Great, our generous hostess:
And our gracious host, Grampa Great:
My mother-in-law Karyl and sister-in-law Jess:
My sister-in-law—the newly-minted Dr. Capp—as well as my nieces, Sylvia and Hazel, and Ava.
Hazel seemed to be quite fond of Ava—and Ava was DEFINITELY fond of Hazel.
Hazel’s twin, Eliza:
Aunt Katie joined via teleconference from Boston:
Mom had a chat with her, too:
Here’s my stepdad Dave. (Happy birthday to you, Dave!)
And here’s a self portrait of the proud parents:
And some of our littlest guests, including Wyatt, who’s about to turn three as well:
And Leo, showing off the treat bags:
And my newest niece, Sylvia, who is a month old today. Isn’t she gorgeous?
Thanks to everyone who helped us celebrate! More party pics coming soon.
29 Nov
We celebrated Olivia’s third birthday while back in Nebraska for Thanksgiving. She had been quite excited, asking everyone she saw (including me and Bryan), “Do you want to come to my ladybug birthday party?” for the better part of the past month.
As a result, she had a full house. The party was hosted by the ever-generous Grandparents Great, and all of Olivia’s grandparents, cousins and their parents were there.
My mom even made Liv a little ladybug costume for the big day.
More soon!
22 Nov
One of my favorite parts of the trip was an afternoon in the Public Gardens.
Shortly after we left the gardens, we headed into Beacon Hill for gelato. Olivia, who was short a nap and long on energy, ran head first into someone on the street. I apologized as I pulled her out the way, just as Katie whispered, “Hey, that was Denis Leary!”
Tom immediately recalled that he was in town to host Comics Come Home, while I posted Liv’s brush with fame on Facebook. At some point, he must have circled back, because we found ourselves waiting at a stoplight with him. I am sure he was completely impressed with the giant tantrum Olivia was executing at that moment.
After taking the train back to Medford, we drove to Cambridge to watch the Huskers take on KU. We joined what must have been the entire Boston chapter of the UNL alumni association at a small pub. I can’t recall the last time I had so much fun cheering for the Huskers.
We had a great trip, thanks to Katie and Tom. We can’t wait to go back!
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