Everybody's working for the weekend.....

Chris and I had a superb weekend. It was spectacular. It was monumental. 

But most of all, it was FUN!!

1. Friday, we went to a surprise birthday party for a friend turning 30.  The party was supposed to be a BBQ cookout and swim party, but the rain ruined the swimming part. It was ok because we still stayed outside and enjoyed the rain while catching up:

I was happy because I saw Whitney! One of the cutest, smartest gals I know that I haven't seen in awhile. I said: "Oh, Whitney! You're so darn adorable let's take a picture together to commemorate this wonderful night!"

We took approximately 15 pictures, and were dissatisfied with the quality of most of them. Finally I said: "OK! Turn away from each other and count to three. When we hit 3 turn together and smile!"

Ready?! One....Two....THREE!

That'll work.

2. Saturday, Chris and I went to the mall to pick out his birthday present from my parents:

then we met mom and dad for bowling. You know how I feel about bowling- if not, click here.

I still didn't bowl a perfect 300, but guess what?

Those 5 strikes in row? They belong to me!

No, really! They do! My final score was a freakin' 198....

You are not blind. You read that correct. I gave Chris the bowling name of "Rooster Cock" and myself "Cock's wife." I'm weird like that. I also gave my dad the name: "Uranus." He was doing so well at one point I said: "Uranus is on fire, dad!!" I know, you find me extremely classy. 

I even won two bowling pins for my extraordinary efforts!

That's a lie.
 I just asked if I could have a pin, and they said yes. I see great potential for these babies!

Not wanting the extraordinary afternoon to end we decided to go to dinner where we saw a little girl wearing a tiny hat:

 How cool is this? I waited until I could hardly stand it, and finally asked what the heck was up with the tiny sombrero on her head. Her mom said the girl bought it at a garage sale that morning and was quite pleased with herself. I said I could totally understand why!

We were inspired by fellow diner who ordered 4 Long Island Ice Teas at dinner, and decided to go home and make our own:

The following picture is an attempt at cat herding:

Hey everybody! Oh..nevermind.

3. Sunday, which happened to be my awesome, funny, and cool grandpa's birthday, we went back to my mom and dad's for breakfast and a day of football. Let me re-phrase that: CHRIS had a day of football. I spent most of the day in my mom's art room:

This is just a small glimpse into her world. 

She has every thing you could ever need to make great art.

I was testing out a pinterest idea....

 

and we began an art project for the lakehouse:

Remind me, and I'll show you the finished product!

 

A great thing about spending the day with your mom in her art room, is the fact that it's right next to the attic; and the attic is full of boxes of memorabilia from her childhood and teen years, like this cool Nebraska Cornhuskers cup:

 

But the real find of the day was in the bottom of a box filled with mom's old stuffed animals, a baby doll and letters from my dad when he lived in Hawaii:

 

My dad's letterman jacket, and my mom's cheer leading sweater (which I thought was pointless considering they lived in Southern California). They were high school sweet hearts, ya know.....

 

Some things never change. 

Well, some do:

 

Superpowers

We rented, watched and liked Captain America and Thor, this last Sunday. It made me realize that everyone has superpowers. Some, like me, have more than one (obviously)...

 My brother, Christian, has a very unique superpower. If you are what you eat, he's definitely bacon and cheese; but if you are what you listen to, he would be every song ever written. The guy loves music, and not just any music. REALLY good music. He is never without a pair headphones. For proof, see picture below:

He also can talk to Diner statues.

 Here is how conversations regarding music go with my brother, Christian:

Me: "You know what song I'm into right now? As My Guitar Gently Weeps by Eric Clapton, so pretty."
Christian: "Ya! That's a great song. It was actually written by George Harrison and recorded by the Beatles in 1968 for their White Album, but Clapton does plays lead guitar on it. If you like that song, you'd really like blah blah blah"

If you want to know what a song is called, just call Christian up to get a quick answer:
Me: Hey! Are you busy?
Christian: No, what's up?
Me: Which band sings that song (singing) DOOON'T STOP BELIEVIIINNNN! Somethin' Somethin' FEEEELINNN'!
Christian: Journey.
Me:  Nooooo... that can't be right.
Christian: Yes. Journey. Why?
Me: Darn it, I just lost a bet.

A few years ago, I decided to use his superpower to my advantage, and began demanding he make music playlists and C.D.s for me. He did, but only because he loves me:

I probably love him more though.

 Christian is a frequent concert attendee, and is usually forced to be the resident D.J. at every party (although I have a feeling he chooses this job because other's people choice in music is sub-par):

See the ipod in his hand? He's about to rock the party out with his musical selections.

He also knows how to look cool at an outdoor music festival:

Yup, that's JACK WHITE'S mobile recording bus he's standing in front of.

Now that Christian makes me cool, I say things like: "This song is JUST NOW on the radio? Pshhh I was listening to it MONTHS ago!" like a true hipster would. 

I know what you're thinking: It's just NOT fair that she has a brother with Superpowers like this!  I agree. So, I'm starting what I call: "CHRISTIAN'S TUESDAY TOP TUNE PICKS." 

Every Tuesday Christian will give me a list of the TOP FIVE  songs he's listening to that week. You can check them out, download them or completely ignore them (although I wouldn't they're usually pretty good). You guys are so lucky! So without further ado: 

CHRISTIAN'S TUESDAY TOP TUNE PICKS:

1. Hold On- Alabama Shakes

2. It's Time- Imagine Dragons

3. Beneath the piano- The Devil Makes Three

4. Disparate Youth- Santigold

5. Sleep Forever- Portugal the Man

You're welcome.

Strawberry fields for Trevor......

The other day we were listening to some classic tunes on the radio when  "Drift Away", the classic  Doobie Brothers version, graced our ears. If you don't know this beloved hippie song, the chorus sings: "Ohhh give me the beat boys and free my soul, I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away....." I realized, as we were rocking out to this hit, that I still sing the wrong version.  For the longest time, I really thought the lyrics said: "Ohhh give me the Beach Boys and feed my soul, I wanna get lost in your rock and roll...." 


Why the Doobie Brothers needed the Beach Boys to feed their souls is beyond me, but I started thinking....what other great songs have been butchered by us mere mortals? What I found was nothing short of wonderful.  Sunday, while Chris was zoning out to football, I used my artistic skills to explore the notion of misheard lyrics:

Did you know that the Bee Gee's disco hit, 'Stayin' Alive', often gets mistaken for:

"Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Steak and a knife! Steak and a knife!"

You guys are so silly! The Beatles song says 'she's got a TICKET to ride'! Not 'a CHICKEN to ride'!

Apparently the 70's were abundant with misheard lyrics, because Abba's 'Dancing Queen' lyrics  '...feel the beat of the tambourine' gets mistaken for  '....feel the beat of the tangerine.' I decided if you wanted to hear the beat of the tangerine, it would probably look like this:

The banana wanted to name their band 'Fruit cakes', but the tangerine like the sound of 'Runts' better.....

And some people in the world think the well known Aerosmith song, 'Dude Looks Like a Lady' is REALLY saying:

"Ya! Ya! Dooo the cyclone lady! " Isn't she classy-such a lady!

And finally, a recent song. One that I was personally singing incorrectly for months, by Adele. When SHE was crooning: "Should I give up? Or should I just keep chasing pavement?" I was crooning:

"Should I give up? Or should I just keep chasing paper?"

This is a fun game, isn't it?!

I think I went to Willy Wonka's house....

There is a 'so incredible it will blow your mind' secret place located in St. Louis, Missouri. Actually I don't think it's a secret, but everyone I've asked about it always says: "Now just WHAT are you talking about?" And I say: "EXACTLY!"

When you're in downtown St. Louis, you're already in an appreciative mood because of the beautiful architecture and rich history. It looks like this:
 

The guys and I are walking to a restaurant in this shot. I promise, Andrew WAS in St. Louis with us, but he is very popular, and had many fans to attend to. However, notice the very metropolitan area we're in?

Little did we know that just a few streets over a place that was a cross between Narnia, Hogwarts, Willy Wonka's chocolate factory,  and the World's Fair was awaiting us to explore its deepest depths. What's the name of this magical wonderland, you ask? CITY MUSEUM. Don't let the name fool you.

We found a place to park, and as we were walking up to CITY MUSEUM, our eyes feasted on this sight:

This is the outside. COVERED with ramps, ladders, tunnels, TWO airplanes, a castle turret, a fire truck, and a bonfire complete with marshmallows. 

When we walked into CITY MUSEUM, I was delightfully overwhelmed by all awesomeness:

Wait- is this real? Or is that man in a BRIGHT yellow shirt about to tell me I'm dreaming and then turn into a cat or something?!?

 After pinching myself in sensitive areas that shouldn't be pinched, it was decided I was most certainly NOT dreaming....so we went to work in the EnChAnTeD cAvEs (that writing is meant to denote whimsy). Exploring the man-made caves was a bit daunting. It was fairly dark in there and you never knew where a tunnel would take you, if  it would get smaller or if it would ever end. 

This was a very small dark tunnel. I used my camera flash to see where it would lead. Immediately after this picture, I quickly (frantically) crawled out backwards saying: "Nope! Nope! Not happening. Turn around! Go back! Go back!"

Now this is more my speed, lots of room: 

You can't tell but, those jagged spikes are actually dinosaur teeth. Yup, you read right, DINOSAURS!

My brother Christian has a true skill for climbing and fitting through tight spaces. He was in heaven: 

Ahhh! Look out! There is a Cave Monster behind you!!! Or pushy 3 year old.

After thoroughly exploring the CaVeS, we discovered the stairs to the TEN STORY SLIDE. We climbed for what felt like hours and finally reached the summit.  We had some time while waiting in line to reflect on the awesomeness that is CITY MUSEUM, and discuss how to re-create it in our backyard. Many ideas were thrown around, but somehow my suggestion of adding a mermaid pool was shot down....not cool.

This is at the top of the 10 stories looking down, pretty cool right!?

My mom and I, after looking down at the spiral stair case.....

I almost said: "Hold me mommy! I don't wanna goooo!"

but I remembered I really didn't want to walk ALL the way down the stairs so I got brave and did what any sensible girl would do: 

...and made her go first.

The ride down wasn't that bad.....if you don't mind careening around a spiral slide for ten stories:

Dad obviously liked it. I'm pretty sure on his way down he yelled: "SEE YA SUCKAS!"

We all made it down the slide of death in one piece, and worked our way back through the EnChAnTeD cAvEs with only one emergency along the way: 

Christian! A giant fish just ate you! Get out of there!

I got really excited because I thought SURELY this was a time machine hiding in St. Louis, ready to transport me to all kinds of fascinating places past and future....

.....it wasn't. 

It may not have time travel, but CITY MUSEUM did show us some other cool things like:

Don't mind me, just climbing an indoor tree-house. LIKE A BOSS.

and

It really did have a lot of mirth, mystery and mayhem....AND a circus. Yes, a circus. What are we holding? Oh just a beer CITY MUSEUM legally sold us! This place is paradise!

An art center with pottery, painting, chalk drawing and paper mache? Yes, please!
I know what you're thinking, reader: "No way this is all in one place! She somehow transported me to a dream she had!"  I am here to tell you that IT IS REAL (at least that is what Chris tells me) and IT'S WONDERFUL!

I don't know why the creators of this magic-land decided to put a bank vault in it, but I'm glad they did...

because now I can crack a safe....like a true professional (lie.).

The outside was just as cool as the inside: 

HELLLOOOO DOWN THERE!! You look like tiny ants! I wanted to spit, but Chris said no....

We're just hanging out climbing stuff...no big deal. 

So if you're ever in St. Louis make sure you make it a PRIORITY to get yourself over to CITY MUSEUM! You won't regret it. Be careful though, because when you leave, you'll want to put this in your backyard: 

Hello my loyal subjects! Thank you for being so faithful now GET OFF MY LAWN!

and it might end up looking like this: 

Actually, if you can achieve this give me a call so you can make one in my backyard. Seriously.

Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting......

Since my sister-in-law is due to push a human being out of her lady parts any day now, I wanted to have some special time with our 6 year old niece before her little brother got here and stole the show.  Let me just say: The kid can party! To be fair, she comes by it honestly....

 

My life's motto.

 
We started the day off at my 7th grade girls basketball game. Did we win? Oh sweet sweet reader. You are so funny. So gentle. So naive. The answer is NO. No we did not. Don't ask me the score, I won't tell you. I will not tell you the score! I will not tell you that the other team scored 56 points and I will definitely not tell you that we only scored 6 points (you read that correctly).  whistley was NOT happy! This is a conversation that might have happened between our players:  

We decided some Mexican food (translation: margarita) was the only cure to our bad losin' basketball blues (say that ten times fast) and the fam went to our favorite local Mexican restaurant. After a much needed food gorging, we realized we were on a roll and thought: "Hey! Why not keep feeling good and go see The Muppets?" Have you seen the Muppets yet? Go. Now. So worth it. Kermit speaks to your soul:

Welcome back, gang. Welcome back.

Still on a singing and dancing high from the Muppet movie, we came home and got the real party started. Homemade hot chocolate, junk food, staying up late, and candy for dinner included. Then we played THE GAME TO END ALL GAMES

                                                     
I promise you, one day I will explain my passion for Disney with you. I want to give my obsession the attention it deserves, and gather all my pictures, stuffed animals, plates, dolls, pins, clothing items, movies, etc. in one area to take a proper family picture with them.

You can imagine my suprise/shock/elation/almost cried/happiness when I learned there was a 'Disneyland Adventures' video game for the Xbox 360 Kinect. We immediately went and got it. Luckily for the 6 year old, Alli, I played on Friday night because she is a GAME HOG and I will punch a child.

Here is a picture of Chris trying to direct her through the park (psh, I could do this with my eyes closed).....

This picture tells me 7 things:
1. I still need to put my clothes and suitcase away from our St. Louis trip last weekend.
2. I should probably finish my Christmas decorating sometime before December 25th.

3. I have yet to send my Grandma the painting I made her.
4. There are 6 pairs of ladies size 8 shoes by the front door which means they are all mine.
5. My toes are very shiny and a little strange looking
6. These file folders have been sitting on the fireplace for over a month now and would probably like a more permanent home.
7. Chris needs to take this crate of books back to school already (geez! The guy is a walking mess! Oh - the walking mess is me? You're probably right)!

Uhhh....I gotta go guys, my house needs me. Maybe I could recruit Alli into doing some chores for me.

WAIT! What am I saying? Who needs to clean their house when CLEARLY painting a picture of cats sitting in a tree is a MUCH better choice:

MEEE-OW!