Christie through the years

My Dad (or who shall now be called He Who Gets No Presents Because He Emails Bad Pictures) sent me some classic moments in my history. And I am nothing, if not totally into making fun of myself. So indulge me, dear internets, on a little look back through time:

A girl can dream, can't she? Little did I know that it would take several years and thousands of dollars in plastic surgery before I'd fill one of those out. Sad, sad, sad.

"Me likey these super cool green goggles. They go so well with my ruffled peasant shirt and my sporty reversible vest. These will look super good when I go out at recess with my friends and we do handstands on the back fence in our dresses." (Yes, that is what I did. We always loved it when the truck drivers would honk. YIKES).

"I don't get why all the girls my age want to dress up for Halloween and be dumb princesses or fairies. I think one can best draw positive attention by cross dressing as a homeless person. That is a surefire way NOT to get teased in the easily-forgiven world that is fifth grade."

"Oh my gawsh. Like how much longer do I like have to spend with my FAMILY looking at these stupid airplanes? I like SOOO have to get out of here and get home cause maybe a Boy called and like I might miss it. Plus, I've totally got this new Erasure tape that I can't wait to put in my boom box and listen to while I think about ways to make my hair like more bigger and more crunchier. Plus, all this like fresh air is like totally making my bangs go FLAT."

"Man, it only took me two hours in the bathroom to get my hair this big and I am lovin' it. And I am so glad I figured out that wearing a sofa pattern as a shirt is like so RAD. I mean, big, floral prints don't make you look wide at all. Wait! Don't take the picture yet. I don't have enough lipstick on. Somebody hand me some Wet-n-Wild, STAT! Okay. I'm ready. Hurry, okay? Cause like 90210 starts in like 30 minutes and I so need to find out if Donna and David are finally going to do it."

So there you have it...me in my finest moments. I share these with you only to illustrate JUST HOW ATTRACTIVE I AM NOW, people. I have come a long way. And no, I don't do handstands in dresses anymore. And I do spend a lot of time in the bathroom, only it's making sure my hair is neither big, nor crunchy.

And yes, I still think I'm like totally awesome.

Lazy Sunday afternoon

I bribed the kids this afternoon with M&Ms if they would sit still for a photo shoot (sad how easily they can be bought. Guess we know where they get it from, huh?). I think we got some good shots. Here are a few for your viewing pleasure (not that I'm bragging about my beautiful children or anything, mind you. I'd never do that. Oh, no. Not me):

Bring it on

It is true. I got in. To this.

Again.

I did it in 2004 and for some reason (that reason being my brothers, Daniel and Matt) I am going for round two. It will be awesome to get to that place where I get in the running zone, feel my body push beyond what it wants to do, and cross that finish line with success. Last time we did it in 5 hours and 7 minutes. I finished a tenth of a second ahead of my brother. We were nearing the finish line and I just started sprinting for it, leaving him in the dust. I was exhausted and beat up, and needed to be done. Not to be left behind, Daniel picked up the pace as well, but my shoe tag crossed before his. Just BARELY before.

Our goal this year? 4 hours and 30 minutes is my target. Truthfully, I'll be happy with anything as long as it's faster than last time.

Daniel has already warned me that I WILL NOT be finishing ahead of him. He's booking it once we have the finish line in sight. Bring it on, bruthah. Game ON!

Calling all swappers...

Kelly is hosting a fun little swap. Pop on over to her blog for all the details. I participated in one Marta hosted a while back and it was truly worthwhile. So fun to make a new internet friend and get a package in the mail to boot. You only have until June 8th to sign up, so DO IT NOW!

Things I learned last week

• Taking a vacation to the city in which you already live is a great way to cut back on using our environmental resources (thank you, Chase, for that brilliant Al Gore-like observation).


• When you give your husband the camera and you are at the pool, do not be surprised that he takes about 4,000 shots of your cleavage.


• And only three of the children swimming.


• Going back to the dentist because you are still having pain six weeks after she re-did every filling in your mouth will really make you ANGRY.


• Having her smugly ask why you waited so long will make you want to kick her really hard in the leg as you scream, "BECAUSE I HATE THE DENTIST, YOU...DENTIST!"


• Practicing self-control and not actually doing that is a really good idea.


• Hearing that your sister-in-law just had healthy twin girls will make you oh, so happy for her (and make you oh, so glad to be you).


• The worst words ever uttered at two o'clock in the morning are, "Mom...I just threw up on the floor and I don't feel berry good." (One guess as to who said it?)


• When it is nearing Father's Day and your husband's birthday (both within a few days of each other), he will begin campaigning for a cake every weekend in honor of his awesome self.


• The children will heartily jump on that bandwagon and begin begging for CAKE! MOM! CAKE!


• You will probably be forced to give in and make a few cakes in spite of YOUR awesome self.


• Favorite thing this week: Husband's thoughtfulness at the airport when he snagged you some dishy magazines for your weekend reading pleasure (which is most certainly why he will get his precious cakes).

Memorial Day Vacay

We just got back from a fantastic weekend on Coronado. We stayed at a hotel that was literally right on the beach. We swam in the pool - umpteen times. We ate at great restaurants. We walked along the shore at sunset. We had pancakes brought to our room and I ate them in bed while reading People magazine (the epitome of a really great vacation for me. Sad, but true). It was paradise. Kind of one last hurrah before we willingly trade in this tropical paradise for the mosquitoes, humidity, and non-ocean nearness of the Midwest. Here are some photos:

Funniest moment of the weekend though was a conversation between Josh, Hannah, and McKay. You see, Hannah is getting her five-year-molars and is beyond thrilled with the addition of her new teeth. She checks the mirror on almost an hourly basis - hoping that more of her "new teefe" have come up. She talks nonstop about how she is growing up and will soon be of the age where she can freely boss me around and wear whatever she wants.

So she is prancing around the hotel room and says to Josh, "Dad, my new teefe. Have you seen my new teefe? LOOK AT MY NEW TEEFE! They're beautiful. It means I'm growing up. I'm getting all growned up now. Can you believe I'm ALMOST ALL GROWNED UP?"

Josh says, "Yeah, Hannah, you're really becoming a woman."

McKay groans and says, "Oh great. Does that mean she's pregnant?"