Catching up with Tink Mode...get it?

Well, it seems as though we have a lot of catching up to do. First of all, Jonathan graduated last week! Yep, it finally happened! We're soon to be moving on up in the world, you know, like the Jeffersons. In fact, we have just rented our first apartment in Kentucky. It's open for the summer if anyone wants to sublease? (For all those who have always dreamt of lounging around in an apartment in Kentucky for the summer, don't wait- this is your chance!!) It has two bathrooms and we can paint the walls- we are so excited! I am thinking of a McElligot's pool theme (Dr. Suess) for the kids room, but I'm not for sure yet. If you have a great suggestion for a kids mural, let me know.

Also, we had visitors for a week. It was super fun. Jonathan's parents and sister and niece came and my parents came a few days later. The kids were super spoiled and loved every minute of it. It is really sad to live so far away from them all. 

Pat, Erin, Jon and Paula

Jonathan, Christina, Linda and Bruce

Jon with my folks

So, the rest of these are really out of order, but I'm going to write about them as they are since it is such a nice day out and I would rather go for a walk instead of try to get them straight all day....

Pictures at graduation. You weren't supposed to use a flash so they are not good at all. By the time they were doing the undergrads everyone was using their flashes and I was mad I didn't just turn mine on, oh well. This one below is Jon getting hooded. Jonathan blew me a kiss after this, I told him not to but he did it anyway....:)

Graduation lunch.
Playing at Chucky Cheese
Super stars

Abby and Ezra. These two had sooo much fun playing together!

Annika in the dress my mom made and my grandma appliqued the flowers on (did I use the right sewing term, mom?) She looks so cute in it. Naturally, she jumped in a mud puddle wearing this, but I think I now got the stain all out.

The elusive cardinal. I've been wanting to get a picture of this since we moved here. Who knew all I had to do was to go to the zoo! They really are impressive if you haven't seen one in real life.
We went to the zoo before dropping my parents off at the airport. 
At the zoo.
(The dragon fly is on Ezra's leg in the above picture)

One day Ezra and Jon found a dragonfly outside. He was super tame. You could hold him and play with him. We should have brought him inside for a pet. Ezra is crazy about dragonflies now and asks me questions to which I don't have answers. Where do dragonflies live? What do they eat? Do they sleep? Do they have daddies or just mommies? Etc... I guess we need to take a trip to the library and find out! 
More tomorrow about our pirate contest and Jonathan's graduation present....

Ahoy! It's a pirate giveaway!

Aaarrr, Mateys! It is time for our blog to unveil our first giveaway contest. It's simple, really. In order to play, you have to post your best "pirate" picture (of yourself or your family) on your blog, then comment on this post to let us know you want to play. The best pirate picture wins a complimentary copy of the deluxe edition of "Dread Pirate," an award-winning board game complete with treasure chest wooden storage box. 

We will choose a winner on May 14th. Good luck to all!

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta!

Hola! We decided to celebrate Mexico's independence day by making burritos and salsa and smoothies and lighting candles. It was fun. We are seriously addicted to smoothies around here. They are really really yummy (and contain no sugar!) I think smoothies will be a staple around here all summer long. Come over and we will make you one. 

Mmmmm... yum

Happy moments right before Anna got plowed over by a girl on a bike. Her little fingers are all scraped up. So sad.

Addios.

still ON the wagon.

Just to reiterate (especially for Casey) this blog will go on. I don't know why, since I often have nothing to say... but those kids are pretty dang cute so we'll do it for them. 

Last week was the start of my "late lent" in which I decided to give up all desserts for 40 days. I haven't fell off the wagon yet and what do you know? I am eating lots better and don't have those crazy chocolate cravings in the afternoon anymore. So life is now looking much better- those first few days were pretty rough though...and probably why I made rash decisions. A few months ago, I quit drinking soda. Now treats. What's next? Starting to exercise?? Gasp! 

Jonathan and I are getting pretty excited about graduation. He's pretty excited about his crowning achievement (I am too) and we're both really excited about seeing family. This is a rare treat for us, so we're really, really excited. I have loads of projects lined up for my mom to help me with if she decides to be in the project mood. (canning salsa, making dresses for Annika, making pillowcases for the kids, etc. etc.) And I'm excited to see the kids playing with their grandparents. They will have so much fun! 

Does anyone else want to come visit us next week?