I need...

a relaxing weekend.

Will has been sick all week and Oliver is teething.

Hopefully Monday I will feel fresh and inspired to do a fun blog post.

A Few Pictures

Thought I would post a few pictures from around here lately.

Will and Oliver get along so well. It's so nice at this age, because Oliver doesn't bug Will too much yet, and they are always so happy to see each other.

Here are the guys enjoying our amazing pool. Ha. With it and our Weber on the back patio, we are looking real classy...especially when a 4 year old, a baby in just a diaper and a full grown man are treating it like a full size pool. Jarod loves to 'heat up the grill and take a dip in the pool'.

A few weeks ago we were supposed to go be with my cousins for a weekend, but something came up (work) and we ended up not being able to go. So Jarod took us to Chicago that Sunday to make up for it. I had been wanting to take Will to see the Shedd Aquarium for a while, so that's what we did.

We waited in line in the blazing heat wave. Jarod took the boys in the shade for a while, as I kept our spot in line. Love this picture of them.

I took a few pictures of Oliver in the Shedd, but they all turned out like this...

Will has never cared about dolphins, I figured it was because he had never seen one in action. He finally did, and loved it.

We got a suite at the Westin in Lombard (our favorite hotel in the suburbs). Love this place, great pool, two great restaurants downstairs, shopping all around, and not as expensive as staying downtown...plus free parking. We had never gotten a suite before, but the place was huge. This is looking from the main room down to our bedroom.It was awesome for letting the boys run and crawl.

A familiar sight around our house.

Will loved watching cartoons when he wasn't swimming with his dad in a real pool.

Happy Thursday!

I think everyone would say that the Japanese have unique quirks, like their gadgets, cameras, over the top trends, their obsession with pens, pencils and erasers, etc...you know what I mean. You gotta love them though...you have to, because I'm part of them...ok, you don't have to love me.

Anyway, I found this on a website where you could buy Japanese things. I thought this was a little creepy and thought I would share it.

How do you like the idea of a little bear, owl or mouse hiding in your cup?

Some of My Favorites

I decided to do a post on all my photo files on my computer. I picked one to two of my favorite pictures from each photo files. Here they ALL are in no particular order.

1. This file is 'House Inspiration 1'. I LOVE this wall of books, the lights, the desk. It's all so fun.

2. This one is 'Brandon and Mindy'. I like this picture of them from last Christmas.

3. This one is from '2009'...I think. Tam and I at the UofI vs ISU football game.

4. This one was '2009' also. We went to an Apple Orchard and Tami got this great picture.

5. This one was from '2007'. Kristen and Elle. Now Kristen has one of her own...can't wait to meet little Mason.

6. This one is 'Huber Family'. My AMAZING Aunt Jacki and my sweet Grandma. Aunt Jacki is always so thoughtful and generous, and I love her like crazy. And dear Grandma passed away and is finally with her sweetheart...my Grandpa...and her daughter...my mom.

7. I love this one from 'Huber Family' of my mom and her brothers and sisters. (From top left clockwise) My mom Kathie, Pam, Dave, Cindy, and Brian.

8. This is an amazing job from 'NE jobs' a job Jarod's business did back when he was still laboring...I believe.

9. '2011'...Oliver.

10. 'Hawaii'...Will.

11. 'Ethiopia'...Jarod and Peggy. When we saw this picture we laughed so hard. Jarod looks very intense in what he's talking about and Peggy just doesn't look like she agrees at all! So funny.

12. From 'Matt and Bek'...Love it. Bek, you're gorgeous and Matt, you are so great.

13. File 'Rink Fam'. Most of the men from Jarod's side of the fam...minus Mark. (L-R) Dad, Jarod, Jeff, Grandpa, Brandon). Such a good picture of all of them with Grandpa.

14. '2009'...This is Will with the two boys that I nannied for. They are the sweetest boys, Tom, Will and Harry (L-R).

15. 'Jeff and Candice'...Great picture of them in Hawaii on their 10 year Anniversary.

16. 'Oldies'...A picture of us performing for our parents' guest in our apartment in Japan. (L-R) Rebekah, my Dad, Tami, me and my Mom.

17. '2010' My Wonderful In-Laws! They really ARE the BEST!

18. 'Oldies'...(L-R) Bek, Tara (my cousin), Me and Tami at my Grandpa and Grandma's pool.

19. 'Rink. Fam'...Will with his name-sake. Great Grandpa Bill.

20. From 'Being a Girl'...Love the colors, pose and just the overall look of this picture of Kate Blanchette (sp?).

21. File '2007'...This was one of our first family pictures after Will was born. We were in Phoenix to visit Kristen and Mark.

22. 'House Inspiration 2'...An absolute FAVORITE of mine!!!!!

Hope you enjoyed this post!

Go Green

I was at my cousin Tara's talking about paint colors. She is thinking about painting a room green...I will let her blog about what room...but I thought I would do a post on greens. I love greens and am always attracted to it in homes.

1. Here is a fun way to use green. Aren't the shelves fun beside the cabinets?

2. My ABSOLUTE FAVORITE!!!!!! Isn't it lovely?! I love the green refrigerator.

3. Lovely green bedding.

4. One of my new favorite colors. Isn't it such a rich deep green?

5. Unexpected green.

6. Aren't the prints, books and lamp so pretty?

7. Fun kids' room.I love the lamp.

8. Another favorite! So so lovely!!!

9. Love the touch of green.

10. Fun and another unexpected.

11. Pretty green subway tile.

Have a lovely green day!

This beautiful cooler day is having me ALMOST wish for days where we can wear boots, coats and sweaters...almost.

A corner for one...or two.

I have always loved little spots in a house that look like they belong for just one or two people, to sit and enjoy each other's company or to sit and read, or now days, play on your laptop, iphone, ipad...whatever it might be. Here are some fun, cozy, classy spaces for just that.

1. I love the look of this, but prefer more cozy in my own house.

2. I'm not sure, but I think the bookcase on the far wall looks like it is holding records...which I would LOVE someday!

3. Pretty.

4. Love the wallpaper and the color of the chaise.

5. Mmmmm....one my favorites.

6. This one is not so cozy, but very cool, none the less.

7. LOVING. Probably my favorite.

8. Very fun...and super cozy looking.

9. So classy and inviting.

10. Doesn't this look like the perfect spot to sit and write 'thinking of you' notes and pay bills...hmmm...some how the pay bills doesn't sound as nice.

11. Fun place to sit and flip through your stack of magazines.

12. Well, I must not have the whole room to this picture, because I don't see the rolled arm sofa, but this little spot in the corner is so charming.

13. I would sit in the fun chair when I was skimming through a book or album.

14. Love the colors and curtains and floor to ceiling windows.

15. What a view.

16. When I saw this picture, I thought...'not a fan of the artwork, but such a fan of the couch in the window and that light!'

17. Looks so fun and inviting. For those of you who think it's a strange way to hang a chandelier...it was an advertisement.

18. Nice.

19. Love the wallpaper on these walls and the chairs.

20. Isn't this room just perfect?

21. I might have posted this before, but I love it so much...can't hurt to post it twice.

22. Isn't this such a great space?

23. This is a spot for three, but still seemed to fall into this category. I think this is one of my favorite spots.