The Land of 10,000 Lakes

The "Land of 10,000 Lakes" is just about to get 5 more!

Hooray!! We finally know where we are moving. Spencer accepted a post-doc position at the University of Minnesota and we are absolutely thrilled. We will be moving to Minneapolis in the next 6 weeks and plan to be there for the next 2 years. Anyone want to come help pack a house?

"I Will Survive"

I have never wanted to play music on our blog before, but this was almost too tempting to pass up. I was thinking of a title for this post and Gloria kept singin' to me. Please watch this video. My eyes are still watering.

Ok...now back to reality.
Some thought we were dead. We're not.
Some thought we were too cool to blog. We're not.
Some thought we weren't cool enough to blog. We are.
Some thought we have been so busy that the last thing on our plate is our blog. You're right.

Here's what we have been up to...We moved to Philly almost 6 years ago.
Here was the plan in 2003:
4-5 years at UPenn for graduate work in Bioengineering. Future plans - academics
Here was the plan in 2004:
4.5-5 years at UPenn for graduate work in Bioengineering. Future plans - industry
Here was the plan in 2005:
5 years at UPenn for graduate work in Bioengineering. Future plans - industry
Here was the plan in 2006:
5-5.5 years at UPenn for graduate work in Bioengineering. Future plans - industry
Here was the plan in 2007:
5.5 years at UPenn for graduate work in Bioengineering. Future plans - industry
Here was the plan in 2008:
5.5-6 years at UPenn for graduate work in Bioengineering. Future plans - industry
Here is the plan in 2009:
6 years at UPenn for graduate work in Bioengineering. Future plans - academics

Spencer has not thought about academics since we moved here in 2003. We were looking at job options about 3 months ago and looking to interview at different industry positions. In February, he had a major change of heart and realized his true love is academics. So, to make-up for what most do in about 5 years, Spence has been doing in the past 3 months. Way to go love...you are my hero! We are still looking at job options and/or post-doc positions (yeah! more school). I wish we had news to report, but still nothing.

As for me and the kiddos, we have been quite busy as well. We officially put our house on the market (that deserves a whoop-whoop) and have been surviving all the chaos that comes with it. There has been little crafting (unfortunately) and lots of cleaning. My sweet kids are surviving a psycho mom and I hope we all survive the next few months. The current plan is to move sometime in August or September. Notice how I used the word "current". It seems to change multiple times a week depending on a lot of different factors (defending a thesis, finishing school, selling the house, finish packing, buying a new house or renting an appartment, job start date, moving across country or to the next state over, etc. etc. etc.). Most important is we need to know WHERE we are going. Unfortunatly I don't think anything will be finalized until July.

Hold on...we're in for a wild ride!

Easter photo

Spence and the kids at the Easter Egg Hunt

Sweet Sadie

"Isn't this a great idea?"

Um...NO! This is where we live folks. We live in Philadelphia. West Philaelphia to be exact. Forget the magic. Forget the excitement. Forget the cozy feeling of snuggling up to Santa and telling him what your true heart desires. Instead we get this...

Psycho Santa! Some strange dude has decked-out his van, set-up his own little "santa land" and plopped himself right down in the backseat of this nightmare. Forget the enjoyable experience of visiting Santa. Just go to this nut located in the parking lot of the neighborhood WalMart for a holiday thrill. Are you kidding me? The worst part...as we were driving by and snatching this photo on my cell phone, the lady (who you see standing in "line") looks at me and says, "Isn't this a great idea?"

Santa Claus!

Every year, Santa comes to our neighbor's house right before Christmas. He arrives on the fire truck (sirens and all) and brings a gift for each kid. We LOVE our neighbors! They have become our Philadelphia parents...and more importantly, our kid's Philly Grandparents. Thanks Fred and Meg for letting us be apart of your family!

Christmas in New York...

Magical! I love Christmas time in New York. I wish we would have started this tradition sooner, but better late than never...right? For the 2nd year in a row, we have taken the kids to NYC before Christmas. The purpose is to go see Santa Claus at Macy's, and then experience all the hustle and bustle of the season.

We saw the Tree at Rockefeller Center, Times Square, the decorated windows at Saks on 5th Avenue, the big red bow on Cartier, etc.

By the end of the day, the kids were exhausted. Ben fell asleep on Spencer's shoulders, Addi was asleep in the stroller, and Sadie was snoozing all snuggled in the Bjorn.

Check-out our picture from last year right here. What are the odds of having the exact same Santa two years in a row? Odds are pretty good when you see the real Santa!

Life sometimes Sucks!

Sucks. A word my mother would be appalled if she knew I used, and yet still doesn't do justice to describe the situation. Life is completely unfair and it has definitely hurt the ones who deserve the absolute best. Grab a box of tissues and read this. Now, grab another box of tissues and read this.

Sara and Isaac, we love you! Our children absolutely adore you. Thank you for teaching us what it means to be strong. We ache for you and sweet Baby Kate.

Happy Birthday Addiley!

It would suit me to a "tea"

If you'd come celebrate with me...
Addiley's 4th Birthday

Par-tea!

I set the table with pink and blue plates, balloons tied to the chairs, finger foods (no-crust sandwiches, olives, carrots, sugar cookies), and pink lemonade.

My favorite part was the darling little tea-pot cake that my friend Lizzie made. Addi got the tea cup to herself. I nearly teared-up when we had to actually cut the cake. The kids loved it.

When her friends arrived, the girls got to wear beaded necklaces and rings. The boys got dressed in bow-ties and cummerbunds (made out of crepe paper).

We had a great time. We ate lunch, each of her friends got to paint their own tea cup and saucer, we opened presents, ate cake, and sang Happy Birthday. I hope Addi enjoyed it.

I can't believe my little girl turned 4!