The Best of Times

That was then.

This is now.

Forever Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving!

Kisses for You

Ninety-Nine

My 10-year high school reunion is coming up in a couple of weeks. In preparation, I made my way up into the attic and pulled out my yearbook (for a few much-needed study sessions before the big event) and some pictures from my senior year. After sorting through stacks and albums, I scanned in some of my pre-digital pics. I figured you'd enjoy seeing what life was like for us in ninety-nine, ninety-nine, ninety-ninety-ninety-nine!

Senior Girls. We were very intimidating.

We were huge fans of the parking lot tailgate.

And of the front row at every football game.

Also among our favorites were themed-dress weeks. We spent many an hour shopping at thrift stores and preparing the perfect outfit on a variety of different occasions.

We loved Garth. We sat front row at his concert and everything was right with the world for at least a week afterwards.
And we loved the ever-popular prom garter shot. Really, who didn't?

I'm sure at this point you can't stop yourself from thinking about how cool I must have been in high school. I guess it won't do anybody any harm to let you keep thinking that way, for a little while anyway ...

Fly Me to MN

Sara and I just returned from another whirlwind weekend trip to Minnesota for my cousin Tim's wedding. He and Toni actually had their ceremony a couple of weeks ago in her MO hometown, and the reception was last night at the MN Landscape Arboretum. I'd post a picture of the happy couple but -- go figure -- I didn't take one.

The weather this weekend in MN was beautiful! We enjoyed a walk to the park on Saturday morning. Here's a picture of Grandma and Sara, who enjoyed the swing, a blue bouncy car thing, and a couple of good runs down the slide before needing to call it quits. She was a little overdressed compared to the MN-native kids at the park, but I have been so anxious for her to have an opportunity to wear this adorable winter hat I got at Old Navy a few weeks back. As you can imagine, I love it more than she does.
Saturday night we headed to the Arboretum for cocktails, dinner, and dancing in honor of Tim and Toni. One of Grandpa's bands, Foggy Notion, provided the evening's entertainment. Sara loved the music, and she managed to stay awake for almost the entire evening. Here she is with Grandpa before he hit the drums.

Finally, here is a picture of Aunt Melissa, Sara, and me. I wish that whomever was taking the picture had mentioned the unfortunate placement of my arm, but - alas - there it is in all its glory. I'm going to have to work on my poses before I wear this dress again.

Now I'm exhausted. Traveling so far over the span of 48 hours is tiring as it is, but putting a kid and a wedding in the mix brings the exhaustion to a whole new level. I'm pleased to say, though, that our flights went much more smoothly than last time. Only minor meltdowns ensued (on Sara's part; no meltdowns for me, thank you), and she slept for a good 90 minutes or more on the flight home. We're making progress! With two more trips planned between now and the end of December, Sara should be a plane-riding pro by the arrival of twenty-ten.