One year older - and one year in

The year has actually flown by...I still think of C as a baby, and yet she is a toddler with a definite personality. R is a preschooler and we are loving his imagination and great big brothering these days. They are both so much fun to be around.

Mama's cake - confusion sets in

One year in -- still renting but actively looking for a home. We have narrowed our sights on where we want to live -- now, we just need to find the house. My freelance work really grew since last summer -- but I am still applying for jobs as I see them. We have made some great new friends and really have gotten to like St Louis. Of course, we miss our Chicago friends but we have been visiting back-and-forth, so I hope that continues in 2011!


Happy 38!

More Circus to continue the theme

In line for the Circus Flora -- in the heart of St Louis.
Rhys was enraptured by the trapeze artists, clowns and the dog show.

Claudia enjoyed it for a bit but was more interested in using her walking feet rather than sitting still- even with the performing dogs.  

During the intermission, we found our way to the pony rides.

Minneapolis re-cap

In as few words as possible...

Southwest. Toddler Fun on Plane. Big Boy, Great Job. Hertz. Car Seats. Residence Inn. Two Bedroom Suite. Thai Food. Large Cakes. Groom, too many cocktails. Meeting New Friends. 1940s Up-do. Lovely Bride. Groom in Dog House. Photos at Circus and Water Falls. No Rain. Late Start but Warm Hearts. Upset Children -- Mine! Babysitter Relief! Fire Dancers. Photo Booth. Cupcakes, Popcorn and Peanuts. One More Time!

And the recovery day...

No pictures today - no pictures yesterday, Mom.

Big Boy poses today -- but not so much yesterday. He wanted to be a part of the wedding, and didn't like being on the sidelines. That's our son!

Drum playing and cooking in C & J's back yard.

Wedding Fever

Handsome Rhys

The build up, for us, was fun and months in the work.  There were outfits to buy and arrange and try on -- hair to be cut, eyebrows to be waxed....

Rhys was VERY Excited about wearing a tie and seeing his Nanny and Joanie and Aunt Jeanine -- oh yes, and the men of the family, of course, just maybe not quite as much. :)

The Trial Run....

Photo Booth Fun

The Original Malec Family Circus.

Wedding party ... some of us. How many can you squeeze into a booth -- quite a few it appears.

LOVED the traveling photobooth at the wedding -- and so did all of the other guests from the looks of it. Check out some fun pics from the booth of Dom, Chris, my Dad and me to get a feel for the wedding. More to come - when I rest up my brain and body a bit.

Five years of wedding bliss.

Malec Family Circus - Preview

J and C getting married!

Beautiful Bride and lucky Bridegroom

Day after -- cousins relaxing and moms enjoying time together.

What an amazing weekend - it was so wonderful to see my family and to be a part of the Circus Wedding of the Century. It was so special - and just plain Crazy Fun. I am changed -- and for the better!

Claudia at 14 months

Wonderful sneak peak at  photos my college friend Sara Tegman took recently. Isn't she great!? I am just blown away by her work. And my daughter is pretty darn cute, too.

Sara's website is http://www.sarategman.com. Hire her!

Down on the Farm

Playing on the farm is always fun - esp. when you have a little helper now.

My heart aches

...with happiness when moments like below present themselves. Today, Rhys and Claudia were playing a new game (work?! - according to Rhys, he makes the appointments)...and then later Claudia and Rhys had a very funny game at bed time wherein Claudia would grab Rhys by the arm and he would fall back on the bed as if she had pushed him. She laughing hysterically, and Rhys enjoying every minute of it.

During this, R said, "Daddy doesn't know this."...and I smiled, and said, he doesn't but he will be so proud of the way you are playing with Claudia.