This has to be the cutest video ever.  I'm sure my new year's eve will consist of staying up until ten midnight and then straight to bed.   This year I do have an excuse though with church being the next day. So yeah, that's my reason.

It is hard to describe to someone what hugging my dad felt like.  Two long, sturdy arms would wrap around and hold you so close. His large frame enveloped you as you held on to something that felt immovable, strong and solid. You were safe, calm, protected from the world around you.  I loved being surrounded in that peace and knowing how much he cared for me.  With a multitude of moments missed, I miss that most of all.

Last weekend I had the chance to go to one of his favorite places.  He had spent the last few years of his life transforming a run down boy scout camp into wooded haven where young women could camp.  I never shared his passion for the camp or the outdoors for that matter (stemming mainly to my aversion to mosquitoes), but I did admire the camp for its peaceful surroundings. 

 And although I haven’t been canoeing since dinosaurs roamed the earth, I decided on that day to go with my friend.  After a few wobbly minutes and reorientation, we fell into a quiet pattern and were able to enjoy the scene around us.  As I looked around, I was struck with the beauty of the evergreen trees.  Their long, sturdy branches were held outstretched, standing tall and firm surrounding the perimeter of the lake.  Nothing seemed like it could break the fortress these trees created between me and the world outside.  And as the boat glided calmly through the water, I felt safe.  I felt protected.  I felt close to my dad.

The Artist

I don't want you to think that all I do with my time is watch movie trailers...but this looks wicked awesome.

Despite the anachronism of using "Sing Sing Sing" in the beginning of the trailer (To get all jazz nerdy on you, that song came out in the mid-thirties and this movie is set in the late twenties) I would love to see this movie.  I am already mesmerized by the actors and the emotions they can display without any speech.   It comes out in November, hopefully in a theater close by.  Fingers crossed!

I couldn't resist

I promise this is not going to become a blog dedicated to all things Swanson (although who could complain), but seriously... could this be more awesome?

You can get it here for FREE.  Yeah, that's how it got more awesome.

I'm not the favorite anymore

When was the switch from my baby boy to this little man?

I'm not the favorite anymore.  I went over my sister's to play with the nephews, and while they were happy to see me, I could tell I was the opening act.  The boys were taking turns having me read to them and everything was running smoothly.  Suddenly the front door opened and a familiar voice called out hello. A chorus of hosannas pealed forth from the boys like Santa Claus had just walked in.

"'Untle' Gavin?"  Carter ran to the stairs to greet him.  Hamilton also chimed in his delight and immediately requests were made to have a wrestle.  I was left on the couch alone to find out what Elmo's favorite letter possibly could be.  For I ask you, who would choose books over wrestling?

It's all right.  I can handle it.  I know they still love me... I. can. be. strong.

And I think Untle Gavin is pretty cool too.  I couldn't ask for a better brother.

you had me at meat tornado

Can I even describe how much I love Ron Swanson? It's incredible.  So is this video:


Best 7 minutes of my life.  Can't wait for Parks & Rec to come back in September.

found here.

my birthday boy

As many of you know I share my birthday with my adorable nephew.  It was one of the best birthday gifts I ever got.  Well little H loves hats.  He LOVES hats. See example above.  

So I decided to make him his own custom baseball cap.  One red cap, some tapestry needles and a bundle of blue embroidery floss later we were ready.  I decided on the Copperplate font because it wasn't too fancy and I wanted it to look as professional as possible.  

 

Because I am such a professional, I used scotch tape to hold the letter in place while I traced it with a ballpoint pen.  Classy.  Maybe I should spell that with a K. Like I said, Klassy.

I separated the floss in half so I would get three strands per length and then went to town. Two episodes of Wives and Daughters later we had ourselves a customized baseball cap.

 I am pretty sure he liked it.  He wouldn't take the hat off the whole day.  One of my favorite moments of the day was putting him to bed in just a diaper (it was wicked hot out) and he was still insisted on wearing the baseball cap.  

And please excuse my glistening forehead. Like I said it was wicked hot.