Walking Dead

We love the cable tv show- Walking Dead. Partly because the special effects are amazing and partly because its interesting to see an 'end of the world' scenario and how people might act. Its fake and could never really happen- yes I know. But you can't help but wonder what types of people are going to survive. And if their moral standards will change according to the situation. AND then there's the fact I really like Darryl! I shall learn the crossbow just because of him! :)

The show is gruesome and violent- so John and I usually prescreen the episode before letting the kiddos watch. That way I know what parts to fast forward through.

Last year we attended the local zombie fest. It was interesting. I'm definitely not a die hard zombie person. Some of those people are boarder line crazy...but think its totally awesome! And zombie walking down town with hundreds of people- so very cool!


For Christmas we were given a zombie pet as a gift. We lovingly named him Steve. He hangs out in our family room and has startled a few unsuspecting guests. We're thinking he would look awesome in the courtyard this spring and summer...maybe scare away solicitors!

And here's little Miss Evie getting in on the action

style

Have you ever been asked "What's your style?" whether is be style of clothes, music or the way you decorate? Its really hard to pin point and select just one.

I've been thinking about it lately, well mostly my home decorating style. And when it comes down to it I think you have to be true in two areas to make decor work. One - be true to the house. If you live in a turn of century tudor- do justice to the house and its history. Show off the wordwork, use vintage inspired fixtures, play up its originality. Because they certainly don't make houses like that anymore. I wish I had photos of my sister in law's home. They live in a tudor and have done a beautiful job of integrating an updated traditional feel without having it feel like a museum. When decorating these houses, I'm not saying settees and chaises with paisley patterns and fringed lamp shades. It doesn't have to be full of victorian antiques- just be respectful of the era to which the house was made.

I really love (which I've seen on all the decorating/house selling shows) mid century modern homes. I could never live in one- modern isn't me. But I think they are beautiful! I always see these contemporary homes built in the 60s and so wish I could just go in and see how they've been decorated. Hoping to high heaven that the owners took full advantage of era. I've always secretly loved the colored ovens and frigs from the 50s!!! My great grandparents had an original pale yellow one with the freezer on the bottom that would pop open when you stepped on a peddle. So cool! Colored appliances! sigh!!!

I've always wanted to buy a loft space in an old downtown warehouse. Obviously that's not feasible right now with children and Emma. But someday, I think it would be fun! I love the industrial vintage look! The metals mixed with rich woods. Very cool!

I've mentioned how I want to buy a cottage in Ireland. Simple cotton and linen, natural colors, lots of light and flea market finds. It would be splendid!

NOW our house is interesting. It was built in the late 80s and has a lovely brassy essence to it. Handles, hardware, fixtures, towel rods...everything and anything is brass! Blech! We are slowly but surely remedying that situation- thank goodness! We didn't necessarily fall in love with house as much as we did the location and property. The house was adequate and had mostly everything on our want list. I say mostly because I convinced my husband we didn't need a 5th bedroom...oops! :) I'm not saying the house isn't nice, because it is! Just need to give it our touch.

I would say our house has a country inspired feel to it. Lots of oak woodwork and a traditional floorplan. The previous owners updated the kitchen with whites and blues which really plays into the country feel.

John isn't a country boy. He likes modern clean lines...which just isn't going to happen here. It wouldn't look right. But he's comfortable with what we have because so much of it is family oriented. Which brings us to the second area of truth. You have to be true to you. Family is important to me. Our house if full of family photos, heirlooms, hand me downs and kid creations. I also have it set up to function and be comfortable. We are a family...with kids...and a dog. Things and rooms need to be comfortable and inviting and accessible. I don't ever want the kids to not feel welcomed in a room because it the nice room or because they feel its off limits. I want our home to reflect us - our loves, our hobbies and our lives.

So I've decided to give a little tour of our front room.

Yes- chevron panels! Loving chevron right now...we have it sporadically placed around the house. Its youthful. We are still a young family and want that to be reflected. We also have a bench tucked under the table to allow for extra seating when needed. 

(bummer that picture is crooked...I know that is going to annoy some people. And not sure why the walls look pinkish. They are a basic off white...which will eventually change)

Sitting area: Our genealogy wall. Photos of ancestors, silhouettes and documents. The silver frame above the lamp is the marriage certificate of my great great grandma. I also like to add texture so I went with the burlap lamp shade. The reed chairs, driftwood wreath and neutral colors help cut down on the formality of the room. I don't mind mixing and matching either.  

Heirlooms and collections- this secretary belonged to John's grandma. I think of her every time I see it. The center shelf is filled with her Czech books and journals. The other two shelves display my milk glass and hobnail collection. Vintage globes for a touch of fun on top. 

Basically everything in our house has a past or reason for being displayed. Very rarely do I just go buy accessories or nick nacks to use for decor. When we go on trips, we like to buy a piece of art to display to remind us of that particular vacation. In this room, we have a water color from a local artist in Colorado that we purchased our first year vacationing there. I also use lots of photos, kids art, items from parents, gifts etc. I like to look around and have an object evoke a memory or a feeling. Our kitchen table was handed down to us by John's parents. Its the one he ate meals at growing up- and now he's sitting at with his kids. Its things like that - that I love. It is what makes a house a home. 

twinners

Our twinnies had their very first Science Olympiad competition this past weekend. They competed in several events including Astronomy, Chemistry, Creative Design, Write it Do it, Forensics and will be adding Thermodynamics to their events in April.

It was a regional highschool (9th-12th graders) competition held in Omaha. It isn't grade specific so they can compete against 12th graders in any given event. It included 30 different highschools.

Now our twins are brainy rather than sporty. Kwynn is into Astronomy, writing, languages, arts and robotics. McKynna is more into the mathematical sciences like Chemistry, Forensics, biology etc. Both have their strengths and both are exceptionally intelligent. Not like 'skip grades and complete college before 20' smart...but intelligent, quick learners that have the ability to excel in whatever they put their minds to!

They were a bit nervous and not sure what all was involved. I could feel the anticipation and anxiety as we drove to the school for pickup. We talked about how it was just a learning competition. Take it in, learn, figure out what you need to study or adjustments to you need to make for the State competition in April. Set no expectations and have no disappointments.

I thought of them all day. Hoping all was well and knew they were doing their best.


I finally got the text to meet them for pick up at the school. I quickly texted back wanting to know the details.


Both did great. Learned alot and feel much better about April's contest.  Kwynn took third in Write it Do it...an event she hadn't even practiced for. But their highschool didn't have a team competing in that event and Kwynn had an open spot on her schedule. So she partnered up with a friend. AND they got THIRD...craziness!

The other events were learning experiences. The twins chose events that consisted mainly of 11th and 12th graders. The twins chose them because they like the subjects. Other students chose them because they are science classes offered to upper classmen. Like McKynna is doing a Chemistry event- which isn't offered in highschool until 11th grade. She still did really well and has a new a partner thats helping tutor her.

So so proud of them! Love them! And are blessed to have them as kiddos!

homecoming

This post is way over due! Homecoming was actually in October, but I wanted to include it in my blogging journal.

The twins don't get over the moon excited- ever. They are pretty chill about things. So I wasn't sure if homecoming was going to be a big deal. They mentioned they wanted to go with a group of friends and might need dresses if they couldn't find one that fit right in their closet.

hmmmm....what about what I want! As a mom, I wanted to take them shopping for dresses, help them get ready, get pedicures and manicures, possibly wrist corsages. They weren't so sure.

But as the dance came closer, they showed a little more excitement. Once we went shopping for dresses- their personalities and anticipation finally appeared! I let them choose whatever dresses they wanted, but gently nudged them towards dresses that could be easily altered. You'd be surprised, but almost all the dresses were strapless. So we added straps to their choices. Can't have their girly parts falling out! sheesh!

(our bathroom post getting ready)

The night of the dance was filled with the getting ready ritual of make up, painting nails and getting hair done. Once again, individuality and personalities shown through. McKynna is very subdued. She chose a black, fairly simple dress with no fluffy skirt. She wanted her hair in a braided bun low set to the side and natural makeup in browns and rose. Nothing heavy or bright. Even her nails were painted nude.

Kwynn wanted a black and white dress and desperately tried convincing me that straps were not necessary. She lost. She swapped out the black waist ribbon for a purple/pink one. Her hair was pulled up in a ballerina bun near the top of her head. She had eye shadow and nail polish that matched her ribbon. To finish off her look and to remedy the chilly evening...she wore her black leather jacket.

A friend of theirs invited them over for dinner, she lives near the school so the group then walked over to the dance.

The girls came home excited and chattering up a storm. Two friends came home with them to stay over and all were talking at once. McKynna gushed about how a senior girl complimented her hair and dress. And Kwynn was getting looks from some older boys. To which Kwynn replied- if they didn't ask me to dance- it was their loss. I love how the girls took the evening in for what it was. They placed no high expectations or fairy tale hopes on the event. It was night of fun with their friends. There will be plenty of time for boys and the drama they bring. I'm just happy they had one high school experience void of all that.

Such lovely ladies. They are growing up much too quickly for my liking! :)