Morning Walk

Jeep Cleaning

We've been waiting since April to give the Jeep a good cleaning... Soda stains, sunflower seed shells, and dirt from the Kansas dirt roads we traveled while visiting my hometown. After two evenings of cleaning sessions, the Jeep is pretty spotless!

I helped a little. Mostly Seth and his dad did the cleaning while I kept them company. It's crazy how hard it has become to bend over and get down into the nooks and crannies now. I still have 3 and a half months to go!! (Speaking of baby, the little one was way active today!! I love those sweet kicks, but I am a little nervous for them to become stronger!!!)

Breakfast & Morning Walk

Finally some relief from the triple-digit temperatures! I was treated to a wonderful breakfast made specially by my father-in-law (I could get used to that!!). And after sitting out on the deck in completely comfortable temperatures , I headed out for a very nice walk through the neighborhood. This walk included a lot more shade than my recent dirt road walks have ;) and the cooler temperatures made it quite comfortable. (You know you are in Kansas when cooler temperatures are those with highs in the 90s... Can't wait for Portland temps. Now that's where it's at!)

Sunset

Yesterday was our last day at my home where I grew up. We are spending the rest of our time in Kansas with Seth's family. Last night, after a family dinner and a mini photo shoot with my sweet baby niece, Khloe, we headed off into the sunset. :)

Seth and I spent a few days apart last week (he had to work & the Internet is better where his parents live). It was only a few short days and mine were filled with things to do and people to see, but I did not enjoy being apart from him. I tend to be a bit of a worrier about crazy things, but since I have been pregnant my mind wonders even more. I feel better being closer to him and not being apart. He's an extremely important part of my everyday life. And it's really the smallest things I miss when we are apart. Mostly, I like how his presence calms me and brings me back to center (when he's not pestering and picking on me ;). Our drive together, one of the first times in the past days that we've been together just us, was really nice. & the views of the big sky weren't too bad either!

From dust devils to cheap brunches

A few photos from the weekend so far...

We had stopped at the gas station to grab a drink. Mom ran in and left Desi and me with baby Khloe in the AC. In the rear view mirror I caught a glimpse of this HUGE dust devil. (at first I actually panicked a little thinking it was a tornado - hahah!) Look how huge this thing is!!!

A message from Tristan

I love this boy!!!

Sunset

One thing I was 100% looking forward to when I returned to Kansas was the sunsets. They haven't disappointed me in the least!!! This one was beautiful despite the high heat (at the point of this photo, the temp was still in the 3-digits). We had a small family walk in the park after dinner at a local Mexican restaurant. It ended near a fountain where Mom and I sat down and stuck our feet over into the cool water (even if we weren't actually suppose to do that - rebels we are!)

Morning Walk

Morning Walk

4th of July

It was definitely a scorcher here (today's going to be worse with 105 as the high...) I took it upon myself to spend the hottest day in my air conditioned room taking a nice looong nap. Seth, on the other hand, went "noodling." (I think my brothers enjoy taking him out to experience these weird things that they know he's for sure never done! I didn't even know what it was. I told him it was floating in the river - & that's pretty fun... But was I wrong. Noodling is when you go down to some body of water and stick your hand in holes to try to catch catfish. When your hand goes in the hole, the fish bites on and you pull it out. Seth was okay with going along, but there was no noodling for him ;)

In the evening, we headed to my grandma's for a get together with the aunts and uncles, cousins and their kiddos. My best friend and her husband came too, making the night even sweeter!

Chicken and salads, chocolate zucchini cake and root beer floats - it couldn't have been a better 4th of July meal! Fireworks in the yard and babies playing in the water. Our evening ended with us out back watching the fireworks show that was put on in town about 7 miles away.

It's been a while since we've been to a Strauss family get-together. What a perfect way to spend the 4th!

Bock-bock-bock

Love chickens! I can't wait to have a few of my own someday!

Love being an aunt!!

Coming home I was most excited about seeing how much my nephew has grown and meeting my sweet baby niece for the first time. There's something so magical about your siblings having kids!!! I can't wait to see our kids playing with their cousins!

Tristan is no longer a baby learning to walk... He's a full out boy! He talks, loves water, loves balls, pounds it and says "boom," and has the blondest hair (like his daddy).

And baby Khloe is so much more than I imagined. (I am sure I'll learn what to expect from babies at different ages soon enough.) She's a cuddly, sweet baby with lots of smiles to share! Her cheeks are irresistibly kissable. I hope she never tires of kisses from her aunt! And when she sleeps it's the sweetest thing!

Morning Walk

Another stop along the way!

As we begin to make our way more into Kansas, we had another stop along the way. We spent the night with some of our absolute Favorite people, Tyler and Rachel, in Lawrence last night. It was a perfect evening - we headed straight to the pool as soon as we arrived.

The pool was exactly where I have wanted to be for days now!!! (I can't wait to get some more evening pool time when I get home too.) One of the best parts was watching the sun set... Something we greatly missed as New Yorkers!

The combination of Seth and Tyler ALWAYS leads to shenanigans. Last night was no different (this is a time when I am thankful I have given up hangovers for the long term!!!) I am sure they had a good time (it was inevitable!)

Our 1st few days in Kansas

We spent our first few days in Kansas hanging out with this sweet, sweet girl! Our friends, Curtis and Elaine we so awesome to let us camp out in their living room and hangout with their baby for the weekend. We weren't the most exciting guests - after the chaos of last week and traveling half-way across the country in less than 48 hours, Seth and I needed some down time. They were awesome allowing us to nap on their couches and taking us for morning walks around their neighborhood. Most of all, letting us give their daughter googly eyes the whole time ;) We just hope our child is as chill as Miss A!! (might be a long shot for how high strung I am - I am working on it though!! ;)