Punkin

Two weeks ago I got to accompany Rudi, Steph, and family to a pumpkin patch for some memory making. SoyJoy had some issues with pronouncing the word pumpkin. And kept saying punkin. Then I stopped trying to teach her how to say it because it sounded cuter her way anyway. Sawyer and Xander each got to choose a pumpkin and, as a special treat, we all got Qdoba afterwards. You know, pumpkins and Mexican food. The classic American family's fall festivities. If I someday have kids as half as cute as these I'll be a happy person. 

Little Lady

Since when did Soy Joy decide to grow up and be a real person? The chubby baby is long gone.

I guess I go through this every 6 months or so, but last weekend I was home for Alex and Heidi's Wisconsin reception to celebrate their wedding with hometown friends and I could just not believe how grown up my niece Sawyer has become. She is beautiful, funny, clumsy, weird, emotional, intelligent, stubborn, and silly all at once. I love seeing the personality that she has grown into all on her own. She dragged me over to my computer for a few minutes and wanted to take funny pictures together. My favorite part of all this is that she came up with the faces we should do; I just followed her lead. It happened super quickly, but I keep looking back on these pictures and laughing my head off at her creative little ideas for faces to make.

Maybe these 5 minutes aren't that significant to the world, but they're significant to me. It's amazing to know a little person like her.

Kewt

I went home for the weekend...hit up some Holland Fest (Cedar Grove goodness at its very best)...and got a little bit of clarity. I can say that I'm still un poquito terrified to start this teaching thing, but I can also say that I am feeling more centered in the concept that there will be light at the end of the tunnel. I will survive. (Sing it, Gloria. Sing it.)And that I know more than 2nd graders know, so I will always at least feel like (one of) the more competent people in the room. A trip home is wonderful for getting your footing back.

This morning we did a little photo sesh with Xanman and Soyjoy. I've concluded something about these two: they're cute.

Rooted

Sometimes being back in Cedar Grove, Wisconsin, surrounded by family, is all I need to remember who I am again. (Cue sentimental song about growing up) My relatives own acres of swampland with the Onion River running through it and we just spent the afternoon there for a Memorial Day picnic. Yes, the Onion River is its real name. Yes, I also catch myself saying "crick" when the rest of society calls it a "creek." The midwest has plenty of things to poke fun about, and by my association with it, that includes me too. My area has people with a strong Wisconsin accent, lots of hunting and fishing types, and you may or may not get stuck behind a large piece of farming equipment on your daily drive. We aren't the most fashionable or fast-paced area, but that's okay too.

I remember when I read The Help, Kathryn Stockett, the author, wrote that she felt defensive of Jackson, Missisippi. She felt that she could criticize and comment on Jackson because it was her hometown, but when others did so she grew pretty protective.  I have plenty to say about how much I hate my own accent sometimes and the fact that the nearest mall is 40 minutes away, but I guess according to this Kathryn Stockett lady I'm allowed. Either way, accents and all, I love where I'm from, both the place and the family.

Sunset over my backyard 

Xander and Sawyer (nephew and niece) playing in the sprinkler

Soyjoy. 

Xan man. 

Family gatherings DOWN BY THE RIVER! (Yes, old school Chris Farley reference)

Love these times. 

The Wonder Child Turns Three

I have this little niece named Sawyer. I am pretty lucky to see her all the time due to the close distance between her house and my school. But thanks to crazy scheduling issues, when it comes to Sawyer's birthdays, I am somehow a deadbeat aunt. I've successfully been out of the state every January 16th for the past 3 years.

On the day she was born in 2009, I received a $30.00 phone call from my brother telling me the happy news. I was in Jamaica. In 2010, I had to drop her present off early...I would miss her first birthday party because I was in Costa Rica on a soccer missions trip. Last year for her 2nd birthday I thought I had a chance - I left for Spain on the 18th. Alas, I was in Iowa on choir tour on her big day. Shoot. But this year, I will see Sawyer in all of her newly-minted-three-year-old glory. She is one of the best people on this planet. And if you spend 5 minutes with her, you will agree with me. 

Happy 3rd Birthday Soyjoy! You're my favorite.

Love, Auntie Anna

Animal Sounds With Sawyer

She's such a smarty pants, she can even tell when I try and trick her. With this being her last week as a two-year-old, I'd say she's pretty with it.



And just for fun, here's a PRESH video of my brother Rudi (her dad) and Sawyer reading Green Eggs and Ham.

The Xan Man Turns ONE.

I can't believe we've reached this milestone. Xander Christian, my favorite nephew in the world, just celebrated his first birthday. (For any of you fans of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia it's really fun to insert "Xan Man" into the lyrics for Charlie's song called "Day Man." Xander really is a master of karate and friendship.)

We celebrated by getting together, eating cake, and watching Sawyer, his older sister, open and play with his presents. Maybe next year he can muscle her out of the way. For now, he was content with a face full of blue frosting and a house full of friends and family. What a cute little dude.

Starting to walk like a champ

Sawyer opening Xander's presents.
Everybody wins when your brother has a birthday! 

Building block cake crafted by my sister-in-law

Cake mania

And in the spirit of being bittersweet about watching my favorite kids grow up too fast, I could not resist but attach this video that my brother made. It's the past year in four minutes. Get ready for goosebumps and a few tears of joy.