spider spider

Really, though, if I had actually seen a spider I never would have gotten that close.

I used to want to live in one of these...

I blame the smurfs.

Happy 30th my beloved friends...

It's hard to believe that my friendship with Hannah and Leah is going on 14 years. I remember Hannah's laughing face when I first met her a few days in to my Junior year in high school at a new school, in a different state, and not knowing a single person. She soon introduced me to Leah, her twin sister and the rest is history. They are a part of who I am am and I am so thankful that God put them in my life.

We celebrated their 30th birthday this past weekend and enjoyed spending time together with old friends who are a part of each other's history.

Landon, singing "Happy Birthday" to Hannah and Leah.

A few years ago, after the bridal shower Shalyn and I threw for Hannah was over, I asked my mom how she thought it went. She observed that she had never been to a shower where everyone was so much at ease and had so much to say to each other. She then said, "You could tell that the room was filled with friends who knew each other's secrets." I've always remembered that and I am so blessed to have you all know my secrets and to have you trust me with yours. Hannah, Leah - thirty is just the beginning and I am happy beyond anything to know that I will be with you all the way.

Baby Molly

Goodness. Welcome to the world darling Molly!!! Congratulations to Cayce and Scott on their beautiful baby girl! I can't wait to meet her!

Molly Louise Maue

6 lbs. 15 oz.

19.5 inches

*Photos taken by Janae* ;)

Pretty Purple

I took this picture a couple of months ago in early July and completely forgot to post it. So here it is!

Copper Lines

Apparently you can make money out of stealing copper and turning it in to a metal processing plant, much like turning in soda cans although I assume the money is much better. I noticed a few weeks ago that the drain pipes on our building were missing and asked my landlord about it. The copper thieves had struck our building and stolen as many copper drain pipes as they could reach. St. Louis Hills is mostly made up of old pre-war buildings and is rich in these copper pipes. Our landlord quickly replaced the missing drain pipes with new copper ones and I have been watching them slowly turn that pretty green patina.

Living Carpet

Instead of short cropped grass, my nieghbor's backyard has these little plants covering the ground. I don't know what it is called (it's probably some type of weed), but I think they look sweet.

Overexposed

This is what happens when you start fiddling with camera settings without knowing what they do.

Sunny Leaves

I took this picture at Suson Park in late July. It's another attempt at catching the elusive sun flare.

Stained Glass

Boogaloo, in Maplewood Missouri.

Mizzou-rah

My friends, Hannah and Steve, inivited me to their home over the weekend to watch a Mizzou football game. I haven't been to a football game since High School so I readily accepted. We started the morning with some breakfast tailgating...yummy...

Hannah and the rest of the crew took turns throwing a football. I took turns heckling them.

Rain ponchos are just so flattering. I don't know why we ladies don't step out in them more often.

Fabulous Leah, ignoring the rain and still having a good time. I had a poncho on, mind you, and spent the first half of the game with my head down trying in vain to keep my glasses dry.

Eventually the rain/drizzle stopped and I was able to come out of my plastic shelter and enjoy the game. I don't really understand football, so the subtleties are lost on me - but I do know that Mizzou won.

Here was my favorite part of the game. I'm partial to the band nerds.

All in all I had a wonderful weekend! I can't wait to come up again and thanks for the lovely weekend Hannah and Steve!

Man....

Not to sound ungrateful, but right now I would rather be in Costa Rica on the beach or on the above pictured porch in the jungle! So relaxing...

I'm heading out to Columbia the weekend to watch a Mizzou football game with Hannah, Steve, and Leah. I haven't been to football game since I left Texas, so this should be fun!

My New Best Friend

Yes, I have heard of ipods and yes, I know that practically everyone has one. Except myself, and frankly I wasn't so sure that I would ever use it to its fullest potential. Well, I guess I've joined the 21st century, because I recieved one as a gift from my family on my birthday and have had no end of fun with it! I am an obssesive NPR listener and while I like listening to music on this little gadget it's really the podcasts that I've fallen in love with. Now, I can listen to Fresh Air when it's convenient and listen to Talk of Nation, This American Life and more as well. But I have also discovered the BBC podcasts and have become a huge fan of their Documentaries series. Yay for being able to listen to shows whenever I feel like it!!

Fall is a coming...

I went for a walk in the neighborhood this weekend with my family and my mom pointed out to me that you could tell that Fall was coming because her Fall flowers were beginning to bloom. Aren't they pretty?

Clash of the Titans

Darcy, getting ready for the kill.

Stella, completely oblivious to the danger she is in.

An afternoon at the Park

My sister Aili decided to trek out to South City in order to spend time with the "Aunties" as she now calls us. After grabbing lunch we decided to take the kids to a nearby park and walk around.

Joe, bravely brandishing his Robin sword. The little dude is surprisingly accurate with it!!

I am not only a bunny whisperer, but a squirrel whisperer as well. Joe and I were watching the squirrels when I told him that I wanted to say hello. I'm sure the squirrels at the park must be used to being fed by humans - because he came right over to me. Imagine my and Joe's surpise! He got so close that I was afraid he was going to scamper up my pant leg!

Roots

The house I lived in when my family was in Costa Rica in the late 1970s. It is right across the street from my grandparent's house. I have fond memories of this little place.

Lucky Cricket

I went out to Stir Crazy recently, with a group of friends to celebrate Elena's new "grown up" apartment. We had a great time talking and cracking each other up as only old friends can. Before we left I noticed this friendly cricket on the edge of our booth. The Chinese consider crickets lucky, and since we were at a Chinese restaurant I thought this little guy was especially propitious.