Tahoe interlude

In between our bi-coastal wedding weekends in early October, we spent a few days at Lake Tahoe. It was less expensive to stay in CA and then fly out to NY directly, so we used the funds to cover a couple days at an off-season ski lodge. So much more relaxing than flying back to ABQ for a few crazed days of laundry, repacking and catching another flight to NY!

While we were too early for the ski runs near our condo in Olympic Valley,

We were perfectly-timed for something just as exciting… repair season! Luke was enamored with the slew of construction vehicles that dotted the town so we made exploring the equipment an evening tradition.

We also came across this super-jump trampoline ride on its last night of operation for the warm weather season. Luke was a bit uncertain at first.

But quickly warmed up and soon was leaping into the air.

Olympic Valley boasted a playground fit for future Olympians. Perfect for the mountain climbing wolf boy!

And Ellabelle, super-swinger. Check out the whole playground photo-shoot here.

Back at the lodge, we sprinted through the chilly courtyard to take a few dips in the outdoor hot tub. Here are the kiddos suited up for a swim!

We loved the sleepy village of Olympic Valley and its off-season toddler fun and scenic vistas.

But of course we did manage to check out the main attraction, Lake Tahoe. I’ll try to write in again soon with a report on our lake time!

Wedding week Part 2

Luke had warmed up his dance moves a little bit in the first half of our wedding double header, but he really let loose at Uncle Bryan and Aunt Chelsie’s reception. His giddy audience-activated hyper-drive was on full power, and he loved showing off his moves while everyone else ate dinner. Erik and I were celebrating too because our little boy had done an impeccable job delivering the rings during the wedding ceremony. And how cute he was in his ring-bearer suit! Unbelievably though, we took NO photos of him all suited up. So I’m borrowing these next two from Heather Nielsen, the only shots we have of Luke the irresistible ring bearer.

And we were so honored to have Erik serve as a groomsman for his brother. But since he’d been a groomsman for 3 out of the 5 weddings we’ve attended since having kids, it got me thinking… the next wedding we attend I need to work my way into the bridal party! That way Erik can try his hand at being solo kid-corraller at a wedding service. Here Heather and I try to get a photo with all three of the Nielsen great-grandchildren together.

Thankfully we were able to stay with Erik’s parents and grandparents in a cabin on the grounds of the retreat center where the wedding was held. They were all-star child entertainers!

And our trusty orange-mobile was all the transportation we needed for the weekend. Here’s Miss Elzabel in her typical feet-propped-up position.

Bryan and Chelsie tied the knot on the shores of Lake George, NY.  Not only is that a meaningful area for them, but it also happens to be significant in Erik’s and my relationship. I grew up in NC and Erik in NY, but we share a childhood tradition of camping each summer at the very same itty-bitty campground on Lake George. When I learned that about Erik, it set off my “he’s the one” radar for the second time. Now Bryan and Chelsie’s beautiful ceremony adds another layer to this lake’s romance for us!

The rustic stone chapel where they said their vows was the epitome of storybook charm.

The leaves were just starting to turn and the entire weekend was gorgeously mild and sunny. The weather and every detail joined us in celebrating the beautiful love that this couple has for one another. We are so thrilled that the Lord has brought them together – for the gift they are to each other and to everyone they know. I’m especially delighted to now have such a wonderful fellow sister/daughter in-law among the Petersburgh Nielsens, and look forward to spending time with Chelsie at family get-togethers to come! Many many blessings Bryan and Chelsie!

(A few more pics here.)

Wedding doubleheader

When it rains it pours! It had been over a year since we’d been able to attend a wedding, but earlier this month we enjoyed back-to-back wedding weekends. Both couples chose lovely locations, but they tested our travel mettle by marrying on opposite sides of the country!

First up was an elegant northern Californian affair for a dear college friend of ours and former roommate to Erik. Erik was honored to be part of the wedding party, and we both enjoyed catching up with lots of old friends. Here we are hanging out at the Sacramento Zoo with Andrew and John. Luke loved the attention from our kind toddler-savvy friends!

Then we drove up to Chico where the wedding was held at a beautiful old church downtown. Here’s the Ella-belle at her very first wedding.

And Luke looking dapper in his suit and tie.

The reception was held at a country club and Luke, Eleanor and I went outside for a few minutes to release some wiggles. I thought Luke was a very lucky boy because I let him pretend to drive a parked golf cart. But then the manager directed a teenage employee to take us for a spin! The thoughtful teen let Luke drive the cart completely on his own over the grass. Later that week we saw another golf cart and Luke insisted on driving it. But alas, his driving permit was a one-time-only deal.

DJ and his bride Ashley make a beautiful couple, radiant with love for one another and eager to build a God-honoring life together. We wish them all the best and hope it isn’t so long until we see everyone again!

Waiting on the moon

Last week we mentioned the Luna house that captivated us. Well, it wasn’t quite love at first sight. When we first walked in we decided she looked like an Italian restaurant with 6 laundry rooms. Erik thought the former owner-husband must have surprised his wife every few weeks by building another laundry room before she came home from work. We wondered if she appreciated his efforts.

But after further reflection and a second visit, we saw beneath her disguises. She has lots of space, some lovely brick floors, beamed ceilings, gorgeous fireplaces, and best of all, the most perfect layout. She also has countless roof leaks, mostly bare concrete floors, a man-eating jungle of an overgrown yard, and is pining for updates galore. But we love the license that leaves for us to restore her with our own creative vision and functional preferences. Erik, ever the wonderful husband, would love to fix her up himself to build a ‘dream house’ for me. And we think she’d be an ideal place to host friends and family as well as church and community gatherings.

So about a month ago, we were thrilled to sign a contract with the seller! I started trolling Craig’s List for rugs, windows, and appliances in earnest. Erik zeroed in on the best roof replacement options. Luke became excited about moving to the ‘giant house’ where there’d even be room for a train table!  Yesterday, however, the contract derailed. We had to terminate because it couldn’t close due to a lien on the property. So now we’re submitting a short sale offer to the bank and settling in to wait. We’ve heard that at times the bank replies in two weeks and in other cases two years go by without a response.

We have prayed, hand-wringed, and discussed this house through and through. We are thankful that the process is in God’s hands now and that He can have our low offer treated as He wishes by the bank. And we’re so grateful for the cozy and memory-filled home we have here right now. We’ll keep you in the Luna loop!

Sweet, sour & silly talk

SWEET

Luke waltzed off to play as I tearfully bid him goodbye when we tried out ‘Mother’s Morning Out’ back in September. All morning I missed his vibrant activity. When I came to pick him up, eager to see how he fared, he was contentedly eating a snack and talking to a teacher. So independent! Not missing his mother at all!

So I squatted down to say hi to my big boy. His face brightened as he looked up at me and in his most earnest voice he told me, “Thank you coming back Mommy.”

In the car he shared a few more poignant thoughts. “Luke worried Mommy no pick up.” Of course I told him that he didn’t need to worry because I’ll always come to get him. So he said, “Sorry Mommy Luke worried.”

With sweetness like that, I am constantly reminding him that he’s adored by his parents. And he likes to remind me back: “Mommy loves Luke SOOOO much!”

He also has the sweetest way of delivering thank you and please requests (unless he’s in a grouchy mood!) and in the morning he walks out and sweetly says, “Good morning Daddy!”

And sometimes that sweetness is shared with his sister. A few weeks ago, he asked me to read him a truck book but I wasn’t able to read it right then. So Luke happily moved on to Plan B: “Luke read truck book to Eleanor!” That melted my heart too!

SOUR

Just a couple weeks ago he started the ‘why phase.’ And now he constantly asks us why about everything. I try to preempt the question by giving a reason initially but it has absolutely no effect. There are things that I love to explain and discuss with our boy, but I realize now that there are also many things that I don’t want questioned! How can I teach him the difference?

Sometimes when I tell Luke to do something, he looks at me very seriously and says: “one more minute” with his pointer finger held up. The audacity! He wants to be a little negotiator already.

Well, there are certainly many more sour sayings to report, but we don’t want to dwell on them. So we’ll move on…

SILLY

Luke has been taking excessive precautions in his backseat driving these days. “Daddy no hit lions. No hit purple lions.” We’re also instructed not to hit green horses, blue fire trucks, and airplanes. If you’re inclined to orange dragon road rage, Luke’s the road trip partner for you.

He makes other requests in the car too. The other day he announced: “Mommy, Luke want to jump on monkeys’ bed!!” After a pause, he added another request. “Mommy! Luke want monkeys jump on Luke’s bed!”

He tells me the funniest things when I lie down with him at bedtime. Like this sequence:

“Luke like dinosaurs, Mommy.”  Long pause.

“Luke like dinosaurs no moving.”  Shorter pause.

“Luke scared dinosaurs!”

You keep us laughing Luke!

Disney magic

Of course we didn’t leave Luke out of the extended costume fun. Especially when we had this hanging in our closet. Make way for Mouse Ears!

I don’t think Luke is actually familiar with the iconic Disney mouse. But he still had fun gallivanting around our backyard dressed as a cheerful meadow-dweller. Here he is hiding in a grassy habitat.

Befriending flora and fauna.

Embracing modern transportation technologies.

And planning meadow improvement projects.

This last one reminds me of the Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Be careful what you do with that stick, Luke Mouse!

More mouse photos here.

Blooms & Bugs

Our costume fun didn’t stop with the Fire Brigade. Little Miss Ella is too full of personality to be limited to just one costume in this super-cute stage. So when I saw a flower costume at a resale shop and a friend gave me her girls’ ladybug costume, I couldn’t wait to dress our princess up all over again. Here she is, the Ella-Bloom!

Air kisses for her adoring public.

And winter-blooming on a cold morning in the stroller.

Then our garden fun continued, with Ella-BUG!!!

On a hunt around the yard

To find flower petals and other baby bug toys.

We love you Ellie-bug and Ella-bloom! You’re welcome in our yard anytime.

(So many more cute pics here and here.)