A Roundabout Love Letter

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{Florence and the Machine Concert at the Midland Kansas City – December 2011}

Did I ever tell you all how I won tickets to see Florence and the Machine back in December? A few weeks prior, the husband had emailed me and asked if I’d want to go see this particular show and I answered, “Um, hell yes” only to find tickets were already sold out. Womp, womp. This was especially sad because the husband never, ever, ever wants to go to live concerts, and the thought that he may actually want to go to one that I was dying to see was fairly awesome. Whatever, sadsies, I moved on.

Then, on the day of the show, a radio DJ who I have a slight girl crush on (and think we are best friends because we met twice at Rock the Vote events back in the day AND she follows me on Twitter…BFFs 4 LIFE!) tweeted that the first people to respond to her would get free tickets. And guess who won?

(If you didn’t guess me, then you are an idiot.)

It was an incredible show. Florence has one of those voices that makes you want to cry, it’s so powerful. At one point Trent said his ears actually hurt, she was so good. Plus, Trent and I hadn’t had a real date night like that in ages, and it made me remember how much I actually like the guy. I know, that sounds mean, but when you share a life and kids with someone, there are times when you can get bogged down in the day to day mundane-ness of existing. This is especially true around the holidays, when every day is a frantic race to get it all done. It’s so easy to forget about the good stuff.

It's not Xmas until someone takes a pic of you with a stuffed bear in a sombrero and sends it to you in their holiday card.

{Good Stuff = Bears in Sombreros}

Dear Husband,

Sometimes you drive me crazy and I disagree with everything that comes out of your mouth. But you’re the only guy I want next to me when I’m being accosted by a bear in a sombrero. Thanks for sticking with me and finding that perfect spot in the crowd so I had the best view of Flo. I love you.

Love,
Your Wife

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012

Happy 2012!
{Photo via Flickr}

I know, I’m a few days past the new year. But I was driving many hours with two little kids and then my husband had surgery and now my eyes are about to close……what?! I’m up!

New Years Eve weekend was a fun one for my little family, as we packed up the whole crew and went on a roadtrip to Boulder, Colorado to celebrate the many birthdays we have in the next few months. While we were there we took Lucy ice skating for the first time! We also saw movies, ate cake and drank a bucket or two of wine. I even carried and tapped a keg with my brother-in-law (to be), the first time since I was about 20! The family kept joking about how they have finally discovered my talent.

2011 was an incredible year for me, filled with mostly highs, with a few lows sprinkled in to make things interesting. We started off in a sleepy haze, still getting used to Tate joining our family. I spent most of my early days of 2011 tucked into my bed surrounded by babies and children and guests. Lucy cut her own hair and I cried because I was a hormonal mess. Then I cried because my website was down for weeks.

Later Justin Bieber almost killed me and Lucy joined a soccer team called the Beaver Girls. Both of these things are true. My wonderful friends threw me a sip and see baby shower. I went back to work after a blissful maternity leave and missed napping almost more than I missed Tate (I said ALMOST!). I made “to do” lists and shared my working mom must haves.

In late spring we surprised Lucy with a trip to Disney World for her birthday and she danced in her first real recital. Lulu turned five and Tate grew and grew and grew. I took my annual sabbatical from the Internet, despite grumbles from my adoring fans.

Lucy and I went shopping for school supplies and ended up making an advertisement for Target. We said goodbye to my favorite person ever, our summer nanny. I became a lunch box packing MACHINE and turned 29-years-old.

I wrote about beauty and in turn was quoted by one of my blogging idols. I was asked to curate a slideshow for Kirtsy featuring fall weddings. I decided to run ads on this site, after a four year hiatus. I started riding horses again. I dressed my kids up as Star Wars characters for Halloween.

I ran my first race, a 5K with my dad. My BFF, Abbie, wrote candidly about the Penn State scandal and the real issues behind the abuse of children. We took some incredible family photos and spent Thanksgiving in Rigby, Idaho, where I met the real life Ranger Joe from Full House.

I shared my holiday gift guide and wasted time on Pinterest. We visited the Christmas House (twice). Tate turned one and Trent turned 30. I petted a stuffed bear wearing a sombrero at a holiday party. We rolled credits on 2011.

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Oh, 2012, how will you ever compare?

Roll Credits 2011

Every year I make a little playlist for all of you (see past years here and here and here and here) and this year is no exception. I tried to vary my selections a little bit this year so your ears won’t bleed too much from indie band whining, and also included some pop hits that were the soundtrack to my year. Beyonce? Yes, Lucy loves that song. Jay and Kayne? Yeah, sometimes we all need to shake it a little.

And of course, there are some songs you’ve never heard of and probably will make you want to jump off a bridge. But give it a chance. Goodbye 2011, you were awesome. Here’s to 2012!

(To hear the full and more amazing version of this playlist [some songs I loved couldn’t be found via Playlist.com], get it on Spotify. Do it, trust me.)

Merry Everything!

Merry everything, from all of us over at Crazybananas! We hope your holiday is filled with fun and happiness and s’mores, like ours will surely be.

Xmas Card Front

Xmas Card Back

{The Crazybananas Christmas Card, 2011}

The Crazybananas 2011 Holiday Gift Guide

It’s that time of year again! And by “that time of year” I mean the time of year when my husband corners me and wants to know what I want or need for Christmas (that can be shipped in a week, of course). So here you go, people. And by people, I mean husband. Ho ho ho!

Christmas Wish List 2011

1. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (Nook ebook) – $12.99

2. Wide Pleat Skirt – $19.99

3. Donation to Charity Water – $20

4. iPhone 4s – $299

5. Inside Out Bowl – $8 each

6. Toms Sunglasses – Classic 101 – $125 (for every pair purchased, Toms donates half of the price to charity)

7. Rules of Work Poster Set – $85

8. Stila Holiday Lip Glaze Set – $25

9. Playstation Move Bundle ($61) + Just Dance 3 ($39)

10. Pocketwatch Necklace – $5.95

11. J Crew Perfect Shirt – $78

12. Universal 8 inch Mini Tripod – $3.00

13. Nike+ Wristband – $59

14. Honeymoon – Trent and I are FINALLY going on our honeymoon in 2012. Now, if someone could just plan this for me, it would be the best present ever. Please and thank you.

15. Tickets to See Radiohead in Kansas City – Prices Vary, $90 and up

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