Technology

I've haven't been able to rip myself from my computer this past week because of this lovely invention. Skype has been my saving grace this last week while my husband is on the other side of the world. I'm not a tech savvy person who's up on all the latest trends, but this has been amazing. I love it that I get to see Eric everyday and talk about all the adventures he's having. Once he sends some pictures, I'll update you all on his adventures.

Oh Mexico!

Since I have been apart of the Crane clan, we have only had one, maybe two, traditional Thanksgivings. I have to admit that I love their style because this year we spent it in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico! We spent the week snorkling, dancing with the locals, relaxing, and people watching on the boardwalk (one of my favorite things to do). It was an incredible week! The weather was perfect. The company was fantastic. I would do it all again next week if I could.

Thanks Joe and Janet for such a great trip!

Here is a detailed description of each picture:

1. Kim, Me, Eric and Taylor on the boat getting ready to snorkel

2. Real, live turkeys that our resort brought in for the festivities

3. Mason with his sunscreen not quite rubbed in. At least they have it on, right Dan?

4. Me and Amber on the boardwalk

5. Fajita Republic- all the kids are zonked out from the bus ride. Taylor and Mason look like they've had a long day.

6. Me and Eric at the waterfall in Yalapa.

7. Sawyer, Mason, Tanner, and Wyatt playing in the sand

8. Eric and Mason swimming together.

What we did this Summer

I know this is long overdue, but here are a few highlight of our summer.

What's in a Name?

So I used to think that picking out a name for our child would be a walk in the park and I've always valued other people's opinions, until now. I was speaking with a few people regarding what we were thinking our child's name should be and a random person, not in the conversation, chimed in, "That is an awful name. Why would you do that to your kid?" I was in awe that this person felt comfortable enough to be so honest. Later on a different person said, "It sounds like a dog's name." I have to say I was a bit offended because I loved the name. Now I know why some people keep it a secret until the very end. All I can think about now is a dog and the humiliation my child might face if I name him what I was planning on.

If you have any non-humiliating suggestions, please let me know. We've got nothin!

Not Forgotten

I know that it has been a while since I've updated our blog. I apologize for not keep you all in the loop, especially since there are so many things going on. I promise that a massive update is coming soon! I'll catch you all up on Baby Crane, our new place, and the amazing summer that we had. As for now, enjoy your week.

Boys- 5 Girls- 0

That's right folks. Add another boy to the ranks in the Crane Family.

So You Think YOU can Dance

While in Utah shopping with my sister-in-law at the Gap, our nephew let the music move his soul. No coaching required. He doesn't think he can dance, he KNOWS!!!

Happy 4th of July!

Here are only a few of the hundred pictures I took at the parade!

Love a man in uniform!

Eric's next bike

Happy Late Birthday

I should have posted this sooner, but here are a couple of pictures from Eric's birthday. Happy 27!

Here are the cupcakes I made.

My Daily Commute

Memorial Day

For Memorial Day weekend, Eric and I traveled down to Virginia Beach to soak up the sun. 

Flying kites on the beach.

Men preaching on the boardwalk.

Drove across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel

Found a remote field in the middle of nowhere

Norfolk Pier

The National Cathedral

Eric and I finally got around to seeing the National Cathedral.  I was completely amazed by the beauty that surrounded us as we walked through the grounds. I took notice of the intricate details on the outside of the building.  The carvings were quite exquisite. We arrived after hours and therefore, were not able to view the interior.   Hopefully we can make it back there soon in time to take a tour inside. 

More from Atlantis

Eric the Artist

Eric has decided to explore his artistic side and take up painting. Look for it-- coming soon to a living room near you!

Spring into Action

Eric and I ventured out last weekend to one of the sculpture gardens in DC. Everything is starting to bloom and I can definitely tell it's spring--- ALLERGIES! It's a good thing that the weather is improving.

Eric's album cover

It's Better in the Bahamas

I won a trip at the end of last year to the beautiful Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas. Here is just a snapshot of our trip. We loved all of the fish tanks and had a blast going down the water slides into the shark tank. The fish were great and the weather was amazing.

This was Eric's favorite sea creature. It must be some type of sting ray. It was enormous!

And then we came home to this.

Thoroughly Modern

While I was home a couple weeks ago, my sweet grandma took me out for a show. We went to the play "Thoroughly Modern Millie" and it inspired me. I decided to bob my hair! I loved having long hair, but I do love short hair.

"Good bye, good goody girl. I'm changing and how. So beat the drum cuz here comes thoroughly modern Millie now!"

Freeze Frame

So I've been playing with the shutter speed on my camera and I'm a little proud of myself that I was able to take some decent photos. This last one of the tree is my favorite. I love the intricacies of the branches and believe it or not, it was a pitch black sky. I guess the longer you leave your shutter open, the more blue your sky becomes. I love it. I'm no professional, but I like what I'm seeing.

For Lydia

Months and Months ago, my friend Lydia tagged me on her blog. I was supposed to write 6 things about myself that were non-important facts. Of course I have been going crazy thinking about what to say. So here goes nothing:

1- I'm totally weirded out by things that creep, crawl, squirm, scutter, and slither---to the extent that I have nightmares about having them all over me! I always jump when I see them on tv or if I catch a shadow out of the corner of my eye.

2-I don't like getting my hair cut because I don't like it when the stylist brushes the hair in my face and I have to leave it there while she cuts. It drives me mad!! It tickles my face and I hate having it there. I often move it to the side just to have the stylist move it back.

3-I'm weird about what tip my pen is. Depending on the surface and the space I am writing in, I choose how fine I would like my tip to be. I know this is a common one, but I often will rewrite or fill out another form to change my pen point so that I like the way my hand writing looks. OCD?

4-The pink key chain. I bought this super cute key chain when I was working at Banana Republic. I think I even bought it before I was married. I bought it and wanted to save it until I bought myself my first car. Five years later, I still haven't purchased myself a car and the key chain still sits in my jewelry box.

5-I prefer to eat muffins with a fork.'

6-So unfortunately there is no 6. I've taken this long to come up with 5 quirky things about myself and I think that's enough.

Lydia, I hope this satisfies your curiosity.

A Whole Lotta Love

Valentines Day began with cupcakes. I gathered with some friends and their children for a fun-filled afternoon of decorating. I learned this great trick of "pooling". I believe that is what it's called when you create a smooth-like surface with the frosting. There's something about cupcakes that puts a skip in my step. I enjoy decorating them and Eric enjoys eating them. I knew we were meant to be together.

Our adventure continued to Chinatown where we waited to load the Chinatown bus to Philadelphia. It was a bit of a fiasco getting on the bus, but what do you expect in Chinatown. All-in-all, I think waiting for 6 hours wasn't so bad.
Eric trying to keep a smile while we waited. We were supposed to leave for Phili at 11:45 but our bus didn't depart until 6:00 pm. What a day!


We finally made it to Philadelphia and the next morning we started our adventure at the Ben Franklin Institute of Science. Who would have thought that learning would be so much fun. There were quite a few kids there and I really wanted to shove them out of the way so that I could have a turn. I promise that I'm trying to be patient and learn how to share.


Then we went to see Rocky. It was quite hilarious watching people try to run up the steps and only make it half way- I know, I'm heartless. But it was kind of funny.


More pics around the city of Brotherly Love!

We came to this great plaza that had these sweet life-size game pieces. Maybe I would enjoy games more if I played with these big pieces.


We saw the Liberty Bell. It's a good thing we came here because neither of us knew the "true" story of how the bell got cracked. She was a beauty!

And we walked the cobblestone streets and watched the horse carriages go by. Eric didn't like it that I didn't sing the horse and buggy song. He kept saying, "My grandma would sing it with me." I would sing it too if I knew the song.

To get out of the cold, we went into this bowling alley/lounge. It was pretty swanky- it even had a dress code. It's a good thing we passed. Bowling here was a big milestone for me because I finally broke 100- It never happens to me. I know-- laugh it up.