Aslan is on the move...

It is officially spring here (and has been for a few weeks) and it is GLORIOUS!  

I love snow, I really do.  Perhaps more than most people.  But toward the end of winter, when I see the snow start to melt and the green poke through, I always say out loud, "Aslan is on the move!"  

(No, I don't have a C. S. Lewis obsession...why do you ask?)

One of the biggest differences I have noticed between the North and the South is how excited northerners are for Spring and Summer.  Yes, southerners are excited about summer break, the beach, all of that.  But southerners can be outside for extended periods of time in the winter.  And southern summers are SO hot. 

Up north, winters can be brutal, but late spring and summer are absolutely wonderful.  Sometimes we will have days mid summer that are in the 90's, but usually it stays in the 70's and 80's.  And since everyone is so tired of being cooped up all winter, they spend all spring and summer outside!

We are taking advantage of the beautiful weather.  State College has some ah-mazing parks around the town, and we like to hit them up often.  Plus, we have a great little backyard in graduate housing that we share with other families with young children.  We have been eating dinner outside most nights, sitting out on the picnic table late talking to friends, and just soaking up the beautiful days!

Here is Gil with his best friend, Theo.  They don't actually know that they are best friends (yet), but his family is moving to southern Vermont, so we will keep the friendship alive!

Uncle Hunter (Bech's little brother) stopped by during his move from NYC to Mississippi a couple of weeks ago.  I sent him outside with Jackie-boy to enjoy the weather.

Gil does a lot of blanket sitting while Jack runs around.  Which means that I do a lot of pulling mulch, grass, and dandelions out of his little baby hands!

Another one of Gil's friends, Charlie.  Charlie needs to teach Gil a thing or two about smiling for the camera, because he has got it down!  We are at a local park that is only a few blocks away from our apartment and has quickly become one of our favorites.

Gil is a fan of the swing!

Jack got to take the class stuffed animal home last night.  It's a kangaroo named Joey, whom Jack insists is a girl and keeps calling "Josie."  Most days, after I pick Jack up from school, we hang out here in our little backyard, Gil on the blanket and Jack running around playing.

Ah, it's Pirate Jack.  This is actually a mix of a pirate and Peter Pan.  Jack has decided that this shirt (a screen printed "Everything is Awesome" shirt from one of Bech's students) and these blue and green striped shorts are his official Peter Pan outfit.  I know, there are easy patterns for a real Peter Pan costume, and I plan on making one soon.  But for now, this outfit makes him so happy.  

Also, that face.  He is one little wild man.

We had a cookout with friends two weekends ago and one of the girls snapped this picture of the kids table.  I love these little boys so much!  

I plan on soaking up every bit of outdoor fun time in State College this summer--visiting all of the parks, swimming in the pool, eating Rita's Italian Ice, and sitting outside with food and drinks and friends.  As excited as we are about our next chapter in Burlington, we do love this little community we have found in State College.

Visitors to Happy Valley

I mentioned this in a previous post, but we just had a whole slew of visitors!  After Bech's mom and my mom came (well, my mom was still here), my brother, dad, and grandparents arrived.  My grandmother refuses to fly (also, she doesn't know how to swim...that's a whole other story!), so they all drove up here.  After spending two days on the road to get here, I think they had a lot more sympathy with me for doing that drive 1 1/2 times by myself with Jack!

So here's what we did with our visitors...

Gil got to meet his great grandfather...

and great grandmother!

I think it is such a blessing that Gil has 4 great grandparents still living!  And when we come home for Christmas, he will get to meet the remaining two, Bech's paternal grandmother and my paternal grandmother.  

Also, that's some dang good DNA Bech and I have!  I think we will live to be very old...!

Bella shared, but she still needed some Gil snuggles.

Gil's face in this picture is hilarious.

I took Nana and Papa (and my dad, not pictured) to the Berkey Creamery for some famous Penn State ice cream.

We spent a morning out at Bellefonte, driving around and looking at Victorian houses as well as taking lots of pictures in Talleyrand Park.

Aren't my parents cute?

Also, Blaise, I am so sorry that I have no pictures of you.  I don't know why.  I think mom has some on her phone.

Gil approves of Talleyrand Park!

We took my grandparents to the Arboretum.  In hindsight, I should have allotted more time (oh, like ALL day) for this activity.  My grandparents love plants and flowers and trees, so they wanted to see everything here.  And the PSU Arboretum is really nice and big, so there was lots to see!

My mom has a "favorite street" in State College, full of lots of beautiful old houses.  One house on the street had this gorgeous tree.  The last afternoon they were here, my grandparents, Jack, and I all went to have a little impromptu photo session.  We stayed on the other side of the sidewalk...that makes it okay, right?

We also spent a day glued to Game Day (in Oxford) as well as the State and Ole Miss games.  We spent another day in Lancaster County, stalking the Amish (and stopping for some Sonic!), but, due to dropping my phone in a sink and forgetting my big camera, I don't have pictures from that day.

Here's Bella with Gil on the morning they left.  

Sidenote, how cute is the wreath my sister made for Gil?!?

All in all, Bech, Jack, Gil, and I had wonderful 3 1/2 weeks of visitors!

Easter

So many posts in one week...amazing, right?

We had busy and fun Easter weekend this year.

My sister and brother-in-law drove up Friday night from D.C.  I believe I have previously mentioned my geriatric bedtime.  Katy and Dave can now attest to the truthfulness of the bedtime.  They got in about 11 p.m.  Bech and I had, at that point, been asleep for at least an hour.

Saturday morning, Jackie boy got up bright and early (why do I have to drag him out of bed on a daycare day, but he wakes up at 6:30 on a Saturday?).  We waited until Katy and Dave woke up, then gave Jack his Easter basket.

We like to keep his Easter basket pretty basic.  We gave him a Berenstein Bears book (super unrealistic, side note), the first Rain for Roots cd, Hiro the train, a few happies (silly putty, crayons and a coloring book), and a toothpaste and toothbrush.  Because the kid needed a new toothbrush so why not add it to the basket.  

Hiro was definitely the favorite.

Bech had to go unload a kiln, so I showed Katy and Dave the sights of Bellefonte.  Which means we got coffee and went to the local library.  

As soon as Bech got home, we got to work egg dying.   This was the first year that we have dyed eggs with Jack.  And while he loved it, I think my artist husband and architect brother-in-law were having the most fun.

Goofy Jack was so happy to have his KK and Big Dave there!

We went to community egg hunt then made yummy tacos for dinner.

Sunday we headed to church then a friends house for lunch.

In case you are wondering, yes, this is the best picture as a family we got that day.  Also, this is why I rarely use my nice camera these days.  Because my child refuses to take cute picture.

And Jack in knee socks may be the cutest thing I've ever seen.  Expect it all summer.

Jack and his best buddies.  Also, pretty much a typical picture for 2 year old boys.

After lunch, Katy and Dave hit the road and Bech and Jack hit the hay for a nap.  I headed to a second Easter event.  Like I said, a busy but fun weekend!

Back to the ole blog!

Remember when I used to actually post on my blog?

Yeah, me neither.

Seriously, the past two months have been tough.  I started work, Jack started daycare, Bech started his second semester of grad school (complete with 2 night classes!).  There have been several nights where we have waddled in the door (due to our puffy jackets) at almost 6 and eaten cereal for dinner.  

So what have I not blogged about the past two months?

Well...for starters it has been CRAZY cold and snowy.

We are getting pretty good at driving in the midst of snow storms.  This winter has been rough.  I know it's been tough on the south too, which is really saying something. 

I am hoping that the winter is almost over.  This weekend we are getting up to the 40's, which seems downright toasty to me right now.  Even poor Jack is done with this weather.  The past two mornings while I put on his coat, he has cried and said, "I not like the cold."  

Me too, buddy, me too.

The long weekdays have made the weekends more special.  We have tried to enjoy our time together.

One weekend, we made the almost 10 hour trek to Nashville and back for my goddaughter's dedication.  It was a lot of time in the car, but totally worth it.  We love our sweet friends there and are always happy to spend time with them!

We went to get some BBQ for Valentine's Day.  Here's my little lovebug in his VDay shirt from Bella.

Finally, my child likes fries!  I was getting a little worried about him.

We've gotten to spend some time with State College friends, too.  This is Jack and his buddy Preston.  They are 9 months apart, but Jack LOVES Preston.

He used to show his affection by pushing him down, but lately they've just been playing Thomas together.  Much better!

We've had several other meals with friends, which is wonderful.  We have some sweet, sweet friends up here.  

We also have a sweet church, which we joined this past month!

 Finally, here is a picture of Jack from yesterday.  His Nina (Bech's mom) sent him a Mardi Gras shirt.  How old does my little boy look here?  I can't even handle it.  No more Baby Jack.  Heck, I'm not even sure I can get away with Toddler Jack for much longer!

So that's a brief summary of the past two months.  Honestly, there have just been a lot nights in, cuddling and watching Tarzan for the umpteenth time.  We are ready for some warmth and some sunshine!

Another game of catch up...

Life is crazy crazy crazy right now!  I am going to try to get up to speed, but I am exhausted so this post will be ALL over the place!

Two weekends ago, Jack started getting sick.  I took him to the doctor Monday, and poor Jackie boy was diagnosed with pneumonia.

A week and a half later, after 10 days of antibiotics and 3 doctors visits, we are finally finished with it!  Jack was a trooper.  He had a couple of rough nights, but he took his medicine like a champ.

Gosh, I love this kid.

But, since he got sick at the start of our last week at home together, we spent most of the week cuddled up on the couch or playing legos and trains at home.  Fun, yes, but not what I had in mind for my last week home--I was imagining the library every day, a couple of "chicky christy" (Chick-fil-a) visits, etc.

This past Monday, I started my job!

Sidenote, I'm not sure how much I am allowed to say about my job.  I was pretty vague about my teaching job last year as well.  Last fall I interviewed for a position at Penn State.  They liked me, but I wasn't as qualified as HR was requiring for the hire.  I got a call in December about doing an interim job for them.  So I will be working for a little over 3 months, filling in for a girl who had the chance to be part of a program abroad.  

Since it is interim, the pay is not amazing, but I am glad to be doing something!  Already, I think I am going to really enjoy this job.  I have some past experience, and I am excited about different opportunities within the job.

But, I am also excited that it is for 3 months.  I have enjoyed my time at home with Jack so much.  And, while staying at home is no piece of cake, being a working mom, at least for me personally, is more demanding.  By the end of April, when the full time staff person returns, I will be ready to return to being home with Jackie boy!

Even though I am enjoying my job, this has been a rough week so far!  It is FREEZING here in State College.  Literally, I don't think we are going to have a day above freezing for at least two weeks.  I am dying.

And then, on top of that, our pipes froze Tuesday night.  I managed to scrape together a (gross) bun for work that day, then came home, exhausted and cold, but expecting a nice, warm shower.  The maintenance men had come that morning and fixed the pipes.  But it was so cold during the day that they refroze again.

One of the maintenance men came out again and, bless his heart, spent two hours working on it.  He managed to unfreeze the downstairs pipes (so the kitchen sink and the half bath worked), but he needed to come back the next day to fix the upstairs.  Which meant I washed my hair in the kitchen sink.

I know kitchen sink baths are super cute when you are a baby.  They are NOT cute when you are 28.

Oh yeah, and add to this week that Bech has a show next week, so he has been at the studio until at least 9:30 every night. 

So tonight, Jack and I got home, ate cereal (and not organic...just the generic Wegman's nastiness, #momoftheyear) for dinner, and both took hot baths/shower.  He's asleep and I am about to be, and 9:15.  

To say I am excited is an understatement.

Sometimes you just need cereal for dinner and a geriatric bedtime.

Plus I just filled my rubber water bottle up to take to bed with me.

Just call me Grandma!

5 on Friday

I guess this is all my blogging has become lately, 5 on Friday.  But I love it...I can put down five random things if I so desire (which I always desire!).  Check out others here!

O   N   E

I am, perhaps, a little too excited about Herbal Essences new/old releases.  They rereleased two of their old shampoo and conditioner sets, and they're even using the old bottles.

Actually, I just realized there is no perhaps.   I am definitely too excited.  

Please tell me someone else actually cares about this too?

 T   W   O

This one is actually exciting.  Tonight I get to go to hear Andrew Peterson in concert!  

I absolutely adore Andrew's music.  I'm not much of a concert goer (can we say old lady?), but I knew that if he came close to me, I wanted to go!

And he is!  He will be in the Lancaster area (so about two hours away) tonight, and we are going with some new friends!

T   H   R   E   E

I don't know if I've really talked about this on my blog, but we have already been so thankful and excited for all of our new friends here.  I honestly don't think that the social aspect of moving has ever been easier, unless it was in Malawi.

We have made some sweet church friends who we already love spending time with.  The ceramics department and graduate students have been incredible as well.  

And I'm even making friends in grocery stores.

Who said Yankees were unfriendly?

F   O   U   R

Sadly, I didn't get the job I interviewed for last week.  

I was sad, but not completely disappointed.  It was for a Penn State admissions counselor.  I was pretty pumped to have even gotten to the final interviews.  I was also pretty sure that if someone actually had a Penn State connection, they would get it over me.

I had another interview yesterday.  It went well, but I'm not sure that I want it to work out.  It would involve some aspects I'm not so sure about (I know that sounded super weird.  But when I do or don't get it, I'll elaborate!).

So it's back to the grind...I just want a job!  I had NO idea it would be this hard!

F   I   V   E

Check out my little bud in his Sunday best!  Fall weather means breaking out his cute fall clothes.

Actually it's been rather warm this week...I think it will be 81 tomorrow.  But next week should be in the 60's!

Bech was firing a kiln all Sunday, so Jack and I brought him a picnic dinner to eat outside of the art building.  

I don't even want to think about the age where Jack stops wearing smocked longalls.  He just melts my heart in this outfit.

Alright, that was cathartic/fun.  I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

PA Update

Sorry for the lapse in posting!  Between applying for jobs (yup, still no job!) and studying for and retaking my translation comp, we have been crazy around here.  Plus Bech started school last week and the pressure is ON!

So here's what we've been up, plus lots of pictures (albeit iphone pics) of life lately.

I mentioned a couple of posts ago that the local park has historical trains.  Here is a shot of one of them.  Jack LOVES these trains.  He calls them "Pencer" (Spencer) and Percy, and we talk about them all of the time.  We actually try to go to the park once a day (although we didn't this weekend).  It is a great little treat for him.

When we moved, we took with us this board that my dad made for my little brother when he was little. Jack loves being able to play with all of his trains in his room.

The first week we were here it was a little chilly in the mornings.  Lately it has been HOT.  Not hot compared to Southern terms, but hot for a state where most people (ourselves included!) don't have air-conditioning.  But it looks like the temps are going to get into the 70's this week.  Yay!  Fall is on the way!!!

Anytime Jack is near tracks this is ALL he wants to do.  Just walk up and down them all day.  A little strange, but an easy enough request to grant.

The local park has a small sand pit that Jack likes to play in.

Don't let those puppy dog eyes fool you...this boy is a HOT MESS!

I explained this picture on instagram.  A week before we moved, I went by The Dollar Tree.  While I was there, I found Bech's favorite hand lotion.  I grabbed him some and, when I got home, I told him I had a "treat" for him.  Jack asked where his treat was.  I did some quick thinking and gave him a sponge I had also purchased at the Dollar Tree.  He was delighted!  I packed it up the next day, but he found it last week in our new house.  He yelled, "My treat! My treat!"  I'm thinking dish rags might be a good stocking stuffer this year...

See what I mean!  More track pictures, but a different day!

There is a river (creek?) that runs through our little town.  It is beautiful!  There are trout (and good fishing).  People kayak and canoe down it.  I absolutely love it.  

Since I'm at home all day with Jack, I'm trying to be somewhat productive.  Last week I menu planned and ending up trying some really good new recipes that we both loved.

These are cheesy jalapeno stuffed baked chicken.  I prepped them ahead of time, and they didn't take long at all.  They are low cal and really yummy.

I feel like someone sent me this recipe a couple of months ago, but I can't for the life of me remember who.  But I pinned it and ended up making it last week.  It's a chicken pot pie with a biscuit crust.  Definitely not low cal, but really filling, so you don't need a huge serving.  I made the recipe, and Bech and I had leftovers for lunch the next day or two.  If you end up making this, shred the chicken instead of cutting it up. 

I also made a low cal chicken salad that I am currently obsessed with (so obsessed that I made it this week too!).

Our local park has TONS of ducks that are really friendly and love to be fed.  Jack loves getting to visit and feed the ducks and the fish.

My boy, who never really cared for stuffed animals, is now obsessed!  He likes to have several with him at a time.  His current favorite is the bunny from Goodnight, Moon.  My professor gave this to him before he was born and I've always loved it.  But like I said, he didn't care for stuffed animals, and that made me sad.  But when I unpacked it in PA, it was suddenly his new best friend!

My friend Amy came into town for a visit (our first visitor!).  She was our good friend in Vermont, and she is back in her hometown of Pittsburgh (less than 3 hours away).  We had fun visiting, eating, and laughing.  We drove into State College Sunday afternoon and stopped in to visit Bech at his studio.  Jack thought all of the clay was his new toy!

We are doing well here.  People in our church and community have been so welcoming to us.  We have been to parties, cookouts, play dates, library dates, etc.  We are loving the people here, and I think we are really going to enjoy our time in the State College area.