... Lesley.

Tonight Chad sent Lesley and I out for one last night together before Rachael and I leave tomorrow. We picked a really girly spot: Target! They even have a Starbucks so we treated ourselves to hot chocolate when we got there.

I don't know what was in the hot chocolate, but we got really silly while we were shopping. Because brown shoes go with everything. And pink shoes go with everything. And black shoes go with everything. And pink shoes go with, of course, everything.

I guess you just had to be there.

Thanks Lesley!

... and getting to know Kira.

Tonight Kira was ready for bed, but then she spotted my laptop and decided she needed to investigate. She climbed right up and maneuvered around the touchpad like a pro. She showed me a couple of her favorite websites and was really disappointed when I finally put it away.

It was fun to spend a little time with her!

... the Three Little Pigs.

Tonight I put both Anika and Rachael to bed. Chad and Lesley are enjoying a well-deserved night out. Rachael and Anika both went to bed in the same room at the same time, and that is a feat in and of itself.

They have slightly different bedtime routines, but not by much. We read books with ours; I think Chad tells stories. I couldn't find a book but Anika requested "The Three Little Pigs," one that I am familiar with from my own childhood. I'm not the great storyteller I remember my father being, or where the green blankets were suppose to go, but my version must have worked with these girls because they both thought it was great. Our first house was sticks, the second building blocks (Rachael's idea) and the third bricks (Anika's contribution).

I'm glad my parents brought me up with traditions that we can continue with our kids, and that I still remember how to tell the story!

... and the cute baby!

Smiling babies are so cute! They make everyone happy!

... shopping with my sister.

When we were kids, sometimes we went to Utah to visit the family. We knew this almost always meant one day where we were going to be left with Dad and/or Grandpa, while Grandma, Mom and her sisters went shopping.

I'm glad to say my sister Lesley and I have graduated this tradition to a new generation. Today we left four girls ages 6 months to 7 years with her husband and went shopping. It was so fun! I big thanks to Chad for being willing to take them all without complaint.

The deal of the day comes from Lane Bryant; I got a new wool coat for $39. What a deal!

... safe travels.

Rachael and I drove to my sister's house in Pennsylvania today, just us. Rachael didn't really help much with the driving. We had light drizzle and some rain, and a few spots of dense fog, but otherwise no complaints. We're here in one piece (two pieces?) until Saturday.

I'm so glad Lesley lives close enough to hop in the car and drive to visit - a mere 8 hours! So much better than all that travel West.

... Scramble.

Scramble is a fun game on facebook. It's really just a waste of time but I like having something for a diversion once in awhile. I'm addicted to speed scramble... one minute rounds. Fun!

... a new blanket for Rachael.

I decided that Rachael needed a new blanket that is just for the car. I got an idea from a "quillow" my mother-in-law made for me; I cut some fleece to the size I wanted for a blanket, then sewed on a piece so the blanket can be folded up and tucked into a pillow. It's pretty cute, if I do say so myself.

Rachael is really into blankets lately so she just loves it. I got lots of hugs and kisses, and lots of "thanks for my new blanket mommy!" I expect "Thank you for my new blanket" to be added to her prayers anytime now.

... history.

Today Rachael fell asleep in the car while we were driving up to Lexington. Because we weren't on a schedule and because she desperately needed the nap, I drove all the way out to Midway, Kentucky, which is halfway between Lexington and Frankfort. (Frankfort is the KY state capital for those of you needing a geopgraphy lesson). Midway was founded in 1833 - 175 years ago!

Because it was on the spur of the moment I don't have any pictures, but rest assured I'll take another trip out when I am more prepared. They have lots of rock fences in Midway that I want to photograph. The rock fences are dry-built, meaning no mortar, built over 100 years ago in some cases. They are beautiful!

... Qdoba.

I can't believe I haven't blogged this before! Qdoba is hands down my favorite place to eat. When they opened a new one here in Richmond last year, I ate there twice a week for over a month. It's so awesome. It's Rachael's favorite, too; if you ask her where she wants to go she invariably chooses Qdoba. Today she chose it over lunch at McDonald's with a happy meal and a toy. Sorry, Ronald.

My favorite thing on the menu is chicken nachos. Love that three cheese queso!