Having fun with our new piano!

I didn't realize how much joy would be brought into our home when we said "yes" to taking the family piano! Wow, what a wonderful instrument! I love having the piano in our home to learn and mess around on, although, it's been a little bit of a distraction the past couple weeks because all I want to do is play!! We are so thankful to Grandpa and Grandma Krippaehne for offering us the piano! We are excited to learn more and eventually have our kids play the piano too, someday! We were concerned as to whether or not it would fit in our home, but it's perfect - looks like it should have been here all along!! Joe laughed at me because the first few days he came home after the piano was here, there were new pictures on it. It's a great shelf! I learned this Adele song, Someone Like You, by watching some YouTube tutorials. I still haven't completed learning it, but I'm getting there! I love how you can find lessons for practically any song...makes learning fun! Hope you enjoy the video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSahv-Lv868

She thinks she rules the house...

She's probably right!

Best thing that has come in the mail in a long time!!!

So exciting! Now I better put this piece of paper to work, huh?!?!

A night with Ty...

Although I'm probably just biased, Joe and I seriously have the cutest, funniest, smartest, almost 4 year old nephew on the planet. On Friday night, Joe and I stayed the night with Tyler. There was not a dull moment with this kid...he had us laughing the whole night! I wanted to jot down a few of his cute comments so I don't forget! He is growing so fast and I want to cherish all the "sweetness" he has right now!!

Funny moments/cute comments:

At dinner, Ty runs up to Joe and yells: "Hiiiiiiiiiiiii Dad!" - Then proceeds to sit down and quietly say "you just look so much like my dad!"

Also at dinner, out of no where Ty says: "Nationwide is on your side!" In the perfect tune as the commercial.

To me in the evening, while curled up on the couch watching a movie, Ty says: "Auntie, you sound so much like my mom." And then he said it a second time during story time.

Having a conversation with Tyler about anniversaries. I say, "Tyler, you were born just before auntie and uncles first anniversary." Ty says "Anniversary? What's thaaaat?" I proceed to try to explain and he says "well my parents just had a wedding, not anniversary." I continue to try to explain and then say, "And grandma and grandpa have anniversaries too...you should ask them." Tyler says, "do they have like 7?" And I say "more like 33, Ty." And he says, "or maybe one hundred forty three..." We laugh!

Tyler also explained to me exactly how they made pancakes, as I was making them for breakfast. He was so helpful in the kitchen. He says, "Auntie I can even crack eggs." Since I'm unfamiliar with their kitchen, thank goodness he was around, he showed me EXACTLY where everything was! This kid is so smart!!! He also informed me that the blueberries should be used to make smiley faces on our pancakes. So cute!

Another cute comment was when we asked about the red mark on Tyler's face. He says "sometimes people just steer me in the wrong direction and I run into things!"

Ahhh, we just love him!! Here's some cute pics from our evening and morning! So much fun!

 Smile!!

 Silly pic!

 Auntie and Ty taking a pic!!!

 Love this boy!

 Cute, Cute boy!

Our smiley cakes!

Apparently someone is jealous she's not in the family photos...

So she added herself!!! I love our cat!

New Shoes! It's the small things that make me happy...

My new running shoes came yesterday and they are so COOL!! Because of my "flat feet" issue, I have to be very selective when it comes to running shoes. In fact, I have wore the same running shoes since 7th grade now...I mean, not the same pair, but the same make/model! When I came across these shoes, I thought they were cool, but thought to myself "too bad they won't work for me!" Thankfully I asked about them at Fleet Feet and was informed that they are actually a high stability shoe and purposefully made for people like me...the "flat footed!" I had really given up on the fact that I would ever get "cool" running shoes again...I had come to settle for comfort and protection for my knees, hips, back etc, but the wonderful Brooks came through! Now I've got two new pairs of running shoes that will be good for about 8 months hard running. You know, they say that if you are running a lot you should change your shoes every 4-5 months. So my plan is to alternate the two and I'll be good for a while! This shoe is called Pure Cadence. Doesn't that just sound "cool?!?" They are part of a Brooks running project...not only are they awesome colors, but they are so light...doesn't even feel like I have shoes on! WONDERFUL! Here's a pic! 

 Can't wait to put lots of miles on these!

Ice Ice Baby

Here's some pretty pics I took from our house. Right now we are very thankful we still have power! Praying power comes on quick for those who have lost it!