3.19.2009

Simple Weekend: Parties and Squires (Part 2)

The last weekend was almost a week ago, but forgive me I was waiting for some pictures from Sara. On Saturday we celebrated Jane's not-so-surprise party. Steve tried so hard to keep the secret, but Jane is one of those ladies who figure everything out. We all had such a good time talking and spending time with family. Chad's dad's side of the family doesn't get together too often so it was so nice to catch up with some of his cousins.
Here are some pictures of our evening:

The sign that Sara put together.


Chad and I waiting for the birthday lady to arrive.


Chad, Jane, and Sara-they are so swell.


Steve, Jane, Sara, and Pat. Don't you just love Jane's goofy hat?!

Then on Sunday, we worked out and had Hannah's birthday celebration without her. Just some misunderstanding regarding when we were having her birthday dinner:). Since it was so nice we decided to go outside and play catch in front of the house. It was lovely to hear the water from the melted snow rushing down the gutter. I loved that sound! After that we went to Hannah's last game as a Squire. They lost, but definitely made the game exciting-as exciting as a grade school basketball game can be. We then drove over to Chad's parents' house to celebrate even more birthday.

It was a weekend very full of birthdays and parties and basketball games. Most importantly, it was a weekend where I was surrounded by my lovely family...

What it's like tonight

Due to the fact that March Madness is on the TV right now and that I'm catching up on the blog, this is what Chad and my night is like:



{lovely image via elegant and budget friendly}

love you. ~A

Dear Nephew- Party all for you (and momma)

Hi sweet Babe,

I'm so sorry that it's been so long since I've talked to you. I've been so busy with school, but today is Thursday and my week is winding down and I can finally talk to you about the party that I threw for you and Mommy on Saturday.

By the way, Nephew, I've gotta say I can't wait to be able to say your name when you get here (it stinks that I don't even know what you're going to be called-your mom and dad are so good about keeping your name a secret).

Anyway, I loved being able to spend time with your parents on Friday and Saturday. You are growing so much and you move around a lot. You made momma uncomfortable when you got up underneath her ribs-you should try to avoid that area of your little bubble. I don't think momma really cares, she just gets a yucky feeling. Her back hurts so bad sometimes from carrying you in her belly, and your dad rubs her sore spot. Nephew, your mom's body is getting ready for you-she's starting to get something called Braxton-Hicks contractions (who would want to have contractions named after them?). You have to grow so much before we get to see you...you have to gain half a pound a week! Not too much longer, though.

On Saturday, your aunt Hannah, your grandma Sandy, and I all went over to get the room decorated for your big party. Your grandma worked so hard to get everything ready-she made all the food and prepared everything. Your aunt Hannah was so particular with the jobs I gave her...she arranged all the decorations very nicely. I wanted to make a clothesline displaying all your clothes, but nothing I did seemed to work. I tried tape, clothespins, but I was getting irritated so I had to just let it go.

We had such a great party for you, Babe, here are some pictures for you to look at:

(See what I mean about aunt Hannah making everything neat for you?)


(She also made a 'B' out of the punch cups for 'baby' and 'boy'.)


(This was one of the games we played, Nephew. I had everything laid out and then all the ladies would guess how much everything cost.)


(There I am getting everything arranged before the party.)


(Did you like the raspberry serbet punch I made? Your momma thought it was really tasty.)


(There's aunt Hannah arranging the crayons.)


(See Nephew? I really wanted to hang all these clothes up on a line but nothing worked. It's hard hanging a line on hard concrete. Look at how cute these clothes are, love. I can't wait to see you in the fisherman's hat.)


(See all the yummy food your grandma Sandy made? I hope you thought it was tasty-especially the veggie pizza.)


(Look! There's your second cousin Samuel crawling around. He and your other second cousin Leah made an appearance at the party. It made your momma so happy to be around babies.)


(There's me and your momma getting ready to open some presents. People were so happy to give you things to wear. You got so many cute items to play with, love!)


(Since your momma loves to read books, I thought it would be nice to give her books that she can read to you. I wrote on the invitation that people should bring a book to donate to your expanding library. You got some of the best books, Nephew. Here's your momma opening a book from Aunt Vanessa and Uncle Nathan.)


(Nephew, look! Here's all the girls in the Hulke family. We loved seeing your momma and daddy and getting a chance to celebrate you a little bit...)

Nephew, I just wanted to tell you that I love you and I really liked throwing a party for you. You are already so blessed to be in such a loving family. All your momma's aunts and your momma's Grandma Hulke stayed and helped us clean up. They are so loving!

I can't believe the next time I see your momma, you might be here!

XOXO,

Aunt Amanda

3.16.2009

Simple Weekend: Parties and Squires (Part 1)

This past weekend was so filled I have to start on Thursday! Let's do a little rundown~

Thursday was filled with work and then going to Dooley's Pub for the second time in a week. Jane, Chad's mom, wanted to have her birthday celebration there just like my mom did (even though neither of them knew that the other had their birthday dinner there). We got there and had a lovely meal (same table as Sunday, different dinners).

{The lovely Hestekin family-Chad, Jane, Sara, and Steve}

Friday started with setting up our church fellowship hall for Laura's baby shower. I was very happy to be able to talk to my best friend in the entire world, Rachel. She is so wonderful and I haven't talked to her in over three months. It was so nice to catch up and tell her all about what's been going on.
Then we finished a few minor details of party planning and went to ILC to watch Hannah's basketball game. Laura and Eli arrived for Hannah's game then after we ate pizza and watched more basketball:)

{My cousin's son Samuel; he's getting so big!}


{Hannah}

I'll break down the rest of the weekend when I get more pictures...

Music Purchase: She and Him

Last week I realized that I hadn't purchased music to go on my iPod recently. I also realized that I have over 3GB left to fill. So I went on iTunes and bought She and Him:Volume One. This beautiful album features the lovely Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward.

Have I ever mentioned my girl crush on Zooey? Ever since I saw her in Elf, I've thought she was amazing. And, added bonus, she's engaged to Ben Gibbard {the lead singer of Death Cab For Cutie}. I think I'll name my first daughter Zooey.





She and Him's Myspace page.

Makes Me Laugh Monday: Shamwow

Chad introduced me to this great infomercial a couple months ago and it is fabulous. Check it out below {courtesy of YouTube}:


And, as a bonus, I'm throwing in the Slap-Chop:

3.11.2009

Recycling

For those of you not on Facebook and for those of you who never check it, I thought I'd post the 25 random things note that I wrote today.

Here it is:
25 random things you may (or may not) want to know-

1. I almost always have to rip the little notecard tabs out of magazines before I start reading. I don't like the page before the tab going up when I read it.

2. My sister, Laura, is going to have her first child, a boy, in April (hopefully). He'll be my first nephew-make that first anything!

3. I used to live in Mankato, MN. I lived there for 13 years and am so excited to go back in May and see my childhood house!

4. I've only been to Country Jam once-to see Bon Jovi. I probably will never go again unless they have someone like John Mayer or Coldplay (highly unlikely).

5. Three people in my immediate family have birthdays in March. Chad's mom's birthday is also in March. I eat a lot of cake in March. Then I have 3 (almost 4) birthdays in April (Chad, Kyle, Eli). We consume a lot of cake in these two months.

6. I've traveled all around the country with my family (and also with Tour Choir for four years) and have been to many states. The states I have not been to include: California, Alaska, Hawaii, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Jersey, and Delaware.

7. I used to hate potato salad...I'd never eat it. Then, one day Jane made me try her potato salad. Now I have a deep love affair with it-but only her's.

8. I love the Brewers. I used to hate watching baseball. I think it's because in the summer, my dad used to work for MAYBA and would also ump and my mom and I would go to all the games. Not too exciting for a 7-year-old. Now, I am going to (at least) one Brewer games this summer.

9. My siblings and I all have middle names that start with "E". Kyle Elton, Laura Eileen, Amanda Ellen, Hannah Evelyn.

10. I love having pictures in frames. I think it dresses a room up. That is always a fail-proof gift for me.

11. I really like eating locally and shopping locally. Eau Claire has an abundance of local foods and shopping. It's hard to just shop locally when I see that Old Navy is having a sale on T-shirts. I don't think I can get by on 100% locally, I'm just trying to find a good balance.

12. My mom is a huge supporter of being friendly to the environment. She uses a steel water bottle. She and my dad walk everywhere besides church (since it's on the other side of town). She uses unbleached paper napkins. Our recycling bin always has something in it. She bought a front loader washer. Yeah, the list goes on and on.

13. I am studying to be a kindergarten teacher. I love it. I honestly think this is the profession that God wants me to be in. I will hopefully graduate in 3 years. I have one more year at the Tech, then getting married, then going to Stout and graduating with an teaching degree. That's the big plan.

14. I wish we had a community college in Eau Claire. Then I could learn all sorts of cool things like salsa dancing, making my own soap and shampoo, cooking organically, quilting, and developing my own pictures-among many other interests.

15. I don't really like shopping. I'll rephrase that: I don't like shopping aimlessly. I have to have a purpose and a list. I'm not one of those women you'll find in the mall just browsing. I go in, find what I want, and that's it. The only exception to that rule is this Thanksgiving when I went with Jane and Sara to the After-Thanksgiving sales. That was fun because those ladies are fabulous. I learned so much that day: only pay with cash (credit cards take too long), don't wear a jacket (too bulky), work out a plan of attack. I'll definitely follow the Hestekin rules of shopping when we go this year.

16. I really don't know how to cook. I can do simple things like boil water and add noodles, make pancakes (the add water kind), and brown meat. That's pretty much it so far. We both really like foods with very few ingredients in them. We're always looking for organic foods Chad is an excellent cook and he enjoys it. I think he'll be the main cook at our house.

17. I've never been to an airport or been on an airplane. Well, I went to take a tour of an airport in 7th grade, but I've never been to an airport to actually do airport related things.

18. My favorite concerts I've been to (so far) are a tie between Coldplay and Death Cab For Cutie. Chad and I are going to see Keane this May. I do have to give Honorable Mention of Concert Awesomeness to Bon Iver's in Eau Claire. That show was amazing-so heartfelt and intimate.

19. My favorite football team is the Colts. I heart them. Ever since about 9 seasons ago, I sat down and watched a game-that's all it took. Every player is near and dear to my heart. What stinks about being a Colts fan in WI? Not being able to watch hardly any of the games.
At my house we've worked out a system: If more than two people are fans of one game we watch that game on our bigger TV. (Almost always, Chad gets to watch the Packers on the big TV. For two reasons: A-The Colts and Vikings (my parents' fave) aren't on or B: We love him. The other game has to be watched on the little 12" TV that we have above our big TV. (That's usually the one that has the Vikings game). I'm usually stuck "watching" my game on the laptop (even though I can't actually see the action). To sum things up, during football season, between the hours of 12-3 we have 2 TV's and at least 3 laptops all absorbing football. Does that make sense?

20. I'm uber-sensitive and emotional when I watch movies. Like, really bad. I get so into the story and I cry like a baby. Whenever we're at the movie theater, Chad always knows when I'm crying. He's pretty used to it by now.

21. I've had the same pair of Adidas shoes since I was 13. I bought them for basketball and have loved them ever since. I'm wearing them right now.

22. I have a love affair with scarves. I just bought a beautiful green one from Target two days ago. I think women (and men if you want to) need to embrace the scarf more.

23. I've never had a whole drink of alcohol. I've had a couple sips of beer (that I've hated) of Chad's beers that he's tried but never one of my own. I just have not allowed alcohol to be a part of my life. I don't support underage drinking and that's what I am-underage. I'll be 21 in 4 and a half months, so then it'll be nice to have a glass of wine with dinner. It'll also be nice to not have to drop Chad off at a bar so that he can hang out with his friends and then I just go home.

24. I hate ham. The smell. The taste. The essence. The existence of it. I think the hatred comes from having to eat it every time I'd visit my grandparents. We'd have it every Sunday and my mom and grandma would make me eat at least one slice of it before I'd get dessert (of course I wanted dessert). Then one day when I was older I just said enough and refused to eat it. I hated it so much when I was a kid, when we'd have it at my grandma's, I'd purposefully eat downstairs with all the other cousins and then go into her laundry room and throw the whole slice in the garbage. Sorry, grandma, I don't know if you knew that! All those slices of ham you found in your garbage on Monday morning when you did the laundry came from me. I just really hate it.

25. I've never been truly camping-with a tent, and all that. I've had bonfires and cooked stuff on fires, but I've never been outside all night and slept on the ground. Maybe I'll have to do that this summer. I did, after all, get my first fishing license this year-my brother-in-law, Eli, was so shocked and proud of me.

3.09.2009

Dear Nephew-Your Stuff

Today, your Grandma Hulke and I went to Target to buy things for the shower that I'm throwing for your mommy. Let me tell you, I don't really like shopping; especially when I don't get to take anything home with me. I know that sounds selfish...it is. I was driving in the car with your grandma and I said "Mom, I'm going to be cranky today. It's going to be a long day and it's going to be hard to find everything Laura wants on her registry. I'm going to be annoyed with all the money I have to spend." We get to the store and I spent about an hour and a half surrounded by aisles I19-I27 looking at baby stuff. There were things that your mom had on her registry that weren't stocked in the store and that made me angry. I got out of the store and I was frustrated with how much I had spent.

Then your grandma and I decided to go to the mall so that I could get you an outfit from Old Navy since I still had some money left on a gift card. I go in and I was frustrated with the people since they had rearranged the store and I didn't know where to find the baby section. I then saw what I needed and immediately my attitude changed.

See, little one, I had gone into this day thinking about myself and how it was a waste of money and time for me. I should have been thinking about you. The baby section at the store made me grin and think about you-not just the stuff I was giving you. You are going to be wearing the onesies I got for you from Old Navy (pictured below). Your little sweet chubby body will actually going to be in these clothes that are sitting in my bedroom right now. All the things that your grandma and I picked out for you today-those will all be yours. I can't believe how selfish I was today, I didn't think about you and how in a little over a month I'll be seeing you and holding you. I was going through racks of clothes at Old Navy and I spotted these adorable swim trucks and I thought about how you could wear them when your daddy takes you fishing. I thought about how you and your mommy and daddy will go out on daddy's boat and it'll be your little family together. I thought about how mom will put sunscreen on your nose and cheeks and dad will talk to you about fishing (you'll probably be sleeping though, since you'll only be a couple months old).

So, little guy, I'm sorry. I didn't remember that I was giving this all to you when I was shopping (it took me a little while). I was in party planning mode. I know your mom is reading this right now and I don't want to give away the gifts I got you (I got you some really fun things nephew). You'll just have to wait until you're big and here...

I love you sweet one,
Aunt Amanda


(You'll look very handsome in this.)

Mom day

Yesterday was my mom's ____th birthday. (I don't know if she wants all the world to know how old she is...but the cake gives it away, so sorry Mom.)

Here are some pictures of the day:

The birthday girl wanted to go here.


Chad, me, and dad. I think the guys look good in this picture-I look a little out of place.


The happy birthday lady.


M&D.


These two...


M with her lemon cake...delish. So, can you figure out how old she is? It's not 4,531 years.

Makes Me Laugh Monday

This movie had a quote I laughed over:


Margaret: You know why men are so lousy when it comes to taking care of babies?
Dennis: They have better things to do.
Margaret: Like what? Play golf and drink beer?
Dennis: No, like hunting, having wars, driving cars, cleaning fish. Do you know how to do that?
Joey: Me?
Dennis: Margaret.
Joey: Oh, okay.
Margaret: If you didn't have women, you wouldn't have babies, which means you wouldn't have people.
Joey: And if you didn't have men, who'd drive the ladies to the hospital?

Movie poster found here.

3.04.2009

33 Days, 22 hours

Until Brewers opening day.

If you knew me 2+ years ago, you'd know that I wasn't the biggest baseball fan...at all. Now, I can't get enough.

I can't wait for:

Ryan Braun.
Listening to Bob Uecker. And his jokes.
Discussing the game with Chad.
Watching Prince Fielder hit home-runs.
Reading the Brewer's blog on jsonline.
Wearing my Brewers shirts next to my guy with his Brewers shirt.
Going to games, hopefully in Miller Park.
Craig Counsell's batting stance.
Hot Dogs. and beer (at the August 5th games on).
Yovani Gallardo being amazing.

And so much more.


{Miller Park Bliss two years ago.}

3.02.2009

Makes Me Laugh Monday: Is that Shaun White?

Since Monday is pretty stressful and dreaded by all, I thought I'd put up some pictures from the Great Snowboarding Adventure.

These pictures are pretty spectacular:


Chad started the snowboarding day, very successfully...he made it down the hill every time.


My charming fella


I started out really well

and even made it halfway down the (extremely steep) hill

that's where the falls happened

and again

and one last time...pretty much sums up the whole outing for me

I don't know why I'm standing like this...those boots are at an angle, so you have to bend your knees so that it doesn't dig into your calves.

Chad and I had a lot of laughs doing this adventure. Hopefully next time I'll actually make it down the whole hill.

3.01.2009

Simple Weekend: Fairs and Food

My weekend was wonderful. It went a little something like this:

Friday~
Worked until 3.
Worked out with Chad.
Went to Hannah's Science Fair. That is not a bad way to spend a Friday night, especially since two of the projects featured illegal items (Roman candles and counterfeit money.) Oh, and there was also a tarantula that was two feet away from me. Wonderful. The whole fair kept me giggling.
Said Bye to M&D who left for Milwaukee.
Went back to Chad's and watched Heroes on Netflix. (We think it's so cool that we can watch one of our catch-up TV shows online...with no commercials).

Saturday~
Worked...ugh, today was exhausting.
Chad called me at work and wanted to know if I was interested in going snowboarding. I was kinda on the fence since I had never gone before. I could tell how excited he was about it, so I thought I'd give it a try (This is a whole other post, though, including pictures).
Worked on an essay while Chad made a meal of cheesy broccoli, roasted potatoes, and fried catfish. I love my boyfriend. He doesn't mind cooking and he doesn't give me a guilt trip when I have to do homework and I can't give him my attention.
Watched another Heroes. We just started season 2 and I was pleasantly surprised to see David Anders.

(Sigh...remember Julian Sark, Alias lovers?)

Sunday~
Went to church.
Had to figure out what to make for lunch since M&D were still gone. Decided to make pancakes since I don't really cook.
Worked out (I felt unbeatable because I accomplished a personal goal of running a mile without stopping! Never been done by A.Hulke)
Worked out some details on a special secret project (you will be filled in later.)
Went to Chad's parents house for some family time and food. It's Chad's mom's birthday soon and his dad wants to make a banner for the party he's throwing. He wanted us to find some pictures so I got to look at all sorts of childhood pictures of Chad and his sister Sara. It was so fun. I really want to take all the pictures and make a scrapbook chronicling his life. I got the idea from Jess who's working on the same kind of project for her husband, Jeff.
We then went over to Brian (Chad's cousin)'s girlfriend, Kellie's new house. It was lovely to see them and chat with another couple.
Found out that little sis Hannah got FB. That was a shock since she said she never wanted to be involved in it:)

Overall weekend = a relaxing way to start the whirlwind week of school.

20 more days

Spring will greet us on March 21st! Yay! It might not be perfect weather right then, but I hope it will be better than what we had this past week. I remember last year there was a huge snow storm right after Chad's birthday which is the beginning of April. Hopefully we won't have that again this year...




(I know you can see the screen, but would you want to go outside when it looks like that?!)

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