Holiday Reads.


So in case you didn't know, I still love my Kindle.
Have been reading some non-fiction. Usually I say I hate non-fiction, but this time around, a few people recommended some books to me and I figured I should give it a chance.
And it makes me feel extra-smug because not only am I reading but I LEARNING too. Haha. right. If only I could actually remember everything important that I read :-)

1. Unbroken

I cannot say enough about this story. It will blow your mind. The author (Laura Hillenbrand) first gained her reputation through Seabiscuit. Another non-fiction book I loved despite the fact that I only rarely ride horses and NEVER watch them race. She has a real talent for not only telling history but also telling a story, and this one is about an extraordinary man who's will to survive will overwhelm you.
Don't miss this one. Seriously.

2. The Emperor of All Maladies

I can't remember who suggested this one to me, but I am very grateful. It is a book by a heme/onc dr who originally set out to describe patient-based stories that he encountered during his training but ultimately found a story behind theirs based on the origin and development of our modern understanding of cancer and its treatment. It is a bit techy at times, but I still think relatively accessible to the non-medical person. I think the book essentially demonstrates a few key facts, one, working together across medical fields gets you further, two, cancer is pretty awful, three we have SO MUCH more to learn in the field of medicine. This book is just a glimpse into the vast void of knowledge that essentially keeps getting deeper the further in we get.

3. Look me in the Eye

This was recommended by one of my friends who knows a lot about autism. An interesting autobiography written by a man with Asperger's syndrome (but who wasn't diagnosed until much later in life). Asperger's syndrome is considered an autism spectrum disorder, typically characterized by people who lack some of the normal social integration skills that allow for "typical" relationships but who often have some sort of extreme intellectual gift. Written through the lens of a high-functioning individual it gives a pretty real view of the world he encountered and the difficulties of figuring out how to fit in.


I also squeezed in a few fiction books...I'll just briefly mention those and as always, I love suggestions.
4. Before I go To sleep

This book was for a bookclub and as we haven't met yet, I don't know what the prevailing thoughts will be. In brief, the premise of the novel is centered around a woman who suffered some sort of traumatic brain injury that has eliminated her memory-both long and short term. She wakes up every morning without knowledge of who she is, where she is, who her family is, etc. In a very Momento-type way the majority of the book details her discovery through her reading a journal that she writes and adds to each day. I think the book's strength is less its story line (sorry to the author) but the question of how do we understand our past through our memories. What I mean is, a lot of my understanding of my memories is through the lens of myself (a bit-but I have a terrible memory) but lots through what other people tell me happened. So which is the "correct" form of my memory?

There are some interesting twists and turns that make it a fairly engaging read, but although I won't spoil the ending, it left a bit to be desired.
An ideal beach read.

5. Blueprints for Building Better Girls

A collection of short stories that supposedly offers insights on the modern woman. Overall kind of just made me sad. Short, mostly lonely stories about women.

The remainder of my Kindle list is as follows:
1. The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman
2. Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
3. The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides


Let me know what else I should be sure to read!

Tday!!

Ok let's start off with the truth. My sis-in-law's blog has way better pics than me...so check it out.

But I have some good ones to add so stay tuned.

We had the pleasure of lots of good company and a nice full house :-)

My parents, Mark's sis, my bro, his wife and their little baby k all graced us with their company.

I had the thought to make a schedule of events to try to make it so we always had stuff to do and I think it helped make the weekend fun and full of good stuff....

and I only got slightly stressed out cooking t-day dinner....despite the lots and lots of help I had :-)

Scrunch face welcomes you to Tday at our house!!

Tiny Baby K finished the turkey trot by eating and stretching her stomach for the big push.

Uncle J reading to the little Ks.

Baby Ks and Gma and Gpa

Playing football at the park.

Swinging with Auntie Laurie

The 3 Robertson ladies

All the ladies minus myself...

Auntie Laurie and peanut.

Dad-stauche. Bam.

Judd challenged the adults to cross these monkey-bars without touching the ground. Mark got it.

So did Jana.

The peanut gallery.

I know...she doesn't look like me.

Feed us!!!!

Baby K says...don't go!!!!

The five kids also skied x 1 day, in general it was a success I would say....

Getting geared up.

Judd looking stylish.
I didn't take any on slope shots, but there was laughter, tears, joy and sadness all using one trail down :-) Like I said, a success.
And we ate nachos after.


The grown ladies all got pedicures together too :-)


All in all a success. I will definitely keep some of the recipes I made, will still do an enforced turkey trot, and keep making sure that the Baby Ks continue to love hanging out with each other :-)
Happy Holidays!!!

Catching up...

I've been a bit remiss in posting on the blog. For no really good reason is the truth of the matter.
Or well, mainly because I've been trying to figure out just how to describe the vacation to Mexico.
Because it was both wonderful and trying all at once.
Let me just put it this way, I don't want to come across as ungrateful or snotty because I know that a vacation to Mexico is a luxury. But we definitely had quite a learning experience on this trip....

Mainly because of what I like to call "false expectations." To begin, I had visions of hanging out on the beach, reading lots of amazing books, napping frequently, working out, etc.
These are all normal vacation goals, they just neglected to take into account that I now have a CHILD.
Oh right, the little one who runs around the house and eats dog food.
Anyways, the last vacation I went on was Mark and me. That was the whole party. And we did all of the above.
Then we add Baby K. Who is truly a delight, but makes "reading quietly on the beach" an impossibility as she runs out into the waves to see how long she can hold her breath.
And needs naptime. And an early bedtime. And is at an age where going out to eat isn't the most fun process for all parties.
That being said, when I look back at the vacation with a new perspective of what a vacation WITH A KID looks like, I'd say it was an all out success. It just took me a while to completely realize this.
I also think that Mark and I had some good realizations about traveling with a little one and how to make it easier and better.
One saving grace of the trip, that we didn't really even anticipate, was that staying in an apartment was GREAT. Mark's good friend from high school lives there part time with his wife and they kindly had an apartment we could borrow. That, and they have a home there which made a world of difference. We couldn't have been more grateful to have them there for so many reasons. And K loved them (and their little dog).
Anyways, it really was a fun trip in hindsight, through my new eyes of what traveling with a kid actually means. Here are a few of the photos :-)

Getting ready to go...

Up with the sunrise on the first day....

Hiked to this beautiful waterfall in the middle of the desert.

Me and pale peanut.

Mark taking the plunge.

Beach baby.

K and her new BFF, Andrea.

Mark and Dave stand-up paddle boarding

Pool at the condo complex where we stayed...yeah. it was beautiful.

Shark attack!!!

Downtown Cabo, Baby K found it a bit commercial.

Stopped at this cute roadside bar/gallery on the way to Todas Santos, Mark got a small drink.

So did I. And I got raw seafood in mine. Score.

Pigtail scrunch-face got a special fruity orange drink. She was excited.

Rooftop pool deck at the spot we stayed in Todas Santos. And yes, we got the package through Groupon. And it was a wicked deal.

Sexy surfer.

Big waves.

It was super busy. Clearly. Baby K had to fight off the crowds to get that spot.

Sandy smile.

Another super busy beach. Dang all the crowds.

Watching the World Series at Dave and Andrea's.

Mongo super commercial resort=less fun.

You get my point??

Anyways, it was beautiful. And the weather was amazing. And the beach lovely.

So truly, no complaints. Just a new set of expectations :-)

Stay tuned for T-day post!!

Night night.

Have purse. Will travel. Brush my hair. And dance.

Sunnier Days

Well the last week has been quite a ride. A night at the hospital with Baby K, trying to plan a trip to Cabo and a touch of pink eye.
But more on that later....
I realized that I hadn't posted any pics from our fun trip to Wisconsin to my parent's "farm." A great spot by Lake Geneva. Wisconsin summers just can't be beat...except for the mosquitos.
It was made extra special by the addition of K's aunt, uncle and cousin, ironically enough, also baby K. But don't worry. They don't look anything alike so you won't get confused.

K loved playing bball with the big boys...and kept crying when she couldn't play. She is going to keep her dad company during the long, drawn out NBA seasons someday...



If baby K (small one) gets curly hair, we'll know where she gets it...below is my sis-in-law and my mom....



Playing with grandma in the sand. Both of these special ladies forgot their swimsuits and got to choose from the wide selection at the local Walmart :-)


Bury my legs!!


Two Baby Ks (I wish I had a better shot-see my sis-in-laws blog here
for better shots)


Small baby K enjoying the water :-)


Sand with gpa


Fell asleep in the bottom of a stroller...too much fun was had

I'm sure there will be many more summer trips here.
:)