KNAPPFAM

Back to Life... Back to reality

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:24:00 +0000

Those are the lyrics that effortlessly float thru my head whenever I'm attempting to update over a long period of time. Truth is, we've been back in the swing of life and eating our dose of reality for quite awhile now. Life is good. Not seamless, ... but still full of a certain magical grace that keeps our feet on the ground, consistent in childrearing matters, and generally happy. Some pics- for fam. I've blanked on good stories to tell, and am honestly just trying to cross off my list "Update family blog" - so here it is. Sortof half-hearted but with good intentions. Sometimes you just need to break down the wall before anything productive comes out... so here ya go! Wall - breaking time. And what better way than will fresh photos?

Ogallala-la-la-la-laaaaaa

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:59:00 +0000

A few pics from our trip out west to visit G'ma and G'pa Knapp over the 4th of July. We loaded up on black-cats, snap-dragons, tanks, rainbow something rather, and parachute firecrackers....

Had a blast soaking in the revived Lake Mac, boating, drinking in the night-life of ogallala (Ice Age 3 featured at the downtown movie theater) and watching the boys enjoy our days spent in Nebraska. Jackson, per usual, made friends everywhere he went, - but kept forgetting their names and reverted to calling everyone "Jeffrey"???? We don't even know a Jeffrey.

Before and After

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:28:00 +0000

PS- for those who don't know... we went from the thrown up babyshower colors to more subtle earth tones. Check out the change.

I love transformation, ... but honestly, all props to Brian for his passion to continue to improve everything he sets his hand to. And shout out to "uncle Jesse" and his crew for all their hard work and excellent customer care.

Let's go fly a kite....

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:16:00 +0000

Just a few photos from our Sunday afternoon for Grampa & Grandma. Thanks again, for the kite!

crazies.

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay) — Sun, 31 May 2009 02:37:00 +0000

5 things to do when your held hostage in hotel living....

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay) — Tue, 26 May 2009 14:10:00 +0000

Just to clarify, we have been living in our home for the last two weeks- but due to the overwhelming response of deep sighing and pitiful looks I received when I told my friends that our family was being relocated to a hotel for a week, I've decided to journal our adventure and encourage anyone out there that thinks hotels with small children are the equivalent of dangling your toes over hell's flames.

We had a blast! Don't go too upscale, or you'll be panicing the entire time- just something moderate will do the trick. Anything novel is exciting. Our kids favorite part (aside from having the pool to ourselves 24/7 was the continental breakfast room!) Jackson couldn't wait to go to sleep so that he could wake up and "have fruit loops and a bowl and milk and a spoon and a cup and juice?! PLEEEEEEase!!!???" Some itches aren't hard to scratch at all.

#1 Read the Dictionary - front to back. This activity held Emerson over for about 14 minutes and then I couldn't understand anything that his far superior brain was trying to communicate with me, so I took the dictionary away and burned it. jk. I didn't burn it.

#2 Go for a swim!- We literally swam at least 2xs a day- and began to feel like we were parenting whales.

EAT OUT. It's not something we do often, so among getting to know what we need to work on with our kids table manners in public places, ... we stuffed our faces with food that SOMEONE ELSE made and come "home" to a room that SOMEONE ELSE cleaned.

#4 Play-place escapes. God Love Mcdonalds for the forum that they care enough to create. What else could we have done on a rainy day? Okay, maybe a hundred things... but it served its purpose and I was thankful.

#5 Pack picnic lunches and head to the park. ** Sorry, its getting late for this pregnant lady, and I'm running on low-wit. (In fact, I just changed the title of this post to 5 things to do from 10) I guess you all will just have to get creative. WAIT! That can be #6... Get creative.

Attempting to celebrate...

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay) — Tue, 26 May 2009 13:35:00 +0000

I flopped this year. I'm no idealist, but I *do* have something in my heart that really believes people should be celebrated. Birthdays seem to be the most opportune time to do that in our busy culture, .... or.... not. for. me.
Pregnancy and temporary relocations, the breathing in and out of company and the fact that we are too old, and our kids are too young can all justify reasons why we didn't do much this month to celebrate 3 out of 5 of the birthdays in our immediate family, but truth be told, I just don't have a handle on planning for these things yet. And I'm learning that I'm not great at "throw it together last minute" kind of stuff. Blah. So, although there were no streamers, people jumping out of cakes, or bouncy castles, here's the birthday announcements for this month.
Ryland David, age 1

First cupcake, ... first beard.

Lindsay's Birthday Celebration (age 29) at ztrocadero brunch with a stash of great people:

And lastly, Brian's birthday cake which was neither made nor consumed on his birthday. (He left for business trip on the morning of his actual b-day... so we stumbled thru a celebration after he got home :

D&B stay at the B&B

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:26:00 +0000

Our friends, Dustan and Betsy recently visited from Virginia. Even now, I've got a storm abrewin in my brain... possibly a book compiled of peoples experiences at our home B&B. Anyway, during their stay- we FINALLY made our way out to Waves, a local hole-in-the-wall joint that serves out of this world food! http://www.wavespub.com/

IF YOU LIVE IN RACINE: You *Have* to eat here. It's the hidden glory of our city.

Dustan and Brian power-washed the ENTIRE house over the course of Saturday while Besty and I dined at one of my other favorite sit-ins: Red Onion Cafe

Updats

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:05:00 +0000

Ryland and Dad- possibly the 2 best looking creatures on this planet

Jackson and Emerson, - the best looking creatures from another planet.

Jackson, MAYBE, has 4 pictures on record of him *not* making a weird stretched out face. This is one of them. I would save it to your computer-- may never see something like it again (well, for the next 2 years at least)

Cuteness that cannot be contained by clothing.

Community Garden 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 14:09:00 +0000

Our family has recently come into a great opportunity to participate in our friends community garden! I'm stoked to try my hand at canning this summer and love that we're working the dirt with other families to produce healthy, savvy veg. Jackson and Emerson have already helped me draw up plans for what they want to grow in our garden: corn, tomatoes, carrots, peas, beans, cucumbers, and strawberries...

This is also our first opportunity to teach the boys about money and tithing and saving! We'll be helping them manage their piggy-banks as they earn their first bling by weeding, watering and caring for our garden.

Closet doors, spring breaks and baby fat.

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:17:00 +0000

Check out the color Brian painted the closet doors in my new office. It makes me want to order bubblegum icecream by the pound. James and Britt came out to catch their breath over spring break. Enjoyed 4 relaxing days of body slamming the boys, wrestling, sleeping in until 6:30 am and all the amenities of the Knapp B&B (legos under their pillows and crayons in their socks)

All in all we had a fantastic time watching these college kids brave the big world of child-rearing. Good job guys! We miss you.

And this, ... well- it's just too edible to exclude. I want to chomp those shoulders to shreds.

Most of you may know...

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:16:00 +0000

In addition to our strapping chaps: Jack, Emerson, and Ryland we are expecting baby Knapp #4!!

So- good thing we have a big bath-tub??

As of late....

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 18:44:00 +0000

http://www.thepfister.com/index_2.asp?sourceid=

Our homegroup recently sent us away on a scavenger surprise: Overnite, all-inclusive trip!! We dined like kings, spent the evening at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee and enjoyed a gourmet breakfast to the symphony of snowfall outside. On top of luxury, we came home to a spic-n-span house and kids completely cared for. Check out the website of the hotel!

Hey Grandma and Grandpa Knapp!

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay) — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:47:00 +0000

Jackson, sticking his face in the water and demonstrating a "float" technique.

Emerson- clinging to the wall.

The boys are doing really well in their swim lessons: they've had 2 so far and Jackson is already almost floating all by himself. He is learning to concentrate and Emerson is learning to trust. Em is a bit more cautious in the water and I call it a success when I know he's been brave enough to try something new.

Ry-guy

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay) — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:35:00 +0000

I love fat babies in skin-tight jammies.

The greatest cupcakes I've ever made....

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay) — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 20:58:00 +0000

Thanks to my brother, Dan, who indulged my pastry chef dreams over Christmas by buying me 2 cupcake cookbooks, the birthday cupcakes of a life-time were born. (Happy b-day to Emerson... may your teeth not rot until your well past the age of 94)

Here they are in the making:

Winter in Wisconsin

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay) — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:08:00 +0000

Negative three is the high temperature for today's broadcast. But aside from the frigid potential for frostbite upon walking out the back door for 4 minutes, there are some beautiful sites on the lake during the coldest of the cold seasons:

Christmas Parties and Holiday Brunches

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay) — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:16:00 +0000

Nick and Lauren opening for the white elephant

Lindsay (virgin Mary- soon expecting) with Lauren

The Moores- (Dana REALLY IS expecting) Nate and Olivia

All the Homies.

Reese, Emerson and Jackson - Candy Land

Mike and Rowan

The Reynolds: Evan, Jonathan, Reese, and Teresa

Rowan, Olivia, and Ryland -

We purposed to keep our calendar as clean as we could this holiday season so as not to take on any extra stress; but 2 things we have been looking intently forward to- our Christmas part with Homegroup and our holiday (post-christmas) brunch with near-and-dears.

Handsome, Handsome- Ryland

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay) — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:05:00 +0000

He's growing into quite the boy! Props to Heather for my beautiful new apron, and Ryland's amazing new threads. They are honestly my favorite outfit I've ever outfitted any of my kids in! Great job, Heather! check out more of her sweet baby gear at www.bagmamas.com

xo- Linds

Happy Birthday Betsy

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:50:00 +0000

Shout out to Betsy on her birthday:

December

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:45:00 +0000

December has sent us full swing into holdiay celebration and warm hibernation. Daily injections of hot cocoa, pathetic looking forest creatures sculpted from the early snow, cookies with the amount of sugar that only kids can hack, and tickets to see Harry Connick Jr.

Ate at http://www.ztrocadero.com/ and enjoyed French cuisine, complete with escargot catalan -(These are days when I literally thank God that he thought to give us tastebuds) followed by an outstanding time busting thru the doors of Milwaukee's theatre from a blistering cold. the big-band trumpets and Harry's rendition of the "Most wonderful time of the year." I have to agree, Harry.... it's simply wonderful.

Hmmm

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:54:00 +0000

Sometimes people ask me, "So, ... do you think you're a good mom?" And I take a deep breath, slowly nod my head and resolutely say, "Yes, ... I think I am."

so.... yeah.

Petrified Springs Park -

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:36:00 +0000

Removeable Mural

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 21:14:00 +0000

Nearly finished with the mural that I'm making for Jack and Emerson's room for their Christmas present. It's a 8ft by 4ft foam canvas (light and moveable). It makes sense to do something re-moveable 1) because they are not going to love this choo-choo theme forever, 2) it doesn't break my heart to paint over (and lose forever) something that cost time and ($) and 3) I can work on it whenever and wherever I want ...

So* here is the nearly finished product. Names to be added...

"LyndaLou" will ROCK you.

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay) — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 18:09:00 +0000

http://shoplyndalou.mybisi.com/

I just received a handmade half-apron from Lynda Lou's boutique. I *LOVE* it! Sometimes I wear it just to feel hip and unique (like Natalie Portman on Garden State) It is BY FAR my greatest motivation to be in the kitchen : (It's not like it takes a whole lot of coaxing anyway- but STILL!...) When I wear my apron, I am Urban Outfitter's Aphrodite. I am Queen Victoria of Bon Appetite- I am anthropologie's covergirl. Check out other trendy beautiful housewears and homegoods that Lynda lovingly creates. And look for my photo in the upcoming edition's of

http://www.bonappetite.com/, http://www.urbanoutfitter.com/,

http://www.anthropologie.com/

For now... feast your eyes on THIS!