Chicago, Chicago, That Toddling Town

This weekend we went to Chicago to visit Josh's sister and her family. (I now know why it is called the "windy city.")


We had a blast! On Saturday we went to the American Girl Doll Store. This was an amazing store, like heaven for little girls. You walk in to a new world, two floors of American Girl Dolls. Down stairs are all of the "historical characters." Kit, Felicity, Molly, Josephine, Rebecca...as far as the eye can see. There is also a place where girls can get their picture taken with their doll and have a faux magazine cover made.

Upstairs are the "Just like Me" dolls. There you can choose from a variety of dolls with different characteristics (freckles, no freckles. blond, brunette, redhead. blue, brown or green eyes.), hence, "Just like Me." Upstairs you can also take your American Girl to the Salon and have her hair done. (We opted not to do this given the line was out the door and once you get to the front of the line you wait another 45 minutes for your doll to be done.)

One could easily spend all day at the store (if they had the time and money) looking at all of the different doll items.

I can honestly say I think I was in just as much amazement as the little girls looking around the store.

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice...

I feel like we just registered for our wedding gifts and we are now registering for baby things!

This is a new experience for me. I did not register for things when I had Elizabeth. Things have really changed in the past 10 years!

There are so many choices and decisions to be made. At first, I got a little carried away. I registered for everything pink. It was so cute! But, then after some advice from a good friend and coming to the realization that I will be having more children who will not necessarily be girls, I reconsidered and re-registered.

Certain things such as a car seat, a high chair, and a "pack and play", we went with more "gender neutral."

However, for my precious girls bedroom, is will be exactly what little girls are made of!

Here is a look at what I have registered for for her room (compliments of Restoration Hardware):

Where Oh Where did 2009 go?

I didn't realize how long it had been since I wrote on my blog! Now it is a new year, and I hope to start writing more. Since the last time I wrote a blog, many things have happened in my life. Let me get you up to date!

October 2009:

1) Early October we adopted a puppy. Trigger is a German Shorthair Pointer/Lab mix. He was born August 29, 2009. He was such a cute little puppy...now he is the size of a child!

2) October 17, 2009 was the Best Day of My Life. The day I became Mrs. Joshua Geis. Parents, Elizabeth, Priests, Josh and Me before God. Perfect Day.

November 2009:

1) SURPRISE!!! WE ARE EXPECTING! (Really, BIG surprise!) First Baby pictures taken November 23, 2009.

2) Thanksgiving in Pennsylvania and our 2nd wedding reception celebration with the Geis family and Friends. It was a blast!

3) This pregnancy has been much different than the first, I have been very sick...we start thinking it must be a boy...

December 2009:

1) I become a Stay-At-Home Mommy and Wife. Full time for the first time in my life! I am loving it!

2) Christmas in Oregon and our third and final wedding reception with the Lyons family and friends.

3) Still very sick with this pregnancy...hoping the sickness will be over soon.

4) Ultrasound performed on December 24, 2009 by my good friend Brandy. At 14 weeks she was able to tell us we are having a girl! Meet Theresa Marie Geis.

2009 was a whirlwind, hectic, wonderful year. So many life changes from moving half way across the country to marriage and now baby on the way! I am so thankful for the year I had. 2010 has a lot to live up to! I have no doubt in my mind it will be just as memorable and wonderful.

Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets.

Meet Lola. Named after the song that Josh sings to me on a daily basis..."Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets."

We hadn't planned on buying a boat. We were fishing every weekend off the shores of Milford Lake, and frankly I was quite proud of myself for being able to walk through wooded areas to our destinations. But, every weekend we would also see the fish jumping out of the water just past the casts reach and the words "If only we had a boat..." left our mouths.

The search began. Online Classifieds, Craigslist, Newspapers...Then we found her. She was exactly what we were looking for. Something we could use for water sports and fishing, and EXACTLY the right price. We went to look at her and a week later, she was ours. When Josh brought her home, Elizabeth asked us what we would name her. It didn't take me long to say "Lola." Josh said yes because "whatever Lola wants....Lola gets."

There's No Place like Home

So, I have lived here for over a month and I am finally writing a new blog! We are loving our new life in Kansas! Here are a few things I have learned and realized and done:

1) Pumping Gas, Myself. (And dealing with the funny looks when I admit I've never done it before.)

2) There are no woodpeckers outside my apartment. (It is the sound of the gun fire at the range on Ft. Riley Base about 10 miles away...)

3) (This one Lindsey will appriciate) Apparently there are not too many vegatarian's in Kansas, because when you order the Tuscan Steak Salad without the Steak...they repeat it multiple times and chuckle.

4) ING does not exist. Everythin' ends with an "n." Runnin', Fishin', Sleepin', Workin'

5) Thank God for anti-frizz hair serum. My hair would be quite large without it.

6) I can hook my own worm now when fishing!

7) I do not remember the meaning of free time. Work, soccer practice/games/tourneys, wedding planning, marriage prep, back to school functions, FRG meetings...I think we have had 1 free evening in the past month and a half.

8) Oregon storms have nothing on Kansas! The lightening and thunder are incredible and I love it!

9) Oz really does exist! In Wamego, KS. The OZ museum and Winery. Love wine from OZ!

10) I am so thankful for my beautiful daughter and my amazing fiance.

I Heart My Nephew

I might be a little prejudice, but, I have the cutest nephew in the world. 5 month old Bennett is the sweetest little boy ever. He came to visit yesterday and I had to say goodbye to him before I move...We had lots of fun, I love him!

June, June, Where For Art Thou June?

June came and went so fast this year! Life was so hectic that I can hardly remember what we did during the month of June. There are, however, some wonderful memories I will never forget! Here are some of my favorites from June:

1. Wedding Planning! I bought My Dress, Elizabeth's Dress, My Garter, My Flowers, Booked a Photographer...


2. PACKING! Well...Packing is not much of a favorite! But, the end result of moving to Kansas will be!
3. Elizabeth's Last Day of School and Party. It was an emotional day for all of us, but being surrounded by wonderful friends and knowing the friendships will be ever-lasting made it worth it!
4. Our Trip to Pennsylvania for the Geis Family Reunion! It was such a fun weekend! Elizabeth got to meet Josh's ENTIRE family, we spent lots of time at the pool, went to the family reunion, and went to an Altoona Curve Baseball Game. Elizabeth came home with a fly ball!


It went by too quickly, but it was a good month! I know July, the "Big Move Month", will go by fast as well. Good thing for pictures to document the times!