a change of future plans.

so, at first i thought we were going to italy (aka "the old country..." i may have just watched goodfellas for the first time. don't judge.) and while that still needs to happen in the swapps' near future, it looks like vacation 2010 is taking place HERE:

(that's my thai buddy with his thai boat on some water in THAILAND)

i will admit, it took some convincing for me. i mean, positano? i was liking that idea. but, thailand does have lots and lots of appeal. ELEPHANTS, for one. BEACHES, for two. JUNGLE TOURS, for three. 

only problem is...i don't so much dig the thai food. maybe i'll get real skinny (bonus). or just pack my own burritos. yeah, that could work.

(i'm just hoping we don't have any sort of brokedown palace mishap. i mean, that would just really put a damper on the entire trip.)

megan!

megs - happy birthday, girl. i love you lots and lots. but you already know this. so rather than express my admiration for you through words, i leave you these:

and this one just for good measure ;) 

you are my favorite adopted sister (and soon-to-be mommy...well, not my adoptive mommy. you know what i mean). HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

sad. and happy. and anxious.

i really, really wanted this fabric for some projects around here... and i knew it would cost a bit more than normal, but worth it. right?

turns out i could even get the fabric through a cute interior design lady for 40% off retail! fantastic, right? yeah, fantastic...until you find out that it will still cost you $185.40...per yard. i was glad i was sitting down when i read that. 

next step? find new fabric. any suggestions? i was digging the colors in that fabric. no other word but "perfection." (and by the way, stacie - yes, i am still about about "digging things." i dig that i dig it. )
on a happier, not so completely devastating note - these beauties are on their way to my house. cannot wait. do i have any idea quite where i'll put them? of course not. but i sure am excited. 

april.

if you haven't noticed, the swapps' lives are pretty boring. so we need something to look forward to. planning this trip just MIGHT be the trick. you know i love me a countdown chain.

the giving tree.

i love this book. that's all.

our favorite little halloween kiddos.

maddy, ella and max. cute little ones trying to stay warm in the freezing minnesota weather. is max not the cutest eeyore you've ever seen!?

little miss aaliyah's video to derek...who is on his mission in guatemala. 

the hogle.

i forgot about these photos and figured i needed to update the blog before mama j reprimands me. here is a little storyboard on our trip to utah's hogle zoo with my brother and his family while they were in town in september. i miss them lots...and lots and lots.

aaliyah was pretty freaked out by this elephant, but we convinced her to take a picture on it. we are so cruel.
we turned around and caught aaliyah trying to scroll through the pictures on the screen like an iphone. that girls has the "swiping" motion down.

her mom told her to smile, and this is what she did.

don't you just love him!? i do. and dallas, i love you, too.

buster talking to his daddy about his belly button. 

sweet little callie and her ice cream cone.

not sure why this picture is blurry like crazy, but i love zebras. and i took about 50 pictures of this one.

weaseling a cool kids drink.

i like that he looks like, "what? do i have something on my face?"

she's my buddy.

zander attacking auntie stacie's earring. VERY entertaining.

kimber is such a good mommy.

two of my favorite girls.

the cutest little family!