THAT was a vacation?

We're back! This was one of those vacations after which you need another vacation. After surviving 20 hours on the road with a toddler and an EARTHQUAKE (we were just 90 miles from the "epicenter"), it is good to be home.

But that being said, we had so much fun with family and friends, so it was totally worth it. I'll be posting some pics of Moses this week because, after all, he is the star of this blog.

Right now I want to brag on my SIL once again. You know, the one who won a major fashion competition and hence the internship in NYC? Well, she had her senior fashion show this week. Pics are below of some of my favs (Christmas is just 8 months away, wink-wink!). You need to watch the video-- listen to the crazy cheering and see the camera flashes going off everywhere! Watch to the end-- Emily makes her grand entrance. And the cutest boy over two years of age and under 30 (sorry, Jarrett, I am a little biased toward Moses and K) is seen kissing his wife at the end.

(Awwwww...)

More about Emily

Now that I have a few pictures, I can't resist one more post about my incredibly talented sis-in-law...

One of her models on the runway:


Another model on the runway:


Emily (in green) with her models:

Tidbits

So much has been going on lately, I thought I better do a catch-up post.

Aunt Emily
To follow-up my post on Jan. 28, I have the name of the leading Bridal Designer where my sister-in-law will be working: Amsale. I read here that the dresses range from 3,000 to 12,000. WHOA! Again, we are so proud of you, Emily! K and I can’t wait to visit you (and Jarrett) in NYC!

Moses
Moses knows 15 letters now! Most of these he has just picked up on by himself: D, E, H, I, M, O, Q, R, S, U, V, W, X, Y, Z. On the downside, Moses has been sick since last night. And after throwing up at 3:00 this morning, he decided that it was play time. I am tired…

Bats
Our bats are back. (For those who don’t know, we bought a restored/remodeled 100-year-old home a year ago, but within a few months discovered that there was a “bachelor colony” of bats in our attic). After paying a wildlife expert a ton of money to “exclude” the bats (you can’t remove or kill them, because they are protected), we discovered in the last couple of weeks that at least a few have moved back in. We heard one in the walls on the first floor this weekend. And, to make matters worse, the wildlife expert is basically refusing to follow through on his warranty. Stay tuned-- there may be future posts related to legal matters…. By the way, “bats” are apparently NOT included in home inspections, and do not necessarily have to be disclosed by the Seller!!!

The Election
I’m still in mourning for my top candidate, Fred Thompson. I know there are rumors out there that he is a prime candidate for a VP pick. We’ll see. That being said, I’ve been asked who I’ll support now. It has to be Huckabee at this point, because he is the only one I agree with totally on the life and bioethics issues. McCain supports research destructive to human life. And Romney... well that is a subject for a series of posts! Let's just say that, living less than 10 miles from a Mormon "mecca," I know way too much about the death threats to former members and all of the crazy beliefs.

Work
In the last week, two different Circuits (the Eighth and Tenth) have followed the line of reasoning I presented in two amicus briefs. What an ego boost!

We're Proud of You, Aunt Emily!

I have to brag about my sister-in-law, Emily (married to my brother, Jarrett). She is a fashion student, and is so incredibly talented that I can't adequately describe her. This weekend, she competed in a major fashion competition, and she won-- and received an internship with the largest bridal designer in New York City! I am busting at the seams (haha! no pun intended!) because I am so proud.

You can check out her designs by clicking here. (By the way-- we can't wait to see pictures, Emily! We wish we had been there!).