recommendation monday : bitten.

Having two small boys makes it a lot harder for me to shop like I used to...makes my husband much happier, but I may have (and still slightly do) had a shopping addiction. I have to admit in the past I did get a little carried away at times but now that we have more expenses and not to mention children I have had to curb spending on clothing. But, when I get the chance to get to some shops alone (once every few months) I am glad to find I have not fallen into the "Mom jeans" catergory and am still on the up and up. :)

About a month ago I discovered a new line coming out, only in Steve and Barrys stores that I knew I would have to check out. "Bitten" is Sarah Jessica Parker's (my most favourite actress and fellow mother) new line and get this, nothing cost over $20! You read right nothing over $20. Unfortunately, I have not made it out to see it yet, but I did preview it online and cannot wait to check it out for myself. I have already got my eye on a couple of pieces.

more holiday pictures.

Joelle

Evan & Julia

Jordan & Just playing soccer.

Mom Jane and Dad John


The Umbrella with a mind of it's own.

Evan listening intently to Uncle Jordo.

Max

Jaimee Grace and Maxwell Jared

Max, Just, Julia, & Jaimee
Anne, Jordan, Joelle, & Dad John

(all taken by Mother-in-law, Jane.)

Happy Fathers Day!

Evan mastered the climbing wall at the park.

We had a great Fathers Day weekend together as a family of four. Justin is an incredible Father to our two boys. I love you Just.
Happy Fathers Day to my Dad, whose the best Dad a girl could ask for. He has taught me so much and I am so thankful for him.

Door County 2007

We are back from our 5th Annual Swanson family vacation. It flew by and we were back home before we knew it, and these next few days are being spent doing laundry and catching up on bills...ew! I got 5 books read while there because the boys were pre-occupiued with the beach the whole time. It was a beautiful thing!

love those legs!



Ev.























Maxo.








Just and the boys.

Too busy playing (and Evan eating!) in the sand to pose for the camera! Crazy boys!

The girls: Joelle, Anne, Jaimee, Julia, & Jane.
















Grandma Jane, Grandpa John, Evan, Max, and Jaimee.











Jordan & Justin













My Mother-in-law Jane, always comes up with some great project for us girls to do each year. This year we did flower pounding. Using pre-treated fabric we taped and then pounded flowers (yes real) on our oak boards. It was really addicting and we all agreed a great way to realease stress!
From left to right:
Anne, Joelle, Mom Jane, Jaimee, and Julia.


Julia bought Joelle and I these fabulous scarves at a Swedish shop. We had a great Swede dinner,and then shopping afterwards. What more can girls ask for?

Despite two canceled flights we made it there and back and the boys did really well. On our first flight the flight attendant let Max go into the cockpit and he met the pilots and they gave him a postcard with information about our plane and a picture of it, he thought it was pretty neat.

Maxwell loved it all, and every time we got off a flight he would ask, " Go on another plane?" He also really was particularly fond of all the airplane literature.

Evan was loving the window seat, and it was pretty neat watching the sun set in the sky.

It was a fabulous vacation, and as always and we cannot wait until next year!

the high (heeled) life I never had.

"Woman ask me all the time to see my shoes, and when I lift up my pant leg they are disappointed that I am wearing flip-flops." -Sarah Jessica Parker.

(*ps- a little side note...check out SJP's new line Bitten...nothing over $20, it is a beautiful thing)

I have tried to do the whole high- heels thing. I guess they made you more girly, and I have always been more of a tomboy. I love girly things, but I also love my gym shoes. After Sara borrowed us all her Sex and the City DVDs which we became instantly addicted to, and Just and I (yes, my husband loved the show) watched all the seasons within a matter of two weeks. I, as with any woman who has watched the show felt I had a renewed sense of style.

One of the biggest fashion loves of Carrie (Sarah Jessica) is her beloved shoes....more specifically her Manolo Blahnik heels. These heels are known for their high style and highness. They are crazy.

A few years ago I was going to try and wear heels... everyday. The first week went OK. Alright, who am I kidding it was awful. There was no way I was going to admit that though since plenty of woman do wear them everyday. Actually, the first day was not bad, the heels I wore were actually comfortable but after about the third day my feet just did not feel right. I think I lasted a week. If that. In fact I hated them and quite frankly never wanted to see them again.

I have come to grips with the fact that I am not a high-heeled woman. It could have been amazing relationship, I could have known what it was to be taller, I could own some really beautiful shoes, but it just wasn't meant to be for me and the stilletto. Out went all high heels except for one black pair, (that are wearable for about one wedding ceremony and reception) and my very special pair I just cannot part with although I probably will never wear them again. I do own a few pair of wedge sandals and those are much more doable but the heels had to go. Had to.

Nowadays I long for a fun pair of wedges, some cute flats, and more than anything a great pair of sneakers. Love the things, and you know what I still feel like a darn cute gal in my pink pumas thankyouverymuch!