Proud Shocker.

I would honestly put this team up against Kentucky, UConn, VCU or Butler and really, really like our chances. Unfortunately it wasn't meant to be, but I am so proud them—how they played and how they handled themselves off the court. This is just the beginning. Now if we could just get a few of the … ahem … chickens and scaredy cats to play us we could prove where we fall in the pecking order.

Go Shocks!

Nothing in this house is safe.

Room by room. Closet by closet. Pile by pile. I am slowly making my way through this house and getting rid of stuff -- stuff that has accumulated and is taking up precious space that we need. (Is it just me, or do the toys get bigger as the kid gets bigger? And why am I hanging on to clothes that I haven't worn in years? I really doubt I'll have a need for a "Don't hassle the hoff" t-shirt again. And yes, there was a need for it three years ago.)

I got much more done last week when the weather was nice and the fresh air coming through the windows gave us all spring fever. Unfortunately, this week's snow flurries and lack of sunshine has slowed down my progress. But still, I'm determined to make it through the five hot spots as part of "project: simplify!" I discovered the Simple Mom blog awhile back and am trying my best to go along with her decluttering process. While I skipped over hot spot #2 (the office and our biggest clutter magnet), I promised myself I'd go back and tackle that one at the end. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to a full-blown attack on our pantry, spices and fridge this week. Nothing is safe. Not even the five-year-old nutmeg.

23 months today, 23 years tomorrow

Time is flying, but we're sure having fun. It seems like just yesterday we were coming home with a newborn and not a clue what to do. Today, we're planning a second birthday party and discussing preschool options.

To celebrate the little guy's 23rd month, we headed to Red Robin for lunch. I think we've been there one time since he's been born. (Can you believe he hasn't had McDonald's yet? Child abuse!) It wasn't exactly the hit we were counting on. An employee trying to be funny terrified Park, and then the clown guy made a stop at our table. The only thing Park liked about him and his attempt of a balloon dinosaur was that he eventually left. The biggest enjoyment of the entire experience was visiting the photo booth on our way out. Heck, $4 for a strip of photos that most likely won't turn out? Sure! But as you can see, I think it was the best $4 we ever spent.

Read any good books lately?

Seriously. I need something to read. The NCAA tournament is too depressing (I'm still mourning the waste of a Shocker team loaded with more talent that 75% of those in the field), no matter how many cotton balls I stuff into my ears American Idol is insufferable and frankly I couldn't care less who ends up with the bachelor.

That pretty much leaves me with Property Virgins; American Pickers and Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and as hard as the networks those shows are on may try, they just can't be on around the clock.

So, if you've read anything good lately, let me know. Outside of the books about social media, marketing and running that I've been reading lately, I'm pretty much open to anything. Well, maybe not anything, if it has either a shirtless Fabio or a warlock of some sort on the cover, you can keep it to yourself.

Year in Pictures

It's been a busy year so far, and I've been slow to download photos off the camera. After going through photos from January, here are some of the highlights of the last several months.

Hugs from cousin Hagen





Having just run 78.6 miles collectively, imagine how good we all smelled in this one



Park and Zoe becoming best buddies





Park takes his obsession with cars to a whole new level





To see Craig's photos from Park's last month, go here. Password is "Go".

Happy hump day.

Carrie