Soupy Soiree

What happens when you mix 10 kids, a trampoline, two cats and a pile of cookies together and shake vigorously? A PARTY, that's what.

The good-looking parents and I sipped coffee and split pea soup and discussed trending topics, conversations punctuated by the kissing of grazed knees and refreshing of diapers. They bore gifts of fresh bread, ice cream and flowers and I have to say it was actually easier than a normal day at my house because of all the extra pairs of watchful eyes and helping hands. The other children kept my beasts from clamoring at my apron strings for entertainment and I was free to chop veggies and grind coffee beans to my heart's content. Evan spent the day in the studio recording on the new Tacks record and he missed a riotous good time and cuteness to rival all things cute.

Ruby shared her toys, nobody lost blood, and no babies drank toxic chemicals. Success!

1. Quizzical Quinn
2. Austin teaching Jesse how to be the boss
   
3. Critical mass
4. Robin a.k.a. Levi manfully dismounts
   
5. bounce!
6. evidence of fun
   
7. cute ladies: Elia, Ariel, Alison, Lil' Hannah
8. Hannah's awesome hair, Justin and Alison referees
9. "Hey Kitty! I got some luck for ya right here."
   
10. Falling asleep while partying= party foul
    

A Proper Tea Party!

Just before Evan's folks arrived from St. Louie we sneaked over to the lovely Stoney house for a real, bona-fide, English tea party. Seriously, we Yanks were way out numbered. We wore dresses, we noshed, we kissed babies, we caffeinated our sweaty heads.

The boys talked about farming and the barter system, the ladies fawned over fresh slumbering baby Quinn and traded insider playground secrets, the kids ran in circles and made sure all of underoo'd Levi's toys got equal sunshine. I conversed with Hannah's bewildered father about food portions stateside and the 112 degree weather. A good time was had by all, and we very nearly left Grambie and Pops alone on our doorstep for lingering good-byes.

Any picture with me in it was probably taken by Hannah, thanks lady!

Stoneys and Euro pics

Today Heidi* joined us for coffee (since it is currently a girl neighborhood with her boyfriend Matt also on tour with Evan) and I made a huge pot of green chili with black beans and turkey to take to the Stoneys, who are harboring a tiny velvety human named Quinn and also a ton of beautiful art and music in their house. Ruby wore her Cinderella gown and was unimpressed by their handsome son Levi's ship collection, but consented to share a hammock with him. Then we had a dance party and an IPA over at TinaMarie and Asher's place and went home to crunch through the goldfish crackers all the way to bed. (not me, I swept, and attempted blogging...)

Evan took the ipod to Europe and I've been using the old point and shoot for pictures but it is MUCH more time consuming to upload and edit them and now I'm tired and already a couple of days behind. He drove from London to Berlin, played a show there, drove some more through the Czech Republic and right this second they are sleeping it off in a hotel next door to the Prague Beer Museum. He sent me some pictures of last night's hotel in Werne DE, Berlin, Prague, and of course the beer museum. Here they are as well as a completely random gem from the archives of baby Ruby eating sriracha hot sauce.

*Heidi style and Heidi recipes soon
Hannah Stoney art here!
Mark Stoney music here!