Throwback Thursday: Energizer Bunny Monster?

As Halloween is coming up here in a few days, I looked for a picture of me in any Halloween costume, and came up totally empty. We weren't exactly a super Halloweeny family. Traditional trick or treating didn't happen.We'd wear the costumes that we wore to school to a few peoples houses that were family friends (read: like three houses and my grandparents). And that was it. Too cold, too rainy, it just never happened. I guess I didn't care much at the time, but now I do! Halloween should be more a adult holiday anyway!

By the time I hit Jr High, Halloween took on a whole new meaning when I was having some....social trouble persay? And one Halloween my dad took me on a shopping trip for new clothes, and it just kinda became a thing. We don't really do it anymore, but I'm pretty sure it stuck through at least high school. Kinda like back to school shopping, only in late October. Late fall and winter clothes are better anyway.

All I came up with is this picture from the jr high talent show. I don't even remember the sketch, it just involved me going down the auditorium in the Energizer Bunny Suit. So for thirty seconds of the evening, I hopped, pink and fuzzy. I gotta say though, I look Monstrous. Not in the Frankenstein way, in the way that makes me say, pink was not a very slimming color. Ugh. We barely got that thing closed. Forget Freddy Krueger, that is more of a nightmare to me.

Throwback Thursday: Snuggly Soft.

November 1986.
This fur blanket/rug/item of delight was at my grandparent's house. As you MIGHT be able to tell, I rather liked to roll around on the softness. Yes, that is me, not my brother. You can tell because by a year old he had way more hair than that. Oh bald baby was I.

And oh how much I would give to curl up on a fur rug like that right now and just take a little snooze....(I'd just wear a few more clothes this time around).

Throwback Thursday: Bald Birthday Girl!

You know, I always wondered why people have parties for super little kids. It's not like you remember the party or the cake or the gifts. I mean, yeah, sure there are pictures, but you can totally stage that anyway. It's not like anyone would know, right?

However, when I look at this picture a bit closer, I see why this birthday party for me occurred.

You see, my dad's favorite dessert of all time is lemon cake. Not just regular square lemon cake, but lemon BUNDT cake. So take another quick peek at the picture and notice what kind of cakey goodness that candle has been placed upon. That's right! A LEMON BUNDT CAKE.

And a Mickey Mouse party hat? While I do appreciate that it is covering my still nearly bald head to hide me from follicle embarrassment, Disney is also a favorite of my father....I think I see a theme going here.

Although, my second observation leaves me curious. Who sends that many birthday cards to a one year old? I don't even get that many birthday cards now, and I would really like to think that I am at least slight more social in my mid twenties than I was at age one. Well, maybe not.

Throwback Thursday: Nordyke Clan.

My aunt and uncle are coming down from Wisconsin this weekend. Their daughter (my cousin, cause I'm pretty sure thats how that whole family tree thing works) is in some sort of volleyball tournament at Wartburg. And why not come say hello to the fam when you are only half an hour away?! I think the question is more why come down at all, but anyways. They are coming and so they are now the topic of this week's Throwback.

Margaret is third or fourth in the line of my dad's siblings, but the second and last girl. But don't let the femininity trick you, she's definitely a Nordyke when she opens her mouth. That must be why the look of lack of amusement on my face is totally present as she snuggles up in this picture. And her husband is the farthest one away in the picture. But I think my favorite part of this picture is John's stache that he is working, so 1980s. SOOOO 1980s.

We used to go visit Chicago and get together with all my dad's brothers and sisters several times a year. As a child of stubbornness and a general disdain for socializing, it was not my favorite weekend trips. They generally slowed down, happening less and less often, and now I think its pretty much down to weddings and the occassional high school graduation (not that there are many left of those).

Although now I suppose I should add volleyball tournaments to that list....

Throwback Thursday: July 1991

It's been awhile since I posted a Throwback, but I am currently working on Meg's wedding pictures, so here's a rather self explanatory one for you. The ultimate best part is Dad's facial expression.

Throwback Thursday: Castaway Sunshine.

This was eleven years ago. ELEVEN. I almost don't believe it. I remember going to Castaway for the first time. I don't even know how to begin to describe it though. It was always explained to kids as Club Med for high school kids. And really it was. A crazy fun experience for a week of the summer. Other than telling you to hop in a time machine and go back and experience it for yourself, I really don't know what else to say.

I remember singing Matchbox 20 with Julie during programming, entering the dining hall to Men Without Hats EVERY night, going parasailing, the banana boat, laying in the hammocks, volleyball tournaments, water fights in the dark, eating a shake of chocolate and vanilla mixed for the first time, totally chickening out on the rockwall, pool tables in the basement, falling asleep on the floor of the bus on the way home. Good times and sunshines.

Although, if you read this and got to go to Castaway, with me, or at some other time, I would love to hear a few memories that you have.

Throwback Thursday: Yee Haw!

I'll be honest, I have zero idea when or where this picture was taken, but let's pretend that its Colorado! Mainly because for the next week, that's where I will be. The glorious land where the air is crisp, clear, and not a thousand degrees heat index. There is really no dedicated plan other than relaxation, a day trip to Denver (Whole Foods and Lululemon!), relaxation, the Breckenridge Alpine slides (weeeeeee), a bit more relaxation, some birthday rock climb with the brobro, and perhaps even a relaxing picnic mountainside!

I cannot wait. We used to go to Colorado all the time when I was growing up. To me it felt like every summer, but I guess I really have no idea if we really did go that often, but it felt like it. Now adays we don't get away out west that often, in fact, I haven't been since before the wedding, and Tim has never been with the Nordyke clan. So its about time!
Everyone really needs to experience sandwiches and shared bags of chips mountainside, getting back in the car halfway through cause its too cold, too windy, or too buggy. But still fun. Less fun was the time that one of my hiking boots got left because it fell out during one of the described lunches, and wasn't noticed til hours later. Lost to the bears for good!

But this year, something tells me my mom won't have packed a box of books in the back for me. Babysitters Club, Thoroughbred Series, Sixteen Candles Club all kept me busy during the long hours in the car. My brother had a box of new toys (not exactly as much of a reader as I was). The catch was that we could only pick out of the box once a day. So once I finished my book, I was out of luck until the next day. This box of books was big enough as it was! Needless to say, I'm kind of a speed reader....

Have a great week people, stay inside, watch KathyLee & Hoda, and make some ice cream! Sounds good enough to me! :-)

Throwback Thursday: Birthday Brother!!

Moving away from the bruises of the last post...and into the long overdue Throwback Thursday picture!!

Today is this little boy's 21st birthday!!!
Oh Christopher. May your birthday weekend in Chicago be glorious.

PS: He's kinda rockin the Harry Potter glasses ahead of his time....

Throwback Thursday: Breakfast in Bed Daddy!

Father's Day. 1987. Kind of a lame breakfast, but was a year and a half! I can only do so much! ;-)
I love my Daddy. But I like him a lot more when he has a shirt on.
Although, these days, he probably is just as skinny as when this picture was taken (although this picture has his face looking total Tom Cruise).

Throwback Thursday: Future Oompa Loompa.

Look for an upcoming post about my uncle. Tonight we went and saw a stage version of Willy Wonka, put on by the group that works with the mentally handicapped. He happens to be one of those people, and man, was he the center of attention tonight. Only an oompa loompa, he made sure he was seen by everyone. Pictures will be included. White overalls, orange face and green wig. Score. Trust me. You will want to see it. But this picture from the olden days will have to do for now.

Lori : A Resort and Spa.

Hi Mom. Your uterus received a five star/four diamond rating. No Michelin star though. But I think we can all be ok with that. Thanks for the lodging, next time, more chocolates on the pillow. :-)

Throwback Thursday: Sizzlin!

Cinco de Mayo! Technically this picture is from a 4th of July celebration, but it was an event held with Spanish exchange students from way back in the day. My family hosted, as did Dieter's parents. This gathering was a welcome party for them (and my first experience with OP Pizza). I honestly don't even remember knowing John at the time, but when I saw this picture, it had to be posted. We're so little!! Well, I probably actually weigh more in this picture than I do now, but thats besides the point!

Throwback Thursday: Remember Jezzball?

Solitaire addict at age 8. If only this would have been a sign as to what Chips Challenge would have been to me at age 15, and Jewel Quest at 25....

Dont even get me started on Nancy Drew and Minesweeper addictions....

PS. At least I hate Angry Birds.

Throwback Thursday: Easterific.

Easter as a little kid posed quite the cunundrum. For me, the going to church part was no biggie, that happened every weekend (and several days during the week too), but on Easter, it meant wearing a dress. Not just any dress, but a dress that you had to go do special shopping for so it was brand new for the holiday. And usually it meant there had to be a flowery hat to go with it. This is probably the only picture my mother has of me smiling in a dress before the age of 18. It just didn't coincide together, smiles and dresses. I hated them. Shopping for them was just as bad. Uncomfortable and everybody looking at you, and ugh. I just wasn't a fan.

So you sit through church in your stupid dress, sit through Sunday school, doing whatever Eastery craft they gave you to do, which when you would see it 15 years later, you would realize just how morbid all Easter crafts are from Sunday school. But then you have to go eat food with your entire family, food that as a small child, just really isnt your cup of tea. Roast? Vegetables? Sauces? Salads? Just give me a chocolate bunny and a hot dog people!

But the upside, at least in my family, was the Easter basket. As long as I can remember, so Im not sure if this was the case as a super small kiddo, but when you woke up, the Easter Bunny had delivered your basket to your room, and you could go through all the candy and small trinket gift things as soon as you woke up, giving mom and dad extra time to wake up and not be bothered by, "WAAAAKKKEEE UPPPP IM BORED!" And Easter candy is better than Halloween candy, let's be honest. Its in fun and bright colors, animal and springy shapes, and just in general more awesome. Halloween candy is the same candy you find year round, Easter candy is only found in season.

PS. Tim bought Peeps today, and they were wolfed down like they were weight loss pills given to Kirstie Alley

But yes. That's Easter. Now, I dress myself (No flower hats) and I dig the food and family time a lot more (Chunky foodie, right here!). Although I can't say I would turn down an Easter-y craft if offered...

Throwback Thursday: NZ & me.

As I stated below, we landed April 7 in New Zealand. For what was supposed to be a year. This throwback picture rather explains how things turned out.....

Throwback Thursday: Boys Have Cooties.

It's been years since we've talked, but I think I can legitly say that Robbie was my first actual friend in life. I have a lot of early memories, that's for sure. One, involving spaghetti puke. But mostly happier ones than that ;-)

Throwback Thursday: Magical World!

How much would you all laugh if I came back next week with an album full of pictures of me sporting that exact same fanny pack? I think I could start a new trend...

But yes. It's that time of year folks, Disney Week! White trash and foreigners beware, we are coming to take over the parks. If your stroller so much as grazes my shin, you're kid is going to be magically flying to Tomorrowland via my fist. Just saying, you have been warned. And ps. Frenchies, just because you like wine and smoke in your face does NOT mean you can cut me in the line. No need to be worried about the language barrier. I'll make SURE you understand me. You have been warned.

Throwback Thursday: Then and Now.

I almost refuse to believe that these are the same people....except for the fact that we still can't take a serious picture.

Throwback Thursday: Take Care of Me Mommy!

I feel like this will be recreated tomorrow, only fastforward 2.5 decades. I get my top wisdom teeth out. Tim works all day and I need a babysitter. Mommy to the rescue! Had this been a few weeks ago, there might have been a TOTAL recreation complete with Bears shirts, but alas, we will not talk about that defeat.

Can I just say I would like tomorrow over with?

Although I spent the past two days in St Louis, so look for a post on that coming up, it should be written while a drug induced stupor...so pretty entertaining at least....

Throwback Thursday: Beach!

Speaking of beaches.... However, I am pretty sure I don't want to have to wear pants and a jacket to the beach I go lounge at for a week.

But this is Coney Island Beach. I would like to go about 2000 miles south...Please. I'll even take daddy if he wants to go! If he promises not to wear the leather jacket...