S.N.O.W

Well . . . it is Minnesota and it is December so I guess I should have been expecting this.  Ok, maybe I was expecting it but I wasn't prepared for it.  I do love that Minnesota has evident seasons and I don't mind a little snow.  A little snow, I said.  I think we are already at 8 inches or something.  At least it happened on a stay home day.  :)

I took the boys out to play in the snow.  I frantically snapped a few shots because the snow was still coming down pretty hard and I was worried about Lucille (my camera).

 

After playtime we came inside and watched Elf.  Trying to find some motivation to do some Christmas baking.  :)

I hope that those of you that have the snow are enjoying it.

lions, tigers, and babies - oh my!

I feel like I'm getting baby fever.  I was always on the fence about a third.  At this point in my life I highly doubt that I'll have a third so I just have to get my baby fix elsewhere.

I stopped by my friend April's house a couple of weeks ago and snapped a couple pics of baby P and his new hat.

 

He is so frickin' adorable.  The matching hat and sweater are pretty darn cute, but it's his hair that steals the show.  I'll have to take some more pics to post those.  :)

My friend Kari just had a baby a little over a week ago.  I was able to snap about half a dozen pictures when I was visiting her in the hospital.  She had an itty bitty -- just 6 lbs.  My babies were never that small.

 

Ahhhh. . . babies.  I just want to snuggle now.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

linked 52: texture

These photos were taken at our trip to the apple orchard.  I couldn't decide what I wanted to do for this week's theme and then I remembered the hay.  Joseph liked playing in and on the hay maze, Malik hated it and refused to go back in after the first time, and then there was James.  James is a crazy guy and wouldn't get out of / off of the maze.  He climbed to the top, jumped from bale to bale, and even slid down the bales.  He is for sure my adventurous one.

Check out these ladies and see what kind of texture they are sharing this week:  Stacey, Heather, Jenn, Jessica, Kristin, Janet, Amanda, Tracy, Rhonda, Lena, Heather, Heidi, Liza, Jean, Kristi, and Hanne

linked 52: memories

Have I missed enough "linked"s?  I've been busy and preoccupied and I'm trying to get back on track.  :)

Memories. . . . so many great ones.  It's hard to pick just one.  I decided to go with one from my childhood.  I might have to blog again to share some other great memories.  :) 

My cousin Jenn (the one I visit in Chicago) and I used to spend the summer at our grandma's house.  So many great memories -- playing restaurant in the basement, "skating" on fabric scraps, the swimming pool, foot long hot dogs at the drive in, Little House on the Prairie skits, forts, fireworks in the alley, plucking chickens (yep, you read that right), going to the store for pickles, and sliding down grandma's stairs.

Those are some of the best memories from my childhood.  The best memories I have are just from hanging out with the people I love.  ♥

Check out these ladies and see what they have to say about their memories:  Stacey, Heather, Jenn, Jessica, Kristin, Janet, Amanda, Tracy, Rhonda, Lena, Heather, Heidi, Liza, Jean, Kristi, and Hanne

Joe turns 7!

I've been a little absent with the blogging lately but wanted to make sure that I hopped on to document the anniversary of my oldest child's birth.  Yep, Joe turned 7 today!

I can't believe that it's been seven years already.  It was a long labor and I never thought I'd be done.  But after about 28 hours in the hospital, I was rewarded with this guy.  Totally worth it.

Wednesdays are Joe's day to spend with dad so we did a little celebration before work / school this morning.  He'll be having a party on Sunday and then the two of us have a little one on one time to celebrate more.  :)

I usually make chocolate chip pancakes for the kids' birthdays but didn't think I could manage that and still make it to work by 7.  I also forgot to buy muffins and had to use what we had in the house.  Don't judge.  :)

He even got to open a few gifts including one handpicked and wrapped by/from his brother.  (It was a pack of Pokemon cards in case you were wondering.)

Can't wait to celebrate with him more.  I leave you with the photo that I put on facebook.  One of my favorite pics of when he was little (3 months) and then one taken about a month ago.  Time really does go quickly.  *sigh*

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

linked 52: Autumn

What!!???  I'm late again.  Yep.  I've been having a problem getting things done on time.

Autumn is my favorite season.  I don't love that it's the gateway to winter but I adore the colors and the feeling of it.  Yes, the feeling.  Do you know the feeling I'm talking about?  I don't have the words to describe it, but I love it.  The smell, the crispness in the air, the excitement about school starting, apples orchard, pumpkin patches . . . ♥.

I found this tree that is in perfect autumn bloom but have not had the opportunity to take pics.  I did take a couple out my car window but that's about it.  You may see one on instagram later.  I just didn't feel like posting those pics for this linked.  I had another idea.  That hasn't worked out yet.  On to plan C. . . the apple orchard.  I already had plans to go with a friend today so it was perfect.  James had his BFF Malik (remember, from last spring) overnight last night so he joined us at the orchard.  Too tired to edit so this is what you get.  :)

Man, they're cute.  Happy Autumn, everyone!

Check out these ladies and see what they have to say about "autumn":  Stacey, Heather, Jenn, Jessica, Kristin, Janet, Amanda, Tracy, Rhonda, Lena, Heather, Heidi, Liza, Jean, Kristi, Hanne, and Andrea

linked 52: Kitchen

I'm backed for linked.  Yay!!

It's a little late in the day, but I was too lazy to get it done last night.

Here it is.  A corner of my kitchen:

Let's be honest here -- that corner is never that clean.  I just wanted to show you all my sugar and flour containers.  No, I did not get the idea off of pinterest.  I thought this one up all on my own.  I bought these a couple of years ago and when I brought them home they just seemed kind of plain.  Enter scrapbook letters.  I get creative every now and again. 

Another confession:  I could only show you the corner because I was embarrassed at the state of the rest of my kitchen.  I never cleaned up after making banana bread last night and don't even get me started on the kitchen table.  :)

Check out these ladies and their interpretation of "kitchen":  Stacey, Heather, Jenn, Jessica, Kristin, Janet, Amanda, Tracy, Rhonda, Lena, Heather, Heidi, Liza, Jean, Kristi, Hanne, and Andrea

A Little P-Pod

Summer flew by and I did not get a chance to chronicle all of the things that happened.  Now I'm playing catch up.  Today I'm sharing an event from August.  My birthday.  Ok, maybe not my birthday, but it was close.  The event happened the day after my birthday.  The birth of my dear friend April's baby.

All summer I told her to keep that baby in until I returned from my birthday vacation to Chicago.  Baby P couldn't wait.  I was so sad that I wasn't going to be there.  She went into labor on Tuesday night ( I was not returning until Thursday).  I was attached to my phone all day Wednesday, anxiously awaiting news of the little guy's arrival.  It happened Wednesday night -- Preston had arrived!  I was so excited that I didn't even go home after my trip - I drove straight to the hospital to see him.  :)  He's perfect.  I had to make sure that I got some pictures of him too. 

Introducing Preston (aka my new boyfriend):

Adorable, right?

Yep . . . still cute.  :)

And my uterus just skipped a beat.

Congratulations April!  The boys and I are so excited for you and this new chapter in your life.  We love him already.  ♥

The first of first

Hello there.  Did you miss me?  I've taken a break from blogging and my "linked" project for awhile.  I think I'm back now.  I just needed a little time.  Now that the school year has started and things are settling down around here, it's time for me to start back again. 

Speaking of the school year . . . here is my first grader on his first day of school.

He has been visiting this shirt in his closet for a month.  "When can I wear the pink shirt with the skull?"  It made him excited to get dressed this morning.  :)

We don't want to forget James.  He goes to preschool year round, but I guess it was technically his first day of Pre-K for the school year.  He even decided he needed to have a backpack today too. 

I know that I'm biased, but aren't they cute??  I ♥ them.

Happy school year everyone!

linked 52: Shadows

I didn't take a new picture this week.  I didn't have a lot of motivation and I was getting ready for vacation.  I'm headed to Chicago today for about a week.  The kids are coming with and we're going to be hanging at my cousin's house with her family.  I'm so excited!  This photo is from when we went to visit them this past March during spring break.  The 3 boys.  :)

Be sure to check out these other ladies to see what's lurking in their shadows:  Michelle, Stacey, Andrea, Tracey, Heather, Jenn, Jessica, Amanda, Kristin, Amanda, Sara, Tracy, Lesli, Janet, Naomi, Rhonda, Georgia, Heidi, Kristi, and Jean

The challenge

I've been absent from my blog.  That includes my "linked" posts on Friday which I am really missing.  I've been dealing with a challenge.  (I've also had Olympic fever, but that's for another time.)  This is the challenge:

He moves around so much I couldn't really get him all the way in focus.  This was after demonstrating a flip.  He has Olympic fever.  :)  This also came after a 20-30 minute meltdown. 

They have been happening for the past month or two.  Unlike he has ever behaved before.  Nothing at home has changed and I haven't really noticed a pattern in these outbursts.  What I do know is that I'm at a loss. 
He just hasn't been himself.  It's so frustrating to see him so angry when I don't know what set it off in the first place. 

He has always been an easy one to redirect.  I most often have success getting him interested in something else.  I have had very little success doing that during these outbursts.  It's kind of exhausting. 
Thankfully, this does not happen every day or even every other day.  I just wish I knew what I could do to make it better.

These are the types of things that make me feel like I'm failing as a parent.  Not overall, but in these situations/ right now.  Ugh. 

Love him so much.  I just want my happy, little, fiesty (but not so defiant) boy back. 

He really has the best faces / looks.  :)

Linked 52: Summer

I love summer.  Fall is actually my favorite season, but there is something so be said about summer.  I always feel so free.  :)

Neither one of my children know how to swim and they are fairly scared in water above their knees.  I want to get them in swimming lessons but know that I need to get them used to the water more so they don't have meltdowns when it's time to get in.  Heaven forbid, we should get our head wet.  Yes, that's what I deal with.  I've been taking them to the splash pad, the wading pool, the beach . . . you name it.  Here are my favorite summer (and water) themed photos for the week:

I know he is upset, but I still love it.

I caught this one with my phone at the wading pool.  Fun.

This was from this past weekend when we went to visit my dad.  He took them fishing for the first time.  :)

This was taken on the beach back home.  This might be my favorite photo of the summer so far.  :)


Be sure to check out these other ladies to see what summer is like to them:  Michelle, Stacey, Andrea, Tracey, Heather, Jenn, Jessica, Amanda, Kristin, Amanda, Sara, Tracy, Lesli, Janet, Naomi, Rhonda, Rose, Heidi, Kristi, and Jean

linked 52: Family

Family.
My idea of family is people that are there for you through thick and thin.  I have many family members by blood or marriage but I think it extends beyond that.  This topic has come up a lot recently in my life.

I was divorced last year.  I still have a decent relationship with my ex and with his family -- my family.  I still consider them my family too.  After being married for almost 9 years (together for 3 before that), I can't just abandon the relationships that I've formed.  I'm fortunate enough to have them still accept me as part of their family too.

This is the summer of traveling and the summer of family.  I took a vacation with my sister in May, road trip to visit my in-laws at the end of June, road trip today to visit my dad, and road trip in August to visit my cousin and her family.  Whew.  I love my family enough to spend my summer in the car to visit them.  :)

Taken in ND visiting my in-laws.  My new nephew.

Taken on my vacation with my sister.

Taken a couple of years ago at our family reunion.  My crazy family (dad's side).

It was taken at my dad's house.  Where we are headed to today.  Right on the lake.  I spend my holidays with about 50 % of these people.  They are a hoot.

Next vacation:  Chicago.  We were there already once this year visiting these lovely people.  My cousin and her family (plus a friend).

My little family.

Not trying to gloss over any of my other family.  You can read more about my mom here and my dad here.

Be sure to check out these other ladies to find out all about their families:  Michelle, Stacey, Andrea, Tracey, Heather, Jenn, Jessica, Amanda, Kristin, Amanda, Sara, Tracy, Lesli, Janet, Naomi, Rhonda, Rose, Heidi, Kristi, and Jean

linked 52: Red, White, and Blue

This week was supposed to be easy, right?  It might have been easy had I actually participated in any 4th of July activities.  My kids were with their dad this year and we had just returned from a long weekend out of town so I took it easy.  I went to a friends house with a couple of other friends, did some crafting, watched some chick flicks, did some grilling, and a little socializing.  It was hot so I was inside most of the time but I snuck out for a few minutes to take a few pics of her flag out front.  I also pulled out some photos from Memorial Day that I thought fit the theme.  I can never choose just one.  :)

I hope everyone had a fun and safe holiday!

Be sure to check out these other ladies to see what's "red, white, and blue" in their lives:  Michelle, Stacey, Andrea, Tracey, Heather, Jenn, Jessica, Amanda, Kristin, Amanda, Sara, Tracy, Lesli, Janet, Naomi, Rhonda, Rose, Heidi, Kristi, and Jean

linked 52: Lighting Experimentation

Ummm. . . I didn't exactly know what to do with this prompt.  I decided to share a few pictures that I've taken recently playing with sunlight.  I would love to be able to take photos with sunlight like Stacey does.  Maybe someday.  For now I'm just playing around and trying to figure it all out.  I've got more exploring to do.  :)

Taken on my vacation to Colorado.

Big J checking out the bubble wand.

Be sure to check out these other ladies to see their take on "lighting experimentation":  Michelle, Stacey, Andrea, Tracey, Heather, Jenn, Jessica, Amanda, Kristin, Amanda, Sara, Tracy, Lesli, Janet, Naomi, Rhonda, Rose, Heidi, Kristi, and Jean

Linked 52: Swing

I got a little busy with birthday fun yesterday and baby shower preparations and didn't get my swing post up.  One of the things James wanted to do on his birthday was go to the park.  He always wants to go to the park and to keep it fun I try to take the boys to different parks.  I kind of feel like we are taking a twin cities park tour.  There were swings there and after some coaxing (ok . . . maybe it was bribing and threatening) they both took a turn on the swings.  It was a new park and there were far more interesting things than swings evidently.

I would love to say that I'll be back on track with my "linked" project but I procrastinate and I'm going out of town next weekend.  We'll see. :)

Be sure to check out these other ladies to see their take on "swing":  Michelle, Stacey, Andrea, Tracey, Heather, Jenn, Jessica, Amanda, Kristin, Amanda, Sara, Tracy, Lesli, Janet, Naomi, Rhonda, Rose, Heidi, Kristi, and Jean

4

"Linked" will be posted later.  I'm totally behind with this project.  I wrote last weeks post but I couldn't find one of the photos so I never posted.  :(  I will post this week.

James is 4!

How did this happen?  I'm always amazed at how much they have grown every year.  Time really does fly.  He really is such a little peanut though.  Look at this face:

Makes me ache for another one a little bit.
That was then and this is now:

Do you see that look in his eye?  This one is trouble.  :)

My dear baby James, you:
are mischievous
are loud (kind of like your mom)
outgoing (most of the time)
love Angry Birds, Star Wars, and anything on the Disney Channel
are currently boycotting pajamas
climb like a monkey
are so smart -- you are starting to read three letter words and write like a kindergartener - I'm having a hard time keeping up
have a best friend named Malik
hate bedtime
have a temper (uh oh, I think you got this from your mom too)
are small for your age, but walk like you are 10 feet tall
love to dance
love chocolate and are always asking for treats
LOVE milk -- almost like a baby, you still ask for milk every couple of hours and rarely drink anything else
would play the Wii, DS, or Leapster all day, every day if I let you
want to be just like your big brother
ARE LOVED.

Happy Birthday to my sweet baby boy!

(How much longer can I get away with calling him baby?)

Ummm. . . where did the last 9 months go?

He's officially done.  Done with kindergarten.  I feel like it was just yesterday that I was crying over school pencils in the shopping cart at Target.  Now I have a first grader.  Crazy.

First Day of School:

Last Day of School:

Some things that happened this year:
-- He finally hit 40 lbs.  It took awhile.
-- He has put forth a strong preference for Joe over Joseph.
-- He has gain so much independence.  (deep breath)
-- He met a great new best friend, Alex.
-- He participated in accelerated reader.
-- He got good grades.
-- He didn't miss any days of school.
-- He learned how to tell time.  (much to my chagrin -- I tell some white lies about time and now I can't)
-- He brought home 3 different girls' phone numbers.
-- His mother made it through the year without a nervous breakdown.  :)

*Sigh*  Hard to believe it's over.  He had a wonderful teacher so I hope he gets a great one next year as well.  Only one more year to go and I have to do this kindergarten thing all over again.

Linked 52: Looking In

So naturally I was doing this last minute.  I didn't take a new photo but pulled up two photos that I've taken within the last couple of weeks.  Nothing fancy.

Here I am looking in(to) the tunnel at the park.

It was a quick shot and my settings were off.  I still like catching my little monkey though.  He has become obsessed with the monkey bars.  I love to see how proud he looks when he shows me that he can go all the way across.

This one was taken on my vacation at Red Rocks Ampitheather.

I was looking in on a graduation.  Since we weren't really supposed to be there because an event was going on I thought I should focus on the tree.  :)  How cool would it have been to have your graduation there?


Be sure to check out these other ladies to see their take on "looking in":  Michelle, Stacey, Andrea, Tracey, Heather, Jenn, Jessica, Amanda, Kristin, Amanda, Sara, Tracy, Lesli, Janet, Naomi, Rhonda, Rose, Heidi, Kristi, and Jean