Just For The Grandparents

Last week (like I said earlier, I'm trying to catch up!) was Grandparents' Day at Bella's school. Her Kindergarten class had worked so hard to prepare the most adorable song, complete with sign language to go along, and a few other small songs, dances and bible verses. My parents happened to be in town for Thanksgiving and Ty's birthday, so Bella was thrilled to have them attend! In fact, she was double blessed because John's parents live right down the street, so she had both sets there to watch her perform. There was a strict rule that parents we not allowed...only the grandparents~ but I had a sneaky way in because Mrs. Sia asked if I would come be a class helper that day, so of course I said yes!! {and I maaaay have snuck in a picture or two) My little princess got to stand front and center for the performance in the gym (you know the proud mom in me was secretly super excited about that) and I have a better, more close up picture that is still stuck on a memory card somewhere... that always seems to happen to me when I'm looking for pictures :/

This is Isabella with her two best friends, Lauren & Grace

Performing their songs and dances in front of all the grandparents in their classroom :)

And here's a recent oh-so-lovely development... Bella like to shmoosh her chin in when she smiles for the camera, giving herself like 4 double chins. Super cute.

I'm In Love With Two Men.

And they both love me back.

I'm a lucky woman.

Turkey Day 2010

Yep. I cooked that sucker.

I offered to host Thanksgiving this year, and this was my beautiful bird in all its glory.

We had my parents here for Thanksgiving, as well as Emily's roommate, and three of John's cousins and Jazz's girlfriend Lexy. Full house! The dinner was pretty good if I do say so myself, and the best part was that I used paper and plastic (the fancy kind that looks like real silverware! Is it weird that I used fancy plastic utensils?) so that the clean up was a cinch.

Here are Jazz and Lexy (I also did a photo shoot with them that you can view HERE)

but Ty decided to crash this picture, so he jumped in :)

Siblings, Arece, SunShine & Jazz

And of course, Arece's girlfriend just happens to be my little sister. I know- it's a weird mash-up of families. But John and I checked it out to make sure there wasn't anything creepy with them dating :) They aren't related, so its all good :)

All in all, it was a fun weekend of visiting, and now its off to prepare for Christmas! I must be getting old because I swear we just had Christmas. Time to flying by me insanely fast...

Time To Get Away...

We're at it again.

The six of us escaping up to the mountains for our annual retreat. You know the rules- no make-up, you must stay in your sweats, we eat and drink as much as we want, we stay inside by the fire talking, playing games and watching movies.... even give up cell phone service (well I did. Darn AT&T.)

It's a rule in our group that the only kids allowed are babies under 9 months. Well, basically if they can crawl.. they are too old. We learned that lesson after I brought Ty when he was 10 months old. Let's just say we had to move very trinket off the shelves low to the ground, and Hudson had a traumatizing experience with a jumper-swing. So, this year it really was an all-girls trip, because all of our babies were beautiful little girls! We had Lily, Grace and Sienna join the big girls for a little getaway :)

Grace was the oldest, and the social butterfly. She had lots of great heart-to-heart talks with Sienna and Lily.

Lily's pudgy cheeks and full lips give me baby fever. But the look on Amanda's face when she had been up since 5am, quickly cured my fever ;)

We cook, drink, laugh and have fun. It's just what we do.

Here are the five women who liked our special cocktail recipe for a sour limon gimlet. It was a cross-breed between my recipe ad Kerri's recipe (with secret ingredients that can not be shared).

And here is the one weirdo who did not like the gimlet ~ and instead, preferred a bottle of hideously sweet white zinfandel.

The rest of the pictures shall remain unseen by the general public :)

Love you girls!!!!!

Happy Birthday Buddy

Ok, so I'm a little far behind in blogging... but now I'm trying to catch up to speed :)

I have t start with Tyler's 3rd birthday. I just can't believe how big he is, and how fast these three years have gone by. There is a spot in my heart that will forever be Tyler's... he has truly stolen my heart.

He is my brave little protecter :)

I wrote a tribute to him for his birthday on my photography blog, and I have decided to make a birthday video for the kids every year. That way, I will have a whole video library of each birthday... documenting each milestone as it passes. If I close my eyes, I can still picture him as this tiny little newborn, all snuggled on my chest. If any of you know how to time travel- please let me know.

Ty, I love you more than I could ever describe in words. You are the perfect little boy, and I am enjoying every minute of being your mom.

hugs and kisses, Mommy

** You can see his birthday post and video HERE **