Luke is 1

Yesterday we celebrated Luke's 1st birthday. Here are a few photos I took of him before the family party. I can't believe he's getting so big.

Luke was standing on his own for about 15 seconds before he realized he was doing it, got scared, and sat down. But at least I got a shot of him standing on his own.
Luke's best friend...his thumb.

Dance Instruction: by Mia

Mia loves to come home from dance class and teach me all that she learned. Here's a taste of our weekly routine. Isn't she sweet?

High School Musical &other stuff

Mia and I went to see High School Musical 3 with a few friends on Saturday. What a blast! It's always fun to have a girls day out. We both loved it. I buzzed Luke's hair last week. It was getting shaggy so I just pulled out the clippers and shaved it off. He wasn't too happy with me, but I think his new do is adorable. So it was worth it.

Cole had a preschool fieldtrip to a local nature preserve last Wednesday. It was cold but fun. His favorite part was the cookies and hot apple cider served at the end.

A couple of Quick Visits

Two of my wonderful cousins stopped into town last week for a quick visit. Julie and her husband Grant came for a short vacation, so we met them for dinner. It was great to catch up, even though Luke was a bit of a stinker. And it was the first time I had met Grant. He's a wonderful man...really fun to talk to.

And two short days later, Julie's brother Cameron stopped by with his family, on their way to their new home in Wyoming. I hadn't seen Cameron in YEARS, so it was a great, and long over due visit.

The kids loved Sophia and Ava.

I had a great time visiting with Cam's wife Julia. Talking to her made me wish we lived right by eachother. What a great family.

Homecoming

On Friday we had our own little homecoming with some of our best friends. It started with a day of lessons on baking homemade bread and crafting hair bows. Followed by a wonderful barbaque and the local homecoming football game. What a great day. It's one of those days that make you feel happy and blessed. We are so blessed to have such great friends.


Mia, Aubrey, and Katelyn - enjoyed watching the cheerleaders more than the game.
It was really windy.

Brock and his cute chubby cheeks.

Melissa, Marquessa, Kristen, and Wynette
Brooke, Morgan, Aubrey, Katelyn, and Mia

Girls Night Out

A few of my friends and I decided to take a dance class once a week. It's been so much fun! And quite a workout too. I'm finally getting used to it, but the first few weeks were painful.
Last week the kids decided to wait up for me. They didn't quite make it.

Only 35 Miles, But A World Away

"Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wilderness is a necessity." --John Muir, 1898

Can you believe this picturesque gift from God is only 35 miles from our house? I can't even begin to explain the euphoria I felt when the kids and I hiked around this gorgeous mountain this afternoon. Drew worked all night so I decided to get the kids out of the house so he could get some sleep. This is where we ended up. The fall colors were amazing! I'm sure we'll go back there often. There are a lot more trails to explore.

Mia took this picture of me and Luke. A photographer in the making.

Autumn???

Today was the first semi-cool day of the season. I'm so excited. And Mia can finally wear her new school clothes that have been in her closet, gathering dust for the past month.

Pumpkin Pick

Well, it's officially October, and time to go to the local pumpkin patch to pick our halloween pumpkins. So our church playgroup organized the event, and it was really fun, aside from the 98 degree temperatures. It was swarming with people by the time we left. I wish Mia could have come. She was in school. We may have to go back. Cole chose carefully. It had to be the best pumpkin.
Luke wasn't too enthusiastic about the activity. He was a little HOT! I had dressed them in pants to at least make it look like autumn in the pictures. Not my best idea.

Try Waking Up to This...

I've been meaning to post this crazy summer story but kept forgetting. One morning this past summer, Cole woke me up at 6am saying "I cried and cried for you Mommy, but you wouldn't help me." When I opened my eyes this is what I saw. Of course I freaked out, jumping out of bed, thinking my poor kid was being attacked by something while I was sound asleep. Turns out he just had a bloody nose. But in that moment when you aren't quite awake, it's a rather terrifying experience.

Beautiful Mia

I can't believe I have such a beautiful daughter. Mia is so wonderful. I just wanted everyone to know that.

Wookie

Luke's nickname is "Wookie". Cole gave it to him. Not because he's super creative (although he really is creative), but because he has a hard time with the "L" sound. Anyway, the name kind of stuck. Wookie has three teeth now!

More Photos from the Wedding

Here are a few more photos I took at my sister's wedding

The Office Chair

Well, our office chair has bit the dust. It had been slowly falling apart for a couple of years now. Small pieces would fall off here and there. But last night it finally fell to pieces. Drew was the unfortunate one to experience its death. I just wish I could have seen it happen.

Photo of Mia

Here's the photos I took of Mia this morning before school.

Chandra's Wedding

These are some photos from my sister's wedding in August. I couldn't get over how hansome Cole looked in a suit. I'm tempted to make him wear it every day. :) The two black and white photos are going in my front room. I thought I'd give you a sneak peak. I still need to take a new one of Mia.

Kid Quiz

Here's a fun quiz my sister did. I asked my kids these questions seperately. It's in their own words.

1. What is something Mom always says to you?
Mia: “Mia, don’t go out in the street.”
Cole: “I love you.”

2. What makes Mom happy?
Mia: “Helping her clean up the house.”
Cole: “You are so my friend, happy.” (huh?)

3. What makes Mom sad?
Mia: “When you climb on her furniture.”
Cole: “When I leave you.”

4. How does Mom make you laugh?
Mia: “Tickles.”
Cole: “Nancy Pants.” (um, OK)

5. What was your Mom like as a child?
Mia: “Sad, because she wanted a brother.”
Cole: “Like me.”

6. How old is your Mom?
Mia: “31”
Cole: “36?” (I don’t think so)

7. How tall is your Mom?
Mia: “She is big.”
Cole: “36” (Okay)

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Mia: “Play with her kids.”
Cole: “Have fun.”

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
Mia: “She talks with Dad.”
Cole: “Stay with your Mom”

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
Mia: “Making lots of clothes.”
Cole: “Las Vegas stuff” (what?)

11. What is your mom really good at?
Mia: “Sewing.”
Cole: “Playing cards on Webkinz.”

12. What is your mom not very good at?
Mia: “Juggling.”
Cole: “kicking”

13. What does your mom do for her job?
Mia: “Watch the kids.”
Cole: “Build stuff”

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
Mia: “It’s that stuff at Chuck-a-Rama.”
Cole: “Lettuce”

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
Mia: “She is very nice.”
Cole: “I am happy”

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Mia: “Sandy (from sponge bob square pants)”
Cole: “Spongebob”

17. What do you and your mom do together?
Mia: “Make crafts”
Cole: “Work at cards”

18. How are you and your mom the same?
Mia: “We both have brown eyes.”
Cole: “I’m same as Dad, not you.”

19. How are you and your mom different?
Mia: “My ears aren’t pierced.”
Cole: “We’re not proud at fighting.”

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
Mia: “She tells me that lots of times when I leave.”
Cole: “Give hugs. Now I want to play transformers now because I’m tired of reading this.”