view behind the picket fence

Mommy, take our photo!

2012-02-04T17:51:00.002-05:00

New Years with Grandma

2012-01-03T00:50:00.000-05:00

Papa was there too, but he refused to be photographed :)

Our Christmas

2011-12-29T18:13:00.000-05:00

Only one hour flight home.

And we have this.

We spent Christmas with my parents, The Hills, Zac and his girlfriend Rachelle.

Sweet baby Sam turned one.

SOOOOO darling.

Lots and Lots of cards. Wayne claimed the liverpool rummy trophie. Once.

He talked about it a lot.

So much good food.

Our neighbors famous display.

Cousin playtime.

Time with daddy.

And snow.

Perfect.

Christmas Lights in Boise

2011-12-29T17:02:00.001-05:00

It was the coldest night we'd had all winter and we somehow forgot Collin's coat. He stayed warm and toasty in mine. I pretended I was warm.

I literally almost froze my butt off. Really, it was barely hanging on.

It was still a lot of fun though.

Pretty Christmas Girl.

Christmas Eve

2011-12-28T01:51:00.000-05:00

Our Christmas Eve at my parents home always includes a program of singing Christmas hymns as we read the Christmas story, lighting a nativity of candles.

Wayne, Molly, Sam, Zac and Rachelle were there too. I just wasn't great with my photo taking this year.

Collin knew all the songs except for "Far Far Away On Judea's Plains".

Notice the music is upside down.

By the end of the program, the only candle still lit is the one representing Christ.

Lydia likes to be the "snuffer".

Collin sang all of "Hark the Herald Angels Sing".

That was my favorite Christmas moment this year.

It made me cry. My mom too.

It was a wonderful holiday season

2011-12-27T14:28:00.000-05:00

It's Christmas party time!

2011-12-11T00:54:00.000-05:00

11-11-11

2011-11-26T14:13:00.000-05:00

Congrats to Neal and his new wife Brittney who got married on 11-11-11.

So excited to have a new sister-in-law to get to know!

Thankful

2011-11-24T00:27:00.000-05:00

I was thinking tonight about how thankful I am for the minutes I have every night with my sleepy babies.

Lydia snuck into Collin's room just then and snapped a photo. :)

Finally getting around to taking our Christmas card photos.

2011-11-22T11:18:00.000-05:00

Just kidding.

Scene from Tonight

2011-11-19T00:55:00.000-05:00

Our Halloween

2011-11-05T23:45:00.000-04:00

My parents came down for Halloween this year.

This was why we moved back West :) Everything is more fun with grandparents.

My mom dressed up as a crazy redhead.

I have no idea how to take a non blurry photo in the dark.

Quite the hall!

Papa took all the peanut stuff home with him.

Boo!

November's Here

2011-11-05T23:23:00.000-04:00

Halloween Cookies

2011-10-28T21:47:00.000-04:00

Morning Hayride

2011-10-25T15:06:00.000-04:00

Hayride in the cold cold morning. Fun for riding to the pumpkin patch. But watching the women breast-feed next to me made me so grateful I never had to be a pioneer.

What we did this weekend.

2011-10-23T00:08:00.000-04:00

YAY SHANE!!!!

2011-10-11T15:29:00.000-04:00

Congrats to Shane who just completed his first half-marathon! Just 4 months ago he started running after almost 2 years off the wagon. He decided to start training for the race to help him win a weight loss challenge within our family. He won and used the money to buy new running shoes.

I only had my crappy point and shoot camera and it wouldn't take when he passed. Too bad because he had the best smile ever.

"Daddy, can I see your metal?"

(Collin is skulking away....)

"I won!"

I'm so glad we were at the finish line.

Yay Daddy!

Trip to the pumpkin patch

2011-10-10T00:00:00.000-04:00

We headed to the local pumpkin patch/corn maze this weekend.

Where Liddy?

There she goes!

A little cow train ride.

Ah, so cute.

Babies first funnel cake.

He seemed to like it. A lot.

Aren't we a classy couple? Nothing says love like posing in front of the port-a-potties.

Trying to move out of the way of the camera. Too fast for you Shane!

I wish corn boxes were a real long term option. They are so much better than sand.

All the sudden it was dark and we hadn't even picked out our pumpkins! And Collin hadn't finished his funnel cake yet.

We still managed to get a few great pumpkins.

And we celebrated with cotton candy.

We are great parents.

We could have gone home, but a late night hayride was so too tempting. It was Collins favorite part.

"Again, Again!!!"

Sometimes, Saturday nights are way better without a babysitter.

Autumn Flashback - Little Liddy

2011-10-06T00:17:00.000-04:00

The Poem

2011-09-23T00:54:00.000-04:00

(This poem, named "The Poem" is 100% Lydia Jane. I helped her in no way, other than writing it down as she dictated it.)

The Poem

The Clown has toes
As white I suppose
He doesn't have a shoe
but his toenails are blue.

His hat is flat
but he has a pet cat
What will he do
without his shoe?

What's the trick?
When a lollypop's been licked
His toes are as big as his nose.

When he eats a ~~orange~~ pear
His sister comes (her name is Claire)
When the poems done
Then we'll have fun!

(Illustrated by Lydia)

Bye Mommy!

2011-09-17T01:43:00.000-04:00

We're running away!

(they got about 4 feet)

Thank you mom.

2011-09-11T23:33:00.000-04:00

For taking care of my babies. They both cried when we dropped you off at the airport today.

Well, I might have too.

Wait. You don't eat this way?

2011-08-31T15:52:00.000-04:00

This was Collin's third pear of the day. But it was his most original way of eating it.

And he made sure he threw the core in the garbage all by himself.

World's cutest lemonade stand.

2011-08-29T22:09:00.000-04:00

My only contribution was the polka dot banner. Everything else was Shane and Lydia. Shane's strawberry lemonade was a hit. He's the best daddy ever.

Just after Bathtime

2011-08-19T22:48:00.001-04:00

Shane has Lydia out tonight, so it is just me and Collin.

Summer on the Camera Phone

2011-08-15T01:01:00.002-04:00

It seems like we have done so much these last weeks before school starts. Good thing I always have the camera on my phone at the ready.

Collin's first snow cone.

Lydia doesn't care about the flavor, as long as it's pink.

We took the kids to Pojo's (a lot like Chucky Cheese). They prefer the non moving parts of the carrousel.

Lydia made one attempt at a moving horse.

Ah, there's a smile.

All by herself!

Went to the Boise Zoo with some friends. So much fun!

Except for the butterfly room. I think they will both be having butterfly nightmares for a while.

I am so proud of my little Collin! He went up the big slide and down again, all by himself!

Don't you love when you get a cool shot even with a so so camera?

Lydia made a check list for all the animals she saw. She didn't use words. Or pictures.

I'm guessing she had a very genius method I just didn't get.

Collin and Shane made brownies one day, but Shane made Collin practice with the whisk for a bit first.

I love seeing my boys in aprons. They may need some more manish cooking attire though.

Collin has found that when your arms don't reach your pockets, there is always a compromise.

Our most common summer activity this year seem to be going to the gas station to get slurpees (for the kids), soda (for me) and free popcorn. There is a nice shaded patio and we enjoy our little treat. Doesn't Collin have nice manners?

Oh mommy, with eyes like mine, I don't have to be polite. (Nice Slurpee spill on his shirt.)

Hello lover.

Mama, you crazy.

That's okay, cause I am too.

*****

I know everyone keeps saying summer is almost over, but it is still close to 100 degrees and Lydia is only in Kindergarten half days. I'm planning on enjoying summer until I feel the temperature drop.

Collin at the Park

2011-08-13T23:47:00.000-04:00

I'm going to get you!

Never mind, can't get me!

Mommy, I'm stuck.

I love the park! And candy!!!

Oh, I WILL have my way.

2011-08-13T23:38:00.000-04:00

All within about 20 seconds

2011-08-04T00:56:00.000-04:00

The last line is Collin noticing Daddy walking out with dessert. And then getting his.

See Lydia's 20 seconds here.

Almost time for Kindergarten

2011-08-04T00:40:00.000-04:00

5 minutes with Collin

2011-07-12T00:37:00.002-04:00

And one very random 49 seconds....

Freedom Day Parade

2011-07-07T01:59:00.000-04:00

We spent the 4th of July weekend in Provo UT for a family reunion. The day of the 4th, I, along with the kids, my parents, my brother and his girlfriend ventured the 2 blocks from our hotel to watch the Freedom Day parade. I thought I was going to melt into the pavement. Shane opted to enjoy a nice relaxing, air conditioned breakfast at the hotel. He may have had the right idea.

Lydia loved the parade. Collin was just too hot to care.

Pretty Grandma :)

Uncle Zac saves the day and takes Collin home.

First Really Hot Day

2011-06-23T12:00:00.000-04:00

Went to the splash park along with every other family in the area. Lydia was there too, but every photo of her is just a blur of her running past.

90 degrees in Boise is nothing. It's like 75 degrees in the South. LOVE IT!

He's Two.

2011-06-19T21:50:00.002-04:00

Don't judge me for taking these photos. I was sitting on the bed with my camera in my hands as this all went down. I like to capture the fun reality of our days.

A little stumble can cause a big upset that just keeps going....

and going....

and going.

Until finally the moment arrives when exhaustion takes over.

And it's playtime again!

It helps that Daddy has the magic touch.

Visiting the Spokane Falls

2011-06-17T17:59:00.002-04:00

Little Ballerina

2011-06-11T11:39:00.001-04:00

Last weekend was Lydia's final dance recital. It was pretty darling.

Lydia's sweet friend Ava.

It isn't hard to pick Lydia out from a crowd.

And she is just so ladylike.

Collin usually has other things on his mind during dance class.

Mom. Leave me alone please.

Ta Da!

Even after missing the last month of rehearsals, Liddy did great. It was fun to see her perform. Of course it was the same night we were supposed to see U2 in concert in Seattle. If anyone tells you that being a parent isn't a sacrifice, don't believe them. Parenthood is awesome. But it tends to change things just a tad. Often in ways that aren't so awesome.

Now we enter a summer where I have absolutely nothing planned. I'm a little scared.

Still going through Spokane pics

2011-06-07T20:01:00.002-04:00

Finally meeting Sam

2011-05-25T00:47:00.000-04:00

My sister Molly's baby is the most scrumptious thing ever.

The two sides of Lydia Jane

2011-05-23T18:19:00.000-04:00

I've never seen a better representation of her dual nature. It's a bit scary.

New Cousin!

2011-05-06T01:22:00.001-04:00

Little Jonah. (LOVE that name.) Congrats Sara and Rusty!

Decorating Easter Eggs

2011-04-26T00:48:00.000-04:00

(Hey, just wondering, does anyone read this blog? Only my mom comments for the most part, and I can always just email her the pics.)

On the hunt

2011-04-23T16:24:00.000-04:00

Had our Easter hunt and picnic inside since it was freezing and raining. Still had so much fun.

(See the break out on his face? Got ahold of something with milk.)

Baby's first juice box.

LOLLIPOP!

Buddy hop race. (She was the fastest. She gets that natural athleticism from me.)

Happy Easter!

Look whose been shopping in Mommy's closet.

2011-04-18T21:39:00.002-04:00

On Saturdays, we usually stay in our jammies until after noon.

2011-04-09T23:06:00.000-04:00

****

2011-04-02T00:11:00.000-04:00

Family "vlog"

2011-03-30T14:13:00.003-04:00

Next time I do a vlog I will try and remember to wear makeup.

Update

2011-03-21T19:53:00.003-04:00

Update: Feeling a lot better with this kidney infection. Stayed in my pjs all weekend. On Saturday night, Shane and I had a "Take-out Date" that included Chinese food and House on Tevo. I decided to look like something other than death, so I took a shower, straightened my hair and put on a bit of makeup. I even dawned a clean black hoodie, yoga pants and earrings. So fancy. As I passed Lydia's room were she was supposed to be sleeping she yelled "Mommy! Where are you going?!"

"Just downstairs with daddy."

"Why are you wearing earrings then? "

"Cause I want to look pretty."

She motions with her hand to my ensemble.

"Then why are you matching? If you aren't going anywhere?"

Oh man. Have I really let myself go that much? Probably. This is all a phase right?

I'll be cool again at some point?

This week.

2011-03-19T13:40:00.001-04:00

Cooking with friends.

Staying busy while Lydia cooks with friends.

Family Home Evening At Home

2011-03-09T10:57:00.000-05:00

Never a dull moment when there is photo booth to play with.

Have a great day!

I love bathtime

2011-02-20T23:07:00.000-05:00

On her way to her school birthday party.

2011-02-16T21:01:00.000-05:00

Guess what mom. That camera also takes videos.

2011-02-03T16:54:00.000-05:00

My sister and mom thought it would be funny to fill my point and shoot with lots of creepy weird shots of themselves. Still tempted to post a few, but this little number (when my mom apparently did not know my sister was recording) must be shared.....

In case you haven't heard...

2011-01-28T01:00:00.000-05:00

I have a new nephew. Little Sam.

Congrats Molly and Wayne. He's perfect. I can't wait to meet him.

Cracker Barrel Morning

2011-01-25T19:53:00.001-05:00

There was a Cracker Barrel about 3 minutes away from our house in Tennessee. We went all the time for Saturday breakfast as a family. We were feeling a little homesick, so we found the local Cracker Barrel. From the inside, it felt like we were back in Chattanooga. Except no one had accents, everyone was white and people were requesting "ice tea" instead of "sweet tea".

So handsome for church

2011-01-23T19:00:00.000-05:00

And he knows it.

Lydia's Dance Debut - The Nutcracker

2011-01-06T10:40:00.000-05:00

Possibly the cutest mouse ever. She was very excited about "stage makeup".

And the tallest. (She isn't even one of the older girls in her class.)

Shane and I are so proud of our little dancer.

"Once there was a snowman, snowman, snowman..."

2011-01-01T23:09:00.000-05:00

I would have shown a photo with Shane in there too. BUT he thought it was a funny joke to shave his beard into a mustache for Christmas. It was retched in a totally hilarious way.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2011-01-01T00:42:00.000-05:00

Christmas Morning 2010

2010-12-27T00:00:00.001-05:00

It was a perfect Christmas morning.

Everyone got just what they wanted. Dad really wanted that remote control spider :)

Up since 5:30am. Kept the kids happy until 8 am with movies and doughnuts in bed.

Worth the wait!

Wow. It's so real!

ONE WEEK TO GO!

2010-12-18T00:16:00.000-05:00

little spa day

2010-12-09T00:14:00.000-05:00

Lydia was a little down the other day. What do I like to do when I get down? Go to the spa of course. There is the cutest children's salon here. For $16 you get a wash, cut (in a jeep), manicure, and style with sparkles. She was in total bliss. Collin was not. He's decided he doesn't like getting his hair cut. Even if it's on a toy horse.

One of my favorite Christmas traditions

2010-12-05T22:49:00.000-05:00

Winter playtime.

2010-12-03T00:23:00.001-05:00

We have some serious snow here in Boise. It's awesome.

But not for driving. We're staying home.

These last two photos were taken by a new friend who I meet through blogging. Our little girls get along famously. It's the sweetest thing. Now we need to find a good friend for Collin....

First snow.

2010-11-27T01:07:00.000-05:00

Our NYC family came for an early Thanksgiving and we were greeted with our first snow! After the kids made their way through the snow buffet, there was just enough left for a couple snowmen. Thanks Uncle Rusty for helping with the fun. And for saving my baby when he escaped into the snow with just his pjs on and barefeet.

Love Love Love Love Love this time of year.

Reading Picnic

2010-11-14T00:26:00.000-05:00

2010-11-10T00:47:00.001-05:00

Missing my friends today.

New Friends

2010-11-05T22:12:00.000-04:00

Making muffins in pretty clothes. The key to a happy playdate is separate bowls....

Pre-School Halloween Party

2010-10-30T15:19:00.001-04:00

Making Jack-o-lanterns

2010-10-24T22:08:00.000-04:00

The yucky fun part.

All done.

And finding jack-o-lanterns in the clouds.

Still hot! Let's have a picnic.

2010-10-04T00:00:00.000-04:00

It's Fall!

2010-09-27T15:59:00.000-04:00

Fishing with Daddy and Papa

2010-09-27T15:34:00.000-04:00

All within about 20 seconds

2010-09-20T00:22:00.001-04:00

Sounds weird, but marching band is cool in the South.

2010-09-16T23:13:00.001-04:00

That's why we moved.

Flashback - Lydia 2 years old

2010-09-16T00:12:00.000-04:00

A few shots before we left Chattanooga

2010-09-14T22:58:00.001-04:00

Doesn't look good Cookie Monster. Sounds like a blocked artery.

Not just walking. Running!

Mom. This outfit sucks.

Out with the ladies

2010-09-14T00:15:00.000-04:00

Last Playdate

2010-09-07T01:07:00.000-04:00

Leaving Chattanooga is hard for so many reasons, but one of the hardest is breaking up Lydia and her best friend Kate. They have been friends since they were babies. Learned to love the Little Mermaid at the same time. Giggled and fought like sisters. Wendy (Kate's mom) and I learned to be mommies together.

When we told Lydia we were moving to Boise, she got all excited, then gasped. "Wait! What about Kate?!?". I know. Breaks your heart. I know they will be wonderful pen pals.

This was one of their first playdates. I took photos since their tops matched. (Not planned.)

Wendy and I decided to take the girls on one last playdate. This time to a lovely tea house just up the road. My how they have grown.

Sharing

2010-08-29T22:51:00.000-04:00

Cousin Fun

2010-08-29T22:47:00.000-04:00

The Pout

2010-08-17T22:23:00.000-04:00

This is the adorable face when Collin isn't getting his way, but he is still in a pretty good mood.

Shane does the same thing....

Summer Rain

2010-08-05T22:39:00.000-04:00

Lydia was ready to get out of the house.

Best Friends

2010-08-02T21:29:00.000-04:00

Play doh Day

2010-08-02T08:58:00.000-04:00

107 degrees with heat index. We are staying inside.

I made aliens.

Lydia made our family.

Collin ate what fell on the floor.

MOM!!!!

2010-07-16T19:10:00.000-04:00

Lydia practicing her typing. Wait. Whose hand is that?

Collin wants a turn too.

"Collin stop it!"

"Mom! Collin won't leave me alone!"

"What? Me?"

" Ok Liddy, time for Collin's nap."

"Thanks Mommy."

Dinner on the lake

2010-07-14T18:48:00.000-04:00

I totally forgot to check my "back up" camera when I got home from Spokane. What a treat, I found shots from our family dinner out at a floating restaurant to celebrate Abby's birthday. Like finding money in a pair of pants you rarely wear.

Have I mentioned I miss Washington lately?

I was pretending to get a shot of my sister and her husband....

But really I needed to get a shot of this guy! It is the pilot from Lost 15 years after getting off the island! At least we know he made it safely.

July In Tennessee

2010-07-12T08:12:00.002-04:00

Lydia misses grandma

2010-07-09T21:48:00.002-04:00

More Spokane 2010

2010-07-09T20:14:00.000-04:00

told you I'd get you back emily.

My handsome boys

2010-07-02T22:53:00.000-04:00

Scary!!!!

2010-07-02T22:30:00.000-04:00

Oh no. The Horror. BUBBLES!!!!!

They seem to have possessed the babies!

Whatever shall we do???

Oh, maybe they're not so bad.

Thirsty Babies

2010-07-02T22:06:00.000-04:00

One hot summer day at the park. Three sisters with our three babies. Only one bottle of water....

Thomas isn't quite sure what he's to do.

But he figured it out quickly.

Collin too.

Paige is a bit more dainty...

Than my baby. :)

Sullen Paige

2010-07-02T21:25:00.000-04:00

Someone's bored.

Basket Rides with Uncle Zac

2010-07-01T23:04:00.000-04:00

Bubbles

2010-06-22T01:20:00.001-04:00

Where's Elmo?

2010-06-03T00:09:00.000-04:00

Preview to Collin's b-day

2010-05-25T22:05:00.001-04:00

I'll get some photos of Collin's first birthday up on my main blog soon. For now, here's a peek.

Facebook Test.

2010-05-20T15:01:00.002-04:00

I'm trying out Facebook for my blog. Could you "Like Me" and let me know if it is working okay??? Since most of the people who read this blog are friend and family, I figure you would be the ones to help me out.

Thanks!!!!

"Mama"

2010-05-15T23:18:00.000-04:00

I was hiding in the house so that Collin would "call" for me. He has been using "Mama" and it is just about the cutest thing I have ever seen.

Warning. This video is kind of gross. Collin spilled his water on the highchair tray and....well, you'll see.

Spring Photo Challenge Example

2010-05-14T07:37:00.000-04:00

This is an example for how to post a photo for my little photo challenge.