Mother Nature is such a tease!

Having such gorgeous weather in February is most certainly something that needs to be documented when you live in Washington. If the sun is shining, you better believe we will be outside soaking up some rays.  A couple of days ago it wasn't just sunny, but even slightly warm! the air was cold, but sun was so warm on our skin...it felt so much like spring. I couldn't help but think, "hmm, maybe spring is coming early!", but I'm sure Mother Nature is only teasing us.

 

Tease or not, we are taking advantage of the sun and warmth!

 

Jack will always be found speeding up and down the street on his bike, trying to see how fast he can go. I'm waiting for the day when simply riding down the street won't be quite adventurous enough for this boy. I'm surprised I haven't had to help him build a jump out of my crafting wood in the garage...or that his daddy hasn't hasn't built one for him!!!

 

Then there's Bianca, who doesn't do much of anything with out providing a flare of pure "diva". Riding her bike is never enough unless there are poses and acrobatics involved.

 

 

Sweet Laney is content with sidewalk chalk.

 

I can hardly control this mane of hair...somedays I just let it be. days like today.

 

 

We are excited for more bike riding and chalk scribbling in the coming weeks...before we know it, spring will be here to stay, but for now, we will take all the teases we can get!

The blog...resurrected!

Well, hello there!!

Has it really been a year and a half since I've touched this blog?!?

 

 Oh man, I'm such a slacker. I promise, I tried to start over time and time again...I think I've drafted 20 different blog posts over the last year trying to "catch-up" but have ultimately decided that there is no WAY I'm going to go back and blog everything.

I've decided to start over from this moment. Blogging is important to me because I don't keep a regular journal and I'm last person that is ever going to scrap book...my blog is the only real thing that keeps record of our little family (besides facebook. I know, lame). These sweet kiddos of mine are growing up so fast, and I know that if I don't document these moments, they will be forgotten.

So, let's kick things off with our trip to Lattin's Cider Mill yesterday. the weather was absolutely beautiful so we thought some time outside was in order.  And to be perfectly honest, I will take any excuse I can get to go grab a fresh apple fritter...those things are A.MAZING.

Can you believe how much the kids have grown over the last 18 months? Jackson has lost all evidence of ever being a toddler (besides the fact that he still barely weighs 40 lbs, and that's fully clothed!)

 

Sassy Bianca, always good for a pose.  Feed in hand, she is ready to go see the animals!

 

Laney was beyond thrilled to feed the goats. She would get so close every time...

And then drop the food just out of their reach. those poor goats. She's such a tease!

 

 

Jackson and Bianca are the best of friends. They can rarely be found not playing together. I suppose that is the perk of having kids 16 months apart...of course, it takes about 5 years to start to see these perks!

 

We were able to meet some cousins at the Mill. we all doted over that sweet baby. I'm convinced it is nearly impossible to get a decent picture of all three of my kids together. After 57 tries, I gave up...Jackson and Bianca were bored with the photoshoot long before laney would even cooperate.

 

those (cute) little turds.

 

 

Me and my man. Geez, I love this guy.

 

I can't believe how mild the weather has been here in the North West. February is usually the time of year where we are all ripping out hair out and cursing the fact that we live in this gray, dead place. We feel lucky that the sun has been out so much, and that we can even go out and play with out freezing our behinds right off!

 

Here's to more sunshine...and more blogging!



It's about time...

Scott and I have been married for 6 years and never had a single professional picture taken.  Not any newborn photos, no first birthday cake-smashing photoshoot. nothing.

  I know, we are completely lame. 

For the last 6 years, I kept waiting for the "perfect time".  A time when I wasn't pregnant, or trying to lose weight after having a baby, or a time when Jack didn't have 5 stitches in his face. I came to the realization recently that it's not about capturing our family at the perfect time {because there isn't going to be a perfect time!}, but it's more about capturing our family at THIS time in our lives.   

So I did it.  I scheduled a photoshoot with Scott's brother Randy. Hilarious, right? Yeah, we had a photographer in the family the WHOLE time.  I know, I just became even more lame.

Randy specializes in the "Rustic" look, which I love.  He mostly takes pictures of old buildings and cars...even sells them! I can't wait to get these bad boys framed and hung!!

Man, we are one GOOD lookin' couple...{heehee}

I love this one of the kids...it perfectly captures some of the quirky things the kids do lately.  It's perfect.

Preschool!

Jack started preschool today, which we were ALL excited for.  He loves school, and I love having a few hours of "Bianca" time while Laney takes her afternoon nap.  It's a win-win for everyone involved!!

As Jack gets older, I see more and more of his daddy coming through in his daily habits (his habitual eating for one).  I doubt anyone actually knows this about Scotty, but he lays his clothes out every night for work to make mornings run a little smoother.  I shouldn't have been surprised when Jack picked up the same habit, carefully laying his clothes out every night in the hall or his bedroom.  He even tucks a pair of underwear underneath his pants, and a pair of socks inside his shoes.  The night before his first day of school was ESPECIALLY important.  Heehee, put a smile on my face every time I walked by.

Two cute siblings.  Man, I didn't realize how light Bianca's hair turned this summer...Her and Jack almost look like they have the same color hair!

The ever-huge SpiderMan backpack...it looks GIANT on his petite little body (Yes, I realize that that was a redundant statement. deal with it.)



The Diva in the background thought I was taking pictures of her...that little turkey. 

The million dollar smile.  This kid has "heart breaker" written ALL over him.



And this sassy lady, there are no words for her...

"Mom, take a picture of my purse"

"Hey Jack, give me one more smile for your big 1st day"

"No, not that one you stinker...the REAL one."

"Yep, that's the money shot" 

Here's to another fabulous school year!!

Another fish in the family...

In Utah, we discovered Laney's love for water {much like her fishy dad and brother}.  We visited the splash pad in Highland several times and Miss D couldn't get enough of all the squirting water.

She tested the waters with the small spout but quickly became unamused...

On to bigger, better things.

Bianca was there too...sporting a sweet wedgie. I would be sporting a wedgie too if I had cute little buns like that!

Bianca wasn't nearly as adventurous as Laney.

I don't think this girl could be any happier.



6 years ago...

A boy and girl got married.

 

 

I'm not kidding when I say "girl".  Just ask my mom, I was a CHILD...what kind of mother lets her daughter get married at 19? I'm only kidding mom.  But seriously.

Even if her daughter claims to be oh-so-mature. ha!

6 years ago we rented a 400 square foot apartment, which was just enough room for 2 love birds.

6 years ago we were both in school full time.  I was working on a bachelors in Psychology and Scotty was working on a bachelors in Accounting.

6 years ago Scott and I were both working at the UPS Store, each making about $8 an hour.  Soon after we were married, he quit the UPS Store for a framing job paying TEN bucks an hour...livin' large at that point :)  I'm pretty sure our monthly overhead was only about $750, but I was worried we weren't going to be able to make it work.

6 years ago Scott had {a little} more hair, and I had a few less pounds.  Just kidding hun, your hair is still as thick and beautiful as it was the day we met. Love you babe. heehee.

6 years later we have three {beautiful} healthy children. two bachelors degrees, an almost Masters degree, a home (that's bigger than 400 sq feet!), and two great jobs that thankfully pay more than $8 an hour.

 

 

We feel blessed to live the lives we do.  Each day brings something new for us to tackle and something new to enjoy.  We laugh everyday, cry on occasion, and love the three little rugrats that rule our lives. 

 

 

I love you, Handsome.

Face painter extraordinaire!

We have a myriad of unique and interesting professions in my family.

I have a brother-in-law who is a Funeral Director, a brother who is a Border Patrol Agent and paramedic, another brother who is the Assistant Superintendant at a golf course which includes some exciting things like picking off pesky rabbits with rocks, and mowing lawns :). I also have yet another brother who has become a Farrier or horseshoeing expert (that is some SERIOUS business by the way. more on that another day). 

There is also my talented aunt Denise.  She is naturally very creative and artistic, but has recently taken up the art of face painting.  We aren't talking a rainbow on your cheek at the elementary school carnival, either.  It takes some real skill to do what she does. 

Over the 4th of July, we got together and let her paint the kids' faces.  Bianca was in HEAVEN.  I have never seen a more giddy girl...sparkles, jewels, and pink.  There aren't many more important things in a 3 year old diva's life, right?!?

Bianca held so still, but she could hardly stand the wait to see herself in mirror.

She smiled and posed in the mirror all night long.

 You better believe we jumped at the chance for painting the next day at brunch. 

Once again, the mirror was essential.  I even saw her sneak a few kisses into the mirror. no joke.

This girl KNOWS she's a knockout.

Jack joined the fun too, but he needed something manly like Spiderman, complete with jewel in the center...because every spider looks more tough with a diamond middle, no?

Let's be honest people, if the kids are doing something cool, I am most likely going to be in on the action.  I'm still a child, didn't you know that?

Lookin' good.

Thanks Denise, for your fabulous work...we can't wait to get painted up again!

Summer nights

There aren't many things better in life than a summer evening in Utah.

Around 7:30 things cool down a bit, and it's perfect to run through the sprinklers, and relax on the lawn.

Life. is. good.

I can't wait for 21 more nights just like this one...