road trip

We have a whole bunch of family living in Western Washington and we recently made a trip to see all of them. I feel like we're finally at the stage where we're able to drive across the state without too much screaming from children and parents ;) I've learned that junk food and lots of stops help a ton. We were able to visit Joel's parents, siblings, nieces and nephews...aaaaaand a whole bunch of animals at the zoo. As I was looking through my pictures, of course I realized that I have major gaps...as in no pictures of some really important people. But I do have some good ones...out of order, but fun!

She says...

<p>Two year old Hollyn is so dang fun! So dang difficult at the same time...but mostly hysterical. I never want to forget her munchkin voice and the way she has something to say about everything--although we can only understand maybe a 1/4 of it. Have I mentioned how she says Griffin's name? "Gigiss"=her bff. And she says a couple of other funny things...

When she is ready for us to come get her from the crib in the morning, she grows all of her special items out on the floor and tries to make as much a ruckus as possible. Then she jumps up and down and shouts, "mama, way Aaahhh youuuu?"...over and over....and over. ;)

Also, she has really been enjoying conversations about her boogers. And she really likes making her brothers laugh. So we hear, "karker, memember, I have boogas?"...as she holds out her finger for his inspection. Ugh.

I almost forgot this last one. She actually said no words, but sometimes actions speak louder;) Last night at dinner, Hollyn accidently spilled her ranch dressing on griff. Griff absolutely lost it! Tears and devastation, oh my. For some reason, condiments and dressings send Griff over the edge. Hollyn got such a kick out of it, her salad "accidently" made it over to griffin a few more times. Her expression was priceless: total poker face and then cracking up as she was placed in timeout. Oy.

I sure love her.

Summer '12

Oh, summertime, how I love you! I think I love this season even more now that I have school-aged kids. I realize I'm such a blessed girl to be able to be home with my kids to experience everything with them. We have long days with no plans ahead of us...ready to filled in with last minute plans. Good stuff.

Random pics to share from a 7th bday

Parker's class singing happy bday, my special lunch with him & his crazy party. 7 years seems wrong. Has it really 7 years since I first saw that beautiful face? Pretty amazing.

What I need

I can't say that I've been easy to live with lately. However, here I'm content...and I want to remember this.

I'm working on my Beth Moore study, drinking my coffee, snuggled on my couch, and tuned into a perfect pandora station. This is what I love, what I need in order to function. And I haven't been doing it enough. But I think it is time for a change.

Big boy

Our griff learned to ride a two wheel bike today. I'm so proud of my middle hooligan :)

Another home

I am a total northwest girl and would be happy living in WA forever. But if I had to live in another state, it would be Colorado or Arizona. My love for the beautiful desert state has been well documented but today...I'm in love with Colorado!! The mountains, the weather, the culture, the air! I just love it. Feels like home.

A big part of my love for the state is the fact that we have dear friends that call CO home. And when I say "dear friends", I actually mean people who feel more like family than friends. Being here makes me miss them more.

This week we're on a vacation in Breckenridge, CO, courtesy of my sweet in-laws. And it is a real escape from real life because there are NO KIDS!! I kind of have no idea what to do with all my free time. So weird. Last night I stayed up until 2 a.m....which hasn't happened on purpose since college. I miss my kids. I don't even want to write another word about that because I'll  get sad. 

But we're having a great time together...all of Joel's siblings and their spouses plus parents= 12 adults on a much needed vacay! The beauty is breathtaking and the company even better. Love these crazies :)

Have you ever seen....

Anything more beautiful than this?

Sweet sweet

I barely ever talk about these two together. Totally different than H with G...but they are super sweet together too. I think h really looks up to park...wants to be big and do big kid things. When park takes time to snuggle with her, it is extra special.

real

I hope to never give the impression that I have a single ounce of my life "all together". In fact, I had to stop reading blogs too often because that part of this culture drives me batty.  So, I'm going to show you what my house looks like on a normal day...not especially messy and not just cleaned. Here you are:

Just a little exercise in keeping it real. :)

No!

Hollyn knows the word snow...but it sounds very much like NO!

First time trying to go out to play in the snow like the big kids:)

stomping grounds

My mom sent me these pictures as she was driving up north near my old stomping grounds. Funny thing about "home"...I can't help it, it still is home and I think it is the most beautiful area. I feel drawn to that area...to go up and breathe the good air and walk through the fields and woods. I miss it.

My sunshine!

Griffin is five and I just can't quite wrap my mind around it. I remember posting about my pregnancy on this blog- back when I used to be better at documenting life. Griff is something special. I think it takes a specific kind of person to really notice his sunshine instead of his crazy:) He just gets so darn excited when he's around people...he kind of turns into something resembling a quivering puppy. But Griffin is my sunshine when life seems dark. He keeps me laughing when I get too serious. His love for his little sister actually gives me such reassurance. I've never seen anything like it. As always, this boy has a huge piece of my heart and I can't even say how proud I am to be his mom. 

Look back at the day he was born!

a little dance from disneyland

Science

This what parker does during Christmas break: experiments. Vinegar, flour, baking soda, salt, apple juice, sugar. Nothing makes him happier than playing scientist or farkle these days.

He just told me he wants to be an archaeologist. I hope that doesn't mean he'll move far away from home. Never:)

we dance

I woke up knowing this was going to be a hard day. It was one of those times that I woke up tired... without even living yet. Ugh. Not good. Not possible with three young ones.

And apparently, Hollyn is feeling the same way. I know this because she is throwing everything she gets her hands on and hitting...oh, the hitting. I would be doing the same thing if no one was watching.

But we dance.

We have nightly dance parties here in our house. And I don't mean the hokey pokey or any other tame, preschool songs. Nope. We get down. I don't have the moves, believe me. But I don't care. Parker has some serious moves...I have no idea where he learns them. He says music class but I can't imagine that. I'm going to believe that they are from his soul;) Griffin is slightly robotic. Maybe a little stiff but he's coming along. Hollyn knows how to groove. She was born with it. Those hips don't lie. Have you ever seen Joel dance? Then you know...he's got it.

So about an hour ago I was done barking at the kids...feeling like I couldn't last another minute. I turned on some music I hoped would do the trick.

It did. Hollyn danced for four straight songs while Griffin ate lunch and I cheered her on. 

In this house, we dance. It brings things back into focus and we remember to have fun together. Why is that so easy to forget?

obsessed

I think I have an obsessive personality. I mean, when I'm into something...I usually just can't help myself. I am bursting to tell someone some of my current loves. And sadly, they're probably not surprising to anyone. I don't really keep my mouth shut.

Seriously. I'm pathetic. I feel so passionate about a cancelled tv show. I don't know if I'll ever be over it.

1. Friday Night Lights. I cried when the last episode aired. It wasn't necessarily a sad ending...I just was so connected to those characters. Obsessed. They are real to me. And happily, I'm reliving all 5 seasons right now. I started over at the very beginning. I'm on season one, episode 11. I would be further but I only allow myself to watch it while I'm on the treadmill. Which brings me to my next point:

2. Running. Now, I'm tempted to delete that word. I told myself I could never be a runner. But...really, that is lame. Of course I can. I'm healthy, youngish...and now that I bought a used treadmill off of craigslist, I don't have a single excuse. None. My goal is to become a runner and enjoy myself. And since I get to watch my favorite show while I'm exercising, I'm LOVING it. 

3. Leaves. We don't have a ton of leaves up here on the prairie...but that is okay. We have great views of the changing colors. I do love the colors, but what I'm really talking about is the Bath & Body Works scent: Leaves!! It says fall, home, cozy, crisp...everything good about the season.

4. Spotify  Do you use spotify? If you do, I don't have to explain the wonder of it all. If you don't, you just must be confused. It is FREE. You will likely never have to buy another CD or mp3 again. I love music. I am so thankful that we live in a time that we have access to so many good artists. 

This is just one that I found today that I LOVE. Yes, I start my Christmas music on November 1st. Sorry to all of you schrooges if that is offensive. Bummer for you;) Check out this brand-new Christmas album: A Very She & Him Christmas.  You know, Zooey Deschanel? You'll love it, too.

5. Parenthood . More TV. I really don't watch that much TV...just these two shows. But like I said, when I love something...I REALLY do. Sharing the same Executive Producer as FNL, Jason Katims, Parenthood is tied for first as my favorite. How could I choose? I love all of those Panthers and Bravermans. If you are in a family (and I think most people must be) or have any experience with relationships, you will relate with the characters on this show. Sometimes I wonder if my name is actually Amy Braverman. Sounds nice, doesn't it?

6. Joe Purdy station on Pandora. My fave right now.

7. The Sunshine. It might be a given...most people love the sun. But I feel like I need it. When the sun is out, life is a little bit better. And we've had the most beautiful, sunny fall. Can't get enough.

8. Trader Joe's. Our great town just got a Trader Joes!! It is a huge deal. It really is my favorite place to shop for food. And the prices!! So, after six years of living in a town with out a TJ's, finally the wait is over!! I feel giddy about it. 

I have so many more obsessions. Big and little and everything in between. I would like to share more later but for now, time to get going with real life!

Griff vs. The pumpkin

Griff and I got to go on a school field trip together...without any siblings!! For a middle child, this is a huge deal! I love spending time with my kids one on one.
It was the pumpkin patch this time and we had so much fun on the hay ride, in the maze, petting the animals, picking apples & pumpkins....and eating pumpkin doughnuts!
Thank you, Grandma Dee, for taking good care of Hollyn while we had a special date!!

And yes, I realize these pictures are not upright...but they're from my phone and it is as good as it will get:)

Awe-thum!!

Parker just lost is third tooth... but this is, by far, the most exciting and noticeable! I hope that his new tooth is huge because that gap is ginormous! He is thuper cute:)

ode to {summertime} joy

This is the week we say goodbye to summer...we are back to school. Oh, summer has been good. I think this has been my favorite summer with the kiddos yet! And the strange thing is that we actually did LESS than in past years. We stayed home so much more. I love being home...and I hope that our kids learn to love home just as much.

Summer has consisted of : swimming lessons. neighbor buddies. vbs. dirt forts. sports camp. slip n slide. bike rides. camping. grandparents. city pools. otter pops. cousins. pokemon. Indiana jones. silverwood. friends. bbqs. lake time. roommates. chronicles of narnia. river front park. our little plastic pool. sun kissed skin. bright white hair. bug collecting. baby dolls.

The good stuff of life.

So thankful our Creator gave us Summer!