a touch of rae

new ride

2012-02-15T12:26:00.000-08:00

grandpa dan bought the kids this covertible. then quickly realized they needed a second. sweet!!! they have such a riot in them and with this mild winter they are already getting good use.

the best part about these cars is they can be remote controlled if you flip a switch. so when they will let her Ava will drive them around. Sometimes crashing them into each other.....hmmm! Or that remote comes in handy when they drive them down the road and decide to get out, I don't have to carry the car and just drive it on in.

silas and slade

each having a test run the first day.

thanks grandpa!

everyday glimpse.

2012-02-13T17:15:00.000-08:00

gearing up for a post full of everyday glimpse instagram pics from my trusty phone. and a few Lawrence has sent me.

cruz loves chocolate, almost as much as his brother. he doesn't hold back a bit. the best little assistant...keeps me from devouring it all myself.

i spotted these drawings in Ava's room one morning while making her bed and thought they were cute. she is now a Taylor Swift die hard.

Lisa gave Ava a plate making kit where you draw a picture and send it in to have it made into a plate. The drawing was over 1.5 years old and I found it when we were moving. So had Ava sign it, sent it in and the plate has now arrived!

we've loved taking the kids swimming this winter. they love it even more.

the boys love to wrestle. one of our daily activities.

cruz usually dominates or tortures slade.

just checking the girl out early from school.

this one has been taking naps and i can't help snap a pic or two.

always entertaining to snap funny face pics

lawrence sent me these pics of the kids getting creative at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

he really did. and i finally resulted to carrying the sleepyhead and pushing the cart full of groceries one handed when i realized his swaying and bonking could result in a head injury.

My Dad got sworn into the Ogden High Hall of Fame (Yea, yea)! This was the only pic I took all night.

one day that cup won't seem so big.

and one day he won't look so small.

just love watching him maneuver that ipad almost better than me!

glued.

he is the biggest Momma's boy i know.

legos = #1 toy among these gents

we watched Jude bear and the kids were so excited he got to sleep over. we went all out on a movie night ;)

the bath together didn't quite go as planned....

morning cartoons all snug in my bed

the paint sat in my house for weeks and I finally got around to painting their chalkboard wall. they love.

cruzie's masterpiece.

went outside last week, in this amazing weather, to find these three like this "cloud watching".

the LC and I celebrated Valentines early. Went out for ~~a little~~ lots of sushi

and finished with a movie. he is the best valentine.

today this little one has been super, super sick. he has been sleeping all but few minutes he wakes to barf. poor guy :(

hair + cruz

2012-01-25T14:26:00.000-08:00

two of my true loves.

afternoon light

2012-01-25T14:25:00.000-08:00

she waiting for carpool by the window and i walk by to see her stretching. although a bit dark, it just looked so pretty with that golden light wrapping around her back.

made me clearly want to snap a few. she was in her concentrated dancer mood.

everyday glimpse.

2012-01-24T20:37:00.000-08:00

I've fallen behind on all I'd like to blog. whats new? my computer is getting fixed tomorrow so I'm trying to back everything up...just in case. BUT, once again, storage space is a major issue! (photographers with lots of huge file pics, help!!!) that makes me realize how important to me this blog is for the shear fact its a place to hold my photos. i need to get my booty in gear and start sorting through my real photos. anyway, if you follow me on Instagram you have already seen the everyday glimpse.

the spoon got to be too much work. i wish i could do the same sometimes.

starting off the new year with a lot more fruits and veggies. Slade loves apples and is showing off his favorite trick.

he is always saying, "mom, take my picture" and then gives me that most adorable eye squint and fake smile.

giving Lawrence the "yep they're all squeezing in by me on this small couch tonight" look with a sympathy smile. wii + late night cookies.

weekend afternoon nap and some pretty light.

these two monkeys woke me up from said nap.

he will fall asleep anywhere.

sometimes i give in and just hold him in my arms. the best!

i truly love it when Ava is off school. for many reasons, but one is helping entertain these little gents.

Ava is in the Accelerated Reading Program and doing so great with the books and tests. Amazes me. She also finished Math Olympics winning the bronze medal. Yay Ava!

Cruz + crazy morning hair

speaking of hair, my first french braids ever. i know.

Cruz always been interested in fashion. he always has to pick his shoes, but lately has thrown in Ava's or Slade's shoes to the mix.

superhero day and night

Slade + "take a picture of me and my silly face"

he gets so bored on the days he doesn't have preschool. needing much more stimulation and we are blitzing through activities at home.

the snow (err apparently the window) is helping.

paint. lots of paint and projects waiting to happen.

view today on a walk. loving the amazing weather + snow covered mountain tops.

Jazz game

2012-01-13T13:10:00.000-08:00

we had a yummy dinner and one too many desserts pre-game. nachos and soda at half time. what more could they ask for? cotton candy.

We sat on 2nd row and that was nice! Ava asked Lawrence if basketball players have to have big feet. It was a fun night just the four of us. We missed our Cruz Bear and can't wait for the day he isn't a non-stop 2 year old so he can join us.

buds.

2012-01-12T09:23:00.000-08:00

i sat and i just watched. my heart melted as i watched Jude smile with his squinted eyes and Cruz smile back with a scrunched up nose. the two of them just playing and cracking up at each others jokes.

it has taken time. for these two very opposite little boys to really play together. but we knew that they would be best buddies and now we are seeing a glimpse.

January decided to show up.

2012-01-11T13:56:00.000-08:00

Because it finally snowed. Snow is alright by me in late November thru January and then I want it to disappear and poof!...... bring 80 degree weather. (wouldn't that be nice?) I was marveling at the fact i've been wishing upon it these last few months. I fear making its late appearance means snow in June. And that would be terrifying news. But right now, being January, we took advantage and were excited to drive up the beautiful, snow covered canyon.

this little angry bird insisted on wearing his hat covering his eyes.

So this is our freezing, freezing, freezing hike up Millcreek. So cold you wanted to keep your eyes closed, like Ava, so your eyeballs didn't freeze. That's when we decided it was a bad idea to come up early. The sun was barely creeping over the mountaintop. The fam made it an amazing 30 feet or so. We are hardcore y'all.

ringing in twenty-twelve

2012-01-01T22:36:00.001-08:00

banging, blowing and screaming in the New Year.

my 9 o'clock kiss coming in

it's always a mystery if he'll come at me open or closed mouth hence the confusion on my face.

and you can guess what happened...can't help but laugh

it's definitely different days ringing in the New Year with three little kids, but not a bit less perfect! we stayed in playing, or i should say singing, on the Wii all night. A test run of pots n' pans banging, firework shooting, screaming New Year on the porch early at about 9pm. Just in case no one made it.

We ended 2011 with our favorite meal- take-out from Mikado's.

and my last party partner bit the dust at 11:45...

so i quietly watched the ball drop and scram Happy New Year, to myself in bed, with all of NYC of course!

from us to yours.....

***may 2012 be full of wonderful***

Christmas Break

2011-12-28T22:53:00.000-08:00

and hanging with cousins. Making a super fun afternoon together at the pool.

a tradition of lights

2011-12-27T22:42:00.000-08:00

it started 3 years ago with Andrea taking all the cousins to see the lights at Temple Square. The next year a few of us adults jumped on too. And now it has become a tradition. Something Ava clearly looks forward to as I didn't hear her stop talking about it until we went. We ride TRAX, see the lights and always manage to make room for some good food along the way. This year it was post-poned until after Christmas due to sickies, but it was probably just as crowded!

We usually freeze our butts off, but this year it wasn't deadly cold. Ava took a million pictures on her own camera. Slade fell asleep almost the second we got off the train which meant us girls had to trade off carrying TWO little tanks the whole time. Cruz was a happy marshmallow man so long as Andrea was holding him. We all got a nice little arm workout and totally deserved our desserts once home.

2nd round of Christmas...

2011-12-26T15:24:00.000-08:00

this time with the Sis and family in town. Yay! Christmas wasn't the same with them in Boise. We decided to chow on Chinese food before opening a few more gifts. The kids were so, so, SO excited to give Jude his chair.

the perfect book for her.

Christmas Day

2011-12-25T22:58:00.000-08:00

Christmas came. The kids were up all through the night and so we didn't start Christmas morn until sorta late- 8:30-9ish. I asked Santa for healthy sick-free kids, but must of put in my request too late. The boys were very under the weather that day. Coughing, fevers, lethargic and a bit grouchy! I was sad for them, but their spirits got better as the day went on it seemed. Ava couldn't believe her eyes and seemed to be thrilled with everything! And, I thought that might be the case after she made 4 separate letters to Santa with 40 things on one, 23 on another, etc. It was such a delight to watch her all day long.

Santa's leftovers

took some pestering to get this one to open gifts, but finally he dug in. through December, he has been saying, "i want bocks. Queen bocks. Santa under the tree". And so Santa delivered Lighting McQueen legos and they've been played with every day since.

morning full of wiping noses. Santa left Pringles in his stocking and he made sure to hold them tightly.

big yawns. we all felt the same way after that looooong night.

this remote car has been a hit around here. the antenna didn't last long, but "mcqueen" is holding strong.

his requested Super Hero house

also, pretty excited about those Pringles

Ava has been wanting matching clothes with her doll forever. Finally, her cousins gave her some on Christmas Eve. She was so excited! Ava made her doll a stocking out of her sock and hung it by the rest of ours. She was so happy to see Santa filled it too which meant she got x2 the goods.

She thinks it's very cool she got slippers that are shoes too. One of her favorite gifts.

good old Magic 8 ball, barbie camper and pringles!

a Wii, a Wii! We are finally on the bandwagon. So much fun!

I've been wanting this purse so bad. Actually, its a camera bag, but you'd never know right? Cute, cute! It's been in my amazon cart forever and I didn't even knew Lawrence knew. He totally surprised me. The best guy!

One of Ava's sweet gifts to us. Loved it.

Poor Lawrence got the shaft this year in gifts from me. Because we weren't supposed to do gifts! Let's not even mention my lamo gift, but I think he learned his lesson on setting any rules ;)

***

about noon we headed up to Gigi's to gather with the rest of the family for the yummy, traditional breakfast stratta brunch and more gifts!

Gigi loving sick Cruzie. Don't know if he let her catch a break!

pretty new shoes...

and a cute hat

they're so excited!

happy to have Gram and Gramps in town to celebrate with us.

We stayed at Gigi's until about 4:30 until heading home to let our sick kiddies lie down and other kid play with all her new toys. It felt nice to kick back and relax the night away together. Christmas was great. We missed Dad/Grandpa Mark this Christmas very much, but were happy to hear of the Christmas celebrations he had in Sai Pan.

i feel like my pictures are so random and so much good left out. That is because i had this idea this year to video tape more of Christmas than take pictures. I thought making a video would be so fun to watch! So that is what i did....until my space was quickly filled on the memory card mid-festivites. Anyway, a better feel to the day on film, but for now i've lost the motivation to do. Maybe one day i'll pull it all together.

Merry Christmas to all!!!!

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T22:32:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve is so magical it is almost better than Christmas. Almost. I love the anticipation, sweet spirit, time with family and ~~wired~~ happy as can be kids. Ava counted down the days, hours and minutes. Finally, finally it was Christmas Eve.

We started off the night with Santa making a surprise visit!

Each and every one of us had a turn sitting on his lap....

and some of us were happier than others.

We intently watched Santa visit and hand out gifts to each one.

Then it was onto a delicious n' big meal, a round of gift exchanging, more food- dessert and just hanging out in a Christmas Eve sort of way. Other than my kids having a terrible cold, cough and feverish, it was perfect.

beaming about her very own real camera

Grandma and Grandpa gave each one of the grandkids these adorable animal hats....

then it was time to head home. we quickly got in our jammies, made Santa a special treat, read a new Christmas book and got to bed so he could make his stop to our house. The boys were too sick and tired by this time to really give us any excitement, but Ava had enough for all of us!

Ava made Santa all sorts of gifts during the month- pillow (paper + toilet paper + staples), song, 2 notes and a book!

since I knew Santa would be taking the book and such, I snapped some pics to remember her sweet intentions.

i'm too sexy for my shirt....

2011-12-19T22:20:00.000-08:00

...or painting.

*daddy wonders how they are brothers?

ultra straight vs. curly cue

tan vs. white

brown vs. blue
the list could go on and on, but people will still tell me they look so much alike.

*curly hair is hard to MAINTAIN! man oh man. i get his hair looking decent in the morning after the worst bed head and then a few hours later its a mop fro shop. me love it still!

*wonder what happened to Slade's face?

it's reoccurring abuse by the Cruz man. who retaliates by pinching and digging in those nails ONLY into Slade's face. poor guy. he has like ten others that are healing and he's getting a bad habit of picking at them!

*these boys are keeping their winter energy somewhat controlled by crafting away.

Zoo Lights

2011-12-18T13:09:00.000-08:00

One freezing cold night last week we hit up the Zoo Lights. It was the night before my Dad headed off to Sai Pan. So, it was a fun Christmas sort activity with the family. We walked, hit up some hot cocoa and left once we had no feeling in the toes!

Slade refused to wear a jacket in the 20-something degree weather! he only kept a blanket on for the first 15 minutes too. Luckily, he did wear the pink mittens.

a happy mistake of giraffe's

oh how i'll miss seeing my Dad near daily! but i'm so excited for him and his adventures.

Afterward, we headed for some warm grub at The Cowboy Grub.

a good "farewell" night to one of THE BEST Grandpa's and Dad's out there!!!

p.s. already making me jealous by sending me pics of the Saipan Casa. i wasn't meant to live here!

Ava in the OWL CHORALE

2011-12-17T22:04:00.000-08:00

Ava has been practicing in the Owl Choir early mornings, once a week, since this Fall. They finally got to show off all their hard work with a Christmas Program. They did such a good job with some really unique and fun songs. I was so proud of Ava and her first performance!

She was lucky to have lots of support from her Grandma's too!

kids christmas party

2011-12-16T11:40:00.000-08:00

the kids (minus Cruz who was stuck home sick) went to a friend Christmas Party and not a minute was spent unoccupied with fun!

after a spread of breakfast food, they got to decorate gingerbread men AND a christmas tree

they played and had a christmas story read to them....

before Santa made a surprise visit bringing each kid a present! Thanks so much Heather for always being so on top of it and planning perfectly amazing parties. They are still playing with their candy cane play dough and had such a good time!

2011-12-15T16:02:00.000-08:00

i think there is close to nothing worse than being "Mom" when you are sick. last week, that was me. i had a migraine for a zillion days straight. and nothing, i mean nothing, would relieve the pain. knock on wood its gone for good. anyway, the boys were so concerned about me. Slade classifies any sickness as needing a bowl to puke in. so every time i didn't have it with me, he'd gasp and go grab it to set on my lap.

they also had this idea that if they put all the silly bands on my foot, it'd make me feel all better. don't know that it worked as they planned, but it made me smile.

p.s. i don't need a pedicure at all.

"i luuuuuub hambuggers"

2011-12-14T21:17:00.000-08:00

Usually its errands, but last week Cruz and I had a lunch date to his most favorite joint- McDonald's. It's a special treat to be one-on-one. He could play in there all the live long day. My most favorite thing was him saying in a deep, growly voice "i luuuuub hambuggers!" after each bite.

2011-12-13T15:18:00.000-08:00

i felt all proud for getting out this weekend and taking their pictures in hopes of a Holiday card. Then, he acted like this. The whole time. And, now I get to try again. Hopefully, hopefully that will even happen and we will send some Christmas cheer!

a boy at 4

2011-12-09T22:09:00.000-08:00

i told him a few months back i wasn't going to let him grow up.

and since then, each day he asks me begging, "please Mommy, let me grow up! I'm growing up!"

and every day I pick him up, rock him side to side and tell him i want him to stay my baby forever.

But somehow I'm not capable of my desires and so today sitting in front of me is

a boy at 4.

he is smart, handsome as ever, a lover of school, LIONS, animals, dinosaurs, superhero guys, any and every book and will devour anything chocolate. he is a snuggle bug and throughout most of the day won't leave my side. Instead, climbs in my lab and burrows down, holds my hand and grits through his teeth telling me "i love you so much". He proud to be old enough to sleep in a big boy, TOP bunk bed! He is starting to show much interest in coloring, cutting, painting and crafts. He continues to love building with blocks. His obsession with blue has turned to red. He likes to dig and shift threw each nook and cranny of the house and therefore will find everything anti-kid and have a good old time.

he requested a Flamingo and an Ostrich time and time again for his birthday and so we added that to his never ending collection of figurine animals.

along with more lions because this kid can never have enough.

He is still full of emotions. Happiness bursts out of him and there is nothing better! But along with that so do serious tantrums. He is particular and currently a bit OCD. For instance-

*He'll only wear elastic waist paints. Elastic pants that he has to give a test squat in each morning to make sure fit just so. Although, each pair of sweats and decent elastic pants I have are never right. So you'll often see this kid in floods from two years back because they are just the pair.

*He hates shoes. Of any kind. As loose as we can tie them. We have bought so many and nothing works! And so every morning off, on, scream, cry, on, off they go. Finally, when he realizes he has to wear shoes to come with us he'll keep them on and I'll try to distract. But they usually end up flinged off in the car anyway and that's always after a good half hour of lung bursting screams. His favorite are his summer Keens with no strap done up and dragging behind him.

*He struggles wearing coats because they are too puffy, bunch when he sits down, can't stand any elastic wrist and who knows what else. So, he'll cry and rip it off. ~~Many~~ All freezing days he is coat-less. Basically anything that touches his body your bound to hear him freak out about until he forgets about it.

*He likes his food done a particular ways. And, well, you can imagine the fun we have with that.

Even through his rough moments, particular crazy requests and terrible tantrums I wouldn't change him for the world.

It is crazy to think of all the milestones he has accomplished this last year and just how much of a little, big boy he has become. He uses all sorts of grown up phrases and each day they make me laugh. I think, "i should write this down" and today i really wish i had. He did tell me he was most excited to be grow up and be 4 because then he'd be old enough to cook all his own food. He is a fantastic little helper. And more than a fantastic little boy!

Happy Birthday to my most favorite 4 year-old in the world! We love you to the moon and back E-bear!!!!

STATS-
Height- 42.5 inches (90%)
Weight- 40.2 pounds (75%)

Slade's 4th Birthday Party!

2011-12-08T21:27:00.000-08:00

December is a hard month for a birthday. each and every year i struggle. this year was no different especially since we had just moved. I'm downright determined that his next milestone birthday will be done right. Anyway.....

Slade had a birthday. And celebrated with a party at Jungle Jims! I was happy it sort of fit his request of the lion party he had been asking for the last few months. Anyway, bonus to the party was.... it was shockingly clean! And I'm convinced it was because the party was hosted on a Friday early afternoon after they had probably been slow all week. Resulting in the workers being asked to keep busy and clean. It was also shockingly uncrowded and when you are responsible for lots of littles is always a nice relief! Bring a bottle of hand sanitizer and we were ready to go...

The kids had fun! Slade had a blast and was almost in a glazed-stimulation-zombie-zone-mode for the last part of his party. He crashed the second I buckled him in his seat to head home. Just like last year. I can't believe what a difference a year makes! Check out how much he has grown since his 3 year old party last year.

Thanks family and friends helped wrangle kids, but more importantly celebrated all 4 years of our boy!

We love you all!

insane

2011-12-06T14:28:00.000-08:00

just watched this and i think it's well, insane.

i wish i was a dancer. or had her body. or was the artist of that song. it's all so good.

see for yourself...

the weekend.

2011-12-05T00:34:00.000-08:00

bits and pieces....

major event. slade had a birthday! (more on that later)

we did a productive task or two and then decided we deserved to relax

we went to the mall and sat on Santa's lap. Ava turned out to be the only one brave enough. And then they told me that i couldn't take my own picture and i said, "lame". We will have to repeat. But we did brave the crowds long enough to walk the mall to Pretzel Maker and ride some rip off rides.

and i spoke too soon. this kid WILL NOT stay in his bed. last two nights = 10:45pm in my arms. luckily he has pretty eyelashes for me to stare at.

can't believe its December. i guess i shall start my Christmas shopping.

Turkey Day

2011-12-02T21:56:00.000-08:00

the food was delish. never have i had a bad Thanksgiving food and for that I'm grateful. i made green bean casserole for the first time and therefore, i had to eat them and guess what? i liked. although, i still prefer fresh green beans sauteed with toasted almonds. Potatoes never eva fail but this time Dave made an A-mazing batch! Corn souffle to die for. Rolls to die for. Yams to die for. Food to die for!

Mom and Lis set a beautiful, festive table. Ava's "spot" is at the head of the table each and every dinner. In the best chair. Thanksgiving is no different!

Jude was non-stop. Like as soon as he finished dinner did not sit still for one minute. As you can see.

Ava had the cute idea of decorating gingerbread houses on Thanksgiving. So, of course, Gigi rounded them up. Each family did a house together. And, it turned out to be very fun and entertaining. One of the most exhausting Thanksgivings I've experienced and sadly not from cooking day and night. (sorry gals, next year) But from moving throughout those days. I love my family so much. Each and every holiday together i cherish.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Disney on Ice

2011-12-01T23:55:00.000-08:00

Ava was spoiled and treated to Disney on Ice AND a sleepover with her cousins hosted by one awesome Auntie. She was so excited it was ridiculous. She had so much fun and let me know all about it the next day.

Thanks Andrea!

we got spirit

2011-11-30T11:42:00.000-08:00

Half way settled, but already got some Christmas spirit in the house. They started begging on Thanksgiving. Well, before Thanksgiving. So we started a few days after that. Sadly, this year it felt more like a task as other boxes/cleaning is still calling my name. Bright side is more time to make it worth it and enjoy. Slade for the past few days, mopes around the house yelling, "Christmas decorations! We need more Christmas!" They are begging for outdoor light up Candy Canes. There is no way we are getting real Holiday lights strung this year, so I may break down and buy some ~~hideous~~ light decoration for the yard just to make them smile. Maybe....

as always, i hope soon to get some real pics up.

2011-11-29T22:10:00.000-08:00

it was the first time cruising around the new hood. i unloaded boxes to the garage while these boys played. not a single car drove by. it got me all sorts of excited to be in a dead culdesac.

***p.s. in case you are wondering, no that is not our new house in back.

what happens when you move to a big boy bed?

2011-11-28T16:08:00.000-08:00

you fall asleep in places like the office floor cause you refuse to nap! or the second we go on an afternoon drive you crash. but it's all good. i'll let those naps go so long as he stays in his bed and sleeps through the night. he has been doing mighty fine! better than expected and especially because not only did he transition to a new bed, but a new house. he just loves to jibber jabber himself to sleep. the real dilemma, since the two boys now share a room, is figuring out how to solve the problem with one child who wants the door open and the other who insists it be shut. go figure.

big top tooth

2011-11-19T19:37:00.000-08:00

her 4th baby tooth gone. her first top tooth lost. After dangling for the past few days, and making eating impossible, it was pulled out by Daddy tonight. She informed us "the bigger the tooth, the more money you get from the tooth fairy".

***update.
the tooth fairy forgot to come! imagine that. Ava came up with the idea that maybe it was her day off because everyone gets one or two days off in the week. Therefore, she wasn't too disappointed, but she did make sure to leave a not the second night....

Dear Tooth Fairy,
I bet your day was good. My Dad pulled my tooth out. I want $5 or $3 or $2.
Love,
Ava

the tooth fairy must of made up for her mistake and left a whopping $5!!! I told Ava that probably only happens once for forgetting and loosing a "big" tooth.

a few snapshots of the week.....

2011-11-18T21:38:00.000-08:00

the real fun starts tomorrow...

i need to chill out on the bath pics, but they are always so cute.

the kids make dinner. disregard their fake smiles...they liked it!

the kids totally watch movies on the ipad and have to sit side by side. maybe they have a bit of me in them and get bored easily and can go back and forth. whatever, i still think they're crazy.

happy snowy weekend!

2 years- a big, bold slap in the face.

2011-11-15T23:44:00.000-08:00

HE HAS GROWN UP! i say that very thing close to five times a day. he is learning so fast and since i think he's should still be my baby it always surprises. We are noticing as we do things as a family it's getting easy. We've vetoed the highchair and can do without strollers and sippy cups. We can sit at a restaurant and have him stay in his seat. Anyway, I'm no longer putting off his 2 year post until i take some real pictures of him. let's face it, already a month and a half late who knows when that will be! so, let's get down to business about 2 year old Cruz....

*his best trademark to date is still his lovable personality. he is a cuddly guy. i can snag a kiss from him at almost any point throughout the day. He still wraps his little arms, tight as can be, around your neck for big bear hugs. If I pretend to pout, he'll immediately call me "Mimi" and come running with a love. It works wonders when he is up to no good ;)

*which contradicts his aggressiveness. i think he is the most aggressive of my three to date. he doesn't put up with Slade's smack or Ava's sass. Most of the time its Slade taking it from him. He'll make these mad grunting noises too. It's funny. They wrestle and wrestle and laugh.

*He is almost always first to greet visitors at our house with something of the likes of "Hi Papa!!" and you guessed it a hug. And, as soon as they say they are leaving he never forgets a good, loud "bye Gigi!"

*without fail every time i get off the phone he says, "who's dat Mommy?" and I say, "Lisa" and he'll contently reply, "oh Sasa" or whomever that may be.

*He is curious, aware of every conversation and so in tune with relationships for a two year old self.

*he calls Ava "sis" and has given Slade his nickname "E". He'll repeat, "pay with me, pay with me" until they will play with him.

*he will and does try everything. he has amazing coordination. as many things, and as high of things, as he jumps off and lands has me thanking my lucky stars we aren't in the ER more often. he'll climb, race and do whatever it takes. testing those limits.

*he has learned to pedal and ride the tricycle a few months back. he zips around the driveway. keepin' up.

*he gets the most comments for his striking baby blues and long lashes. Runner up- "look at that curly hair!"

*he goes pee on the potty lots and does the poopie-fretting-dance. He is ready for the full deal. do i keep saying that? cause he has been ready since mid-summer. someones laaazzzzy......

*his hair is wavy naturally, but if i put a little water and product in will curl right up. it melts me and i fear it won't last.

*He thinks its hilarious to say "poopie" or "poopie hat" or "poopie whatever". And, the only reason I think it's funny is because he picked up on the humor from the siblings. He can say everything and puts the funniest little, yet grown up responses together. Today whenever I'd say anything he'd reply with a sigh, "o'tay, i d'will Mommy".

*he knows all his colors and is starting to count.

*he loves "queen" aka McQueen. He begs for me to put it on only to last not even 2 minutes. He loves his figurine animals and cars/trains too.

*he loves to be nakie and often stripes himself down.

*he loves the ipad and can maneuver that thing like a champ. lifesaver.... or enemy if i won't let him have it.

*he loves to sing. I need to be sneaky and get a video. he'll sing the tune of Twinkle Twinkle, You are My Sunshine, "Popcorn" aka I looked Out the Window and What Did I see.... Often times during the day, he'll grab Ava's dolls and go in his room, shut the door, shut the blinds, sing away for about 5 mins, huck baby in the crib, come out closing the door and tell me, "Nap, Mommy. Baby nap".

*his cute bowlegged legs have straightened out nearly all the way.

*he eats a variety of foods but almost always shoves them in at once! which is why his round and perfect to rub belly remains.

*he wants to learn and is a pleaser. i hate to compare, but he is more of a help than stink bug Slade when we are trying to get out the door. He'll follow instructions and try his best to help get ready.

*he has started to throw fits. they consist of screaming at me, "No!", sinking his head down and folding his arms over his body forcefully. Hmph! .... OR just screaming at the top of his lungs for 40 minutes cause he wants soda at 8am.

*he takes one nap a day that I'm trying to saver despite the fact he is growing out of them. Naps never go down easy and many days he can do without. Bedtime usually has no battles. Just "sing to me Mom"

*his current obsession is McDonald's play places. We can be in a 15 yard radius of one and he senses it. He'll start saying, "pay pace, pay pace, pay pace Mommy!!" And that all too often sparks his tantrums ;)

*what can i say, he is still a complete Momma's boy! (sorry LT) That requires me to do most of everything and lots of him pulling on my legs. Most of the time I can't say I mind one bit!

STATS:

head: 20.2 inches 95%

height: tall 35.5 inches 75%

weight: 31.5 lbs 80%

I love you Bear!!! You make me smile every day!

2011-11-14T22:28:00.000-08:00

more than snowball fights over here

Because i forgot....

2011-11-10T00:02:00.000-08:00

to scan in Fall 2011 team soccer pics

and Slade's preschool class on Halloween. Aren't they cute?

2011-11-09T17:00:00.000-08:00

this one's now taking a turn with fevers and throwing up and I've got a terrible cold, but...

with our agent on the left and our mortgage banker on the right

we are one step closer in this moving process. Closed!!! If you are in need, they made the process easy! Today is a good day and moving is starting to feel more real. Hip hip!

croup is the craps

2011-11-07T21:51:00.000-08:00

and this poor little boy has a bad case of it. It hit him without the usual snot, runny nose, cold and cough symptoms. Instead, he went straight to wheezing. We spent most of Saturday and Sunday wrapping him up in blankets and sitting outside with the cool air. The constant huffing and puffing just to breathe at rest wasn't fun for any of us to see.

Sunday night after a visit from the best RN, who also happens to be my sister-in-law, we decided to take him into Kids Care. That's where he landed a steroid and two breathing treatments over the course of a few hours. You can imagine how much he loved it.

However, he was lucky enough to be treated with Popsicles, stickers and suckers.

And, he or should I say we, were lucky enough to have Andrea come along with us. We got the best VIP treatment!!! Cruzie loves her so much and pretends to talk to her all day long on the phone that I know it was a comfort to have her there....and I had someone to chat to all the hours.

We ended up having to leave Kids Care and head to Primary Children's for the night. Lots of observations and such. We finally snuggled into that bed around midnight and were discharged around 9:30 am.

Round 2 of steroids hopefully means our little man kicks croup out the door. He still barks like a seal and we are ready to have his sweet voice back. Thankful to be home and crossing our fingers we've been through the worst of it.

Welcome Winter!

first snow....

2011-11-06T21:26:00.000-08:00

saturday morn and i kid you not my kids were out there at 8am. sorry neighbors!

although, i'm missing warmth we did have an ultra amazing Fall so suppose we should be ready for the white stuff.

afterward, it was all about cozy cartoons and warming up those toes by the fire.

deep talkin' bathing.

2011-11-04T10:14:00.000-07:00

it wasn't the perfect night or the perfect light

BUT

it was the perfect moment.

and there is my deep thought for the day. the thought that is being engraved deep inside me. because as my love for photography grows so does my expectation of myself.....and every single photo i take. yet life isn't perfect and neither are most photos. Besides all that..... what matters very most, always and forever, in a photograph is the content. While this all may sound so very silly, I'm teaching myself to again relax and snapshot those "not so perfect" moments of life too.

So, I'm happy one night back in September during a bedtime bath with my boys I decided to capture it. Despite it being a crazy late and busy night. Despite there being no soft window light and instead buzzing, yellow light bulbs. Despite the fact that I just now am able to scroll through them and post. Despite it all, it is our everyday. And that I cherish.

It'll help me remember how much they both very much love the bath AND to bathe together. How their strong, little bodies fit side by side. How it always starts out great and then someway, midpoint, they have to fight. This time starting with Slade's sly hug turned tackle-steal-your-toy. But how Slade has claw marks on both his left AND right cheek from Cruz's previous retaliations. How Cruz's delish bum peeks out of the water and always makes me want to give a pinch. How Slade, no matter what the season, will have a distinct tan line along his lower back. How Big Brother is teaching Little Brother about building and just how to do things (whether its bossy or forceful ;) and how Cruz looks up to and watches him so intently.

How they bathed in their nearly 2 and 4 year old selves.

everyday helpers

2011-11-03T22:16:00.000-07:00

someone's got to do the dirty work and clean the bowl of every last ounce of cookie dough. i'm glad i'm not standing alone.

p.s. moving countdown is on! think it's down to something like 14 days, 2 hours, 39 minutes but who's counting? no really, that was made up but i should be counting cause i got lots of 'to do's' to be checked off in not a lot of time.

mostly, i just get excited about all the really important stuff like....new and different window light!

Halloween continues...

2011-11-01T11:59:00.000-07:00

a Sunday Halloween dinner with cousins. How i wish i would've gathered all 9 of them for a pic!

I was able to help out in Ava's 1st grade class after the parade. I love doing that and seeing all the kids interact. Ava was happy. An hour filled with bean bag toss, ghost bowling, crafts, stories, candy corn drop, cookies and more.

After a trick-or-treating and a games event at Daddy's work we headed to The Forester house

Our night involved...

-making mummy dogs. the kids were ecstatic to make, yet somehow didn't eat them or the orange pudding i bought.

-warm bowls of chili topped with all the goods and bread sticks

-trick-or-treating with 5 of the cutest kids and 5 of the coolest adults

-finally reaching some houses where people answered their freaking doors!

-Cruz waddling up to every door, trying his hardest to keep up while carrying a heavy load of candy saying, "Oh!!! Hah-o-ween time!"

-Slade double or triple dipping at every house and the weight of his pumpkin bucket showing so.

-Ava loving it and getting in a Round #2

-Jude being part of the gang shoving his way to the door and bowl

-the BEST 60 degree weather!!!

-~~Ash and Slade~~ Simba and Nala hand-in-hand almost the whole night

-dumping out the loot- sorting and counting the goods when we got home

-apple cider and diet coke to quench our thirst

-heading home and scrubbing Ava's black eye make-up off. paranoia struck that she would head to school looking Gothic.

-and lastly tucking the sugar filled bellies to bed

to end a great Halloween night.

BOO!!!!!

2011-10-31T14:29:00.000-07:00

from the.....

terrifying "i vant to suck your blood" vampire

the ferocious "ROARIN'" temperamental lion

and a giggling "bok, bok, bokin'" chicken

and together they make up the cutest Halloween trio I've ever seen!

now time for some chili and trick-or-treating!

more raking...

2011-10-27T11:30:00.000-07:00

we've done so already three times this year and our tree still looks full. it is one of their favorite activities (well Slade didn't quite get into it like the rest of us) and i love the smell of Fall. wonder how long enthusiasm will last.....

This weekend I vow to put away the iphone and take some real pics.

Do my heart some justice.

Happy Halloween Weekend!!!!
as my parents used to say....be safe.

today, i feel.....

2011-10-26T23:11:00.000-07:00

***

i feel guilty
guilty that i'm not pulling out the camera
documenting my fam.
so much worthy cuteness happening
all the while time is ticking
and so it remains my
current saga.

i feel happy
happy to have had the opportunity to capture
so many wonderful people
and hopefully giving them wonderful memories
this Fall

i feel like- is it Halloween yet?
i'm unprepared.
scrounging the last second for this and that.
one of my favorite holidays
although, this year i'm just not making the most of it,
my mind is elsewhere.
poor kids.

i feel behind
in everything.
yet lack that certain motivation

i feel stressed because
i stay up way too late
which in turn makes me
drraaaaaagggg the next day.

i feel gross because who knows when
the last time i really worked out
and combine that with eating way too much
crap and you feel like me.
it doesn't take a genius to figure that one out
but apparently i needed to be re-reminded
that it isn't going to work.
my skin says so too.

i feel overwhelmed
overwhelmed with lots of holes to fill
and paint to touch up.
boxes to fill
and crap to get rid of.

i feel i have a horrible addiction.
you know it...pinterest
because all i have on my mind is
decorating.
the new place.

that's right we are MOVING!!!!
a house
that is perfect...
for us.
and i can't wait to make it ours and
have it feel like home
......eventually.

so wish me luck on
catching up and editing photos
finding the free time to snap my boys (who turn two and four this Fall!)
sorting through this and packing that
and moving one last time for a looooong time
shout hooray!
finding inspiration and actually making it happen
giving my body what it deserves
enjoying Halloween, Thanksgiving- the Holidays
while moving in the midst of it all.

sigh.
breathe.
it'll happen.
life is good.
the end.

2011-10-24T23:47:00.000-07:00

stuck again- color or bw? lots of laughing going on over here.....

fall festivites- Cornbelly's

2011-10-23T23:58:00.000-07:00

Fall Break meant a day spent with Grandma and cousins at Cornbelly's. It was ideal weather... dare I say too hot? For the most part, it wasn't all that crowded either. Because I'm too lazy (cramped on time) I'm piling the endless images- no pretty set-up peeps.

the coolest thing about being in a maze is collecting the corn...or so it seems.

i love this picture- Ava lights up in a special way when she's with her cousins.

Mya and Eliza so grown up. Bless their hearts for helping me out with my boys!

we filled our tummies with loads of Kettle Corn and soda

panned for treasures and each kid walked away with quite the loot.

Cornbelly's, you showed us a good time. Thanks for the treat Grandma!!!

Happy Birthday's!!!

2011-10-21T07:30:00.000-07:00

this year, with birthdays only three days apart, Cruz and I celebrated together. Fall crept up on me and a quick getaway that weekend got me behind. I hope not to make a habit of this- for his sake not mine. Anyway, the 2 year old had two celebrations with both sides of our families.

he dug into lots of presents.

and obviously was excited!

he got to blow candles out twice and made much progress the second round.

and got to eat cake twice. it was good. the two year old felt loved and spoiled as his two year old self could know. thanks to moms, dads, aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins for celebrating our special guy!

2011-10-20T00:13:00.000-07:00

fun couple over here......

i miss her.

2011-10-19T21:12:00.000-07:00

today, after school, she raked up all the leaves in the backyard. i was surprised when i came back out and she was still raking away. they never made it into a bag, but served their purpose.

I'm so excited the next two days she has off for Fall Break. I see her daily, but never really see her. For real, it's like she is 12 or something.

so i'm sure much of her time she'll be doing her thang- talking on the phone to Emory while taking self portraits on the mac.

speaking of Mac, do you know what this girl is asking for from Santa?

a MacBook Pro.

ahem.

......and her friend of a friend got one for Christmas last year.

figure that one out for me.

everyday snapshot

2011-10-18T22:38:00.000-07:00

lawrence was getting a kick out him and snapped this pic. it takes talent to squat and slurp soup.

one of these days i'm going to get around to posting all of these pics hanging out on my computer

AND

more importantly about this sweet boy who turned TWO!

2011-10-17T14:29:00.000-07:00

these sweet faces and their family over here

2011-10-13T21:19:00.000-07:00

i came across this pic on LT's phone. Must have been sometime in early September? I love these two and I love that they are BF's.

tie it up in a KNOT

2011-10-12T09:47:00.000-07:00

it's apparent that Pinterest is the most addictive thing next to my diet coke. it's my new mindless indulgence since facebook became so boring (like foreves ago...anyone hear me?). it doesn't feel like a complete waste of time. so yes, i'd say pinning is productive because i'm going to be putting all these inspirations to good use, make it worth while or at least that is what i've been claiming. recreating outfits, hairstyles, crafts and house ideas-- all organized in one simple place. with that tidbit said, here is my first documented recreation......

source: hartandsew.blogspot.com via Rachel on Pinterest

directions: braid pigtails going away from face. Tie in knot. Bobby pin loose ends. So pretty.

and that is exactly what i did. it was that simple. not exaggerating when i say this took me three minutes, but then again i like a perfectly imperfect look and so left the bumps and wispies.

tips for next time:

1. clear elastics. this will eliminate the difficulty of trying hide and pin big n' bulky, black elastics.

2. blonde/brown colored bob-pins on hand instead of black. again easier to hide, more elegant look.

2. have someone else there to take a pic. this took me like 20 tries to get my head in the frame and not an ultra flattering close up.

Cami at All Things Lovely has a Pinterest Party going on here . I'm joining the fun.

.....and you should too!

just the two of us {CHICAGO STYLE}

2011-10-11T14:18:00.000-07:00

(a big decision to leave the realz camera home. pictures via phone. bear with me....)

loved seeing this place covered in Fall leaves

lots of cab rides with windows down and Motown music

i do not lie when i say most adorable baby

oh!!!..... Topshop, Zara and Jonathan Alder

Grand Plaza on right....the old hood

been craving this caramel popcorn since the day i left

so gorgeous!

the huzzy is nice enough to skip watching his football games and instead checks updates while roaming

mahi mahi tacos and gourmet gauc= mouth watering good . if you ever get the chance eat at Cantina Laredo

how did i miss this Marilyn the whole three months we were there?

seeing the Mac store covered in post-it notes, flowers and candles for Steve Jobs was touching. crowds hovered for days and getting these pics was tricky business

this is exactly what i'd look like if i ran the Chicago Marathon ;) boo, that would of been cool!

hotel was in the perfect spot!

we saw so many weddings roaming town on Saturday....and i dreamt of shooting them in all that chaos

that veggie pizza was to.die.for and so was eating outside along the street.

able to enjoy a bit of night life and late night movies

and then time to say goodbye. don't let our smiles fool you.

What a perfect birthday treat! A quick weekend getaway to one of the best cities out there. Just me and the main squeeze. What did we do? Well, everything and nothing- which in and of itself is amazing. A kidless vacation means freedom, walking- lots of walking, meandering along the river, naps....but not at designated times, seeing a good friend and cutest baby, late night movies, shopping to ~~our~~ my hearts almost content (bonus! fancy stores too), long meals, sleeping in...although somehow someone would nudge me at 7:30am our time, people watching and sporadic carefree days. I could've gone without coming down with either the stomach flu/food poisoning the last day, but other than that good!

Interesting enough as soon as my much anticipated refresher arrives basically all I can think about is my babies. And that is somewhat annoying. I heard they behaved themselves which always makes me proud. Thanks a million times over to our family for watching the rugrats. It is such a relief to know they are in good hands and not have to worry a bit. Family is the best!!!

spotted....

2011-10-08T10:09:00.000-07:00

on my counter. hmmmm ;) ;) ;)

Red Butte Gardens

2011-10-07T09:00:00.000-07:00

headed up late one afternoon for an hours play. treated by Gigi. super pretty and the smell of their flowers is amazing. whats not amazing is seeing a snake in the sandbox. possibly a rattlesnakes. kids had a riot as you can tell by their soaking wet attire.

2011-10-06T00:30:00.000-07:00

showing off my sister and fam over here!

Soccer Slade

2011-10-05T15:47:00.000-07:00

we are down to the last few games, but this boy has been loving it! it is just what the doctor ordered for his aggressive-little-testosterone filled self. while driving to the game he'll say things like, "ah come on car! come on! i don't want to be late for soccer!" and of course makes me laugh. He will squeal in excitement as soon as I tell him today is soccer day. And, as always, one of the best things about soccer is the treats!

he runs his little heart out and i think at this point cares more about racing then the ball. he loves to hug, wrestle and shoot pretend powers with the other boys at times during the game.

he has been known to pout like so when he is told to come out.

he has scored one goal and was so excited! he turned around, stood a bit taller, didn't move and juuuust stared at me with a smile and dimples plastered all over himself.

to say he loves to be with his best friend/cousin Ash is a bit of an understatement. It is sweet.

he WON'T have anything to do with socks, shin guards or soccer shoes and DEMANDS his keens much to his Father's dismay. But he is 3 and we are keeping things lite and fluffy ;)

We all love, love, love to watch him. Especially on the perfect Fall evenings.

from tonight

2011-10-04T22:22:00.000-07:00

(Cruzie giving big kisses one second and diggin' for gold the next :/ .gross and its his new obsess)

these goodies with Grandpa and the boys chilling over at the sister's house via my new best friend (aka my phone). i have folders and folders and more folders of images to share on here and guiltily not finding the time to get to them. if only you knew how bad it makes me itch to get behind! i know you want no more excuses out of me, but that just happened.

I will catch up. I will catch up. I will catch up. I will catch up. I will catch up. I will catch up

if i say that enough and think positive maybe it'll happen. probably not soon enough though cause....i'm heading back to CHI-CITY this weekend!!! The Train (husband) and I will be enjoying ourselves while missing our munchkins.

incredibly cool and worth the minute....

2011-09-28T22:11:00.000-07:00

3 guys, 44 days, 11 countries, 18 flights, 38 thousand miles, an exploding volcano, 2 cameras and almost a terabyte of footage... all to turn 3 ambitious linear concepts based on movement, learning and food ....into 3 beautiful and hopefully compelling short films.....

= a trip of a lifetime.

MOVE from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

i LOVE stuff like this. people are so inspiring and creative and downright amazing. could you imagine the adventure of seeing all these parts of the world? and then coming up with something like this? i'm drooling in envy.

if you have time click on the two other mini movies EAT and LEARN but this one was my fave!

p.s. i tend to be very behind on the youtube/vimeo world so if this has been around for awhile my apologies to you.

Silver Lake, never a disappointment.

2011-09-27T13:35:00.000-07:00

i was dying for some fresh mountain air and so one bright morning we visited. This was a few weeks back so I bet by now many of the leaves are already changing which may require trip #2. a whole lot of pictures uploaded in a really random order- i got nothin' today.

he may have chosen the wrong profession.....poses so well ;)

(just to remember how aggressive my little beasts are. Slade is always so sly with his "hugs" that nearly pinch Cruz's head off.)

.....and the highlight of the jaunt was seeing two male moose come down the mountain, across the trail despite all the people to get a drink of water.

i decided to stay away with kids in safety (especially after having a horrid donkey incident this summer). Moose are mean. Lawrence had other ideas in mind. He took the camera and headed off. Keep in mind the camera had a lens on it that doesn't zoom at all- he got this close! He is either really looney or really brave. You decide. I prefer the latter.

best part was when he took this awesome spill, sliding down the mountain AND i saw it from afar. funny stuff- had to be documented. And that "it was this bad because his only worry was saving my camera from any hint of dirt or scratch". Good boy, good boy ;)

2011-09-22T00:13:00.000-07:00

Daddy enjoyed the Utah game while we enjoyed Panda. They are growing up. life is getting just that much easier.

our pit stop on the way home from taking Ava to school.

i decided...

2011-09-21T13:18:00.000-07:00

at the beginning of September, that no matter how busy i get or feel i won't give up these simple day-to-day type photos. it is the reason i fell for photography. it's the times we aren't dressed up or perfect, or going to a "function" that also create some priceless images. especially for me, as their Mom, to remember. it's my monotonous mommy-hood days in all their glory. (yea, glory and don't you forget it ;) For a time i felt i was seriously slacking at that.

it is why i took this picture of Ava over Labor Day weekend. Nothing but a barf bucket, Slurpee and her favorite Jonas Bro blanket. I love the days I get to help comfort and cozy up my kids even if they are sick. Her Dad however thought I was wacky for wanting to take a picture of her like this ;)

***

and it's why, no matter how much use my camera is getting these days, it'll remain out and hopefully getting used even more. Capturing stuff like my pant-less, rag-a-muffin boys having an afternoon snack vroooming cars and pretend talking on the phone. Like the do daily up on the counter top.

here's to hoping there is plenty of space in my hard drives.

the boys

2011-09-21T11:29:00.000-07:00

I thought when Ava started school for some reason I would be less busy having just two at home all day. This last month has proved to be the opposite. We are busy. No, I mean BUSY. I guess I underestimated how big of help big sis was.

But in part it is because these two boys are into everything. Mischief and wreckless is their new middle name. Above (taken weeks ago) happens to be a favorite game right now. It's called unload everything from the kitchen and set it up outside, downstairs, in the bedroom, wherever. And aside from them carrying the glass dishes, I suppose it isn't wreckless- just messy. And it's much better than the time they filled up the whole sink with a roll of toilet tissue and water which obviously clogged it bad!

2011-09-18T23:10:00.000-07:00

him + her over here

a shout out...

2011-09-17T22:26:00.000-07:00

to this birthday boy, who celebrated his !!30th!! nearly a week ago

would you believe me if i told you i didn't take single photo that night? i didn't and it was too bad cause Hubs was lookin' good. Anyway, celebrate we did! there was a BIG disclaimer of no surprise parties. so, i went a different route which was great too. the night was kicked off as what he thought was just dinner. But dinner at Takashi was followed by dessert at the Melting Pot was followed by a room for two at Hotel Monaco. i pulled off the surprise and that surprised myself! Since his birthday fell on a Saturday, it was extremely hard to go all day with him thinking a measly dinner. When i told him we weren't going home all he could do was smile and say, "wait, what?! no, we're not? how did you.....? where's my stuff? how did you get it without me noticing? who has the kids?! blah, blah, blah. And so there the two of us were enjoying the night together, celebrating him. Perfect!

Lawrence, Happy Birthday once again! In 30 short years you've accomplished a whole lot and I am happy to be a part of it. You make me proud and you make life fun.

Love you!

starting school {Preschool Style}

2011-09-14T00:22:00.000-07:00

this kid woke up and was indeed this excited.
eyeballs nearly popping outta his head,

smile from ear to ear.

backpack on 20 minutes before heading out the door.

he is ready.

and has been ready for awhile.

today is the morning he starts preschool.

the night before 8:30ish and it hit me, i hadn't taken him school shopping. I hadn't bought one single new shirt for Fall and he needs them. While his big sis has made a haul the guilt started to sink for this middle child. Thus the late night, after the kids were down, trip to Target and the birth of the plaid shirt. Morning came and I found out he had NO dry shorts, but by golly he had a brand spankin' new shirt. In all reality he doesn't know or care, but what i really realized is that I hadn't prepared physically or emotionally for him hitting another sort of milestone. Geez, I felt pretty lame tearing up while driving him to school. It's a measly 4 hours a week but the concept, alright?

Along the lines of guilt I soon realized Ava was to be to school in ten minutes and i had yet to take any first day of school pics of Slade. And so his 5 minute photo shoot happened just like sis. I'm glad I made the extra effort. He loved the attention and I knew it by the sheer fact he complied. I love his random poses, Captain America backpack, scrapes on nearly ever limb, under bite, his shoes tied so loose nothing could possibly be "too tight!" and of course those dark brown eyes and dimples.

We dropped Ava off at school continued to talk about preschool. Ya know, preparing. He was happy as a clam...or so I thought. As soon as we arrived and I slid open the van door, panic struck. He made it known he didn't want to go in and I wasn't going to leave him. Five minutes of staying with him and starting puzzles still didn't help when I had to walk out that door. No matter how many children, or how many times, leaving never gets any easier.

Two hours later we were picking him up. Wahoo, this was new, an adventure and he did just great! Following in line, smile on his face and warms-my-heart excitement to see me. He hit the bases telling me all of the important school stuff- goldfish cracker snacks, he didn't get to paint, got a bouncy ball, there was a kid with a bateman shirt on and another with Cars shoes, but I've yet to yank out of him what they "learned".

If one thing is for certain it's that Slade loves friends! He is a social guy. Every park or place we go to, he has to make a friend- old or young.

I love this kid.

So proud of you buddy!

Bedtime

2011-09-12T20:26:00.000-07:00

this is how bedtime stories look on the bunk bed. sometimes i look at all three of them, sitting there looking so cute, staring back at me and can't believe they are mine! ahhhh, stories are one of the best times of the day......it means fresh, cozy kids + peace and quiet is coming real soon.

feels like my last ten posts have been phone pics. it's getting too easy. are you sick of them yet? ugh, i am.

2011-09-09T14:56:00.000-07:00

"Wahooo!!! we should show Dad!"
and that it what we did via text all the way to Chicago

this one finally graduated from the baby swing...

2011-09-09T14:55:00.000-07:00

don't mind how sleepy i look. i was wishing for a nap right then and there. Anyway, Lawrence snapped this pic the other day. i don't get much personal space- always one kid cuddling, crawling, following or sitting on me. times like these i don't mind. i will soon miss the little ducklings all too much!

not my forte....

2011-09-07T20:59:00.001-07:00

just yet!

i wanna be good, but i'm not. my sis texted me after our excursion with something along the lines that its not my strong point. the smell kills me. or maybe it's that three kids + one are too much ~~work~~ fun. especially when they are killing it with cuteness in these baskets. BUT people inspire, all over this blog world. so, i'm starting slowly with furniture. finally sanded, primed and painted a side table i purchased for $7 dollars three years ago. one down, more comin'

we are talking about thrift shopping friends.

45 minutes at the lake....

2011-09-07T20:59:00.000-07:00

after riding up in the same car as my mom and her dog, we learned Cruz is all of the sudden allergic to dogs. his eyes were nearly swollen shut and his nose SO itchy. he itched so hard he gave himself a bloody nose. he was miserable. since then and being at her house with the dog he has been really allergic again! so sad! two of the three kids highly allergic to dogs.....we will ever get to have that cuddly, best friend in our house?

we planned to head up the canyon, spend the afternoon at the lake, pack a picnic and relax. delays, delays, always delays especially when you order from Einsteins (aren't they the slowest place on earth!). therefore, the afternoon was cut to about 45 minutes before i had to rush back and pick Ava up for school. I miss carefree, schedule-less days already. Was good regardless to smell that fresh mountain air!

We sure miss this girl while she is at school. Luckily we got her bazillion self portraits on the camera!

plethra of phone pics

2011-09-06T22:39:00.000-07:00

don't get excited...i have no iphone. nor blackberry. i have a used samsung (thankfully, i was passed down after my last phone went kapoot) that gets the job done. Well, most of the time. Not the internet, cool pics, easy texting, time sucking do everything gadget that i totally don't want ;)

are you sick of Chicago talk yet? we've been missing that place so bad lately. deep in the bones miss. and it was a knife to the heart when i realized i had tons of phone pics and reminisced through our summer days there. well, here is the last of that goodness...

rolling in for the first time and having no idea what to expect

Cruz straight up thuggin' it. He loves his shoes and accessories.

lazy pool days are the bomb and so are Cruz's flotation devices.

buds sweating it up on the zoo train. after basically being each others non-stop bff's all summer, Slade has been a fish out of water while Ava's at school :( he has cried over her being gone. so sad.

tiger glare

wiggle worms group, crafts and the many activities/days in the tent at Millennium Park.

depleting energy daily on the 9th floor track.

this butterfly thought Gigi was a flower. Literally stayed on her for 10 minutes.

Ava sending Jude hugs via text (all her idea)

all at our favorite Oz Park

yes, Cruz is all over the ground staring at his distorted self in the Bean

the best spot to perch

Cruz never adjusted to the heat = constant sweat n' more curls

when only a thirst quenching popsicle will do

more zoo time

nope not prancing. not at all ;)

Splash towers. Cruz finally was nutso in the water the last visit!!

****

and kissing off J-bear before leaving for the summer

Zoo

2011-09-05T23:21:00.000-07:00

i just can't let myself wrap my head around the fact that summer.is.over. if only she knew how much i loved her. however, we did spend a day with buddies at the zoo which made for a good end that last week.

cruz, pay pay, hadley and preston are all running around somewhere!

2011-09-05T23:06:00.000-07:00

a picture 'behind the scenes' to what we got going on over here

2011-08-30T23:32:00.000-07:00

if you want to smell a newborn
with, of course, your eyes
head over here

maniac monday weekend review

2011-08-29T22:32:00.000-07:00

my weekend was filled with such awesomeness and such lameness.

there was no even ground.

all Highs and lows.

it included...

-hanging with my sis and actually getting to chat (no kids)

-shooting some engagements

- Cruz dislocating his elbow

- Slade feeling awfully awful

-getting a new desk!
-Ava being home all day long

-deep cleaning and organizing the basement (making better use of the indestructible playroom)

-a round of 18 for LT

-trying to rearrange nearly every room in my house- feeling bored

-having horrendous and uncontrollable allergies for Ava

-seeing lots of the Jude Bear
-amazing summer nights

-laundry, more vacuuming, moping and cleaning

-getting to spend the days with huzzy

-an afternoon at the pool

-having Slade randomly come find me in the house just to say, "can i hug you, Mommy?"

-making homemade ice cream

-an early happy birthday celebration for my sweet Mom.

-and cutting my finger off
....which is actually making this really difficult to type.
Cheers to the good and bad weekend.

"keep trying, keep trying, you'll get it right, you'll get it right"....

2011-08-24T14:08:00.000-07:00

what cartoon show is this song from? i have no clue, but it gets stuck in my head like alls-the-time. anyway, the Cruz man finally got his milk drinkin' right! and that what this proud moment is all about. as soon as i cut the boob off at about a year, he wouldn't have anything to do with milk. chocolate, strawberry, warm or cold and still nothing but flinging his cup all over the floor. although, it didn't phase my pediatrician, it streeeeessed me out! all i could think was, "growing boy..... needs strong bones...football years to come.... please drink milk." I don't know why I was fast-forwarding to football years because he is jumping off everything high, low and dangerous now. no fear this one. Anyway, i was starting to have this phobia that i did something wrong as mom seeing that 2 out of my 3 wouldn't drink milk. (maybe it's my anti-milk drinking example. oops ;) Now 2 out of 3 DO drink milk. phewie, i've passed as a mother. all it took was nearly 10 months.

the moral of this story is:
1. listen to those nutritionists- offer, offer and offer yet again.

2. persistence is the key to nearly anything you want it life.
3. never give up
....take it from me.

the other milk chugger
is it just me or are anyone else's boys stripping down and nakie 90% of the time?! Geez..

back-to-school {1st grade style}

2011-08-22T13:48:00.000-07:00

Last night we were prepping for morning- papers, sneak-a-snack, lunch, 'back-to-school' outfit, etc. We laid out all the new clothes we shopped for this last month and then it was all up to Ava. She chose this. It wasn't all purchased to go together, but whatever. I think she looks adorable. Love me some mismatching. Daddy told her all the boys would be chasing after her with that leopard cardigan and she about died! I assured her he was joking. I can't help but be happy that she'll feel pretty and confident on the first day. (dang, i only wish i would've realized the wrinkled skirt before morning! tacky.)

She is becoming so opinionated on what she wants to wear and I suppose that it part of growing up. I have to bite my tongue and let her relish in her fanciness, Disney character shirts, mismatched whatever.. instead of dressing her the exact way I'd like. (whoever says having girls is so fun because you get to dress them up like a little doll is lying. I'm here to let you know they get minds of their own real fast!). But more important is that she's becoming Ava- independent and gaining self esteem. Her backpack was all her too. She loves all the pockets and the only thing "it needs" is a key chain to hook on the zipper.

so excited to pack a lunch!

we got the teacher we had been hoping for, Mrs. Harper. The cherry was added on top when we found out her best buddy was in the class too!

it's rare that you'll get a smile out of this girl showing some teeth, but what you will get is hands on hips, a little tilt of the head, bent legs and "how about i jump?" posing!

First grade really came. Too dang fast in my opinion, but today was that bittersweet day. The day I've been thinking about for years and constantly the last week. Sending her off for a whole day of school and realizing she will spend more hours in the day with her teacher than with me was a rough concept to swallow. I'll never get that much dependency from her again. It is hard. Harder than kindergarten- for me anyway. I was so weepy last night it was pathetic!!! Did I forget I'll still have two delicious boys at home to soak up?

meeting Mrs. Harper!

lockers in elementary? oh, she feels SO cool!

We got to school and she found her posse. From that point on I guess you could say I was there for moral support because she didn't pay me a lick of attention. I'm happy, that's the way it should be. Like most moms, I have all the many thoughts of "will she be okay? happy? eat her lunch? get to the bathroom if she needs to?" But i know she will...she is my Ava. And, I couldn't be more proud of this little girl!

Wahooo.....
Happy 1st grade Ava!

it's like.....

2011-08-18T14:39:00.000-07:00

we never left. No, that was a lie. My mom asked me that question (do you feel like you never left?) the other day thinking I'd agree, but no I didn't. It totally feels like we left and were gone all summer. (Hello, million things 'to do' list and anxiety.) Sure our house is the same, but it now only feels better. Sure, the same old bikes and scoots are in the garage, but now we appreciate that simple activity oh so much more. Sure, we are back to the same pools and parks, but the dry heat and kid-populated-screaming-places are more than welcomed by my heart. Sure, we are back to our roots, but with a whole new perspective- mostly good ;)

We are quickly back to enjoying our dirt covered feet, backyard bliss, nakie butts, our favorite familiar faces, the perfect golden evening light and the seemingly simpler, more convenient life here at home.

Now....tell me i don't really have to send Ava to 1st grade in three days?
puh-lease??

packing up and moving out....

2011-08-12T07:25:00.000-07:00

of the 1200 sq foot apartment we've called home for the past few months. Thinking I'd be overly getty at this point and excited to be coming home, but I have a little pit in my stomach and am a bit teary. Thinking the kids would be overly anxious to get home too, but they aren't. Two and a half plus months just wasn't enough. Chicago has been good to us. The good news is we are coming home to family, friends and our bed I can't ever complain about that!!! Summer of 2011 is one we will never forget.

See y'all real soon!