Christmas at Home

My  family and I have spent Christmas in Greenville, SC - where my childhood memories take place.  I have not spent Christmas with my parents in a couple of years...and have not spent Christmas at home since...well, gosh, I can't remember.  It has been so nice being with my family and I look forward to the next trip home!!!  (Not planned yet, but hope not too far off.)

Making cookies with Gam

HOME

This was THE toy Jack wanted most - RHINO

Christmas Cookies

I wanted to take some shots of the boys in front of the tree, post Holiday card.  What to bribe them with....what to bribe them with...?  Ah yes!  My favorite baker / Mother-in-law has supplied us with the most delicious sugar cookies EVER.  The boys had no problem sitting for their mama - cookie in hand.  :)

I love these boys.  I love it even more when they love on each other.

These guys take their cookie eating seriously.

Showing me his crumbs.

Baby Jesus Comes to Dinner

The Holiday season is in full swing!  I have been a busy lady creating Holiday cards, and getting the boys ready for Christmas.  Here are just a couple of shots from last night...

Jack wanted Baby Jesus to sit with him at dinner.  He was so cute about it...talking to Baby Jesus and telling him how "sweet and little" he was.  This is the part about having a three year old that is fun.

One of those fun accidents that happens when Jack has control of the shutter release remote.

Ready for Christmas.

Three Years in Colorado

My family and I spent Thanksgiving in Colorado Springs, CO with my husband's family.  It was nice to get away, enjoy home-cooked food, and be with so many family members at once.

While we were there, we had a third birthday party for my son Jack, and a belated first celebration for my little guy Ryan.

Here are some of my favorites from the party.

1 and 3.

Our little friend Holden came with his Mommy and Daddy to the party.

Ryan enjoying his cake.

Grandma and Grandpa have a toddler sized golf cart that Jack loves to drive around in.  Ryan likes to swing the clubs.

Me with the birthday boy.

Concentrating at Chuck E. Cheese.

A Look at '30'

Today is my birthday.  Who am I after 30 years?  I am a daughter.  I am a sister.  I am a wife.  I am a mother.  The people that connect me to those titles have help to mold me into who I am in so many ways.  My parents gave me life's lessons nurtured with lots of love.  In my more recent years, I have taken what they have given me and used it as a wife and mother.  I am far from wise, after all, 30 is nothing compared to 60, or even 90.  I can only hope that I can continue to grow - to make my parents proud of their daughter; to continue to build ever-lasting memories as a sister; grow old with love as a wife; and raise my children to be the best people they can be as a mother.

Here are a series of self portraits, taken on the day I turn 30.

This is the title I am most proud of - Mommy.

I tend to be shy to those that do not know me - but also an open book to those who do.

This might be my Mommy face, actually.  Ask my 3 year old.

I have my Mom's hands...just longer fingers.

I'm a goof.  I am sure this is the quality that attracted my husband to me the most.

So many pieces...

My New Assistant

Jack has become pretty interested in Mommy's camera.  Today I set up the tri-pod and gave him my shutter remote and just let him have at it.  There were over 100 shots.  Probably could have made a cool stop motion movie out of some.  Here are a couple that he took...

What happens when you give an almost 3 year old your shutter remote.

Snuggling with Mommy.

He was like the mad scientist.  There were a LOT like this.

Rainy Saturday

Today is one of those days to just sit around, and enjoy each other's company.  Talk to the Grandparents on the webcam, play with toys, watch football - well, at least for Todd.  Jack was excited that it was raining outside because the rain will wash away the bird poop on Mommy's car.  What he doesn't quite understand, is that won't happen because Mommy's car is parked in the garage.  Oh well.  :)

Here are a couple of pics from today.

We are trying to learn the alphabet in our house.  Our windows always have SOMETHING on them.  I never really thought about what it looked like from outside till we were taking a walk one day and I looked up.  I guess it just looks like a family lives here.

Always time to play with cars.

This is what happens when you are tired, and your little brother takes your car away.  A nap took place for poor Jack right after this.

I never get tired of this face.

Cooking.  Ryan was digging through the cabinets in the kitchen, making a racket and Todd asked if I just let him do what he wants.  The answer - if he is not harming himself and is happy, then yes.

Flying with Daddy.

Dog Sitting

Today the boys and I went over to our cousins' house to take our dog-cousin, Toby, for a walk.  Jack LOVES to do this and does not take his responsibilities lightly.  Ryan is still a little unsure of Toby, but they are becoming fast friends too.  It was a GORGEOUS day out for Fall in New England - which is a good thing.

Typical Ryan fashion, trying to catch something in his mouth of course.  I think this time it was my camera strap.

I love this shot because you can see the fuzz on his head.

Chatter box  :)

Toby and Jack just RUN.  I honestly don't know who is walking who sometimes.

You can just see the "fun" on his face.

Ryan had a good time discovering.

This is Jack saying that Toby was ready for a nap.

Movers and Shakers

Just some randoms of my two faves...

Jack's pout face.

Such a little flirt.

Very intense; concentrating.

My walking boy.