Thankful, every day

Did you see that? What you ask? The perfect day that has just ended. There were several things that made me happy that I had today.

1. Today was a warm 80* and not one cloud in the sky. I searched for a few seconds trying to find one. It was futile, so instead I enjoyed the warm sunshine on my back.

2. Gas prices are so low that filling up my incredibly empty (4 miles till empty!) gas tank cost less than $31.

3. Campbell took a Reading Counts! test today on Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone and passed. woohoo for my boy.

It's also December 1. That in itself is a good thing. We've had a good Thanksgiving weekend. Many days together and we weren't sick of being together! I was even sad to send the boys back to school today. Nick, our Elf on a Shelf, has been visiting since Friday - and so far so good. Today was day 1 of our Lego Advent calendar and we all enjoyed the little Lego man who came with a Turkey leg.

We have been planning our joyful month and we're looking forward to all of the fun we're planning. There are many good times out there that I'm looking forward to having!

{my cousin Christie and her new car. she turned 16 on Friday!}

{two of my turkeys}

{the advent calendar}

Funny baby

A couple of things.

crowdSPRING, hire Kelly Purkey for your new Community Marketing Manager!

A friend of mine makes beautiful, beautiful handmade items and sells them on Etsy. You REALLY ought to check them out. They are really inexpensive, super nice and beautiful. I LOVE all of the pieces of hers that *I* have!

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5639287

She has more crystal stuff up than normal. But, it's all really sparkly if you're into that. she's into vintage.

Anyway. Back to regular programming. The baby is in full blown toddler mode - doing all kinds of crazy things. Mostly talking. Today, he has a new word. ROW. As in, row row row your boat. You do the motions, he says row or row row. Whichever he's feeling like. Here's a video of him saying "GO!" Love that little guy. (Sorry it's sideways. )

Remember me?

It's been a while. I'll try not to let it happen again. Been busy with Thanksgiving prep at school plus lots and lots of photo taking!

rose bowl

I'll keep it short. I've had a busy week and not too much to contribute to any of you that might read the chatter I produce.

There are a lot of things in my life that are important to me. One of the things that is important to me is seeing new things, doing new things, experiencing new things. In order to have another experience under my belt, I headed up to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA and went to the swap meet. (For the record, the Rose Bowl evokes memories of the early 80's and the Iowa Hawkeyes taking their winning selves to the Rose Bowl. Long live Hayden Fry!)

Vintage, ruffly and beautiful!

Happy Birthday, Baby!

A year ago right now, I have no recollection what I was doing. BUT, I had a brand new baby boy - the third in the set. He was hours old and I was probably sleeping, and if I wasn't I was groggy. The thing I remember most about the hospital was falling asleep mid-conversation with visitors. (And the green jello. How I love green jello!)

The point of this is that - well, it's only been a year! I can actually remember this day one year ago. I do have a sneaking suspicion that I'm always going to remember that day. It's when my baby was born.

So, today. Today was really like any other. Sawyer had a dentist appointment, we shopped a bit with friends, took some photos - the only difference were spontaneous happy birthday choruses and a cupcake. I think the baby had a good time!

{happy birthday, baby!}

jubilation!

Feeling happy, bursting with pride and hopeful for our future. So happy to have kids that were interested in the election and to share this win with them.

Not only is the election of huge importance in our family, but so is our baby's birthday. Tomorrow was supposed to be his birthday, but it got pushed back a day. (due to an over booked hospital!) Instead, we look forward to Thursday to celebrate the birth of our bouncing baby boy!

However, we've already celebrated! We did it big - it's our last and only, first birthday party, after all!

{there was face painting!}
{grrrr! a tiger!}
{a cupcake pinata with my friend Cari}
{beat it!}

{come on, we want the loot!}


{a smash cake for one wee boy}

{enjoying one of 96 delish cupcakes}

{mmmmm...cake is good!}

{it just gets better and better}

{harrison and his emma}

Harrison was particularly lucky to have his Ma and Papa in attendance. He and the other boys are the luckiest boys in the world - they have some pretty great grand parents. They are loved and cherished and we only wish they would stay longer and come more! The boys love them and Sawyer moped all day Monday when they went home. In fact, in the afternoon, he exclaimed "Maybe a piece of Halloween candy would cheer me up!"

We live a very good life here and it's made even better by having ma and papa in it. We all can't wait to see them again at Christmas.

sneak peak

there are many more pictures to be had of our first birthday extravaganza. but here is just one to quench your thirst!more to come, maybe tomorrow when I am also rejoicing over a big win tomorrow! ;)

Have you recovered?

We're slowing but surely getting in the groove of Saturday, the day after Halloween. The kids are gorging on candy, the baby is gorging on Cheerios and I'm, well, resting. Of course, that is short lived because today is a new day. We have 2 soccer games and a big party to get ready for!

Yesterday was crazy. There is no other way to describe a day like yesterday. It started early with a field trip for Sawyer to the pumpkin patch, a Halloween parade for Cam at school, a birthday party and 4 hours of trick or treating with 2 seperate groups of friends. Whew.

Adorable costumes were everywhere, including the baby who was dressed as Mickey Mouse!

The field trip to Peltzer Farms:

{Sawyer's first time on a school bus!}

{Sawyer and his best friend Alex}

Cam's Parade at school:

Lili's birthday party:

Trick or treating, round 1:

{leaving the first house}

{he's a cute little rodent, isn't he?}

Just because he's cute...

HAPPY SATURDAY!