{Stubborn Little Bugger}

We have had four days of complaining and tears over a tooth that just didn't want to come out. Thank heavens for tender mercies, we can now again eat in peace! :)

You can watch it here: Video

{Growing Up}

Caleb loves to climb. First it was trees. And now, it's walls. It has been a fun bonding activity. It's cute to watch your children evolve from little people to a little bit-bigger people. Every once in awhile you get a hint of what they might be like as adults. Caleb, I admire so many qualities about you. I love your determination, your focus, your willingness to take risks and try new things. I love you, kiddo.




"The moves that you do, are based upon the risk you're willing to take. You've got one shot on this dustball, let's have some fun." -Michael Reardon

{Story Photos}

I'm really enjoying all of these beautiful fall colors on the trees. We've had a relatively mild autumn and so we are soaking up as much time as we can outdoors. I saw something like this on pinterest.com and thought it was such a cute idea to do for yearly photos.


xoxo

{Diving Off The Deep End}

I'm raising fishies I tell ya. My kiddos (age 7) diving off the board and my (4 year old) jumping off and swimming to the side all by himself...

{Happy Halloweenie}

xoxo

{Star Power}

My mother and sister and I took an eventful trip to visit my sister, her husband and her new baby in Pennsylvania. Flying across the United States in storm season isn't easy. We got delayed. We got rain. We got wind. We got stuck on an airplane for 1 1/2 hours in stifled airflow. We got lightening. We got sent to the wrong airport... Uh, what!? Yes, diverted actually. Apparently, there's a thing called tornadoes. They occur east of the Rockies. Us, Seattle-lites don't get to experience those bad boys unless you fly Eastward in prime storm season. We were grateful to eventually land in Baltimore. Sad however, that our ipod, GPS system, a camera and digital recorder flew onto Boston. Recovered, however!.. we got those treasures mailed back to us after our trip. But, all completely worth it to see family and the newest addition!

For your info..if you ever have a lay over in St. Louis, the tornado shelters are located inside the bathrooms.

Me and my beautiful sisters.

I love that this candid shot was taken. After several minutes of snapping pictures we were sweating in beautiful Penn humidity. Uh, we done yet?

The reasons for our visit.
And the star of the show... Vaughn Alan Herman.

Love you guys!

{Back Two School}

And before I knew it I have two in school. My eldest, a second grader has spunk in his step.

My youngest (in celebration of being officially potty trained at 3 3/4 of age) we get to go big. We are in preschool. And although we don't need it, we also have to have a back pack. (wink).



... Despite a shiner (below left eye) and marker all over our pants, we are loving it!



xoxo

{Party Favors}

I have a girlfriend who throws the most amazing birthday parties for her kids. She's a fabulous mom and knocks the word "details" out of the park, down the hill and around the corner. Seriously Jen, you are amazing!

I was reading up on one of my favorite blogs, she was quick to point out a few other extremely talented individuals out there that dish up some very nice inspiration and I thought I would continue passing around that love... (Grab a Dr. Pepper, a tea, bottled water, your latte or your whatever beverage catches your fancy and prepare yourself.. you're gonna be sitt'n on your glutius maximus for awhile.)

{A Bunch Of Characters}

Living it up at our local fair is always a much anticipated event around our house. However, this year was a bit more challenging as the age spread between the boys was evident. Caleb has become to grown up for the kiddie rides and Porter although brave enough doesn't have the inches to qualify him for the big boy ones. However, there was one thing that we could all agree on and that was the food!

Caleb accompanying Porter on a "baby ride"... although, it looks like your enjoying himself to me!

Da-train.

Matador.. the big ride of the day.

Caleb wanted to try out the haunted mansion. Porter declined. Caleb went by himself and came out like this. :)

Bumper Cars... Porter's mad he's not tall enough to drive.

Porter's mad again but this time it's because we are leaving. Perhaps that's a true sign of a fabulous time!

Goodnight, Fair!

{Water You Doing?}

{Weather Outperforms Cartoons}

We've had major family changes this past year. And despite it all, Caleb has had a terrific 1st year of school. A typical morning before school would include waking up, going downstairs, asking for a bowl of cereal and then ask for today's newspaper. While chomping and chewing sugar coated Froot Loops or Lucky Charms, Caleb would read, analyze and critique Seattle's Chief Meteorologist's weather synopsis for the week. He would let us know where we could expect thunder and lightening storms, tornadoes and snow blizzards. He learned words like mostly, partly, precipitation, mph, high/low pressure and El Nino. And upon entering class, his 1st grade teacher would get a short weather report for the day.

Jeff Renner's biggest fan.

Caleb was sick one day and stayed home from school so I tucked him on the couch and asked him which cartoon he'd like to watch. I don't want any cartoons, Mom. Can you turn it to the weather channel?

You are one of a kind, sweetheart.

{Chuckle}

The boys and I were in the car this evening when Caleb gasps the following-

"Mom! You must have spent a lot of money on my flip flops."

Me: "What do you mean, bud?"

Caleb: "My flip flops. They must be expensive. It says they were made in China."

I love you buddy.

{You Are My Sunshine}

Today I had the privilege of hanging out with this little man. We were sun bums eating watermelon and exchanging knock-knock jokes. It was a sweet and surreal few hours in which I had the privilege of soaking up every word, every face, every exchange. Here's to living in the moment. And here's to a wonderful summer's bucket list.