Happy Birthday Barrett!!!

Our little Bear is three! Happy Birthday Barrett! We love you so very much!

Photo shoot of Savannah

So, Savannah wanted to have some professional pictures taken of her with her new scriptures and white dress after her baptism. I have to admit, I wasn't really sold on this idea of hers, but when I got the pictures back, I was stunned. They really turned out so amazing! She is so incredibly beautiful, and many of the poses were her ideas. I think I just might make this a baptism tradition for my kids. Enjoy the pictures of my lovely and elegant Little Lady Savannah....

This is my favorite. I must admit, I am a HUGE fan of photos in sepia tones. I think they just look so pretty. I love Savannah's face, she looks just like an angel.

One of the photo mosaics. Once again, loving the sepia!

Another photo mosaic, this time with a black-and-white main photo. Savannah hates anything except "normal color" pictures, so the rest of the inset photos are for her!

I love this picture. She is so pretty, and her new green scriptures make her enormous green eyes just pop off the page.

I like this one. More of a traditional pose, but she liked it a lot.

Another one of my favorites. This one was her idea, too. She wanted a picture of her reading her new scriptures.

This is the "normal color" version of my most favorite pose. Savannah likes this better than the sepia.

I like this one a lot. It reminds me of an old-fashioned royal portrait or something. I can't quite put my finger on what it is, but this picture just gets to me. I love it.

So, there you have it. Isn't Savannah just as pretty as a princess? She was so excited to have these photos taken, and I am so glad I listened to her, and let her do this. I can't believe my little baby is now a lovely young lady. Where has the time gone?

BBQ Surprise

So, my Dad called us the other day and told us he had interesting barbecue news. Now, I was thinking, "What kind of barbecue news could possibly be interesting? Is he barbecuing something totally bizarre, like salamander or grasshoppers?" I was way off. Apparently, my Dad has a bird problem. That problem is that the birds love his yard way too much! He tried to barbecue the other day, opened up his barbecuer, and found this.....

Yep, you are seeing correctly. A robin has made an incredibly large nest INSIDE his barbecuer!

We also found 3 other nests in the trees in his backyard. Last year, there was one nest in this same tree, and possibly the other nests as well, but we only noticed this one.

Honestly, it was pretty cool to see. The only thing is, when we got to my Dad's house, we went out back and he opened up the barbecuer to show us the nest, and the mother bird was actually inside. We scared her (and probably angered her) quite a bit, and she flew out of the grill straight at my head. Scared me senseless, and Dad said I jumped about a mile high. He's probably right! We just hope that we didn't scare her so much, or anger her so much, that she abandons the nest. We'll just have to hope for hatched eggs and baby birds soon!

Colby's birthday present

So, Colby has been wanting a new camera for quite some time. And not just any new camera, but a really good new camera. A digital SLR camera. Don't ask me what that means, because he tried to explain it to me, and I still don't know. So, I finally let him get one. It is a Nikon D90 with some type of incredibly nifty lens or something. Honestly, I have no idea how the camera works, how the lens works, why the lens and the actual camera body are two separate pieces, and so on and so on. All I do know is that I am scared to death to touch it, use it, or do anything at all even near it. But it does take amazing pictures, as you can see below...

So, this is an ultra-close up of one of my favorite things. It is a "Sleeping Beauty" plate Colby gave me the Christmas before we were married ("Sleeping Beauty" is my very favorite Disney movie of all time, just in case you were thinking that he gave me an incredibly lame gift, because he didn't, I LOVE it!!). Please notice the remarkable detail this camera produces- see all the dust? Yes, a fine picture that shows off my woeful housekeeping!

This is Smokey. Isn't he adorable? His fur looks so shiny and soft. It really is, but in our other camera (that only I will be using from here on out, because it doesn't frighten me!!) the detail is nowhere near this.

And the new guy, Sneezy. Caught red-handed drinking from the toilet. What a dweeby cat! I swear, in one of his other 9 lives, he must have been a dog or something!

Of course, a picture of the Boston Red Sox hat. It looks pretty darn good in the other camera's pictures, but this is something else!!!

And this is a close-up of the flowers that I sent Colby for his birthday. Aren't they beautiful? Really, this new (and scary) camera does take amazing and beautiful pictures, but I shall remain dedicated and faithful to the other camera that is all one piece, that doesn't terrify me, and Colby will have exclusive rights to this one.

Fathers and Sons Campout

So, these are some pictures of the boys at the Fathers and Sons campout. Barrett had so much fun just being with Daddy, and Mommy was glad that she couldn't go!

All alone...sort of...

So, Colby and Barrett are camping. It's Fathers and Sons campout time, after all. So, while the guys were out being manly and dirty, Savannah and Charlotte and I went out tonight, just the girls. In Charlotte's words, we went "girly." We all got dressed up very fancy and fluffy, and we went for dinner and ice cream. Then we came home, got in our most comfy jammies, and popped popcorn and watched "Tinkerbell." Very girly! It was so fun to be, in Savannah's words, "with no boys!" I honestly was going to take some pictures, until I remembered that Colby took the camera with him. Oh well. But, the girls are in bed now, Colby's not here to help me relish the fact that our beloved Boston Red Sox won again tonight (I had to watch the game highlights by myself!), he's not here to listen to me ramble on and on, while he listens ever-so-patiently, bless his heart! You know what, I am kinda lonely!!! Seriously! It seems like I am always secretly (or not so secretly) wishing for a few minutes alone, and here it is, and I don't think it's very much fun at all!! I miss Colby, I actually kind of miss Barrett trying to "mess around" with his blankie and Hobbes, and it just seems so strangely quiet. Oh well, I guess maybe I'll just go to sleep...after all, what else is there to do? Laundry? Dishes? Cleaning? NO WAY!!! :0)

Happy Birthday Colby!!!

So, I don't really have a picture of Colby by himself, so you'll have to deal with this one of both of us. But, really, it's pretty rare to see Colby without me, or to find me without Colby, so maybe this is the perfect picture!!!Happy Birthday Colby! I love you, and I love everything that you do for me and our little family! You are the best thing that has ever, or will ever, happen to me! Love you the most!

Happy Birthday!

Charlotte's soccer

So, as promised, pictures of Charlotte at her first soccer game. It was so fun, and she seemed to have a good time!

Charlotte gets a good kick! She actually tried to dribble the ball, and was so excited to get the ball.

Charlotte with her coach.

She had fun, and I wish I had some pictures of her standing on the field twirling her soccer shorts like a princess dress. It was hilarious, but the picture was kind of blurry. Anyway, she seems to like soccer, even if she has to pretend she is a soccer princess to get through it!

Savannah's Baptism!

Savannah with Colby before her baptism. Doesn't she look so beautiful? She just looks like she had all morning- glowing and excited. When the kids got up this morning. Colby said, "Go look at Savannah, she is honestly GLOWING!" And she was. She was so excited and so ready for her baptism. It was so fun and wonderful to see her like that.

With Daddy a few minutes before the baptism service began.

With Mom just before the baptism.

Savannah is baptized now. I can't believe she is old enough! It seems just yesterday that she was a tiny baby, and then just learning to walk and talk, and now; she is 8! Where does the time go? It was such a wonderful experience to see her testimony grow, and to see her literally glowing in anticipation of the time she will be baptized, and to show her Heavenly Father that she is willing and grateful to become a member of His church, and to show the Savior that she is grateful for his atoning sacrifice in her behalf. Savannah is, and has always been, a very spiritually sensitive girl, and we are so lucky to have her in our family. We are so grateful for the knowledge of the gospel in our lives. In times of great despair, or uncertainty, or when things happen that make no sense, or are just plain terrible and heart-breaking, it is a great comfort to know that the Savior is real, that He loves us, and He is aware of our sorrows and sadness. It is comforting to know that when things don't make sense, Heavenly Father does have a plan for us, and that He will make everything right, when the time is right to do so. When all things seem dark and dreary and hopeless, the Savior and His deep love for us, can light a glimmer of hope and cheer in our hearts. Sometimes, maybe it takes a while to recognize and let the light shine in us, but He is always there, and always ready to be there and help us through our trials. What a blessing, even if I am the kind of person who has to learn things slowly and painfully sometimes. Our Savior lives, He loves us, and our Heavenly Father is aware of us, and loves us individually and personally. How truly blessed we are for this knowledge.

Happy Easter!

With all their easter candy and presents from the Easter Bunny!

Handsome Barrett!

Lovely Charlotte!

Beautiful Savannah!

Getting ready for Easter

Here are the kids getting ready for Easter. I think this might be the first year we actually let Bear near the egg dye! He had fun, and please notice that he is wearing nothing but his Spiderman underwear. I ask you to make note of it, because it is an improvement over what he had on before, which is absolutely nothing! Honestly, the boy would go all day long totally naked if he had his way. Colby assures me this is normal behavior for boys, and that they all prefer streaking around, flashing everyone who dares to enter the house. Oh well. I can deal with that. Until he gets a little older, then it might be a bit creepy and "uncomfortable," know what I mean? But, for now, flash away, Barrett! Anyway, they had fun decorating their eggs, and trying to guess where the Easter Bunny would hide their baskets. Yes, we have a tricky Easter Bunny who visits our house. I have been told that the Easter Bunny is not the sort of guy who typically hides Easter baskets, but hey, he does at my house, and the kids love him for it! So there! Anyway, it was so fun, and the kids had a blast!

Brother and Sister

So, I was looking through some pictures, and found these. Now, I realize that Charlotte and Barrett are only 15 months apart in age, and that sometimes they don't get along, but these pictures just made me laugh and smile. Now, try to think of Charlotte's delicate little voice. She was playing with her Barbie computer, and Bear crawled up on the couch beside her and wanted to play too. She let him, and then started trying to help him. She was playing the alphabet game, and imagine her tiny voice saying something like, "Okay Honey, where is the letter C? Can you find it? Oh, good job, Honey!" Charlotte has developed this cute habit of calling Savannah, Barrett and the cats "Honey" lately. It is so cute. Then, Bear was trying to help Charlotte with the color and shape game, and it just made me think ahead to the day when they are both teenagers, and horribly embarrassed when the other tries to talk to them at school or something. I mean, I hope they remain friends, and that Barrett will look out for his sisters, and that Charlotte will like him still, but I am a realist! Are teenagers ever nice all the time? Especially where their siblings are concerned? NO! But still, I can always look back at these pictures and tell them that, once upon a time, they were the best of friends, and Barrett even gave his sister a kiss!

Soccer

So, the new soccer season began today. It was a lot of fun to see Charlotte play her first game, and to see Savannah back at it. They both had so much fun, and it was great to see that. I'll post some pictures of the games a bit later. But, earlier in the day, as we were getting the girls ready, Charlotte put on her new uniform, which is a lovely shade of purple. And then her new socks, and then her shin guards, which are pink. Then we put on her soccer shorts, which are a little big for her, but it was perfect anyway....Charlotte grabbed the shorts by the bottom hem with both hands, and twirled around in it like it was a fancy ball gown. Then she proclaimed "It's my soccer skirt!" Ahhh, only Charlotte would think of that! Hey Char, we're glad to hear that your lovely soccer ball gown works for you!

Quiz by Kid #3

So, here is the final installment in my "Kid Quizzes." Here are Barrett's long-anticipated quiz answers. I have to admit, I was totally excited for his, mostly because he is only 2; well, really almost 3, but still...his answers MUST be hilarious, plus, he is just such a crack-up, I really was anxious to hear what he would say. So, with that grand introduction, here goes....Ask your child(ren) to answer the following questions and type in their answers. Tag other moms with older kids who may get a kick out if it!!



1. What is something your mom always says to you? Spy kids, because I'm a spy kid. (Okay, so we watched "Spy Kids" yesterday, and he has been a "Spy Kid" ever since. But I don't recall ever saying "spy kids" to him, other than telling him it was the name of the movie Dad put in.)


2. What makes your mom happy? Snakes. (I guess that could be so, but only because I'd be rejoicing that they are snakes, and not spiders.)


3. What makes your mom sad? Spiders. (Yep. Sad, followed by scared to death, followed by paralysis and the inability to do anything about said spider, followed by convincing the cat that he should take care of it for me.)


4. How does your mom make you laugh? Like that. (This was prefaced by Barrett making some sort of devilish, maniacal laughing sounds.)


5. What was your mom like as a child? She was a tiny, tiny baby. Like babies. But I'm not a baby, I'm a big boy with "Handy Manny" underpants. (I can't recall what my initial reaction to this one was, because I was seriously laughing my tush off!!)


6. How old is your mom? I don't say it. (Huh. Not that I'm afraid of telling people or anything, but it was funny to hear him say that; like it's a "G-14 Classified" piece of information!)


7. How tall is your mom? Bigger.


8. What is your mom's favorite thing to watch on TV? Pinocchio, but I don't like that movie, because it scares me. (He likes it well enough until we get to the part where all the boys are at Pleasure Island. I suppose I should hope and pray that he always has an aversion to boys being the worst sort of reckless and horrid boys imaginable.)


9. What does your mom do when you're not around? Do that. (He was pointing at the computer.)


10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? Just like race cars, because race cars are famous, like Lightning McQueen is a famous race car. (Everyone got that? race cars are famous!!!)


11. What is your mom really good at? Snakes, because they aren't scary.


12. What is she not very good at? Spiders, because they are yucky and they make my Mom scared like this... (and then he shrieked like a mad man, and ran down the hall as fast as his little Lightning McQueen shoes could take him.)


13. What does your mom do for her job? Things I can do. (Huh. Suddenly I feel like my job is not that awesome or challenging!)


14. What is your mom's favorite food? Nachos. And I like nachos, and we don't eat toys, huh Mom? (Okay, so I do like nachos, Barrett doesn't like nachos, as far as I knew, anyway...and we definitely DO NOT eat toys, although the boy does make a habit of putting anything and everything in his mouth. I have joked, sort of, that I am going to give him back his binky if he doesn't stop!)


15. What makes you proud of your mom? The sun, because the sun is really nice. (What the...?)


16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? Wendy from "Bob the Builder." (Wow. I am pretty darn scared of anything resembling a tool. I like manual labor to be more along the lines of loading a dishwasher, cleaning up toys, sorting laundry...you know, things most women wish they could stop doing so much. I'm such a tool-wimp...)


17. What do you and your mom do together? Play the Wii. And I like Wii, I like Guitar Hero, because I'm a Guitar Hero Boy, and my Dad likes to play the black guitar, and he plays the Guitar Hero song. (So, I only play the Wii rarely, I have never, ever played Guitar Hero, and Colby does like to play "Invincible" by Muse because it is one of the only songs by them that I don't particularly love, and it happens to be just about the ONLY Muse song that he likes...go figure...)

18. How are you and your mom the same? I don't think so. (Well, okay then.....!)

19. How are you and your mom different? Just like Daddy's different, because I'm a different guy that has blond hair. (Hmmm....whatever you say, Pal!)

20. How do you know your mom loves you? Things. (I hope they are nice things!)

21. What does your mom like most about your dad? Bear-Bear things. (Well, apparently the thing I like most about Colby is that he gave me Barrett. It's a good thing that Barrett has such a healthy dose of self-esteem!!!)


22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? Costco.


23. What is your mom afraid of? Spiders, because they are bad and yucky like monsters. (He forgot evil and the literal spawn of Satan...)


24. What is your mom not afraid of? Snakes, they don't go to time-out. (What the...?)


25. What does your mom like the best about you? My pictures. (I do love to look at the kids' scrapbooks quite often, you know, laughter and tears simultaneously and all that...)



So, that's Bear Bear. Wow. That's all I can say, because I am laughing and hysterical, and Charlotte has asked me a couple of times why I am "so silly." Informative and entertaining! So, as ever, I still think everyone should do this. Let the good times roll!

It Has Arrived....Sort of...

So, Opening Day of the Major League baseball season has officially arrived!!!! The only problem is that the first Boston Red Sox game was postponed due to inclement weather in Boston. So, that means we'll have to wait until tomorrow to see the Red Sox take on the Tampa Bay Rays...those (d)evil Rays who beat the Sox and took them out of World Series competition last season. So, we hold our thirst for vengeance and payback until 4:05 p.m. Boston time tomorrow. Everyone, set your satellite systems to "Record." ;)

Yahoo!!!!! Baseball is back! As Colby would say (I hope facetiously), "Now I have something to live for!"

Go Boston Red Sox!

Boo, Boo, Boo New York Yankees! (that's for you, Stephen!!)