Merry Christmas to all

and to all a good night.
Happy Holidays to the four of you that read this (last year it was 3, but I figure I picked up a reader at one point in the last 365 days). I hope you are happy, healthy and maybe a little buzzed (from wine or merriment, or both). Our life is good, we are watching a storm rage outside and a bit nervous about our trip up to Nebraska tomorrow, but life is good.
We are happy, healthy and a little buzzed. Santa is slated to arrive tonight and bring some really cool toys - it's rumored that someone is getting a batcave and a little certain Miss is getting a dollhouse. Still plenty of time for them to get on the naughty list, but I'm sure they'll be angels for the next 7 hours.
Enjoy your Christmas where ever it may be and however you are spending it. Be happy and be kind to each other - that's really what matters most.

Not one, but two damn tannenbaum!

It is true that this year we put up our first tree in 11 years of marriage (insert gasp and disapproving glance here). Honestly we've typically barely decorated because we are so fortunate to go back to the Midwest and stay with our families for an extended period of time. Don't worry - there are decorated trees there and much, much merry.
But, this year Connor was not going to let us go without a tree and quite frankly it was time. We are so enjoying how festive it looks. We also put up a tree in Connor's room - not quite the 7 footer he was hoping for, but damn joyous just the same.
Enjoy some pictures of our tannenbaum - oh and stop judging! Oh and in trying to "keep it real" don't you love the unmade bed, dirty shirt Quinn is wearing and bed head that Connor is sporting in the middle of the day. Precious moments.

Rockin it like EJ

Connor's not afraid to rock it like Elton John - minus the piano, but add the kazoo. Oh, and thank you so much to Kaitee's mother for putting kazoos in the goody bags. Really, really appreciate it. Really.

Just a salad...

So, I was looking through recipes for a new salad recipe. You know, trying to eat light after all that turkey and sides full of butter. I came across one I'm sure the kids would gobble up - marshmallows optional.


APPLE SNICKERS® SALAD

6-8 apples (unpeeled)
2 SNICKERS® bars
1 1/2 to 2 c. Cool Whip
Marshmallows (optional)

Cut apples in small pieces. Dice SNICKERS® and add them and Cool Whip. Let chill at least 1 hour.

Happy Thanksgiving

May your stuffing be tasty. May your turkey plump. May your potatoes and gravy have never a lump. May your yams be delicious and your pies take the prize, and may your Thanksgiving dinner stay off of your thighs! Happy Thanksgiving!!! So thankful for the family we have visiting today and missing those who are far away.

Give Thanks.

Most of the time I'm a glass half empty kind of gal (ok, enough snickering). But, I am thankful. I have a family and a life that completely fulfills me. My house is warm, my pantry is full, my kids are healthy and the people I love, love me. For that and so much more I give thanks.
Oh yeah, and I have a loaf of pumpkin chocolate chip bread in the oven and in about an hour I'll be really thankful for that.

Sneak peek...

I've often said that my house is like the zoo (without the smell) and my kids are little monkeys. Cute, wild little monkeys. This video gives you just a glimpse of what our evenings look like. Come visit, we could use some fresh zookeepers!

Previously...

For Connor's first Halloween he was also a skeleton...and the same weight he is now.

Happy Halloween!

Just try to take her seriously...

Believe me, if you don't take her seriously when she wants you to (even with the Dora glasses and pig tails)...well, let's just say it does not make Quinn happy and you don't want to see that. Trust me people.

Snowin' like a Mutha!

Welcome to Colorado - looks like we'll easily get over 14 inches. Come visit, the mountains are calling.

Target - not the pumpkin patch

Part of the weekend was beautiful, amazing and warm. Yeah, that's the part that we spent inside glued to the couch watching as much college football as we could possibly take in (sorry kids, mommy wants to see if they get the first down). I was so hopeful that Sunday would be the same - it was not.
So, instead of the pumpkin patch we hit the Target. Just a little thing I like to call a precious moment.
We did have fun carving, painting and even roasting seeds. Just didn't make it to the patch.
After all of that fun the kids used our dining chairs and couch as a jungle gym. That night as I was eating my dinner at the table with my family I felt so blessed that I wasn't eating at the cafeteria at the Children's Hospital. I've always said, it's the little things.

For the love...of cooking

I love to cook and I love to make things that I think my friends and family will savor. So, tonight I'm making a new Chicken Parmigiana recipe. This one's for you babe. And, it's gonna be amazing.

Baby Girl Turned 2...Not Terrible

I'm a little late on this post, but we celebrated Quinn's 2nd birthday on October 1st and again on the 3rd with a party. It's amazing how much she has changed from 1 to 2 - huge milestones. Now you can carry on a conversation with Quinn (albeit a frustrating one, but it's still chatting), she can go on most of the big kid stuff at the playground, and she says thank you. Just a few of her tricks. She is a truly wonderful, sassy and smart child.
I am lucky to be her mom. We love you Miss Quinn (spirited, sassiness and all).

Felt like a celebrity chef

Every once in a while you hit the jackpot on dinner with your children. To be fair, my kids are good eaters and they enjoy a variety of flavors and dishes. That being said, I get my fair share of, "This sauce is slimy. Oh gross. I am NOT eating that. What else is for dinner? Can I have cereal...please?" So, when you do get praise for your prepared healthy meal, you feel like a celebrity chef. For just one moment you get cocky. See this parenting this isn't so hard, you think.
The other night we were enjoying grilled chicken with vegetables and salad. Connor said, "Wow. Mama, I am totally taking this chicken down. It is sooooooo (with drama) good." Immediately after Quinn threw her food on the floor and said, "All done please."
Moment over.

Not why we moved here...

So, we didn't move to Colorado so I could be closer to some dear friends. But, it is a hell of a perk. It's so amazing to watch your children become buddies with your buddy's kids.

One of "those" mothers

It's been whispered about me, said right to my face (sometimes in awe and sometimes while their head is shaking) and teased occasionally. I don't scrap book, I have NEVER (I repeat, never) taken my children for professional pictures, I fail to send out holiday cards and my children's baby books are pretty much blank after the ultrasound photo. GASP! (Give me a break our wedding pictures are still in a sandwich baggie...somewhere.)
It's not that I care less or that I don't want those things complete. I guess I just get sort of caught up living the precious moments instead of capturing them. Will I regret it? Well, maybe.
I often make a plan to fill something out or schedule a photo session and then it's just such a beautiful day so we head to the park. Or, it's a snowy day so we huddle inside and make brownies and play Candy Land.
But, to make a long story semi-short it makes days like today important. So, please kids on this picture day smile big. I'll put the pictures in a frame on the mantel and everyone will be so pleased.

Campy Family

For the last week of summer break, Connor and I took a four day camping trip to Central Utah with my parents. Connor caught trout with Papa David, played in the dirt, and loved sleeping in a tent each night. It was so great to spend quality time with both my son and my parents in the wilderness.

After four days away I thought Connor would be ready to go home, but he was bummed when the trip ended. Fortunately, we had already planned a weekend camping trip with Stephanie, Quinn, and some friends back in Colorado. So, after one night at home to clean up and re-supply, we once again loaded up the gear and spent two more nights camping with the entire family. It was a fabulous weekend. The weather was perfect, and Stephanie and I celebrated our 11th Anniversary in the mountains with some wine, good food, and our two beautiful kids. We are truly very fortunate.

First Day of School

New shoes? Check. New haircut? You can set your watch to it. Sturdy new backpack? It's more than ready for the challenge of rocks, snacks, action figures, the occasional spitball, and maybe even some homework.

Yesterday was Connor's first day of Kindergarten. After school, we celebrated a successful first day with a fast food dinner (Connor's choice) and were regaled with stories of the seven computers in his classroom, the playground, and his new classmates. We are so proud of Connor, but we can't believe how fast he is growing up on us.

Up, up, up, up, up...

Hmmmm, not quite sure what she wants. Anyone? Anyone have a guess? Looks like maybe she wants to run away and play with her brother while her mama enjoys a glass of wine and finishes dinner. So weird that she's stomping her feet and repeating, "Up mama, peeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeez. Peez, mama up." Almost like she wants me to hoist her 30+ pounds up on my hip. Couldn't be.

Gone Fishin'

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Such a typical male post - no interesting copy to follow the photos. Geez, it's almost like I have to do EVERYTHING. So, I'm stepping in to give you some info...Woman's work is never finished!
This was on a father-son fishing day near Evergreen, Colorado. Yes, they had a blast. No, they did not catch any fish. Maybe Connor is growing inches everyday (or so it seems).

Ready for a dive

Quinn's looking at the world through goggle-colored classes. Not sure if that's better than the rose-colored glasses, but she is prepared to go underwater at a moments notice.

Hello Weekend...I've been waiting.

Wanna come over?

Way more fun than eating vegetables

Connor spent some time back in the Midwest with both sets of grandparents in July and had a ball. Unfortunately in this photo I don't think he was having any fun at all.

Appetite for Destruction

It's amazing how quickly one can slip from hippie chick to Axl Rose. Considering Miss Quinn, I think it's much more likely that she'll be heading on the "Night Train" into the "Jungle" than eating organic and going around with unshaven arm pits. (HA HA! I kill me!)