if your happy and you know it

...clap your hands!!!
L LOVES TO CLAP.

almost one

Justin and I voted and we think L is the cutest at this age. We just can't get enough of him.

early release day

What fun! The kids got out of school early today. We called up our good friends and met at a farm near us. The kids had a good time, even though it was 90 degrees....(whatever happened to the fall air??? It felt like July or August not the end of September.) We were entertained with a rooster saying hello. The kids got a kick out of the pigs rolling in the mud bath. Hey I would have jumped in too with the heat. A bonded with the ducks, seriously he was talking to them and they were answering back. It was really cute.

M: "Does Daddy have potties at work?"
mom: "Yes he does."
M: "Are you sure?"
mom: "Yes sweetheart he does."
M: "Then why does he always have to go to the bathroom when he comes home?"
mom: "Good question. Why don't you ask Dad?" (I think it is because he knows he can lock the door and read all of his medical journals that are piling up without anyone 'bugging' him)

Becoming Jane

Wahoo! I feel rejuvenated. Two GNOs in one weekend. That is a record for me. A bunch of us got together and saw Becoming Jane Not only was it great company, I loved the film too. I never really pictured myself a Jane Austen fan but I guess I am a hopeless romantic. I am smitten.
(me, Allie, Rachael, Melanie, Jaqueline, Tonya, Ann)

GNO with the little girls too

Thanks Traci for a great night! The boys were at father/son's campout. So of course we had to celebrate and do girly stuff. We went to Panera Bread and then bought the new Barbie Island Princess movie.

a stroll down memory lane

I can't find all the pictures. I know we took more. It is a good thing that time can remove the mundane tasks that we did daily but I sure do remember some of the fun crazy times. Anyway in light of our unexpected reunion through the network of blogs I thought I should share a photo from the good ole days at the Registrar's Office. (Check out the old cubies!!! They were SWEET!)

precious cargo

we have been dejunking and so that means bringing things out of the attic getting rid of boxes or emptying them out. Well after dinner A announced, "get the packaging tape we are ready to be shipped to Aunt Bear Bear. We finally have a box big enough to ship us both." So Aunt Bear Bear get ready they will be on your doorstep shortly.

m conversation

car ride home from school with one of M's friends who is also in her class.

m: You can't come over to my house right now.

friend: why?

m: because we have bugs and they bite you. I had to wash all my dress-ups and put them away. Maybe you could come over when my house is less distracting.

friend: oh okay....(off on another topic)

(I think she meant disaster but one can't be sure. She said it so matter of factly. It sounds a little harsh in writing but it was said in the sweetest M voice)

not forgotten

ground zero in 2003 (Justin took the picture)
There were ashes in the broken street lights. It was surreal.

11 months old

I am in denial. Seriously...one more month and my baby will be 1 year old. He is loosing that baby look and heading for the toddler look overnight. L is a delight. He is shaking his head back and forth, to be silly and also amusing when he is throwing a fit. Man for such a little guy he sure does have a set of lungs. My friends don't believe me and say that I make stuff up. I invite them to my house or try to call them on the phone to prove my point and immediately he calms down, therefore proving them right that I just make it up. He is trouble...he loves to unload everything, in fact, right now he is unloading the diaper bag and gives me an innocent cheeser smile. "Mom you know I am cute and when I flash you this smile you can't be mad at me." We think it is only a short time until he starts walking. He doesn't like the hold my hands and let's walk. He prefers to "do it myself". He has four teeth, 2 bottom center teeth and then 1 front tooth with the tooth right next to it. We are hoping his other front tooth comes in quickly. For now it is cute when he flashes his snaggle tooth smile.

M's style

She came up with this all on her own. It is so fun to see how she puts different combinations together. They always end up cute.

a breath of fresh air

sea creature love