Snow Day...Take 2

We basically got one good snow this year, so we tried to take advantage of it as much as possible.  So what that means for you is more sledding pictures.  But this time there are more characters involved at least.  Great minds think alike I guess and everyone had the itch to go sledding on this particular day.  We were up at the park with a few friends and every time I turned around someone else was there and then even some of our family came up their too (with their hoosier sled in tow of course).  I mean it was a hoosier sled that had the admiration of the entire sledding hill I won't lie, but hoosier nonetheless.  The kids Dads even built up a ramp to get some air on the way down the hill.  We had a few minor crashes, but mostly just a bunch of laughs (at the kids' expense).  What a great Sunday, if every Sunday were like this one I might not hate winter as much.  It helped that on this particular day it wasn't all that cold outside so all the kids (and moms) lasted a really long time on the hill.  Good times, good times.  But now I'm ready to hang up the sled and move on to sunny days!

 

The Last Time

I've been thinking about "the last time" a lot lately.  I'm not really sure why, I'm guessing it has something to do with my kids getting older. But I've been thinking about all "the last times" we are about to have...or maybe already have had and don't even know it.  One day they will take a bath together for the last time, or take a bath at all for the last time.  One day I will hold them on my hip for the last time.  One day they will call me Mommy for the last time.  One day they will tell me no for the last time (okay maybe that one is wishful thinking).  You get the point though.  There are a lot of "last times" and a lot of them will sneak by me and I won't even know it.  I'm not sure if that is a good thing or not. Do I want to know when I'm holding them for the last time?  Probably not, I'd probably never let go.  But I have decided I should take more everyday pictures so I can always look back and remember the little things, the everyday things, the things that make all the crazy seem worth it.  And I can also pretend like these moments will last forever.

The Heder Family

Meet the Heder family.  They are just adorable.  Big Brother took a little bit to get warmed up to me, but by the end of the session he was ready for me to stay and play for a while.  Those toddlers, they eventually realize how awesome I am it just takes them a little bit longer ;).  Little Sis on the other hand thought I was super exciting and therefore she wouldn't dare sleep a wink.  Bright eyed she was, bright eyed and absolutely adorable.  She already has the entire family wrapped around her little finger.  And why wouldn't she, check her out...

Snow Fun

Well, it finally happened.  We got enough snow to use that new sled that Santa had brought us.  The boys bundled up and headed outside to test it out.  Nolan likes to think of it more as a snowboard than a sled and truth be told he's pretty good at it.  Both boys lasted more than 10 minutes, so Mom and Dad were not quite as annoyed with the dressing up process as it seemed to be worth it this year.  One day of fun in the snow is enough for me though, bring on Spring!

It Happened

We knew the day would come, and today we got front row tickets to the big discovery.  Let me set the scene.  Bennett and Violet were in the bathroom together (good, bad or indifferent...totally standard occurrence with these two).  Violet was taking her turn going potty.  And then this conversation went down...

      Bennett: Did you poop or pee?

      Violet:  Just peed silly.

      Bennett:  Did you pee out of your butt?

      Violet: giggle giggle giggle

      Bennett:  You don't have one of these. (as he whips his private part out of his pants)

      Violet:  giggle giggle, no I'm a girl!

At this point they both turned around to find Julia and I pointing and giggling, and then their conversation came to a screeching halt.  Something tells me this is not the last of this type of "discovery" for these two.  I'm really just wondering how long pointing and giggling will be an appropriate reaction for Julia and I to have!

10 Years

I don't think I can let this day pass without acknowledging the fact that 10 years ago today I said "I Do".  Crazy right?  10...TEN...1-0...5+5!  How is that even possible?  I'm not really a sappy person, at all, but 10 years of marriage is pretty awesome right?  No need for me to get all emotional with this blogpost, but I will say after 10 years I still think he's pretty cool and he deals with me so that might qualify him for sainthood.  Long story short...I think I'll keep him.  Happy Anniversary Chad!

Palm Springs

A few weeks ago Chad and I were lucky enough to spend a few glorious days in Palm Springs.  Chad was there for work...I was not.  Don't feel too bad for Chad, work was at a minimum and he had plenty of R&R himself.  I look so forward to this "work" trip every year.  We always have so much fun and this year was no exception.  We had great company, great accommodations and great weather.  What's not to love?  

Here are a few iPhone pics that I snapped while we were on the trip.  It pains me to not bring my big camera places sometimes, but for this trip I always force myself to detach for a few days.  So now you get to suffer through my snapshots of fast food joints, selfies and palm trees.  You might even catch a glimpse of Chad's stellar group selfie skills (note sarcasm).  

Turn One...Eat Cake

My niece Aubrey recently turned one.  There is nothing I love more than a good cake smash, so she was going to have to suffer through it no matter what.   With her mother as a consenting accomplice we decided to torture her and make her put on a tutu and pearls and pretend like she enjoyed eating cake while I "candidly" took her picture. It's like a rite of passage really.  She didn't exactly love eating the cake, but she did look adorable and that is all that matters!  I mean you really can't go wrong with a baby in a tutu, can I get an amen?  Here is a sneak peak at her session...