Sneak Peek

Took Jack out yesterday evening for his annual photo session.

Here are a few of my favorites... of course the best one is on lock down for his birthday mailer this year. Wait for it...

Yes, this boys loves to be in front of the camera! Too funny.

Happy 32nd Birthday to my love! Can't wait to get family pictures done this weekend and share them with everyone.

Ramblings... {bulleted of course.}

• after taking a month off to focus on me, I am feeling like maybe we will try again this month for our baby.  I had been living in this weird limbo state of carrying around extra flab, not exercising, thinking for sure I'd get pregnant soon.  Well month after month of that finally got old... and wasn't working either, unless it was self-pity I was after.  I have been watching two little girls part time, and am more convinced than ever that a big family is "my thing." 
• we are making major progress towards our next investment property.  Financing is definitely more difficult now but I think we've got everything in order and are hopeful a deal will come together soon.
• Warren leaves for Alaska in less than two weeks!  I have this mixture of excitement for him and gut-wrenching anxiety at the thought of driving away from the airport without him.  I can't believe I have a nearly seven year old who is totally cool with flying solo for >5 hours to ALASKA!  He definitely shares the adventurous soul with his not too distant relatives that took them up there in the first place.  He is going to love it, and I am sure this will mark the beginning of his love affair with the Pacific Northwest.  What's not to love? 
• Bryan turns 32 tomorrow.  I am trying to think of something special to cook or do for him -- I have to admit I am not the best at all things birthday. 
• We took the boys swimming in Golden on Saturday.  They loved it!  So, I decided that is where we'll swim all Summer.  The water there is WARM and I just like how it is laid out.  I got a new bathing suit and am ready for lots of pool time this Summer. 
• Jack's preschool graduation is Friday.  I know I am a broken record but I can't believe he is starting Kindergarten.  Wow!
•  Bryan installed this great little nook/niche thing in the kitchen over the weekend and went ahead and wired for above and below cabinet lighting since he had the wall cut open.  I am hopeful that we will soon display family portraits (getting taken on Sunday downtown Denver outside!!)  in the new nook. 

• I went to a fun little Stella and Dot trunk show on Friday at a friend's house on Friday.  I am always a little blown away and tickled when someone has portraits I've taken on display at their house.  So gratifying.  And I am super excited for my wrap leather bracelet and darling earrings to come in the mail. 
• I really need to get Jack out for pictures to complete my mural wall upstairs... maybe this evening!  Stay tuned...
• Took all three kids grocery shopping on Sunday (I am crazy like that!) and this is just one of the many questionable scenes from that excursion:

[Three boys and a pool for 30 bucks?! Deal!]

Living with less is really more.

Over the last 12 months there has been a pretty silent but prevalent movement in our family to simplify. Scale back. Waste less. Use less. Organize even more. Strip back the unnecessary.

Maybe it's because with 3 kids we hit some magic threshold wherein we really see the value of our time and the potential mountain of crap that would permeate the walls of our house if we let it. I don't know.

But the movement persists happily.

And it is so refreshing to have cleared out spaces, a few bare cupboards, a few less monthly bills such as a land phone line, lots of tv channels, expensive hair cuts, junk birthday gifts bought at the last minute (I now exclusively give $10 birthday money to any child whose party we are invited to), and so many more things I can't think of right now.

This mindset will hopefully allow us to be better stewards of our income, as we would like to own another investment property very soon.

It hasn't been the most easy transition to really regard items and ask "do I really need this?" etc, and of course we still do treat ourselves to plenty of life's luxuries. But the focus is on quality not quantity and it really has helped our quality of life improve.

Living with less really is living more...

[Finally facing "the crate situation". These are just a fraction of the kids clothes we have stored in the garage. Going to go through and pick out the best stuff for Nolan for the next 5 years and donate the rest at my trip to get all of Warren's clothes for 2nd grade. Oh and look at my cute new ruffly Roxy purse I got on clearance... LOVE! :)... okay this caption is getting out of control...]

So, if you know me in real life, now you know why I am so obsessed with our gas/electricity and water bills (which were $138 and $59 respectively this month!) and why I am meal planning to use up ALL of the groceries we buy rather than falling into the trap of buying large quantities of "sale" items and ultimately throwing half of it away. This is working for us! :)

Random Thoughts.

I pity any rolly polly bug that Nolan crosses paths with. He crouches down, pokes at it until it rolls up, then picks it up and chucks it as far as he can. This is an improvement from his first two modes of attack, which involved jumping on them until they were little more than a tiny smear on the pavement or the super quick phase of popping them in his mouth much to the horror of his Mama, who was left scrambling to scoop rolly polly bits out of an uncooperative toddler's mouth. Yuck!

That was a long winded "random thought"... moving on!

This is what Jack's legs look like almost always. Doesn't he know that it pains his Mama to see her perfect little baby whom she works tirelessly to protect and nurture covered in scrapes, bruises, and whatever else that is...?

Here is Jack's Lego creation from yesterday. He told me it is a "contract killer shark." Which quickly made me recall how last week, when I picked Warren up from after school Lego club, his team name was the "AK-47 Bull Sharks"... boys... :) They are obsessed with sharks right now!

We went out for dinner the other night and Jack got Darth Vader balloon gear from the hired entertainment. Made it hard for him to eat, but it was too cute!  Love how the ladies behind him sitting at the bar are looking at him...

I am in love with this soda. Truthfully I love all soda, this one just so happens to give me a bit less guilt.

I took this boy to Starbucks last night to work on his homework packet.

He is so smart and got 100% on his recent standardized BEAR testing at school. 100%! As in no question wrong. As in it turns out he was spot on when he told me that "I'm sure I got 'em all right" when I asked him how it went a few weeks ago. My little brainiac!

That's all for now! So glad to see the sun again today and that it is FRIDAY!!

Today...

Today I have been giving my house some much needed TLC in the cleaning department, including washing the couch cushions, dusting, vacuuming, etc. I don't normally mind housework, but when I get behind on it like I was today it is much less fun and much more of a chore. It's amazing what just a couple hours of effort can make though.

And in between loads of laundry I am editing pictures from yesterday's session.

There was a whole lot of naked twin adorable-ness going on and some novelty kitchen shots too.

I still have way too many pictures to wade through and edit before I am done, and I am having so much fun going through these. Babies!

I can't wait to choose a few to print out for their sweet Mama.

Signed up for a photography field trip with a local photographer. If nothing else it will be a fun excursion with a friend!

It has been raining for 2 days now. I love the rain and apparently so does Nolan. Anytime we are outside he is squealing and says "funny rain!" Love the way he thinks.

Just another ordinary day!

Pre-kids Me

I was newly engaged, one step closer to marriage and my kids, which were of course still perfectly clean, well-mannered little figments of my imagination.

The grass was greener on my side.

It had yet to ever even once cross my mind that I might need to watch what I eat or that the bumble bee metabolism of mine might not last forever... or even past 30.

My legs were always shaved.

I slept through the night... every night.

Life was simple and good.

[I STILL have this skirt and wore it just the other day!]

But honestly, not even a fraction of the good and joy I have come to know in this crazy, busy, messy, hectic life I get to call my own currently. I wouldn't trade places for anything in the word... but I might like to stop and rest on that grass for a few minutes right about now.

Just sharin'...

...I am officially the worst entrepreneur ever.  I have done no marketing for my photography business, fail to update my website etc.  But I do LOVE what I do and have had plenty to keep me somewhat busy just through referrals... which is the best form of marketing anyways, right?

Here are some of my favorites from a recent session with beautiful twin girls...

So, don't be shy, which one is your favorite? Do tell!

Yet another hodgepodge post.

As much as he sometimes acts like he goes kicking and screaming, hubby has the "Green" bug too, I just know it.

Here he is with his beloved reel mower.  No emissions, getting some exercise, looking fly... love you babe.

{"Eco-Mowing!"}

{Our little "lawn"}

{See the birdhouse Jack made me?}

We went on a little mall train ride the other day. It was totally hokey but the boys LOVED it, especially little Nolan, who must have said "choo choo" fifty times during the 10 minute ride.

I had a great Mother's Day. I love the little things kids make at school. Here is what Warren gave me, a top ten Jay Leno style list (I especially love my second "virtue"):

Jack made me an adorable butterfly magnet, which he keeps threatening to take back any time he doesn't get his way... hmmm, need to work with him on his gift-giving mentality :)

Just took my sister to the airport this morning. We found her the most adorable little Volkswagen Rabbit, 2008 4 door, good as new car with a three year warranty. Can't believe it was within budget! What a find. She is going to Alaska just for a couple weeks and then back here to Colorado, where she is going to college. We had a nice visit taking the kids to parks, shopping, eating out... the usual!

I won't forget...

...no matter how big this kid gets, even when he's an adult...

...I'll always have this image in my head.

[Jack on his "monster trike" with his Lightning McQueen helmet, riding across the bridge to school.]

I can't believe he is graduating from preschool in a couple weeks. I think because he was the baby for so long and because we actually briefly considered stopping at two kids, Jack will always be "my baby" to an extent.

Love you, kiddo!

Momentum

Today, I packed up our swim-things, picked Warren up from school and headed directly to the rec center in a neighboring town, 'cause they have the best indoor swimming pool around.

I endure deafening noise in a tiny family locker room as three little bodies wriggle into trunks and a swim diaper for one. I put my own suit on finally after Nolan opens the door a bajillion times nearly exposing the whole scene to anyone happening by our door.

Ever put a swim suit on with one arm while restraining a toddler from opening the door with the other?

Oh you should definitely try it, it really sets the tone for taking three small children swimming.

We stop at the enormous mirror for a quick second for a posed picture all together.

::Here we are! Hope the Lifeguards are well rested and on high alert.::

And they're off...

I know, you almost need sunglasses to look at the pasty images of us! Someone at the pool kindly asked if we were Irish... I think that was an indirect way of saying "Holy Cow, you guys are white!" Oh well...

::Hopeless posers::

::Even flexing... already.::

I was so tickled to find this on my camera. Apparently Warren took it on one of his jaunts back to our table for a snack. I love that he has a penchant for taking pictures like his Mama. Thanks, Buddy. I am actually pictured on my own blog for once!  He's got some natural ability for getting a more than decent shot, I must say... 

We didn't even leave the pool until our normal dinner time, and I seriously almost called Bryan a hundred times on the way home to implore him to meet us out for dinner.  But, ultimately my reasonable side won out and I came home and whipped this up:

This has quickly become a favorite. Caesar pasta (just rotini with Caesar dressing and some croutons) with chicken and broccoli tossed in. So simple and filling and good.  But next time I will need two heads of broccoli for this ravenous bunch!

So there you have it, keeping up momentum for being less lame these days.

How's this for random?

Salad with hummus for dressing... my favorite food of the moment.  Yes, I buy the family size tub... for myself!  It is that good.  I could eat it all day long -- oh wait I do! Supermom Food!

Just booked family portraits with this awesome photographer.  Going for a downtown urban edgy session.  So excited to see what she can manage to do with our crazy family.  I am anxious to plan our outfits and keep everyone bruise, blemish, and scratch free until the shoot!

We are SO overdue for family pictures...

A good friend of mine visited yesterday and brought me the most fantastic gift... I'll have to get a picture of myself wearing it soon to share.  I know, such a tease!  Anyhow, my boys stripped down to their underwear within minutes of her arrival and were complete nuts.  Sweet... but still nuts.  I think she had to be counting her blessings for having a girl by the time she left. 

Just realized Mother's Day is this weekend!  Sorry in advance, Mom, if your gift comes late.  You know, the gift I have yet to get and mail.  Love ya!

As seen in {my laundry room}

I spend a lot of time in the laundry room.

And particularly at the utility sink, rinsing things out, half-heartedly doing stain removal, washing my hands, cracking open soap nuts, weighing myself way more than I probably should (I have gained nearly 10 pounds since December, ugh. That's another post for another day.), hanging clothes to dry, and looking West out the window in the direction the weather usually approaches from.

Many days this mirror is the only reflection I see of myself, so it's a good thing that I get to see my grungy, sweat-wearing self framed so beautifully with roses. I love this mirror. Actually brought it from the basement bathroom at our old house.

Me+Laundry=love/hate relationship, but don't you dare try to "help" in this vicinity because my complete type A control freak side will come out and unless you know my exact recipe of h2o2, oxyclean, soap nuts, essential oils, and washer settings you best just stay out :)

Trying to be less lame.

We actually left our little cocoon today and ventured out.

Crazy, I know...

We headed West, to the town where Bryan and I went to college,

To a trail we hiked many times before we got married and started a family.

It wasn't the warmest of days, but a light jacket still cut it and I'm sure I would have complained more if it was too hot.

I held up the rear and snapped away...

Taking a break or two to let bikers past or let little legs rest.

There were lots of opportunities for those same tired little legs to suddenly have enough energy to climb and climb...

And pose and pose...

And run and run...

The shrubbery seemed to be saying "is it Spring yet?"

While Reagan was surely thinking "this is the life!"

And I was thinking "I cannot believe Bryan managed to stuff Nolan in the Snuggli!" :)

Before we knew it, it was time to head back down...

I said "down!" boys. :)  "No you're not making me nervous, but why don't you come on down anyways?!"

I am proud of us for getting out.  The weather wasn't ideal and it is not the easiest thing to do these kinds of things with three small children.  But we persevere.  We are rock stars like that! :)