A really great day

I have a really great friend that I met at the park down the street 2 years ago. Her name is Stacy, she lives just a few streets away from us. Our boys were drawn to each other because of a love of Star Wars. We exchanged information and began a weekly play date for the kids to play and for us to chat. I knew her for several months before it came out that she was a Doctor. I find this impressive because I've never actually known a "real" doctor! I mean, I met doctors when I went to see them, but never had a friend that was a doctor...and a woman to boot! I was always impressed at her humility about that, and the fact that I didn't know for a long time is even more impressive (what is wrong with me that my question asking skills didn't get that out)? She chose to give up practicing to stay home with her son and eventually added a daughter to their family. I enjoyed intellectual conversations with her and "mom" conversations about this and that. After a while, we introduced our husbands to each other, and they got along quite well. Sometimes when we met at the park, I'd invite my other friends whom she became friends with. She has taught me a lot, and been an example to me that I will be forever grateful and humbled by. Sunday was a really special day for their family, and it was such a blessing to witness their joy.

My Grandparents

I am blessed to come from a great heritage. Even though I grew several states away from my grandparents, I've always had a great relationship with them. They came down to visit us several times a year when I was growing up. We went to Utah every year. When I went to college, I'd bring friends and roommates to their home and grandpa would make us super breakfasts and share stories with us. I love to see my children enjoying some of those same stories, and truly treasure the few days there were here with us.

Grandpa loves to tell stories and he loves a good audience. It looks like he's got the kids enthralled:)


Watching Tyler's musical on the camcorder

Great-grandma Faye reading to Alyssa

and eating a (wooden) peanut butter and jelly sandwich that Alyssa just made her

Grandpa combs grandma's hair to finish it off....isn't that precious???

Checking out the blogs of their other granddaughters. I made sure they left a comment:)

Grandpa helping Michael with a fence post (in the drizzle rain). He loves that Michael is a handy man after his own heart.

just a cuddle

Love is in the air....

I love holidays! I love Valentines Day! I was plotting so much the fun things I was going to do with my family, that I completely forgot to have my kids sit down the night before and carefully plan what they'd do for their friends...and forgot to send them with Tyler that morning. Luckily, I planned to go to the party anyway and brought them.

I got 2 dozen balloons the night before and spread heart confetti all over the floor from the kids bedroom, through the hallway, and to the family room where there was a small stuffed animal for each of them. I made heart shaped french toast and decorated the table, too. For Michael, I got him an engraved medal with his stas from the race he previously ran and placed with a great time. He got me chocolate covered (not just dipped) strawberries per my request every year from a local ice cream shop.

After I sent Tyler off to school, Matthew, Alyssa and I went to a little party for Alyssa's age girls. We have a fun little bunch from church, so that was fun to get together. They made and exchanged Valentines and jumped on the trampoline. I think Matthew enjoyed being the only boy.

My mom drove into town with my grandparents (from Utah) just in time for me to drop off Matthew and Alyssa and head over to Tylers school for his party. I've brought the little ones before and they do okay, but it was really nice to enjoy my time with just Tyler at school. Whenever I can, I take the opportunity to do that, no matter how much I have to shuffle because it is important to me and I know it means a lot to him. While his class was at recess, and I began to help decorated the room with a few other moms, Tyler passed out his invitations to each classmate (others did it that morning, but we forgot ours). We had a nice 15 minutes just the two of us in his classroom looking through his Valentines and him telling me about things around his classroom. It was a great bonding time, just the 2 of us. When the rest of the kids came in, the party began. Games, treats, stories, it was done. I took Tyler home with me early (I don't ever hesitate to do this) and caught up with everyone else.

My friend Stacy very kindly picked up our pre-ordered dinner for us, and met with my grandparents briefly. When Michael came home, we had heart shaped pizza's for dinner and sat around and chatted the evening away. A nice mellow ending to our Valentine's Day.

Cake Pops I made for our family and those I visit teach

Suckers mailed from Gma Duke

E-I-E-I-oops!

Tyler's 1st Grade Musical...It was so cute! Once I get our camcorder files on, I can share a song, but just take my word for it. Tyler was on the front row, had his finger in his nose at one point, but we loved it all the more:)KM--if you got any that night, shoot 'em my way:)

Battle wound

Michael got a "point blank" shot from the nerf gun Tyler was holding inches from his eye when it shot off. "It's all fun and games until somebody gets hurt."

Just a quick pic

A little pillow and blanket is a constant by my bedside...Alyssa makes her way here in the middle of the night nearly every night. This particular morning, I woke up to all 3 of my little ones asleep on the floor next to me....




Lots of pictures to come....we had a busy week!

Matthew & Alyssa

I rented a lens to try out and I took my 2 youngest to the greenbelt by my house when Tyler was at school. I was also practicing shooting in full sun, which is a difficult feat for me. I don't like to post picts of my kids on my photog blog, so I figured I'd post 'em here. I planned to just take 'em of alyssa b/c I had the whole outfit, but matthew wanted to wear a hat, too.