I've been thinking lately...

....about all the things for which I'm thankful. This morning when I went in to say good morning to my little boy, I started opening his blinds like I do every morning, and noticed a beautiful sunrise with such great shades of pink, orange, purple, and blue. I lifted my babe up and asked him what he saw? He told me he saw a beautiful color in the sky...and then told me he saw a big house. I'm glad he first noticed what I intended for him see. I love little things, like that sunrise. They tend to make me so happy, and I hope I can pass the love of the little wonders onto my kids.

While that might seem to have nothing to do with the picture I've posted, they are both very much intertwined. Like the sunrise, I am also thankful for wonderful friends. Life moves so fast, and I'm blessed to have great friends (along with the little wonders) that make this journey more enjoyable. (AND I'm thankful for my four year old, without whom this picture would not have been captured)

Happy Halloween...2009

Our Halloween this year was a hit thanks to a neighbor who put on a party for my whole crew, and everyone else, too! Here are some pics of who we were, what we did, and the fun we had. By the way...there was a little unfairness with the picture taking this year. You'll see I got a lot of my little clown (I wore that costume when I was little), and not so much of the other kids. I was on my own this year (Jeff was gone), and so I shot who I could and when I could. It seems Jennifer-Kate was the neediest child, therefore got the most camera time. As my mom always said, "the squeaking wheel gets the grease." This year also seemed to be the "big kid" defining year for me, because Maddie and Ethan took off with the big kids in the neighborhood, running from house to house, having contests to see who could get the most candy. After I lost site of them, I continued on with Charlie and Jen until Charlie declared it was too late to keep going because..."the moon was out." So we went home, dumped the loot on the ground and lay there eating candy and watching a movie till it was much too late, even for the mom. We could have just fallen asleep there with our blanket of empty candy wrappers, but we did manage to get into our beds. All in all, a great Halloween for us all!

Maddie: the SPY

This is our dog, Josie. Dressed like a princess.

Turning 30 + 2.....Happy Birthday to YOU!

This year for Jeff's B-day, we got to all be together in Dallas, TX. If being together as a family, at the same location, at the same time wasn't enough....we were also very lucky to be able to celebrate Jeff's big day with some good old friends (Tom and Sarah Tippetts) that we hadn't seen in years. The food was scrumptious, the cake (made by Sarah) was divine, the company was sweet, and the Birthday (I hope) will be one to remember.

Tess and Madison carrying out the cake.

Some were not as patient as others, waiting for the candles to be lit. I think Charlie decided that the frosting on the bottom of the candles tasted better than the wax...of which he managed to chew off a big chunk.

Tom and Sarah lighting the cake, which didn't take as long....

....as it took for Jeff to blow them out. Does this mean he doesn't get his Birthday wish?

My thoughts on marathoning:

I've decided that running a marathon with a great friend, is better than racing a marathon on your own. Every time I forget my speed, and just kick back and have fun, I actually do have fun! Imagine that. Despite my lack of training, I literally decided to run the marathon while picking up my race packet with my friend at the marathon expo. There was no Boston qualifying (like last time) but a far better and much more fun race than I ever expected! Thank you to Sherri...you ROCK!


">

Go you MIGHTY Cougars

The game was awesome! 14-13...enough said.

This is how we roll!

I still promise that summertime pics are coming, but in the meantime.... This is the look Charlie and Jennifer-Kate sported while waiting out with MJ and Ethan at the bus stop this morning. Yes, Charlie is wearing a pink sweater :) It was perfect, cause it matched the color on his toes!

Just having a little fun...thanks to a GREAT photographer!

We got family pictures taken for the first time in almost four years...here's a sneak peek.

And seriously, check her out: http://www.bethjansenphotography.com/blog/