Our Fave!

i just had to make mention of my family's new favorite snack. These Archer Farms Fruit Strips are from Target and they are the best. One box doesn't last a day in my house. And...although i have a natural tendency to be drawn to the twinkie, oreo, cheetos type snack, i have become quite addicted to these. You have to try them...

Goofy Golfing!!

A few days ago I took the kids to Golfland. This was the first time I had ever played miniature golf with them.Cal actually had a great swing!

Max didn't take it very seriously...

just happy to have a good time.

This was Elle's first time and she was very serious about it. She was so intense, she only cracked a smile for a couple of pictures.

FUN!

Happy 7th and 8th birthday!

Today is both Max and my nephew Cade's birthdays! They were born on the same day exactly one year apart. Both of them are such fun-loving, smart, and happy kids! And... check out their adorable dimples! Happy Birthday, Boys!!

perfection

tonight i went to the movies.

i saw JUNO.

from opening song to closing credits,

it made me smile...

Little Wishes

Little boys are rough and wily little creatures - always onto the next adventure and trouble they can find. Little else seems important besides playing ball, superheroes, getting dirty, and rough-housing. But, sometimes, if I look and listen closely, my boys surprise me.

Today, at El Charro, I witnessed a sweet and tender exchange between Cal and Max.

On our way out, the boys stopped at the fountain and asked me for some pennies to drop in. I handed them each one penny and proceded to pay the cashier.

The two of them walked back to the fountain. Max paused and began reading the sign hanging directly across from him, "All donations given to the American Cancer Society to help fight cancer." Cal asked what it said and Max read it again, this time aloud. The two of them each looked at their pennies, then at each other. Max leaned over and whispered in Cal's ear. Then, both of them closed their eyes, and at the same time, dropped their pennies in the fountain.

As I followed them back to the car, I wondered what they wished for. They were unusually quiet as I began to drive out of the parking lot. Then, Cal turned to Max and said, "Maxy, that wish was a great idea. Our pennies will beat the cancer and Grandma can come back to us." There was such excitement and conviction in his little voice as if he was absolutely sure this would happen. Needless to say, it was a tearful drive home for all of us. I often get lost in my own sadness over losing my mom and easily forget that my children lost the grandma they adored. Today, they reminded me how much they miss her!

happy birthday, brianne!!

Today is my sister Bri's birthday! I am so proud of who she has become. She is truly the most positive, uplifting, fearless, and talented daughter, mother, wife, and sister. Her four adorable children are blessed to be able to call her "mommy." HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRI!!

Check out this show!

If you haven't already caught it, you have to check out the show Jon & Kate Plus Ei8ht on the TLC channel. It follows a couple who have one set of twins and a set of sextuplets throughout their daily lives. The kids are adorable and the parents are really funny. It is a good reminder that if they can do it with 8, I can certainly manage my 3.

(Notice the baby gate around the xmas tree!...too funny!!)

My little monkey!

Impulsiveness is something that I suffer from. I will impulsively paint my bedroom at midnight because I can't sleep and repaint it the next day because I hate it. I will impulsively eat an entire box of Ding Dongs and spend the rest of the week trying to exercise it off. I will impulsively throw out half the clothes in my closet and end up in tears the next day because I got rid of perfectly great things. And yesterday, I impulsively shaved my son's hair into a mohawk. I shaved his beautiful blond locks- the hair we had been trying desperately to grow out for the last several months. The most recent shave was a result of an unfortunate scissor incident where Cal (also apparently sufferring from impulsiveness) decided to reproduce a preschool craft project on his head. So, yesterday, for some unknown reason I thought...hmm...I'm bored...a mohawk...why not? Cal was game for the shave, but when he saw the mohawk, he decided it all had to go. The mohawk is gone and he has an adorable shave. I love it, though. It accentuates his cute ears! And, Cal loves it, also. He says he looks just like Ted and Grandpa!

Birthday Wishes!

My birthday is Saturday! I am not

girl who wants for alot. In fact, I am pretty darn happy with what I have. However... there are a few things that I know I won't get, but am secretly wishing for...

* A RED KITCHENAID MIXER I have always wanted one

* A DESK My computer setup is a total embarrassment
* A TROPICAL VACATION why not?

* BON JOVI TICKETS They are coming in April and are sold out!
* SUNSHINE AND 80 DEGREES Flip flops are calling me!

* SPEND ONE MORE DAY WITH MY MOM ...Can't hurt to dream...

Max is playing in JBA basketball this season. He is having a blast! His team includes many of his buddies from school and they are such great boys. Max loves this picture because he made this basket!