love is the only thing that can be endlessly divided and never diminish.

2011-12-24T07:45:00.000-08:00

It's Christmas EVE!!

I wanted to show off my little family!

I hardly ever get around to doing my own holiday card, but thanks for my dear friend Courtney, she made me sit down and do it this year!

Hopefully everyone has a magical holiday season, and I hope that we can all remember the reason for this wonderful time of year, the birth of our Savior!

Merry Christmas to all, and Happy New Year!

Yes, we're still alive.

2011-10-19T22:58:00.001-07:00

And still busy, busy.
I apologize that the blog has taken a backseat.
Orange Tree has taken over most of my screen time, and Instagram is just so much easier than blogging.

Here is a video of 3-year old Cannon surprising us with a little song.
The pronunciations are killing me.

I love this kid . . . to pieces.

I'll try to get some details of our Fall Break trip to visit Rob & Corinne up soon!

I'll share a few Instagram pics for your non-instagrammers later this week . . . maybe.

Newport Beach 2011

2011-09-22T16:22:00.000-07:00

It was a heavenly vacation.
I should have posted about it weeks ago.

I've been busy, busy over at my Orange Tree Papers site!
Check out the new facebook page here.
Redesigned the blog a bit too.

Anyway, here are some pictures from our 9-day escape to Southern California.

Great times.
Great friends.
Great memories.

This was my view from my chair.
I couldn't think of a better way to spend the week.
The kids loved going out on the rock wall and spotting crabs, starfish, etc.

Lily and her cousin Abby

All the kiddos.
Dave would dig a giant hole for them everyday.
They loved it.

They found a sand crab.
Poor crab.
Pretty sure he's passed on. RIP.

Sweet Benson.

Surfer dude.
Huggies can hold some serious liquid.

This little man played a trick on me and was hiding in the sand.
He had the hat and sand strainer strategically placed over his face by his Daddy.
I was looking for him and standing right on his body.
He didn't even laugh or make a peep!
Little trickster.

The kiddos will all their loot outside the Balboa Island candy store.

Me and my man.

The babes.

On the Balboa Island Ferry.

We met up with my parents for the last two days of our trip in Hermosa Beach, CA
My older brother lives - about 100 meters from the beach.
Can you spell J.E.A.L.O.U.S??
I can't even imagine.

Here is a picture of Lily & Nana.

Cannon running.
I was afraid he'd fall on this pathway from the beach to Casey's place.
He did.
Skinned his knee pretty good.
Oh well.
At least he had fun running.

How lucky am I?
Could I have more handsome boys?

Uncle Casey playing some beach volleyball.

His sweet girlfriend Helen.

So much fun with my family.
Can't wait until next year.

Cannon is a preschooler!

2011-09-09T09:56:00.000-07:00

Little Can-man started preschool with Miss Heather this week!

To say he was excited is a HUGE understatement.

He was ready!

He did great.

He started a sports class with Coach Lance last week too.

He loved it!

If your little guy is interested in doing sport class get info on it here.

So proud of my Cannon.
On Thursday he came home with a "Book about Cannon", where he answered some questions, I have to share a few answers . . .

A food he does not like to eat: rotten pears
Favorite place to go: Nana's
Something that makes him happy: when balloons float in the air
something that makes him sad: when someone hits me
My Mom's name is: Auburn
My Dad's name is: Daddy

Best year.

2011-08-30T14:15:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe sweet Benson has been with us for one year!
Best year of my life so far.
It wasn't the best year because life has been perfect.
(In fact, if I'm being honest, lots of things about this year have been really difficult!)
It was the best year because I got to spend it with this little man and his two siblings.
I'm so blessed to have three healthy kids.

The fact that they are this cute is just a bonus.

While I'm on the subject of blessings - that man holding Benson.

BEST. DAD. EVER.

(and I'm a sucker for that dimple in his cheek . . . just sayin)

Happy birthday little Benson.
We love you and your sweet personality.

chillin'

2011-08-12T14:52:00.000-07:00

We've been using the endless pool swim machine a lot this summer.

It creates a current like a lazy river and the kids float in circles around the pool.

They. LOVE. it.

kindergarten

2011-08-10T14:37:00.000-07:00

It's the start of a new era.

I have a kid in school.

I can't believe it.

She loved it.

Her teacher is great!

I didn't cry.

I was pretty proud of myself.

Granted, she's only half-day and I pick her up at 10:45,

So she wasn't gone all that long.

My sweet kindergartner . . .

being silly . . .

This was the only part where I almost cried.

Standing in line with the 18 other kids.

Her cute little wave to me, and her "bye mommy".

But, I held it in.

I love this girl.

I'm so proud of her.

my girl is five

2011-07-31T09:12:00.000-07:00

Lily is FIVE!

We're pretty stingy with birthday parties around here.

You only get a "friend party" when you turn 5, 8, 12, 16.

Lily had her party a few days before her actual birthday.

She wanted a "rainbow/art" theme, since she loves to do art projects.

First of all I have to say "thanks" to this beautiful sis-in-law of mine for taking pictures for me during the party.

I'm REALLY sad that she moves to Germany today.

Like, REALLY sad.

Having her here in town all summer kind of spoiled me.

We started with Mimi leading the girls in the "chicken dance".

Mimi was SO helpful at the party.

I was so glad to have both she and my Mom helping me out!

The Aunt Lara lead the girls in the peanut butter song.

I read them a story about rainbows.

Lily loves a good story.

She's gonna love kindergarten.

We decorated cookies with all different colors of icing.

Mimi painted rainbows on their faces.

This was the only boy who was invited to the party.

Lucky guy.

We had a pinata...

we had cupcakes...

eating the cupcakes . . . Cannon looking pretty comfortable in the middle of all the ladies . . .

and finally - opening presents!

What a fun party it was.

Glad I don't have to plan another one until Cannon turns five in two years.

Can't believe little Benson is turning one in a month!

first

2011-07-29T21:12:00.000-07:00

Little B had his first sucker at Lily's birthday party today.

See that death grip?

He wasn't lettin' go.

More to come on Lily's Rainbow party.

Benson walks!

2011-07-24T21:30:00.001-07:00

Dave and I leave for a few days and this is what we come home to . . .

Do we seem a little excited?

I can't believe it!

He's not a baby anymore.

My favorite part?

Lily videoing on one phone, while Daddy videos on the other.

We love you Bens.

Ready or not . . . here it comes.

2011-06-28T09:34:00.000-07:00

Are we ready for this girl??

Lily: Mom, can I go on a date with my boyfriend?
Mom: Um, well, how old are you? (I'm not sure how old she's pretending to be, you know?)
Lily: Mom, you know how old I am. (said while rolling her eyes)
Mom: How old?
Lily: Nine.
Mom: Then, no, you can't go on a date.
Lily: Why?
Mom: Cause you gotta be sixteen to go on a date.
Lily: Why?
Mom: Cause that's the rule at our house.
Lily: Well then can I go on a date tomorrow?
Mom: Will you be sixteen tomorrow?
Lily: No.
Mom: Then no.
Lily: (insert whiny voice) But mom, there won't be any dates when I'm sixteen.

(How do you like our new alligator? Her name is Mary. She was a present from Nana and Poppy.)

lucky

2011-06-13T12:37:00.000-07:00

Lucky me.

I have such talented friends.

The least of which, is the amazing Pied Piper.

We were due for some family pictures, and she captured my little babes perfectly.

You can check out her blog post with some pictures here.

I had to include a few of my favorites on this post . . .

Thanks Lindsay!

We love you!

neighborhood 5k

2011-05-18T14:41:00.000-07:00

This weekend I got to participate in my neighbor, Spencer Zimmerman's eagle project.

It was a 5k race to raise money for the Cerebral Palsy Foundation.

It was a perfect Saturday morning activity!

If you need a good cry - watch this video about my amazing neighbors:

Dayton's Legs

Here are a few pictures from Dayton's Dash.

Some taken by Amy Fraughton Photography and others by Lindsay Brummer Photography!

Glad these fabulous photographers were there to get photos of this fun event!

Spencer pushing Dayton at the start of the race.

(lindsay brummer photography)

Crossing the finish line.

(lindsay brummer photography)

Hugs from my family.

As soon as I finish a race I'm immediately looking for Dave and the kiddos.

The race isn't complete until I see them!!

(amy fraughton photography)

My cheerleaders.

Cutest cheering section I've ever seen.

(amy fraughton photography)

Thanks Spencer for a great activity!

What a great idea for an Eagle Project.

He raised over $2300 for the foundation!

FULLY trained.

2011-04-24T15:25:00.000-07:00

Yep.

Cannon really is FULLY potty-trained.

So much so, that he can't just non-chalantly pee in the pool.

We have the kids who pee in the rocks next to the pool.

That's what they have been taught to do at our house.

Inappropriate, huh?

Yeah well, we don't have a bathroom right off of our pool and when you are trying to watch the swimmers and keep the non-swimmers from drowning, peeing in the rocks is a necessity.

That said, the plants in the "pee" corner of the yard seem to be thriving.

Well at least we'll never have one of those kids who turns the water yellow at the public pool . . . or will we?

Rob and Corinne came in town with her family and spent a week at the J.W. Marriott in North Scottsdale.

We went up on Friday after Dave got off work for a swim in the POSH hotel pool.

This was no small pool.

Cannon had been swimming for a bit and needed to go pee.

He asked if he could go in the rocks.

We said no.

We quietly told him to just pee in the pool.

Awful, right?

In our defense the bathrooms were a LONG way away.

Cannon, being the obedient child that he is, promptly walked over to the side of the pool, dropped his pants, and peed right off the edge.

It was like one of those bad Calvin & Hobbes comic strips.

I was MORTIFIED.

Dave and his brother Rob are cracking up like it's the funniest thing they have ever seen.

Needless to say, we packed up and headed out.

I'm sure the other hotel guests weren't too sad to see us go.

So, you can imagine my shock at receiving this little gem of a letter in the mail on Monday . . .

I really thought it was real.

I mean, I called Dave at work freaking out real . . . until I noticed the name.

My Dad thinks he's pretty funny for coming up with this . . . and he is.

happenings

2011-04-08T21:05:00.000-07:00

We potty trained Cannon.

He has never really showed much interest, and I was busy with Benson so I decided that I would wait until he was three.

We started on Saturday and by Tuesday I was feeling like I could leave the house without incident.

We were at target today and as I was checking out Cannon told me he needed to pee.

We rolled our huge cart, and all three kids right on into the bathroom.

There were two other people in the stalls.

Since we were at Target bright and early (8:00 am), the toilets still had the blue toilet bowl cleaner in the water from the night before.

Cannon sits down and starts peeing and Lily is looking over his you-know-what yelling, "it's turning green Mom, the water is turning GREEN - I wanna try and go in it too!"

I could hear the lady in the stall next to us snickering, and then she suddenly says, "hey guys, mine's turning green too!"

I'm glad someone else can find the humor in those situations!

We're proud of our little Cannon.

He looks so grown up in his big boy underwear.

Lily was really into April fools day this year.

She played some pretty cute tricks on us, but the best was when she came downstairs dressed in head-to-toe TEAL.

Dave was getting ready to leave for work and he was saying good-bye to the kids.

Lily was laying on the ground stiff as a board and he was trying to pick her up to hug her.

He says, "oh no, she's a toothpick!", and Lily says, "No Daddy! I'm a pickle!"

What a little trickster.

I love TEAL pickles.

In other news, Mimi & Papa gave Cannon a tool box with with real boards and nails for his birthday.

The kiddos have spent LOTS of time on the back porch hammering.

Lily told Mimi she wants a toolbox for her birthday too.

Lastly - a video of Benson laughing.

Could the sound of a baby laughing be any sweeter?

So precious.

I dare you not to smile.

Spiderman is three

2011-03-27T21:04:00.000-07:00

Spiderman turned three this month, and I'm just getting around to blogging it!

We had a party with cousins.

The kids had a blast.

Cannon loved playing at the park.

We went to one in Mesa that we don't go to very often.

Cannon would only stop playing long enough to open two of his presents.

Aunt Kristi gave Cannon this LEGIT spidey mask.

And we gave him the batman he is clutching in the picture below.

We had to open the rest of the presents the day after his party.

Thanks everyone for all of the fun gifts!

We enjoyed some ugly blue/red spiderman cupcakes that the kids thought were AWESOME.

Cannon inhaled his.

Literally.

He was sneezing red velvet out of those nostrils for a few minutes.

My sweet Lily and I . . .

Our superhero family . . .

A few facts about Cannon at age three . . .

You ARE NOT potty trained.

You LOVE anything superhero.

You like climbing trees.

You love Benson & Lily.

You love vegetables.

You are good at giving hugs and kisses and telling your family you love them.

You like Bob the Builder.

You respond well to love & logic parenting.

You are loud.

You are a great sleeper.

You don't especially like haircuts, but you endure them so patiently.

You cowlicks are still out of control.

You are SWEET.

You like to laugh.

You are a tease.

We love you.

**thanks aunt kristi for photographing everything**

one - two - three

2011-03-19T15:16:00.000-07:00

Cannon is turning THREE!

Growing so fast.

This little charmer is always telling me he loves me.

He also enjoys hitting my butt and saying "you're a hot mama"

I can't imagine where he learned that.

newborn

first birthday

second birthday

third birthday

to be continued . . .

hairs and lucky

2011-03-10T12:36:00.000-08:00

We cut Benson's hair for the first time.

That first trimming always makes me sad.

They keep happening earlier with each baby!

Dave doesn't have any tolerance for long scraggly hairs.

Looking back at old baby pictures of Cannon I realize we should have cut his much earlier.

Glad my husband knows what is best.

Here is a before picture of Benson.

Hard to tell, but he had this long patch going on it front.

Here he is checking on the new hair in the mirror.

He seems quite enamored with himself.

Here he is just being precious and cute.

As usual.

All three monkeys.

Best buddies.

Two still in their jammies.

Wish I looked that cute first thing in the morning.

I am lucky.

And so in love.

With Dave, and my babies.

six sweet months

2011-03-10T00:27:00.000-08:00

We've had some seriously sick kids around here.

I'm over it.

I'm blogging at 1:28 am because Lily is laying on her makeshift bed in my room.

Poor girl has been puking/dry heaving since 8:00 p.m.

Hoping it's just a 24 hour flu.

Really hoping no one else gets this particular bug.

Especially my two already sick little boys!

On a much happier note.

Little Benson has been in our family for 6 months.

He's spoiled rotten with hugs and kisses all day from his family.

Lily and Cannon love him more than I could have imagined.

I thought maybe they would get bored with him - I was wrong.

Way wrong.

They are always in his face, trying to get him to smile or laugh.

Giving him kisses/hugs.

Playing with him.

Handing him toys.

We gave him his first haircut last week.

I plan on posting pictures of that, but not right now.

I'm still hoping that Lily will fall asleep sometime tonight.

Either way - it's gonna be a LOOOOOONNNNGGG day tomorrow.

We took a few pictures of our Benson today and I'll share just one of my favorites for now.

Sweet Benson, we are so happy you are in our family.

A few fun facts about you . . .

You are happy.

It takes a LOT to make you cry.

You are quick to smile.

You are not really interested in holding your own bottle.

(why would you, when you can just have someone hold it for you?)

You love your binkies.

The playmat with the jingle bell dad put up at the top is your favorite toy.

Lily and Cannon make you the happiest.

You love your Mommy.

You are just starting to try and sit up.

You have the stinkiest baby poop your Dad and I have ever smelled.

You usually wake up in your crib and just quietly play until we come get you.

Your gag reflex is OUT. OF. CONTROL.

You have no interest in solid foods, but we'll keep trying!

You drool a lot.

You have a fuzzy head that I love to kiss.

Your cheeks are so soft.

You are not a big fan of the bumbo.

WELL . . .

That's enough for now.

Hopefully more pictures to come.

If we can get all three kids well again!

Coming soon Cannon-ball's third birthday!

He's growing up so fast!

neglected

2011-03-02T08:33:00.000-08:00

Yes the blog is.

I know i've been bad about posting.

I heard through the grapevine that Uncle Chance is patiently awaiting new pictures of the monkeys.

I will be taking some 6-month pics of Benson this weekend, so I promise I'll post some soon!

I have been really busy.

For those who didn't know, Synergy Dental Group is moving!

They are building a new location just one mile from where they are at now, and it's going to be great for the practice!!

Such a great move for their growing practice - great for the staff and the patients.

They should move in in 5-6 weeks!

Construction of the new office is well under way, and decorating that is taking some serious time!

It's gonna look great, but just finding the perfect chair here for the waiting room took two days, and that's just one detail!

The paint colors, the pictures, the rug, the kids area, the list goes on!

Dave's new office isn't the only thing under construction, we are doing a little remodel on ourhouse and adding a playroom & big closet and that should start next week!

I can't wait!

In other news, I ran the Ragnar Del Sol relay race this past weekend.

You might remember this post from last year's race.

So glad I wasn't pregnant and running it this year!

The girls and I had a blast, but I probably should have paid attention to the fact that my first 8.3 mile leg (see below) was pretty much all uphill . . . remind me again why I volunteered to be runner 1? Oh, and 8.3 somehow read 8.6 miles on my garmin!

I almost died when the Garmin hit 8.3 and I wasn't even seeing the exchange point yet!

Oh well, I survived, right?!?

It made my second 7-mile leg that was flat as a pancake seem like a walk in the park! And my third leg was a hilly 3.5 miler at 5:00am Saturday, but I was running knowing that I was almost done, so it seemed easy!

Ragnar races are crazy, but so fun, I know I'll do it every year!

Here is a shot of my team: "Babes with Babes" at the finish line...

We got third in our division, which was surprising, because we were really just out to have a good time!

Way to go you fast little ladies!

More to come, I promise.

Remember - good things come to those who wait.

wishing and hoping . . .

2011-02-05T09:45:00.000-08:00

My friend Sally just posted about our great friends Chris & Christy on her blog, and I thought it was a great idea. Everything Sally says about them is true!

We were at dinner with them last night and they are babysitting their three young nephews for the weekend. It was so fun to watch them. They were great with the boys - so attentive and loving. They will be fabulous parents - hopefully someday soon.

Christy has been one of my running buddies for the last year or so and I love her dearly. She amazes me with her faith, and patience through her journey to become a mother. I can't imagine how painful it is and has been.

I'm gonna share a few of my favorite things about Chris & Christy:

I love that they NEVER make you feel guilty about having your own family, and being able to bear children. I remember one day on a run Christy said to me, "we don't see other people and want their baby, we're just waiting for OUR baby". I loved that. I can't wait for a birth mother to give them THEIR baby.

Another special memory I have of Christy was when she came to visit me in the hospital after I had Benson. I know that was difficult for her, but she came, and she was excited for me. She already has the heart of a mother.

And . . . let's not forget Chris. He's our home teacher and he comes over faithfully every month. He's smart, kind, provides well for their family, and he adores Christy,

I'm including one of my favorite pictures of Christy with this post. It was from our Ragnar race last year. She's adorable, fun, sweet, and faithful.

You can learn more about Chris & Christy by clicking on the adoption button on the right side of my blog. Feel free to share their profile with anyone who might need it!

Love you guys.

cinco

2011-01-21T14:08:00.000-08:00

FIVE

months

already?

(well not quite, but almost)

It feels like just yesterday I brought you home.
At the same time, it seems like you've always been with us.

We love it when you . . .

*sing to us*

*raise your eyebrows*

*suck on your fingers*

*laugh at your siblings*

*try to roll over*

*cuddle*

You are a happy boy.

We love you Benson.

holiday

2011-01-06T20:29:00.000-08:00

What a fun holiday season!

We found out in the middle of November that my parents had sold their house in Missouri. They were scheduled to close on January 5th and move to Arizona!!

They bought a house here two years ago, so they will be moving into that house about 5 miles away from us.

That news was the best Christmas present we could imagine!

We decided that we wanted to head back to Missouri so I could see the house I grew up in one last time.

We were flying out on Christmas day so we had the kids open presents on Christmas eve morning.

Since we were leaving we talked to Santa and asked him to come early. He agreed.

It was fun watching the kiddos get so excited!

Here is a picture from the morning with Mimi & Papa (they stopped by for a quick visit).

Don't the kids smiles look so natural?

Here is Daddy putting together Lily's new "big girl bike".

Lily entertaining Benson while Daddy puts her bike together.

The next day we flew to Missouri and had Christmas with my family.

My Aunts/Uncles/Grandparents live about 2 1/2 hours from my hometown so we stayed the night there.

Great-Grandmother made these blankets for all of us.

When we got back to my hometown there was snow and the kids were so excited to play in it.

Luckily Uncle Chance aka "Super Uncle" was there to entertain them in the snow for a bit.

The kids had SO. MUCH. FUN. with Chance.

Here are a few shots of them decorating a gingerbread house with him.

My grandmother helping Cannon.

Let's be honest, he was more into eating than decorating.

We always laugh about this fake smile that Lily does, Chance has the imitation down pat!

Who can lay there and pretend they are dead the longest.

Best game ever.

The kids got pretty good at it.

I wish they would play that game for me.

Only for Uncle Chance.

My Aunt Ginny, and my grandparents came up for my birthday (I turned 31 and Dave turned 37 in December).

Great-Grandmother, Lily & Benson

Aunt Ginny and Mr. Benson. Poor little Benson had a rough trip.

He did ok the first few days, but by the end, he was ready to get home and get back into a routine.

We had so much fun in Missouri.

It was bittersweet to leave my house for the last time, but so fun to start a new chapter with my parents here in Arizona!!

My parents begged to drive from Missouri to Arizona with my older kiddos (yes, you read that right), so Nana, Poppy, Lily & Cannon arrive here in Arizona tomorrow!

very very merry

2010-12-22T19:45:00.000-08:00

Neighbor gifts are done.

I enjoy putting them together with Dave every year.

I love how much he helps me with them.

Don't hold your breath waiting for a Christmas card from us.

I was busy with Orange Tree cards, so it's gonna be a valentine card from us again this year.

For now you'll just have to enjoy the holiday card that was attached to our neighbor gifts . . .

Hope your Christmas is wonderful!

orange tree update

2010-12-07T12:05:00.000-08:00

Click on the picture to find out about a free card design, and discounted cards from Orange Tree Papers!