Halloween Fun

Last Saturday we went as a family to a nearby pumpkin patch. Every night for the past week we have been reading Halloween stories and so this was a perfect activity. Logan kept saying, this is just like the book mom! It was so much fun to see the kids pick out their favorite pumpkins and try to carry them to the car. Cameron loved sitting on the tractor while making "tractor" noises. Logan was determine to drive a tractor. I'm excited to make this one of our yearly traditions for Halloween.

Last week we also had a couple of friends over. I couldn't help but have some fun Halloween activities for us to do. We made the cutest Frankenstein paper plate candy holders. Then we decorated pumpkin cookies.

A Thousand Words

I love photography. I carry my camera around everywhere. I love taking pictures of simple things like leaves, old houses, doorways, etc. I love snapping a picture of a priceless moments with my kids or family when they aren't looking yet the picture captures exactly how they are feeling. I recently downloaded a photo shop program. I spent to much time yesterday playing around with the different features. It was fun to change the colors of the photo or crop a image out.

When I look at my pictures, I've always wondered, what makes a great picture? Is it the photography or is it the person looking at the picture? I think a great picture is when both people are somehow moved by a photo. Hope these pictures bring something special to your day. :)

Cameron

Yesterday I got to spend some "alone" time with Cameron while Logan and Jared hung out. At times I wonder if Cameron is getting enough attention. Being the 2nd child must be hard. It seems that Logan sometimes requires sooooo much attention, Cameron gets so much less. I know in reality this isn't true. But I can't help worry about it.

Cameron is such a sweet little guy. Lately he has been giving hugs and kisses all on his own. He'll just walk up and squeeze me. I love it. He loves being outside, around animals, and listening to music. He hates getting dressed, being told to come inside and he really dislikes sitting in the shopping cart. Jared and I think he was born speaking "Indian". He has full conversation with us that are full of babbling, yet his conversations are filled with such expression not only in his voice but in his hand gestures and face. It is clear he is telling us something. He loves to cuddle. He will sit with me for over an hour, which is a life savor if I'm not feeling good or just need some down time. I worry a little about how he will take having a new baby in our home. He gets really possessive if he is sitting with me and Logan tries to cuddle too. Currently he has learned how to say egg, park, boy, slide, chicken, cracker, color, eat, go, stop, and wash. The more words he learns the easier it is to figure out what he wants. However if he does get frustrated he throws his whole body onto the floor and kicks his feet. It's hard not to start laughing. I usually walk away so he doesn't see me smile. The funniest thing he does is try to wrestle with Logan. He will pull on his shirt until he falls down. Then he'll sit on him. Logan thinks its hilarious. We are very lucky to have Cameron in our family. I can't imagine life without him.

Boring Day

So today I was in a really bad mood. (Could it be from Logan waking up at 5:30 am to go to the bathroom but not to go back to sleep???) I just felt bored. I felt tired of doing the same thing, dishes, cleaning, cooking, playing cars, watching kid movies. Frankly I was sick of it! I sat on the couch thinking...I need something more. Yet I have plenty to do. I don't know what I want to be doing, but days like this I just want to be on the beach doing nothing.

Even though I felt completely useless today. I still managed to clean and to cook. I took the kids on two walks. We made Halloween spiders from egg cartoons. I tried to finish a really boring book while they watched a movie. I hope tomorrow brings a little excitement. But for now, I will finish my boring day with a boring blog. LOL

Transition

This week we all felt the cold air coming our way. I prefer 80 degree days and cooler nights. I DO NOT LIKE BEING COLD. However, the changing of seasons marks one of my favorite times for me. Fall pictures! I love dressing my kids up into cute outfits and taking them where there are pumpkins, hay, and trees. I love watching them be kids as I try to snap pictures of them. This year it was a little difficult to get both Cameron and Logan smiling in the same picture, but I still managed to get some great pictures. Logan has always had a "camera smile". Even as a baby he would smile on cue when he saw the camera. Cameron smiles when he is having fun or being tickled. I couldn't pick just one picture to share so I shared all of the pictures that I love. Each one catches Logan and Cameron's personality.

What is it about nap time that is so wonderful? I love nap time sooooo much. I don't know what I would do if my kids didn't take one. I love the quiet, the ability to finally do something for myself or the possibility of me even taking a nap. Logan has always been a great napper. He is a little over 4 and takes two or three a week. When he isn't napping he is at preschool or has quiet time. When he has quiet time, he will stay quiet in his bed for over an hour!!! For Logan this is awesome. Most the time is constantly at a go, so if I can get him to "sit" without entertaining for an hour, I'll take it. Cameron usually takes a two hour nap everyday. I love how predictable things are right now. I'm dreading the time when things aren't...I'm sure when this baby arrives I'll have to learn how to transition to a new schedule and routine. But until then I'm going to enjoy my quiet afternoons! (I just have to mention that Jared went hunting/fishing this weekend. At only 9 this morning I was done being mom. But then this afternoon we all took a 3 hour nap!!! That's unheard of, especially when all we did was sit around this morning. I was concerned about bedtime but both kids went to bed at 8:30. Someone was smiling on me today! Thank you thank you)

Hurray...It's my birthday

Today its officially my birthday! 31! Wow!!! I can't believe I'm over thirty. I remember being little and thinking 30 year olds were soooooo old. BUT THEY ARE NOT! No, I'm 31 but I'm very much still a kid. (I remember hearing that too.) Sometimes when I think about the past I wonder what my life would of been if I would of done this or that. But that is no way to live life. "You can't be happy with the road your on until your happy with the road you've been on." I read this quote a while back and it really stuck to me. There will always be things in your past that if you knew what you know now you would do differently. (Like sleeping! If I would've known that from the moment you are pregnant you'll never sleep again. I would of slept for a whole month :) ) But then you would not be the person you are today. I am the mom, the wife, and the friend I am today because of the experiences I've been through. I am very HAPPY with where I am today. I've decided to share 31 things I am greatly happy for. Enjoy reading.



1. Family-I love our little family of 4 growing into 5. Logan and Cameron bring such fun and energy to our daily lives. I also love knowing that my own brothers, sisters, and parents are just 20 minutes away! Jared-after 13 years of being together I love him beyond love-if possible.
2. Jared having a very stable job
3. Having a home!
4. Healthy kids-(Aside from the winter colds neither Logan or Cameron show any signs of allergies or unusual problems.)
5. Being able to stay home-even though at times I get stir crazy. I love the fact that I'm the one with my kids all day.
6. A fenced in yard!! I love being able to say, "Just go outside."
7. A finished basement- for the same reason..."Go downstairs and play."
8. Friends-both new and old. I don't know what I would do without them.
9. Having my my mom and my mother in law as one of my best friends. They both are very unique. I value their friendship and knowledge of life.
10. Living in a state that I don't have to worry about weather catastrophes. It's great comfort knowing how safe we are with the mountains surrounding us.
11. The ability to drive a short distance to do just about anything: swimming, hiking, camping, fishing, playgrounds, bowling, miniature golfing, walking, scenic drives etc.
12. My digital camera!!!
13. Portable DVD players-these are a lifesavers for those longer drives. Who am I kidding anything over 20 minutes I pop in a movie for the kids.
14. Jared being motivated and handy. That man never sits down!!!
15. Having 4 seasons- although I would like winter to be just a few weeks! I love the changing of the weather. It always gives me something to look forward to.
16. Showers without kids!!!
17. Laughter, especially when my boys laugh
18. Naps
19. Reaching the 12th week mark in my pregnancy. Finally after 8 weeks of being best friends with the toilet I'm finally not throwing up anymore.
20. Not being afraid of trying new things.
21. My teaching background
22. Surprises-Not big ones the little ones. A note hidden by your breakfast, or all the chores being randomly done.
23. Flowers-I love unique colors and shapes.
24. The Internet-it's wonderful to be able to have so much information right at your fingertips
25. The power of understanding-it may seem strange but sometimes when you take the time to understand a situation it solves a lot of problems.
26. That despite being a mom of 2 almost 3 kids I'm not totally crazy.
27. Books- the ability to escape reality
28. Fresh peaches...every July my mouth waters for them.
29. Being in walking distances of two parks-my salvation
30. Peanut butter and chocolate-mmm need I say more
31. Birthdays-a chance to reflect on the past year



I started celebrating today by going out to breakfast with Logan, Cameron, and Kate (the little girl I watch). I was really nervous to take all three to a restaurant alone. But I thought, it's my birthday, we will give it a try. If it doesn't work out we can just leave. Amazingly all three were next to perfect. We shared a pancake, egg, and sausage breakfast. I think Cameron and Kate ate mostly chocolate milk but I'm not complaining-no one was crying. I was glad that I took the leap and just went. It feels great that I can manage three toddlers all by myself in a public place. Tonight a great friend is watching the boys while Jared and I go out to a nice romantic dinner. Although this morning was accomplished without any problems. It will feel great to sit across from another adult without having to cut up his food and bribe him to eat.