a perfect beach day...

we headed out of church early to hit the beach... I feel like the end of summer is slipping away and this was an easy way to grab hold... Uncle Sean hadn't swam in the Atlantic so this was an exciting trip... we also have never been to the ocean with Mimi and Papa with the kiddos... we had a wonderful time... minus the seaweed and lack of waves.... there wasn't a cloud in the sky!... we finished off the night with Rota Springs ice cream...

california kid...

her hair just keeps getting blonder and blonder...
she belongs exactly where I was moving when I was her age..... beautiful Southern California...

morning routine... (I need help)

I have never been one to be able to go without breakfast.... so this really gets to me and my 5month pregnant body....

I first make C&D breakfast, serve them their milk....

while they eat I prepare mine....

and some coffee...

by the time I am done these are the looks I get.....


they think it time for them to have seconds and my breakfast gets pulled apart by the little "vultures"...

as a rule I don't share till they have completely finished their own or I am full....

but if I don't they scream fuss and this makes an awful start to our day....

what routine would work better? Any ideas veteran moms?

sweet red pepper baby...

the baby is now about the size of this pepper..... I know not a fruit but sometimes almost just as sweet as one.... Carter used my camera for the first time to get this shot.... he was so excited and had to have the strap around his neck and everything... we are starting to feel some great kicks from this little one and mama is getting her second wind- painting the office, designing a new room for Carter and dreaming of little girl crib bedding and quilting.... and I am trying to still get some sleep!

Blaney....

for those who cared, loved and sent loving remarks....


our Blaney is home from the hospital after an incidence of renal failure last week, she had been not eating, puking and then general lethargy before I (in my overgrown frazzled mind) realized there was something seriously wrong....

she spent a couple nights at the kitty hospital and on Thursday her levels were normal!... this was a surprise to even our new (and improved) vet which we are very grateful for!... she came home Thursday and has been recuperating very well... Carter was very concerned and the words "..... she may even die..." made him very scared...... I spoke too soon but I know he will have to know sometime...

in the mean time we have one loved kitty in our home who is starting to eat normally again and run away from Daisy like normal.... so happy to see her around and healthy!

why I will miss the Olympics...

I got a lot of scrapbooking done!


I can't say I was looking forward to it... and I regret those late nights but.... I did accomplish a ton of pages (I am caught up through March 2007) in the past two weeks!

he(Carter) was right!

I was wrong.....

this is our new baby girl!!!!!!

I am excited that Daisy will have a sister close in age to her.... I have ideas for their baby girl room swirling in my head tonight....





And I don't feel bad for Carter because he is so excited he (and most of you were right)...

the garden scene...

lets just say the garden looks much like my brain these days...



overgrown and frazzled....


the weeds have taken over, the last few zucs and summer squashes rotted and some of my tomatoes are too!


the cherry tomatoes are in abundance and have a great taste...


and the sunflowers are blooming...

the pole bean is as tall as the stick it's climbing up...

and this little bean is about the size of a tomato.... not the best specimen for the picture but it was about the right size...heard the heart beat again today... didn't catch the rate but Carter and Daisy heard it too!... sad news today... my doctor is resigning... I had to pick another one... choose the one who delivered Daisy... she seemed great even though I just met her that one time... we'll see, with my luck someone else will deliver me any ways (happened the last two times)... all my girlfriends will be sad since they go to the same doctor as I do... but she actually delivered their babies!... honestly the doctor only catches the baby... I do most of the work!

my little helper...

Daisy decided to help put the groceries away...



good thing I caught on before the Ben and Jerry's was too melted!

from the mouths of babes...

while I am salt and peppering a steak to broil for our Steak Gyros (they where yummy!) I turn the steak over and Carter walks by and ask:

"Why is that turkey so BIG?"


not a surprising comment from the son of the man who once asked:

"What's the difference between ham and pork chops? And Roast Beef?"


My culinary educating will never finish with these two around......
off to play kitchen with Carter!

thanks Mom!

I have my Christmas card right in the little spot on my scrapbook page.... wow! ask and you shall receive!

a mother of three....

Stephanie and Wes are in the process of adopting three children.... yes three!... ages 1, 3, and 5.... they are little Irish kids with Irish names- so fitting for Steph and Wes... the youngest a girl, oldest boys... we had a (kid) shower for her last night... kinda nice she doesn't need all that baby stuff!... it was fun shopping for older kids... Steph showed off her scrapbook (she's been doing such a great job! Marissa and I were impressed!) mostly I feel so happy for Steph... the blessing for these children to be brought into a loving home and for Stephanie as she fulfills a role of being a mother... something she has always wanted... if you think of it send a prayer out for them as they go through this process...


these two had issues over this little rocker....then they kissed and made up!

then it hit 8pm and they were crumbling!Stephanie practicing (we are so happy she will have a little girl the age of ours! Who wouda thunk?)

I need some help....

looking for a copy of our Christmas card from 2006 (the green background with red print paper on the front with the window and the pictures with love, joy, peace, hope).... if anyone still has a copy and doesn't mind giving it up I would love it!... I am missing it in my Christmas scrapbook... (Mom, I think you might still have it on your fridge)

three little Indians....

we are finally in the mode to have quest over for dinner... the house isn't perfect but we are in the state of mind that we are ready to share it with our friends and family...

so we had Brian and Rebekah over for dinner this past week... the play room was in full swing....

us adults were hanging out in the living room digesting BBQ and having brownie Sundaes when all the sudden Carter ran in and yelled "MARKERS!!!"... the guys ran to check out the scene and brought back three little Indians.... covered in war paint.... Carter the least and Daisy the most... which makes me think he was coloring her or the chair.... thank goodness it was all washable...


I am sure we will laugh about it for years!.... and we are so happy to finally share our new home with others....

a new favorite...

thinking about names tonight... and found this.... loads of fun!

a gift...

we were greatly surprised earlier this week when we realized were feeding our compost to blackberry bushes... just on more of the many things this home has to offer!