Worst Idea Ever?!

Indtroducing the "Belly-Up"

There have been a lot of great changes in maternity clothes in the last five years that I am enjoying, however this will definately NOT be one of them! Now your pants won't just slide down, but they will take your bra south with them...simply genius.

I wish someone would focus their energy on making great nursing bras. Any suggestions?

I'd Like to Declare My Independence...

from DIAPERS!!!! Yep, after five plus years of changing at least one little boy's diapers, if not two, we are done. This little guy decided, if you know Lukey you know it had to be his idea, to be done being a baby about two weeks ago. Thanks to Courtney's great tips, it was a relatively painless process (minus the first four days). I put away the training potty yesterday and it is official. Way to big a big guy Lukes.

Boys!

If you ask the boys where they left their shoes, often they will answer, "in the room where we fight". These videos are taken in that favorite spot in our new house. Growing up with just one sister, this wrestling thing is new to me, but the boys love it! At least they are learning teamwork. Can't wait till one more joins the crew. Welcome to a little piece of my life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuUCRt-uf18
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHAE_iiMXUM


PS Garrett you can come join in anytime!

7th Honeymoon/ "Staycation"

Since we got married we have gone on at least one trip together each year. It has been a great tradition that I look forward to each time. This year, our seventh anniversary/honeymoon had to be spent within a reasonable distance of a hospitial and my beloved OBGYN, just in case, so we chose Scottsdale for the occasion.
The Montelucia. We've been lucky to stay at a few resorts in the valley, but this was by far the best one! It was so relaxing, quiet and gorgeous. It sits right next to Camelback and the view from the pools is incredible. Brian loved climbing Camelback in the morning and I loved sleeping in uninterupted. We layed out, ate out and were just generally lazy.

This was my favorite find of the weekend. We went to this restaurant for lunch and the Salmon was simply divine. Highly recommend the hotel and the restaurant.

For our actual anniversary last night we took the boys to Golden Spoon to celebrate the brithday of our family. They thought that was pretty cool.

Thanks to everyone who watched our kids and did such a great job that they didn't care if we even came back!

Happy seven years to my sweet husband who remembers all the good things about me even when lots of fun hormones get in the way. I love you babe and the wonderful life we have.

The Death Hours

Sometime between 5pm and the time my husband walks through the front door, motherhood becomes overwhelming. All the creative fun things I've planned for the day are done, the deep fatigue of the late night/early morning cocktail kick in, and I am spent. My half naked boys are left to their own devices playing machine guns with my heels in the closet and I shut the door to the not so tidy laundry room and contemplate whether PB&Js constitute a nutritious dinner if it is served on my homemade bread (at least its got some fiber!).
This isn't always the case, but between being pregnant, my weekly progesterone shot, which staves off the preterm labor and transforms me into a super emotional walking zombie for forty-eight hours, at least two days a week this is commonplace in my home right now.
Just felt the need to document, everyone tells me someday I will miss this. Really...Really????

Just try and keep up with the Jones'

Summer = BUSY!

I feel like I had a ton more time when we were all in school. June has brought gorgeous weather, swim lessons, Spanish/Space/Science Camp for Jeffey and Lukey, library time, Movie Fridays, basketball camp for Ben and eating lunch in the van again.

However, we are finding time to celebrate the little things:

1.Luke is well on his way to being potty-trained (or "grass-trained" as he prefers to take care of things watering the lawn than on the porcelin throne).

2.I am twenty-one weeks pregnant with no signs of labor...yeah!!! Somehow I still manage to squeeze in the vital rest time every afternoon. (everyone knock on something wood)

3. Jeff can snap his fingers.

4. Our little garden, which consists of one cherry tomato plant, two squash plants and lots of flowers, continues to flourish.

We can't wait till things slow down next week and we can play with friends. Hope everyone is having a great summer.

Cabin Fever

A wise mother once said "Kids need dirt and sun to grow". I couldn't agree more. Add some water, great friends, fantastic food and a very well-behaved, patient dog and you have the perfect Memorial Day Weekend. (and a lot of pictures!!!) Hiking to a little spring, the kids thought it was so cool that the water was coming out of the hill.

Having a picnic lunch by the river and practicing fishing made the perfect first day.

Ava loved riding with the boys in the van and they didn't mind either. A girl that has a dog is pretty cool in their books even if she is a girl!

The river proved too much temptation for the boys and Kim and I watched our husbands transport back in time to boy scout days as they attempted to make a "bridge" across the creek. In the end they were wet past their knees and the kids had a great time crossing with their daddy's.

I think Kona's straightforward approach worked the best!

We got to discover hail as we waited out the weather between fishing.

It's hard to complain about the weather when it is this fun.

Even Lukey found a great way to enjoy the cool day.

We had great luck finding fish and Daddy made everyone feel great about the size of their fishes! (I think he caught some bigger ones when the camera wasn't around)

I was the reigning champ for the biggest one, for about fifteen minutes until Mike took the weekend title.

Lukey liked Ava's princess fishing rod and had fun "casting" into the rocks.

This little boy was so patient and loved sitting by the river. He was great at casting and reeling in the fish all by himself. He also mastered the art of whistling while we were at the cabin.

Benjamin's first fish.

Jeffey caught the first fish, but Daddy didn't have the camera. He was also the only brave one that ate the day's catch. We had a fantastic trout feast.

Most of all it was just so fun to be able to be outside and play! I also enjoyed the time I got to cuddle with sweet Ella and MilaBelle. Thanks Kim and Leah for sharing your little girls. I love when we get to get away and hang out as a family. Can't wait till next year.