snow shoveling

When Chris and I were first married I day dreamed a lot (I'm a dreamer). But I didn't day dream about nice cars or fancy vacations. I dreamt about hanging out with our future children . . . I fantasized about making pankcakes together, popping popcorn for a family movie night, picking vegetables together in our garden. Last Saturday Chris took Hallie out with him to shovel snow. Some would think this was cruel punishment but for Hallie it was heaven. And what a great small moment Chris took to teach our daughter about the value of work. As I watched them I felt a little grab at my heart. This was totally something I would have day dreamed about when we were newlyweds. And now here we are! And then I ran back inside, slammed the garage door and left them in the cold.

Car Wash

Our Honda was in desperate need of a wash. Chris and I thought it would be fun to take the girls through. Hallie had been through before and loved it. And although it would be new for Claire, we hoped it would be exciting. Here are their reactions:



At least they had each other to cling to!

Winter Wonderland

I just took my longest blogging break since the summer of 2007 when my parents internet connection couldn't support photo uploads so I blogged thrice that entire two months. We have been busy with the holidays and then busy getting back into routine after the holidays. It is hard to march down to the basement to post photos when I could be upstairs playing with the Hallie, Claire, and Chris. Here was a great day of playing in December. I bundled up the kids and we went to play in the backyard. I was overzealous though because it was 49 degrees and when I took off Claire's snow suit she was sweaty! Even though Hallie hadn't been down the slide in months she still did her same routine. Go down the slide. Proclaim "I did it, Mommy!" Then shout "I'm gonna give you a hug and a kiss." Deliver said hug and kiss. Repeat routine. Twelve times.

living the dream

Here are some pictures of our day to day activities in November. This, my friends, is what I call living the dream. Spending each day in our home with my two love bugs and their father? Definite dream come true. What have we been up to lately? We've been watching cartoons, baking cookies and reading books. We did stage one of Christmas decorating (we've just done the family room so far). Our first big appliance died so we bought a new fridge/freezer. And we had family in town and went to the Army/Air Force football game. It's been a great month so far. Granted, this is the messiest time of my life. I always have crusty baby food on me and I rarely blow dry my hair or put on more make-up than LipSmackers chapstick. And on days like today, I much rather blog or make homemade Christmas gifts than do the laundry loads or sweeping I need to. But honestly, not a day goes by (or a even a couple hours) that I don't look at my kids or my husband or my home and go "How did I get so blessed?" And isn't that what Thanksgiving time is all about?

Photo bits

10/30 Chris and Hal build a snowman
10/13 Hallie loves her Aurora costume from Grandma and Grandpa S.
10/14 Adorable Hal in her new outfit from Grandma S.
9/12 Claire bundled in the car
10/21 Hallie officially gets into my makeup for the first time. I even saw her do it but I just let her. It's a little girl right of passage.

Sometimes they look so much alike. Sometimes they totally don't.
Clairey- five months

Hallie- five months

play time

the picnic on her swing
driving to Costco

Claire has had it with sitting
dress-up

Sunny September Days

Remember our snowy weather last week? Well, we have been cruising in the low 80s the last couple days. That is totally Colorado weather for you. Even though the warmth isn't quite your typical fall weather, I love it because it means Hallie and Claire can play outside for the meantime. Today Hallie was in love with picking dandelions. I remember loving that at her age. I can remember when my brother Daniel was born when I was three. I am dumbfounded that Hallie is already at an age where she could feasibly remember things like this for the rest of her life.

These will be precious memories though, won't they?