December 2011 (otherwise known as the most unflattering post ever)

I just found  a bunch of awesome photos that my kids took over 5 years ago while we were visiting my parents at Christmastime. Everyone was home and it was so fun to be together! My kids took all of these photos and while there were plenty of unflattering photos of everyone, I didn't want to upset anyone by posting them! So I'm only sharing a few bad photos of everyone else and a lot of bad ones of me with a couple of good ones to make up for it. ha!

There are so many great things about this photo. The bacon. Shane's mug. Their jolly faces.

Our cute tiny Karter friend!

Geri and I in all our glory, clad in our nightgowns in our natural habitat.

Stunning.

I like this picture because I look like I'm 14.

Mallory was so tiny. Those are little gingerbread men on her jammies. Why did I let those go!?

Grandpa in his glory. Getting ready to fix something. 

Check that beard out!

I love these two. Emma is still Lily's favorite person and best friend.

Uncle Andrew is so much fun!

Playing this dance game was the best! I love the determination on Shane's face. He's so into it.

Shane! hahaha

Me and one of my girls' heads with Shalyce and Mason.

Mallory!

When the kids find lipstick in the car...

Clearly, these are not the greatest pictures but finding them and reminiscing was so much fun. THIS IS WHY I don't want to restrict my blog to beautiful and flattering photos only. Sometimes it's good but other times it forces you to leave the fun out. I love these bad photos and the memories they brought back to me on this April day over 5 years later.

Spring is here to stay...?

Spring is finally here! It has been teasing us for the last couple of months but it's finally here to stay. I can feel it! (edit: since posting this the weather has taken a turn for the worse. Wishful thinking.)

I have a hard time leaving my house when I start to feel overwhelmed with it. I want to do nothing but clean and tidy but I know I need to get my kids and myself out, especially when I'm feeling like there's too much to do! So we located shoes that were scattered all over the house, made sure everyone was wearing pants, and off we went to the park!

His sisters told him to pose like this. Oh my, this boy needs a brother!

Ella took a comfy nap while the other kids played.

The lilac trees are blooming all over town and they smell divine! My parents have a huge, beautiful one growing in their yard. It's such a magical little tree; I lovvve when it blooms. I can often be seen burying my face in it at this time of year.

Michael came home from work and joined us at the park.

Life is so much more fun when daddy's around!

Spending a few hours outside with my kids was just what we all needed. In the spring, the air is fresh and new and we breathe deeply and happily. We are a bit more cheerful and carefree.

I live for these little outings with my kids. When we are out together it's easy to let go of my worries and responsibilities and just be their mom. 

Grandpa's House

A few weeks ago we took the kids to Disneyland and had a fun day full of noise, color, entertainment, food, running around, and activity. That night we drove 45 minutes north to my grandpa's house and spent the next day with him and his wife. Our day at his house was the opposite of the previous day. It was calm and quiet, slow paced, full of good, quiet conversation, and peaceful.

We picked oranges off the tree for breakfast. Cecil was kind enough to peel them for us! We watched grandpa sort through his pennies; he keeps all of the ones from 1982 and before. Lily had a ukulele lesson; I love watching them play together. The kids played games and got along happily. We spent time in his cute little backyard and Grandpa showed me the plants he has coming up in his garden; he is excited about his tulip bulbs that he brought home from New York. 

I love this place, the tree, the people, the atmosphere. Disneyland is magical, but it could never compare to the feeling of peace and love in our grandparents' home.