Getting the tree

We went up into the foothills a few weeks ago to cut down our tree. It's now up but I can't find my camera so I'll have to take pictures later. It's small but it fits our room perfectly.

All bundled up

Our little tree hugger. She found a tree just her size.

Kaylin took this one. Budding photographer.

some not so recent pics

Here are a few pictures from Thanksgiving. I meant to post this awhile ago, but never got around to it.

The kids table at Thanksgiving. (Karen was hoping that by getting married that she would be allowed to move to the "adult" table. I guess not. Maybe you're only allowed at the adult's table when you've had kids.

Dylan and Auntie

This is his usual face in his highchair

Letting lose (sorry not from Thanksgiving but I thought it was cute)

After a yummy dinner

Feeling productive...or not

I've realized that I tend to feel unproductive just because the house is a mess, the laundry isn't put away and the dishes are still in the sink. So I am reminding myself on here, as a visual, that I have been somewhat productive and that I don't need to feel like a bad mother/wife (and so that maybe some of you can relate).

Today I:

• paid bills
• went grocery shopping
• did a load of laundry
• watered the plants in the front

Okay so maybe it's not a huge list, but if I added all the motherly things on there, like making meals, changing diapers, dressing, playing, nursing, etc. then maybe it would look more impressive. But that's the everyday stuff. Why does it always feel like there's so much to do and that I can never get ahead of it all? Ahh, that's life I guess.

Giving thanks

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone has a relaxing, enjoyable day with family and friends filling up on turkey and pie and everything in between. We're going to head over to my parents today in a few hours (one of the things I'm thankful for is that both our parents live close by and we don't have to travel far to see them) to eat and spend time with my family. Right now we're settling in to watch a little of the Macy's Day parade. A little later we have to clean up and get our house ready to host Thanksgiving for Tim's family tomorrow. (Our first time.) So right now we're not stressed with all the cooking and baking, but we will probably be tomorrow. Another thing I'm thankful for is for Tim's cooking! And that I won't have to do much of it tomorrow!

Thanks for family, friends, our house over our heads, my husband and children, good food to eat and a good and loving and most importantly, forgiving God!

Seriously!?

So I'm sitting here with Kaylin after she threw up all over our bed early this morning wishing I could go back to sleep somehow. But that's not going to happen. Tim's laying on the other side of the couch still out of it from taking NyQuil last night because he's getting another cold. Dylan is finally feeling better after some really fussy days/nights with a bad cold, and I am just getting over my cold that I've had for over a week. Ugh! I love the winter season and Christmas and everything, but I HATE the cold and flu season that comes with it! I feel like one of us has been some kind of sick for almost a month now. This is actually Kaylin's second bug already. She was also sick about two weeks ago with a bad cough and runny nose. And this is just the beginning. I have a feeling that Kaylin will be bringing lots more bugs home to share from preschool and ballet. And Tim may sneak in a few from work. So I apologize for all the complaining, but being stuck indoors for over a week now with at least one sick child is starting to get to me! And I was really looking forward to Kaylin going to preschool today. Guess not today. I think we're just going to have to continue our cartoon/movie watching that we've already done too much of. What else can you do with a one-year-old and three-year-old at six in the morning? (Dylan woke up when everyone else woke up.) Hope everyone else out there is fairing a bit better than us!

Goal as parents

I was browsing Focus on the Family's website a few days ago and I came across a statement about parenting that really struck me as absolutely true yet so simple, so I thought i'd share. It said that our children should know, without any doubt, that they are deeply loved and respected, that their welfare is our absolute highest priority, and that they don't rule either the universe or their family. It speaks to our basic needs and our children's, yet emphasizes the important fact that they (and their parents) are not the most important thing on the planet, yet are worthy of love--it's a delicate balance we must leave them with. It was a good reminder to me and I hope to all you parents out there, too.

Happy birthday!

On Saturday it was Tim's 29th birthday--one more to go to the big one! We had a relaxing day at home and later had dinner barbequed on his new grill from his parents. We enjoyed some time catching up with good friends later in the evening.

For all you do for us, we hope you had a good time celebrating and relaxing; you deserve it!

We love you!

*Oh and right now, both kids are napping at the same time, a miracle!

Halloween 2009

We had lots of fun this Halloween and the kids did really well trick-or-treating. This was our first Halloween in our house, so we weren't sure what to expect in terms of how many kids would be out. There weren't many, unfortunately, so we took them to some neighboring streets were there were more people. Our neighborhood just doesn't have that many young families. We had fun though.

Carving/drawing on the pumpkins

Trip to the pumpkin patch/barn to see the animals

Holding a sweet, sleepy kitty

Our little mousie. He really fought us on the headpiece; hardly had it on all night.

Heading out

a kitty and a mouse

Digging through the spoils

Yum!

Here kitty, kitty

Just a preview of tomorrow...Kaylin was dressed up here for her preschool class. All the kids got to wear their costumes and sing to a retirement community. She did such a good job!

Mad video skills

Kaylin's videography. I just thought this was cute so I posted it. I didn't realize she had the camera--I was in the other room.

Birthday parties!

Here are some pictures of the two parties we had for Dylan. We had his main party for family and friends at a local park and the other on his real birthday at our house. We had lots of fun, even the birthday boy who was a little short on sleep.

He's one!

Enjoying being outside at the park for his birthday party. Love that big smile!

The birthday prince

What is this?
Hmm...I think I may like it.

Yep, I do.

Mickey and Dylan

Opening gifts at home

Had to get him his very own hammer so he can be like daddy.

Having some cupcake on his actual birthday.

Kaylin enjoying some cupcake.

Can't believe my little man is already one! We love you Dylan!

One year

One year ago today (the 20th at 5:18 am) my little Dylan was born. And my heart melted. This year has passed swiftly and my baby is becoming a little boy. It always happens too quickly, but I love watching him grow and seeing his personality develop. He is so curious, adventurous, funny, cuddly, sweet, should I go on? He absolutely adores his big sis, needs his momma, and loves his daddy. He is such a boy, always on the go, into everything, loves to climb, "talks" all day long, will try anything, and the absolute favorite: dog food!

He makes me smile, makes me laugh when he makes his silly faces. I feel so blessed to get to be his mommy. I love having a little boy and am excited for all that lies ahead with my little dude.

Climbing in and exploring.

The silly face.

Fun with Kaylin.

Handsome.

Happy birthday to my sweet boy.

Sorry I don't have any earlier pictures of Dylan; they're all on our old harddrive. Birthday party this weekend, so more pics to come.

stormy

It's raining and wind is blowing outside. We're warm inside with a fire crackling in the fireplace. Husband came home early because work lost power. I love it...

Apple Hill

Here are some pictures of our time getting pumpkins and exploring Apple Hill. We had lots of fun!

Kaylin and Dylan sitting at the little table

Posing with the pumpkins

They had matching shirts but it's a bit hard to see

Kaylin finding the perfect pumpkin

I think she found it!

Hanging out

Enjoying some apple pie

I love this picture--so happy!

It's the Great Pumpkin!

We're headed off to Apple Hill today with some friends to enjoy the fall weather and pick out a pumpkin or two (or four). If you live in Northern California (the Sacramento area) you have to check out Apple Hill; it's a very popular thing out here. There are about thirty farms to explore, with animals, fresh produce and baked goods, hay rides, pumpkin patches, and crafts galore. If I can find our camera, then i'll post pictures of our fun times later. Enjoy the weekend!

My sister got married!!

Sorry, these pictures are a little out of order. And i didn't have my camera until after the ceremony, so I didn't capture much of the beautiful couple during the evening. The wedding itself took place in my parents' backyard, it turned out beautifully, but we didn't realize how much work it was going to be doing it ourselves. Kaylin was the flower girl and she was too cute. She did really well going down the aisle and standing up with us. Karen and Aaron looked so happy and caught up in each other the whole night; it was so sweet. I felt really special to be involved and a part of their day.

Dylan--in his suit with a great big smile! So cute!

Had to take a picture of my hair from the back

After cutting the "cupcake"

Most of the family

Friends

Kaylin after a cupcake

Brunch the next day

Me and Julie

Kaylin after blueberry pancakes

The next day--opening all the wedding gifts

Us with cousin Kyle

Cousins--only 3 months apart

the other set of cousins, who LOVE it when they get to see each other and be princesses together. (This is at the rehearsal dinner.)

My parents

the beautiful flower girl

first dance (sorry it's not the best quality but it was the best one that I had)