SNOW FUN

Couldn't you . . .

. . . just gobble him up?

Hard to believe that in 6 days my little baby boy will be one! With Delaney, I was so excited for her 1st birthday. But now, each milestone reminds me that I won't get to experience them again. I know that I have so much to look forward to with each of my munchkins. But I can't help but miss all of those things that have already passed. The first smile, first word, first open mouthed sloppy kiss! It's a good thing I take so many pictures and can look back at those squishy baby cheeks to remind me of how very much I just wanted to eat him up every day!

The Barsness Family

Today I had such fun taking photos of my college friend Sara's family. Two year olds aren't all that cooperative, but they sure are cute! Delaney and Jillian had so much fun chasing Tyler and I couldn't get over those baby blues of Jack. Thanks for letting us invade for a few hours - hope you can use some of these for your Christmas card.

Smile

Picture this. It's 2 degrees out. Delaney is waiting on the corner with the neighbor kids for the bus to arrive. The bus pulls up, windows covered in frost and brakes squeaking. The bus stops and the driver puts out the little stop sign - the signal that it's safe to cross the street. I couldn't help but smile as my sweet little kindergartener joyfully bounced off the curb and happily skipped across the street to the waiting bus. What a great way to start the day!

New favorite

I picked up this goat's milk body butter at the craft fair at Cantebury last weekend. It is amazing stuff! My kids have chapped hands and big E has chapped cheeks from the cold, dry weather. One night with the body butter on and they were back to normal. I also picked up the soap and lotion -- we'll see how it works on Delaney's "chicken skin." Check them out at http://www.windrifthill.com/.

Delaney's Bus Driver

taught her a great new rhyme! I'm so proud and excited that an adult I trust her with is so responsible. Here it is. . .

"Boys go to Jupiter to get more stupider,
Girls go to college to get more knowledge!"

Okay, I expect my kids to come home saying things that they've heard in school or on the bus that aren't appropriate. What I didn't expect however, was for an adult paid by the school district to be teaching them sassy things! Not sure how to address this - what do you all think? Am I offended for no reason? I know there are lots of busdrivers that read this (Grandma, Aunt Sheri. . . ) - do you teach those kinds of things to your kids?

Delaney

Sassy and six!

Treats

before . . .
after!

Orchard Fun

MOPS

Wow! September has just flown by and now it's fall. Where has the time gone? We've been busy around our house, getting into the routine of having one in Kindergarten, one in preschool, and one in mommy's arms! Look forward to some highlights from Jillian's Fall Harvest Orchard field trip today. In the meantime, check out who I've been spending my time with. . .

The MOPS Steering Team

Molly, Tina, Marissa, Amy, Jen, Nancy, Carmen

Sheila, Joy, Janine (and me)

The MOPS Mentors (our Fab Five)

Janice, Susan, Gisela, Sue, and Diane (clockwise from bottom)

Jillian's First Day

Just a couple of hours left to get these pictures up on "the first day." She was thrilled to be going back to preschool with her favorite teachers and also lots of classmates from last year. Jillian's favorite part of school today? Snack - a granola bar! Interesting because it's not a snack she ever chooses at home.

First Day

Our first -- off to Kindergarten! She was so excited that she didn't even look back to say goodbye as she got on the bus. I can't wait to hear all about it when she gets home. The only tears in our house this morning were from her little sister who misses her very much. I didn't cry (surprised?), but I think Daddy was a little sad. He stayed home from work this morning to enjoy breakfast with his little girl before her first day of school.

The Night Before Kindergarten

Overhead outside the girls bedroom:
(squeak, squeak, squeak)

Delaney: Jillian, what was that noise?

Jillian: That was Boris. I was squeaking his beak!
(squeak, squeak)

Delaney: Stop making that noise! You don't want me to be a crabby girl on my first day of Kindergarten!

Jillian: But Delaney, I need someone to sing me "Up to the Moon" so that I can sleep.

Delaney: I love you up to the moon
I love you big as the sky
I love to watch you when you sleep
I love to hold you when you cry
And someday when you're older
And taller than me
I'll say I watched you grow like a beautiful tree
Cause I love you up to the moon
And I love you big as the sky
I love you up to the moon. . .

Keeps gettin' cuter!

I know I'm the mom, but Elliott's just the cutest little boy I've ever seen! Yes, it is possible to be in love with two men at the same time - daddy and his little "mini-me."

Thanks Bob & Cyndi

We had a great time at the Holm's on Saturday afternoon. Delaney's favorite part was riding the 4-wheeler. She could be heard over the roar of the engine yelling, "faster, faster!" Jillian was in heaven riding the pony - "I just love Petunia." And Elliott? He wasn't too sure about that noisy 4-wheeler and we didn't even try to put him on the pony. He did enjoy being outside and watching everything. We're so blessed to have a great family - thanks for opening your home to us Bob and Cyndi!

Child of God

Cousins

Miss you all lots!!!

Ice Cream Party

Jillian and her friends on the spinning bar.

Delaney and her friends on the climbing web.

Delaney and Jillian hosted an Ice Cream Social this afternoon at the park near our house. They each invited the girls from their preschool classes last year. Between the two of them, there were 15 girls total - plus brothers, sisters, moms, dads, and even a couple of grandmas! It was a great time - the girls played at the park and created some interesting ice cream sundaes from all the yummy toppings!

Heartbreaker

Summer Fun

These July days sure are hot! The only way to beat the heat? Blow up that swimming pool and jump in! Delaney and Jillian have so much fun that they even forget to fight with eachother. Just look at those smiles!

VACATION!

Wondering where we've been? Mom and Elliott have been enjoying a week in Denver visiting Vicki and Aaron. Elliott experienced his first plane ride at just under 6 months old! He is an excellent traveller and has been adapting to being on the go. We've gone to Breckenridge and enjoyed the mountains, experienced the culture of Pearl Street in Boulder, visited the Denver Museum of Natural History, and wandered around the Denver Zoo. Elliott has been bonding with his aunt and uncle. It's been a wonderful trip and we will miss Vicki and Aaron when we leave! Check out some of the pictures from our time in Denver.
UP NEXT: look forward to reading about and seeing pictures from Delaney and Jillian's week with Grandpa Fred and Grandma Charlene!

Just when you thought he couldn't get any cuter. . .

before

after

First Bath

Elliott's first bath in the big tub.

1st Cereal

Elliott's 1st "real" food. He likes it!

Soccer Star

Delaney has been so excited to start soccer this year. The top photo was taken just before we left for the soccer fields. 3 seconds after Daddy, Delaney and Jillian left the van, the light sprinkle turned into a downpour. Their first week's game was canceled because of rain and now this! She was so broken hearted, thinking that she wouldn't get to play again.
The rain passed and the girls took the field. I've never seen Delaney so full of energy and enthusiasm. She chased that ball and even kicked it a few times. Not bad for her first soccer experience. She was thrilled that her team scored 2 goals! Too young to play this year, Jillian will have to be the team's biggest cheerleader. GO MUSTANGS!

The Many Faces of Delaney

My New Toy!

Wondering where the pictures have been? Well, my generous husband gave me a new camera for my birthday & Mother's Day! Check it out - the Nikon D40. (Ria - thanks for mentioning it to him!) I've taken tons of photos, but haven't hooked it up to the computer yet. Look forward to seeing Elliott @ 5 months old (already?) and The Many Faces of Delaney!

Self Portrait

Check out Miss Jillian after the "Paint your own face" exhibit at the children's museum. We sure had a wild time - she'd definitely got the creative bug. Spent most of her time in the art room and painting her face. We even had to wipe it off so she could start all over again. It was fun to have her all to myself for a day!

Mom

Happy

Mother's

Day!