Salmans Scoop

Happy Easter

2011-04-25T12:44:00.002-05:00

bunnies

2011-04-19T00:04:00.004-05:00

these bunnies kept busy hunting for eggs in our backyard. I don't know what was more ideal for hiding, the options of the yard or the tall grass.

on the go

2011-03-30T22:50:00.003-05:00

The hardwood floors may slow her down but this little one is on the go.

dinosaurs

2011-03-26T20:48:00.003-05:00

I wonder if Stella is going to enjoy dinosaurs as much as her big sister?

Sisters

2011-03-16T12:37:00.006-05:00

Saylor - 7 months

Sophia - 7 months

Stella - 8 months

I really never thought that Saylor and Sophia looked alike. Of course, as sisters I always thought they had similarities but definitely not identical. Insert Stella, now I can't tell who she looks like.

playdate

2011-03-03T15:17:00.003-06:00

Sophia has been so amazing lately with Stella. She really is a great big sister and helper.

two friends

2011-03-02T16:12:00.003-06:00

Bring on the steak!

go wildcats

2011-02-28T23:36:00.002-06:00

Three little cheerleaders and three BIG K-State wins! Keep up the good work Cats.

then and now - Stellie Belle

2011-02-04T21:19:00.003-06:00

Then - back in June

Now - 8 months later...

love our little 8 month delight!

then and now - dining room

2011-02-04T21:01:00.004-06:00

We have finally moved in and ohhhhhh what a great feeling it is! I will post some then and now pictures over the next few days (weeks or months).

Let's start with the dining room...I LOVE the light fixture in our dining room, I'm pretty sure it's my favorite of the entire house. Our table is now a tad small for the room but it works perfectly for our family until I upgrade.

dining room then:

dining room now:

Happy Halloween

2010-11-03T21:44:00.002-05:00

long locks

2010-09-29T14:38:00.003-05:00

Sophia found my circa 1999 LONG lost pony extension and it instantly fixed her NEED for long hair problem. So glad that 5 minutes later she wanted short hair again. Easy solution!

house update

2010-09-28T22:21:00.002-05:00

Sheetrock has been delivered and hung.

Wallpaper has been removed.

and the new insulation was installed.

picked out all the paint colors last week and trying to confirm the kicthen choices by next week.

Dinner with a view

2010-09-28T20:41:00.003-05:00

We ordered dinner to-go this evening and enjoyed the amazing weather. Oh how we've missed you Fall!

blessed

2010-09-28T14:31:00.005-05:00

We had Stella baptized on Sunday - what a day! She did so well and it was WONDERFUL having all of our family in town for the event.

The cake that we had made was the BEST CAKE EVER! So moist AND mouthwatering.
She wore an outfit of mine that my mom made way back I was little, something we found when they were moving. I put together a headband the night before because I couldn't find anything to match. I think she looked pretty sweet. Happy baptism Stellie Belle!

almost a month ago...

2010-09-21T14:19:00.008-05:00

Saylor started Kindergarten and she is thriving in the classroom. My little shy girl is blossoming into a social butterfly. Thus far at school she LOVES playing farm, reading books, math, PE, recess - where they play chase, the blocks and snacks. I LOVE picking her up and learning a day in the life of a kindergartner.

The night before the BIG day, we gathered all of her supplies into her backpack and went to meet her teacher.

That night, the entire family snuggled in Sophia's fullsize bed and read books.

Finally, I picked up my 44 pounder and went to the rocking chair to rock her to sleep, something I have done since she was 20 months old. She fell asleep and I cried. The next morning we dosed her with an excessive amount of sugar - a cake. This is a tradition we started 2 years ago prior to the first day of preschool and will continue until she goes off to college.

love this girl and with mixed emotion, we begin a new chapter in her life.

friends

2010-09-13T22:23:00.001-05:00

Stella just LOVES having playdates.

oink, oink

2010-08-31T09:51:00.004-05:00

a little swine loving before another outbreak of the flu hits in the next few months...

and did you know that a pigs gestation is 3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days and 3 three hours?!?! How's that for precise.

Swimming fun

2010-08-30T21:14:00.007-05:00

The girls spent lots of time at the pool this year, it just varied on the actual pool locations. Saylor learned how to dive.

Sophia was more leisure than active.

until daddy jumps in...

girl party plus dads
intermixed with snacks

and pool spectators - hard to believe they are only 12 weeks apart.

2 months

2010-08-30T21:09:00.004-05:00

Well, since she's about to be 3 months I thought I'd search back to her 2 month pic and post. She weighed 10lbs 2 ozs and was 23.75 inches. She's growing by the day and it breaks my heart!

pinky's up

2010-08-20T14:48:00.002-05:00

silly

2010-08-18T17:01:00.002-05:00

I'm finding this silly band craze not so silly anymore...

sparkle

2010-07-26T19:39:00.001-05:00

don't they just sparkle...

house renovation

2010-07-25T19:42:00.005-05:00

Here's some before pictures of our new house. Josh has been VERY busy this past month. The framers started Wednesday and finished up on Friday. Crazy how much faster they are than us.

Cowgirl up

2010-07-24T06:53:00.003-05:00

Saylor has had her mind set on mutton bustin since attending last years county rodeo. Honestly, I didn't give it much thought, my 5 yr old daughter riding a sheep until it came to fruition on Thursday night. Her enthusiasm calmed our concerns and she did wonderful. I don't have any pictures of the event just yet as those are on my moms camera. Here's just the before: and her sister had to pose too as a cowgirl.

Willie Sighting

2010-07-24T06:41:00.005-05:00

On Wednesday, a girl I went to college with stopped by to ask if the front of our house could be used for a K-State commercial. I agreed, and I thought it would be good pub with the for sale sign in the background. However, they ended up removing the sign before shooting... I really didn't think much about it when they showed up outside Thursday morning until Sophia starts going ballistic because she sees Willie out her window. So, it ends up, they ask the girls to be in the commercial too. Random, but fun.

smiles

2010-07-20T17:30:00.004-05:00

Honestly, how could this not melt a moms heart?!?!

growing

2010-07-20T15:56:00.003-05:00

our little baby is growing like a weed. This was her last newborn diaper.

now we are on to size ones.

Bottle Bootcamp

2010-07-20T12:17:00.002-05:00

Since her older sister refused the bottle her entire first year of life, we decided to incorporate the bottle at a month. My mom had the honors and daddy has also had a chance.

one month old

2010-07-11T11:09:00.002-05:00

Happy 4th of July

2010-07-05T09:47:00.003-05:00

we stepped out for a few fireworks down at the cabin in between all the rain showers and even managed to take a family of five picture.

Happy 40th

2010-06-29T22:26:00.002-05:00

My parents celebrated 40 yrs on Sunday - 40 years and they are still just as much in love today as their wedding day. They are such an inspiration!

Happy Anniversary mom and dad. We love you!

stripes

2010-06-29T22:23:00.001-05:00

Do these stripes make me look big?? Our little babe is getting bigger by the minute.

mara sighting

2010-06-29T22:20:00.002-05:00

Mara Mara came to meet Stella last week. We tried to hold her hostage but she broke free. Oh how we miss our babysitter Mara!

bathtime

2010-06-27T21:19:00.002-05:00

last night was the first happy bath experiance. thank goodness.

growing up

2010-06-27T21:13:00.002-05:00

Sophia has literally morphed into this little adult since the birth of her baby sister. She has started miraculously doing things that she could not do prior but now since she's a 'big sister' she's capable. I love it but I also miss my little Sophia. However, the independence is inspiring and helpful.

wedding and Willie

2010-06-21T12:37:00.002-05:00

Our dear friends from Florida's daughter got married in KC last weekend. Josh, Stella and I went to the wedding and the grandparents watched the older girls. The wedding was beautiful and the reception amazing. Stella cut up a rug on the dance floor and was elated to meet Willie for the first time.

dance, dance, dance

2010-06-21T11:50:00.002-05:00

We signed Sophia up for Cinderella dance camp. She had an perma smile the entire week! She LOVES to dance and LOVES Cinderella. She felt so big and was very proud. the moms and the girlsgirl partyafter the performace, we celebrated with McDonald's - at one week, Stella is already a fan.

3 down

2010-06-19T08:47:00.003-05:00

Tuesday afternoon Sophia awoke from her afternoon nap with a little "sleepy" in her eye. Unfortunately, it turned into the continual stream and was ruled as pink eye. Wednesday, Saylor started complaining of a sore throat and started running a fever - throat culture negative. Headed to Target with all three later on that day to pick up eye drops. Sophia's eye cleared, Saylor's fever went down and we thought we were back on track. YESTERDAY, Sophia's other eye started with symptoms, Saylor complained about her ear. Last night, Saylor diagnosed with an ear infection. Head to Target AGAIN for amoxicillin. THEN, this morning, this is what I awake to... So much for good handing washing practices. We've gone through an entire container of soap in two days but it doesn't seem to matter because everytime I turn around, clean hands or not, this is what I find:

I prefer

2010-06-18T10:55:00.003-05:00

I prefer to see THESE eyes open during the day

and not as much during the night. However, either time, they melt my heart.

Our new baby girl

2010-06-08T21:25:00.006-05:00

I promised family and friends that I would post pictures immediately but hours have turned into now turned into days and I STILL can't stop smiling OR put my new baby girl down. It seems like Christmas at our house with only one gift but the gift was all that I/we needed. She is SUCH a blessing and I could not be more overjoyed.

Proud Big Sisters

Proud Daddy

Proud Family

Introducing...

2010-06-05T10:14:00.003-05:00

Stella Caroline Born June 4th at 2:42 am. 7lbs 9 ozs and 20.5 inches long

more pictures to follow - once I'm home to upload them.

put a fork in me

2010-06-01T19:52:00.004-05:00

Cause I'm done. I never thought my third pregnancy would be my longest. However, I'm not as anxious as I have been with my other two. I know the reality of what is coming and as eager as I am to meet her, I am also terrified of what is in store.

teddy bear picnic

2010-06-01T19:48:00.003-05:00

The girls and I headed over the library last Saturday for a teddy bear storytime and picnic. I guess I didn't bring enough food since we following the sack lunches with Buffalo Wild Wings. That or maybe I was just TRYING to add more SPICES to my diet - not that it worked...

working man

2010-06-01T19:44:00.003-05:00

Hubby has been spending his "spare" time at the new house - renovations are officially underway. I need to take a bunch of before pictures and keep a log. I'm sure I'll have plenty of time in the next month to do this.

backwards

2010-05-26T09:11:00.004-05:00

I'm a little backwards in my baby preparation. Instead of making meals for the freezer, planning ahead and filling my children's bellies with ample nutritious foods, I'm opting for donuts for breakfast and McDonald's for lunch. Not the healthiest of choices but they aren't complaining.

the fingernail

2010-05-20T16:46:00.003-05:00

Went to a drive thru this morning for a little caffeine fix. Devoured my vanilla diet dr. pepper and was crunching the ice when I felt a foreign object in my mouth. Ended up being this fingernail. How nice of them to share - the employee but be on prenatals because WOW, the length is very impressive. Don't you agree?

Really, how does this happen?

Down to days

2010-05-19T06:37:00.004-05:00

I can't believe I just surpassed the "teens" and now I'm almost down to two hands when it comes to the countdown. Only 12 days until the due date and SO much to do! One of the things on the list is to take at least one belly pic. This picture was taken a few weeks ago at the K-State auction. I was laughing so hard at the boys reaction when I told them to palm the basketball. :)

Our dear Mara

2010-05-16T10:18:00.003-05:00

Oh how we will miss our sweet loving Mara!

Our babysitter for the past 4 years graduated and moved to Kansas City last week. Our entire house is heartbroken. Saylor broke down in tears, I cried and Sophia just asked for candy. I'm not sure how we are ever going to replace someone that is irreplaceable. We LOVE you Mara!

Sophia's last day

2010-05-14T23:37:00.005-05:00

Sophia had her last day of "preschool" (actually it's just her once of week morning out but we call it preschool) on Wednesday.

I thought I'd remind you first of her excitement last September when she started with a thumbs up:

and then on Wednesday before we left for her very last day:really?

Everyday

2010-05-06T17:04:00.002-05:00

Everyday, Sophia looks up at me with a pleading look and asks, "mommy, when dat baby going to come out?" Well, I'm happy to say that hopefully it's later rather than sooner since I'm sitting at a 0 dilation. This is the first out of three pregnancy's that I'm hoping goes to term. Too much to get do before the end of May.

no napper

2010-04-28T22:40:00.004-05:00

It's been hit and miss lately when it comes to naps for Sophia. Today, I asked her to pick up the crayons and 2 minutes later this is what I found:

new levels...

2010-04-25T14:13:00.002-05:00

I've exceeded all levels of nesting this week since we decided to put a for sale sign in our yard and have an open house today. It can go both ways as being good or bad but at least one shear positive is that the hubby is helping. I'm not sure that would have happened had we not decided to sell our house. Ahhh, love the complexities of life and everything surrounding it. Wish us luck!

Gobble, Gobble

2010-04-25T14:09:00.003-05:00

My hubby has tossed around the idea of taking our 5 yr old hunting and it came to fruition last week. Not only did they leave at 5 in the am, but she sat quiet enough for him to call in a turkey and actually shoot it. Don't love the idea but they both were on cloud nine when they arrived home.

She can't be old enough...

2010-04-22T22:00:00.002-05:00

How is it possible that my sweet, sweet Saylor is old enough to start kindergarten. She attended Kindergarten round up and as we were walking out of the school she asked, "mommy, can I start Kindergarten tomorrow?" I wish I shared the same enthusiasm...I'm not ready to let her go.

Western Day

2010-03-31T07:17:00.003-05:00

I am just downloading pictures from the camera I carry in my purse and I found this one from Western Day. I love how Sophia is always included even though she does not participate in the preschool activities.

easter decor

2010-03-24T07:37:00.002-05:00

We decorated for Easter and built a snowman all in the same day. Silly Kansas weather.

celebrity status

2010-03-23T17:50:00.004-05:00

the girls and I were watching a little K-State Confidential and low and behold we recognized one of our friends houses. Check it out. http://www.cbscollegesports.com/kstateconfidential

Clink on the one with the green street sign and a powercat. However, they are ALL worth watching.

a little munsen madness at the 12 second mark.

gymnastics

2010-03-22T22:50:00.003-05:00

Sophia started gymnastics tonight - it's amazing how excited she was to go. This is my child that is ALWAYS the last to be loaded in the car and she was literally running in circles tonight anxiously waiting on everyone else. She is full of spunk so maybe gymnastics will be right up her alley.

Happy St. Paddy's Day

2010-03-18T22:32:00.003-05:00

Happy St. Paddy's Day KC style. We celebrated part of the day with one of my besties in KC. Notice how she just threw on a green scarf? That was her preventive measure since my girls turned into lobsters with all the pinching power. I think Sophia took it to an entirely new level when she pinched a random stranger in the elevator.

Playdate

2010-03-16T14:19:00.003-05:00

Sophia informed me last week that since she now THREE that she to could have playdates like her big sister. Thus, we scheduled a playdate. It was a little more work than her sisters playdates but her smile, anticipation and excitement made it worth it.

she makes me smile from ear to ear

2010-03-08T14:49:00.004-06:00

So, it seems that Saylor found a daisy in the trash can today at preschool. Apparently she asked her teacher if she could have it and it found its way into her backpack. I went to lay Sophia down for her nap and this is what I returned to find:

She found a vase, paper and pen and wrote this lovely note with the newly treasured flower. She is a keeper!

She's Three

2010-03-06T22:44:00.003-06:00

My little Sophia turned 3 last week. Can't believe it's been 3 years...

Birthday Weekend

2010-03-02T14:48:00.009-06:00

I just realized that I neglected to post a Happy Birthday to my hubby. We headed to Omaha, NE 2 weeks ago for an extended birthday weekend. I'm sure that every 34 yr. old DREAMS of staying at a water resort on their big day and his dreams came true. We stayed at the COCO Keys in Omaha and I HIGHLY recommend it. It's almost identical to Great Wolf Lodge, just a little cozier.

Saylor was a little Nemo, Sophia more a flounder, just wandering around trying to soak it all in and I was the beached whale.

Another highlight was the local bed jumping contest held in room 514.
Saturday, we headed to the Children's Museum - another HIGHLY recommended option.

Sophia painted a picture for daddy's birthday.

Saylor did it all. One of her favorites was this contraption.she was also selected to participate in a science experiment to make elephant tooth paste.

can't you just feel the love.

our last adventure was locating a Mexican restaurant in NE which, as we found out, was an extremely difficult task, yet accomplished. After 2 baskets of chips, queso, cheese quesadillas, and 3 burritos, they brought us out dessert - just enough sugar to rev the girls up for the ride home. With a little help, Josh blew out his candle. Hope all your wishes come true this year! Happy birthday babe.

I sat

2010-03-02T14:33:00.002-06:00

Let's see, yesterday starting out like any Monday...

1. woke up and started to get ready for school
2. remember (THANKFULLY) to check the preschool calender for the new month only to find out that we need to bring snacks.
3. Head out early to visit the local grocer
4. drop off daughter #1 with snacks in tow
5. go to bank
6. help hubby at office on a few items
7. storytime with daughter #2
8. yearly check up at Dr. for #2
9. put groceries away
10. home for lunch - make lunch
11. clean up lunch
12. coax #2 to take a nap
13. make beds since they weren't made in the am due to lack of snacks
14. pay bills
15. laundry
16. color with #1
17. confirm March basketball calendar for one of my side gigs
18. arrange pictures from an order I rec'd over the weekend for another side gig
19. email
20. make dinner
21. clean up dinner
22. realize it's the FINAL of the Bachelor
23. pass off #1 and #2 to hubby for baths and bed.
24. I sat. I watched. I relaxed. I laughed.
25. midnight - went to bed.

arts and crafts

2010-03-01T16:12:00.002-06:00

The girls and I created a mass assembly line on Friday to construct 12 of these magnatic crafts (Junior League assembled over 100 last week at our membership meeting). When then went and delivered them to a nearby nursing home for door decor. I could not believe how well the girls did interacting with the residents. I think we started a new tradition or at least something to do once a month.

to cut it, or not to cut it.

2010-02-25T21:54:00.003-06:00

That is the question.

I can't decide if I want to let Sophia's hair grow out or chop it off. She LOVES piggies but they never last the entire day and she ends up looking a little disheveled. Such a debate.

Girls night

2010-02-25T21:43:00.002-06:00

Saylor has been counting down until the arrival of Annie - on stage. She was SO giddy last night for the show, dinner and the spending the evening with mommy and nana. I'm really not sure what my favorite part of the evening was - the actual show or listening to my 5 yr. old belt out the songs during the performance.

only...

2010-02-23T12:40:00.001-06:00

97 more days until I down a case of you.

valentine weekend

2010-02-16T22:54:00.004-06:00

I really felt bad this past weekend for all the florist - all the anticipation of Valentine's Day and only to have it fall short with it landing on a Sunday. I, on the other hand, have learned that weekend Valentines is the BEST ever! It was not only one evening of celebration but an entire weekend! Friday night started with the girls "fancing it up" for nana and papa. My parents took the girls out to dinner and then home with them for the night. Josh and I were able to have a date night with dinner and the Valentines Day movie. I was treated to a facial on Saturday only to come home to find all the laundry complete! Really, could it get any better?
Finally, Sunday, he surpassed all expectations by making us dinner. I repeat...I LOVE weekend Valentine's Day!

If you are bored...and own a crockpot

2010-02-15T15:12:00.002-06:00

Beef -
All Day Crock Pot Beef
Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
Beef and Pasta Casserole
Beef Diablo
Beef Fajitas
Beef Ragout Over Rice
Beef Tips
Beer Braised Beef in Crock Pot
Burritos Crock Pot Style
California Tamale Pie
Cattleman's Beef and Beans
Cheeseburger Sandwiches
Cheesy Meat Loaf
Chili Beer Brisket of Beef
Classic Swiss Steak
Complete Crock Pot Dinner
Corned Beef and Cabbage
Country Swiss Steak
Cowboy Casserole
Cranberry Pork Roast
Crock Pot Beef Burgundy
Cr ock Pot Beef 'n Peppers
Crock Pot Beef with Mushrooms
Crock Pot Beef Roast
Crock Pot Cabbage Rolls
Crock Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage
Crock Pot Creole Steak Strips
Crock Pot Delight
Crock Pot Easy Swiss Steak
Crock Pot Enchiladas
Crock Pot Fajitas
Crock Pot Fajitas II
Crock Pot Italian Beef
Crock Pot Meatballs
Crock Pot Rump Roast
Crock Pot Sauerbraten
Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce
Crock Pot Swiss Steak
Crock Pot Taco Casserole
Fiesta Tamale Pie
Glazed Corned Beef
Glazed Corned Beef #2
Harvest Dinner
Harvest Pot Roast with Tomato-Wine Sauce
Hot-and-Spicy Sloppy Joes
Lean Crock Pot Beans
Nina's Beef and Beans
Pot Roast Dinner
Old Time Beef Stew
Pot Roast with Noodles
Ranch Style Beef
Reuben Casserole
Roast Cooked with Coke
Roast with Veggies
Sage Pot Roast
Salsa Swiss Steak
Savory Pepper Steak
Savory Stewed Beef
Slow-Cooked Beef Stifado
Slow Cooked Pepper Steak
Slow Cooked Steak Rolls
Slow Cooked Swiss Steak Supper
Slow Cooker Italian Spaghetti Sauce
Slow Cooker Lasagna
Slow Cooker Swiss Steak
Slowly Deviled Beef
Smothered Steak Strips
Spaghetti Sauce Italiano
Spicy Wine Pot Roast
Stuffed Cabbage Casserole
Stuffed Pasta Shells
Swiss Bliss
Swiss Steak
Teriyaki Steak
Three Pepper Steak
Three-Way Beef
Yankee Pot Roast and Vegetables

Pork
Casserole in the Cooker
Chicken Lickin Good Crock Pot Pork Chops
Chinese Style Country Ribs
Country Pork with Mushrooms
Cranberry Pork Roast
Crockpot Apricot Pulled Pork for Sandwiches
Crock Pot Festival Sausage
Crock Pot Hawaiian Pork
Crock Pot Pork Chops Supreme
Crock Pot Sausage & Potatoes
Crock Pot Sausage and Egg Casserole
Crocked Cherry Pork Chops
Polish Kraut and Apples
Pork Chop Delight
Pork Chops and Mustard Sau ce Potatoes
Pork Chops with Corn Stuffing
Pork Stew with Vegetables
Rosemary Potato Pork Chops
Sauerkraut Supper
Slow Cooking Pork Chops
Soy-Glazed Spareribs
Super Easy Pork Chops
Sweet and Spicy Kielbasa or Polish Sausage
Sweet 'n' Sour Ribs
Sweet 'N' Sour Sausage

Poultry
90s Style Crockpot Coq Au Vin
Bacon Wrapped Chicken
Baked Cajun Chicken
Baked Chicken Breasts in Crock Pot
Basil Chicken
Broccoli Rice & Chicken
Caf?? Chicken
Cantonese Sweet & Sour Chicken
Caribbean Chicken
Cheesy Crock Pot Chicken
Chicken & Cherries Jubilee
Chicken a la King
Chicken and Cherries Jubilee C/P
Chicken & Rice Casserole
Chicken and Artichoke Casserole
Chicken and Dumplings
Chicken Breasts Supreme
Chicken Creole
Chicken Crock Pie
Chicken Curry
Chicken Curry #2
Chicken Curry Hurry
Chicken Hearts Crockpot
Chicken in the Crock Pot
Chicken Marengo
Chicken Paprika
Chicken Parisienne
Chicken Parmigiana

Happy Crockpot day.

my valentines

2010-02-08T21:54:00.002-06:00

my little mouse

2010-02-07T09:18:00.002-06:00

You can always tell when Sophia has been in the Oreo's - she leaves an EXTREME amount of evidence behind...

Sleeping beauties

2010-02-06T16:10:00.002-06:00

Josh and Sophia took a nap in Saylor's bed today. Not sure why, or how they ended up in there but it was an adoring moment.

3 hour activity

2010-02-01T14:16:00.003-06:00

While cleaning out my craft closet I found an endless supply of broken crayons. Instead of tossing them, I elected my 5 yr old to strip the paper and select an assortment of design for new potential crayons. This activity took her almost 3 hours and she smiled the ENTIRE time. She's so easily entertained. If only my 2 yr old was the same way...

organize my life

2010-01-26T19:00:00.002-06:00

Since I've been trying to organize my life - with only 18 more weeks before more chaos begins - I decided to start small and complete this transformation one list at a time. Then, I found this blog and realized she was a girl after my heart. How wonderful is she!
http://www.ivegotalistforthat.blogspot.com/

Josh met George Brett

2010-01-21T20:00:00.002-06:00

last week and of course all they had was a camera phone.

Smile Sophia

2010-01-21T13:45:00.002-06:00

This is Sophia's new smile...

just released

2010-01-20T10:32:00.003-06:00

Let me know if you would like a copy...it's the best yet!

she's 4

2010-01-16T11:27:00.002-06:00

one day and 5 the next. This was the last picture of Saylor as a 4 year old. I can't believe how fast it's gone by. We could not have been more blessed...she makes my laugh daily with her thoughts, always has a smile, is sweet as can be and says things like "ridiculously hilarious". Can't wait to see what 5 will bring.

It's a...

2010-01-01T22:21:00.002-06:00

This was my hubby's reaction last night when I told him we were having a girl. So funny.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T22:16:00.002-06:00

A friend sent me this email and I LOVED it enough to actually blog!

Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did in 2009.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9. Sleep for 7 hours..
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control.. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Since I've neglected this blog

2009-12-08T20:52:00.002-06:00

I thought I'd update you with some recent pictures of my girls courtesy of my amazing babysitter: http://maracav.blogspot.com/

Happy Halloween

2009-11-01T07:17:00.003-06:00

We started the day at the donut shop - you know, we thought we needed to jump start the suger overload bright and early. Next, the girls participated in a Halloween storytime at the library. It's always so fun to see all the chitin's dressed up and all the DIFFERENT costumes.

Saylor was a Lily and Sophia was Cinderella. I had initially ordered Sophia a sunflower but once the Cinderella dressed arrived for disney, the sunflower costume was out.

Last night Saylor switched it up and went as Belle. Here they are trading candy.
Finally, Saylor came home and sorted all of her candy treasures...from favorite to least favorite.

Happy Halloween!

Do you think she's trying to tell me something?

2009-10-22T20:59:00.002-05:00

Final Disney Post

2009-10-22T19:08:00.003-05:00

I'll just recap the remaining week in a few photos. Sophia meet her twin and it was her highlight of the trip. Saylor sassed up like Belle and she was the bell of the ball.

Really never felt the need to feed them to the sharks - shockingly.

and Sophia finally warmed up to all the characters by the end of the vaca.

Life is good.

A weekend Friend and another SPECIAL friend

2009-10-19T19:57:00.002-05:00

Saylor was the chosen one on Friday to tend to Blackey Fuzz - the preschool bear. She was THRILLED and I was thrilled because returning to school after a vacation had been a little daunting and this perked her up! Blackey Fuzz was wonderfully behaved and he/she is welcome back anytime.

The other special friend is someone unbeknownst to me but I'm FOREVER grateful. Evidently I left my wallet at Panera this morning. My wallet, consisting of my credit cards, debit card, drivers license, house key and CASH (which NEVER resides in my wallet but it was a special occurrence since we just went on vacation). ANYWAY, my guardian angel was looking out for me because it was returned back to me - consisting of all the above. Remarkable and thankful that good people still exist!

day 3 of Disney

2009-10-18T17:11:00.003-05:00

Loads of characters we start to relax...

a little ice cream

and the triceratops's spin.

day two of Disney

2009-10-18T09:03:00.003-05:00

We started at Hollywood Studios with a character lunch then traveled to Magic Kingdom. Sophia COULD NOT WAIT for the up/down aka carousal.

living like a bug. petting June.

Hollywood style.

met a few characters.Sophia was not to sure...

and Saylor's favorite part of the day - the bippidy bobbity boutique.

we survived...

2009-10-15T14:48:00.004-05:00

our Disney adventure. I'll post day by day since we all know my blogging track record has not been so hot the past few months. Speaking of HOT, Florida had RECORDbreaking temperatures while we were there. It was HOT.airplane ride via southwest. Bags fly free.

bus ride to Hollywood Studios.sharing the magic!

the best job...

2009-10-15T14:18:00.003-05:00

for a 2 and 4 yr old - picking up tennis balls. The girls has a 'BALL' watching the high school girls practice tennis and loved assisting in the ball chasing endeavors.

never grow up

2009-09-29T23:32:00.002-05:00

I'm pretty sure he never will...and that's just one of the many things I love about him. I thought this was a fun picture of my hubby riding the neighbors scooter.

Disney Attire

2009-09-29T14:10:00.003-05:00

I'm making the girls a few new outfits to sport when we go on our Disney vacation. Here's the one for Saylor:

We can't wait to meet Mickey!

runner not a jogger

2009-09-27T22:19:00.002-05:00

Josh was a sponsor for the "Run your Buns Off" race this morning. I guess waking eager, he decided to partake. He surpassed me in the category of jogger promoting to runner when he placed in the race. We're so proud.

National Eat Together Week...

2009-09-24T15:29:00.001-05:00

this blog told me so. We celebrated today at McDonald's...and yesterday and maybe tomorrow. :)

what's for dinner

2009-09-23T15:45:00.002-05:00

this was my feeble attempt to make dinner more conspicuous and appeasing dinner.

I'm not sure it worked although it was consumed and in the end, that's the point.

wow

2009-09-17T15:55:00.002-05:00

I'm completely speechless aside from one word - WOW!

first day take two

2009-09-16T22:41:00.003-05:00

Sophia started her first day of school this week. She was extremely hesitant when she woke up that day. Thinking it was going to be a long year gaging from the past when each week was a battle prying her from my arms, she wandered into her classroom and started exploring. We said our goodbyes with a hug and a kiss and I was off. She was such a big girl...we'll see what next week brings once the newness wears off.

A little love from big sis before we left.

lake weekend

2009-09-03T19:54:00.004-05:00

We had the entire lake to ourselves last weekend - it was perfect, aside from it being a titch to cold. It was only the second time this Summer we had our boat out . Sophia tubed for the first time - shockingly and Saylor skied for the first time, getting up on the first (and only) try. She's a little too daring for me. I was honestly sore from tubing with her. She continually told Josh to speed up all while I was shaking my head in FEAR!

two cute tushes.

life.

2009-09-03T01:30:00.001-05:00

this one...she can test your patience to the very nerve, but she can also make you laugh until you pee your pants.