Weathers in Wisconsin

Pink Lady

2009-05-01T12:10:00.000-07:00

I unintentionally had Lizzie in all pink the other day as the kids went out to ride their bikes. She was the one who had to wear that sweatshirt. I had to get my camera when I realized how pink she really was:)

Lizzie turns 2!!

2009-02-20T08:26:00.001-08:00

No more babies in this house:( Lizzie turned two on Monday, and we had a little party for her on Sunday. Kaye and Jerry flew up just for the special occasion. I think she enjoyed all the love and attention.

A few pics from the party...I tried to get some decent shots of Lizzie, but she was a little uncooperative...

I made this little dress for her birthday....I decided it might look more like an apron:)

Broke down and bought her some girl Thomas trains...she loves to play with Knox and his trains...

I think Aunt Jen had a little fun buying Lizzie's gift...frilly skirt, purse, sunglasses and My Little Pony! Let's hope one of those babies she's growing is a girl:)

Grandma got her a hat that matched perfectly!

Lizzie thinks Poppie needs to wear the hat and sunglasses...

Obviously enjoying the cake...

Loved her Strawberry Shortcake balloon!

Here's a few shots of my gift to Lizzie...I actually took the time to do a real quilt binding, but cheated and didn't hand sew it down...who really has time for that?...maybe next time:) I put an "E" on it for Elizabeth...I know she's Lizzie most of the time, but I still want her to be Elizabeth...I guess maybe she can decide when she's older:)

And, last but not least, Lizzie's new bed. I saw it a long time ago at IKEA and just thought it was the cutest! Lizzie loves it and has slept so good in it. I hope that continues.

What can make this girl's heart sing?

2009-02-11T11:30:00.001-08:00

The UPS man bringing me a lovely package of fabric. All the gorgeous colors and patterns make my mind spin with endless possibilities! I know I'm a dork...but at least I'm admitting it:)

On a related subject, I'm almost done with Lizzie's birthday present and hope to post it soon.

Coming out of hibernation...

2009-02-09T12:10:00.000-08:00

It's been a while, to say the least. We had some sunny days with temps in the upper 30's and reaching 40 today and tomorrow. That's cause for Spring Fever up here in the northwoods!

I have been a blog slacker with not much of anything exciting to report, but am trying to get back on the wagon. The kids finally got a chance to go outside for longer than 10 min. yesterday. I quick snapped some shots of them all bundled up before they went out with Grandma.

Hopefully, I will post again soon as Miss Lizzie turns 2 on Monday and is even in a big girl bed!

I don't know why Knox looks so mad, but he wouldn't crack a smile, so this is all he gave me:)

The Fireman and the Pink Poodle

2008-11-03T19:31:00.001-08:00

Here's the gang before we went trick-or-treating...Avery, Tate, Knox and Lizzie

Some Fall pics

2008-10-30T20:41:00.000-07:00

I'm a little late posting these...seeing as how most of the leaves have fallen and it's Halloween tomorrow. But, I have to post the obligatory Fall pics:) I must add that my sweetest Godmother, Sheri, gave my kids the pumpkins. She carved their names into them when they were still little and they grew as the pumpkins grew...how neat is that.

My new favorite of Lizzie:)

A week in paradise...

2008-10-15T20:46:00.000-07:00

Kory and I returned home Sunday night from a cruise in the Caribbean. It was our first real grown-up vacation since having children, and it was so wonderful. We couldn't have done it without our parents help...(thank you Meme, Poppie, Grandma, and Grandpa!) It was a little risky scheduling a vacation while it's still hurricane season, but we couldn't have asked for better weather. We got a little spoiled with all the sleep, sun, eating, and relaxing...I would say reality hit me hard Monday morning:)

I was even too lazy on vacation to take many pictures, but wanted to share a few that I did take.

Princess Cays

Magens Bay, St. Thomas

Grand Turk - The Turks & Caicos had been hit pretty hard by a hurricane about a month ago, so it was pretty wrecked...very sad, but the beaches were beautiful.

Happy Friday!

2008-09-19T14:27:00.000-07:00

Lizzie found these boots in the closet and I just had to share this picture:)

Evening at the park

2008-09-10T07:30:00.000-07:00

Monday night I met my mom and the twins, Avery and Tate, at the park for a little picnic and playing. It's so funny to watch all three boys run around and chase squirrels, pick up every stick they find, and roll around on the ground wrestling. Boys will definitely be boys. When I see them all together I always think, I'm so glad I don't have three 3 year old boys. One is enough for me, so kudos to Jenn for having two:)

The boys trying to get the squirrels...

Very excited!

Boys being silly!

My attempt to get a picture of me and Lizzie...she wasn't very cooperative.

All the kids doing Itsy Bitsy Spider...

A video of the kids singing Itsy Bitsy Spider...(my mother is singing in the background:))

(Warning: sorry about the screaming at the end...I was too lazy to edit it)

Fall is here...

2008-09-04T21:06:00.000-07:00

After returning home from a long weekend in hot and humid Nashville we are experiencing some Fall-like weather around here. It's been in the upper 60's for the past few days, and it feels great! When I logged in to write a post I realized I missed the whole month of August! I almost feel like I missed it in real life, too:) Where in the world did the summer go?

Knox officially started Preschool today and, of course, I had to get the manditory first day of school pic. I actually felt pretty proud of myself since I'm not usually on the ball about those sort of things. I guess it might look more official if he had a backpack:)

He was being a little goofy while I was trying to get some shots...

Miss Independent

2008-07-23T10:12:00.000-07:00

Lizzie has been a little stubborn about wanting to feed herself. While she is quite good with a fork, she needs a little practice with a spoon:) I normally can't stand it when meals get messy, but a little yogurt won't hurt...

I'm back...

2008-07-14T06:53:00.000-07:00

Well, I guess the moment the warm weather hits us here in the north we don't like to waste a second of it, which I'm using as an excuse for being a total blog slacker. Our summers here in WI are beautiful, but very fleeting...how can it possibly be half over:(

We've been pretty busy around here...I think life with two little ones will do that to you. As of June 3, we now have a 3 year old living among us. I really think the day Knox turned 3 something changed...a newfound independence/new attitude. Of course we love him all the same, but there really is something to this magic number 3:)

And, as of July 5, we no longer have a twenty-something in our household. I sadly said goodbye to my twenties and turned the big 3-0. I'm working on embracing that number, but I think I'm doing a better job of denial. I did have a really great day with all my family at the lake. My wonderfully sweet husband surprised me with the best birthday cake I've ever had. He knows how much I covet really good wedding cake, so he ordered me a cake from one of the best wedding cake places in Minneapolis...it was soooooo good!

The saying on it..."Happy First Anniversary of your 29th Birthday" is from one of our favorite shows, "Scrubs". I was thinking I might just turn my birthday into an anniversary from now on. Actually, I think now that it's come and gone I'm fine with 30. It's really just harder for me to accept how fast time goes. Wasn't I just 20? How can 10 years possibly be gone in the blink of an eye? This just means I will be 40 even faster...okay, enough depressing thoughts. I am working on embracing today!

My cousin, Renee, was so sweet to get a picture of the four of us...the last one was over a year ago!!

Okay, now that I've rambled on about nothing, I have to mention something that was embarrassingly upsetting to me. Yesterday, I open up Yahoo and see that Angelina Jolie had her twins...oh, a boy and a girl...how sweet...what!...the boy's name is Knox!! I almost fell out of my chair. I don't necessarily feel proprietary about Knox's name, but really...did the most famous people in the world have to name their son that? I'm thinking after they have their 12th or 13th child, nobody will even know what his name is. Okay, now I feel a little better getting that off my chest...I hope I don't sound like a complete jerk for getting upset over this.

Hopefully, I will be back again before 2 months is gone:)

A few random pics...

2008-05-02T10:51:00.000-07:00

I have been absolutely terrible about taking pictures lately. I took a few of Lizzie the other day, and while looking at them I realized I hadn't taken any pictures for about a month! I kind of feel like a bad mother, but I don't think my children will really care too much. Anyways, I found this picture of Knox at the airport when we flew to Nashville last month...he was watching for our plane.

These pictures are what we woke up to this past Monday morning...it was really pretty, but come on...enough with the snow...now we're moving on to the rain...

And finally, a few of Lizzie...you can actually see the hair on top of her head:)

Knox just couldn't stay out of the picture:)

Just the kids...

2008-04-06T21:31:00.000-07:00

Well, not much has been going on around here. I think Spring has finally sprung, though. It's been around 60 for the last few days. There's only a few patches of snow around. I actually took the kids to the park on Friday, and poor Knox has finally been able to play outside. The cabin fever was about to do us all in.

I have been so bad about taking pictures lately, but I got a few this weekend. I had LASIK surgery last Monday, which was a huge success, so I'm so excited to finally be able to shoot without glasses! There's a few of Lizzie in the bath after Kory was having fun giving her some bubble hair. And, we gave Knox a much needed haircut today, so I had to get some pics of his much shorter hair.

Hope everyone had a great weekend and enjoyed the warm weather:)

Happy Easter

2008-03-21T11:28:00.001-07:00

Miss Madison at 7 months

2008-03-06T18:42:00.000-08:00

This past weekend I got to visit with Sara and get some shots of her adorable Madison. I can't believe she's already 7 months old, but I guess it's hard to believe Lizzie is one. She is just the cutest thing, with the biggest blue eyes...I could take pictures of her all day long. Gotta love her hair, too...Lizzie is still very jealous. I don't think Lizzie will be sportin' pigtails until she's in school...maybe high school. Anyways, just wanted to share a few (or a lot:))...

Last shot of the afternoon...she was over it, and just really wanted to chew on those sunglasses:)

Lizzie's Big Day!

2008-02-19T08:39:00.001-08:00

This past Saturday was Lizzie's 1st Birthday, and we had a little party for her to celebrate. It's amazing to me that she's already one! It's a little sad that she will be my last baby, but it's so fun to watch them grow and learn new things and become little people. She took her first steps a week before she turned one...it was very exciting:) The party was very successful considering we were all a little sick.

Here's Lizzie about 10 days old...seems like yesterday...

Lizzie modeling her birthday outfit...

My attempt at a cupcake cake...much easier than decorating a cake:)

Lizzie's new babydoll that resembles her quite a bit...no hair and all:)

Knox already playing with Lizzie's new toys as soon as she unwrapped them...he just couldn't help himself.
Baby Caleb...my cousin Vanessa's sweet baby boy...
Had to add this other sweet picture as I cut off Vanessa's head in the previous:)

Reaching for her lit candle...almost got it(whoops!)
She was all about destroying it, but wasn't very interested in eating it...
Here's Papa feeding it to her...she never did put any in her mouth by herself...

Here's all the big boys...Knox, Avery and Tate enjoying their cupcakes.
All ready for bed after her big day, Lizzie's giving the look she likes to give lately while Meme laughs...

And finally, Lizzie clapping for herself with Grandma.

The Burtons come to town

2008-02-14T22:32:00.000-08:00

Last weekend Ginny and Sloan and little Ari came up from Nashville to see us in Wisconsin...how exciting! Of course they had to come for the few days that it was extremely cold. Sunday morning I think the temperature was -14 and the wind chill was -41. We are all so very proud that Ginny didn't turn into a popsicle:) I think they got a little taste of life in WI when it's that cold...you just stay inside. We had so much fun hanging out, though. Poor Miss Ari was sick, but she was quite the trooper. So, we didn't have any big adventures outside in the snow, but Sloan did get to ride the snowmobile around the yard a little. I have to say he was fearless:) Of course we weren't very good at remembering to take pictures but I did get a few.

Here's some of Sloan tearin' it up!

Our sweet little girls playing so nice together:) I wish Lizzie would play so well with Knox.

Ginny and I with our growing brood...well hers is anyways:)

Dress #1

2008-02-07T06:56:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been a while. Sadly, I haven't really had anything to blog about. My poor camera is feeling neglected, too. So, I'm trying to break through the winter blues and post something. I finally just decided that I had to abandon my last knitting project, the sweater for Lizzie that probably won't fit her now. I will finish it one day...maybe she can pass it down to her daughter. Anyways, so I'm going to concentrate on sewing projects, since they are so much faster. I picked up a little baby dress pattern last week. It's a so-so pattern, but was very cheap and looked fast, which it was. Having a finished project after just a few hours of work feels very satisfying. The dress is okay, but it's given me the push I've been needing. Hopefully by spring I can produce something I'm proud of. Miss Lizzie was not a very willing model, but I got one decent shot. The poor girl is going to turn 1 on the 16th and just look at the lack of hair! It is actually growing, but you have to be up close to notice:) It doesn't help that it's so light, either. Anyways, I'm trying to get back on the blogging wagon, so hopefully this isn't the last you hear from me in awhile...

Sad day in WI...

2008-01-21T07:44:00.000-08:00

We are all a little sad and depressed today as last night our beloved Brett Favre and the Packers could not pull out a win to get to the Super Bowl. We had hope as they won the coin toss in overtime that our favorite hero, Favre, would march down the field and win the game...but, it wasn't meant to be:( I guess there's always next year.

I'm back...

2008-01-14T07:55:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been awhile...I see it's been exactly one month since I've posted. We spent a few weeks in Nashville for Christmas and had a great time. Kory and I were definitely spoiled having Meme and Poppie to help 24/7 with Knox and Lizzie. Thanks again to my most wonderful in-laws!:)

So, it's taken me almost a week to get back into the swing of things around here. I do enjoy the winter in Wisconsin...love the snow...don't even mind the cold...but, it's horrible for any kind of motivation. Being couped up inside with limited amount of daylight hours really does a number on your energy level...I think I should look into light therapy:) It probably doesn't help that I have two small children that I feel like I'm playing referee with all day, either. Anyways, enough complaining.

I was absolutely horrible about taking pictures in Nashville, so I have a few I'll have to dig up from Christmas with my family here. However, I did get a few this weekend of Knox and Kory on the snowmobile. Or, as Knox calls it, the "snowbile". It got pretty warm here last week and we lost a lot of our beautiful snow...sob:(...but, there's still enough for a ride around the yard.

Sweet Aria

2007-12-14T08:22:00.001-08:00

Last weekend Lizzie and I got to go on a girls trip to Nashville. It was such a great weekend! I got to see all my girlfriends and my most wonderful mother-in-law watched Lizzie as much as I wanted her to...as did my greatest father-in-law:) Lizzie did so great, too, and I think she actually bonded with her Meme and Poppie!

I was able to spend lots of time with Ginny, too, who just returned home from China. I am so glad we have the Burtons back for a bit:) While it wasn't the most ideal conditions, I was still able to get a few shots of Ari in her Christmas dress. It didn't take long for her to transition from China back to the South...with her smocked dress and bow and all:) I hope to get some more shots of her over Christmas when we have more time and more light...how can I resist such a face:)

Winter Wonderland

2007-12-04T12:51:00.000-08:00

This past weekend we got quite a bit of snowfall, which means the first sledding of the year! Poor Knox has been waiting patiently since the summer to use his sled. He saw it in the garage and wanted to use it so badly. I said not until the winter when there's snow. So, of course, the boy who doesn't forget anything has been talking about it every since. So, Papa braved it in the cold and took him sledding in the yard. Notice Papa isn't really dressed appropriately...he claims he doesn't really need a winter coat:) Anyways, I could only stand it as long as it took to get some pictures. I know Kory probably doesn't appreciate me putting all these pictures of him up, but I just think they're all so sweet...I'm sure Meme agrees:)

Knox was a little apprehensive going down the hill, but he loved it!

A few of Lizzie and her famous tongue!

Just a few of bathtime. Lizzie loves the bath! She crawls all over and tries to take all of Knox's toys:)

Last, but not least, I had to add a picture of the beautiful roses that Kory gave me for our anniversary....what a sweet husband:)

Miss Madison

2007-11-30T00:55:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I was fortunate enough to get some shots of sweet Madison, my dear friend Sara's baby. I hadn't seen her in person since I took her newborn shots, and she is just so beautiful! She has the biggest blue eyes that I was just dying to shoot, but of course she didn't really want to look at me:) It was a little tricky being that she was 3 1/2 months old. It's just kind of a hard age to shoot since they can't do a whole lot. But, I think I got some sweet ones...especially of mom and baby. Sorry it took me so long, Sara:)

Happy 5th!

2007-11-28T09:09:00.000-08:00

Happy 5th anniversary to my wonderful husband!! Thanks for an incredible 5 years...here's to many many more! I don't know how it could possibly be 5 years already! I guess time flies when you're having fun:) Well, Kory and I always said we would go to Europe on our 5th anniversary...somehow 2 kids later that's probably not going to happen this year:) Thanks to my wonderful mother, we did get a night to ourselves last weekend in Minneapolis, which was a nice relaxing little getaway.

I thought I better put a wedding picture up to reminisce a little. We got married on Thanksgiving Day and had a very small ceremony with just family and a few close friends. It was just the way we wanted it, but it's funny how I barely remember it now and it's only been 5 years. We do have a video that my cousin Ben was so great to record for us, but I hate to admit that Kory and I have only been able to make it through the first minute or so before turning it off. As two people who really don't like to see pictures of ourselves, it's almost impossible to watch a whole video centered on yourself. Anyways, just looking at one wedding picture makes me realize how much life has changed...it's almost like these are different people in this picture. God has certainly blessed our lives in these short 5 years.

One thing that I will always remember, though, is that I decided to make my own dress. However, as a professional procrastinator I was finishing it at the very last minute (my mother-in-law can attest). I was just so thankful it fit! I will forever be proud, though, that I only spent about $60 on my wedding dress...$40 for material and $20 for the pattern:)

Enough jogging down memory lane:) Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I am so thankful to the Lord for everyone in my life...especially Kory and the family we have made together in the last 5 years.

9 Months

2007-11-20T07:20:00.001-08:00

Miss Lizzie turned 9 months last Friday! Where does the time go? She had a doctor's appt. and is healthy as can be. She is still my big girl, but has slowed down a little bit...I'm sure she'll make it up:) Her stats are:

27 3/4 in. (60%)

20 lbs. 5 oz. (75%)

Baby Caleb

2007-11-13T08:55:00.001-08:00

My cousin, Vanessa, had her sweet baby boy Caleb on October 30. He's so precious and just so tiny...it doesn't take long to forget how little newborns are. So, I was blessed to be able to get some shots of him last week. The light was scarce, and little Caleb didn't want to miss anything and was awake the whole time, but I think I got some sweet ones. Congrats Jeff and Vanessa...he's beautiful:)

First Snow

2007-11-09T09:52:00.001-08:00

This is what's happening here this morning...it's always exciting to get the first snow of the year. Makes me want to drink hot chocolate and bake cookies...too bad I don't really bake...but there could be a Starbucks run in my near future:) I am now officially excited about the holidays!

Knitting Update

2007-11-07T09:00:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm not getting too far on the pink sweater coat for Lizzie. I do have one sleeve done and working on the second. I am bound and determined to finish it, though. Maybe when I start on the hood I will feel like I'm nearing the end. Of course, as any true knitter knows, you always have to be working on more than one project at a time...so, I knit this cute little hat for Lizzie the other day. She left it on just long enough to snap a picture...I'm not sure how I'm going to keep her bald head warm this winter when she won't leave a hat on:)

Halloween

2007-11-02T10:49:00.000-07:00

Now that Knox is almost 2 1/2 I think he kind of understood the concept of trick-or-treating, which made it much more fun. The poor child is a little sheltered and hasn't really had any candy...actually he didn't really know what it was before this week. So, needless to say he was very excited about all the candy...he even had his very first sucker! I have a feeling the second child won't be as sheltered:) It's just so easy when there's only one...I mean I made all of Knox's babyfood and now with Lizzie I didn't even think about it. Of course, she now has a problem with textures...she might be eating Gerber #2 until she's 3.

Anyways, even though it was very cold, the trick-or-treating was a success. We went with Ashley and Jenn and the twins, and some of their friends with little kids. It was so great that it was still light outside when we started. I was so amazed, too, at how much people decorated their houses...I definitely don't remember that as a child.

Of course I had to share lots of pics...

My little giraffe

I cut Kory out of this, but I'm sure he's glad I did...he likes to be in pictures about as much as I do, if you couldn't tell:)

Here's Knox and Papa trick-or-treatingTate, Knox and Avery

I had to show all these because Knox looks like he's all ready to become a football player:)

He's even got the face down

One more of Lizzie:)

More Fall pictures...

2007-10-30T08:56:00.000-07:00

It's been a while again since I've posted. We've been a little busy around here lately, but it looks like things are slowing down. I am always writing posts in my head, but somehow they never make it to the computer...must get better about that. I took some pictures of Knox a few weeks ago that I wanted to share, and some of Lizzie that I took just yesterday. It's getting pretty cold, so probably won't get many more shots outside...without lots of clothing anyways.

The cold has arrived...time to knit!

2007-10-09T17:34:00.000-07:00

Well, I figured I should become a more well-rounded blogger and write about more than just my children:) So, I've been knitting this sweater jacket for Lizzie for about six months...well I should say I started it about six months ago. The problem with knitting for me, as with all other things, is that I have too many ideas swirling around in my head. So, lots of ideas means many projects started, which means many projects unfinished. Plus, I don't have a whole lot of time to dedicate to knitting right now. But, I'm determined to finish this sweater. The problem is that it's knit on #3's (which are relatively small needles) and has a cable in it (which is more time consuming). Anyways, it's easy knitting, just really slow. I figure if I blog about this sweater I'll feel more motivated to finish it. I'm just crossing my fingers that when I do finish it, it will fit Lizzie:) Then I'm going to start sewing more...which is a whole lot faster!

This piece is the start of the right front...just two sleeves and a hood to go...well, and lots of tedious finishing work...

Warning...lots of pictures!

2007-10-04T18:20:00.000-07:00

Finally, I have some time to post! Kory is in upstate New York overseeing the installation of a bridge, so I'm a free woman. I can sit on the computer as long as I want and not one comment shall I hear:) Now I guess that sounds kind of bad, like he doesn't ever let me get on the computer. The truth is I get sucked in working in Photoshop, or reading blogs, or looking at a myriad of items to buy on the internet...and then sadly my poor husband gets neglected.

Anyways, we have been busy here with two little kids. Lizzie finally popped a tooth out about 3 weeks ago, and now she's working on the second! She was no longer needing the title of 'Miss Fussypants', but now I'm afraid she's heading down that road again. Hopefully the second tooth won't take as long. She is also crawling everywhere and climbing up on everything...which means I can't turn my back on her for one second. She is quite curious and very adventurous.

Knox is just a busy, busy boy. He has always been as sweet as can be, but the past week or so he's starting to show a new side...a bossy side. He's starting to demand that I put Lizzie down (so I can hold him), or that I stop talking to my mom (so he can have Grandma's full attention), or that I stop looking at stuff when we're out shopping. I'm hoping that this is a faze, but I'm afraid that this might be leading into the behavior of a 2 1/2 old.

So, yesterday, when they were both displaying their dark sides, I think I basically lost my mind. I'm pretty sure it was my worst day of motherhood so far...but surely there will be days to top it in the future:) It's pretty bad when I asked my mom and my mother-in-law to pray for me! Having more patience is definitely my biggest prayer for myself right now.

I have an overload of pics to post since it's been awhile. Of course they're mostly of Lizzie...she's the only cooperative one in the family. Here's my attempt at a Fall portrait:)

Here's Lizzie the first day she stood up in her crib. When I walked in to get her from her nap, I knew I was in trouble:)

Here's Lizzie playing with the Legos at Grandma and Grandpa's...

Just a few obligatory naked pics...

I guess I should include one of Knox...I promise I love him, too...he is just already an expert at avoiding the camera. Here's Knox and Lizzie with their new winter pjs on:)

Stay Tuned

2007-09-28T14:22:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to find the time to post forever now! Just wanted anyone who actually reads my blog to know I'm still here...will hopefully post more soon! Here's one of Knox trying to avoid the camera...

6 Months

2007-09-03T19:46:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been a couple weeks since Lizzie turned 6 months, but I still wanted to post her stats. She was 18 lbs. 4 oz. and 27 in. (90% for height and weight!). So, she's still my big girl:) No teeth yet...the doctor said she was sure it would be anyday now...that was over 2 weeks ago. I've been waiting for three months, now! I think I might be setting my hopes too high that she will get over her fussiness when this tooth comes through. Kory has been calling her fussy britches for awhile now, and so of course Knox has started calling her that, too. Well, it is quite amusing when he doesn't pronounce the "r" in britches:) He is starting to say the funniest things...I guess that is one of the best things about having a 2 year old. I'm posting a pic of Lizzie from yesterday and now I'm feeling bad that I didn't take any of Knox. Hope everyone had a great holiday weekend!

More Baby Madison

2007-08-25T23:19:00.001-07:00

So, it's been over a week now that I went up to see my good friend Sara and her brand-new baby girl, Madison. It was so great to spend time with both of them...Madison is such a sweet little baby. I miss those first weeks when all they do is sleep:) I wanted to practice shooting with a subject that wouldn't move, so Sara graciously let me take all the pictures I wanted. Just wanted to share a few...

The Twins

2007-08-14T23:47:00.000-07:00

I took some shots of Avery and Tate (my twin nephews who are 2) a few weeks ago and wanted to post a few. They were so funny...Tate was a total ham for the camera, and Avery would not even look at me...he was so stubborn. It's a miracle I got this one of him with a smile! They both have such gorgeous eyes and are so photogenic...I know they will soon tire of me taking their picture just as Knox has:) Hopefully when they all get out of the 2's they will be better subjects...or probably not:)

Avery

Tate

Can I get a smile?

2007-08-09T23:11:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to improve my focus...which is a difficult task with very active children. Of course, they are my most accessible subjects, so I can't be too picky. However, can they not just give me one smile?! Or maybe even just look at the camera...in Knox's case. He's already rebelling against the camera...no amount of begging and pleading will give me just one sweet little smile. I'm hoping he outgrows this stage soon:) And Lizzie...well, she's just always got that tongue out...but at least she'll look at the camera! I promise she smiles all the time!

Sweet Baby Madison

2007-08-02T12:53:00.000-07:00

Last night I had the pleasure of meeting my dear friend Sara's brand new baby girl...she was only a day old. Her name is Madison Marie and she is just beautiful! She has a head full of gorgeous dark silky hair...Lizzie is so jealous:) There's nothing better than holding a newborn. Congratulations Sara and Ben!

Happy Friday!

2007-07-27T10:46:00.000-07:00

Not much new going on around here...just busy with two little ones as usual:) Just wanted to post something as it's been awhile, so just sharing a few recent pics. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

5 months...and crawling?!

2007-07-17T11:41:00.000-07:00

Lizzie turned 5 months yesterday, and she is just one active little girl. She is already getting in the crawling position and pushing herself forward. She also knows how to just scoot herself forward and get basically anywhere she wants. Right now she seems to want to get to any of Knox's toys. It's just so different for her to be so active as Knox didn't start crawling until about 10 months.

The poor girl is still teething terribly...everyday I'm feeling that bottom gum and hoping those teeth have popped out. It's been over a month now...how long must she suffer? Or should I say "we"?

I keep getting these shots of her with such a serious or worried look on her face. She gives this face quite often, but on the contrary, she is such a smiley baby. I think I need an assistant to make her smile when I'm taking pictures. I guess I need to start training Knox...he will be very cheap labor.

Here she is ready to go...

She's found a new toy to chew on...Knox's car! With rubber tires, too...jackpot:)

Chewing on the fingers...this has become an addiction...she needs serious help...

Well, didn't want to leave Knox out. He had a good old time eating this watermelon, and, of course, was quite the sticky mess. My mom told him to go eat it in the grass...apparently that's what she told us to do as kids, but I think we were old enough to understand to stand up and eat it so we wouldn't get messy:)

My Birthday Present

2007-07-13T11:07:00.000-07:00

For my birthday I asked for one day to myself to go shopping, and yesterday I was able to cash in on that. My wonderful in-laws arrived from Nashville just in time to spend the whole day with Knox, and my mom watched Lizzie.

So, I took off early for the Twin Cities for a full day of shopping, shopping and more shopping:) Actually, I was able to meet my good friend Katie for lunch in Stillwater, which was really great. So, technically, it wasn't all about shopping. I went to the Mall of America and got some really great deals. Everyone is getting rid of summer stuff...the Gap already had Fall stuff in! I was able to look as long as I wanted at H & M and Nordstrom Rack (Kory's least favorite stores ever). No fussy children...no husband sitting on the bench outside...no time limit! It was great! I think maybe I need to ask for this more often:)

Thanks Mom, Kory, Kaye, and Jerry for giving me such a great birthday present:)

The 4th continued...

2007-07-06T19:55:00.000-07:00

We spent most of the week up north at the cabin enjoying the beautiful weather and just relaxing. This year Knox was old enough to really enjoy the 4th of July parade...he loved all the firetrucks! Unfortunately Lizzie wasn't so fond of all the horns and sirens. We went to the beach and the park, and went on lots of pontoon rides. All the boys got to go tubing for the first time. Of course, they went with their dads:) Being pulled behind a pontoon with a 20hp motor was a pretty big thrill for a 2 year old:) I think next year Grandpa will have to upgrade to a speedboat, though. It's definitely fun to start doing all the things with your children that we did growing up. It does make me feel a little old, though...it doesn't help that I turned 29 yesterday! My last birthday...ever. I shall be 29 forever:)

Knox at the beach...

On his favorite...the backhoes...

On the big boy swings...

Lizze's worn out...

Lizzie playing...

Knox at the parade...

Kory and Lizzie at the parade...

Kory and Knox tubing...

All the boys...Knox, Avery, and Tate...looking pretty tired

My attempt at getting their picture...it was an impossible task!

Ashley teaching Avery to be a daredevil...

Kory and Knox on the boat...

4th of July

2007-07-06T13:31:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone had a great 4th! We had a great time at the lake and have sunburns to prove it! I have lots of pictures to share, but will have to post them later when I have more time...so, stayed tuned:)

Elizabeth Rae

2007-06-28T23:03:00.000-07:00

I finally got a few shots of Lizzie when she wasn't being Miss Fussypants. She actually is a pretty smiley baby, but it's hard to get her to smile when I'm behind the camera. These pictures really accentuate how bald she is...even though I do think her hair is starting to grow a little:)

I thought this expression was pretty funny:)

Birthday Weekend

2007-06-27T10:25:00.000-07:00

Kory and I had a great day celebrating his 30th birthday. My mom watched the kids, so we had the whole afternoon and evening to spend together. We played some golf and then went to dinner and a movie...it was very nice. Such simple plans become the biggest treats after children enter the picture:) The weather was perfect for golfing, and I even played pretty decent after not playing for nearly 2 years! There's nothing like hitting a really good shot to bring back your passion for the game.

We saw Ocean's 13, which was pretty entertaining. I mean, you pretty much know what you're going to get going in, but it's still worth it. You can't help but think how much fun they must have making these movies...a bunch of friends hanging out in Vegas...doing a fluff movie...getting paid millions of dollars:) I could do that...but, alas, I don't look like George Clooney or Brad Pitt...which is good, I guess, since I am a girl.

On Sunday we drove over to the Mall of America to just hang out for a little bit. I went on a few rides with Knox, which was fun. He went on his first roller coaster...just the kiddie one, but he did get a little scared. I felt kind of bad, but I think he liked it anyway. Who would of thought the kiddie roller coaster would whip you around those corners like that!? Unfortunately, I didn't bring my camera to the mall, but I did get some shots of Knox last week that I wanted to share. Hopefully, Fussypants (Lizzie) will be more cooperative soon so I can get some shots of her.

The big 3-0!

2007-06-22T08:28:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband, Kory!! He is 30 today! I'm not going to give him too hard of a time because I guess I'm not far behind him. He says it doesn't bother him to turn 30, so I guess I'll buy that. I, on the other hand, am dreading turning 29. I have to congratulate him also, as he said he wanted to have 2 kids by the time he turned 30...he made it with 4 months to spare!

Here he is at about 3 months:)

Joining the ranks...

2007-06-21T15:31:00.000-07:00

Well...I guess I might be the very last one to start a blog, but I'm finally doing it. Since I have two little ones now, I figured this might be a good way to update everyone and post pictures.

Knox just turned 2 on June 3 and Lizzie is 4 months. She just went in this week for her check-up and she's getting so big. She was 16 lbs. (90th percentile) and 26 in. (97th)...I really know how to grow them big! She started rolling over a few weeks ago and she's also teething already. I'm hoping for her sake and mine that the teeth come through soon.

Just wanted to share a few recent pictures of the kids at the cabin. Hopefully I can be somewhat diligent about blogging so I can share pictures more often:)