I walked by the boys room last night while Justin was putting them to bed. Something about the lighting and Justin sitting in that little chair just begged for a picture. It was such a sweet moment :)

Isaiah lost tooth #4!!!

Well, instead of a gun, this time Gabe accessor-ized Lily with a purse that Justin's Aunt Penny got her.

LEGO bling

The big boys were playing legos and found this chain piece. Isaiah brought it out and put it on Lily for a bracelet! I thought that was so cute! It gave me the idea to make her a real one, pictures coming...

He makes me so proud

I took Isaiah to the bus-stop this morning, just like every other morning. When I walked back inside, something (God) made me uncover the junk on top of my planner and take a look at the calendar... This morning at 8:00am was the 3rd quarter awards ceremony! I threw clothes on everyone and we were out the door. We made it with a couple minutes to spare. Isaiah was grinning ear-to-ear to see us there! Thank you GOD for the reminder!!! THEN, I notice the bright yellow sticker on his shirt! He was chosen for the "Good Character" award! It was a great morning :)

Gorgeous Day!

The kids and I (minus Isaiah :( ) spent the morning at Lake Mackintosh, just down the road from our house. Every time I go there, I kick myself for not taking advantage of it more. It's such a beautiful place to wander around with the kids, and it's literally just down the road. We brought bread for the ducks, which the fish enjoyed as well. I brought the camera and caught some great shots of my beautiful kiddos.

Lukey almost has a "Joe Dirt" mullet in this picture!

It prompted me to cut his hair this evening :)

Here, Luke is contemplating how big a splash it would make if he pushed the stroller into the water...

the view from the park:
I was so focused on getting a jumping shot of Gabe, that I didn't notice Luke had picked up a water bottle from the ground and started sucking on it!!!!! AHHHH!!! ...not Mother-of-the-year.. 7 years running!!! On the bright side? He just finished up a round of antibiotics for an ear infection, so maybe that will help with any nasty germs he picked up?

The cheese-touch!!!

You have to be familiar with "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" (or "Diarrhea of a Wimpy Kid" as Gabe calls it ;) to understand this post. I was sweeping the floor under the dining room table and found this. Apparently, Luke was inspired to draw with blue marker on his cheese. It ended up on the floor and a tiny dust bunny stuck to it making it strikingly similar to the cheese in the story!!! I got a fun laugh out of it :D

sick "Tubbies"

Luke's been pitiful this past week. Monday I took him to the Dr. and he has an ear infection and I'm pretty sure a sinus infection. He ran a fever for a couple days. I couldn't say no when he wanted to swing. I took my chances that it might break, but it didn't! He's still not 100%, but slowly getting better. Can't wait to have my silly boy back!

I found him laying on the floor in the dark in Lily's room, not asleep, just laying there! Pitiful :(

Sand toys are for eating, silly Mommy

Luke came up to me with an octopus mold for the sandbox (brand new, still clean) and called it a bowl and asked for cheese in it. I obliged, after all, he's been sick and cranky so I'm just trying to keep things as peaceful as possible around here! Then he grabbed the giant shovel and, well, see for yourself ;)

Hard to say no to a face like this!

California!

I had a wonderful time in California visiting my sister, my brother and seeing my Mom and some new extended family. My Mom flew Lily and me out to see Hil in her first paid part in Hollywood :) She was so great! (and I'm not just saying that because she's my sister). We stayed at John's brothers house in Manhattan Beach. It was gorgeous! And Lisa was quite the hostess. They have two very sweet boys, Blake and Brett, who loved holding and talking to Lily. We had lunch with Jack and Hil and saw their apartments. I wish I took more pictures but I was too busy enjoying myself. I look forward to sharing the experience with Justin and the kids one day!

a glimpse of Rodeo Drive after the play:

Lily, snug-as-a-bug:

Joe Jonas in Venice Beach:
Uncle Jack fell in love with Lily, it was precious. He showed us around Venice Beach and Santa Monica, where he lives. Beautiful place!
Venice:





Paramount Studios, Hollywood:
Mom & Hil in Hollywood:
Hils pretty toes ;)
Me & Bumblebee, for the boys :)
the Hollywood sign from Hils neighborhood:
so much fun being together!
Hils adorable pooch Penny:


Aunt Hilary holding Lily at lunch, such a natural beauty:


meeting Penny:

Hils apartment (very "Melrose Place" kind of feel)



they finally meet!!!