home sweet lake-part 1

It has been one fun week at the lake. Lots of playing and relaxing and fun with cousins. I've barely been able to pull myself to check my email once a day. It's nice having Craig around all day and my boys are SO happy here.

The Baby Brigade was a big hit at the talent show. Parker showed off his dance moves with the most serious face you've ever seen.

horseback rides, tennis, bike rides, boat rides, fishing, a million other out door activities in a beautiful place and family. it's going to be hard to leave!

Adventures

"taint-two!" =thank you!

I love how this picture captures the simple joys that comes with having kids. "yessss!! our kid can blow out 2 candles! He is so awesome!!"

 An

Thank you to all of the family (and brit and todd) that came to celebrate M's birthday.  I think the highlight of his night was running around wrestling with Joe and Thomas. And he sure loved all his fun presents (as did parker).

i'm a hard hard worker every day....

I'm finally starting to have some "after" pics of a few of our 100's of projects happening around here. This is craig's latest and greatest from last weekend....

BEFORE

AFTER (ish)

during.....

This project was all craig. He went to Lumber Liquidators and picked the wood (Tobacco Road i think...i love the diversity in it). He had some really good help (besides his side-kick, park). Not sure how I didn't get pictures of Graham, Jeff or his brother, Matt, but he couldn't have done it without them-or the use of some of their tools.

projects on the docket:

-drapes for Miles' room (his room is almost done)

-headboard for Parker

-submit our plan for yard to HOA so we can start landscape

-order backsplash for kitchen! 

-find lighting for kitchen

-sell old lighting on craig's list

-window coverings for master bath

...ok this list could go on forever, so I'd better stop before it makes me tired. I'm going to have a big break though as we take off soon for a 3 week trip back east. Add "pack" to the list. 

one thing about it, i love it all. it has been so fun having a home to decorate and having an idea and seeing it take form.

Two years ago today

{july 21, 2008}

 {first taxi ride-headed home from hospital}

 {Lake Winnipesaukee- 5 days old}

Dear Miles-

Two years ago today you joined our little family. It was love at first sight for me. I worried about how I would handle being a mom to 2 kids, but you were such a dream baby that you made it easy. I worried about you getting enough attention, being the younger brother of Mr. Outgoing himself. But your sweet spirit drew people to you from the get go -mostly radiating from the huge smile that is permanently planted on your face.  

You make me laugh every single day. Your dad and I lay in bed at night talking about how funny you and your brother are, telling each other antidotes that the other might have missed from the day and laugh till we cry. They are also tears of gratitude. We are both so thankful that you are a part of our lives and that we get to be your stewards here on this earth.

 {La Jolla-July 4th weekend, 2010}

Keep smiling Mr. Cool.  I love you to eternity and back.

Happy 2nd birthday!!

Love,  Mom 

 

REALLY??*

*caption needed for this set of photos...(which is only a small sample of the collection).

see a few more HERE.

Surf City

We really do spend a lot of time slaving away on the house. We just have lots of breaks for visitors and beach time. Ryan is in town from UT, so today we headed down to La Jolla Shores with him and met up with a bunch of friends that came down from OC.  A lot of fun with a waterproof disposable camera that was $5 ensued.

Park's first time surfing. I don't have any pics of them both standing, but they did it and had some good rides. Craig would stand up, then hold P's hand while he stood up. So cute.

Jason impressing us with his skills. He also taught Craig and me how to ride tandem.

Me, Sydney, Ron, Jason, Rob and Shane

Ronny tearing it up.

Parker so proud of himself.

About to stand (i Promise).

Good times.

Let Freedom Ring

My family came over from Phoenix for the 4th. It was so fun to give my mom and fam a tour of our house and to have our first official house guests. (When my dad came BACK 2 weeks ago with Mikey to help us move, they went more under the category of "help" than guests.)

We spent a ton of time in La Jolla at the beach, went to the Mormon Battalion Museum (so fun for the kids), had  a big 4th of July dinner, then walked/got shuttled down to La Jolla cove where we layed on blankets and listened to the Maritime Band till the fireworks started. I loved it all. Mostly, I loved getting to spend time with my family and my siblings and getting to see them have fun in a place I love. Seeing Michael's smile after he stood up on his FIRST try at surfing was awesome. And Bex decorated one beautiful flag cake. P loved hanging with his cousins....especially Andrew.

Can't wait for you to visit again!