Santa delivers laughs via MHFD

The Mountain Home Fire Department does this awesome thing every year.  When Santa is too busy readying his sleigh, they take on the responsibility of delivering Santa's letters to all the good little boys and girls that have taken time to write him.  Hannah did just that in preschool a few weeks ago.  Her letter was delivered to the fire department.

Well, last night they came to our house.  I saw the flashing lights from the firetruck through our front window, and it took me a few seconds to connect the dots.  I jumped up and and opened the door, while telling Hannah that someone was here for her.  Trail's a blazin', she made it to the door.  And then came to a dead stop.  Once she saw the firemen and flashing lights, she took a b-line the OTHER way.

I excused myself, and had to hunt her down.  I found her in the linen closet with eyes wide, almost in tears, saying "But I didn't do it!  I didn't do AN-Y-THING!"

Trying to compose myself and not die of laughter, I explained to her that they were here to give her something, not take her away (I am saying this as Trent tells her "They are not the police.  They don't take you away - they save you"...What exactly have  I been teaching my kids?!).

It took a bit of convincing, but she finally made her way out and greeted the nice firemen.  Her expression was priceless.  They handed her the letter and explained how busy Santa was. She drank it all in with the magic that is St. Nick.


They made her night.

And my night too.  I sure love this firecracker of a kid!

That awkward moment...

Well it's official. I got the first "when are you due" question. You know, the one when they sympathetically look at your belly, with raised eyebrows and assume it's any day now... Um ya, the expression on her face changed rather quickly when I told her early March.  There was a muttered "Oh", and that was the end of that.   After the last week I had, I REALLY needed to someone to ask me that...said me, n-e-v-e-r. 

Guess it's the last time I wear that shirt...

For the record, I am 27 weeks.  And my body reminds me of that e.v.e.r.y.d.a.y.  

I got this ultrasound when I was 23 weeks...we already know that she'll have chubby cheeks (shocker, I know).  Can't tell about the nose yet, it was all pixel-y (is that a word?), because she kept moving.  This was our first time getting a 3D ultrasound, just for fun.  How cool is that?  

13 weeks and counting...

Trent's 20 question game

I love my Trent.  He keeps me on my toes, and makes my heart grow.

Trent is a very curious kid.  He asks a lot of questions.  And he isn't satisfied with lame answers.  Don't believe me?  Ask his teachers.  If they try to put him off, he'll call 'em out on it.  It makes for very interesting parent/teacher conferences.  I learned long ago, my answers better be thorough.  And if I don't know - I need to admit I don't know, and then go and help him find the answers.  Google has become my friend.  Well, more like my frenemy...it enables more questions at not very convenient times.  Such is life :)

A brief sample of the questions Trent asks me on any given day:

- If I lost my foot, would you pay for a bionic foot or a peg foot?

- Is the hydrogen field the same thing as the gravity field around a red dwarf star?

- How come there are some chemicals that don't make bubbles?

- How old do you have to be for the bump in your belly button to go away?  Because Hannah still has a bump in hers, but I don't in mine.

- Are the circuits on the Christmas tree lights a parallel or single circuit kind?

- Why are dog years multiplied by 7 and not 12?  Who said it has to be seven?

- Why do I have to show my work on my math homework?  It's already in my head - and I already know the answers.

And the questions go on and on.  Sometimes, I am very grateful for google, it makes less trips to the library.  And I am very grateful for bedtime...all the time - because my brain needs a rest from all his thinking :)

Aleana - Spring 2012

My little Aleana Mae isn't so little anymore.  She continues to amaze me.  

What a wonderful experience I had to be her track coach.  Getting to see how she is around her friends and how hard she works meant a lot to me.  I am very proud to be her mama.

She may be growin' up, but that little smirk will always mean she's my little girl.

12 Years old - celebrating her birthday with her mama, shopping at the mall.  Heaven help us all.

Happy birthday my crazy girl!

Luke: April - July 2012

Luke is my chill kid.  Being that he's 4th in the pecking order of things, I am not sure he has a choice on the matter.  He's a cute little man that has all of us wrapped around his little finger...but shhh don't tell him that ;)

Who else would I let wear MY sunglasses?

And then do this to them?!

He has a slight obsession with eye wear.  He found these at JC Penney

His other obsession is Mickey Mouse.

Slow ridin' under the lilac tree...

Floor time with Dad, and his cars of course

More easy riding, enjoying some Buzz time ;)

He's very energy efficient.

Chill baby, chill

Guess I let him chill at little too long :)

Hannah: April - July 2012

Our little Hannah...what can I say?  What you see is what you get with her.  You know exactly what she is thinking...and most of the time it's good things :)  

Crazy Hair Day at preschool

She loves her daddy.  He's the only one that can get her to sit still.  If she sits still long enough, the results are peaceful :)

One of my favorite pics of her...sums her up in a nutshell

She's my shoe girl

She found my boots...she's quite talented to be able to walk in those, because I scared to walk in 'em and they're my size!

Monkey

Hammy Hanny

That's the sound of silence...

A normal day

Race for the Cure 2012

This was something I have wanted to do for a very long time. It felt good.  And it was a little tough.  There were some emotions that welled up.  It certainly gave me cause to reflect.

I miss my mom.  

But I am grateful for her example, love, and the lessons she taught me.  I feel blessed to have the time I did with her.  Just wish that it didn't have to end like it did.

In memory of my mom.

The awesome awesome ladies I had the privilege of going with...yes, I felt like a giant.

Thousands of people moving with a purpose


...defeating cancer and 

reaching the finish line.

Dog Days

We love our dogs. 

Look into my eyes...bwuahahaha

like an old married couple...

Hannah loves her Quigley

Love the ear-perk...

Sasha - banished from the upstairs...sort of.

The way Quigley liked to sleep.  He was too portly for his legs to fit under him.

Luke's favorite thing to do in the morning.  Cuddle with his blanket and the dogs.

On our way...camping Memorial Day weekend.

Sadly, Quigley is no longer with us.  Just after labor day, he got real sick and we had to put him down ($200 bucks later...seriously - because it was after hours.  Yes, I am still bitter.)  The kids were so sad, and I shed some tears too.  His bark and never-satisfied love for all things food annoyed me.  But he was a sweet dog who loved the kids, especially Trent.  Quigley had cool tricks up his sleeve and a lot of patience to handle anything that came his way - cats included.  Sasha was the only one that didn't seem negatively affected by his passing (big surprise there...).

We went to a zoo

May 2012

The last field trip of the year for Hannah's preschool was a trip to the Boise Zoo.  The weather was perfect.  My kids fit right in :)

Feeding Giraffes.  A family favorite.

The good pic

Our "natural" pic

Penguin posers.

Seriously? You can't create photo-ops that good.  Hannah and her BFF Jesse.

The carousel

What I wanted to do at the end of day

Love my little monkeys...and the zoo :)