Dan's Anniversary present

Dan surprised me with this for our anniversary. It took me a while to figure out what in the heck was going on and I just laughed and laughed when I realized what was going on. Now he's no Fred Astaire (but he does look surprisingly like him, as many people have noticed), but it was so, so sweet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puXfrSzhfy4

Happy Anniversary!

Yikes, where have the last 12 years gone?? Happy Anniversary to my husband, who always puts me first and still thinks I'm beautiful after all this time. You're still the one that I want.

Happy Mother's Day!

I decided to update pics of my kids for all the mothers in my life, including the wonderful birthmothers and birthgrandmothers of our children. Thank you for making me a mother and giving me the greatest gift any person has ever given me, (except my own mother) . You are often on my mind, especially in those quiet moments of rocking children and sweet snuggles.

Thank you GlennaLee for helping us out so much these past 18 months. I don't know what we would have done without you. I always laugh aloud when I remember you giving me my shot in that hotel room. And as we've said before, what other mother-in-law has been present at the conception of her grandchild, especially when her son is hundreds of miles away!

I love you, Mom, for all you've done for me and for the friend you are to me. You have always been such an example of selflessness, service and quiet love. I miss you so much!! ID is too far away. You were the perfect mother for me, practical when needed and always giving us the freedom to become who we were meant to be.

Carnival

We met up with Carolina's BM at a carnival and the kids had a blast. They all, including Carolina, kept yelling "Faster!" I must say, the hawkers at the games were freaking me out. They kept yelling at us and I started to dread walking by them. Carter would ask them how much the game cost, and would then sadly say, "Sorry. I'm saving for bunk beds."

Carter

Carter decided he wanted bunkbeds, and I said maybe when you're older. A while later I went to his room, and he had built himself some. I think Noah was feeling very worried when he realized he was on the bottom.

Noah

Noah is my crazy one. There is always something going on when he's around. He is also very loving, insisting on giving everyone on his bus a hug, everyday, including his bus driver to whom he also presented flowers yesterday. If you're wondering, she's in her 60s and he usually goes for buxom blondes with great legs.

Carolina

Carolina is definitely a two year old now, with play dead tantrums and shrill screams when she doesn't get what she wants. She wakes up almost every day pretending to be a kitty and loves her little sister. It always amazes me how many words can come out of this very little girl. Unfortunately, she doesn't like to have her picture taken anymore, so it's feat to get a good one.

Bronte

Bronte is growing up on us! She went from sitting up to crawling in what seemed like a matter of days and is now cruising around the house, getting into trouble. We find the weirdest things in her mouth (once Dan actually started gagging when he saw what she had in her mouth, and this from the man who has cleaned up countless poo and vomit messes). She is becoming a happier baby and is very attached to her Momma (sometimes that's a good thing, sometimes not so much -- especially at 3:00 AM). Here are some pictures of her this winter/spring!

Sledding this winter

Music

Why am I so behind on good music?? I think the answer begins with a 5 year old and ends with a 7 month old. Heard this song today for the first time and really loved it, even though the rest of the world has already heard it. I've been really loving Train's stuff the last couple of years.

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghZt2cILcCU

Just January

Here are some updated pics from the last month. Suzanne wanted to see some new ones of Bronte. Bronte is sitting up now and scooting around the house on her belly, like a crazy lizard. The boys have been busy making me Valentines and posting them everywhere in my house. I tried to take a couple down yesterday and they almost had panic attacks, so I left them up. For an update on Carolina, see post below!!

Happy Birthday, Carolina

Happy 2nd Birthday, Carolina! (Yes, I know the pics are in the wrong order, but really, I've got no time to change them!). She loved blowing out the candles this year, making us redo them after she blew them out the first time. She's still not that into presents and even though I'm trying my hardest, she still doesn't care for dolls, darn it. (Mom, does that bring back memories of a certain child lugging around baby dolls on each hip until she was, oh, about 12 or so??) Oh, and if you thought these were Christmas pics because the presents are wrapped in Christmas paper, well, that's just what happens when your child's birthday is in early January.

10 things I love about you, Carolina:

1. The way you light up and happily exclaim, "Mama!" whenever I enter a room.
2. The way you take on your big brothers, even though they've got 20 pounds on you.
3. How you'll hold up clothes and say "So cute!"
4. The fun ways you are experimenting with language, saying the cutest things that just make me smile.
5. Your giggle.
6. The way you make me feel like you love me the best, and the way you make your Dad feel like you love him the best.
7. How you'll run literally for 30 minutes around a table for no apparent reason but acting very proud of yourself with each lap completed.
8. Your fun dancing moves.
9. Your love for chocolate.
10. How you'll hug Bronte, and exclaim, "My sista!"

Happy Birthday, sweetie!