Welcome to the World

Isn't this the cutest?!?! It's the new baby gorilla at the zoo. They had a baby shower for her yesterday and registered at Target! Isn't the fun / totally creative.

H is being a sweet brother helping W up but of course Miss Independence can do it herself!

Before the rain came, we had to run and get this pic. I'm pretty sure the cutouts are in the top five favorite things at the zoo.

Park Playtime

Good times, good times, in the water fountain.

You get back here BABY!

Oh You Stinky Bear

I have always thought it was so sweet when little kids have a lovie that they carry with them everywhere. I've recently changed my views on the matter.

I tried to push one on Harrison but he was not interested. Well, Waverly LOVES her pink bear. She has to nap and sleep with it every night. Sometimes he (yes, it's a he) goes with us on stroller trips. Lately she's been chewing on Pink Bear (that's his name) and it's really gross. I've found chewed up green (from the rainbow pack) goldfish in his ear! He's really starting to smell too. I've washed him quite a bit but it's hard finding the right time that doesn't overlap her sleeping schedule. My mom bought her a new pink bear and she knew the difference right away and shook her head no. I guess he's just part of the family now.

Playmates

We can finally trust Waverly with the Legos! This is great news b/c H is always looking for someone to play with him. She mainly just takes their helmet off and tries to put it back on. Unfortunately sometimes she can't remember what she did with them.

Website Wednesday - Holy Sews

Get ready to grab a kleenex...click HERE for Holy Sews. Last night I decided to attend the monthly women's group at church. I've been meaning to go for a long time but never have made it. Let me tell you, it was just what I needed. There was a wide range in ages which makes a really great dynamic. They provided dinner, drinks and a relaxing evening. Ahhhh.

One of the speakers started the ministry called Holy Sews. She lost her baby at seventeen weeks gestation and the hospital had put him in oversizing infant clothing. Following the experience, she made the decision to honor the tiniest angels by making clothing for infants who pass away during second trimester. These babies are usually about 7-10 inches long and weigh only a few ounces—too small for preemie size gowns.

The group provides a special package which includes a small fleece blanket, a hooded wrap with a matching tunic, a cap, a tiny teddy bear and a prayer card. They layette are provided at no charge to the hospital. They are given from the hearts and loving hands of the Holy Sews volunteers. Click HERE to see the beauty creations.

Latest Project

Here's the latest project. I've been wanting to paint our dining room table for a long time now but I've been too scared I'd mess it up. Well, the chalk paint has brought be confidence! After a little research, I discovered quite a few people were leaving the top part the natural then painting the pedestal.

No backing out now! So far, I'm loving it. The old white color really brightens the room. I'm adding a little bit of the dark wax to add some depth in the details. At last, the oil painting classes in college are coming in handy ;)

Birthday Parties Galore

I'm amazed at how many people have birthdays. KIDDING! Anyways, with H in school and W being a social butterfly, our calendar is getting pretty booked with parties. I always enjoy myself. It's fun to socialize with the other parents and eating a little something sweet isn't too bad either :)

Soccer Days

We're still chugging along with soccer. After all the game, all the parents and friends form a tunnel and the kids run through it. This is the highlight of the game. Wait I take that back, the snacks are the highlight of the game! Harrison is still enjoying himself which is most important. Oh, he keeps a very clean field. Today he was picking up litter (during the game) and giving it to the coach. Ha! Now, how do I make him pick up his messes at home?!!!

Silly Buns

OH our silly buns, always the entertainer AND climber. You would have thought it was out of her system by now but there's no stopping her. Today she pulled a small box out of the cabinet and was stepping on top if it to climb even higher. Geezh.

Oops

I was in charge of soccer practice and somehow managed to lose track of H's ball. I think some kid or parent from the other field picked it up. Oops, sorry buddy.

This girl has TALENT! She managed to put on H's shoes and now is attempting a somersault. The fun never ends with her around.

Website Wednesday - Online Labels

I was designing some labels the other day but didn't have the layout template for them so I decided to google it and way-lah I found this website. Click HERE for Online Labels. You can even order the labels too. Good resource to bookmark.

Day Three

Our hotel room view! We were on the 28th floor and we could not get cell phone service! Ridiculous! AT&T rocks...not.

Hey good lookin', whatcha got cookin'? I flew home today and R stayed for another couple of days. I can't be away from those two munchins very long.

Here's a little artsy shot of downtown across from the bus station.

The city has a couple of pianos set up on 16th street for anyone to uncover and play. Now there's a great idea! Why not?!

Spouse Tour

I joined a group of spouses for a day trip to Estes Park and the Rocky Mountains. It was SOOO beautiful and the weather was pretty fantastic. Here's a view outside of Boulder.

Can you see the mountains in the background? We're getting closer...

Believe it or not, this is a scene in Estes Park the downtown is just on the other side of the lake. And yes, that is an elk. I think we saw around 10 of them just hanging out in that area.

Here's a stream that runs behind the shops downtown.

BTW, I'm pretty lazy these days so all these pics were taken with my phone then imported into Instagram (which I'm totally addicted to). Find me...thephotogoo.

It was pretty cloudy that day so it made for some cool shots. I did take some pics with our actual camera but I'm too lazy to upload those too.

The aspen trees were just starting to change colors.

It's me, wearing layers and layers of clothes. It wasn't too bad but it did get a little chilly in the mountains.

I can't wait to come back again and bring the kids with us. We'll have to get a cabin or stay at the Y. 

Vaca - All I Ever Wanted

We're embarking on a new Frontier...actually, we were able to escape for a few days without the kids! Whoa! First time for both of us to be away. Ryan had a conference in Denver and I tagged along so I could sleep in and have an interrupted meal. Yeah baby!

We attempted to blend in as locals and took the bus from the airport to the city. I loved looking out the window at all the different neighborhoods.

CHEERS we made and the kids are still surviving! DOUBLE CHEERS for having Sunshine Wheat in a can! So cold and refreshing.

Giggles and Such

I'm not sure if Nate realized H said they were playing Ice Road Truckers. I'm glad they caught that whale!

I used to think the boys were loud...these two might require you to wear ear plugs. After about 5 minutes of constantly banging on the table, I was ready for a drink ;)

It's a pajama party with Nana, Waverly, Manny and Pink Bear! We all heard plenty of giggles coming out of that room.

Jokester

Sometime this girl is so silly. Tonight she opened the tiny cookie sheet cabinet and decided to take a seat.

SURPRISE! IT'S WAVERLY!!!

Cool Cat

I'm not sure what Lucy's deal was today. It wasn't that sunny...

Website Wednesday - Starfall

H's teacher gave us this great website to check out. Click HERE for Starfall. It's a free website to teach children to read with phonics geared towards preschool, kindergarten and first grade. They also have a section on numbers, math songs, geometry and measurement.

Chalk Paint Desk

Excuse the grainy pic. It was taken with my phone in bad overhead lighting (boo). Anyways, here is the before pic of my old work desk. Since I quit, I haven't really used it at all. I prefer to work on the couch, in the chair, in bed, anywhere but a desk. Ha! I remember I mentioned the Annie Sloan chalk paint? Well, I bit the bullet and finally got some. I decided to try out this piece first b/c I'd like to sell it.

TA DA! I love that you really see the detail under the drawers. I used Old White with two coats of the clear wax.

I thought about keeping it b/c I think it looks pretty stinkin' good BUT I want get a china cabinet (to paint) so I simply don't have enough room in the house for it anymore.

Here's a detailed shot of the piece. I sanded a few spot here and there for a tiny distressed look. I'll be posting it on Craig's List soon. Fingers crossed that I sell it so I can get the cabinet!

The Bears

Okay, you'll have to look REALLY close at this picture. It's a car FULL of gigantic teddy bears. So strange! There were 3 in the back in one in the passenger seat which means the driver doesn't have room for human passengers! PLUS they were all wearing plastic crowns and dresses. Please send help if I ever do this.

Kerrie told me weeks ago to plant carrot...I found these in my drawer and they've actually made it into the ground. The great news is....I'm starting to see sprouts! Very excited.

Lil Hog Fan

Little Missy is calling the hogs. I'm not going to be the one to tell her how they're doing this season!!!

Soccer Dudes

The first game was a success! Their team won (although they don't keep score) and no one cried! 

One of the highlights of the day was getting to run around the playground with Nate! So sweet.

Lego Reviews

Harrison LOVES legos, especially Star Wars ones. Well, he's seen a couple product reviews on YouTube and decided to make his own video. He's so funny. Click HERE for the first set view (yes, he does say "silly buns"). He's quite the talker too. The second one is over 8 minutes. Subscribe to the channel to see what he has to say!

Soccer and Recess Updates

We're stylin' and ready to go! Shin guards - CHECK, long socks - CHECK, socks OVER shin guards - CHECK, soccer shoes - CHECK, cool shorts - CHECK, Star Wars Lego t-shirt - CHECK,  soccer ball - CHECK, water bottle - CHECK. Next time I'll bring more than one water bottle and I still need to pick up some chairs. I did manage to keep Waverly in the stroller for half of practice :)

Other news, I volunteered for my second recess duty yesterday. It was super duper hot. Well, H decided he needed a drink from the fountain and another girl R was in need of the restroom. This time the teacher watched over them. Here's the conversation when they got back:

R: Some kids weren't being nice to Harrison.

Me: What? What happened?

R: They called him a BABY. I said YOU mess with him, YOU mess with me first (pointing to her chest)!

Me: Well, that wasn't very nice (I'm thinking it was some 3rd graders).

R: WE ARE NOT BABIES!!!

H: Yeah.