Scrap Therapy Part 2

I couldn't let Sierra have a book and Eli not have one... so last night I made his book. I love them! What a great feeling document a little of their lives and to complete the project in one sitting. I've got to keep it going. . . I have 3 years to make up for.

SCRAP-tastic!

My friend, Sara, is a scrapping stud. All of her photos are always in books and looking awesome, while mine are years behind and in boxes or still on the computer. This week she showed me her latest chip-board book. It was so cute and small that I was INSPIRED. Last night I put some of my favorite shots that really show Sierra's personality into a chip-board book of my own. I feel motivated! Even I can finish 8 small pages. What do you think?

She APPROVES!

A Week of THIS & THAT

Last week the kids had special time alone with my dad while Mom was in Florida. They wore shirts that said, "I'd Rather be Hangin with Papa" and "Spoiled Rotten by Papa". Auntie Laura picked up the shirts at the OC Fair.

Monkey see, monkey do. Sierra transformed her dolly into Buzz.

Last week I worked on our bedroom which has been in limbo for weeks. Ahhhhh! Organization is Bliss.

Eli has taken to using my camera to photograph things important to him- so I'll share some his best shots too.

His drawing is of me with him. I asked about the circles under our heads and he said they were our belly-buttons...of course!

Sierra got a twin bed this weekend (just a mattress on the floor for now), but Eli helped her break in her BIG GIRL bed on the first night. Now that warms a mother's heart!

Going to the Chapel

I found one of our wedding thank you cards floating around a stack of papers that I was organizing today. . . & what a SURPRISE! Who are those young, thin people?

The Brother-Sister Bond

Elijah and Sierra have spent most of their 21 months of being siblings ignoring each other or fighting over toys and attention. Recently, though, we have turned the page and they are becoming more and more interested in each other. They act like little buddies and even look forward to getting home from the babysitter or school so that they can play together. It is so rewarding to see.

House Guests

Elijah and Sierra are most happy when they are playing in the backyard at our house. We have jungle gyms to climb, dogs to play with, a chores to do- they love it all. This week they were most excited to find that we have guests under our patio in the yard. A bird has made her nest in the awning and she just had babies. They first noticed the sounds of chirping and then they saw a little head sticking up. It's incredible how something so basic and natural is such a big deal to them. They check on the birds throughout the day and have taken many pictures. The pictures are kind of hard to make out because the bird is high up and Eli is taking the pictures- but he did a pretty good job for a 4 year old! (If you click on the picture it will show larger.)

Happy Birthday America

My friend Sara hosted the first Green Hills 4th of July Parade. It is really just the kids of our group of friends and other kids from the neighborhood riding bikes and being pulled in wagons. It was so fun. There was a great turnout of people involved and everyone dressed up or decorated their bikes.


The whole group! Eli rode his own bike & I rode my bike with Sierra in her seat.



Becky pushing her enormous stroller with Ella, Jake, and Lilah. That looks like a workout!


Elijah just got a big smooch from Sara as he rounded the corner. What a good hostess!

Summer Time and the Livins' Easy

Nothing beats the summer time. The kids can stay up later, we can play outside longer, and the overall tone is FUN!

Most of our days have been spent at the park, swimming with friends, playing pla-doh, and a little bit of wrestle MANIA!

A Special Bond

My Dad and Elijah are two peas in a pod. It is really special for them to share their time together- and also for me to know that they love each other so much.

Elijah spends the night at Papa's house once a week. When he's there he always gets to have pancakes for breakfast, ride his bike, and follow my dad around doing the "man work".

Kids Chores: Part 2

Gotta love the effort- and that Eli has to dress for the job. Notice the JoJo's Circus underwear! Eli is known to the neighbors as "Nature Boy" because he is always half dressed.

Sierra helped put away the dishes...sort of...