Turner Falls

During Spring Break, we decided that we would throw the kids in the car and have an ADVENTURE! "What's and adventure, mommy?" my darling daughter asked. "Don't you watch Dora?" Cotton replies. lol.
So we headed off to Turner Falls to meet up with some friends that were camping (never found them, whoops). And Cotton and I agree that this is one of the best family days we've ever had, and we need to spend more time in nature, letting the kids be wild and free, away from our phones and our emails, just enjoying life and each other. Woohoo for family time!

Jacob went N.U.T.S!!!
So much to see, so much to do... I have never seen my boy be such a BOY before!
No one could keep up with him, he was too fast, too high, too excited!

Lucy was a bit more reserved, but did her own exploring

Sambo took it all ion from Daddy's back, and he had a blast! He could see it all, and gave us tons of commentary




So here we are in front of the falls (remember this shot, okay?)

And then what happens when you take an almost 7 year old boy to some mountains? He CLIMBS!
"Come on, Momma!"


and he makes the rest of us climb
part of the castle
I need some of these at home!


My world.
aaaaand climb...
Jacob was so far ahead we couldn't see him at this point.

Here we are at the top of the mountain (?)
See that white line above Jacob's shoulder? That is the waterfall! Pretty cool, huh?
Here's a better shot from the top
We promised the kids that we would go back as soon as Jacob gets out for summer break, and (eek) camp for a couple of days. And we'll also stop by Arbuckle Wilderness on the way in! I am really really looking forward to it!
And I'm on the hunt for other cool spots that are "do-able with young children" road trips. It's really awesome to spend some time just soaking in this great little family we've created, and not worrying about the rest of the world. :-)

Football pictures!

Better late than never, right?
First I had to buy a scanner, then I let it sit for months before using it.
I just thought about the fact that soccer pictures will be coming soon, and I'll be scanning them in, and... so here we are!

Deep thoughts...

So Cotton had a little operation this past week.
A vasectomy, to be exact. We are d.o.n.e. with the baby making.
Neither of us has any urge, want, desire, and least of all need for another child.
Our family is perfect and complete.

And I in particular would be tempted to cut out my own uterus rather than house another person in it for 9 months. Pregnancy is not friendly to me (okay, the beginning and the end suck- I like the middle just fine!). Neither is the post partum period, not AT ALL.

But still... it is shocking to be in this place.
To know that we have had our babies, and now we are completely finished. Moving on to the next phase of life. And yeah, for no reason at all, it feels a little sad.

And not only are WE done having babies, but so many of our friends are. At this exact5 point in time, a LOT of my friends are putting a permanent end to their fertility. Done done done.
We all troop forward and leave the procreation to the next generation from here on out.

It's just so odd.
The end of an era. A 7 year era, that feels like it was over in the blink of an eye.

So Cotton is lying around with his bag of peas down his pants. I am babying him and feeling so grateful that he did this to ensure our family stays perfect and the way we planned it.
It is off of my shoulders. No more stress, no more pills, no more counting 28 days from the last one and going "Shit!" No more spending money on yet another EPT. Haha.
And if he bounds up and returns to normal after 3 days I will call him a freak. I watched the procedure, and the looks on his face, and OMG! OUCH! My poor sweet hubby and his poor little vas. Don't let anyone tell you that crap doesn't hurt. I was weak in the knees and I don't even have balls! Ha!

Park fun!

Just some cute shots of the kiddos enjoying this gorgeous spriong weather!

"Dang mama, it's bright! Let me try your shades!"

"YAY! Swinging is fun!"


1 upside down monkey
sliding was not Sam's favorite
another upside down monkey

"LET ME GO! There are woodchips to eat!"

A slide built for three!

more first birthday fun!

How cute is this kid?
simply stated.
"Leave me ALONE, Sister!"
the birthday crown was a fabulous idea, lol.
yum.
The girls wanted in on that icing!
Opening gifts with Jacob's help

What a difference a year makes

March 2008


March 2009

It's fun to be ONE!

Well, we've all known for a while that this day was coming. Why do I feel like you could knock me over with a feather? What is this thing that keeps happening to my eyes? So... watery...

Here's my little man, having a fabulous birthday!
We had a little get-together with our pretty friend Mac, who happens also to be turning 1!
Her parents took these pictures for us- so thank you!

It's cupcake time! It's cupcake time!
"Want a bite of mine, Mac?"



My big one year old! Isn't he the most adorable baby boy on Earth?
Chrystyna and Macki, and Sammy and me!
Check out those birthday shirts!
It's been a fun year, little sweeties! And man did it fly...

Aren't they the cutest?

Soccer!

We have officially started soccer season!
Jacob and Lucy are both playing. Cotton and I are both coaching!
That is one reason I haven't been able to blog very often. I am busy busy busy and also exhausted exhausted exhausted...

So Jacob has had 2 games (won both) and Lucy has had one game (they won as well). We don't count wins and losses (haha), so I am supposed to say we "tried hard" and also "had lots of fun."

I don't know if I have the most athletic, talented, or aggressive soccer players on the field. It is my humble opinion, however, that I do have the cutest!
Judge for yourselves!

7 years of wedded bliss

and I love him more now than ever before!