a reason to smile...

someone i know is excited for football season to start....

ahh, the memories!

today

j has to bring in 4 pictures of himself, from babyhood to current, so since i've got them up on my desktop, i might as well share them with you. almost makes me want a baby again.

May, 2003

December, 2004

October, 2007 (with Molly)

Eating Oreos

J and his Grandpa Ellis had an Oreo eating contest one night. The objective was to get the cookie, split open and frosting side down, from the center of the forehead to the mouth without using the hands. Face muscles and gravity only. Five year-old J almost won...

Trinity 2004

Well, the whole gang is headed to Trinity sooner this year rather than later. We're not going this time because, well, because of last year. Maybe I'll tell that story sometime for those of you who haven't heard it. For those of you who don't know, Trinity is a lake in Northern California where my husband had vacationed with his family throughout his teenage years. About 4 years ago, we started going with our friends from Hollister, and then the next year, we moved. But the tradition has stuck.

Here are my all-time favorite Trinity pictures:

We were trying to load up the gear, so J was getting ignored, but he seems to be content, wouldn't you say?

The dirt just comes with the territory at Trinity, and believe it or not, this was my absolutely favorite year camping there.

My kids are sad beyond belief that we're not going. It's no wonder why, when one is allowed to run around half naked and loll about in the red dirt while picking all the M&M's out of the snack mix.

Have fun guys!

J's a little punk with a potty mouth. That boy's world is gonna get rocked. I'm puttin' the smackdown on him soon. I just need to work up the nerve.

Have you ever been sitting there in church and thought, "Wow, those kid's sure are being good! I guess the new sticker book I bought them is doing the trick!"

Moab Boy's Trip Slideshow

Here is a slideshow from the boys trip to Moab. They had a blast playing in the dirt and exploring Grand Junction and Moab. C and J got their first exposure to white-water rafting. The river was running high and water temperature was 42 degrees. J caught one wave full in the face and decided early spring rafting was not for him.

The boys also got to shoot pistols for the first time, and J got a bottle from 15 yards. Not bad for a 5 year old. The biggest hits of the trip were the hotel swimming pools and Taco Bell.

Single mom, with only 2 kids

Eric took the boys out to Grand Junction, Colorado and Moab, Utah for the weekend. He's getting together with some college friends for some jeeping fun, and his dad is meeting him there. I'm so excited to do girl things with E and A! It is very quiet around here tonight.

Yesterday was J's birthday. I can't believe my baby is already 5 years old. He went with C and Eric to play lasertag in the morning, and then the six of us had cake and ice cream. Next year he'll get his first party with friends (even years only at our house).