Happy Birthday Brian

Happy Birthday to this wonderful man! Brian is the man that makes my life complete. The kids love and adore their Dad in so many ways. Wishing him all that is good in the next year as we move along this journey of life. 

Toes in the sand (box)

A trip to Grandma and Papa's gave these little ones a chance to dig their toes in the sandbox.  Just when you think they might be outgrowing it they seem to love this outside sand play.

Mr. Andrew seems to love to look at me over his glasses.  I am sure they need to be adjusted but I still love that look.

It feels like spring is coming.  I know we still need moisture but we are going to start playing more outside and soaking up the sun!

Knitting and Reading

I had finished this scarf out of Luna Grey yarn right as we had  snow on the ground.  I convinced a twelve year old to take a few photos during this beautiful day.  This scarf took a little to get it going but once I did I loved it!  

Now I am on to knitting a sweater for a special little girl that has been on my mind.  I just finished reading "Life by the Cup" and I loved it.  It was a book just sitting on the shelf at the library and with a tea cup on the front I could not resist.  

Happy 13th Birthday!

Thirteen years ago at almost this exact time we welcomed our new baby boy into the world and added the names Mom and Dad to our list of titles.  He changed our world and brought with it the love of a child so unlike any other love I had ever known.  Today he is officially a teenager.  He is starting to have his own set of wings.  

There are days when it is hard to let go as he finds his way, but mostly we are proud of the man he is becoming. I remember the cute way he talked at four and how I cried to send him to kindergarden.  I think about what a great big brother he is and how they all look up to him.  I am grateful for each day I am given being his Mom.  He was just a little baby at 4 lbs 4 oz and today he is my height and will look down on me soon.  He taught us that sleep is optional and learning to run and play mandatory.  On this birthday he will hit the slopes, one of his favorite places, and then we will celebrate as a family!

 I love you Riley Lynn!

A month of photos for February.

February a month gone but captured in photos.  A photo a day for all the big and little parts of our life. A sweet little friends birthday complete with outdoor play.

For the shortest month of the year it was filled with so much.  Grateful for cousin visits and Ash Wednesday mass as a family.

There was beauty all around us from hot summer like days to snow.  A loss of Brian's uncle and a service to show just how great he was.  Girl Scout cookies in every corner it seemed.

There were days for planning, learning, and some snow days for reading.

There was beauty right outside my office window and hopes of plants with a relocated greenhouse.

A celebration of Chinese and Korean New Year with all the hopes this next year will bring. There was time to create when the snow flew outside!

A month filled with new adventures, sweet treats, and well just plain old cuteness.

Black and white photos which have become a sort of passion this month.  A beautiful old church standing still on this snowy day.

A time for siblings to share secrets and sweet steers who don't care how many times I say "Just one more shot".

Candies for young people, classroom parties, and crafts to say thank you.

Now on to March and wondering just what it will hold.  

Inside activities

We have had more snow here than I can remember in a long time. Of course there are those moments of bundling up to play in the snow but when we come in it is time to find something to do.

Katie had gotten a new paint set at Ikea and this seems to be a good way to pass the time.  They seem to like to paint on anything they find!

Lots of great art comes out of this group!  An activity where we all seem to get along for awhile!

Snowy Photography

A snow day yesterday for the kids and plenty of snow to play and photograph. After snowing all day Sunday the sun started to show its beauty yesterday.

Brian loves this weather and is the happiest when it is snowing.  He was like a little kid on Sunday.  There are a lot of photos of kids playing in the snow but for this Tuesday morning serenity was the theme.

In our new home I have nothing on the walls yet but am thinking of a black and white photo wall. Some of these may just end up there.

Happy Tuesday!