I love that my babies are excited to wake me up and shower me with gifts on Mother's Day. They served me breakfast in bed, a veggie omelet and toast made my girls. Served on this beautiful plate made by Lily. I'm one lucky mommy!

Today I am so proud of daddy. He raced his first Olympic distance triathlon! I on the other hand chose the safe route and raced the sprint. I'll get there someday....

All sacked out. Lookin like a rock star. She's my fashion girl and had to have these shades today.

the best of both worlds

Yep, It's Hannah x two!  These two crack me up and are the best of buddies.

Time

Where does it go?  Sometimes I feel like my babies are growing up without me.  In a blink of an eye they're bigger than the moment before.  I'm determined to soak it all in.  Slow it down.  Eat every moment up.  Even the difficult ones.  They will pass.

Easter morning.  The few snapshots I took before they headed off to gather eggs.  They patiently waited for daddy to get home from work and were ready to go!

blah...

Not feeling so well tonight.  I think I'll veg out tonight and blog tomorrow :)  This is an image of my favorite bloom this time of year at my new favorite place!

i tried!

I did! For some reason my blog updates are not working from my phone.  So here's yesterdays post...

My little spidey boy on Sunday before going to see Rio. About ten minutes after the movie started he vomited all over the theater.  Poor little dude :( He's feeling much better today!

it's may!

And I'll be working on my post a day! It's going to be a busy month but I'll do my very best. The blog has been seriously lacking.

This week is teacher appreciation week. Tomorrow we are delivering this...

summer movie nights

I would love to have family summer movie nights just like this. 

yep....

Almost a month and no action over here.  Things have been super busy but exciting!  I will post new photos soon but my only pair of glasses have gone m.i.a. which makes looking at the computer quite difficult.  At least I can zoom to see on the iPad. 

Here's some fun Easter ideas I thought I'd share :)

This year I'm going to try dying our eggs naturally.   Has anyone else done this?  I'd love some tips.

So easy.  Why didn't I think of that?

Pretty sure my children would devourer these...

Oh my how cute are these!

We love making these.  Super easy for the little ones.

it's spring

and this is by far one of my favorite parts!

coming home

It all started when we began looking for a house earlier this year.  I mentioned to Scott how I wanted a place where we could have chickens.  Not a big farm, an urban farm.  A cozy place with about an acre nestled within a neighborhood.  So before be bought the farm we decided to get the chicks.  It was important to be sure we could all get along.  So we found the chicks and brought them home.   The cutest babies ever!  They were just fuzz so they nestled together to stay warm.  Today they are all feather and almost full grown.  I'm pleased to say that we are now one big happy family.  So we've decided to keep them and add a few more when we get to the farm.  This was the day they came home, January 31st.

just because

it's love and today it's been 15 years.

Our family photo shoot by Jay last June.

does your chicken have large talons?

How could I resist!  Introducing....Candice in black and Mellow in brown. 

ten on tuesday

1.  I am broken.  Last September I injured my hip while increasing my running distance.  I limped for a week and let it rest a month.  Raced and limped for another week.  Repeat.  While I was busy with the holidays I let it rest some more.  January came and It was time to start training again.  My hip was still sore.  I started seeing a chiropractor who said it was probably bursitis.  I had a MRI a last week just to be sure there wasn't anything else going on.  The MRI looked good.  So now I'm back the the chiropractor for some acupuncture. Fingers crossed this will work.  I love running and miss it daily.

2.  Just in case you haven't had an MRI....I'm going to give you advance warning, it's obnoxiously loud! Not only do you have to sit in a tube perfectly still for 20 minutes with earmuffs, there are extremely loud banging and beeping and buzzing noises going on.  That is where my yoga practice came in handy.  I highly recommend using meditation during your MIR. 

3.  There are less than two weeks until my first triathlon of the year and yesterday was my first day of training!  2.5 mile run (omg that was hard) and power yoga.  Today I bike.  Tomorrow I swim (maybe).  I'm not anticipation any record breaking this year.....

4.  Today Lily starts softball and Ava starts tball!  So excited for my little sluggers!

5. This week I stumbled across this you tube video.  Elic is an old friend from Jr. High.  Hilarious! 


6.  Here's an interesting article I ran across today.  Scary, the things we put in our body and have no idea they're there....

7.  I've been photographer shopping!  I just found one that makes my heart beat a little faster!

8.  I've also been house shopping!

9.  And when I move I'm going to fill my kitchen with this and this, these and these and these too.  But I must have this!

10.  It took me all day to complete this list.  Five minutes here, five minutes there.  I really need to find more time for this.

ten on tuesday

1.  I'm thinking February needs two additional days.  I honestly had no clue today was March 1st until I looked at my iPhone this morning.  I'm feeling a little cheated today.

2.  I love March!  So long winter blues, the sunshine is back! Spring training, the pool opens, t ball and softball for the girls, spring shopping!  Spring make me happy :)

3.  Guess what?  Our 15th wedding anniversary is in two weeks!  And you all thought we'd never make it ;)

4.  We planted our first organic garden last weekend!  Ava loves to garden and Lily loves tomatoes.  It's a win-win!

5.  To go along with our organic fruits and veggies, we picked up a couple chicks last month.  Yes, we are officially farmers, or hillbillies :)  Candice and Mellow are toddler hens now and will soon be free range in our backyard providing us with farm fresh eggs!  In case you were wondering, Sammy's a great mother hen.

6.  So why the big lifestyle change.....It's been coming for a while.  I believe we are what we eat.  Not only what we put in our bodies but on them.  So over the past year we have made little changes.  Each time I go to the store I change at least one item to an all natural or organic product.  Some films that motivated us you should for sure watch.  http://www.foodincmovie.com/   http://www.foodmatters.tv/

7.  I registered Ava for Kindergarten last week!  She is counting the days!

8.  She's reading!!! I don't think I've talked about it yet but she is!  Ava started blending at the beginning of the year but would get really frustrated with me.  So I backed off a bit.  Then last month she had a new interest and is doing fantastic!  Reading is one of my favorite developments and five is an amazing age!

9.  I really want these boots! But they're gone. Not in my size. Anywhere.  I've been looking since December.  Let me know if you come across them in an 8.

10.  I really want these shoes! But again not in an 8.

umm.....

February....What happened there?  It's been quite a blur so I'll just start here.  Valentines weekend, the Father daughter dance.  Lily and her daddy on their special date.  Just like last year, she fell asleep on his lap before it was over.  And in case you didn't notice....yes, she had all her beautiful hair cut off.  She loves her short cut!

rest

It's been quite a month.  I'll be back soon.

52 weeks of my babies

We've been sick here.  Sicker than I can ever remember.  I'll be back with more on that but first.....

I've decided to change things up on my 365 this year.  I am photographing my 365 from my phone, it's easy and always there.  I've also decided to photograph my babies every week and our family every month for the year.  So far I'm on track!  Woo Hoo!  I've already posted 1/52 so here's 2/52.....before Flu 2011!

squeaky clean

It's a new year.  Time to clean up.  food, household toxins and clutter are at the top of my list!  I'm feeling good about this....

1.1.11

It's 1.1.11. Make a wish!

Happy New Year my friends! I hope this year bring you peace, health and happiness. I've been quiet this past year. Sometimes I just feel like keeping things to myself. Hiding in my cozy house with my babies and letting the busy world move on without us. I crave those quiet days when we don't leave the house, stay in our jammies and play. This past year I took advantage of those days. They leave a much bigger impression on my memories and I hope my kiddos too. I also took the time to cuddle on the sofa with daddy after the babies were tucked in bed and left the computer off. But as I look back at this past year of blogging I am missing something. I am missing words and thoughts that belong with these precious memories. And now I find myself disappointed that I didn't write it all down. I owe it to my babies and myself to document not only in photographs but in words. So this is my resolution.

my buddy

He's my buddy, my boy, my little monster and I can't believe he's two and a half today. 

ten on tuesday

1.  How is it November 30th already?  I love this month and hate it at the same time.  I'm up to my eyeballs in work, the kiddos miss me(especially the little one), I miss them, I miss the gym, but I love the weather, love the Christmas music, love the hustle and bustle, and love photographing beautiful people.  I'll still look forward to November next year.

2.  Happy Thanksgiving!  Yes, I've become that late person.  Just wait to see when you get your Christmas cards this year :)

3.  We spent Thanksgiving at The Happiest Place on Earth!  It was magical!

4.  On Thanksgiving Lily said she was thankful for her family and their happiness.  Ava said she was thankful for lights, signs, her brother and sister.  Not sure about the lights and signs....maybe at The Happiest Place on Earth.  I believe Jack is thankful for my leg which he is attached to most of the time.

5. Upon returning from our trip the kiddos were surprised and excited to see that Elfy the Elf on the Shelf had returned.  Now let just see how many times he remembers to move this year!

6. It's time for Christmas music! I start my holiday playlist the day after Halloween, one month just isn't enough.  This years favorite new album,  Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album

7.  We're headed to the North Pole on Friday!  Burrrrrrrrrr!

8.  The girls are dancing at the Surprise Party on Saturday.  This is the first time they've performed together.  I can't wait!

9. Yesterday I asked Ava what her full name was.  She responded, "Ava Jensen Baby Buggy Boo I Love You." I love her!

10. Last night I missed Lily's volleyball game.  Totally spaced it.  They never have games on Monday. First event I forgot to take my child to.  I will be checking my calender three times a day from now on. 

Happy birthday daddy! Yesterday we celebrated with our final tri of the year. 

happy halloween

my little monsters.....

today...

Today she's five!

ten on tuesday

I know it's Thursday, but it's been a while. 

1.  Ava will be five in only one day!  I asked her "how did that happen? What am I going to do?" She said "you still have Jack mom." 

2.  This birthday is a BIG one.  She's been asking about it for around 7 months.  We've been counting down on the chalkboard for over a month and she knows exactly what she wants....dsi, pillow pet, Red Lobster.

3.  I picked myself up a birthday present last week.  More on that later :)

4. My baby brother flew in from Italy yesterday! It's been several years since he's been home so we are all excited to see him.

5.  Do you use groupon.com?  I've picked up a couple smokin deals over there recently.  Gap, Lavenders Day Spa, AZ science center....

6.  Here we go again....fall activities are here.  Lily's in soccer and dance.  Ava's in dance.  They will be in ballet and tap together! Jack loves playing at soccer practice with his bff "Blate" and I'm back to swimming.

7.  Did you pick up your Polar Express tickets yet?  They're selling out.  Of course I procrastinated until last week and didn't get our perfect date but our second choice.  We are looking forward to our 4th trip to the North Pole!

8. I'm getting old and I feel it.  I ran a 10k last week and my hips haven't been the same.  I took about a week off.  I ran 4.5 miles yesterday and now I'm limping again.  Scott and I are training for  triathlon next month so this is not cool.  Taking another week off to swim, bike and stretch.  Hopefully I can run 5k next week.

9. I've been attempting to take a picture a day for the past two years.  It's really difficult to lug the camera around everywhere but since I've had my iPhone I take photos all the time.  I fount this amazing app that puts them right on a calendar I love it!

10. I love the summer.  I'm going to miss it so.  You know those songs that bring you back to a period or moment in time?  What was yours this summer?  My summer theme song is California Gurls for sure!  It started rotation around the time we were in San Diego and take me right back to that amazing trip.  It's a favorite of the kiddos too.

Until next time....

the seventh year

This was her at six. No teeth. Independent. Sassy. Heart of gold. Growing up.

Lily's choice of music:
Party in the USA -Miley Cyrus
Hey Soul Sister-Train

almost five

It's a rite of passage in our house, getting your ears pierced.  Mine were pierced at five, Lily had hers pierced just before her fifth birthday and now Ava, who will be turning five in only 12 days.  She's been looking forward to it since her sisters were done.  The past few months she said she was scared and wasn't going to pierce them ever! But last week she changed her mind.  There has been quite a bit of anticipation around here with her birthday coming up.  It's all she's talked about for days.  So daddy and I agreed that Saturday would be the big day. 

It was the first thing she talked about after waking.  She was giddy with excitement all the way to the mall.  She chose the crystal flowers, held her daddy's hand and closed her eyes.  Pop! She opened them, with a delayed "Ouch! That hurt." And cried. 

My baby girl is growing up :)

seven

Waaaaaaay back on July 31st Lily celebrated her seventh birthday!  Can you believe my big girl is seven!  This is her on her birthday eve, seconds before a monster monsoon rolled in.

1. What's your favorite color? pink
2. What's your favorite thing to eat? stroganoff
3. What is your favorite toy? dsi xl
4. What do you want to be when you grow up? photographer
5. Who is your best friend? taryn
6. What was the best part of your summer? spending time with my family
7. What was the best part about turning seven? going to wet n wild!

Slideshow coming up next :)

first days

School already?  I must say, the first week of August in AZ is way to hot for school.  We belong in the pool until mid September!  But with no choice in the matter, both girls started school this week.  I love the lazy days of summer and will miss sleeping until 7am, but I'm excited for the routine of being on a schedule again. 

Monday Ava started pre-k!  She's at a new school five days a week.  So far she loves it!  I think her favorite park is bringing her own snack.  The hardest part is missing her old friends who started kindergarten.  Definitely a negative of starting preschool early.

Thursday Lily had her first day of the 2nd grade!  She is thrilled to have her best friend from kindergarten in her class again.  2nd grade is going to be a big year of change.  No characters, no yo kids, no mommy styling the hair. She's growing up!

 

pre-k

Having a girls night so blogging from the iPhone. Ava had her first day of pre-k today! She has been   quite nervous the past few week. New school, new teacher, new friends. She walked in brave and had a fantastic day! The big highlight of pre-k is bringing her own snack and going to school everyday just like her big sister. What a big girl she has become.