Happy New Year etc...

So Happy New Year everyone!

Is it really 2010? This is the year I will have our third baby and we will celebrate our 10th anniversary. Not to mention a new job for Wade, and a new place to live. Quite the way to begin this decade, don't you think?

So it's been a few days, understandably, since I've even thought of the blog. We have now officially been in Colorado just over a week, and I can't believe all that has happened in these last 7 days.

To begin, we flew back on New Year's Eve, while NYC was getting blanketed by snow. It was gorgeous to see (Wade blames me because I told him I would love to see the City in snow one more time), but it made travelling a little hairy. Ava was sick. Literally. To the point we had to buy her new clothes at LaGuardia. Ya, that kind of sick. And then that kind of sick on the plane.

The plane ride was one of the worst experiences I've had flying. To begin, we didn't have assigned seats. Who knows why. We went to check in the night before and there were no seats available. After our flight was delayed a bit, they finally got us seats...2 in the exit row, and 2 a few rows behind.

"Your children will have to sit by themselves as they are not allowed in the exit row."

Excuse me??

Oh, and by the way, did you not notice I am REALLY pregnant? I don't think pregos are allowed in the exit row either.

So after 5 minutes of some creative seat switching, I was able to sit with the kids and Wade was in the exit row. Only problem is the kids were not allowed to "visit" him in the exit row, and I was not allowed to trade seats with him so we could tag team taking care of the kids...one of whom was ill. Like being in a tiny squished seat at 6 months pregnant isn't bad enough! Oh, and I couldn't convince any passengers around me to switch seats with Wade....why wouldn't you trade someone for an exit row??!!! Hello???!!!!!!

But we made it. 4 1/2 hours later, we made it. I could have kissed the ground at DIA.

So this last week, the illness has spread to Tyson, myself, Wade, both my parents, and even Wade's parents. So stay away unless you want us to spread "the love"!!!

We are slowly recovering, settling into my parent's house (God bless 'em), and getting used to the idea that we actually moved back.

Oh, and did I mention we bought a house a couple days ago? What could have been a lllooooonnnngggggg house hunt (mostly because I am fairly particular), we found one we could agree on that only had one negative thing going for it. It's in Highlands Ranch. A place we thought we would never live. It is the ULTIMATE in suburban living, but we're giving it a whirl. Love the house, the layout, the space, and the schools. I honestly would have loved to buy an older home and done some really cool renovations, but at this stage in our life, I just don't think that is best for us.

My new goal in life is to make a 3 year old suburban home look like it has "character". I will be adding crown moulding, some hardwoods (a little bit down the road), and some bead board. I am kind of excited to marry the modern conveniences with my antique/flea market/modern style. Maybe my new blog should be called, "Our Suburban Life". What do you think?

We close at the end of January, which is a big blessing, so we should be in our new digs by the first week of February.

So to wrap up my ramblings, I just went through some pictures from the last couple weeks, and I have a few more posts on this blog before I bid it farewell. I WILL have another blog that will be linked to my photography website, but I do not know what it will be called or exactly when I will start it.

But for now, I wanted to share my favorite photo from Christmas morning. My favorite thing on Christmas morning is to get up before ANYONE and just sit by the tree and soak in the atmosphere. I could just sit and stare at a decorated tree while the rest of the world sleeps....


P.S. My Christmas present from Wade is priceless. He downloaded my entire blog into a .pdf file that we can publish as a book. I looked at it, and just started bawling. Why wouldn't I? This has been one of the most incredible and exciting years in my life. We will wait until my very last post to do final editing and then I will have a memento to last a lifetime. I love it Wade. And I love you.

Sick of being sick

Well Wade is sick in bed today with 102 fever. It has been one thing after the other these last two weeks. And not all bad things either, but just one thing after the other!

Baby Gus ultrasound scare: BAD THING TURNED GOOD
Hosted a fabulous baby shower: GOOD THING
Ava got sick: BAD THING
Tyson got sick: BAD THING
Thanksgiving with fabulous neighbors: GOOD THING
Mom and Emma visit: GOOD THING
Kids still kind of sick: BAD THING
Fun in NYC with Mom and Emma: GOOD THING
Mom and Emma fly home: BAD THING
Brad and Kendall fly in: GOOD THING
I get sick: BAD THING
Kids still coughing and snotty: BAD THING
Wade sick: BAD THING

We are sick of being sick!

Sick

Sick in bed today. Throat hurting, head pounding, and just feeling cruddy. I think the last two weeks of the kids being sick off and on has finally caught up with me.

Mom and Emma flew home yesterday and Brad and Kendall (good friends from Denver) flew in. I went to bed straight after dinner, and haven't gotten up since. Good thing for us, Brad and Kendall are the EASIEST houseguests EVER!

Cutting down our christmas tree...

...makes me happy. VERY happy!!

There is nothing like cutting down your own tree and having your house smell of fresh pine. We used to have an artificial tree, but a few years ago we started cutting down our tree the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It gets a little tricky with kids...especially in Colorado when you have to wander the National Forest a while to find your PERFECT tree, but we've found a great place here that works great for our family.

Jones Family Farm.

I have vivid memories of cutting down our tree in the mountains of Colorado growing up, and I remember one particular year Dad leading us into the forest with snow thigh deep and I believe our little Jeep got stuck more than once. Very Griswold-esque. Ever had one of those experiences??!!!

The nice thing about Jones is that you don't have to wander very far to find a tree, since it is a tree farm, and for a pregnant lady with two young kids?? Heaven!

Mom and Emma flew in yesterday from Phoenix for their NYC Gran/Grandaughter week, so we had two more helping hands. I'm sorry, but Christmas in Phoenix just doesn't sound appealing! Luckily my sister and her family will be in Colorado for Christmas.

The property had candy canes scattered all around, and Tyson just had to have his picture at every one. "Nother picture, Gran?" Just look at this cousin love Emma is giving him!


I just love Mom's face in this one. Pure delight. Tyson was a big boy this year and helped Daddy cut it down. Meanwhile, Ava stood back with me and took pictures with her camera. Like Mother like daughter!






The farm binds your tree for you, then we all enjoyed lunch in the van while Wade mounted our White Pine beauty to the roof.



Then off to the barn for some play time...








...and a letter to Santa. Ava's letter said, "Santa, Barbie please. Ava."


Yummy homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookies at the Christmas canteen...


...and checking out the fresh garland and cones for sale.





We got the tree home no problem, and we picked out such a PERFECT tree that it needed NO trimming!! It was the perfect height, and I LOVE white pine. The needles are so soft it's like touching velvet! Mom and the kids made construction paper chains while we listened to Christmas music and decorated the whole house.

I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!

Daylight savings stinks...

...literally.

Oh wait, that's Tyson's room where Presta (our dog) threw up at 5am this morning after Tyson sneaked into our room. The joys of parenthood.

Daylight savings stinks.

I'm not really quite sure why we have daylight savings. I've heard because of farmers, the atomic clock...who knows. All I know is that it was NOT invented by someone with small children.

Our kids, especially Tyson, have been getting up at 5am everyday. He sneaks into our room, or he thinks he does. So then I'm awake, put him back in bed, he screams, Ava wakes up, Presta wakes up, I have to pee, and then the morning just crumbles from there. And it's only 5am.

This morning was especially bad. So I'm sitting in the dining room at 6:30am writing this while the kids are in Ava's room "reading". They know they have to wait for their moon and flower lights (from IKEA and on timers) to come on before they can go to the playroom or up to our room, but they have not been patient enough this week to wait.

It's not like they are going to bed any earlier. Bed at 8pm, wait for lights to come on in the morning. Last week was fine! But now....now that it gets light at 6am or before....bed at 8pm, up at 5am??? IT MAKES NO SENSE!!!!!!!!

So again, we've been awake since 5am everyday. No wonder I've been going to bed at 8pm every night.

Any one else think Daylight savings stinks????

Lord, give me patience and wisdom!!!

Potato Head Pumpkins

Oh, am I behind in posting photos. Oi. I have been going to bed at 8am (or earlier). I am convinced I am re-living the 1st trimester without the nausea!

This week the kids got a really fun care package from Grandma and Grandpa. We are big fans of Mr. (and Mrs) Potato Head, so who knew they made kits for pumpkins??!!

The kids were thrilled to put together their pumpkins and display them on the front stoop. Of course Ava is a princess and Tyson is a pirate. The other pumpkins are Wade, Me and baby Gus. Wade and I (and Gus) didn't get around to decorating our pumpkins, but at least we're all represented...

Elmo and Superman Camping

We actually had a four day labor day weekend, but didn't plan ahead, so we decided to camp in the backyard. Why not? The kids loved it, and we all SURPRISINGLY slept well.

Bed at 8pm, up with the sun at 6am! The best thing about it? Wake up and go inside to use indoor plumbing...

I think Elmo and our little Superman especially had a good time.

I'm married to a roadie...

The kids could not have been any more excited to tell Wade about his big box that was waiting for him at home. I wrote Wade an e-mail saying something like, "if the kids and I aren't motivation enough for you to come home early, your bike has arrived and is waiting for you."

He got home early.

So after weeks of looking and shopping at bike stores, and after years of wanting a road bike, he pulled the trigger. He deserves it. I'm glad he got what he wanted, and am excited to see him use it. There are plenty of local bike groups that ride on the weekends, so hopefully he can ride in a group since I believe there is safety in numbers.

So before even going into the house, Wade and the kids got the box opened and all the parts out. Then they spent the evening on the front porch assembling it.

So it's official now...I'm married to a roadie!

Shells and Enamelware

I love shells. I always have, and I guess I could thank my mother for that. For as long as I can remember, my Mom always brought home a handful of shells whenever we went to a beach.

I have since continued that tradition, and Ava has inherited it from me! Good thing our kids inherit the good things from us too.

So my fabulous neighbor Dana, and her husband, got back from a long weekend away at St. ..... I can't remember! One of those St. Islands in the Caribbean. She brought be back the greatest present...a glass jar with some shells.

They are now on my dining room table on one of my latest enamelware finds. A gorgeous tray that I found for $10 at an antique store in Cold Springs (on the Hudson).

The glass jars and other white dishes are from various other flea markets, and the white "dented" cup with the coral in it was made by my Uncle Mal.

Another love of mine: white dishes. Can't have enough!! White NEVER goes out of style.


After our trip to Cape Cod in May (you can read about that by clicking on Cape Cod from the subject selection on the left), I, of course, brought back a "small" collection of Cape Cod shells. Aren't they beautiful? I keep them on the back stoop in another of my favorite enamelware pots, so everytime I walk past them, I think of our wonderful Cape Cod vacation.


P.S. I brought back a lot of great flea market finds from our trip to Colorado, and I'll post some more finds soon.

A Taste of Summer

We had a BBQ this afternoon with neighbors and friends. Although it was a bit hot, there were plenty of tasty treats including watermelon thanks to Mr. Berl! I'm pretty sure my kids ate at least 4 pieces each.

Happy August!

Harvest

Despite the enormous amount of rain we've had this spring and summer, I actually have something to harvest! Harvesting is easy, but the hard part is keeping the kids from picking all of the tomatoes...ripe or not.

And the most exciting discovery today is we have a squash growing! I did a happy dance.

Some Guys Have All The Luck

In the immortal words of Rod Stewart: "Some Guys Have All The Luck"

You know it's time to cut your sons' hair when other kids call him a she. I'm not opposed to longer hair on guys, in fact I like it. So we gave him a trim, but left plenty of curl.

The long lashes, the milky skin, the curly hair, the naturally red lips....



These images are SOOC (straight out of the camera) by the way. He's gorgeous! Not being biased whatsoever....seriously.

I'm a winner!

To say that I'm addicted to eBay might be a bit of a stretch, but I guess you could say my "enjoyment" of eBay of late could be considered a habit. I love getting that e-mail "YOU WON"!! And who doesn't like the hunt, the chase, the bidding, the victory?

I'll have to share some other of my recent eBay purchases, but for now, I'll share two.

Today was definitely an eBay day. Let me share...

I used to stare blanky at eBay uncertain of what to search for. I always read in magazines about cool things that people have found for their homes on eBay and I'm like, "how in the world did you think to search for that?" All I can say is practice makes perfect because you can buy ANYTHING on eBay.

I've been keeping my eye out for lockers just because I love them and they are so functional. I have a set I bought at the Paris Street Market in Denver a few years ago, and I use them in our little mud room for the kids to put their backpacks, shoes and other stuff.

So I was looking the other day, and I found some small cubby lockers (each locker is 12'x12') for an amazing price. And they were in NY! The state of NY sells excess "stuff" and I got these lockers for only $55. I have seen these at flea markets for well over $200. So Presta and I took a little road trip to the state offices in Albany and picked up my new treasure. They fit perfectly in the van, and after a little cleaning and a fresh coat of spray paint, they will make a great dresser for one of the kids.


After picking up the lockers, I came home to a package from another eBay purchase. I got a huge lot of vintage milk caps...110 to be exact. Aren't they cool? You can make them into fridge magnets, or display them in a cool container. The kids love flipping through stuff like this.


Happy bidding!

Yellow flowers

...make me happy.

How many times have I parked in front of these flowers and not really noticed? Then the other day I really noticed them. Those are really pretty! I have no idea what kind they are, and I honestly thought they might be weeds at first. Who doesn't love a happy yellow flower to greet you when you pull into your driveway?

Sibling love...

...makes me happy.

The kids have lately been really excited to just sit together and just "read" books to each other. Can I just say how much I LOVE THIS?? I'm pretty sure I have personally read each book we own at least 50 times, so they know them by heart. Now, they just sit with eachother and recite as much as their little minds remember.

I came upstairs the other night and found this scene...


P.S. This is Tyson's "big boy" bed from IKEA that we got for his second birthday back in April.

Porch Nap

So it started raining again this afternoon. My favorite place to go while the kids are napping, especially if it's raining, is the front porch. I open the french doors and let the breeze and rain scent come on in. My big desk is out there, so it's the perfect place to get some work done.

Ava wandered downstairs after about 20 minutes and said, "Mom, I just can't sleep in my room. Can I make a tent?"

Who wouldn't want to nap on the front porch in a homemade tent?

Home Again!

Hello from Rye!

We are back home after driving through the night lastnight, arriving in our driveway at 6am. Thanks for all your prayers for safe travels. The van is in the garage sleeping after logging 4,000 miles the last 3 weeks, and we are off to bed ourselves.

It's good to be home.

Beautiful weekend

What an amazing weekend. I should have taken more pictures, but I was enjoying the weekend too much. Wade is in travel-four-weeks-in-a-row mode, so the weekends are much anticipated. This weekend was amazing weather and amazing family time.

Biking to the beach, picnics, backyard BBQ's, scooter riding etc.

One thing I love about this house is the front enclosed porch that has french doors to the outside. It was warm enough to open them up and enjoy the warm breezes. Plus the kids and Presta enjoyed watching all the cars and people go by while I sat in my creaky rocking chair and watched them watching all the cars and people go by.

Of course Tyson couldn't enjoy it until he was done with his time out....he hit Ava in the face. Boys can be so rough!

Bye Bye Binky

Call us crazy, but with both kids, we've upgraded them to a big-kid bed and taken away the binky at the same time. May as well double up and get 'er done!

So with Tyson's bed upgrade, the binky had to go. Tuesday is trash day, so we waited on the front porch for the trash truck, and ran outside in our jammies and Tyson handed our wonderful trash man all his binkies and said, "I'm a big boy now...here are my binkies. Thank you!" Cutest thing ever!

Waiting for the trash truck to come...


Our beautiful yellow trash trucks.


Are my binkies really driving away Mommy?


I don't want my binkies to go away Mom!! At least big sister Ava can relate as she recalls throwing her binkies away when she was two.


OK Mom, what's really going on here??


I just need to cry it out for just a minute Mom.


Tyson, I know how you feel. Let me give you some big sister love. It's gonna be OK.


P.S. We actually took them away last Saturday when we put together his new bed, so he's been sleeping "binky-less" for the last few days...today was just the official farewell. He is doing great and it has been a really smooth transition. Yeah!