Awesome weather

our newly painted pergola!

thatch in lu's shoes

can you see the feather in Lu's hair- shes a rock star!

we are so lucky to have such great weather here- it's zero humidity...my defrizzy hair is so thankful. after that hot muggy week in the midwest we are living it up outside. our lives are so fun! what do you do for fun??

Thatcher turned 2

Whoot to the hoo, Thatcher turned two!

Every Mom has her own way of mothering and + raising her own kids and I am constantly saying, "to each their own". And it's true, I think you should do what makes you happy. I know that for me, taking photos makes me happy. It gives me that warm fuzzy that people long for. In this day and age, our world is so instant and everything happens so fast. Instant messaging, facetime, texting.... I have to remind myself to SLOW DOWN and smell the roses. Somehow two years have passed right by us and pretty soon Thatch will be taking Brett's car and having a curfew....seriously! What? Where has my baby gone?
Moms always tell me they can't wait for there to be no more diapers in their house, and that sounds nice, don't get me wrong. But that means no more babies ( insert giant sob ). I wasn't to soak it all in and be so thankfull to my little kids.
On our way home from Chicago when our flight was cancelled and we were desperatly trying to get back home, the American airlines representitive looked at me and said, "Bless your bones!" I looked right at her and almost burst into tears. I thought, "I got this" -no need for a blessed flight home!

SO, I am going to do what makes me happy- take memorable photos and slow down to enjoy right now.

I would show you pictures......

...but I wont.

Chicago was amazing, and we had a great time in Lake Geneva with The Hamilton's. The wedding was beautiful and we had time with some friends and a 2 year old birthday party for Thatcher.

I would show you some amazing photos, but I won't.

Some "bad person" ( that's what I told Linden), ((or should I say GIANT ASSHOLE??)) stole my camera and all our photos from vacation. Gone. Just like that- someone broke into The Papedis's garage and stole everything. I don't even care about the actual camera and all my fancy lenses....I just want my memory cards allready! To think that someone just deleted all of them, makes me run to the bathroom and throw up. Makes me sick! ( Enter reason #1246 not to move back to Chicago)

On Sunday we went and met Tracy Petersen to shoot us and they are the only photos we have- of the entire trip. They are great pics- and I love them!!! Thank you Tracy!!!! They are GREAT shots, even though it was 100 degrees and sweat was dripping down my butt crack like a waterfall ( reason#1247) and Thatch was pissed. Who knew??? But Tracy rocked it!

i need to go here.

Camp out

In the back yard-












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amost 2

Dear Little "T-Bird", Mr Thatcy-do, Mr. T, Thatch,

Not quite sure how this happened, I have no explanation, no idea how you are possibly turning two next week. It seems like yesterday that we saw your beautiful face for the first time. You were such a perfect little guy on the day you were born. And when Linden came to the hospital to meet you (in her Dr. garb) you were spoiled with love and the thought of a baby brother was so wonderful to little Lu. Now, two years later, you guys are best buds and she makes sure you are not getting into too much trouble.
You are OBSESSED with helicopters and fire trucks- when you see them it's instant gleefull screams and giant brown eyes filled with sheer JOY! Your first word this year was "car" and now you can say "Happy birthday to you!" You have FILLED our dreams of a family and complete us. It has'nt been easy- by any stretch, but we love you so very much.
You're dance moves and squats are hilarious and we can always count on some great facial expressions throughout the day. You will eat almost anything and your favorite morning ritual is getting a "gummy vitamin" and sharing with Linden of course.

Thank you for the past couple years- we love you. Can't wait to see what this year will bring. Happy Birthday Thatcher!

party crashers

we went to movie nite on Friday, A birthday party Saturday at 10 and another birthday party at 4- the same day! Then ANOTHER birthday party this am! We are crashed!
great weekend + great freinds = a great time!

Projects.....

My little home depot junkies! They love the saw!


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before and after

when we moved to Arnold Way we shoved everything in the office ans it started accumulating over the past 4 years. and we never painted it or thought about it.
Then, for Father's day, Linden and I thought we should paint it and make it really nice for Hammy to work from home. Here are the "before" pics-
look at my lil' painter!

....and the "after".
Hammy loves it!

I made these little clipboards for notes, photos, invites, etc...

craft corner

now we have His and hers desks- I am on one side and Hammy on the other- it's great!
Thanks to my neighbors for helping me pull it off without Hammy's help!

Fencepost fixer

The new fencepost!


Brett was such a hard worker-


And linden was the "supervisor"!!!


Well Done guys!!


(they look tired!!!!)

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