sometimes it's hard to be olivia

dear: mom
I think nobody likes me except you and dad
plus the boys are crazy and garrett haaaaaates me
and ryan loves me so much. i don't know what is the
problem. so what can i do?
love, olivia

dear: mom
i hope your dreams come true
but mine aren't coming true so what
is the deal. do you know what i should do.
love you
daaa daaa dum
sincerely, olivia
...

and sometime's it's hard to understand olivia -
she's so NOT how i was as a kid.
where did she get the drama gene??

oh well, her drama makes me laugh
(when it's not driving me bonkers!)
and i love her to pieces -
and i can't wait for the teenage years - HA HA

someone special

someone special was recently at our house...



check out olivia's blog for the full story :)

celebrating valentine's day

step #1 - school parties
lots of red & lots of sugar



step #2 - valentine's day lunch
heart sandwiches, of course

2 boys thought broken hearts were more fun

step #3 - romantic dinner for 2

or not...

step #4 - chocolate chip heart cookies before bed
cuz sugar always makes everyone sleep better :)

. valentine's day 2010 .

playdate

hey, meet me in chatroom a

ok!



the ds has definitely changed playdates :)

happy valentine's day

party on

why stop with just one party?

and why stop with one good group shot??

makeover

the boys' room was in desperate need of a makeover.

when we first moved in, this room was light purple.
garrett was only 6 months olds,
so we painted it very neutral - because we really didn't know
what direction we wanted to go in.

almost 5 years later,
it was filled with lots of boy stuff
but looked ohh so very blah.

plus the rooms gets TONS of light
so that just makes it look so blah.

so we took garrett's love of all things
skateboard & snowboard related

and ryan's love of green,
which now is no longer his favorite color -
but that's another story...

and here's what we came up with
{imagine the corners are totally painted - ha ha}

WAY more fun

field trips are lots of fun

but

they are WAY more fun
when your cousin goes to the same school!!!

the prayer of a 7 year old...

dear jesus,

could you just maybe help me fall on the ice

so i can hit my chin?

cuz then my tooth might fall out

and i wouldn't realize it.

amen

cha cha cha

happy birthday to you!
cha cha cha



happy birthday to you!
cha cha cha

happy birthday dear josie!
cha cha cha

happy birthday to you!!!

little miss josie -
today you are 2,
and we can't believe it!

what are you like these days?
well...

you love babies & strollers -
and the babies definitely need to wear their hats
and the blanket needs to be drapped just so on the stroller.

you are getting more & more particular
about which outfit or coat you want to wear.

you insist on putting your coat, hat & boots away
the moment you walk in the door -
can you teach the other kids that, please?

you love putting everyone's dirty clothes in the laundry basket.
you can name the owner of each piece of laundry that gets folded.
you are awesome at emptying the dishwasher.
yes, you are our little helper!

you love your sippy cup, cereal & chocolate.
you would rather be outside,
and you pretty much want to do anything the "big kids" are doing.

josie,
you are a fun part of our crazy family
and we are lucky to have you :)

love you lots!!!!
cha cha cha