Alphabet Soup

I don't have a story behind this picture. It's pretty obvious what's going on. I just love it because it shows a few of the things he's in to these days: alphabet magnets, stashing things, a yearning for more height, and his desire to help mommy with dishes (or play with the bubbles.)

Photo editing

So after reading other people's blogs I've realized other people take amazing pictures. So after getting a new camera I also wanted some photo editing software. I just downloaded photoscape. It was super easy and fast to install. This is what I just did poking around but I had fun!

I'm feeling patriotic

I'm feeling very patriotic today. I've watched nbc basically all day.

YEAH YEAH YEAH for our new president Barack Obama!! I'm thrilled to tears. (of course) I didn't have the most coveted view but I thought it was a perfect view.

(I just wish I had hidden the talking singing Elmo see and say toy.)

Winter Wonderful

Don't laugh Robyn! This morning Jackson and I ran outside to see the snow flurries fall. He insisted he needed his lella cause as you can see it's pouring. (I think you can see like 3 snow flurries in the picture. It really wasn't anything.)

But now our view looks like this and I think it's exciting. I don't know if we'll get more so I thought I'd go ahead and get it while I could.

Have you seen this?

I've mentioned before how much I love Anna Maria Horner but here is a glimpse of her new line Good Folks. I like pretty things.

I did it!

OK, so I didn't do it. Travis did it. He graduated from BYU in December. Yeah. I finally made him cookies. Yeah. Instead of licking his fingers from cookie dough goodness picture him saying "you're number one!"

Emotional Wreck

For anybody who has ever met me (it doesn't take long) you know that I am an emotional train wreck. I have proved it again today. Let me tell you a story. My family had an entertainment center growing up. I don't know when they bought it but I don't really remember anything but this. I have lots of memories of it and always thinking it was just beautiful and tasteful. Seriously even as a kid I remember feeling good closing the TV cabinet on a Sunday afternoon and playing church music. I was thrilled when Brent and I got it after my parents got a new TV. It was our only real nice furniture and I was so grateful. (I'm not making this up guys.) Brent's been wanting a new panel TV but I told him we don't want to get a new Entertainment Center (I capitalize the words b/c its like a member of the family). Well, he talked me into it. I tried to give it to all my siblings, thinking of course they would want it and they all said no. I thought that was odd but we sold it on Craig's list anyway. I didn't forsee it but I balled like a baby. Last night before they picked it up I woke up at 3:30 and was just worried sick about the type of home it would go to. I was so sad that the man came early to pick it up and I wasn't there to see it leave. I didn't get to judge him or tell him how important it was to me. I balled. I couldn't believe it and neither could Brent. Emotional train wreck proof number 357621. Behold our good times.

Oh new TV stand....how will you ever compare?

Becoming a member of the family is a tall act to follow.

Seeking experienced mothers

Seriously, I need your advice. Jackson will be 2 this month and I just don't know what to get a child that age. He is growing and changing so fast I cannot forsee what his new interests will be. After browsing these are things that caught my eye but I have no clue. He's into balls now. He has a couple riding toys but should i get one with pedals? Should I focus on reading kind of toys? Imaginative toys? Am I over-thinking this? yeah of course but since we really don't buy him toys much this one has to count! please comment...please.

Lella

The best thing about the rain is you get to hold the lella.

Bryant's coming!

In case any of you didn't know I'm gonna have another nephew shortly. Brent's brother Travis and his wife Becca are expecting their first at the end of this month. After seeing this post I got so excited to see my new nephew and have just been bubbling over with emotion. I can't wait and even though he lives way too far away I can feel the love and pride (thats right I said pride) over taking me. I think about my other nephews (who I also don't get to see enough) and am just so grateful for the gift of families. Even the ones that live far away. I love all my nephews and just thought everybody should know it. But seriously is Becca not an amazing decorator! I love her colors and her style and if she'd ever spend enough time down here I'd get her to do my whole house! Here's to hoping Bryant looks better than this.

Only boys...

Only boys can play throw mommy.Only boys can catch mommy.
Only boys can play airplane mommy.

Only boys can be in our super secret house/hat club, but thank goodness mommy can look in through the windows.

Happy New Year!

First picture on the new camera on the first day of the new year.

Brent and Jackson obviously have different morning outlooks.

(You can barely see Brent's face peeking out from the covers.)

missing

Two things from this picture are missing now. The tag that Brent proposed with was stolen from my car a few years ago (went for the scripture bag assuming it was a purse) and my engagement ring which slipped off my finger some time on Monday. Sad. It makes me love my wedding band and thankful that the man who gave them to me is still here and loving me. OK, in all honesty, the bracelet, watch, vest, other ring and shirt are all gone now but I still have the pants!
Update: 2 hours after i posted this Brent found my ring. Which means he can do no wrong for at least a few days. :)

Too much

We spent Christmas with my not-too-big family in Alabama. but took too many pictures like this.
ate too many cookies like this (that is sneaking them when nobody was looking, amazing, even Jackson caught on to that tradition)
opened too many presents. no one should be so blessed.
too much fun!

We missed you Chicagoans! Love you all!