Finding a Location

Over the last 2 days, I've had four requests for photo-sessions. I am SO completely flattered that they want me to take pictures of their children.  I have excitement and a sense of pride that others like the pictures I take. I want to provide them with pictures they love and will want to hang on their walls, send to family members, and facebook proudly! It's all a bit terrifying, to be honest. I know I'm just an amateur... and I hope they do too!  

I packed Mya up this morning in a quickly thrown together get-up and went to scout out some new location ideas for this photo-sessions. I love taking pictures at a local park, but felt like maybe I needed somewhere a little more interesting! We headed to nearby downtown and found some really cool spots! Mya was SUCH a trooper! She posed, smiled, and even had a chance to put Momma in front of the camera while she played photographer!

Can We Clone This Kid?

IF someone could promise me we could have another kid JUST like Luke I would possibly consider having a third child. But... we all know that isn't possible. So, we will go on enjoying every moment with this awesome kid.

STATS from his 16 Month Check-up"

Height: 32.5 in. (85%)

Weight: 25 lbs. 10 oz. (70%)

Head Circumference: 46 cm (40%)

Favorites: any kind of ball but especially basketballs, playing outside, goldfish, cheerios, water, milk, frozen gogurts, ice cream, vegetables, grapes, hugs, kisses, his sissy

Sleep: I think we are transitioning from one nap to two naps.  It really depends on the day and when he wakes for the day.  Some days he decides to start the day at 5:30 (UGH!) and some days he sleeps until 6:45 (still UGH but better!). His bed time is usually around 7 pm but he likes to talk himself to sleep around 7:30. He sleeps with 2 pacifiers and his puppy "Buddy."

Luke is SUCH a love bug! He loves to give hugs, kisses, or just cling onto one of our legs (including his sister) and walk with us! He is usually very passive and doesn't get too worked up. He is tough, active, and ALL BOY! I think we definitely have a ball player on our hands... the kid is solid! He also has a great sense of humor and does things that he knows will get a giggle or two out of one of us!



Pink is very manly, don't you think?



Definitely a Momma's boy! <3>

ALMOST four

Mya is ALMOST four years old.  This isn't the "official" 4 year old blogpost.  That will have to come next week after she truly turns 4!

We are busy prepping for her birthday party at the gymnastics center tomorrow. Mommy wised up and decided NOT to host it at our house this year! I couldn't be happier with myself! ;-)

Today, while Lukey was sleeping, Mya and I had an impromptu photoshoot. She was a total angel! I'm not sure if it's because she's almost 4 OR if it's because she knew we were headed to get her a new fish (more on that in a later post too!). Regardless, she smiled, she posed, she was a dream model.

Take a look!

'Cause I'm a Picker, I'm a Grinner...

About a year ago my neighbors put this beauty on their curb for some lucky passer-byer... or self-described crazy picker neighbor to pick up! I put on my "picker" shoes and RAN to the curb! Thankfully, I was able to claim it before anyone else!

Matt looked at me with his usual, "You've got to be kidding me" look on his face. I explained that it would be PERFECT for Mya someday! He reluctantly "allowed" me to store it in the basement with the rest of my "finds" until that perfect day arrived!

Lately, she hasn't been giving her larger than life dollhouse much attention in her room, so I decided it was time to trade it in for the desk! She has been SO into cutting, drawing, writing, etc. so I just knew she would LOVE LOVE LOVE her desk!

 Matt and I did a little switch-a-roo and wah-la! I may be a cheap picker, but it sure does make me happy when I see such cuteness for FREE!

Mya loves to sit at her desk and "do work" like her Daddy. She even tried to convince little Kylie O'Neill to come to her room so she could do her "homework." Poor little Kylie looked at her like, "What are ya nuts, I'm only 2."

My Mom, the SAINT

Ever since we have moved into this house, I have HATED the landscaping. I don't have a clue about plants or flowers. I don't know their names. I don't know if they like sun, shade, lots of water or little water. To be honest, I have to really think about the difference between an annual vs a perennial. I just don't know and to be honest, I just don't care. BUT... I do like a nice looking yard!

Matt has wanted to pull out almost ALL of our plants since day 1. I have always claimed to be a tree hugger. The thought of killing or removing a tree made me cringe. However, the looks of my yard made me cringe even more.  On a whim, I decided to call a tree removal company JUST to see how much it would cost to do some removal! Their quote came back incredible low so I pulled the trigger! I scheduled them to come remove some plants.  One evergreen led to another which led to another and so on..... Before I knew it, they were removing 6 large plants (I don't even know if plants is the right term... trees? evergreens? shrubs?)

I started to panic as I realized that that VERY day in nearly hours, my Mom was due to arrive at my house! UH-OH! She was not a supporter of the removal AND she was about to arrive just as my yard was to look completely BARE! The good news was, she knows her stuff and would be able to at least help me plan what to put into my beds. The question was, once I had a plan, WHO was going to do the work? Neither Matt nor I have a clue or a desire to do the work.  Matt works a disgusting amount of hours and has no time to garden. Not to mention my back problems have been killing me on a daily basis and limits me to very little strenuous activities.

My Mom, THE SAINT, not only helped plan the flower beds but also dug and planted every single new plant! We made multiple trips to Home Depot and the nearby nursery. We planted, unplanted, replanted several times. She did SO much work!

Right now, the plants are still small so it's a little difficult to visualize the final outcome! I know once they grow, it will look fantastic! We may have to do a little "tweaking" of the overplanted bed but for now, I will enjoy smiling instead of cringing as I admire my new yard. I am SO thankful to my Mom for her help!



After removing a large shrub that had to be trimmed all of the time- What was left? A TON of hasta and day lillies!
Buh-Bye!



2 new knock-out roses
5 Coral Bells
Moved Day Lillies



Removed a HUGE juniper evergreen. HATED IT!

Planted 3 Spirea 


Lu Lu "helping" Mimi plant

Mya took a break to climb the tree

Mimi's little helpers!

"Baxter, what do you think will happen if I drop this into the bucket?"

Wish I had a before shot but I don't. Trust me, it looks so much better now!

Chill Out with a Picnic

It wasn't the best of days for me.... So I decided to chill out a bit with the kids with a dinner picnic in the yard! They loved it! Mya actually sat and relaxed with me for awhile! Luke... he ran around like a madman visiting every so often for a bite!



Not sure why this is the look she repeatedly gives me when I say "smile."
Also, this apparently is Great Clips version of just a teeny bit off the bangs. UGH! This girl just can't seem to get a decent haircut! Good thing she's cute regardless!




"Hey Ladies, how about some b-ball?"




"No? Well, How about watching me do a somersault on the walkway?"
Don't worry, I stopped our little gymnast before he flipped.