Two Year Pictures

Holy cow! Getting this one to stay still for a millisecond was a tough one but luckily I had a very trusty, very handsome assistant who was able to distract.

I know everyone says this but I really can't believe that it has already been 2 years. Now don't let these pictures that show a sweet little boy fool you. He is ALL boy! He loves to climb up anything, jump off everything, growl, and run, and wrestle. He loves Blues Clues and pizza. He loves to annoy his big sister and is in love with doing whatever she is doing. We love him so much and so happy that this little spirit gets to share a lifetime with us.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUBBY BOY!

Somebody's Two!

No, it's not me. While I might act like it sometimes I passed that milestone a long long time ago.
It's my bubby boy! He turned 2 on Monday.
We kept it very (very) low key. We took the kids to McDonalds for lunch. Can you believe that they have never played at the play place? They each got a happy meal (another first). Then it was home for a much needed nap. And the holigans were tired too.
Later we went to a park and just played around, had pizza for dinner and opened presents. Which is like the REASON anyone comes to Earth right? FOR THE PRESENTS!! Wahoo!

This one was the hit of the night

Oh My Gosh! We Actually Did Somthing Worth Blogging About

Please pick yourself up off the floor now. I know it comes as a shock but it will wear off in a minute or two.
A few weekends back we traveled to the far reaches of Colorado. Where there is no Walmart, no 24 hour fast food, no 24 hour grocery store, no 24 hour anything. We trekked through the mountains, battling miles of steep roads in our horse powered vehicle with air conditioning. Such torturous conditions, I'm surprised we made it. We weathered the tumultuous sprinkling rain. And finally after what seemed like days but was really only 3 hours we arrived. Where is this barren wasteland you might ask, Fairplay.
We went and spent some quality time with Kevin's sister, Jenny. She put up with the kids beautifully, I might add. She took us to Breckenridge, or as the local fare call it "Breck".

The kids were able to feed the fish.

I was feeling very self-portraity that day. Self-portraity? Self-portraital? Self-portraitesq? Whatever.

I bet you didn't know my hooligans were world class skiers. They're so good they can ski in the off season! Look at that form!

They're cuttin that powder up. I have no idea what I'm talking about but that sounded good.

They thoroughly enjoyed dipping their tootsies in the river.

This was the view from Jenny's back porch.

I even had time to get some practice in. I love wild flowers. Growing without a care, this beautiful little piece of nature that just pops up out of nowhere and takes care of its self. I think that's my favorite part of wild flowers, the self sufficient nature of them.

What's Your Hue? A Valid Question, I Think.

In our front room we have vertical blinds that cover our ginormous window. My chilens are notorious for playing in them and breaking them. It is a major sore spot with me (I know they are just things but they aren't our things so . . .).
Today, Lydia was playing in them and my blood started to boil. I proceeded to yell at her to which she calmly looked at me and said, "Mom, why is your face purple?"

Que hysterical laughing.

Oh My Holly Majollies!

For the past almost two months I have been working on getting these pictures done. Half way there, now on to the reception.


This is my beautiful niece and her now hubby.

You Have To Look But They're Usually There

Bright sides, blessings, the silver lining. That's what I'm talkin' about.

Not so bright side:

She unrolled half a roll of toilet paper into the toilet.

Bright side:

She forgot to flush.

Not so bright side:

He got the butter out of the fridge and dumped it on the floor.

Bright side:

At least that's all he got out of the fridge.

Not so bright side:

Both kids and I are sick.

Bright side:

Hubby had today scheduled off and will be home to help with the kids.

Not so bright side:

I got up at 6 am yesterday.

Bright side:

I was able to take pics of Miss Prego and hopefully give her something she'll really love. Aaaaaaaaand it was such a beautiful morning.

Not so bright side:

Because of the aforementioned sickness, we are missing the pioneer day picnic.

Bright side:

We'll RENT(!) a movie and snuggle up on the couch together.

Update: and we didn't get rained on.

Not so bright side:

I didn't quite get the pictures that I wanted (only because I'm still learning and therefore don't know what in the world I am doing and only happen to get lucky, seriously).

Bright side:

Each mistake gets me closer to my goal and if I don't make any mistakes I'll never learn anything. So bring on my screw ups, cuz baby, I need me some learnin.

Let's Do The Happy Dance

So so happy that I finally finished these. Go check 'em out and let me know what you think.
Pyne Family Pictures

Fresh Off The Truck

Farm fresh and ready to go. How delictable they look. These sumptuous little darlings are just sitting and waiting for me to devour them.

Sometimes . . .

. . . you just have to bring in the pretty.



Aaaaannd sometimes, the pretty is brought to you.

A Lydia's Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for Wexi and Wathan and Daddy and Mommy and Caleb and Lydia. Help Daddy come home safe. Thank you for wrapping paper. Please help Caleb stop ripping and climbing and crying. Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Like A Summer Rose

I am sad to say that I have been remiss in my blogging responsibilities, on all fronts. I know, I know, I should be flogged. But instead I'll just be blogged.

Hahaha heheheheh ohoo ohoo. I kill myself.

Aside from that we haven't been up to much. (I know SHOCKING)

So, I would like to pose a question to all and any who would like to answer:

What do you do ALL DAY to keep your kids entertained?

This has plagued me for a long time because I am always at a loss as to what to do. "I just don't know what to do with myself, don't know what to do with myself." Sorry, that song just popped in my head and I got lost in refrain. Back to the question at hand. I mean there are only SO many books you can read until they and you get tired of it, there are only SO many songs you can sing until they and you get tired of it, there are only SO many hours that you can color until your arm starts to feel numb and your fingers cramp and you feel as if the whole appendage is going to fall off but you can't stop because you promised to color today and, and and . . . Sorry, where was I? Oh, yes, so what do you do all day?

It Must Be Love

Yes, we all know that I love me some raspberry filled hostess donuts. But all over the good state of Colorado these yummy filled morsels are coming up missing. What kind of world do we live in where you can't find a box of these on every grocery store, convenience store, and gas station dive shelf?
It must be love because my lovely sister (no not that one the other one) stopped by and dropped a box of my kryptonite off (of course that's really not true because anything with sugar in it is my kryptonite). She traveled all over trying to track down these elusive treats. Finally, in a sad little gas station by the side of the interstate sitting on a shelf was a lone box. Six whole donuts. It must be love because, even though she loves these delectable pastries as well, she brought that lone box to me. Thank you Shannon. I just hope one day I can make such a sacrifice for you.
It must be love.

I'm Bad I'm Bad You Know It

Yes, it is true. I have been a bad bad blogger. I just find that my brain is fried and the well of creative juices have run dry, the kegs been tapped, Elvis has left the building (how long do you think I can keep this up?), the lights are not all on upstairs, uh . . . okay I'm done.
I've also been very bad about blog lovin, not that I don't love me some blogs but I haven't been showing it much. I'll try and be better.
But just so you don't think I haven't been doing anything, check out this baby!

Blushing Buttercream Pettiskirt GIVEAWAY!!!!

Blushing Buttercream Pettiskirt GIVEAWAY!!!!
The name sounds yummy!

The Creator, Of This Letter

Dear Rebecca,
This is God. I was just writing to see how you are doing. I haven't heard from you lately and I really miss you. I know that you are busy with school and taking care of my children but I was wondering if you could find a small moment in your hectic schedule of a day to just say hi and tell me the happenings in your life. Yes, I know that I already know but it is so much better to hear it all from you.
I know that last time we talked you were having trouble with your patience levels when dealing with Caleb and Lydia. I realize that sometimes children can be frustrating and it is easy to want to feel hopeless when it seems like they don't listen to you or do what you have asked. Understand though that they are learning. They are knew bright spirits in this world and they need you to teach them to be good. Also understand that they do listen, more than you might think. It might be hard to get them to pick up their toys or to eat their dinner when you tell them to and it might appear that you are talking to a wall but they listen and they watch you. You are who they turn to as an example. You are real and solid in their lives and they look to you to lead them and guide them. If the frustration ever gets too much, remember that I am always here to talk to. You can call on me anytime and I will always answer. You can rant and rave and tell me all of your frustrations and I will always listen. There are also others that I have put in your life that you can call on for support. They are willing and wanting to help you so don't be afraid to call on them as well.
I also seem to recall you speaking of certain family members that you are concerned about. I want you to know that I am looking after them. I love them and always will. You are not solely responsible for their eternal salvation. If you do your part and be the best example you can and continue to love them, then the rest is up to them. We can't control everyone, as much as we would want to, as much as we know that it is good for them, we have to let them find their way. But know that they are always on my mind and that I will never give up on them.
The world seems to be getting darker and sometimes I know it is hard for you to see the good. It is out there, it is always out there and if you are having a hard time finding it, again, just call me and I can help you see it. My world is a beautiful thing filled with my children who are beautiful. There is wonder and magic and miracles to be found everywhere and when you can see all that, the darkness doesn't feel so foreboding.
Always remember that I love you and I love hearing from you. Don't be a stranger.

Anxiously awaiting your reply,
Love God

P.S. Don't forget to lean on Kevin as much as possible. He is there to help bare you up and he is willing to do it because he loves you almost as much as I do.

Praise The Lawd! Hallelujah!

I came in from walking this morning and Lydia comes running out of the bathroom.

"Where's mommy?"

upon spotting me

"Mommy mommy! I found Jesus!"

and to find him in the bathroom of all places.

Confession!!

The other day while I was reading my chilens this I couldn't hold back my tears. I am so serious. I busted up crying (I'm talkin ugly cry, tears rolling, can't speak, face all contorted, ugly) as Horton fought so hard to help the speck be heard and the speck fought so hard to be heard. "We are HERE! We are HERE! We are HERE!!" So touching and really, a person IS a person no matter how small.

We Interrupt Our Regularly Scheduled WHINE Fest For . . .

A beautiful morning!

What A Horrible Horrible Week!!

This week was the worst week thus far.

Caleb decided to get the flu (at least that is what it is feeling like) and it is being passed around.
On top of which our Landlord decided to redo our kitchen cabinets so we went without a kitchen for 2 days. We had to keep the kids confined to only half the house to keep them out of the way.
On top of which when the kitchen was finished and we started to reload it with all of our stuff we found that about half of stuff doesn't fit well in the cupboards. The shelves are all short and squaty. Imagine going to put away a regular size box of Ritz crackers and because the shelves are all squaty the box can't even stand upright.
On top of which the new stove that they put in has the knobs where the kids can reach them. I let the kids explore the kitchen when they were done and I stepped out of the room for two seconds I come back in and Caleb has the oven turned on.
On top of which my children's brains are most likely fried from watching too much TV because I don't have the strength to do anything else. (bad bad mommy!)
On top of which I've had to cancel on Lindsay twice and it looks like it's going to be a third because I can't hardly breath. (I'm not really this flaky Lindsay).
On top of which all of my 2009 goals have been tossed out the window this week because of all this. (and it will only be for this week).
On top of which all of the sickness and kitchen mess has put me behind on my homework.
On top of which I'm blogging when I should be doing my homework or sleeping.
On top of which . . . . . . . I feel wretched.

Random Lydia

The other day I was in the bathroom getting ready for the day and Lydia runs up to the door, begins to bang on it and say "Mommy, Mommy! I need to go potty! Hurry hurry!" This was my reply, "Okay, okay hold your horses."
Then I hear her little feet run into her bedroom. I came out just as she was running back out of her room.
"Okay mommy, I got my horses."


Now how can I ignore logic like that?