Snow Days

We had a good bit of snow in Lexington last week, so my boys were able to enjoy a little bit of snow time!

One of Tim's presents for Christmas included a nice snow tube. He and Dustin were able to try it out at the park last weekend. Here are a few fun photos:

I don't think that Dustin knew quite what to think about the snow tubing! He did not enjoy the snow flying up into his face. Brrr....Cold!! But, he did seem to enjoy the final last very small hill that he was able to navigate all by himself (daddy was at the top and mommy caught him at the bottom).

Thanks to Little Man's friend, Adam, Dustin had a pair of snow boots to keep his little feet warm! Before the next snow, we will be finding him a pair of boots and some waterproof mittens!

Next winter, Mommy will also be able to enjoy the ride!

Fun times!

Goals for 2010

Happy New Year!

Since the New Year, I have thought much about a few "goals" that I have going into 2010.

I try not to set the tried and not so true traditional resolutions, since they seem to only last for a brief period of time and are ultimately lost to only be revamped and reconditioned for next year's list of resolutions. However, I find that when I establish a few goals, when steps to achieve those goals, my goals are typically much more attainable!

And so, my 2010 goals:

1. To grow closer to God in 2010.

Steps to achieve this first goal:

Read my bible daily
Pray
Journal
Observe God's creation in all things

One additional step that I hope for my family to take in early 2010 is to become members of and involved in a local church.

2. To spend more quality time with my wonderful husband! Tim tells me that 2009 was the "year in the kitchen"--I spent a lot of time trying out new and usually complicated recipes. So, 2010 needs to be the year of simplicity so that Tim and I can reconnect.

3. To continue to spend time with my boys and while doing so, teach them new words, numbers and introduce them to new, exciting and fun adventures!

4. To work on authentic friendships.

5. To eat healthier and exercise. (We need to include more fruits and vegetables in our diets!)

Those are my goals for 2010. Here's to hoping that I'll be able to maintain and achieve them!

An Ode to my Very Best Friend

Today is a very special day!


It was four years ago today that I walked toward my very best friend, promising before God, family and friends for him to be my husband during our life together on this earth. It seems as though I have known you for a lifetime. Not because marriage to you has been a drudging chore, but because I cannot imagine my life without you in it.


The year 2009 brought many changes in our life. Our precious son was born just 51/2 months earlier. We together walked through our first year of parenthood, encountering the joy, some sorrow and struggles along the way. There were moments when I am quite sure that we were liking one another too well, but we loved each other all the while.

As I looked for a photo of the two of us, just the two of us, to post on this entry, I found none. The absence of even one photo of the two of us is evidence that we simply have not had enough just "us" time this year. As we enter into a new year of our marriage, I hope to have many memories of the "us" time, along with photos that are lasting proof! (I suppose it is time for us to line up a few extra babysitters to chase after Wild man!)

Even so, I adore you more today than yesterday and am certain that I will love you even more tomorrow. I have hope that I will be able to love you greater as we continue to build our family and run this race called life hand in hand.

God knew exactly what He was doing when he paired me with you. You are one of the most stubborn and brilliant men I know. I would be bored to tears if it were not for your ever questioning, challenging nature.

I appreciate when you answer my questions in the middle of the night. When I wake you. After it has taken you a half hour to fall asleep. When the question is really stupid. And you are really tired.

I admire you as a Father. You give our son his baths when I'm too huge to bend down and then to pick him back out of the tub. You are patient with our little guy and he loves to wrestle and tumble on the floor with you.

I cannot imagine having faced the uncertainty of our son's critical state at Vanderbilt without your arms around me.

I love that you think I'm beautiful even though my body is stretching out in ways I never quite thought possible.

I laugh that you are conservative, yet wild at heart. You're the guy who will climb up in the tree while it is being cut down. The guy on the roof, hanging from the ceiling and being shot at in remote places on Kentucky rivers. The rough and tough tumble guy who cried as I walked down the isle to become your wife.

You are my favorite. My best friend, my husband, my sole mate, my love.

Happy Anniversary!

A Few Holiday Highlights

We had a very nice Christmas this year!!

Tim and I drove to West Virginia to visit my family and left shortly after dinner time the evening prior to Christmas Eve. These days, our travels to distances that are greater than one hour are made during Dustin's nap time or bedtime. Otherwise, I am afraid that we'd have a screaming Little Man for the entire trip!

Dustin seemed to enjoy spending time with his cousins. He played and played and played...never wanting to sleep or to be removed from the action!

In the photo below, he is traveling with a new tube of little peoples. He likes his little people!
This next photo shows him checking out Presley on Christmas morning. He sure loved Presley's play keyboard with a working toy microphone! He played with that toy for hours straight. I have tried to locate one since we returned home. Unfortunately, they are exclusively made for Babies R Us and the toy is sold out on the store and on line!

Little Man opening his presents:

Little Man playing with a cord. I'm not certain to what this cord was connected, but he loves any and all cords! (Such a boy!)

My mom's Christmas tree, in color...

and in black and white.

Tim and Dustin--playing with the remote to the PlayStation game.

A few of the baked goods that I made this year. I made several batches of sugar cookies, some cake balls, some chex mix and a delectable cheesecake for which I will soon post the recipe!

Grandma and Grandpa with the grand kids:

Tim, Dustin, me and Jackson -- Christmas 2010!

We hope that you and your family had a Very Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year! We loved celebrating the birth of the Baby Jesus who gave us the greatest gift of all--LIFE!!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas

Decorating at my house this year was a bit slower than in years past. With me being six months (Yes, 6 months!) prego and chasing a very energetic 17 month old, I've been quite a tired lady. But, still--it is looking a lot like Christmas at our house.

A few photos:








Our Christmas tree--a little more sparse this year than normal, but did I mention that I'm 6 months prego? (Ha!!)



Dustin's new stocking--I think it must be six feet long. AND I think we have enough to completely stuff it!




Mrs. Clause--a bowling pin turned into Mrs. Clause by my mom. She stands in a corner near our entryway--greeting visitors.


The fireplace mantle.





The dining room. The fichus tree is looking rather sad--perhaps I'll fix it next year!


The Christmas Flower arrangement that I made.



The first homemade ornament that Dustin brought home. Next year, we will have a second tree for the boys!







Speaking of boys...my little man walking past the tree! He has done very well staying out of the tree!

Family Photos

Back in October we had our family photos taken by the very talented Jessica Houtz. She has them posted on her website under Client Proofing. They really turned out quite fantastic! I was able to get my Christmas cards created this evening, using her fabulous photographs. Below are a few of my favorite shots:

And so, some of these photos may reappear in a Christmas card to be coming soon to a mailbox near you!

Fall: Festivals, Food, Friends and Fun!!

We have had some good times enjoying the fall. Last weekend, Dustin, my mom and I visited Boyd's orchard where we picked out a few apples. Dustin was able to enjoy his new wagon (purchased by Daddy) while we strolled through the market at the orchard. I was even able to purchase some good apples which were used in some yummy recipes that I will post later in the week! Dustin was a little overwhelmed by all of the people at the orchard and was mostly quite as a result. Here are a few photos of our trip:

Dustin in the pumpkin patch!

The pumpkin butt makes its annual debut:

Cute Lauren in her cat outfit (Megan did a terrific job pulling it together):

Dustin in his wagon, delivering the treats:

I searched for a good costume for Dustin to wear this Halloween and found the cutest little golfer's costume. But, Tim suggested finding a costume at a consignment shop. Well, I did not find anything cute at the consignment store! By the time I went to order the golfer uniform on-line, they were all sold out! :( And so, on Thursday afternoon I did find a black hooded long sleeve shirt with glow-in-the-dark skeleton bones. Since it was a bit cold last night, we had to wear a jacket over the shirt, so it cannot be seen in these photos. Next year, we'll do better!

Dustin rode around with his little pumpkin and a bowl full of candy to give to the trick-or-treaters. Next year, he will be amongst those knocking on the doors!

Dustin just loved the pumpkins!

And for the end...pumpkin butt!