So, way back in November or December, I can't remember because it all blurs together..... we actually had our family pictures taken! I know, crazy, right? Well, I took the pics of the kids and then my super cool friend Mandy took the pictures of all of us, or, well, any that I was in;) I am super in love with how fabulous they look! I spent a long time gathering the necessary clothing pieces for this event, along with jewelry, hair bows, well, you know, all the pieces. It obviously didn't go super great, because that's how things with children work out. The day that this was going down, I was honestly wondering why people PAY me to put them through this amount of torture! I mean, seriously, picking outfits, hair cuts, hair styling, make-up, fussy kids, oh boy, it's a crapload of work. But I don't remember an ounce of that when I look at these pictures now. I am just SOOOOOO glad that I have a great picture of my kids, I look back on older ones and cannot believe how grown up they are looking, and how much they aren't babies anymore!
Adorable little Austin, he's 3 1/2 here, and he's just as boy as they come. Well, except he LOVES to give hugs and kisses. seriously, he'll kiss you to death, it's hilarious! he kinda takes after his dad and has a love for all things cars and comic heroes. But also holds a special place in his heart for Toy Story {I'm pretty sure he got that from me;)} and he can settle for other cool things like airplanes, robots and dinosaurs.
FYI- that's an ACTUAL picture of all 4 of them, they haven't been photoshopped or cut and pasted in, all 4 of them actually sat there and kind of looked at me, I think Madison is still looking at the plane that flew over, but that's a minor detail;)
This big girl of mine is 9, Madison, is in the 3rd grade, and loves girly things, watching cartoons, anything artistic, especially drawing! She's doing pretty great in school, she takes 5 hours a day to do her homework, which we have just gotten used to now, she doesn't mind being slow, she'd rather be meticulous.
I have big plans for these pictures to hang in my home somewhere, but I can't decide what kind of prints or canvas i want.... etc, etc..... Man, I'm glad I can help other people pick this stuff out, but I seriously need someone to help me!! ha ha!!
I adore the kids in this family picture. Especially Tristan. She looks thoroughly entertained by whatever is going on!
Just me and my guy. I can't believe that we have been married for SO long now! Ha ha!! I think that's something that you say every year longer you are married! 11 years ago we decided to make our best friend our spouse. Something that we had already planned on for the 2 years previous, but when TJ asked me to marry him (for like the 5th time) something finally seemed right and although my answer had always been yes, that last time was more like a 'yes now, for real' type answer.
Oh this sparkly little gem, what in the world would I do without some Tristan in my life?? I mean seriously. One of my friends here calls her "Spicy" and she IS. With as much love and happiness she brings me, she also has equal amounts of trial and struggle. She is hands down, my hardest child to deal with, get along with, teach, discipline. And she is also hands down the one that I get the MOST joy out of getting to wrap my arms around her and hug her. It is such a blessing that we still get to have her in our lives, and I forget that when she is so much work, but I remember each and every time I get to love her! She has been going to gymnastics and preschool two times per week, in preparation for starting Kindergarten soon. She is so excited to start school, and I am excited too (did I mention what a load of work she is? ;)
Ah, Brooklyne is like a breath of fresh air! Seriously. This girl is ALWAYS glad to help, loves to clean and help cook. She is super active, and loves to be outdoors. She spends most of her days on the tampoline, her bike or playing with friends. She completes her homework in like 5 seconds so she can get on to more fun stuff. Also, she is SO funny. She is the one always thinking of sarcastic-ish things. I really blame her kinder and 1st grade teacher for that super cute trait;) But she is just a joy to have around.
