Couch Potatoes

Happy Birthday Michael

Happy birthday you sharp, clever boy! We LOVE you to the moon and back~

The Tent

Waiting for Dad

I remember being a kid and hearing my Dad's truck drive up at the end of the day. 'Dad's home!' I would stop whatever I was doing to race down the hall and out the garage door to greet him. He would kneel down and scoop me me up. A highlight of my day. A highlight of his day. I wonder how he felt like when I stopped running for him. I wonder if it made him sad or if he'd been expecting it. Did my brothers continue the tradition after me? Did they look out the windows and listen for the car noise?

Maxwell and Ella are really into kissing right now. It's pretty adorable. Throughout their day they stop what they're doing to kiss Mike or I, or each other (I know, so weird how I can't figure out how they keep getting each other sick). Yes, sometimes we ask for kisses, but the best kind are initiated by them. I can't imagine what it will feel like when they stop. When they're either too cool or can't be bothered. I guess that's why I'm trying to enjoy all the small stuff. Because I know it won't last forever. Of course it will change, and it should, but for now I love the little ways they make us feel special. The way I made my Dad feel special.

Whenever they hear a car pull up, both babies toddle to the window and look out, 'Da Da? Da Da?'

I Love Summer

I am by no means a computer girl. I can find my way around blogger, but I really only know how to use Picasa to edit photos. So, I love it when I find other easy tools for photo editing. Hint, hint, share your easy tips if you have any! Today during nap time instead of washing my car, like I keep meaning to, I found poladroid which gives your digital pics the effects of old Polaroids. Sooo much funner than a clean car. But really, now here I go to wash it.

Double, Double

We are so grateful for our twin friends. Maxwell and Ella are finally really playing with Drew and Kaden (up until now it really was a play date for Tara and I to talk). The boys got a kick out of playing in a big box.

Ella did not. While the boys banged against the cardboard walls, Ella kept coming back to doormat, looking at me like 'please just let me inside.'

A break for some graham crackers.

And a little kiss.

Fathers

Happy Father's Day to my men.

Dad,
Thank you for being so great. Not only are you an amazing father to me, but you are an incredible grandpa, Papa John. You are a gift to my whole family. Love you Dad.
~meg

Mike,

Our kids are so blessed to have you. Watching you with them makes me love you even more than before. I love you.

~meg

Birthday Girl!

Happy Birthday Little Meg. 19, woo-hoo! Wishing you your best year ever. We're proud of you, beautiful girl.

The Million Picture Post

I'm back from my trip and it was...wonderful. I LOVE my family. I had the best time relaxing and celebrating my cousin's graduation. As always, it seems like there's never enough time to visit with everyone, but some time is better than no time. As I looked through my pictures I couldn't just pick a few- because each face I saw made me think, 'Man I love that guy.' And 'My Aunts are the best.' And 'I can't believe how big all my cousins are!' And on and on and on.

After my visit with family I got to spend a few nights with my friend Hillary...who is amazing. She has the most adorable two year old Isabella and a brand new precious baby girl Hadley. Hill is such a great Mom. She is patient, creative, and sooooo funny (check out the super cute shirts she made for Maxwell and Ella at the bottom of this post). You know that friend that you don't talk to for months and then you see each other and it's like you're still roommates in that tiny college apartment? That's how it is with Hillary (and Molly, and Stef and Megs when we finally get to see each other). I really do have amazing friends. It's a bummer that they live so far away.

Anyway, my trip was great. The details are in in my head and my heart. I'm too tired to write about them. My husband is amazing. Thanks to the family that helped out when Mike was working. The kids did great. So great, in fact, that I got off the airplane and they didn't really acknowledge me. This was slightly embarrassing, as I had just told half of the plane all about my highly anticipated reunion and many of the moms/grandmothers were teary eyed and watching me run up to Mike and the kids. Only to see them turn their heads and check out the baggage claim. Not quite the reunion I had played out in my mind. Oh well, we're back in the swing of things now and there's no shortage of kisses and hugs.

Although the rest and playing was fun, it's good to be home.

The Fam...

Then on to the Isaacsons...

Crafty shirts from Hillary...

...And I'm Off!

Tomorrow morning I'm off to Seattle. Thank you Mike for this trip, I'm so looking forward to relaxing. Thank you Grandmas for your extra help too.

Maxwell and Ella...Mama will miss you sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much!!! I LOVE you three. Bye for now.