Tomlinson Family

Easter pictures!

2011-05-09T21:23:00.000-07:00

So I signed up for an Easter mini photography session with a local photography. Pictures were being taken at a favorite nursery of mine in Sumner.
Check out these awesome pictures!!

Cute huh~~

Let the hunts begin!!

2011-04-17T20:44:00.001-07:00

First Easter Egg hunt of the year was a success! Main reason: WE WERE ON TIME!!! YAY!! That should deserve the golden egg without looking for it, right? Going off on a little tangent here but pre-kids I was at least 99% on time for everything. Now with kids lets just say I am always "5 minutes away" :) Ok ok anyways...first egg hunt was at Kelsey Creek Park in Bellevue hosted by Safeway. Lots of little kids and ALOT of eggs and candy everywhere. We met up with my boss and his grand kids and family and got all pumped for the whistle to blow. Colin has 2 years on Aubree so you would think he would be a pro at getting the eggs. Nope! He didn't even want to touch them. Aubree noticed all the other crazy kids running around getting eggs and she joined in. I really think she got more than Colin! He was very particular in what he actually would pick up. He picked up eggs but any of the open candy scattered amongst the field, if it wasn't snickers or m&m's he wasn't touching it. Weird! I thought ALL kids liked ALL candy. They had a great time. Weather was nice (it wasn't raining, so if its cloudy than we consider that nice) and we even got a chance to go and check out the petting farm and the park.

How to Find HAPPINESS.

2011-04-17T00:47:00.000-07:00

I love this message! She is very inspiring and I enjoy reading her blog. This entry hit me though...hit me more so than any other I've ever read. Crazy how you know this to be true but to actually believe it and truly live it is another. Just click the link below and check out one on my favorite blogs!!

How to Find HAPPINESS.

First Etsy sale!!

2011-04-11T22:17:00.000-07:00

Woohoo!! I made my very first Etsy sale with my jewelry! Shipped it out today and it felt GREAT! Hopefully this is a start to future sales of my newest hobby. Also May 13th come visit me at the Creme Brulee sale at the Kent Commons to see all the pretties in person.

"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what your doing, you will be successful."
-Albert Schweitzer

I Love what I'm doing!!!

Windmill Nursery

2011-04-10T21:28:00.000-07:00

We took a little field trip to Windmill Nursery down in Sumner with Grandpa and Grandma Hawkins. I had booked a Easter photo session with a photography and we asked if they wanted to come and check out this fun nursery. It was beautiful! All the pretty flowers were starting to bloom and the sun peaked out behind the clouds so it wasn't too cold. The photo session was fast (15 mins!!) and then we had plenty of time to wander. It was very hard to NOT shop and I think I did pretty good. I only bought one plant. A gorgeous yellow raunocoluos. It is so pretty! It reminds me of Aubree's hair bows. We took a few pictures of us wandering around. Can't wait to see the professional ones!

Our Seattle Fun day!!

2011-04-10T21:13:00.001-07:00

So big shout out to Auntie Nae for hooking us up with free tickets to some great Seattle features!! We were able to use tickets to the Seattle Flight Museum and the Pacific Science Center...yes we visited both in the same day. Why?? Cuz they were free!!
Colin was in plane heaven walking about in ahh of all the airplanes. He loved walking on the planes and sitting in the passengers seats. Thinking he was ready to book a flight somewhere?!?! He loved the fighter jets. With his newest obsession with Transformers, he thought he was actually sitting in a Decepticon. Too cute! Little Miss Aubree was on an adventure of here own. That one has no fear! She just walks right off and does her own little thing. She definitely loves following Colin around and copying everything he does. Its great!
We didn't stay too long at either place since we were running on no naps. And the Pacific Science Center was PACKED!! Some Star Wars thing was on exhibit and that is all I am going to say about that!
Enjoy the pictures!

Santa Train 2010

2011-02-09T21:22:00.002-08:00

Ya I know...I am a little late posting this. Been really busy with work and life and I am so far behind on my blog, reading my huge stack of books, sifting thru pictures, all the stuff I could be doing if I wasn't hanging out with the kids :) So I guess its ok!!

This Christmas we went on the Santa Train out in Elbe, WA with some dear friends of ours. You get to ride on a steam train and the kids LOVED it (so did we!!). Good friends, yummy snacks, and a private session with Santa. No waiting in any long mall lines. You stay in your comfy seat until the conductor comes and gets you and escorts you to Santas car. It was amazing! We are definetly getting tickets for next year too. Here is a few pictures from the day.

Happy Halloween

2010-10-31T14:18:00.000-07:00

Just a few pictures from our pumpkin farm trip and the kids all spoofed up. There will be more later after trick or treating with the cousins tonight!

Happy birthday Colin (day late...but he doesn't know that..LOL)

2010-10-14T22:02:00.001-07:00

Happy 3rd Birthday Buddy!! Can't believe that 3 years ago you were born. Where did the time go? Now you are a crazy little guy running the show :) We love you so much and are so lucky to have you in our lives. You bless us everyday with those bright blue eyes and magnetic smile! Love you bud!!

Party #2...

2010-10-09T21:37:00.000-07:00

Success!!! Lots of happy (sugar happy!!) kids and even though it poured outside everyone had a great time. Time to start planning next years parties!! Just kidding...really I am kidding.

Enjoy some pictures from todays festivities...

This free slideshow created with Smilebox

Potty training

2010-10-06T20:06:00.001-07:00

SUCKS!!!!!!!!

Aubree's 1st bday party

2010-09-30T21:55:00.001-07:00

Ok....grab a snack and drink cuz this is a long slideshow!! We took alot of pictures!!

This picture slideshow generated with Smilebox

Happy 1st Bday Miss Aubree

2010-09-27T22:06:00.001-07:00

Happy birthday bug! We love you very much and hope you had a wonderful time at your first birthday party!!

Success!!

2010-09-25T19:54:00.000-07:00

Aubree's first birthday party was a success! Everyone had a great time and I can't wait to get the pictures. My camera battery wasn't charged so I borrowed my mom's. So hopefully tomorrow I will have some pictures to share from her party.

Now time for bed.....

Getting ready for the party

2010-09-23T19:46:00.000-07:00

Checklist:

Food shopping

Goody bags

Decorations

RSVP's

Birthday outfit

Sunny weather (fingers crossed)

My daisy grass table decorations!

Goody buckets personalized for each child....

1st artwork from school

2010-09-23T19:43:00.001-07:00

Proud parent moment:

Don't really know what they are but I love them!

Grandbabies~Cousins~Best Friends

2010-09-19T19:17:00.000-07:00

Here is the newest picture taken last night with all the cousins. Kind of an impromptu photo shoot but still pretty darn cute :)

Colin~Maddie~Carter~Morgan~Aubree~Conner~Kinley

Big help

2010-09-14T21:51:00.001-07:00

Since I am the one in charge of the kids' birthday parties, and aren't all moms supposed to be, I think I got myself a little in over my head! Oh well, its going to be great and I LOVE doing stuff like this. If only Tori Spelling was my best friend and we could share in this love for parties together...lol! I was hanging out in my bedroom and Colin wandered in and asked me what I was doing. I told him I was planning his and Aubree's birthday parties and since hers was first I was working on that stuff right now. He was very excited and wanted to help me! I will use these pictures as blackmail when he gets older and tells his girlfriend or wife that he doesn't know how to wrap place settings :)

See ya later mommy

2010-09-14T21:45:00.000-07:00

I got a few pictures of Aubree walking away from me. I need to get it on video but that would require charging the camcorder...hehe!

All safe and sound inside...for the moment!!

First day of Preschool

2010-09-13T21:12:00.000-07:00

(Picture removed due to privacy. Name of school and phone number was on the sign....oops!! Don't want any weirdos to take my babies...Thanks Don!)
Today was the big day! The day that I have been waiting for all weekend...Colin's first day of preschool. No I didn't go because frankly I would have been a mess. The first tear or big lip pout with sad puppy eyes he would have been outta there. So Mark and Jen took on the task for me...thank you very much (plus I was at work...thats my head telling me its ok that I missed it!)

He was excited from what I was told and did ok until of course it was time for them to leave. He started crying and just like the Miss Anita (his teacher) said in orientation, just leave, he will be fine. And I am sure he was. I bet it will take a few weeks of him getting used to the whole school thing and then I really hope he loves it. It is only two days a week and for 1 1/2 hrs. so I hope he really enjoys this time with kids his own age and his great teachers. He brought his backpack with his new Spiderman slippers, to which is his favorite thing right now, that and Batman. Everything is better if it is a superhero...even his boxer briefs :)

Wow...time for a hair cut..IKES!!

2010-09-06T21:59:00.000-07:00

I really wanted to grow out Colin's hair this summer. I was trying to relive the old days of when he was just a wee little lad. I loved his surfer hair when he was a baby. It was so soft and bleached blonde. Totally not a "Call baby". Today we spent the day at the Evergreen State Fair in Monroe. Had alot of fun until the rain came...hello August is over and we live in Washington....of course it rained ;)
Anyways so this is Colin's first experience on rides. We stayed in the Kiddie Playground the whole time and I was fine with the "baby" rides. The ones that don't go up and down and really fast and make me sick just looking at them. Colin and his buddy Sean wanted to ride the Surf City rollercoaster. Ummm no! It was way to fast for my liking. But I was quickly over ruled by daddy and the boys since they would be just fine. Ok...long story short, they were just fine and I am still learning how to not be so overprotective. But check out the picture we got of Colin's hair blowing in the wind. Like I said

Time for a hair cut.....(click on the picture to see the hair and awesome face!)

One in 3 weeks....ahhh!!!

2010-09-03T22:40:00.000-07:00

I can't not even believe that in about 3 weeks Aubree is going to be turning one!! Where did this year go??? Not to mention 2 weeks after that Colin is turning 3. Gosh, a 3 year old and a one year old...wow!

I am in the process of planning 2 birthday parties, getting all the old clothes ready for the JBF consignment sale, the Sassy Mei craft show that we are debuting in this year, and helping my bff plan a wedding in Vegas in January. And this is just stuff for September and the first part of October. My plate is FULL!!!

Think I could pull off a birthday/Halloween party for Mark and the kids at the end of October too...we'll see...

Grandpa :)

2010-09-03T22:32:00.000-07:00

Thought of you when I saw this and it brought a smile to my face...

Preschool....already

2010-08-27T21:42:00.000-07:00

Today I have a realized my little guy is growing up to fast. Mark and I checked out a preschool for Colin. He will only have to go 2 days a week and for 1 1/2 hours. The teacher was very very nice and he seemed to warm up to it. I guess the real test is when he actually gets dropped off. Glad it is going to be Mark and not me!! I would be crying like a big baby (kinda like I am right now!) and the first wimper of wanting to leave with me would totally be a ok with me :)

Aubree won!!

2010-08-26T22:32:00.000-07:00

I entered Aubree in a little local contest to win a Nonny baby blanket and she won. Below is the link to the article on Nonnybaby.com

http://www.nonnybaby.com/2010/08/congratulations-to-aubree-our-real-nonny-baby-contest-winner/

Friday.....

2010-08-26T22:29:00.000-07:00

you are only hours away...glad you are here!

My new obsession

2010-08-26T22:26:00.000-07:00

Crazy, that is all I am going to say.

Books are my newest obsession. I want them all!!!

Self help is what I love right now and soon, very soon my autographed copy of Tori Spellings new book will be here to add to the rest of my stack and I am talking a stack of books, not just a couple.

One last shot

2010-08-26T22:17:00.000-07:00

Ok, lets try this one more time! I am going to give this a shot one more time and if it just doesn't work...bye bye blog!

I changed the design and added some of my favorite tunes. Maybe that will keep me motivated.

Or not.....

Vegas in 20 days!!!!

2010-03-14T21:41:00.001-07:00

I can't not wait! Mark and I are going to be taking our first vacation away, all alone, with no kids...well that doesn't count Nae and Andy who will be joining us on our trip. We started talking about going to Vegas since I was the only one who had really actually been out of the 4 of us. Mark and Nae went when their mom and Mr. Chris got married but they say that doesn't count since they were under 12 :) So we decided to start checking out vacation packages online and I think I found a great deal. We are staying at the MGM for 4 days and 3 nights...and for airfare and hotel, and transfers to and from the airport (no need for a car in Vegas) it was only $600 per couple!!! What a great deal!!! Since I save money weekly in a Christmas club account throughout the year this is our Christmas gift to each other.
I am a little nervous to be away from the kids for that long but my mom and Marks mom (Thanks Moms!!) are going to be watching the kids so I have nothing to worry about. Now I get to souvenir shop for my own kids finally....how fun!!!

3 month pictures..Aubree

2010-03-14T21:33:00.000-07:00

So here is the newest pictures of Aubree taken by my very good friend, Ara, at Krazybird Photography. If you need pictures done and at a great affordable price Ara and Ron are excellent!! I am a little biased since she is my good friend from high school...but trust me you will be very happy with them. And this post is also for my mom since she is not a fan of some of the other pictures of Aubree that I put on here :)

My new hobby!

2010-03-13T20:26:00.000-08:00

Well I should say "our" new hobby! My mom, Jen and I decided to finally follow our dreams and try and sell our crafts. I always go to the craft shows and say I can make that and sometimes even save a few bucks doing so....sometimes I don't cuz the cost of the craft materials is more than what I actually could have bought it for. But we decided to make Little Lizzies Closet real again! And what a fun time we have had at it. I am so proud of our first boutique show and am really looking forward to the next one....to bad it isn't until the fall. We have our site up on etsy, which is an amazing website of homemade crafts...I love it!! Its very addicting. Anyways here is a link to our site on etsy....tell everyone you know :)
www.etsy.com/shop/LittleLizziesCloset

Look at all this hair~

2009-11-22T23:29:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to share some of her "hair moments". One of these days I will get her with her hair flat..that is always after a bath and you only have a 5 minute window of picture ops before her hair starts to look like "Ellie" from "UP".

Shhh....someones sleeping

2009-11-22T23:27:00.001-08:00

She starts out on the other side of her little bed and then wiggles closer to the side where it touches my bed to be closer to me. Oh I love it!! I am going to be sad when she goes into her room :(

Cranky boy

2009-11-22T23:17:00.000-08:00

So the last few weeks Colin has been sick. He just got over a cold and then caught another virus. Who knows what this one was but after 2 trips to the ER (I know I know...I am a freak) he just had 2 nasty viruses back to back. These pictures were taken from Mark on one of Colin's good days. He was helping him make cinnamon rolls one morning while I went to the doctors. It all started out great then....well the pictures tell the story....

So he went from all fine and dandy after eating his roll and then you notice him pointing at Mark...he is telling Mark "NO" don't take his picture!! Then I love the last picture where he is sitting in his chair all chipper and fine. Oh the joys of a sick child!!

All smiles :)

2009-10-26T11:03:00.000-07:00

Aubree is always smiling at us. When I took her to her 2 week appt. she even surprised the doctor with one of her heartwarming smiles. I thought I would share it with you as well :)

Baby Aubree is here!

2009-09-27T14:44:00.000-07:00

Aubree ReNae Tomlinson has ARRIVED!

This is Jen, Nina's Sister. I'm guest blogging for Nina and Mark while Nina is at Swedish.

Aubree ReNae was born at 8:01 am today, September 27, 2009.

She weighs 8 pds even and is 20" long.

She has the most gorgeous dark brown hair and it is long! Aubree looks just like Colin as a baby except for the opposite hair color.

Nina did GREAT in delivery and only needed to push for about 5 sets. She's doing well recovering and should be released sometime tomorrow.

Here are some pictures of Miss Aubree. Enjoy!

More pictures can be found on Nina's Facebook page.

Tomorrow is the day

2009-09-23T21:20:00.000-07:00

Well the day is tomorrow...the day that Aubree is supposed to be here by, well atleast in my mind :) I have very mixed feelings about her not being here yet. I always "thought" that when its your 2nd child that you tend to go early. Then I did some research a few nights ago on some mommy boards and that is not the case all the time. There was quite a few others who with the 2nd,3rd, and even 4th child went over their due date. So where did I get this misconception that I was going to go early? Or at least by my due date?

I am definetly enjoying the last few days, waking up late with Colin (7:30am!) and having breakfast together, and watching Sid the Science Kid. I now have a little taste of what a stay at home mom does. It's kinda fun!! But lets see how I feel about it when Aubree finally makes her debut...I might have mixed feelings.

So I will be very surprised to see what tomorrow brings. You never know, since no body picked Sept.24th for my due date prediction, that may be her little trick to come on her day!!

Due Date Predictions

2009-09-17T21:16:00.001-07:00

So some co workers and family members gave me their dates on which they think Aubree will be here. I wanted to post them just in case I forget who picked what day. If you would like to put your two cents in please feel free to leave a comment with your date...and remember please be nice and don't go past my due date :)

Mark-Sept.26 (Mark and Don obviously don't like me..hehehe)
Nina- Sept.21
Holly- Sept 17 or 19 ( I am letting her have 2 days because she is so special!)
Mom- Sept.20
Dad- Sept.19
Jen- Sept.21
Morgan- Sept.21
Randy- Sept.22
Don- Sept.26
Rosanne- Sept.14 (I know its past but wanted to give her some credit!!)
Chrissy- Sept 22
Kelli- Sept.23 (I totally forgot that you told me that...she will be lucky to share that with you)
Sandy- Sept.21

So it looks like Sept.19th and Sept.21st are the most popular days so far!!

6 more days until the due date....maybe she will be another due date baby like her big brother!

11 more days!!

2009-09-13T22:38:00.001-07:00

Enough said......

A work in progress

2009-08-30T21:32:00.000-07:00

Ok so I have a little over 3 weeks to go and here is a little sneak preview of the not so finished room. If you knew me you would know that I have to have things done atleast 2-3 months ahead of time. I like timelines, agendas, schedules, you get the picture but becoming a parent that all goes out the door. So I have learned to live with the hectic life I live. Working 40 hours a week at my job then coming home to give all my undivided attention to Mark and Colin and soon to be little Aubree. I did buy a mega millions ticket this weekend in hopes to "hit it big" and be able to stay home...well I won...$7. So it won't be happening this year!!!

Here is the bedding that I have promised to get a picture of:

And here is the vinyl lettering that I ordered from Etsy. I didn't stick on our wall so thank goodness for my oh so talented sister and mom who gave me the idea to put it on some plexy glass and frame it. Thanks to Mark for his patience in doing this project for me :)

Soon I am hoping some time this week I will have it all "done" and I wiil have a finished picture of the whole room. Exciting!!!

The crib is here!!

2009-07-13T21:27:00.000-07:00

So.....I have always said that if I have a little girl I want a white crib. I don't know what it is about them but I am a sucker for them! Mark and I had been searching everyday for weeks for a gently used crib on Craigslist and after sending many emails of interest in the ones that I thought were the "one" we finally found one in Tacoma. We got ahold of the seller and agreed to meet and take a look at it. We got there and it was what I had been looking for. Very gently used and white...yipee!! We packed it up and headed home. Mark started setting it up and while I did some research on it. It was a Jardine (don't gasp yet)and I knew I could find some info on it. Well you could say I found some info on it....it was on the stupid recall list for "entrapment and strangulation of infants". WHAT THE HECK!!!! Seriously....and there is no way, no way, this lady was going to take it back. I doubt she would have even answered the phone when we called. So I read about the recall wondering if there was anything that we could do. Well there was....there recall was extended because of the number of cribs that were involved (the recall came out July 2008) and it didn't require proof of purchase/receipts/ anything stating that you were the original owner. SCORE!!
So what the heck...you know we sent in an email and not even 5 minutes later we got a reply. Instructions and a prepaid Fed Ex label to send all the hardware back. A week later we got the voucher for a NEW CRIB!!!! Total voucher was for $351.99 and we paid $115 on Craiglists for what I thought was my dream crib. Here is what just got delivered today!!!!!

Colin "helping" daddy

The boys hard at work!

So now all I need is the matteress which we are getting this week and my super cute bedding that is coming from New York!! Which is this super cute set my mom and Jen found for me for only $99!!

My little patriotic man!

2009-07-06T22:04:00.000-07:00

This year we spent the 4th of July in Carnation WA with the Breachs. It was fun to go back to the old stompin grounds and see some familiar faces...even though we didn't say hi....were bad!!
But here is a little picture of my little guy all decked out!! He was too cute!!

I'm jealous!!!

2009-05-31T22:23:00.001-07:00

So every few days I check up on a few of my "must read" blogs.....Jen and Cheryl. Well I noticed that their baby tickers are dropping daily and mine seems to be at a stand still....well that is how I feel.

Tomorrow is June 1st and it is hotter that heck here in Seattle, yes Seattle, and I am dieing. All this week it is supposed to be in the upper 70's and it is like upper 80's for me. I need a pool!!! Cheryl I am moving to NY for the summer and camping out in your backyard and eating those snowcones. Crazy that I have been craving those too and I can hear the stupid ice cream truck but he NEVER comes down were we live. I think I am going to go to Target and buy a snowcone machine and make them myself. Ahh... the things I have to go thru to make me happy.

My "honey do list" is getting bigger everyday. I don't know if it is nesting or what but I swear Mark is going to get a 2nd job just so he doesn't have to come home and work. We organized our shed this weekend and finished Colins room so those were two big things to cross off the list. Well I wouldn't say that I helped organize but more of a "put that here and put that there, and no that doesn't go there"....Thanks Mark!!

Colins bedroom is completely done and he is now a official big boy. I wasn't in any hurry to get him in his new bedroom until July/August but Mark was very ansy about it. I think he was more excited than I was and that made it easier to keep buying stuff to decorate his room. I didn't get any no's on my shopping trips. Yay for me!! Colin is sleeping is his new bed, with Elmo, and we have now encountered the getting up and running down the hallway routine. Seriously, we put him in is bed at least 8 times last night. It seems to be easier when we go to bed then he doesn't want to be apart of the excitement of watching a movie or helping clean...or whatever we have to get done in those preciuos moments we have to ourselves.

More good news...I am feeling our baby girl move more often now and haven't been as sick as I have been in the past (knock on wood). Hopefully that is past me now and I can get thru these next 3 1/2 months that I have left. Mark starts his new job on Monday at some company downtown Bellevue. Hopefully he will get paid this time :) He is really excited about it and hopefully it will be less stress on him..plus I think he will get home earlier, I can only wish!

Oh and we got a new car...goodbye Audi hello family SUV. I was so sad when the day came when I had to say goodbye to my love, Tom (my car was named after Tom Brady from the Patriots, cuz he is so hot!). We got a Honda Pilot, which I love now, but hard to say goodbye to my fun car. I even cried driving off the lot and Mark thought I was nervous about driving a big car and nope I was sad cuz I left me friend behind. It has been nice having a bigger car though. We can actually go to Home Depot and purchase something and bring it home. Does that mean I can go get a bigger TV since I can bring it home.....hmmm....

4:30am.....really??

2009-03-25T18:22:00.000-07:00

So our new rollout (project) at work starts April 13th. We have our test stores starting out right now and with a start time of 4:30am. Really?? I can't barely wake up at 5:30am to be to work by 7am. To look on the brightside....I get off early and can spend more time with Colin..naptime :)
Why can't I be rich and not have to work so I can sleep in until 7am....what a life....

Update!!

2009-03-23T18:21:00.001-07:00

FYI.... I accomplished my goals for this week!!!

1. I, well Mark, took pictures of Colin this weekend. High five for Mark!!

2. I took all my pills that I supposed to take and didn't forget any...high five for me!!

3. I went to bed every night, well with the exception of Saturday night, see #4 for reason, at 10pm...before 11pm.

and 4. The watched a movie and stayed awake....the whole entire movie. I watched "Twilight" and loved it (thank goodness I read the books awhile ago so I forgot some of it). So I was up until after 11pm and I sure Mark was shocked because I usually fall asleep the first 15 minutes and he gets to listen to my snores!!

So yay for me and my accomplishments. Also one more thing since I am gloating right now....I did 5 loads of laundry and finished ALL LOADS by last night. YAY!!!!

Now I gotta learn how to make dinner for the family. New post, new explanations, and new goals. Can't keep eating at Mom's and having my little sister and mom feel sorry for the cooking challenged sister. How does take-out sound for dinner tonight?!?!?!? Just kidding..well kinda...

Thank you

2009-03-18T21:25:00.001-07:00

I don't know if you every read my blog and that is okay if you don't because you are so busy all the time. I just wanted to let you know how thankful I am to have you as my husband. To come home last night after a long day and hear the vacuum going and the kitchen cleaned, the garbage taken out and the rooms ready for bed (heaters on and night lights glowing!) and not to have even asked you really made me feel loved and special. Especially since you left for work at 7am and didn't get home until almost 9pm. I know I have been REALLY REALLY lazy and not feeling that greatest and your weekends are spent hanging out on the couch watching endless dvr recordings of Rachel Ray and all my crazy reality TV shows....I really do appreciate you. You never complain and never get mad, you just do it.
Colin and I are very blessed to have you in our lives and so is this new little baby on their way into our crazy little family!!
I love you

What bad parents we are!!

2009-03-18T21:13:00.000-07:00

Well I just put the little tyrant down to bed....he was in a mood today. I am sitting here listening to him bang his name against the wall, aka his letters on his walls spelling his name. It is a nightly ritual of his and plus I am too lazy to take them down ;)
So as I am surfing the web and checking my long list of unread email I decided to take a look into the recent pictures we have taken of Colin. And low and behold the last picture we have taken of him was in Florida in JANUARY!!!! I am horrible!!! I never have charged batteries and half the time can't even find the camera in time to take "that" picture before the moment is lost. Mark even bought me a video camera for Christmas almost 2 years ago so that we could catch all those funny moments on tape. Umm ya don't have those either.
So goals for this week (and thank goodness it is half way over..hehehe):

1. Start taking more pictures and video
2. Remember to take my prenatal pill, unisom and B6 every night to avoid the nasty morning sickness the next day
3. Go to bed BEFORE 11pm...and actually be asleep
and finally
4. Watch a movie this weekend with Mark without falling asleep the first 15 minutes into the movie!!!

Hopefully I will have an update next week, with proof (pictures), of my accomplishments. Stay tuned!!

Since I am part of your morning routine.....

2009-01-19T22:16:00.000-08:00

here is a quote that I really like and I wanted to share it with you.

"People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that they can do things. When they believe in themselves they have the first secret of success."

- Norman Vincent Peale

Have a great day :)

The beach!!

2009-01-19T22:09:00.000-08:00

Can't wait until he is bigger so he can really enjoy this marvelous creation....I love the beach and I love the summer and I can't wait for road trips to the ocean where Colin can run around like a crazy boy ;)

Blue Man Group

2009-01-19T22:05:00.001-08:00

If you ever get a chance to see the Blue Man Group live, DO!!! They are awesome!! When my mom told me she got tickets for all of us to check them out in concert while in Florida I was, honestly, like what the heck.....but it was amazing and I am glad that I got to spend it with my family. It was great to see my little brother really getting into it...kinda like we were at a rock concert together. I am definetly going to another show whether it be here in Seattle or in Las Vegas, whenever that may be.

A moment in history

2009-01-19T21:58:00.000-08:00

I am very excited that tomorrow I am going to witness an amazing time in our country. I am so proud to be an American and am proud of how far we have come. I hope everyone will watch the inauguration tomorrow as I will be watching it at work and also taping some so I can really sit down and watch it. I even made a cheese ball to share with my fellow co workers as we witness history together!!
God bless the USA

This ones for you......

2009-01-15T21:24:00.000-08:00

And you know who you are!!! *wink*

Update on Colin.....
He is, thankfully, not beating me up any more, instead he has chosen everyone else. What am I to do? Atleast I don't feel like a teething ring anymore but I hate hearing about the others he bites and hits. Is he ever going to break this habit?

And now onto my next worry....he is not eating, well not eating his "normal" amount of food, which would probably feed two kids his age per feeding. I know I am just "freaking out" but I just don't understand how he can go from 8-9 mini pancakes, yogurt, juice and cheerios for breakfast to just a ritz cracker or a muffin. I did however get him to eat some rice and chicken tonight. I learned he likes to feed himself, cuz he is 15 months old now and a big boy....duh Mommy as he looks at me :)
Its like school.....I am still in kindergarten, learning all the basics. Shot by the time he is in real kindergarten I will probably still be in kindergarten.

One day at a time.......

Okay enough is enough

2008-12-03T20:21:00.000-08:00

Seriously if I knew that hitting and biting came with the mom package then I might have thought twice...well that is a little harsh I know but I am tired of it. Colin seems to be angry at me alot since I am the "discipline" parent. I don't want an out of control kid that you see at Target treating there parents and others like crap but it seems like my little angel is heading that way...well atleast towards me.

My mom and I are trying a new thing....not yelling...uh ya easy for her very hard for me since I have a short temper and like my sister get frustrated very easily (yes Jen I am talking about you). I could never understand why my sweet little Morgan got in trouble so much...well now I know why. I seriously think Colin and Morgan are identical that is why they have the same birthday!!

So I am trying the non yelling thing and it is working so far. I have only been slapped once today and 2 attempts to bite me but I stopped that very fast by putting his little fist in the line of fire.

He is only 14 months old......and so what am I supposed to expect with the "trouble twos"?

I don't even want to know....................

NKOTB concert this Saturday......

2008-11-16T21:56:00.000-08:00

Blast from the past....this Saturday Nov.22 I will be attending my 3rd New Kids concert. I am so excited!!! I can't wait to see where my seats are. I got 4* V.I.P tickets which means I am somewhere in the first 20 rows....how EXCITING!!! I also am going to meet up with old friends that I haven't seen in over 15 years. So what an even better way to spend a Saturday night.
Gotta love these guys!!! Thank you Cheryl for the getting the tickets...you rock!!

Tis the season!!

2008-11-16T21:50:00.001-08:00

I am so excited for the holidays this year. Don't know if it is because of Colin being older or spending it in Florida with family...maybe a little bit of both!! Plus the shopping is always a plus. I love to find the perfect gift for that special someone. I even bought my christmas cards oh about 2 months ago :) I will be decorating in 2 weeks, the day after Thanksgiving since we bought a fake tree last year. Can't wait to post pics of the holidays with Colin....meeting Santa will be fun!!!

Spooner Farms 2008

2008-10-15T20:03:00.000-07:00

Oh man I love this place!! This will definetly be a family tradition every year for our family. This place has it all and I swear I like it better than the Apple Bluffs in Spokane. I am not kidding there is alot to do here and I can't wait for next year when Colin can run around and have more fun. There is of course the pumpkin patch where you can pick out your pumpkins. But there is a corn maze, animals, fun barns with activities and alot of places to take fun family pictures. Here are some of the shots we got.

So if you want to go it is in Puyallup, off hwy. 410 and you take the Sumner/Orting exit and take a right off the exit and about 2 miles down on your right. Well worth the trip and traffic down there.

Colins 1st Birthday

2008-10-15T19:41:00.000-07:00

So finally the big day came....Colin's 1st birthday party!! It turned out to be a gorgeous day and we were able to spend some of it outside. Alot of people showed up. He had both sets of grandparents, aunties and uncles, great cousins, and lots of friends. First we all got a bite to eat...which I think was very hard for Colin since he was distracted by all the kids.

He was lovin it!! Then I had the kids play some games....pin the banana on the monkeys hand, stuffed animal toss, and making bubble wands...since bubbles are one of Colin's favorite things.

Then it was time for his monkey cake that Grandma Call made for him. I don't have a good picture of it but it was REALLY cute!!

She also made the cute bib!!!

After cake we moved onto presents and this one is my favorite picture. His face is soooo cute with him looking so surprised!!

All and all it was a great first birthday. I think everyone had a great time and I can't wait until next year when Colin and "birth buddy" Morgan (thats her name for each other) have a grand big party with each other. Unless she is too grown up for baby parties ;)

Oh....note to other mommies out there. When buying a pinata if you want one of the ones you hit with a bat and they open up make sure it doesn't have strings on the back. I bought the kind that you "pull" open. I love the ones that you demolish with a bat....very sad about that!!

Rough year......

2008-09-28T21:47:00.000-07:00

So this year has been a pretty rough year with losing friends and family for me. I lost my two wonderful grandparents in January and then Molly's mom in July and then a very good friend Tiffany a few weeks back. It really makes you rethink your life and how you are living it....whether or not you are living it to the fullest and getting the most you can from it.
I went to Sheli's (the family hair stylist and great friend of mine) and she made me realize some things. She was saying that when her grandma past away last year that it made her think of her life and what changes she needed to make.....to be happy. And then on my way home from my amazing haircut I started thinking the same. I ALWAYS say that I am going to lose weight and I never do anything about it. I may try and start "drinking more water" but within a week that is over and done with. I say that I want to start "reading more books"...well I hope you know I just finished my 2nd book in over 4 months (I know to some that is forever to read the same book but not for me)!!
I say that I want to try and make more time for my friends....and depending on who you would ask I already do. Some think I give more to my friends than I should but I wouldn't be who I am today if it wasn't for some of them.
What I am trying to get at is that this is now my time for change. I want to be the great mom that Colin deserves. I want to be the best wife that Mark deserves. I want to be the best friend that all my friends deserve. And most of all I want to be the woman that I deserve to be.
So this blog I am dedicating to Tiffany. In spite of losing you; you helped me realize that I need to start living.
Love you Tiff!!!

I think I get it now.....

2008-09-19T20:00:00.000-07:00

Ok so the real reason why I suck at this is because I really don't get how to add the pictures and fun stuff like that. Knowing that I work in I.T. you would think I was super smart at the whole computer thing but I guess I should learn how to use the tools on the website!!
So we just got our family picture done last Sunday by a friend on mine that I hadn't seen in 16 years...well on myspace but that doesn't count. Her and her husband just started a side business of taking pictures and I had to get ours done so who better to do it!! Anyways ALL the pictures turned out great. It is so hard for me to choose one but I want to share few on my favorites with you.
Here is the 3 of us.

and my favorite one of him.....

And momma and Colin

And Mark and Colin....too cute.

Soooooo now that I get how to add pictures in my posts I will try very very hard to be better at blogging.

Finally the week of the wedding!!

2008-07-21T15:44:00.001-07:00

As most of you know that I have been consumed by wedding stuff all summer long and the week is finally here. Renae and Andy are going to be married by my Reverend husband...ya you can do anything on the internet. I am super excited for Friday to be here....not only because I get a day off from work but I love all the wedding hoopla :)
One thing that is driving me CRAZY is the boys!! Seriously...how do you not know to get fitted for your tux before the wedding or how do you not know that there is a rehearsal and dinner that you have to attend??
I have come to the conclusion that is why these "boys" don't have girlfriends or wives because they are idiots.......
I had to call a few of them and tell them to go get there tux..via voicemail..and because they are scared of me they went so I guess we will see if they are there on Friday for the dinner and walk through. We will see how scared they are of me!!!

Stay tuned for pictures of Friday manis and pedis and dinner and walk thru and then the wedding pics from Saturday!!

Exciting!!!!

Pool Time

2008-06-30T20:43:00.000-07:00

Well I am a sucker for those cute little backyard pools that kill your lawn. Mark has already dumped it out twice since I've gotten it. I am just trying to keep the water warm for Colins next swim :)
Colin LOVED the pool. I was very shocked since the first time I stuck a baby in one of those pools (which was my little Morgan who is now 6yrs.old) she freaked out!!! But I just filled that little thing up and let the sun warm it up a little and put Colin in and he went to town. Splashin and kickin and getting me wet as much as he could.
I even went to Old Navy and got him a new outfit for the pool. Its funny how I used to go and get a bathing suit for a special occasion and now lucky little man gets my shopping habits.
Enjoy the pics of his first pool experience....getting him ready for the real thing in December when we go to Florida.

Another one!!

2008-06-30T20:37:00.000-07:00

Well after a few nights of Colin being a little crabby...not his usual self...I noticed his 7th tooth poppin through. So still behind Maddie in count but now he has 4 on top and 3 on bottom. I am hoping one day to that he will let me open his mouth long enough to take a picture.

Colin is also crawling EVERYWHERE!!! We turn around for a second and he has taken off down the hallway chasing his kitty Abbey...who doesn't really mind him pulling at her ears. His is also trying to pull himself up onto the coffee table as well as the couch. But he doesn't get to the standing position just yet. But his is very strong so I am expecting him to be up on those feet any day now.

New to this!!

2008-06-13T22:43:00.000-07:00

Alright so I am now going to jump on the bandwagon and try this thing out. I just got an email from my sister Chrissy and I was very inspired to make my own blog. Mark has a page for our family but I don't have the access to it that I would like. I don't even know how to log into it...lol...and I am working in I.T. what a joke!!
So bear with me and I hope to get this up and running!!