Baskin Robbins Night

April 27, 2011

What's the best way to end a three and a half hour drama rehearsal? Ice cream, of course! Baskin Robbins 31 cent night, to be specific. If you've never tried their World Class Chocolate, you are seriously missing out. But if that's not your cup of tea, that's just fine. More for me!

Bree's Senior Pictures

April 26, 2011

My good friend and very talented photographer Alex Smith took Bree's senior photos out on her property last week--we had been waiting patiently until Bree's braces were no longer part of the picture, so to speak. I think Alex did a fabulous job and got shots we are really happy with. She has such a relaxed and easy rapport with her subjects that it seems effortless for her to get natural smiles and expressions in her shots. Of course, Alex had a beautiful subject to work with, too, so that didn't hurt!

If you'd like to see more of Alex's work or get info about pricing and scheduling, check out her website at www.simplelovephotography.weebly.com

Happy Easter

April 24, 2011

Peeps, Robins' Eggs, jelly beans, chocolate, and dyed eggs--all part of the Easter basket traditions at our house. Even though the kids are 17, 14, and 12, they still love the annual Easter Egg hunt, and this year, after the kids' hunt was over and all 47 eggs had been accounted for, the kids decided they shouldn't be the only ones who got to have all the fun. I think they had just as much fun hiding Easter eggs for Doug and me to find as they did searching for their own!

Senior Pictures-Preview

April 22, 2011

When we went out to take Bree's pictures, Alex (our talented photographer) said she didn't mind if I took some shots along side her. That way, I got to have some of my own shots to tide me over until she got the professional ones edited and sent over to me. It was amazing to me how much of my mom I saw in some of Bree's expressions. I wish she could have been here to see Bree grow up into such a beautiful young woman, but I love seeing a part of her shine through Bree's smile.

Out in the Country

April 21, 2011

Put on Your Boogie Shoes

April 21, 2011

Bree's good friend Simone decided she and Bree should accompany each other to the prom coming up the beginning of May, so she invited her via a Prom Cake. Completely adorable-- I think they're going to have a great time!

A Smile Three Years in the Making

April 21, 2011

Metal and rubber bands--three years' worth--have been working their magic on Bree's teeth for essentially all of her high school years. Thursday was the momentous day where the braces were removed and the bright, beautiful new smile was revealed!
I love Bree's orthodontist (and it's a good thing, too, since we'll be seeing him for several more years with Nicholas and Danielle). They really celebrate the kids, both when they get the braces on and when they finally come off. They post their names in bright neon on the entrance sign, and all the assistants get together and serenade patients on the day they reveal their braceless smiles. They even send them away with a care package full of treats they were supposed to be avoiding the whole time the braces were on--Starbursts, gum, popcorn, and such. (Of course, I'm sure Bree isn't the only one who broke those rules every now and again. Still she appreciated the goody bag!)


Bree's special request after getting the braces off, though, was for something she had been craving for a very long time. First stop after the orthodontist's office? A trip to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for a sticky sweet caramel apple. Yum!

New Haircut

April 22, 2011

Bill took Nicholas to get a much-needed haircut on Saturday. That boy was looking a little too fuzzy-headed for my taste. He always looks so much older to me when he gets a haircut. This time, they went for a slightly different look for him, and he's sporting sideburns. He's goin' for that cool seventies look, I guess. Unfortunately for me, seventies fashion is not my cup of tea--not in the least. Still, I supposed I'd rather him have sideburns than remain fluffy and fuzzy up top. You've got to pick your battles, you know? And after all, he's a pretty good looking young man, so he can pull it off. : )

Team Tiger

April 22, 2011

Did brand new team uniforms help the Tigers? Well, they certainly didn't hurt, as the girls played a tough double-header on Saturday--the second against a formidable team who beat them soundly last session--and claimed victory in both match-ups. The girls are fierce and determined to hold on to their undefeated status. Coach Mike does a great job coaching and motivating these girls!

Just Another Reminder of Why He's the One

April 14, 2011

The traditional gift for the four year anniversary is flowers, so I bought my hubby a beautiful bouquet of red roses.

What did my hubby get for me? Unbeknownst to me, he read my post from earlier where I talked about the significance of several varieties of flowers and how they expressed sentiments important to us. He made a trip down to A Secret Garden, a local florist shop and events venue where we got married four years ago, and he asked the owner Pam to put together all of the flowers I described in my post in a very personalized arrangement for me. He surprised me with my bouquet at the door at home.

How unbelievably romantic is that? He completely wins--it was so thoughtful and meaningful! And guess what? Because I'm the one who gets to be with him, I win too. Oh, what a lucky girl I am.