[they're back]

today my girls started school!  hooray!  it was time.  

they were so excited they could hardly contain themselves!  

i melted at the sight of them dressed so cute in their formal jumpers, white peter pan collared shirts, knee high socks and penny loafer shoes this morning.

their uniforms are the cutest things ever!

rushing to make it on time for their first day, we frantically searched for a decent umbrella to protect us from the sudden torrential rain.  it was crazy!

it really felt like fall today.  love it.

and i can't wait for one of my best friends to have her baby tomorrow!  

i'm full of all kinds of happiness today!

*here's another photo shoot i thought i'd share.  view more here.

[you would even say it glows]

the kids had been asking when we could camp before school starts.

their dear sweet daddy camps monthly with the scouts and frankly doesn't feel like setting up the tent one more time. lol. 

but you know you have a great dad when he does it anyway (after a crazy busy work week and can't keep his eyes open) knowing his little descendants will be thrilled beyond belief! 

we set the tent up early last saturday evening with great anticipation.  out came all the stuffed animals, sleeping bags, pillows, blankets, games and treats.  rudolf watched from above (yes shari, this is yours from your garage sale one of my kids bought earlier that morning - lol - they can't sleep without it)

i sat inside watching the glowing tent from our back windows...  just me and my chest cold coughing up a storm.

they had a grand old time playing games, cards, and watching movies.

i was sad to miss the festivities, but it was fun for the kids to have a little "dad time".

i enjoyed the comfort of my own bed :)

unfortunately sam said that that was the worst night's sleep he'd had in a very long time.  sorry lover.

you're an amazing dad sam.  the kids and i say thank you!

[she's got skills]

she's underwater and she's a maniac!

we're so proud of her!

all smiles emanate.

i can't even begin to express my joy!

i've had three recent dreams that she's drown.

talk about freak out!

there are no guarantees, 

but knowing this skill could save her life.

after two amazing lessons, 

(never wanting to put her face in before) 

she was able to swim to the side and pull herself out.

now she is rolling over on her back on her own!

thank you dear becky!

we love you!

*if you're interested in becky's amazing private lessons, let me know and i'll forward you her contact info.  as long as she teaches, i will never go anywhere else!

watch this video of their california swim school

[baby boy]

remember myles?  i just can't get enough of this little man!  he's so super delicious!  

maybe if we have a little boy, he'll look just like his little cousin :)

my ultrasound is scheduled for september 22!

ahh, i'm tempted to not find out the gender and be big surprised... we'll see, the kids are way excited to find out.

more photos here

[mad for muffins]

the other day i had an intense desire for blueberry muffins.

pregnancy is so awesome.

i asked for suggestions on facebook as to where i may find such delicious desserts - because that's what you do on facebook.  

have a question and need it answered in a jiffy?  facebook.

thankfully sheri came to the rescue!  she suggested starbucks since one of my stipulations was a drive-thru (there was no chance i was changing out of my jammies that day!)  brilliant!

so i spent ten dollars on baked goods; i thought about it for a half a second and quickly realized i didn't give a darn.  i had my muffins and they tasted so good!

knowing full well that the kids would be all over them like a rat on a cheeto, 

i made sure to have my fair share first!

eat your little heart out kid!

mmmm

crumbs

get your own muffin!

[joyfolie]

i happened upon these shoes.  aren't they so adorable?  i'm so loving their designs.  

there are so many creative people out there...

maybe i'll have another girl :)

[hand in hand]

friendship

to look up and not down,

to look forward and not back,

to look out and not in ~

and to lend a hand.

-edward everett hale

it was the perfect day to take a picture.

overcast. bright blue sky. great big beautiful clouds. light breezes.

until we actually went to take some.

just my luck, we arrived and baked in the blaring sun.

these four were so good and did awesome!

hoping a few shots would turn out nice, i am pleasantly surprised at how much i love them!

this one above is probably my favorite ~ 

hand in hand, their little sister walks with trust and loves them :)

she's so blessed to have three amazing older brothers.

see more here

p.s. i must vent for a minute.  the new blogger templates are driving me nuts!  i really don't like 'em! i just want the old ones back! if you know how, please help :)  thanks.

[hunting]

i'm on the hunt for some new maternity clothes.

anyone know of any great finds lately?

(this green top found at expected)

i've started looking around and haven't seen many items i love that won't break the bank.

i'd love any suggestions you may have :)

check out this back to school family tips clip - i found it quite helpful, love the quiet hour!

[fit for a princess]

only one week new

i've said it once and i'll say it again,

there is nothing like a newborn's sweet spirit in your arms!

she makes me so excited for our little one on the way!

beautiful baby kenli was so perfect. 

this grand silver bowl seemed so fitting for this precious little princess :)   

just check out her hair, it's so awesome!  i can't get over how gorgeous it is - how gorgeous she is!

see more pictures here

[love in the kitchen]

 kirsten from 6th street design shares her tips and love for lamps

she posted this fabulous kitchen picture and i just thought it was so unique to have lamps on the island like this.  i would never think to do that.  so beautiful and welcoming at the same time.  love that.
ahh, this kitchen is to die for!

speaking of kitchens and comfort - i love these too.  i wrote down this best ever chocolate chip cookie recipe that my mom had a while ago.  we made them again the other day and they are just so delicious!  

that's all we need, right?  one more yummy dessert recipe.  try these - for whatever reason i've never been able to make really good chocolate chip cookies until i baked these... 

they're so moist, chewy and divine!

best ever chocolate chip cookies

• 1 C shortening (butter flavored if possible)

• 3/4 C brown sugar

• 3/4 C white sugar

• 2 eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla

• 1 tsp soda dissolved in 1 tsp hot water

• 1/2 tsp salt 

• 2 1/4 C flour

• 1 package chocolate chips

bake at 375º for 5-10 minutes

[let 'em be little]

raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens

brown paper packages tied up with strings

these are a few of my favorite things

these seemed to be a few of lulu's favorite things too...

but, unfortunately her room does not look this way unless i tidy it up.  this room is my make shift photography studio, so every so often i go through and mommify it, making it somewhat presentable in times of need :)

lulu's really started getting into "personalizing it" with all kinds of random objects - little treasures she's found that i call junk.

i let her tape magazine clippings up on her walls and wade through the clutter of books, dollar store prizes, wrappers, jewelry, hair accessories and more on top of her dresser, night stands and shelves.

i remember wanting to display everything i could think of in my room.  my mom used to try and convince me (like i do with lulu) that a bedroom looks so much nicer when it's not cluttered.  

i didn't believe her.  what goes around comes around!  lol!

our ideas of bedroom décor are quickly changing as her cute little eyes see "beautiful" in a whole different light. 

let 'em be kids, right?

[tuna roux]

the summer days keep flying by and growing a baby is hard work!

my life right now has been occupied with school uniforms, nordstrom's anniversary sale (i only bought 4 items, but am pretty excited about them), appendectomy recovery & late night evenings outside this last week.

last sunday sam had an emergency appendectomy.  crazy.  he stayed home from church after a long painful night of zero sleep... when we came home to find him in more pain,  we knew it was time to head to the e.r.  

low and behold, appendicitis was his diagnosis and out came his appendix.

so between having sam home, crazy wild kids running around and a messy house, 

an easy dinner was just what the doctor ordered.

tuna roux (aka toast with tuna, white sauce and peas)  

my mom used to make this on a pinch and i always loved it.  now my family loves it too!

so quick. so simple. so cheap. so good.

•to make the roux:

melt 1/2 stick butter in a saucepan over medium heat.  add 1/2 cup flour and mix until you form a smooth ball of dough.  add *approximately 1 cup of milk and stir constantly until thick.  be careful not to burn it.  add salt and pepper to taste, and now you've made the white sauce.  

*depending on how thick or thin you like the rue, you can either add less/more milk. 

•to assemble open faced sandwiches:

toast your favorite bread and lightly butter it.  layer with plain canned tuna, the roux, and top with warm peas.

Cut up and enjoy!

the roux, 3 small cans tuna, 1 small pkg of frozen peas, and 7-8 slices of bread will feed our family of five.

cheers to easy dinners!