My faithful friend...

The October blizzard. Every single year. Just when you think you've gotten away without it, it comes. And it almost always falls the last week. Just enough to freak you out for Halloween but alas, as always, it will be cold and clear.

We hunkered down this year for the storm and got to spend the day in our jammies (of course, I say the day...the storm still continues with another 8" expected).

Even Humpty Pumpky froze.


I do however, embarrassingly admit that since having Harper, I have spent way too many days in my jammies.

It kills me when Mason is talking to his daddy around noon and let's him know that mommy is still in her jammies.

Busted.

I have to say that I love living in Colorado, even with the snow. I would be so sad if my kids never experienced playing in the snow!

Sorry relatives in Arizona and Texas!

Mason (now 4) is able to fully dress himself in snow gear. Minus his gloves but that is quite tricky!


He'll be making his snowboarding debut in the 2026 olympics. He's looking forward to perfecting his skills this year as he yet again, snowboards down the icy driveway on a piece of wood...hence the "boarding".

I am quite thrilled about him getting himself ready since he goes in and out a minimum of 4 times a day. Yesterday it was for a maximum of about 5 minutes since with the windchill it was under 20 degrees.

Why does he ask for hot chocolate every time he comes in?


Not that I blame him!

We made popovers for breakfast. Oh so yummy. I'll share the recipe with you. Nice pipping hot with butter and jelly and a hot cup of coffee...or hot chocolate.

Have I enticed you??

Mmmhhh...I love hot chocolate but it makes Harper throw up so I have to skip it. Speaking of miss Harper Mae, look who smiled for you despite the blizzard and the brother who kept rubbing his sweet pink, freezing cheeks on her?


Here's the popover recipe:

2 eggs

1 cup milk

1 cup WONDRA flour

½ tsp salt

Whisk eggs lightly; stir in milk, stir in flour and salt just until blended (do not beat)

Spray 6 custard cups and place on cookie sheet. Bake at 425 for 25 min.

Hazy, lazy, crazy days of summer

I can't believe how this summer is flown...and how busy we were with barely anything on the calendar.

Since I started my maternity leave, Mason and I have tried to have some fun activities together.

He is seriously a fun (and stinkin hilarious) kid!

I didn't really know how it would be just me and him for days on end without me working but it's been fun.

I realize some of you are thinking "um yeah, he's your kid, of course it should be fun" but that is not what I prepared for. Especially since he is an only child, I was a little intimated by the burden of just me entertaining just him...with no naps.

We spent a morning at the petting zoo...


Which was super fun until that nasty animal dander got into his eye cold and he spent 2 hours that night crying about his eyes. Smart move mom.

He has spent hours upon hours painting the exterior trim of the house with Joel. Somehow, I missed the pix opportunity on that one. But here's Joel, 30 feet in the air working on the chimney.


Mason has also taken on some additional responsibilities such as mowing the lawn. Actually, he is really just Joel's mini-me which is one of the cutest things you've ever seen.


He has spent a lot of time with his cousin Hadley. They are both in serious withdrawl from not seeing each other as often as they have and have become pretty close since Avie up and deserted them for kindergarten.

I usually keep clothes for Hads at my house but couldn't find any the other day. Bless her heart, the Finding Nemo underwear went on without complaint.


I'm so used to asking Mase to flex in pictures I didn't think that Haddie would do it- so cute.

Seriously though, can those kids get any skinnier??



So I guess the heat, the day with Haddie, and the tremendous growth spurt he appears to be going through led to a 6:20 fall asleep...love those lazy summer days!

April showers....

do not exist in Colorado. Well, not really. We did get rain all day Easter but it was only 38 degrees. A little to close to snow for what I always picture as a sunny day. But that never happens out here.

Colorado is a weird state. It's a great state but very weird. We had 60's and 70's through February and March. So far in April, we've had 2 of our greatest snow storms of the season. And we're in the middle of one of them. My city is predicting 14" to 26" over the next 24 hours. But I'm a little thrown because out my window, birds are chirping away. Odd? Yes indeed. Oh, and my tulips are popping up through the snow. And, it supposed to be 70's all next week. Speaking of birds...

Here is my wreath for the spring/summer. I especially like the eggs. Joel made fun of it. I believe his direct quote was "Do you think it looks like a spring wreath just because you put eggs on it?"

Indeed I do honey. Indeed I do.


And I think the eggs accomplished the look of spring. Would you like to know why? I'll give you a clue.


Do you see it? I didn't add that fluff to it.


A little birdie made it his home. I do think I should remove the nest, don't you? What if the bird puts eggs in it and I open the door and they fall. Or what if, oh my goodness, I open the door and the bird fly's in!?!

You see, when I was 11 a squirrel got stuck in our chimney and my dad wanted to get it out. Unfortunately, it was too fast for him and instead of him catching it, it jumped on my head. Think National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Ever since that incident, wild animals running in the house kinda freak me out. And our ceilings are so high...the bird could be up there for hours!

Mason thinks we should hammer the nest out...hmmm.

Due to the weather today, we thought it appropriate to have a spontaneous all day pajama party. Don't they look so cozy?

up and coming PBK models

Have you checked out the newest Pottery Barn Kids catalog?

The kids they're using as models are adorable.

Here is the Thanksgiving spread, page 2a.

(And yes, this particular model sleeps with his eyes open.)

And here is the Christmas tableware spread, page 5b.

I'm sure this issue will be flying off the shelves...

just like the reindeer off you roof!

Newollah Palooza

We had our church fall festival this weekend. Weird name, you think?

"Neewollah" is Halloween spelled backwards...otherwise, I'd have no idea how to spell it.

Mason was supposed to be the Incredible Hulk. But isn't there something so incredibly grown up about that? He's only 3 and still my baby. So what did we/I choose instead?


It also clucks which totally sealed the deal.

So a chicken it was.

And what do you think his father chose to accompany this outfit?!


Hmm, Joel and Kari Osbourne...it has a ring to it for sure.

Mason told the girls "My daddy is going to be a farmer and he is going to cut off my face and cook it".

Seriously, can we get more disturbing folks?

To complete the look, I sported a basket of hard boiled eggs and wore a classic apron from 1972.

I'm pretty sure my grandma hand crocheted it and I have reduced it's status to a halloween costume.

It didn't last long however. One broken smelly egg was all it took and no one wanted to come near me.

And check out these cuties bugs and fairies...



And a little late, but here are some fun pics from carmel apple day!

Can you tell the who did the eating and who did the decorating?

Well, don't get me wrong, we did some eating too. But those pictures are forever locked away.

Mmmhh, so good.

Who doesn't love fall? I challenge you to give me 5 good reasons you don't. Except those of you in Arizona and Texas. The weather is reason enough!

And a picture of my front porch. Just for my Grammy since she in now a faithful reader!

1-800-222-1222

If you live in the Denver metro area, write that number down.

It is a number that is now near and dear to my heart.

It is the number of our Poison Control, now known as my new close friends.

As if I needed another trip to the hospital and another bill from my new best friends, the nursing staff at Sky Ridge Medical Center.

This afternoon, Mason was supposed to be in his room having "rest time".

Until his called me up stating "Mommy, I spilled the medicine all over my pants!"

Um...wwhhaatt?? What medicine?

Children's Ibuprofen (with a child proof cap- we'll talk about that in a minute) spilled all over the counter, all over his pants and hands, and leaving his mouth oh so sticky.

"Mason, did you drink any of this?" I tried to calmly ask

"Yes, I drinked A LOT- like water!"

UUmmm...huh. What does one do?

My doctor's office was very kind to the mom trying to act cool but oh so close to becoming unglued. The sad thing was (and I hate admitting this), I was just as concerned about the looming hospital bill and visit and being there again for the 4th time in 3 1/2 weeks as I was about my kid getting his poor stomach pumped!

They kindly directed me to poison control while I acted like I had that number downstairs and I was up so could they just remind me of it?!?!

Anyway, long story short, poison control came to my rescue and calmly helped me figure out the worst case scenario of what Mason had consumed. All was fine.

Turns out ibuprofen is not as harmful as they would like you to think. I gave him some crackers and water and they said that I shouldn't be concerned if he gets a bit drowsy...I wish.

Now, about these child proof caps. This is the 3rd time in 2 weeks I have come upon Mason opening a child proof lid. That word is a complete oxymoron. I don't get it! How has he figured it out?

Does this look like the face of a mischievous kid?

rollin' with the homies

Sit and won't you come to my house

And if you get too sad

We'll sit

And when it's time we always know

I just need a hug from you

It's just one but it's true

Let's get down and walk together,

Help each other,

You're my friend


I know you're all wondering if I wrote that song by myself, what with all my talent and song writing skills.

I'm sure that's going to nominated for an Grammy.

It will at least win the MTV music awards and if we're lucky, the Kids Choice.

Step aside Miley.

Here comes Averie.

And with lyrics like that and looks that could kill, there's no stopping her.

Oh, if only I could say she inherited that talent from me.

I guess I'll jut settle for a kid who tries to fart on command.

Poolin' Around

How do you waste a 100 degree day with 3 kids? Pool it baby! Such is my new theory on Friday's when I have my nieces. It also makes me look like a fantabulous Auntie. My top 3 reasons for pooling it are 3 fold:

1. I get a tan
2. It exhausts them for nap time
3. They can get PB&J all over themselves and I don't need to wash them of (I realize that didn't make a lot of sense- I just wanted to be able to say 3 fold. That was for you Angie and Joel!)

Avie and Mase have a great time swimming around...

And dumping water on each other...

And Hadley...

Well, she just likes to eat!

Sorry about the hair Robs!

See point #1

Their mom's clearly influencing their lives by teaching them to "get brown"

Isn't that the sweetest thing ever?!

And one for the road...

because what else do you when you lose a shoe?