The Christmas Card

Do you know how hard it is to get two children (boys) to look at the camera and smile at the same time?????  It should be an Olympic event and I'm not even joking.  We were in the mountains and I had this little hope that we could squeak out a picture good enough for a Christmas card.  I kept my desires to myself because I didn't want to put too much pressure on our photographer (my dad).  I put the boys in collared shirts and at first Paul cried because he hated his outfit (um, what?).  He calmed down and it was go time.  I don't want to fully admit the things that were coming out of my mouth to get both kids to laugh but think farts and grandma in the same sentence.  At the end, everyone was sweating and the collared shirt came off.  But we got something so sweet.  

(It's not crooked, must just be the way I'm holding it) 

Thanks goodness Christmas cards only have to go out once a year!!  Any tricks to get your kiddos to smile?? 

TGIF!

Sorry to tell you that during summer everyday is Friday.  But I will try not to rub that in!

Maureen and baby Vivi were here last week!  We fit 3 car seats in the back of my car and Ryan reminded us that we used to be drunk and promiscuous.  Now we have babies.  Thanks Ryan. 

The next day we had a play date with our two friends from college.  One has two boys.  The other has one.  Meaning we had 5 boys and one girl.  Vivi is a lucky lady to choose from some nice chaps.

Most play dates revolve around eating snacks.  Actually that is true whether you are 3 or 33.  

We decided to take a picture of everyone together.  This always sounds like a good idea and then is not.  This is the best shot:

And a "behind the scenes" look.  There were promises, bribery and some stern talking.   If only they could just sit on the couch and smile.

Maureen and I then packed up the troops and headed to the mountains.  Actually I only took Paul and left Charlie with Ryan back at home.  My reasoning?  Paul will watch TV.  And sometimes I like to have cocktail hour with a side of Mickey Mouse.  True story.

We had a great weekend full of mountain air.  We celebrated Diz's birthday, Paul walked a llama and then cried he couldn't take one home and we hiked.  Exciting development on the hike was that Paul decided he had to go to the bathroom.  #2 bathroom.  It was really a special moment watching my son poop in nature.  I'll cherish it always.

Tori and Will also just added a puppy to their home, Clover.  Paul loved Clover and followed her everywhere.  She tolerated it for the most part.

We walked to dinner one night and Paul did fine on the way there, but after some slices of twelve dollar kid's pizza and lemonade, he was tired on the way home.  Only Auntie MoMo would think of this solution.

Maureen and I arrived home Sunday afternoon.  We gave the kids a bath and put them to bed.  We were on the couch contemplating going to bed at 8:45 because we were exhausted.  Ryan reported that our actions proved this the lamest girl's weekend EVER.  We stayed up until 10:00 to try and prove we still have it.  We do not.

Vivian was super cute and it was a wonderful weekend with my best gals.  And no, I don't want a third baby.  In case you were wondering.

In other news, here are two great reads about mom and their swimsuits.  One is sweet and one is funny!
Also, I probably need these pants, right?

Tori sent me this and it is SO FUNNY.

Happy Friday!! xo

Just Have to Start!

I feel like my blogging comeback should start with a profound story.  But that is too much pressure, so I am just going to start writing.  About nothing.

We are summer break.  Can I get a Hallelujah?!  Summertime is my season.  I love that it is light outside until 8:30.  I love having all the windows open and hearing the kids playing on the neighborhood block.  I love that it is more socially acceptable to drink during the day.  All my loves in a season.

Ryan went to Ohio to grade papers for EIGHT days and while I am sure that was hard and boring and tedious for him, I WAS ALONE WITH MY CHILDREN FOR EIGHT DAYS.  Obviously I survived, many people helped me and cooked me dinner and did my dishes which leads my to believe that families should live on compounds.  Each family could take a night to cook dinner?  And everyone could help with laundry.  There would always be someone to entertain your child.  I want a sister wife.

Sunbathing

Anyway, We have done lots of pool time, park time, send the kids in the backyard and shut the door time. Whenever anyone sees Charlie they always comment on his very blond hair!  He will probably be platinum by the end of the summer.

At the "beach" 

I also bought the Groupon for Orange Theory Fitness and I am totally obsessed.  The workout is not rocket science, I just love someone telling me what to do.

Auntie MoMo is coming to visit tomorrow with baby Vivi.  We are so excited to see the cute baby and look through all her cute girl clothes.  Actually I am the only one excited about that! :) We are then headed to the mountains for Auntie Diz's birthday!! It will be a great weekend.

I better end now.  Don't want to overwhelm myself!  Hopefully this summer can include more time for blogging!

Happy Wednesday!