things we miss

sometimes we miss the big windows in our family room.

the monsoon summer storms

our back yard and walks around our loop

and while we're there. little people. they're growing up so fast!

our beloved baby-sitter, holly. 

she was really great and the kiddos loved her so.

as a former babysitter who still keeps (more like spies?) up with the kiddos she once rocked to sleep or babysat regularly, i have a heart for that first babysitter. holly will be missed always!

and my, we miss that desert rain. 

but we are learning to love the cool nights here and the breezy, foggy mornings.

the Holiday Colors

the holiday colors makes me feel nostalgic, miss my brother, bake--and eat-- lots of cookies, turn off all the lights & leave just the Christmas lights on in the evening, buy Christmas-smelling candles, listen to Christmas pandora stations (too much), watch Christmas movies (currently Claymation Christmas, elf and the family stone.) and long for snow. Will it ever snow here? I'm thankful for warm weather to take long walks in and enjoy Christmas festivities downtown, but I must be honest and say that I am longing to see the street lights reflect off of the white snow and to see Jack's face when he lands head first into a pile of it. And these snow boots? I just can't wait.

blessings galore

Thanksgiving has come and gone and yet I'm still riding on it's coat tails. The entire family was together once again. It sends my heart soaring. Late night Harry Potter viewing (which was fantastic, the best one yet.) Andy's creative art project (a family first), and a new baby to join in the fun. Could Thanksgiving have gone on a week more, please?

Mel, my hilarious sister-in-law.

Andy and Jackboy

Aaron, my newest nephew. So precious.

This picture cracks me up. I love the faces and the expressions. The annoyance. The hunger. The blaring, relentless Arizona sun. John is obviously not annoyed.

Such big eyes.

Maggie had the first ever 18 year coming-of-age indoctrination. She was a great sport.

Mom and the turkey!

father and son

Pies, pies, and more pies. Did you know that some people don't like pumpkin PIE?!

Puzzles. A tradition I rarely take part in. My sister in law is always game.

My brother and Jack. Can you believe that when we were kids we were THIS cute?

It's always hard to see my brother go. A part of me wishes we could transport back to being kids every so often. A part of me feels like we're growing up too fast and when we're together I wish time would slow down just a bit. 


There's never a dull moment when our family is all together. Whether someone offended someone else or a hilarious joke was just made, there's always room for fun.

Mellow Yellow Monday

John and I are nearing the end of the last Harry Potter book. We have listened to it on audio book (well, not really. I read along while he listens. I just can't miss a word.) And. It. Is. Intense. 

We've read the series together and held off reading this book for a long time, simply because that would mean the journey has come to end. That's never very easy for me to accept. John told me the other day, "I think you enjoy the journey so much just so you can look back and live in it for a while longer." I smiled. That is so true. I love me some good nostalgia.

However, like most good things (vacations, sleeping, showers and books...that's pretty much my list these days.)  all good things must come to an end. Therefore, it is time for Harry to come to his end. And we've pressed pause with about 20 pages left. I just want to draw it out a litttttle bit longer. Come on, people, it's a good book!

That all to say, while we were listening I saw Jack playing with his toys and the yellow bucket and I snapped a quick picture. The bucket radiates the sunshine. It's the simple things.