Memory Lane Monday... Then and Now, Our Son

Evan was a TINY baby!  He was born 7 1/2 weeks early and had a few complications.  Those first few months weren't easy.  Then at about 4 months old, he turned into the world's best baby and we started to enjoy parenthood!

This picture is almost crazy,  he was SO TINY! 

So, that was then.  This is NOW!

 We're the same size! 

And here's a picture down to our socks to prove it!

We're so thankful for a big healthy boy! 

We love you, Evan.

The Eyes

I've been doing the Joy of Love photography workshop through email (very casually...) and one of the assignments was to take a picture of your loved one's eyes.  Here are some of the results.  I have the best light for photography when I'm home alone during the day, so my pets are the object of many of my photos!  Evan and Lana are usually home in a few hours of light, but I don't have many pictures of Rob in natural light, which is what this class recommends. 

Miss Lana

Miss Mattie

Miss Ritzie

And then there's this one... It wasn't really meant to be a picture of his eyes, but Evan was being goofy, and I thought you'd enjoy it!  :)

Mr. Blue Fun Dip :)

Sweet Bundle of Purity

This little one is our new niece.  I must brag just a little... She's named after her Mama and Daddy's sisters (her Aunties) - Melinda and Aleta.  Isn't that the most clever thing ever!?  The THRILL when Randy told me her name...!  And her middle name is special too - after my dad.  I can't wait to meet this little one. 

We heard on Sunday about babies being born pure.  I love this thought.  

Valentine Memories

I was inspired by Jeannie's and Joellyn's posts today....  Here are a few of our Valentine Memories!

My first Valentine from my husband...  delivered to the high school office :) way back in 1993.

These pictures are from 2002 when Grandma Jean was here for Valentine's Day!  Sweet...

Sending Love to each of our friends and family today!

Funny Dog

Captions, anyone???

Cold is relative

Cold is a relative thing

65°
Arizonans turn on the heat.
People in North Dakota plant gardens.

60°
Californians shiver uncontrollably.
People in North Dakota sunbathe.

50°
Italian & English cars won't start.
People in North Dakota drive with the windows down..

40°
Georgians don coats, thermal underwear, gloves, wool hats.
People in North Dakota throw on a flannel shirt.

35°
New York landlords finally turn up the heat.
People in North Dakota have the last cookout before it gets cold.

20°
People in Miami all die.
North Dakotans close the windows.

0°
Californians fly away to Mexico.
People in North Dakota get out their winter coats.


 - 10° below zero:
Hollywood disintegrates.
The Girl Scouts in North Dakota are selling cookies door to door.

 - 20° below zero:
Washington DC runs out of hot air. (Ya t! hink? Nah.).
People in North Dakota let the dogs sleep indoors.


 - 30° below zero:
Santa Claus abandons the North Pole.
North Dakotans get upset because they can't start the snowmobile.


-40°  below zero:
ALL atomic motion stops.
People in North Dakota start saying..."Cold enough for ya?"


-50°  below zero:
Everything freezes over.
North Dakota  public schools will open 2 hours late.

One of my teacher friends passed this on today, and I liked it enough to post it.  But... Okay.  I'm tired of the cold.  I'm tired of hearing "Stay warm!" and "Recess will be inside today."  I'm tired of bragging about all the fun we have in the snow and of how tough and warped we all are.  But, I guess I can't do a thing about it, can I?  So, we continue to pretend to embrace winter even though we're dying for a sign of SPRING!!!!!  Sorry to complain, but can anyone relate?

Cardboard Sled Race 2011

Every year, the locals sponsor a cardboard sled race.  One business donates duct tape and another business donates cardboard!   This was our first time as spectators.  I think Evan is already designing a sled for next year!  It was super fun to watch all these parents and kids.  The event is very non-competitive, so fun for all.
Benjamin, can you spot Lightning McQueen?????

This was our favorite, I think.  The top came neatly off, and the kid climbed in there.  You could see his eyes through the little peephole in front.  Several people were saying "Oh, that one's gonna tip over...," but it stayed the course, and quickly zipped down the slope!  Yay!

Pac Man, you're going backwards!!!!

Big kids and little kids... the more the merrier!!

Oh no!  Benjamin, Lightning McQueen has collided with a fighter jet!!  Really, there were a few minor collisions, but no one got hurt and I think everyone had a great time.

We headed over the hill to a nice big ice skating rink and skated for a few hours.  We really ARE still trying to embrace winter.  Well, anyway we were on Saturday when it was 20 degrees.  The past few days have been miserable-cold again.  But, we'll get a break again I'm sure.

Special Time with Family

We had a great time down south with my brother and his family!  And we TOTALLY lucked out with the weather!  It was in the mid to upper 70's the three days we were there.  The afternoons were sunny and warm, and we absolutely SOAKED it up!  Here are a few of our favorite pictures...

 We brought a Curious George in the Snow book to help Benjamin understand snow.  Sounds like maybe he actually GOT some last night?

 Rob put his sunglasses on Trevin, so we all thought that was pretty cute!  We took a little hike at a place called Zilker Park by downtown Austin.  The weather was cloudy to start, but ended up perfectly sunny  for our picnic lunch and afternoon.

 So, this was taken from the Zilker Park trail, across Town Lake to the big buildings in Austin.  I like this view.  It all looks so peaceful from here.

 I'm sorry my camera didn't do justice to the aura of the botanical gardens in Zilker Park.  It was off season, but I thought everything was still so beautiful!

 My fellow northern gardeners will understand why I needed to take this picture.  There were vegetables growing in the park!!!  I looked quickly around before I stooped down to pull a weed....  I knew I shouldn't, but I just couldn't resist!

Our last evening there, we went to the Oasis Restaurant on Lake Travis.  It was a gorgeous evening, and we enjoyed a beautiful sunset.  My camera isn't an expert on sunset pictures, so you'll have to visit Times 2 Treasure for that....  They have some other great pictures of our trip too.  I took this picture of Trevin because even though it looks like he got into a chocolate dessert, he didn't!  These are real southern black beans all over his face!  He is a little bean boy!

So many special memories!  Thanks, for having us, R, A, B and T!