Sisters, There Were Never Such Devoted Sisters

Kate left for science camp early this morning.  Shelby and I watched her walk out to Dad's car.  She carried a full pink duffel bag--stuffed with, among other things, new fuzzy pink striped socks and a new plaid coat.  We called out our last "good-bye"  and "have fun", then climbed back upstairs to try to get a little more sleep before we really started our day.

About an hour later, I heard Shelby come into my room.  I motioned for her to come in bed with me because neither of us had been able to fall back asleep. 

As Shelby curled up beside me, she confided in a broken voice, "I miss her already!"  Quiet sobs followed her confession.

"It's alright--she'll be back before you know it" I soothed, but my heart was aching for this sweet sister who was left behind.  I love how much they love each other.

Is pumpkiny a word?

Last December my amazing friend Jenn shared with me her pumpkin chocolate chip cookie recipe.  I have not felt too pumpkiny all year--that is--until this weekend.  I got a hankering and had to make them.  My kiddos loved them!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

• 1 C. butter, softened
• 1 C. sugar
• 1 C. brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 t. vanilla
• 1 C. canned pumpkin
• 3 C. flour
• 2 t. baking soda
• 1/2 t. salt
• 1 t. cinnamon
• 2 T. pumpkin pie spice
• 2 C. chocolate chips

Mix together and bake 15-18 min. at 350.

I do believe Jenn is a cookie goddess!

We Be Jammin'

 

Two girls + Lotsa fresh peaches +some raspberries too =

(thanks Rachel for a wonderfully domestic day!)

brotherhood

Weston finally got a chance to tag along with his big brother today and play over at a friend's house. I told them to stick together as they walked and to watch for cars.

I stood outside as they began their trek down the street. I overheard Keaton say, "Let's hold hands."

I watched those two boys walk all the way there, hand in hand. I know that these hand-holding days are numbered, but for now, I was smitten with every step.

Be. Still. My. Heart.

Ice Ice Baby

Looking to make Family Home Evening cool?  All you need is some ice and a hill, a couple of old towels and some willing participants.

Shelby and Sara slip sliding away.

 

Keaton's got speed.  (Who is Blurry boy: True to form, Brian befriended a few people at the park and let them slide, too.  That is just SO Brian)

My Kate dresses herself now.  Adorable sock choice.

Brian is a kid at heart.

 

Weston just needed a couple of licks.

Shelby posed at the bottom of the hill.

On our way back home Keaton summed up his evening:  "I didn't usually go sliding.  I mostly ate."

ASU lost... who cares.

Dinner at Subway:

$16.00

Tickets to the ASU football game:

$0.00  (Thanks to a good friend!)

Spending 4 hours with my sweet daughter and hearing her say, "Dad, football is kind of interesting when you get the hang of it."

Priceless

photographic evidence

My Mom and Dad used to keep most of the family photos and snapshots in the bottom drawer of my Dad's dresser. I remember reaching in my hand and grabbing a fistful of pictures, looking for gems...usually ones with me in it.

I still love looking through old pictures, but now I usually look through files on my computer instead of grabbing handfuls from a bottom drawer.

I still enjoy coming across the little treasures--in this case, pictures that capture a strong facet in each of my children's different personalities.

Kate-I like to call it willful.

Then there is Shelby...the nurturer.

Next is Keaton---happy go lucky.

And lastly, Weston--shall we say unique?

Today

i delight in the little evidences of my children--

zooming in--

in the quiet of my closet i relish in the sight of fun foam stuck to the hem of my pant leg.

Will the real Robin Hood please growl

Shelby and I (Brian) were running some errands this afternoon.  I told her that I wanted to go pick up the movie Robin Hood.  She was excited and said, "I love that movie!"

I was a little confused, I was pretty sure that she hadn't seen the one I was talking about - Robin Hood Prince of Thieves.  

"Shelb, are you thinking of the cartoon Robin Hood?" 

"Yes, we saw it at Hannah's house.  I love it."

"Oh, I'm not talking about the cartoon, I'm talking about the movie were Robin Hood is real."

Shelby looked at me for a second with a puzzled look on her face and then said,  "A real fox?"

I love that girl.

I'm Having a Senior Moment

It is not because my Mom and Dad stayed with us this week.

It is not because I am feeling old.

It is not because my knee hurts from my spin class.

It is simply because my senior picture from high school stares at me from my desktop every time I log on to my computer. It is a leftover from my precious hair blog post that did not quite make the cut.

I thought it might be good for a giggle today.

Love the gold chain.

Love the huge red blazer.

Love the shoulder pads.

A true gem.

(And by the way, how hard would it have been for the photographer to poke his head out from behind the lens and tell me to straighten my collar?)