oh, what fun...with photoshop

Thanks to a friend of mine, I've discovered this wonderful website - http://www.jessicasprague.com/ - an really cool photography/ scrapbooking website offering classes. Thanks K!

I am in the middle of taking a class and have learned some neato techniques. Here are some photos I've edited using Photoshop Elements.

Oh, what fun! Okay, I'm getting closer to my digital scrapbooking goal. :)

s'mores, a frog, and a cowboy

Don't you just love C's cowboy ensemble?! I opened my eyes this morning to see him in his cowboy hat standing next to our bed. What a sight! In this picture, he's got his hat, lasso (the red strap from a toy drum), and a cape.

I just love our little boys!

the 1st child vs. the 3rd child

C started swim lessons a few weeks ago. He's been loving it! I'll be happy with whatever progress he makes, but I have to admit I'd love to see him do 2 things.

1) go under water...willingly!
2) actually swim a short distance

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What do you do when it's over 100 degrees outside for days on end?! Well, if you're outside, you get in water.




Or you invite friends over and stay inside!




And I suppose since C had a friend over, he decided to be extra silly for her.



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Yesterday, Baby P turned 9 months old! Wow, only 3 more months and he'll be one! Sigh.

I know our boys will always be my babies...but not literally. I don't think that past the age of oh, I don't know, say 12, they'll let me hold them and snuggle with them like they do now. I am just eating up these baby months with Baby P right now. How I love him so!




Along with being 9 months old, Baby P is into everything! I am pretty sure that with our firstborn, C, we were able to avoid him ever putting dog food in his mouth. I know, I know. We're good like that.

Well, then comes our third child. Baby P has already managed to put dog food in his mouth 3 times since he's discovered it...in the past week or two. And twice was in one day. If I wouldn't have been so freaked out busy washing his mouth and hands yesterday, I would have taken a picture of him at our dog, Maisy's, bowl. So picture this - Baby P is kneeling at the dog bowl. There are food on the floor all around him. His mouth, hands and wrists covered in dog food crumbs, fists full of dog food, 1 piece of dog food in each cheek (like he was storing them as a squirrel does). And he's just as happy as can be! All this in a matter of maybe 90 seconds.

There you have it. I call this the 1st child vs. the 3rd child phenomenon.

fun with art and Father's Day

Last Friday, we met a friend and her girls at Artworks, a children's art studio. The boys enjoyed the "open art" time. And one of the nice perks is that I don't have to clean up the mess. :)

C loved playing with the moon sand.

And L loved playing with rice.

Such focus...

Baby P also enjoyed getting his hand into the rice.

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Speaking of Baby P...

He is now crawling faster and everywhere! You should see him go when he's after something he really wants! The other day he did sort of a quick stomp crawl where he was slamming his hands down as he was going after shoes (which we tend to frown upon since they just end up in his mouth!) It was too funny!

He is also now pulling to stand. This began about a little over a week ago. Oh, and this past weekend he cruised around a table activity center!

Yep, he's pretty excited about it.

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We spent some time at my parents' house on Father's Day. Here are some pictures of that day. Notice the action happening in the last 3 photos. Baby P looks a little surprised about his brothers jumping in, but didn't mind it at all. He loved playing in the water.

Yes, the C man is well fed...I promise. Along with the goofy face he's making, he's sucking in his already slim belly exposing even more rib action.

Watch out Baby P! Here come C and L!

A good time was had by all!

June.17.2009

Today, I celebrated my 31st birthday.


This happy flower arrangement appeared on my front door today...from my in-laws. Thanks Skip and Sina!!!

I also got these flowers from my Mom and Dad. Don't they also look happy?! :)

Good times spent with family...(We missed you Jennifer!)

Poor Baby P was asleep by the time we enjoyed birthday cake.

My sweet husband got me this cake. YUM!

He (my awesome husband) also got me a generous gift card to Target. WooHoo! He also always seems to find the best cards! The card I got from him today says:

To My Wife

In many wonderful ways,

you're the very center of our family -

the one who

holds us all together

with your understanding

and support...

There's no way

I could ever thank you enough

for everything you do,

but I want you to know that I love you

and I'm so lucky to have you as my wife.

Happy Birthday

Um, WOW! Those words are too kind...but I'll take it! Thank you my love!

The card from the boys was so funny. It has a dog on the front dressed in a mask and cape. On the inside it says:

Happy Birthday

from

The Bark Knight

And he had the boys pick out a coffee mug for me. I love having a pretty, meaningful mug to enjoy my morning coffee!

What a day!

Sweet, thoughtful cards and gifts.

Lots of birthday wishes from friends and family.

PF Chang's for dinner.

Chocolate cake.

Hearing the sweet voices of my 4 and 2 year old sons wish me a Happy Birthday and sing to me.

And time with my precious family.

What a wonderful day! I am so, so blessed!

zoo day

We went to the zoo Friday. It's been so hot. Like high of 97, 98, 100 HOT! So, we got there at 9:00 a.m. to try and beat the heat, checked out a few animals, had an early lunch (at 10:30 since the kids were so hungry and started asking about lunch at 9:30 a.m.), then went to the beach area. The boys had a great time! They loved the beach area and worked on building sand castles most of the time.


Before we left for the zoo, Baby P helped with some housework.

What is one of the most exciting 'exhibits' at the zoo? Why, the construction trucks at work, of course!

Here are some pictures from my friend's camera. Thanks Linsey!

I thought the water might have been a little cool for Baby P. Nope! He loved it!

Here's our baby with his friend, who was born the day after Baby P was. Actually, they are less than 24 hours apart. This doll's mommy is my best friend from high school. We both ended up in San Antonio, shared the highs and lows of pregnancy together and had babies within hours of each other! Amazing!