PICTURE OF THE YEAR

I've got sunshine on a cloudy day.
When it's cold outside I've got the month of May.
I guess you'd say
What can make me feel this way?
My girl (my girl, my girl)
Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl).

I've got so much honey the bees envy me.
I've got a sweeter song than the birds in the trees.
I guess you'd say
What can make me feel this way?
My girl (my girl, my girl)
Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl).

Happy Birthday to ME!

Well, 35 isn't that bad. I actually had a wonderful weekend, and we did lots of fun things. Here is the amazing cake Will got me from a local bakery, "Bo Cakes." The owner actually went in on a Sunday when they're closed, to make me this cake, because Will told her our sad story that he couldn't bake me one since our new oven has a gas leak that needs to be fixed (or replaced)! She was so sweet and said, "If you knock on my door at 2:00, I'll have her cake waiting." It was delicious!!! This gorgeous bouquet of roses is from my wonderful brother, Bruce. He was in Berlin on my b-day but still had them delivered and called me from a pub. I love you, Bruce! And to Will and the kids, thank you for such a special weekend, my gourmet "cowgirl breakfast" and for taking me shopping in San Diego! :)

Making cars

The boys love everything crafty, unlike me. So, it's usually Will who gets them started on a project like this one. They each built a cute little car that they painted. I just love it when they're busy and having fun!

Our "Messy Marvin!"

Our dog Jake

I never include Jake on the blog, though he is the 7th member of our family. Here he is, licking his chops.

What happened to Lollie?

You know who threw him up there! There were lots of giggles.

11 Months Old!

My sweet punkin reminds me of "that 70's girl" in this stripey top; I love it. We can hardly believe she's almost ONE!!!

My youngest students

Titus will start Kindergarten at home in the fall. But this year he has learned so much! He can write most of his letters really well, and he loves to color. He just rediscovered his Mickey Mouse glasses he got at Disneyland and he's been wearing them constantly. He reminds me of the little boy in Peter Pan with the round glasses. Levi is also learning a lot, mostly subliminally, and he also loves to color and "spell." Though our new school room is obviously unfinished, we are really enjoying it! It's open and cheery.

Little big stuff

I love these profile shots.

Looking at her, Sulli appears to be big stuff in her high chair. But she still refuses to eat. Once in a while I can get a teaspoon or so down her, but that's all.

Levi Lagasse

This was Zane's chef suit. He used to wear it every Saturday morning to make pancakes and every time I was baking something and he wanted to help. Titus has worn it a couple of times, and now Levi loves it. He loves to pretend he's making us broccoli "with sour cream on it" or chocolate cake (now that one makes sense).

Manly!

Here is Zane flexing his big manly muscles before he left to play baseball Saturday morning. He has started playing with a huge group of boys 8-14. It's free, it's just for fun, and he LOVES it. And he's really good at it too!

Love those "awfuls!"

Here is our sweet Levi, enjoying his Daddy's "awfuls," as he calls them. This little boy is a ray of sunshine.

Are we in Albuquerque?

Each Sunday morning since we've moved to our new house, we wake up to the sound of hot air balloons outside. In fact, the first weekend we were here, you could have reached out of Zane's window and grabbed the basket of one! The Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival is going on and it reminds me of home. Of course, Albuquerque is famous for the International Balloon Fiesta every year in October. We are really enjoying being near the wine country. Zane has an especially gorgeous view, as you can see from the photo of some lovely estates on a foggy morning. Keep in mind I was taking these pictures through dirty windows.

Wrestling with Daddy!

Sullivan loves to wrestle with her Daddy. On this particular evening before bed, she was in a really goofy mood, as you can see from the look in her eyes. She and Will have bonded all week because he's been the one carrying her everywhere, changing her diapers, bathing her, and even handing her to me to nurse her. I did something dreadful to my back and couldn't pick her up all week. It made the pain worth it, though, to see the two of them have so much fun.

Random Pictures

Here, Sulli and I are enjoying our new COMFY couch!

Just a cute picture I took at dinner!

Bunk beds!

Before our move, Titus slept on the bottom bunk and Zane slept on the top. Now that Zane is in his very own room, Titus is THRILLED to be on the top! And Levi is just as happy to be on the bottom.

Levi is being the BIG little brother, pushing Titus around in their Jeep that needs a battery! They make the best out of our grass-less yard.

Dad's early birthday!

My wonderful Dad drove (yes, I said DROVE) all the way from NM to surprise us and give us more help moving. My Mom had already flown out to help us unpack, the amazing mother that she is, and my awesome brother Bruce flew out the day Dad arrived. This not only helped TREMENDOUSLY, but it make the whole process much more fun. There's nothing like being surrounded by the people you love - especially in crazy times. I didn't get a picture of Bruce, who had already left by the time we celebrated Dad's b-day a little early. I just made a home-cooked dinner and chocolate cake, a nice break from all the fast food we've been eating during this move! Vegetables never tasted so good. And cake's always good. :)

Moving Day!

I didn't get many photos this day, we were all so busy. I should have taken one of Will, Chad and Allen who spent the entire day loading and unloading "the heaviest furniture in the world," they said. Near the end of the day I shot these few pictures. As usual, Zane was a big help keeping Sulli occupied so I could pack things up.

A final picture near our front door (which needs another wreath!)