the trimmings

it's beginning to look a lot like christmas.

cut down our own tree

let's...

let's run away if we dare.

make angels from snow.

let our noses grow cold.

see our breath in the air.

let's...

go cut down our own tree.

and call all our family.

and tell them that we're just fine.

put up some lights.

stay up all night.

it's Christmas time.

Sounds Like Snow, Be Still

had these lyrics running through my head the entire live long "tree hunt" day.

documenting

a bit of falling snow and the appearance of faux fur.

winter...we are ready for you.

documenting

a sweet baby boy and his mama.

a reminder to me that life is good.

documenting

He went on a 10 mile bike ride with the scouts this weekend. I had to snap some pictures as he rode off. He looked so grown up to me. I think he thought I was being a little wierd for documenting the moment. I have officially turned into my mom.

The Harvester

How many times have we seen you.
There in your garden's rows.
Moving the earth with your fingers.
Planting seeds as you go.

Every sprout, flowering bud, climbing vine.
Each one was known by you.
For you were aware their potential.
Tiny seed to magnificent fruit.

And we who shared in your harvest,
Could not help but feel of your love.
Both for life which springs from the earth,
And the life which comes from above.

For you loved us with every peach,
You pulled from your orchard trees.
And we felt of your love in the melons,
You picked on hands and knees.

And now you'll sow seeds somewhere else.
All that love you take with you.
And we know you'll recognize the Master.
For He's a harvester too.

In loving memory of our grandpa ozaki. A man who lived life to its absolute fullest and who loved his family with all his heart. We will miss you dearly grandpa.

put your hands up

love how the gesture they chose reflects their personalitites.

goofy. happy. peacemaker.

(dont' know where the shaka came from, but it fits.)

this weekend i had a moment of panic, a moment of relief, a moment of frustration, a moment of patience, and a whole bunch of other "moments" in between.

much love to my pumpkin pie italian soda for giving me a moment of yum.

a boy and his...

fuzzy caterpillars.

True to form, my husband brought home creatures from his last fishing trip. This time it was a collection of fuzzy caterpillars for my kiddos to manhandle and love on. I can't even begin to tell you how much time this little guy has spent with these caterpillars.

All boy I tell you...all boy.

tiger beat

future heart throb. no?

Noon

Just me and you.

Applesauce,

Bowls for two.

Quiet house.

Dr. Seuss.

Simple moment,

Not to lose.

'Cause they were here,

Where you sit.

Now they're gone.

Not you yet.

Cheese and crackers.

Green Eggs and Ham.

And I'm at home.

How blessed I am.

lawn boy

In our house, there is little that merits as much praise as someone who has learned what it is to work hard. I mean really work hard. Like get your hands dirty and sweat buckets kind of hard. This boy has taken on a few such summer long jobs and has risen to the occasion. His Dad is super proud of him.

Never mind the fact that the mower is the same size as him.


Today he's mowing a lawn, tomorrow he'll be sitting in a portable on his first day of middle school. Next thing I know he'll be asking me to spot him some cash so he can take a girl out.

Guess he better keep working those summer jobs.

NINE

and game for any picture pose where she can show off her new boots!

NINE about NINE

1. makes a mean cocunut cupcake

2. always the peacemaker

3. is the sole inheritor of her grandmother's organization gene

4. her Nocturne by Chopin is music to my ears

5. music to her ears...Miss Taylor Swift

6. prefers red vines to twizzlers

(we agree to disagree here)

7. can quote Nacho Libre with the best of them

8. loves the aisles of a craft store as much as her mom

9. when she's helping she's happy

sounds perfect. right? she pretty much is.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MISS.

summer obsessions 2011

Every summer we get obsessed over one thing or another. In the past it has been everything from beach boy songs to smoothies. This summer, the following items made their way to the top:

friendship bracelets

(braided/knotted, whatever...we're making them)

our brand new yellow front door

(ok. this is really my obsession. not for everyone, but so right up my alley!)

twizzlers

(ok. this one's mine too. i am addicted.)

family reunion

spent last week getting lost in my family.

the kind of lost where you don't want to be found.

grammie and her boys

"team jerry"

b.rock and grandma

yes someone had an "elmer's" glue stick costume.

the money dig...a tradition, 16 years and counting

my sisters

cuteness

glued at the hip the entire time

he looks so grown up here

spent three days on this boat

catching our dinner.

photo booth

i'm thinking every party should have one.

alligator arms

Watching my kids grow up. Some moments are more obvious than others.

(Cried the first three days of swim lessons and before every class, but big boy-ed

himself to the diving board and jumped)

(Cried last year, but not this year. This year he owned the pool.)

carnival

We call them the twins. They look nothing alike, but were born a day a part. They get along most of the time. We celebrate thier birthdays together all of the time.

A happy birthday carnival for emi and cody.

a real set of twins.

and they are too cute.

playing with his birthday loot.

My SIL gets all of the credit for putting this together. It was a lot of work, but so worth it. I've been told it is my turn next year. I better start planning.