Please welcome the newest addition to our family...

The Nordic Track Autostrider 990

Okay, so it's not a Precor (I'm a little choked up about that too) but I didn't have several thousand dollars to get one so.....I bought the "best I could afford" (right Mom?). I love it. Tried it out this morning.....super awesome!

BTW....it's a space saver too.....check it out!

So full of personality!

Isaac got into my make-up, another one of his favorite past times (since Aunt Christy came to visit, that is :) !) Not only did he get it all over himself but on the carpet too. Ugh!

Here Gabe is attempting to clean up his room. He often gets distracted and reads instead. I just thought it was funny that he was in his PJ bottoms, new school shoes and no shirt.

What can you make with a little brown sugar and flour? A BIG mess....that's what!

Me: "Gabe, can you watch Isaac while I take a quick shower?"

After he consented I proceeded to do just that. When I get out of the shower I hear Gabe in MY room and.....no Isaac.

Me: "Gabe...where's Isaac?"

Gabe: "He got into the food closet and is making a HUGE mess!"

Me: "Ummmm...okay...and where were you?"

Gabe: "It was too late...I couldn't stop it."

Sigh....

I dressed as fast as I could, not sure what I would find in the other room. I rounded the corner and found this:

Ugh....this really is his favorite past time. He's just never had so much time to enjoy it (without being intercepted, that is).

Gabe also happened to capture more Isaac mischief. I have never had a child with so many "tentacles" before. This kid is into EVERYTHING! Mr. Octopus Man!

Presents.....two weeks after the fact!

Almost two weeks after Isaac's birthday, we finally got him a present (besides a book that I didn't even wrap). Part of the reason is because Rob was out of town and we wanted to celebrate their b-days together (because I didn't want to have to eat TWO cakes in a matter of 4 days) and the other part....well, I'm just plain lazy. So finally here it is...the crowning moment (toot, toot, too toot)

Sooooo excited!

Picture from joint b-day bbq with neighbors.


Rob's actual birthday (leftover cake from bbq. He He!)


Okay...so we did celebrate a little on Isaac's birthday. Ice cream cones, candles, a happy birthday song and because Grandma Harding and Aunt Christy were visiting from Utah, he got to open presents from them as well. Not completely neglected.

These are pics from his actual birthday.

Today I danced!

Today I danced. Openly, freely, artistically. Enya's "Caribbean blue" was the inspiration. I was taken back in time to my junior year in high school. I opened up and set myself free. It was invigorating.

I feel happy, hopeful. As thought I may be climbing out of a deep, dark hole I have been buried in for so long.

This morning, I owe it to the dance.



--excerpt from Melanie's journal (yes, actual written journal) August 14, 2009. (Some day I might share it in it's entirety).

Menstration.....at HIS age?????????

A little time alone in Mom's bathroom+



a talent for vigilant observance and imitation=




It must be time for a stricter "privacy policy" between Mommy and Isaac.

He's 2!

Happy Birthday Isaac. We love you!

A "honeybucket?" Do you know what that is?

We were on our way to a parade on the 4th of July and Gabe makes an announcement that he has to go to the bathroom.

"Well....hold it."--me

"But Mom....I need to go poops."--Gabe

"Oh great.......where are we going to stop so he can use the bathroom?"---I said to Rob

"I hope they have a 'honeybucket' somewhere?"--Gabe

"What is a honeybucket?"--me

"A port-a-potty"--Rob

"Okay....How the heck does HE (pointing at Gabe) know that?"--me

"?????????????"--Rob

So arriving at the park Gabe spots the port-a-potties and is OVERJOYED that "they have 'honeybuckets!'" (even though they were some other "brand")


This kid has no qulams about using public restrooms.........




....disgusting!