2 year old photos

We finally took Justin to the mall for his 2 year old pics (only 2 months late....)...here are a few shots...











I love this one...he was playing a teese with the photographer....

A bright sunny day!

Well, at least it is a bright sunny day as of now..supposed to get rain tonight and this weekend. SO, Justin and I took advantage of the sun and went out back to play on his tricycle that he got for Christmas from Papa...we are still learning the footie things (I think I need to get some straps for him)

This is the tree out back (neighbors tree), but thought I would take a photo - thought it looked pretty cool.

And finally Justin posing for a picture....he wanted to wear his jacket, even though it was T-shirt weather. After our out back adventure, we had to go walking down the street for another adventure....felt good to get out, since we have been in the house most of the week, since Justin was sick.

My new HairDoo

So, yesterday we went to the Mall and I got my hair cut. I have been thinking of doing this for months now. I didn't want to "just" cut my hair...I donated it to Locks of Love. My hair will grow back and having unique hair donated will hopefullybenefit some small child somewhere - at least that is my hope.

a fun day.

We went to the mall today (I will post later pics for the real reason...but we had some time, so we let Justin play on the toys...he had fun! This one is the ice cream truck.

and the fire truck

Then we were off to celebrate Tsiava's 4th birthday at the park. The weather here is awesome! Justin loves the slide and can now get up to the top by himself, so I will need to start taking him more.

A quick trip. . .

On friday morning I received a voice mail that Oma and Opa were headed to see the family...I was invited to ride up with them. It is so nice to make the 8 hour trip with others....so Justin and I packed our bags and headed out as soon as our ride arrived here.

We stayed with Dad and on Saturday we ventured to visit Grandma Erma and take her to lunch.

Dad and Justin. It is awesome with Dad, he takes over and do get a bit of a break when he is around. He and Justin went to the barn and got some wood, a few screwdrivers and headed back in the house to do some "work"...it was too cold to work outside in the barn.

Not a great picture, but here is Justin with Grandma Erma.

Our drive home ended up being a bit longer than expected. We drove for a few hours in the snow...fun to see, but so glad we had a seasoned snow driver in the front seat - Thanks OPA!

Hawaiian shirt day

This is Justin's favorite shirt of the week. He wore it on Tuesday and I washed it yesterday, he found it in the laundry as I was folding this morning and insisted on wearing it today. He for some reason loves Hawaiian shirts.

Sporting Grandma Paula's hat that mommy keeps on the shelf...

Crockpot Tortellini Soup

The recipe

So, I found this recipe online the other day and it is supper easy to make and really good. Todd thought adding Chicken would be a good addition as well. I have been eating on it for 3 days now...so good. - hope the link worked.

a few shots.

These two photo's were taken on Justin's Bday...I think he might be a future window installer?

This morning Justin and I ventured to the store for 2 items....well....after a slight detour through the clearance isle...we found a few things. One of them was a drill that works..he is currently napping with it. He didn't want to let go of it. It was only $3 - pretty good deal I thought.

Todd's search

In response to the anonymous commenter....yes, Todd plans to stay where he is until we definitely have a job or job(s) set in stone. I even wonder if we both shouldn't work just to make sure if one of us did get laid off, we would have a backup. So far, I have applied to jobs and not gotten one interview...I thought I might at least for the last 2 jobs I applied for. Many places are only offering PT work right now...I think to not have to pay for benefits...

Nothing new

Well, I don't have any new news to report. Feel like I should blog. We kept busy on Saturday doing our grocery shopping, etc. Sunday was a lazy day around here. I didn't even do the laundry...

Today, Justin and I went to playgroup and we don't have any plans all week long. No new news on the house either. I try my best to keep it clean..yes, I clean every single day...at least the house looks nice for us, but the routine gets old...Justin has been a trooper and helps me out too. He doesn't seem to mind his neurotic mother cleaning every day. Todd still continues to work with his Dad and continues to look for work.

I am looking as well, but not as fervently as he is, as I am expecting and not sure they would hire me anyway. I know, legally they can't discriminate, but there are always ways to make it look greener for someone else.

back home seemed to be the best a week ago, until I called about health insurance, and that kicked it out the door, at least until after the baby comes....the transfer rates are insane!

2 year doc appt

Justin had his 2 year doctor appt yesterday. He weighed in at 29.6 pounds and 33 inches long. Didn't get %'s, but I am sure they are high. He didn't want to take his clothes off..as I am sure he knew he was going to get a shot...didn't help that I had to wake him up to go inside...he fell asleep about 20 minutes before we got there.

Luckily he fell asleep on the way home, so I hung out in the car for over and hour and let him sleep. I knew if I tried to transfer him, he would wake up...so I read my Readers Digest (thank you Oma)....from cover to cover.

baby update

Well, I am 13 weeks along and I had my 2nd doc appt today. All is well. Justin tagged along with me and was a champ. The doctor's nurse wants to arrange a marriage with her 2.5 year old. We heard the heartbeat...all seems well.

Happy Birthday Brownies

Justin doesn't really 'get' that it is his special day, but we celebrated anyway....

Look at that!

Blowing on the candles

Delicious!!!

Happy Birthday to JUSTIN

Today is Justin's Birthday. We went to playgroup and this is his birth Moment...I took it from my cell phone...so a bit blurry..they were dancing to music with scarves...very fun!

Rescheduled

Well, got a call that the people who were to come tonight have the flu...thankfully they aren't going to share their Kooties with us...but the house is perfect! oh well....they will come either Saturday or early next week.......

first showing. . .

Well, tomorrow night they are going to show our house..this will be our first showing....there is this nervousness in my tummy right now...wow, our house could sell....

What would be next?
Where would we go?
tons of "what if's" going on in my head!

Another Baby. . .

In addition to all our news lately, we have even more news!

We are expecting again. Due August 9th.

I had an appt. 2 weeks ago and had to have an ultrasound done, so here are baby pics at 9 weeks...you can see little nubby arms...

Moving, Maybe, someday

Well, another year is here and life certainly doesn't' slow down around here. Todd and I are experiencing some family changes. Todd has decided that he no longer desires to work for his Dad here in Willows. We have two choices:

1. Stay here and try to get jobs in the area. I am currently working on applying for a few positions in Chico. If I could get a good job, Todd would then stay home with Justin if we can, or work nights a few days a week. We are in a bind, since the housing market is so poor and the jobs are few and far between. Todd is determined to find something somewhere. Unfortunately, we have a mortgage payment, car payment, and have to feed 3 of us, so we need a descent income...For now, though he continues to work for his Dad, although each day seems to be challenging.Justin and I continue to stay home and keep a routine...

2. Our second option is to move to Oregon. This was on the top of our list at Christmas, but with the housing, etc...seems better to stick around here. But, Todd has been fervently looking and applying for jobs in Oregon. (my old hometown area would be great)...I would probably still need to get a PT job if we move there.

We signed paperwork to put our house on the market today. Big changes are coming. Can't say we are totally excited as we love our house. We don't love the drive every weekend to the big city and not having anything to do here, so a move somewhere to a bigger town will be good. We are thankful we aren't in a bind and so far can survive here.

my little doggie...

Last night I was able to catch Justin so cute.....This morning we are sporting our diaper around the house and don't want to get dressed....this is totally the norm around here, except that this morning the diaper somehow (haha) made it's way off after we found something to play with inside....

Merry Christmas . . .

Last night Todd and I stayed awake to put up and put together Justins train set. He awoke this morning and was "WOWED" when he came in the living room.

After playing with his train for an hour, we decided to give him his stocking. The first thing he took out was a cow flashlight and we had to coax him into opening up the rest of the stocking....he was content to play with that for a bit.

So, after we hung around for a while at the house, we decided to open up his final gifts...books...

and of coarse, mr. "Cheese" himself

After a bit here this morning, we trekked over for a quick visit with Grammy and Meghan before coming home for a nap.

Merry Christmas!!!

Baking with Daddy

There is no escape from having a little helper in the kitchen. Justin loves to help Daddy when he is baking in the kitchen....

Our Christmas Tree. . .

Our tree is done.




Our little helper

the 3 of us

Tree hunt 08

This past weekend we went with the family to find our Christmas Tree...it was 2 hours up and just as we were getting to the place, of coarse Justin falls asleep....Grammy stayed with him while Todd and I hiked to find our tree, then he woke up so they joined us...it was so much fun. The weather was great up there, no fog and warm and sunny.

With all the siblings..

The whole gang.

Workin on my car

I came from the bedroom to find Justin working on his car....just like Daddy!

With Papa

Not sure where Reese was...I didn't get many pictures of him and he wasn't around for this one, but Papa wanted to get in it with the boys...and Grace too!

Weekend Visit

We spent the weekend with my family...

Here is Tommy playing the Flute for us all.



Dana and Carsten


Carsten was ready to pose for the picture so Justin joined him


Dinner




More to come...

Happy Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all. We have enjoyed a nice brunch here at our house and are headed over to Grammy June's for a dinner. We have Dad here for the weekend and Justin is really enjoying his PAPA....

Visiting Grandma Erma

Today I went to see my Grandma Erma....she lives about 45 minutes from Dad, so it was a good drive for us. I took her out to Red Robin and my cousin Becky was working there...we sat at one of her tables. Grandma ordered a piece of cake and Becky asked if she was sure - said they were pretty big...Grandma was sure...

She was thrilled to get a HUGE piece of cake!

Playtime with Tootlepops

Oma and I drove to see the family on Monday..we are here for a while...yesterday Justin and I went over to visit and play with the boys. Reese had an appt in the morning, so Justin and Carsten played well together - for the most part.

This was taken with my camera phone, hence it isn't really clear.

Cheese....

Just some photo's to share

So it has been a while since my last post....I know Dad checks these daily and I have been slacking...I should have done the daily post thingy for November...but I probably wouldn't keep it up.

Justin and Daddy enjoying coloring.



"CHEESE" Justin loves to say "Cheese" when you take his picture now. He has more words lately. No Way is the most new word..not just No, but NO WAY.


Reading books in his room....in Mommy's chair.


We are still here...struggling again with sleeping...but Justin just woke from a 3 hour nap, so I have high hopes of a good night sleep tonight....for the past week or so he hasn't been napping as long and hasn't been sleeping at night well either...maybe he is getting better?

Todd and I celebrated our 5th Anniversary on Sunday. We took Justin to visit his Grandma Nellie on Saturday and Todd and I had "date day". We did some shopping - were able to try on clothes kid free, had a nice lunch out and did our grocery shopping. I know, not a high class hotel stay or anything, but we are pinching our pennies and decided to stay local and spend a little on ourselves and enjoy the time together. Justin had a great time with Grandma and I think we will make this a monthly event!

For those of you wondering about our Anniversary...we do have 2. We were officially married in November, and had our wedding in May of the next year. So, we are fortunate enough to get to celebrate 2 times a year...maybe a trip in may next year will happen...we will see. :)