Trying to get a family picture! Not a good day.

 

Talia was a gem at first.

 

Literally how I felt the entire time.

 

Could not get Talia to smile.

 

I do like this one of her, she looks like Anthony here.

 

Erik looks drunk and at this point Alex is making the shoot miserable. Talia is about to begin crying.

 

Okay if she's in the grass, still near tears.

 

This one could have been a Christmas picture. Problem, middle child is in the van throwing a fit like I have never seen before. It is as if he has turned into the Incredible Hulk.

 

Playing around.

 

Middle child still in van throwing a fit.

 

Talia crying, mom not happy with double chin.

 

Talia grabs Alex's ear that was looking similar to Van Gogh due to a run in with a wood swingset earlier in the week. You can guess what ensued shortly after this pic.

 

I think this is as good as it is going to get. Only one not looking but atleast she is not crying. My family for whatever reason turns into a pack of wolves under the influence of  a full moon when it comes to taking pictures. We really are a laid back family for the most part. As soon as a camera comes out one of us is going to make the process painful.

Good times!

 

Kidism's

Alex:

"Mom, who makes our blood and bones?"
"Do you have a mom?"
"Were you ever a baby?"
"Did you grow in someone's belly?"

I often wait for that one question but thankfully it still has not arisen.

Anthony:

Regarding Talia,"Apple bottom jeans, poop in the pants!"
"Mom, are we in the Milky Way?"
"Are you sure you know math?"
"Can you make anything for supper that we like? I mean I don't mean to be mean but it seems like you just cook healthy stuff for yourself all the time."

He often parents me and often rightfully so.

Talia:

"Ahhhhh..." When she thinks something is cute or she wants to give you love.
"GO!" When she is all done or getting impatient.
"Tickle, tickle, tickle," In a husky voice when she wants to tickle your toes or sticks her toes out to be tickled.
"Shit!" When she is trying to do something and is having an issue. Luckily to the naked eye you can't tell but I have heard it enough now that it is indeed shit.

What do you do, shit happens?! Right?

Where does the time go?

Today is Wednesday. Did you hear me? Wednesday! Time now that I am back to working full time is no laughing matter. There are days I feel like my time is grains of sand in an hour glass similar to Days of Our Lives.  I am not one that can sit around for long. But I am also one that needs sleep. When I was in my 20's I did not require as much sleep as I do now. I could stay up late and wake up with a fresh hangover, put on a new layer of makeup over my old one and go to work-no problem. Especially in my early 20's before kids, I was a pro. My sister came over at 9 o'clock last night and wanted me to go to Target with her. I was finally sitting cozy on the couch. All kids were fed, bathed, and homework done. Howie was warming my lap and my show was about to start. Yes, I realize I sound geriatric. I could not believe she had the audacity to come over so late and interrupt my date with Private Practice! But I needed to get a winter coat for Talia-by the way found a super cute black one with a natural fur trim, on sale. What was the point of this? Oh yes, sleep. So by the time I got home and settled in again it was eleven. On average I am bed by ten at the latest because we are up at 5 am. What is the proper way of righting numbers in a sentence? Are you suppose to use the number or write it out? Anyways, I need sleep and clearly did not get enough to form an actual story today. So if you have any time you could borrow me today it would be most appreciated!

Talia's new coat, this picture does not do it justice! It is black with a cinched waist and the pink fleece has keyholes for her thumbs because it is impossible to keep mittens on babies. Atleast my baby. I love black on baby girls!

Our week so far...

 

He is getting too big.

 

Alex throwing a fit and angry with his "family".

 

Loves her chair.

 

Pure love.

 

Parka in Oct-boo!

 

Someone is obsessed with suckers.

Living life...day by day.

First day of 3rd grade and preschool!

Found a random shirt at Old Navy on clearance with his name so if someone asked what his name was he could jut point! Look at that cheesy grin? 

Tried before we got in the building and this preschooler was not having it!

Love our neighbor kids, if you look closely...

You can see Anthony's disgust.

Still can't believe they are this big already.

Breathe, 1, 2, 3...again

That has been the last month for me, WOW can school start any sooner??? My boys are at each others throats. Don't get me wrong they do wrestle, have stick fights, and fish in between. But majority of the time one is complaining about the other or I hear them begin to rumble slowly. You know the sounds...was that a laugh or cry? Oh a laugh, but you know the cry is coming. I can feel my patience dwindling and I do the breathing, the count. Then I literally have to laugh out loud or I am going to lose it. I then remind myself that school is oh so close and I will be dreaming of these days come the weekend. But now that they are getting older our weekends are more compromised with activities. When I was a kid I think I was in maybe 2-3 activities. Not in 2012! To be a kid now...
I will be starting a new job on September 10th with Eide Bailly as a Senior Technical Recruiter. My friend Michelle moved onto a new opportunity and called to present me the position since she was moving on. I have LOVED my job at The CE Shop but once we began speaking more about it, there was no reason to not apply and give it a shot. The interview process was rigorous and there were times I thought there was no way I got it. But I did and I am thrilled! I gave my notice to The CE Shop yesterday, there were tears but so much support from a wonderful team. Everything does happen for a reason and I look forward to the next chapter. Not without a going away party and a sushi date with my current CEO. The last 2 1/2 years I have learned so much and met so many great people.
We did hit the lake a lot this last month and spent some time in Itasca with Leslie and Stu. We also headed up to Homme Dam for a family reunion-my family is SO. DANG. FUN! Good energy, tons of lawn games, and amazing food/beverages for all. I don't think Talia's feet touched the ground because she was being passed from one relative to the next. My dad has 12 brothers and sisters, all were home. I think there are 67 in our immediate family? Bliss.

Ready to rumble gear...

Helping my sister move into her AWESOME place!

About to start 3rd grade, how does that happen?

At Les's lake, Talia meeting Baby Brooklyn.

She loved her so much, she kept saying,"Ahhh, baby..."

Then she smacked her.

Itasca