New Arrival(s) :) and Contest Results!

I am happy to announce the arrival of my perfect little girl:

CLARA ISABEL HEDRICK

Her name means: Brilliant; Shining Light; Consecrated to God!

Born: Feb 3rd, 2010

Time: 2:22am

Weight: 6lbs and 9 oz

Length: 20 inches

Isn't she beautiful!?

And with every family of five comes a....Minivan! So, yesterday we bought a Honda Odyssey and it's beautiful - really, it's BEAUTIFUL! Probably the prettiest car I've ever seen...I know some of you are laughing right now but, I told Matt that he bought me my dream car and I meant it! There's something really amazing about joining the ranks of "BIG" families and having the freedom to bring extra kids along anytime we want! For those of you who don't have a van you can keep laughing at me...I don't mind!

I also wanted to announce the WINNER OF THE "GUESS HER BIRTH-DATE" Contest...actually there are two!

Vicki Willcock AND Yvette Edwards

One thing I didn't think through was what will happen when two people gets certain portions of the questions right and I guess the answer is they tie!

Here's what they guessed:

Vicki - Tuesday, February 2nd, 6 lbs 8oz. and 19 inches.

Yvette: I am going to say Tuesday Feb 2 at around 10pm and I think she will be 7lbs 2 oz and 19 1/2 inches long.

They tied on the date, Vicki won for weight, and Yvette won for length...so, I'm going to bite the bullet and award them both a $15 Itunes Gift Card! A special thank you to everyone else who played!

I'm home and overwhelmed with joy! Feeling great even though I know I won't be getting a lot of sleep of the coming months. There is grace and I will need it!

www.noemiphotography.com

BABY Contest!

As most of you know...we're having a baby! Our third and final (we think!) I'm 37 weeks and ticking. I don't know when we will be having this baby but, since I have to wait I thought I'd make a little contest of it!

So, here's the contest:

The person closest to guessing the right day, right length and right weight...wins a $15 ITUNES gift card!

(BONUS: You can try and guess the name too...but, I doubt anyone will guess it!)

NOTE: If you're reading this on Facebook...You HAVE to click here and post a comment on my blog so, all the contest results are together.

HERE'S SOME HELPFUL HINTS:

Due Date: Feb.21st, 2010.

Adriah was born nine days early at 8 lbs and 21 1/2 inches.

Leyton was born 2 1/2 weeks early at 6 lbs and 14 oz, 19 1/2 inches.

I hope tons of you will play because it will give me something to do over the next few days. Can't wait to see who wins!

www.noemiphotography.com

Seriously...kids don't get any cuter then mine!

We're going to a kids concert (The Monkey Dance CD Release PARTY!) on Saturday at the Cedar (assuming I'm not in labor) in Minneapolis, MN. Adriah and I had fun recording this video! She made up all the moves and when she watched it play back she told me her favorite part was her silly faces! You can hear Leyton (almost 2 years old) in the background watching Adriah and yelling, "Ooo Ooo, Monkey!" So cute!

Being a middle child...I like to be fair when showcasing my children! Here's my son eating from a spoon. He probably could've been doing it months ago but, never-the-less he just started this week! I love his little facial expressions.

www.noemiphotography.com

Blogging...it's about sharing your story.

Over the past few years of my blogging life I've shared many stories and personal moments. i have no regrets. I love blogging and connecting with people (ones I know and ones that just know me.) Today I sat down to talk to you and instead I started by reading my sister-in-law's blog...you know how that happens? Well, I was so inspired by her blog I thought all of you should read it instead. Click here: Il Bel Far Niente - Rachel's Blog was about a local singer-songwriter named Sara Groves and her recent trip to Africa. (Definitely watch the video!)  With everything that's been happening in Haiti over the last few weeks...it really touched my heart.

I hope your heart is blessed as mine was.

www.noemiphotography.com

Another Surprise to Roll With...

Starting Monday night Adriah was the first to fall victim to the stomach flu...bless her little heart she was such a trooper. And because that was the night I had contractions for 3 hours...my incredible husband stayed up with our sweet daughter. Amazing huh? Yup, I got a keeper. Wednesday night Leyton and Matt got sick. Let me tell you I was praying up a storm asking for mercy wanting to escape this horrible sickness. And I thought I had.

Last night was my turn. I think there was 2 really sad things on top of being sick:

- I had the stomach flu while pregnant (8 months along) with both of my other kids and knew what I was in for...every time the baby moves...well, you can fill in the blanks!

- We had planned our yearly formal for tonight (Saturday, Jan.23rd). It's sooo sad that we had to cancel our party because our house is contaminated. Oh well...some things are just out of our control right? I'm sooo sorry for all the women who bought cute dresses and arranged for babysitters...I'm hoping the couples will still go out on dates!

I'm not used to being the party pooper! But, what can I say? Things are out of my control.

I'm in bed today recovering and my wonderful husband is taking care of our kids and cleaning. Seriously...I love him!

www.noemiphotography.com

My Civic Duty

June 14th of this year I was doing an engagement shoot in Edina, MN. I don't usually use my husband's car and didn't know that the passenger side front door doesn't lock...i left my purse in the car. After the shoot I realized it was missing and by the time I got home and called all the Credit Card companies and Banks 2 hours had passed. The 2 guys spend around $2000 in less then 2 hours. BUT...they caught the guys at the Mall of America. So, I thought it was a done deal. This week I received a subpoena to appear in court as a witness. (I have to say I'm not excited about seeing these guys face to face. i don't know why...somehow it's easier to forgive if i don't have their faces in my mind?) The court date is February 2, 2010. If he continues to plead not-guilty the case will go to trial and then I will be needed on the 3rd and the 4th. I will be 37weeks turning 38weeks pregnant that week. (I had both of my other kids those weeks) So, knowing I could have the baby anytime I called the City Attorney and it turns out there is no case without me as a witness...If I'm not there - he walks. So not fair. Either I'm going to be going very pregnant - thinking the whole time am I going to be able to finish this before I go into labor? OR I will have just had a baby and will need to hang out at a court house with my newborn. Kinda seems like a double whammy first they stole my purse and I have to go through the hassle of putting all the pieces back together and now they get to interrupt my life again.

Hmmm...hate to say it but I'm more stressed about the court case then having the baby. i'm praying that the Lawyers are able to come to a compromise before Feb.2nd. If not, i know it will be fine. It's only 3 days of my life...right?

I know I will do what needs to be done. There should be consequences for wrong and I hope this will set the defendant on a different path.

It's just that this is such a tender time. I'm super emotional.

Advice and prayers are welcome.

www.noemiphotography.com

Change...

I feel a change coming. Last night I started having painful contractions for the first time. It really threw me. I don't normally (well, for my last two kids) have painful contractions until I'm in labor. It made me nervous. I know the baby would likely be fine but, it's still a little early. The irregular pain went on for about 3 hours and I just tried to stay on my left side and get some sleep. I know that real labor can not be put off so, I figured my body would tell me. I woke up at 6am relieved. I have an appointment today and it will feel good to get things check and figure things out. Having a baby is such a mystery. I know this change soon. I'm 36 weeks on Friday. The end of a pregnancy is such a mixed bag...you go from desperately wanting to be done to not wanting your baby to come too early in the same thought.

I'll keep you posted.

www.noemiphotography.com

Pros and Cons

Ever do a pros and cons list? I do them all the time. Usually I write them out but, I do them in my head too...or just talk it through - I am a girl ya know! Today I was thinking about pros and cons of my life. i thought I'd write things out and blog at the same time. Sometimes (or maybe all the time) it's easier to focus and gravitate to the obvious difficulty in every day life but, it's my choice to let it be my focus or not. Pros and Cons list help me be thankful for everything good happening. CONS followed by PROS of my life...a little honesty followed by a thankful heart.

1. Matt and I barely slept last night. I got Adriah's cold. I have incredible pressure in my head and a sore throat BUT I love my husband and he loves me...even at 4:30am we were able to laugh about it and snuggle.

2. My kids have taken turns being sick for the last 2 weeks. Leyton has a low grade fever and a horrible cough...HE IS CLINGY and WHINY - not my normal little boy BUT, I'm able to be home with them and care for them the way no one else could. He needs me and I'm here to give him a million hugs and kisses!

3. I'm really sore with constant nerve pain in my legs (typical for me at the end of my pregnancies) BUT, I have life growing inside me and I will meet her very soon.

4. I've been subpoenaed to court. The individual who stole my purse apparently plead not-guilty cause I've been called to be witness on February 2nd (right around the time I plan to deliver) I don't want to meet this guy and going to court is the last thing I'd want to do that late in my pregnancy BUT, I'm thankful to live in a country that prosecutes criminals (stealing is one of the top ten!) and this has been an incredible opportunity to teach Adriah about doing wrong and having consequences.

5. Taxes are due. It's January and my least fav. time of year to own my own business...cause organizing tax stuff takes so long and it's really boring BUT, I did have an accountant help me with the books all year and after I do the collecting she will take it from there. It will be my simplest tax season ever!

Okay, I feel better.

www.noemiphotography.com

Are you up for a challenge?

Last week I told you about a concert we're taking Adriah to at the Cedar and I told you a little about my idea to turn it into a mini-contest for free tickets...here's more details! The Sweet Colleens Monkey Dance Competition

Want to win 4 free tickets to the Sweet Colleens’ Monkey Dance January 30 release concert at the Cedar Cultural Center (for more details, see www.sweetcolleens.com/monkeydance.html), as well as a free CD, and a chance to strut your stuff on stage?  Then enter the Sweet Colleens Monkey Dance Homemade Video competition!

We need someone to come up with a beast dance to our new CD’s title track, The Monkey Dance.  So, with the help of our friends at Noemi Photography (fantastic photography, BTW), we have put together a homemade video contest and want YOU to send us a video showing us how you think the Monkey Dance should be danced.  (To hear the song, click on this link – www.sweetcolleens.com/monkeydance.html.)  As you will hear, the song has some actions, like “swing to the left” and “shake your booty.”  It also has some general rockin’-out sections where you need to “Do the Monkey Dance.”  Got any ideas? We’d love to see them.  Here’s what you’ve got to do:

1. Get a recording of The Monkey Dance.  Either use the streaming version at www.sweetcolleens.com/monkeydance.html (which is not downloadable), or send an email to info@noemiphotography.com mentioning the video competition and we will email you a downloadable version (mp3) of the song for you to use.

2. Make an AWESOME (family-friendly, ahem) video of yourself, someone else, or any number of people doing the Monkey Dance to the song.  It doesn’t have to be high quality – use a video camera, a cell phone, a camera, your computer… whatever you’ve got.  Just as long as we can see the dance.  (To give you an idea, here is an entry by the Sweet Colleen’s accordion player Pete -- http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1294181070958... Yeah, a little creepy, we know.)

3. Email your video to info@noemiphotography.com, ASAP and no later than Tuesday January 26, 2010.  Send it as a file or as a link to YouTube or Facebook… whatever works best.  Notable entries will be pasted on the Sweet Colleens Facebook page --http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sweet-Colleens/150908090594 – and on www.noemiphotography.com.

4. After our esteemed panel of judges reviews the entries, we will announce the winner and post the winning video on the Sweet Colleens’ Facebook, on noemiphotography.com and in an eblast prior to the concert.  The winner will receive 4 free tickets to the concert, a copy of the CD, and an opportunity (if you want to!) to come onstage at the concert and help us teach the audience the Monkey Dance.

Oh yeah… videos can only be submitted with parental approval.  By sending the video, you are giving us permission to use your image and publicly display your video.  For this reason, please don’t include your name or other identifying information in the video itself.

That’s it!  Get shooting and have fun!

IT WILL BE SUCH A FUN THING TO DO WITH YOUR KIDS! Or COLLEGE ROOM-MATES! Or GRANDMA! Everyone is invited to do the monkey dance! i'm laughing at my own ideas already!

www.noemiphotography.com

Got kids? Live in the Twin Cities? I have an idea!

Want to get out of the cold with your kids? Take them to this CD release party in January...you won't regret it! Listen to the AWESOME SONGS here!

Brighten up your January with a sweet concert celebrating the release of The Monkey Dance: All the Kids Are Doin’ It, a special new kids CD by Twin Cities’ Celtic-folk-rock favorites, the Sweet Colleens (www.sweetcolleens.com).

The release will be at the Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Ave S., Minneapolis, on Saturday, January 30.  There will be two show times for maximum naptime flexibility--11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.   Joining the Colleens on stage will be several special guests, including our new friends, the fabulous inner city kids' singing group, the Minneapolis Youth Chorus, who laid down some golden vocals on several tracks of the new CD.

Admission is $10, $5 for kids age 2-12, and free for kids under 2! Reserve your tickets early. Call the Cedar Cultural Center Box Office at 612-338-2674, or visit www.thecedar.org.

LOOKING FOR AN ADDITIONAL CHALLENGE? Create your own version of the Monkey Dance, send me a video, we're going to post all the entries and vote on a winner - THEY WILL GET 4 FREE TICKETS TO THE CONCERT AND THEY WILL GET TO COME UP ON STAGE AND TEACH THE AUDIENCE THE NEW "OFFICIAL" MONKEY DANCE!

Don’t forget your monkey-dancing shoes! Sociable!  --The Sweet Colleens

p.s. Please help us spread the word by forwarding this post to anyone you know who might enjoy the January 30th shows and/or the upcoming CDs.  Thanks!

***On a personal note...being 37weeks pregnant at the time of the concert - I fully intend to do TONS of dancing so encourage this baby to come!

Moments worth capturing on Film (or digitally)

This morning my son was sleeping and so I had time alone with Adriah. My mom gave her this adorable little book set for Christmas...it came with three bears (which Adriah gives new names every day!) and a book of their adventures together. She loves playing with them...and I love watching her. It inspired me to take some pictures. Sometimes there's nothing more beautiful then your own child being a child. She loves to play and sing to her toys! (In case you're wondering why her fingers are so red - we did finger painting earlier and didn't get it all off!)

I love her so much!

www.noemiphotography.com

To my little girl...

Today I'm getting the house ready for you. At 34 weeks I feel your every moment and my love for you grows by the minute. You are beautiful, precious, sweet and everything our family needs...you are a gift! You birth date is a surprise but we will be ready. I'm doing laundry and folding the tiniest little girl clothes - which i know you'll only wear for a week or so but, ohhh, what a cute week that will be! Your name has been chosen and every time I think about it I smile - it's perfect for you! I feel like I know you already. There is something incredible about this time that you and I spent together that no one else will ever share with us. It's you and me until you arrive and then I will share you with the world.

Prepare yourself. You are coming into a family who loves you! Not only that, but we have an incredible extended family of friends that can't wait to smoother you with love. You will not lack for hugs and kisses.

Adriah just figured out that she can talk to you and you know her voice. She felt you move and the rhythm of your hiccups...and she is so proud of you! Leyton doesn't really understand what's going on but, thankfully he's the happiest kid I've ever known and I know he'll be happy to have an extra wrestling partner.

I can't wait to see your Daddy hold you. I'm crying as I write this because I know you will love your Daddy...and he will adore you. There's a special place in his heart for his little girls.

Rest now. Grow strong. Arrive healthy. I pray your birth will be smooth and pain free - hey, why not?

We meet soon...but, not yet... not yet! (anyone know what movie that's from? If my sister is reading she should know.)

www.noemiphotography.com

Merry Christmas - let the celebration begin!

After today, the saying "I'll be home for Christmas" has taken on a whole new meaning for me. I am home and my "home remodel" is finished! My house is clean...I love my floors, the new color of my dining room, the new bright yellow kids bathroom and EVEN THE NEW TOILET! I'm am so thankful to have a home this Christmas! I love being here with my family!. The snow storm last night was amazing!  It's totally adding to the feeling of wanting to stay home and be with my kids. The snow-blowers are out and humming  just outside the house. I love looking at the white blanket that covers my yard and the snow gently falling...it's really beautiful. I hope they stay on top of plowing all day cause I'm really excited to go to our Christmas Eve Service tonight. If you were looking for somewhere cozy to go to church tonight please feel free to join us at Bethany Church at 5:30pm. It's an hour service filled with music, the Christmas story, candlelight ambiance...It just might be my favorite service of the year.

I'm so excited for Christmas and can barely contain myself! I totally want to let Adriah open a gift or two today. I'm bad, eh? I won't let myself bend (mostly cause Matt wouldn't appreciate the gesture) and so, I'll force myself to wait for tomorrow.

Later today we're going to make birthday cupcakes for Jesus today. I hope he likes strawberry cake with rainbow chip icing...I know Adriah will!

www.noemiphotography.com

All I want for Christmas is...

...remember when you used to dream and money wasn't an obstacle? What would you ask for or buy for yourself if you could have anything. I know, I know...not the normal Christmas question! Don't tell my daughter. Let just dream together.

I'll tell you my dream:

-my house finished and clean (check)

-my family together (check)

AND IF I COULD HAVE ANYTHING?

-a Northface jacket that goes to my knees.

-new boots the grip snow like crazy...I'm going to be carrying a baby and toddler AND NEEDING ALL THE BALANCE I CAN GET. Those Uggs are really cute!

-a healthy baby girl in 6 weeks.

I can't wait to read your dreams/ideas for the perfect gift...:)

www.noemiphotography.com

Neologisms

Something different from anything I've ever written on my blog before! I love being random! I got this list from a friend. These are some of the winners from The Washington Post's yearly neologism contest, in which readers are asked to supply alternative meanings for common words.

Coffee (n.), the person upon whom one coughs.

Flabbergasted (adj.), appalled over how much weight you have gained.

Abdicate (v.), to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.

Esplanade (v.), to attempt an explanation while drunk.

Negligent (adj.), describes a condition in which you absentmindedly answer the door in your nightgown.

Lymph (v.), to walk with a lisp.

Gargoyle (n), olive-flavored mouthwash.

Flatulence (n.) emergency vehicle that picks you up after you are run over by a steamroller.

Balderdash (n.), a rapidly receding hairline.

Testicle (n.), a humorous question on an exam.

Rectitude (n.), the formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists..

Oyster (n.), a person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddishisms.

Frisbeetarianism (n.), (back by popular demand): The belief that, when you die, your soul flies up onto the roof and gets stuck there.

The Washington Post's Style Invitational also asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition. Here are this year's winners:

Bozone (n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.

Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period.

Giraffiti (n): Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.

Sarchasm (n): The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.

Inoculatte (v): To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.

Hipatitis (n): Terminal coolness.

Decafalon (n.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.

Dopeler effect (n): The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.

Arachnoleptic fit (n..): The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.

Caterpallor (n.): The color you turn after finding half a grub in the fruit you're eating.

www.noemiphotography.com

My house...

I didn't know what to name this blog. I'm processing lots right now and wanting to get it all out... We've been doing tons of involuntary renovations to our home over the last few weeks and because I'm home I've been doing the calling, setting up appointments, being here for questions, talking with the insurance and making decisions. It's been okay but, definitely not my area of expertise. Yesterday I was over at a friends house and she asked how I've been doing with the whole thing and I told her, "It's fine, I just keep telling myself 2 more weeks and it will be done and I'll get my house back!"

Yesterday we left the house because they were painting the ceiling and walls of the dining room. Being pregnant I didn't want to be around the fumes all day AND I knew it wouldn't be easy to keep the kids away from the paint and painters AND our refrigerator broke on Saturday so all the contents are in the garage making it hard to do normal family life. So, we packed up and left. Before leaving I arranged for the painters to pick up paint at Lowe's - I used the paint code from a previous painting project, called gave them the numbers on the lid of the quart and thought everything would be fine.

I came home last night, walked into the dining room and was devastated to find they had painted the wrong color. I wanted Restoration Hardware color "Silver Sage" and instead got a gray cement block. I lost it. I checked both cans and the number matched, the type of paint was identical and still the color was so wrong! I totally balled for an hour. Obviously it wasn't just the fact that the room would need to be repainted...it was everything adding up to that moment and being pregnant there was no stopping the flood gates once they were open! Leyton was in bed but, Adriah was awake. She was so concerned and asked me, "Mommy, are these happy tears or sad tears?" I told her sad tears and then told her why and saying it out loud to my daughter made me realize how ridiculous the whole thing was.

I decided there was nothing I could do so, I went to bed.

At 2pm I got up with the awful realization at what had happened. I had read the label of the color and she matched the color...only I read the label of a quart and she mixed the quart color amounts into a gallon of paint. Obviously, the color was totally diluted. Not Lowe's fault at all but, I did not know this even though now it seems so obvious. I spent most of the night trying to get over the bummer of the whole situation...yes, I lost sleep over it!

Matt didn't get home from his meeting until after I had gone to bed so I had to tell him everything this morning. His reaction was classic, "Well, it's no ones fault we'll just get more paint and redo the room." That's my man...steady.

We're fixing the fridge today, hanging the new chandelier tomorrow, repainting this week and next Monday and Tuesday our new floors will be installed. Then next Wednesday the post cleaning will be done and Thursday is Christmas Eve...i will have my house back by Christmas. Whew.

Thanks for listening. I hope there's a valuable lesson in here for someone else.

www.noemiphotography.com

Santa VS. Jesus

Okay this is a blog for all you mom's out there who are training up young kids...what do you do with Santa? I seriously just want to hear your take on the whole thing. Adriah is super inquisitive and wants to know every detail and so far I've just been answering her questions honestly. Honestly meaning..."Santa isn't real but it's an incredibly fun story that we tell at Christmas. We celebrate because it's Jesus's birthday and the wise men brought presents so, we exchange presents to celebrate. We also exchange presents because it's really fun!!! Fun to bless others and fun to receive." We've talked about it a ton and she seemed perfectly fine with those answers. She even added that we should bake a cake this year to remember it's Jesus's birthday! Then, this past week, she went to pre-school and got into the car afterward and said, "Mom, I have something to tell you. Santa IS real! We wrote him a card in school today, I cut out all the things I want him to give me and I even signed the bottom so he would remember to give them to Adriah" I was totally shocked and before I could respond she added, "And Ashley said you don't know he exists because you haven't met him yet!" In one afternoon she went from knowing why we celebrate to explaining why I don't know what the rest of the world clearly understands...Santa is real. Yes, she's only four! I could barely contain myself from laughing. I didn't know what to say.

Part of me wants to always answer honestly so that she can trust that what I say is true and the other part of me wants to let her enjoy every aspect of the season.

Help!

Any advice would be awesome...what do you say about Santa? How do you communicate Jesus at Christmas?

Thanks in advance.

www.noemiphotography.com

Grandma Jeanne...and Grandpa Tony!

There's nothing like the feeling of other people loving your kids! We have been so blessed by this! Especially by Grandparents. Jeanne finds something special to do with Adriah every time she visits. This last time they sewed a stuffed animal together...from scratch! Adriah loves the crafty one-on-one time and soaks up the attention.

I have to comment on how proud I am of Jeanne...even though i know it will embarrass her. She just finished chemo-therapy and radiation for cancer. Through it all she grew in so many ways...I am so happy to say she is a cancer survivor! And she lives cancer free! In the process of all the treatments she lost all of her beautiful hair. But, in the weeks we spend together she got more and more bold in not wearing her wig and letting the new hair shine! I loved it! Here's probably one of the first pictures of her with her new due!

ISN'T SHE BEAUTIFUL?

And Tony not bad either...I love them both dearly!

thank you for loving my kids the way you do!

www.noemiphotography.com

Vacation Pictures...gotta love warm weather in November!

I'm needing to get ready for the next wave of holiday pictures so I thought I'd finish up with our family vacation...and share them with you! We went to Ed-Venture for the second time and Adriah found the African Safari exhibit! She was so excited because her Daddy was in Africa at the same time. :) So cute!

Leyton loved this floating bridge...

This next shot is one of my fav's ever...I wish I knew what he was thinking! We were in the Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store for kids and Leyton stopped to watch a little girl pretend to check her food out! I LOVE HIS FACE!

Isn't she beautiful?

Crazy how different my kids eyes are, eh? I wonder what this next little one is going to have!

Adriah is a cautious, careful, clean 4 year old...we went for a walk and she fell face first in the mud! She was horrified until her cousins convinced her it was the funniest thing they'd ever seen!

Gotta love CRAZY HAIR on little boys!

Avery...i miss you!

Leyton loved playing outside with the BIG kids. It's fun to watch him try anything. He played with the skateboard a lot and gave me a couple heart-attacks!

Yes...he is about to fall on a cement driveway...and yes I continued to take pictures. Can you read his shirt? It says "I do all my own stunts!" HOW TRUE! My kids couldn't be more different in this area!

Macie...I miss you too!

Playing basketball with Daddy!

Love this next shot cause it looks likes Avery is about to nail her sister with the Basketball!

Joel tried rollerblading for the first time and did amazing!

Well...there's a few of us having fun outside with the Haley's! Soon this blog will be covered with snow pictures so enjoy these while they last!

www.noemiphotography.com

Snow, Snow, Snow...and my house update!

I'm smiling. Today I'm going to stay home so, it can snow as much as it wants and we will enjoy it! The first snowfall (or after we've been without snow for a while and it falls again) is always my favorite. i think it's cause I like change and there's nothing like adding a layer of white to make you feel like you're in a completely different world. Adriah came down from her room saying, "happy snowing day! Now we have everything we need for Christmas!"

The other side is the reason I'm staying home...today demo/construction starts in my dining room. Thank you to everyone who has asked about our situation...we're on the mend! But, to get there things are going to get very messy!

What's been done already:

-the drying out process

-new toilet (more powerful flush!)

-re-stretching and re-laying the carpet in both my kids rooms

What still needs to be done:

-prepping the garage and having the city sign off on the project

-blowing new insulation and hanging dry wall in the garage

-tearing down and rebuilding the dining room ceiling

-tearing down and rebuilding a 5 x5 portion of our dining room wall - where the water never dried

-tearing out and re-laying the whole wood floor on the main level.

PIECE OF CAKE eh? Hopefully my house will be put back together before Christmas...I'm nervous though. Have you seen "the Money Pit?" when ever the couple asked how much longer will this project take the construction people answered "2 weeks!" and it never was 2 weeks!

The good news is that I can now clean the upstairs and my kids can sleep in their own rooms again!

www.noemiphotography.com