Dirty Girls

I never thought my lazy butt would see or participate in a RUN.  I am proud to say it did this weekend and it was awesome!  My friend talked me into this all girls mud/fun run and I am happy she did.     Believe me I was totally dreading it.  I had no clue what to expect so I thought the worst.  Thank goodness I was wrong.

  There were so many people in tutus and costumes.  A tutu would be right up my alley!  So, next year we have to dress up.

  Love my mud freckles =)

That pile on top of my head was SOLID!

It looks like they do this run in a few different states.  It is called "Kiss Me Dirty" race series.  If they are going to be in your state you should totally do it =)  I am not a runner at all and I still had a blast.  It was a fun adventure and a great memory. 

 I hope you are having some fun adventures this summer too!

Sunflower Bonnet

 I'm not much of a "green thumb".  In fact a couple years ago I intentionally tried to kill off house plants just so I didn't have to take care of them.  I have changed a bit since then.  Although, I have a LOT of learning to do in this plant business!

This year I actually planted a garden and flowers!  I have flower beds everywhere.  The are a little overwhelming to take care of but I am doing my best.  The lady who lived here before me was obsessed with the whole flower thing I think.  I have even dug up FAKE flowers and leaves she had outside.  Crazy.  I do appreciate a lot of her work.   She left behind a bunch of plants that come back year after year which is really nice.

The area photographed is a small pathway from the driveway to the backyard.  When I first moved in there was a GIANT sunflower growing on the right and a bunch of rose bushes on the left.  This year I planted more sunflowers among other things.  They seem to be easy enough to care for.  I didn't know they were going to be so big though.   I thought the package said 10 inches high but I think that was the flower head measurement.  Whoops!! Guess we will see what happens.  They are still growing tall =)

 ANYWAYS... this whole post was suppose to introduce one of my new hats.  Inspired by my own little flower beds

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It can be found HERE.  I hope to see it on a sweet little newborn head one of these days.

Makes me happy......

These arrived in my mail box the other day.  They are vintage spice cans that I purchased from an Etsy Shop.  I love them.  They make me happy.  Isn't it funny how something so old and grungy can make you smile?   Who knew!? I find it kinda silly but I am a tad obbsessed.

I bought them knowing that I would use them as decoration for the kitchen.  I failed to measure how much space I had in between my oven and microwave and totally had to smash the pink can in place ha.    Guess they are staying put now =) One day I WILL get around to painting my kitchen walls the color of the allspice can.  It is going to be a vintage/cottage/shabby chic wonderland of a kitchen.  I can't wait to get around to that project!

Are you into the vintage?

Simple Things Sunday {he loves music}

Ryker tracked down his old music player the other day.  I think it has a total of 6 songs on it.  His favorites are Lady Gaga's "Poker Face" and Owl City's "Fireflies".

I have totally spotted him singing out loud to the music and dancing around.  He is really shy about it so he waits until he thinks no one is watching and then he really cuts loose =)  I'm not talking a little jig either... this kid full on moves to the music!  He might have a future in backup dancing.  Maybe we will see him on stage with his favorite gal Lady Gaga one day.  

Yesterday I got the camcorder out and tried to crawl on the floor and sneak up behind the couch to catch him in his groove.  He saw me though.  He instantly stopped and screamed ha ha ha.  I will get it recorded one day so we can look back and giggle at how cute he was.

I am linking up to this lovely blog...

Simple Things Suday {feeding the duckies}

On Monday I made the kiddos suffer through a family photo session I helped out with.  After 2 hours of wandering around and being told to "go play over there" they were elated to feed the ducks!  Thank goodness for my sister in law who thinks ahead and brought the food!  It was such a good reward for them after being so patient with me.

I am trying something new and linking up to Simple as That  "Simple Things Sunday".  I adore Rebeccas's  photography and little blog.  I have been following her for years.  I learned my first photo fixing action from her... CURVES!  
Happy Sunday and Father's day =)

These s'more pancakes rocked my world...

I've been on somewhat of a health food kick lately.  

My little eyes have been browsing the web for new recipes to try each week.  I actually get excited to grocery shop and cook now instead of dreading them.

I know the word "s'mores" doesn't exactly fit in the "healthy" food category but hey it was the weekend.... AND there was a half cup of whole wheat flour in them =)  That has to count for something.

I got the recipe HERE.  This lady has a lot of yummy recopies and a cute blog post to go with each.  After I made them they looked so amazing.  I just had to snap some photos and devote an entire blog post to them =)

The boys gobbled them up.  What kid wouldn't love chocolate pancakes topped with marshmallow syrup and crumbled chocolate pieces?  I think this will be a regular weekend treat in our house.  I can't wait for Saturday.  I think next time I will sprinkle some crushed graham crackers on top too. Mmmmm hmmm.

{Can you see my youngest in the background about to pester his brother... it is NEVER ENDING}

Anyways, don't they looks so delicious!?  You should totally try them out.

Do you follow any food blogs?  

We are ALIVE!

Hi friends! 

Life has been life lately.  School is out, summer is here and we are just taking it easy for the most part.   I wouldn't say lazy, we have just slowed down. 

We spend a lot of time outside.  I have planted a garden and for the most part it is actually living.  I even managed to keep these pretties alive {the roses pictured below}.  I am loving that I can walk outside, chop some roses off a bush and stick them in my vases.  I also have bushes in two shades of pink, white and lavender.  They make me happy.

While I have been away, my Ryker turned 6 and graduated kindergarten!  Can you believe this kiddo wasn't ever late or missed a day of school!??!  It is kind of a miracle when you think about all the germs those kids pass on everyday.  He must have one amazing immune system ha ha.  I was so proud of him.  I had to try my hardest to keep from crying during the entire graduation ceremony.  I just wanted to bawl.

We also had a superhero party to celebrate 6.  More on that to come! Oh and the photo idea is not mine... totally stole that idea off Pinterest he he.  That place is a lifesaver!

 The little boy below has been keeping me on my toes.  He refuses to nap so everyday around 7 he seems to pass out leaving me to wonder "hmmm should I wake him up or will he stay asleep the rest of the night?"  Last night he was up at 10.  Wide awake.  My daydreams of watching Downton Abbey in peace were put on hold for the night.  Instead we watched Bob the Builder. 

Tonight IT IS ON!  Me, a big bowl of air popped popcorn (me and my healthy ideas ugh) and season 2, episode 3.

Sorry for the rambling.  I always have so much to say and the ideas are never very organized.  I hope you summer is off to a great start.  

Psst.... Did you know you can chalk boys hair.... oh yeah baby!  They LOVE it.

My sweet niece Ella

Like I have said before I am no pro at all when it comes to photography.  I find myself in awe when I brows around on facebook fan pages and when customers post sweet photos for me to see.  Being surrounded by darling photos makes me want to take great photos too.  

I have A LOT to learn.  Just the other day I noticed something on my camera  that I didn't know how to adjust. When I figured it out I wanted to kick myself for not learning about it sooner.  I have had my camera for 5 years now and I still don't really understand it all ha!  I kind of want a new, better one now too... YIKES!  I am horrible.

Anyways, this is my newest niece Ella.  She was 1 month old when these were taken and still slept like a champ.  One of my favorites is her in the buggy.  I am so excited I finally got to put that thing to good use! It was about time!  

These are just a few of my favs.... it is always so hard to choose which ones to post.

I got to take pictures of Ella's 1 year old cousin today too =)  I am excited to dig into Photoshop and play!  Happy Friday friends.  I hope you have a fun weekend!

He has been trained!

There are few things cuter than a toddler in his first pair of big boy undies.  So naturally, I couldn't help but take a few photos post them =)

 This kid seriously made potty training a BREEZE!  I think it was the treat jar.  I packed that thing full of candy to reward him with and he was hooked.  It was like Halloween night all day long for a week for him.  He has the hang of it now.  He says "mama me doe pee" like 20 times a day ha... his bladder is the size of a peanut it seems.

 This is the first time in 5 years I don't have to buy diapers.  WOO HOO! I am one happy mama!

Where all your dreams come true.....

{photos from 2010... he was sooo little!}

Before I forget I feel like I HAVE to document what my little man says.  This boy cracks me up on a daily basis... I can't wait to hear what come out of West's mouth when he gets older.

Yesterday we were outside playing and Ryker caught a grasshopper.  He had it in a jar for a bit and then he was letting it crawl around in his hands.  Eventually, Ryker lifted his hand up and the smart bug saw his escape and got the heck outta there.  It was gone, even I couldn't catch it again.

Poor Ryker was sobbing.  About 5 minutes later he looked at me and said "Maybe when we go to Disneyland I can ask for my grasshopper to come back to me because that is were all your dreams come true."

Awwwww {heart melting}.  Hmm we have no plans to go to Disney anytime soon, I have no clue where he got that idea!?!  One day hopefully... stinkin TV.  Anyways, there is a dose of cuteness for your Tuesday =)