For all those who come to this happy place, Welcome!

He's such a little rogue. I LOVE this picture - she wanted to wear her tap shoes and I love how her toes are pointed. I never get over how long this baby's hair is. This is my favorite one of James, it's genuine and sweet, but you can still see the mischief in his eyes. This girl just gets prettier every year. She is everything I always wanted to be, but never was. This is my favorite of Abbey. She looks a little pouty, I don't know why she always gets what she wants. He is either bare foot or a flipflop boy, he takes after me - our feet can't breathe in shoes. She didn't want her hair flat ironed but obliged me this once. I love it when she poses. This baby is just pure joy. She has been a blessing to this family, as cheesy as that sounds - she brings out the best in us and we do everything we can to make her smile. The lighting & coloring is not typical in this picture. It reminds me of a picture from my moms yearbook in the 70...

I had to share this clip. Abbey & I had a similar moment yesterday after leaving Fresh & Easy. Abbey had my keys in her hand and I returned my shopping cart congratulating myself on what a responsible citizen I was, only to star cursing a moment later as I realized I had closed the drivers side door. Luckily before I hit "crazy parent running with a garbage can" mode I heard a click (Abbey was still playing with the keys) and the nightmare ended before anyone "could start judging me" (great line) - This show is pretty funny. It reminds me of my own crazy family.

The PTO at my kids elementary school sponsors a pumpkin contest every year. The kids were excited to be a part of it this year. Jason helped James come up with a bloody skull. I made the skirt/dress for Paige's Pumpkin Leia. I also helped with the hair (my fingers have all the burns from hot glue to prove it). It turned out great and she won 2nd place for K-3rd grade in the "Cartoon Look Alike" category. I'm so proud of my little blooming crafter in the making.

In my last post - I know I went on and on about my friend Jenna who took pictures for my class. Well, I had her come back and take school pictures of my kids. These are a few she sent me early so I could do a project for church. Okay, so... technically Abbey is more of a mascot then a student in preschool, but Jenna obliged me... Look what she was able to capture. I know what your thinking, "yeah. Maren we know she was a hospital mix up, this is further evidence that your real child is being raised in a trailer court in Apache Junction." My life long bff's have been my sisters, I love that these two adore each other despite their age difference they are amazed and delighted by each other. If you need an amazing photographer , I got you covered, just give me a call and I'll hook you up. * I'll be posting more in the next few weeks. If you want me to email these to you let me know, this is a downgraded format so it uploaded quickly, printing quality might n...

I jut had to share this picture. This year for my preschool we decided to do school pictures and Jameson Photos came to my house to do the photo shoot. The pictures turned out amazing. This group picture was taken in my back yard, really. She is fantastic. You can click HERE to see more preschool pictures or JAMESON PHOTOS to go to her site and check her out. She i stopping by later to take James & Paige's school pictures. I might just have to do this every year!

I can't believe my baby is already one years old. It's amazing how when you get older time speeds up and you barely feel like your catching your breath and your baby isn't so tiny anymore. I've enjoyed Abbey's babyhood. She is a funny little parrot. I feel out of all my kids she has my sense of humor (or maybe she is just too little to think I'm a dork, yet) My kids are so proud of her. Just this last weekend she started crawling like a "real baby" (on all fours) - but she is much faster at her "cockroach crawl" and resorts to that more often. She also spins 360' on her hiney. It's funny to watch, and she thinks the world of Paige & James. SHe lights up whenever Paige comes around and Paige is the first to try and make her happy. She thinks James is hilarious with his loud ways and is constantly laughing at him which just eggs him on even more. She is super independent. She gave up baby food at 2 teeth and 9 months. S...