call me cookie

Giddy up!

2012-02-08T10:11:00.001-08:00

The kids started riding lessons yesterday :)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The girl who loved to flip.

2012-02-07T11:05:00.001-08:00

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

2012-02-07T10:49:00.001-08:00

Hunter lost his first tooth and could not be more pleased about it.

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Count your blessings

2011-10-11T11:46:00.001-07:00

So, this is how my weekend started out...

I was going through the intersection Ave B & 32nd and an older model Jeep cherokee turned left right in front of me. There was nothing I could do but slam on my brakes. Everything was normal and fine--then in the blink of an eye everything was wrong. We hit and (nice guy) sped off toward Mexico. A girl came back to the scene about 10 minutes later to make sure we were ok. She said she tried to follow him to get his license plate number but she gave up when he passed 80 mph.

But let's focus on the good part. My sweet son, Hunter was sitting in the backseat and both of us were able to walk away without a single scratch. Not a bump or a bruise.

I am thankful beyond measure for the angel who was watching over us at that very moment. Because of you...

I get to see this face in the morning, answer his million and one questions and pick up his dirty socks.

And how about this little domestic diva and her smile that makes my heart warm up.

I also get to give this guy a big kiss when he comes home from work.

And of course check To make sure they are still breathing at night even though they are 8 and 5 years old.

I am blessed.

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sunday spa day

2011-10-04T12:34:00.001-07:00

And now I have bubble gum pink toes.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

If I had a nickel

2011-09-20T11:52:00.001-07:00

If I had a nickel for every time this poor little guy has asked me about the complexities of death, dying and spirits since we saw The Lion King this weekend I would have well over $2 by now.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Rain

2011-09-07T13:38:00.001-07:00

I was with Emma at ballet
when the storm hit. All the little ballerinas couldn't concentrate on plies or tendus with all the raindrops hitting the roof so the whole class went to the door to check out the storm.

When we got home the kids went on a nature walk and found some treasures.

A bug...

Hunter looks like he's up to something good...

Comparing their finds...

According to Emma this is a new leaf species...

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Dove hunters

2011-09-07T13:26:00.001-07:00

I was told Hunter was a good bird dog.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Something cute about Tommy

2011-09-07T13:13:00.001-07:00

Tommy left today for a work trip overseas. He'll be gone for two weeks.

Although we're going to miss him terribly, what can we do, it's his job, and in this economy we are so grateful that he has one!!!

Now, you might not know this, but even though Tommy has a carreer based in technology, the boy doesn't "do" texting or have a facebook page. I guess he's not into social technology if that makes any sense? Anyway, this morning he sent me a text--wowzers! He only does this when he travels to and can't get a hold of me. He wanted to let me know he was getting ready to take off and when he was landing. And that he missed me already (cute thing #1) and then at the end he writes his name. "Tommy" Just in case I didn't know it was from him. I don't know why, but I find that so adorable.

Even though I know he will never see this...

Tommy, I love the way you text. Love, Jill :)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

All smiles

2011-08-20T10:43:00.001-07:00

My date for the day was pretty happy to still be on vacation after we dropped Emma off at school.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

First day of school

2011-08-20T10:32:00.001-07:00

Off she goes to third grade :)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

My grandpa, Bud Cook

2010-09-22T12:47:00.000-07:00

My heart feels heavy at the thought of losing my grandpa. After visiting him this weekend I can see that his days here on earth are numbered.

I am so thankful I was able to spend time with him, kiss his cheeks and hold his hand.

He shared stories with me that will never forget. One in particular was when he was sixteen years old his little brother (age 9) accidentally died while swinging from a tree outside their home. He told me, with tears streaming down his cheeks, how that event changed his life forever and that he named his first born son, my father, after his beloved brother.

The greatest gift he gave me was when it was time for us to leave. He winked at me and said Goodbye darlin'.

If there is such a thing, I swear I felt my heart smile and I took it as his way of telling me it was all going to be okay.

I love you, Grandpa!

Matching tattoos

(Grandpa (on right) with his buddy from the Coast Guard)

(This bumper sticker on my grandpa's truck made me laugh.)

(Dixie, My dad, Bud, Maxine, Harold, Mike)

(Bud holding Hunter, Zach holding Jordan)
April 2007

Meet Alice

2009-11-02T12:07:00.001-08:00

Alice in Wonderland

and here's her sidekick, bodyguard and brother

the

rodeo clown

Sidenote: There is a special story behind Emma's costume. This dress belonged to me as a little girl and was my absolute favorite to wear to church. My mom is a "saver" of her children's favorite things (thanks, Mom) and she brought this dress over to my house about 6 months ago. Emma saw it, proclaimed it an "Alice in Wonderland dress" and decided that was what she would be for Halloween. I love easy costumes :)

Deep Thoughts by Emma

2009-10-20T09:40:00.000-07:00

Last night Emma was on fire with the random comments to our bedtime stories. I worked really hard at not laughing at them because she didn't intend for them to be funny.

The Berenstain Bears' New Pup reads,

"Oh" said Sister...I want that one! He is so cute."

"That one is a she," said Farmer Ben.

"How can you tell?" asked Brother.

"There are ways," said Farmer Ben.

First of all, I was really irritated with the Berenstain's as soon as I read that page...like, really? Emma caught my eye as I turned the page and she had a little twinkle and a smirk on her face. I asked her, "How do you think they can tell, Emma?" knowing that having a little brother she is well-aware of the difference between boys and girls or he's and she's.

She spoke with conviction when she replied, "You just look at their eyes. The girl puppies will have really long eyelashes."

I left it at that.

Next up, Happy Mother's Day, Mami! where Dora and her friends make their mother's gifts for mother's day. Except Benny the bull. He gives his gift to his grandma.

Emma: "Are Benny's parents dead or something? Is that why he gives his his grandma the gift?"

Me: "Oh, geez, I hope they're not dead. Maybe his parents are at work or something."

Emma: "I doubt it. If they were at work he still would have made one for his mom, he would have just given it to her when she came home from work."

Both: Long pause

Emma: "Oh, well. At least he has a place to sleep at night."

Good point.

In my mind I'm going to....Colorado :)

2009-08-23T20:40:00.000-07:00

"Are we fishing now, Dad?"

"It's biting my finger!"

stomp rockets...

Christina and I couldn't figure

out why the box said "ages 16 and up"

eating

we like fishing 'round here :)

dolores county library...awesome kid's section

Durango FAIR

hanging out

we're smiling because this is the

BEGINNING of the

11 hour drive home

Cinco de Mayo Princessa

2009-05-06T21:07:00.000-07:00

Happy 6th Birthday to my Emma

__________________________

Last weekend we had an

"Almost Sleepover"

where we did all the fun stuff

that comes with a slumber party,

but left out the scary part

(the actual sleeping over).

We started out in the pool

then had some pizza

Changed into pj's

and watched Tinkerbell

on the projector outside.

You couldn't really see the movie

very well at the start,

but they didn't seem to mind.

Then there was

singing and cupcakes

And a little dance party to top off the night.

All the little girls

were happy to go

home with their mommies...

and sleep in their own beds.

The End.

Adventures in Motherhood

2009-04-29T09:27:00.000-07:00

Yesterday started out painfully early. Hunter woke me at 4:37 am demanding some ice to freshen up his water from the night before. I was extremely irritated for two reasons: 1) I knew rationalizing was not going to work and 2) I had my alarm set for 5:00 to meet Heather at the park for a run at 5:30. Why is it that 30 minutes in the morning can seem to make or break a day? With a "fresh" water on the rocks I convinced Hunter to go back to bed just in time to throw on my clothes and meet Heather at the park. In fact, we pulled into the parking lot of Smucker Park at exactly the same time :)

But after my run and such an early morning I was tired. Really tired. And in case you didn't know, tired mom + tired kids = long day. We plugged along until we hit the brutal hour of 4:00 pm.

Emma was getting ready for a "tea party". She invited her friends from across the street to come over and decided they should all be "fancy". She came out in this outfit and I thought she looked just darling and had her pose by the front door.

Hunter was in the middle of a temper tantrum about (you guessed it) wanting some ice in his drink. But now we were out of ice. We used the last of it to shut him up earlier. I was pretending to ignore his screams and busy myself with cleaning up the mess we made in the dining room at lunch: edamame and quesadillas.

As I reached down to pick up a handful of fallen edamame shells I almost stepped on a small creature. For a spit second I thought, "Oh my gosh that is the biggest cockroach I've ever seen in my life!" But then I saw it's face and it's tail. It was a mouse. A teeny, teeny, tiny mouse, well, about the size of a large cockroach.

I screamed at the top of my lungs. Ran into the kitchen, then started hysterically laughing at myself for the way I reacted. Now Hunter was curious and confused and quiet (yes!). I decided I wanted to find the mouse. Where did it go? Were there others?

I climbed on top of our dining room table to survey the ground below. Hunter followed me to the king's chair (that's what we call the head of the table). I looked and looked for a couple of minutes with no luck. Then, all of a sudden Hunter calmly said, "He likes it." I followed his gaze to find that little teeny, tiny mouse right in my blind spot, not far from where I almost stepped on him. He was eating one of the fallen edamame shells. And Hunter was right. He liked it.

When I got a closer look, I saw that this little guy was actually kind of cute just munching away on that salty, green shell. The Rescuers and Stuart Little flashed through my mind. I called in Emma and we all got down to get a closer look. The mouse nibbled away and we decided that this little baby mouse was so new that he didn't know to be afraid of humans and run away. I decided that he was so tame I could probably catch him...the last thing I wanted was to leave him there and and by the looks of it, he wasn't going anywhere on his own.

I ran to my closet, grabbed an empty shoebox and ran back to the dining room. That little guy was still in the same spot! I warned the kids to get out of my way and threw the box on top of the mouse and scooped him up with the lid.

I CAUGHT A MOUSE! Here he is:

The kids were entertained for the last stretch before Tommy came home. Just watching, NOT TOUCHING the mouse.

Emma thought the mouse might like some cheese.

He did.

Right here's when they asked,

"Can we keep it, Mom?"

No. I told them Tommy would take the mouse to work tomorrow so he could find his mother in the desert. I was pretty sure it was a desert mouse. Luckily, Emma agreed with me and convinced her brother that the mouse should not be separated from it's mother.

Until the next adventure...

Happy Birthday Hunter :)

2009-04-26T21:18:00.000-07:00

Three years old.

At this moment in time here are a few of Hunter's favorite things:

bear hugs

cowboy boots

cowboy shirts

cowboy hats

bullriders/broc riders/steer wrestlers

popsicles

gum

riding bikes

being able to stand up in the jacuzzi

peeing outside whenever given the opportunity

Olivia (the cartoon)

his role as "the brother" when playing house

I love you, Hunter.

Must. Get. Egg.

2009-04-15T10:01:00.000-07:00

We hunted eggs at my mom's house this year...Zach and Jake helped her hide eggs for my kids. Big surprise, Emma "won" with 18 eggs found.

This was as good as it was going to get for a family Easter photo. We'll take what we can get :)

A new smile :)

2009-04-08T09:25:00.000-07:00

Just so you know Megan Holdsworth is da bomb!

2009-03-26T12:39:00.000-07:00

Megan and I go way back. I think our friendship began in about sixth grade...she was my best friend and good at EVERYTHING! So it doesn't surprise me that she has become this crazy-amazing professional photographer.

I will spare you the long story of why I had to cancel our session (that I'd been wanting for over a year) and my meltdown that followed the cancellation.

But being the great friend Megan is she stopped by to visit me anyway and used her mad skills on our playdate. And, guess what? She featured us on her blog! Check out the shots she took of us here. And after that, check out her website here and keep her in mind for your next special event (after October because she's having a baby).

Love you, Megan! You rock! These will definitely hold me over until our "real session" that is hopefully sooner than later :)

2009-03-23T12:14:00.000-07:00

This weekend we hung out in the jacuzzi unable to resist the beautiful weather. I think I've decided on of my favorite smells is a child smeared with sunscreen.

We hope this summer Hunter will learn how to swim.

Last summer it was just "too thcay-wee" to go under.

I think we're making progress though...

he asked me if I would be his swimming teacher.

I felt like I was being asked out on a date.

Of course I said yes.

Mission Complete

2009-03-23T12:02:00.000-07:00

She's a tough one to catch on camera with a toothy grin, but I got one :)

Can't believe it's almost time for another birthday...

only a few more weeks of being five years old.

Is it just me or did anyone else have a hard time

moving their child out of toddler clothing section?

I don't want to buy big girl clothes yet!

My next mission

2009-03-18T22:18:00.000-07:00

I'm setting out to get a good recent shot of Emma. She's a tough one but stay tuned :)

There's a song...

2009-03-18T22:13:00.000-07:00

Mama's don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys....

Not sure I'm going to have much of a say with this one.

A little tip

2009-03-18T21:59:00.000-07:00

I just changed the format on my blog (again). You might see that on some of the posts have extra large images that look like they are cut off...if you double click on them it will take you to photobucket where you can view the whole enlarged image. Another one of my great ideas...trying to get fancy with my blog. Don't worry I won't do it anymore.

Wishing Well

2009-03-11T13:13:00.000-07:00

Last night Emma said:

"I wish I had a wishing well. I would wish that me and Hunter could be kids forever."

2009 Good so far

2009-01-04T19:48:00.001-08:00

Yup, us Gwynn's like to starting the year off with a bang! Tonight Hunter pooped in the potty and Emma learned to ride a bike! I thought I was taking pictures and video clips of the occasion (the bike riding) but I realized I didn't have the memory card in when I tried to load them. oops. I'll have to take some later and pretend.."Look, Emma, this was the first time you rode a bike with out training wheels". Knowing Emma she'll remember the exact outfit she was wearing and call my bluff.

Hunter

2008-11-07T09:52:00.000-08:00

Thought I'd dedicate a post to my little boy, Hunter. For no other reason than Emma can be a bit of a camera hog. :)

Here he is with his best friend in the whole wide world (and cousin), Jojo Luna...

Here's Hunter

being a gentleman

Impersonating his jack-o-lantern

Being neurotic (this is how I find things all around the house--all lined up)

And the very best of all, being his mama's little baby :)

No Regrets

2008-11-01T22:13:00.000-07:00

Jeff's 20th and the 100 year anniversary Yuma High School being open fell on the same year. The school decided to have one big party at the fairgrounds and Jeff's band, "No Regrets" got a spot to play at the party. It has been the talk of the town the whole week. The reunion, that is. A pretty big gig...eh-hem...if you play during the hours the party is supposed to take place. I won't get too technical, but we'll just say they "opened". Nevermind that.

I am here to tell you they rocked the house. This group of guys can not only straighten your teeth, build you a house, make a mean sandwich and/or sell you concert tickets, THEY CAN ROCK!

You can ask any of the 5 other people that were there!

All joking aside, they really were good! Bobby Lemmon, I didn't know you could do that! I'm stunned. In a good way. Loved it.

Photobucket src="http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff344/jillgwynn/Fall2008240.jpg" border=0>

Jeff can't believe I made my own "No Regrets" groupie t-shirt.

Photobucket src="http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff344/jillgwynn/Fall2008241.jpg" border=0>

He's irresistible.

Photobucket src="http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff344/jillgwynn/Fall2008244.jpg" border=0>

We're pretty sure this is the rocker sign.

Photobucket src="http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff344/jillgwynn/Fall2008246.jpg" border=0>

Is he cute or what?

Come check out "The Regrets" at the Battle of the Bands at Harkins Theater next weekend. You won't regret it. haha. :) And if you want me to make you a t-shirt, give me a holla!

Happy Halloween + Question

2008-11-01T21:40:00.000-07:00

Hunter thought this was a really fun game...

throw candy all over porch...

other children put candy back...

throw candy...

put it back...

repeat.

"No want to dress up."

Waitress

*Genie*

Hanna Montana

Punk Rocker

*Emma is wearing the genie costume that my mom made for Heather when she was little. I guess it really does pay off to save the old stuff. And, sorry Mom, this picture doesn't really do it justice, either. The back has really cute criss-cross straps, but I wasn't thinking when I was having them pose.

__________________________

On another note, please help if you have a tip...I always find myself wanting to switch the order of images after I load them. How do you do that?

On being a woman

2008-10-16T11:32:00.000-07:00

I found this quote on one of the blogs I stalk. Like many others, I have been inspired by an e-friend Stephanie Nielsen (nieniedialogues.blogspot.com) and her sister, Courtney (blog.cjanerun.com). I came across this quote and I had to repost it:

“There is in every true woman's heart, a spark of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity, but which kindles up and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity.” -Washington Irving

So true, right girls? Don't mess with a woman!

Long Beach Half Marathon

2008-10-14T16:05:00.000-07:00

This year the Long Beach Half Marathon was on October 12th -- what would be our beloved Ricky's 35th birthday. Be assured that the prankster was with us in spirit as we ended up being over an hour late (thanks to traffic) and barely squeaked by the start line as it was about to be closed off for the next race, the 5K. Ricky was also there with us (Tommy, Heather and me)as we ran our best races with a time of 2 hrs, 19 min, 48 sec. I think that averages a little over a ten minute mile for 13.1 miles. Our goal was 2 1/2 hours so we were very excited. :) Yay! And no one needed CPR! Double yay!

Oh, and make sure you check out our shirts...a cute heart with wings on the front and professionally Photo Shopped image of Ricky riding a steer on the back (except for Hunter--we put his picture of Ricky on the front so he could see it). Designed by the talented Megan and Christina. Megstina? Christegan? Boomnina? Good job, girls!

Happy Birthday, Jeff-wee!

2008-10-05T17:07:00.001-07:00

We somehow managed to get all the "big Cooks" in for a picture with some "little Cooks" scattered here and there...even if some eyes are closed and we're not all facing the camera...we'll take it!

Art by Accident?

2008-09-24T22:48:00.000-07:00

My camera settings got all messed up when I shoved my camera in my pocket at a party. I didn't realize it happened, though, until I took some pictures and tried to play them back.

To the untrained eye they might just look like blurry pictures. But, in actuality, they are my two really cute kids fighting with each other. Isn't that adorable? Ok, so they're just blurry pictures, but they are kinda cool, hu?

Don't worry, the fighting quickly changed to this...

Memory Lane

2008-09-18T15:33:00.000-07:00

Being a pro now at this blogging thing, I decided to help my brotha (Jake) out and get him started with a page of his own (adayinthelifeofjakecook.blogspot.com). He loves staying connected with his friends/family and loves getting email. So, I searched my shutterfly account for any and all pictures I could find of Mr. Jake (you'll have to check his blog for those) and came across this album of oldies. (Heather scanned them and made me a little bound book for my birthday...I know, she rocks. Love ya, Heather!)

Anyway, I found some

really, really cute ones

(is that conceited to say I was cute?

I'm referring to past tense, not present tense,

so I think I'm okay...)

and........

this really really scary one

I'm posting special for Jessika

(the one right next to Heather)

of our dance performance with

"futuristic" theme...

or was it "streetwalkers"?

I can't quite remember.

We did win blue ribbons as you can see,

but it was obviously not for costume.

We chopped it!

2008-09-11T09:50:00.000-07:00

Here's Emma's new haircut.

And here's Hunter in his uniform...t-shirt, swimming trunks & cowboy boots.

She's heeeeerrrrrrre...

2008-09-08T14:45:00.000-07:00

Grandma Cook (my dad's mom) just moved to town. Here's one of her classic poses if you have never had the pleasure of meeting her. She's a fan of using the rolling pin as a weapon, but if that's not handy, a broomstick or fly swatter will do.

I like to tell the story that the first time I was ever cussed out was by none other than my very own grandma! I was about 7 years old and she had just taken me to Mervyn's to buy a new outfit for my birthday. I was so excited I wore it out of the store and when I got home, I started wrestling around on the floor with Zach and Jake. When Grandma saw what I was doing she yelled, "Jill! I work too G** D*** hard for my money! Get your a** up off the floor and out of those new clothes!" Yep. That's my granny...

As we've both gotten older I've become much closer to her. She doesn't really yell at me that much anymore unless I'm doing something I shouldn't like, open the oven to peek at the cookies while they're baking, or wash my hands in the kitchen sink instead of the bathroom sink...

But with all honesty, I'm really looking forward to seeing her more and learning more about her. Like, this morning for example, I stopped by to see her after I took Emma to school. If we didn't live in the same town, I probably never would have known that she likes to soak her vitamins in her coffee so they are easier to chew...Love you, Grandma!

Milestones...First day of kindergarten

2008-08-20T20:38:00.000-07:00

I had envisioned a much cuter outfit to mark the occasion. You know, a button-down top, pleated skirt, lace-trimmed socks and Mary Jane's. Little did I know that I would become one of those parents whose mantra would be, "Pick your battles!" So I let her have her way or shall I say "express her own sense of style" with a falling-apart-at-the-seams sundress and flip-flops.

And don't be fooled by the tense pose (clenched fists) in the picture. Emma broke away from Hunter and me about halfway down the hall, pushing her way past parents to get through the doorway and into the classroom to meet her friends. No tears...phew!

To err is human...

2008-08-14T15:23:00.000-07:00

I forgot that when I hit "post" there is a list of people who automatically get emailed my lovely blog. I was trying to be fancy and do this new thing my friend Megan showed me with the "big image". Well, it didn't turn out exactly like I wanted to, so I kept editing and re-posting, then I realized that you might be getting all my revisions. Sorry, people! So here's one more email to fill up your mailbox if my other ones didn't quite put you over the top. Please find a place in your hearts to forgive my novice blogging.

4 Generations of Hotties

2008-08-14T14:49:00.000-07:00

This one is for Grandma Hancock, the hottest hottie of them all...you're next, of course, Mom...then me...actually, Heather, you might be the next hottest, but you're not in this picture.:)

P.S. Megan, thanks for the tip on how to get the big images.
P.P.S. If the image is cut off, just click on it to see the full view.

We Can End Duchenne

2008-08-14T12:07:00.000-07:00

I got an email from my friend, Kelli, asking me to participate in a campaign called End Duchenne with hopes to raise more awareness for the disease, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Kelli's son, Elijah (who starts 4th grade this month), was diagnosed with the disease a few years ago. I had only heard of Muscular Dystrophy before I met Elijah and his family, but didn't really know much else about it.

DMD normally only affects boys, as it is an x-linked genetic disorder. The disease can occur spontaneously or can be carried by a mother to her son. DMD causes relatively rapid progression of muscle deterioration because muscle fibers are constantly dying away, being replaced by useless fatty deposits. In the history of this disease, most boys are permanently dependent upon a wheelchair by an average age of 10-12. It is common for boys to lose their battles with the disease in their late teens, and most do not live into their thirties due to respiratory and cardiac failure (the lungs and heart are the two most important muscles we have!). Despite these statistics, there is hope that the children fighting Duchenne will be spared by advocacy, research and faith.

I think the idea of the campaign is so cool and simple--print out a declaration, write your name (and give it some "flair" if you want to be like Emma and me), take your picture, then load it to the website (EndDuchenne@ParentProjectMD.org). With more exposure and awareness, there is hope that advanced treatment and eventually a cure might be found for young boys suffering from this disease. Please feel free to participate in the campaign along with us! The more the merrier!

You can check out Elijah's personal website if you want to read the story of an adorable, fun, sweet and resilient little boy: www.caringbridge.org/visit/elijahjamesmiller

My little girl all grown up...

2008-08-08T15:56:00.000-07:00

Emma lost her first tooth on the way home from our summer vacation. And she's starting kindergarten in 10 days. Sigh. Next thing I know, she's going to need a training bra!

This summer in Colorado

2008-08-08T14:50:00.000-07:00

Tommy built the ultimate swing set...

we caught butterflies...

Emma made "Blue Goo"...

Hunter learned how to cast & reel with his own fishing pole...

And helped his dad gather wood for the fire...

We rode in a horse drawn carriage (47 times)...

And threw rocks in the river...We're relaxed and refreshed and glad to be home...but we sure had a great time in Colorado!

Practicing for the Jr. Bronc Riding Event

Emma learns how to load & shoot a blow gun. My dad would be so proud!

This Is Pretty Funny

2008-07-02T08:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Emma found the "Pop Star" dance-along video she got for her birthday last year (apparently I wasn't tricky enough with my hiding place). So the kids all got dressed in their pop-star attire complete with matching side ponytails. In case you were wondering, no, I don't let Emma out of the house with that size 2T shirt. And I have no idea where she gets her dance moves. :)

P.S. The other two little girls are our best friends, Jordan & Olivia Jones. Their baby sister Ella is bopping around at the bottom of the screen about halfway through.

Waiting for Grandma

2008-06-30T14:58:00.000-07:00

I couldn't resist taking this picture of the kids waiting at the front door for Tommy's mom to arrive.

And, no, Hunter is not potty-trained yet. He had been deathly afraid of putting underwear on until now, but he's a sucker for Thomas.

Running Divas

2008-06-23T15:40:00.000-07:00

If we look a little tired, it's only because we just ran for 5 hours, 50 minutes straight.

That's right, Heather and I can now check the box next to

"marathon momma"!

P.S. Don't mess with us...we are freakishly strong!