PHOTO FROM 7/7/09

I just got done taking Zach's 10 year old pictures...double digits in 2 days. I have done a similar photo shoot for both Nick and Chris so it is finally his turn (whata lucky guy). He actually does a really good job cooperating (for the most part) and I probably got 50 plus pictures I have to work with. While we were outside tonight, Zach visited his toad, Jamal, that lives near our pond and then he found a new, huge frog that he quickly named Trilo. Lawrence the toad lives in our front yard. I think we are acquiring a new natural, menagerie. I'm glad they dont' freak me out, but I certainly wouldn't want to accidentally step on one or have one jump in front of me when I wasn't expecting it.

Sad day in that Michael Jackson was memorialized. He is such an icon of my time, and probably the biggest entertainer of all time. His songs are a timestamp of my life and it's amazing what an impact his music has made on my kids even when they didn't know it. What came out of the whole thing is that he was a human being who lived a superhuman existence. Because of that he was hounded by the press, accused and assaulted, but at the end of the day, when his daughter stood up and said that he was the best daddy and she loved him, it shows that he is a lot like all of us...just trying to survive, doing our best to help others and making some kind of difference in the world (which he definitely did). Ultimately, he was "daddy" to 3 young children and they have lost that most important person as well as his mom lost her son...what a tragedy. His music and legacy will live on and for that, I am grateful.

PHOTOS FROM 7/6/09

Zach and I have noticed this donkey (ass) hanging out with these horses so today, we took a little detour and checked them out. Zach thought the jack ass' name should be "Ned". I had my camera in the back so we shot these two photos. I wanted to get a picture of these two pretty horses, and would've preferred it wasn't their "backside", but Zach and I were both laughing and he suggested this "rear" photo just as I was about to take it. I'm thinking our personalities and warped sense of humor is similar (poor Zachy!!)

Nick played a great match today. Although he didn't win, he played a really good match and had almost game within a single point so it definitely was good playing all the way around. Think he's still adapting to his new racket and he's not convinced he likes it yet. He really is a good player and it's amazing to think that he just started playing tennis again only a year ago. He played a kid from Cherry Creek and it is almost impossible to compete with a school like that, but he gave that kid a run for his money and they definitely were competitive against eachother.

PHOTOS FROM 7/5/09

A cherry pie cooling in an open window. It reminds me of old cartoons with the pie cooling in the window and a dog or some character steals it from the window as the lady in the house turns her back. Of course, the "lady in the house" in this case did not bake this pie. What would we do without Todd and his amazing baking skills? (maybe lose a few pounds ;) ). I have to say that this may have been the first pie ever that the five of us have finished off in one evening. It obviously tasted as good as it looks in these photos.

PHOTOS FROM 7/4/09

HAPPY BIRTHDAY USA! It makes me really proud when I see our flag waving outside our front window. We spent the day up at the cabin with my parents and sister and her family. It was kinda a last minute get-together and those sometimes work out better than too much planning. It was a great day and the weather was so nice. That night, we hung out in the front yard with neighbors lighting fireworks and watching them from our block. It was a really fun day. Zach was very exited to get these poppers like we had last year.

PHOTO FROM 7/3/09

Adding two pictures from 7/3/09... Todd and Zach were at the mailbox and then started walking home while I was in my car. I looked in the mirror and saw this photo op and just happened to have my mini camera in my purse. I pulled it out and got this photo. Love knowing that I'm the one taking it from the mirror and seeing them walk down the street together...not knowing what I'm doing.

Here's a snapshot in to our lives. This is a cart full of stuff from our trip to Sams Club yesterday. Todd goes there at least once a week to pick up our 4-5 gallons of milk we got through every week. As you can see, we got more than milk this time ;).

PHOTOS FROM 7/2/09

In between rainstorms yesterday, the boys got out to play with my birthday gift, Speedminton. It is a combo of tennis, badminton and raquetball and we have had so much fun playing it the past couple of days. I love looking out and seeing all 3 of the boys playing together. They really are eachother's best friends and that is becoming more apparent as they get older. Of course, there are the arguments, teaming up on eachother and yelling, but that doesn't last for too long and it is so nice to know that they always have someone on their side in the world (other than their parents ;) ).

This ball basket has always been in the garage, but with Nick's new car, it has found a new temporary location...the living room. It actually is a great place to have it because whether we are heading out to the front or back yard, we can grab what we need and go out and put it away afterwards. Quite convenient, actually :). This picture cracks me up with the lovely rainbow sheet (from my childhood) covering up the loveseat in the entry room (lovingly called, Mocha's couch). I can even see the "baby gate" that keeps the dogs from heading upstairs. Quite a kid family, family friendly and pet family home.

DAY 2...PHOTO A DAY

Yesterday, my brother came up for the day from Colorado Springs and surprised me on my birthday. When we were leaving Village Inn, he went to his car and brought back this rose. He had one for my mom, Tami and myself. What a thoughtful thing for him to do and I appreciate it so much. It is such a pretty color and I wanted to photograph it and remember this really kind gesture. He's a pretty awesome "little brother". Thanks Todd!