Happy Valentines Day

This one's for the lovers out there.
(it's a slideshow)

I'm Married To A Really Good Sport

It finally happened!  My hopes and dreams for our family Christmas card finally came true. For several years we had wanted to recapture the magic of the Olan Mills classic "floating head" picture. Mostly because we thought it would be funny if my grandma thought that Cory's floating head meant that he'd died. And while Cory's untimely death isn't funny, confusing grandma sometimes is.

Jami was very gracious to cast her pearls (photography skills & studio) before swine (us). 

In preparation for this photo shoot, we had to start carbo loading in 2007, track down toddler bifocals and call in a coupol'a favors from people who had spare turtlenecks willing to loan.  Also, Jami has never forgotten the power of a hot curling iron coupled with Aussie Sprunch Spray (Maximum Hold). 

"Mommy's Tender Loving Nook"

"But Seriously, Never Leave Mommy's Nook"

 "Rooting Around for Loose Change"

Hailey Always Finds The Best Stuff on The Internet

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She does, right?

PS. There's a whole series of these gems here. Spoiler (treat) alert! Episode #2 has an orphan and a cameo by Emily Mortimer.

Halloween Decisions

What I want Calvin to dress as for Halloween:

What Calvin wants to dress as for Halloween:

To be fair, he doesn't know who either guy is. He just knows that "Dark Vader" gets to have a sword. So then there's that.

Calvin's Birthday 2011

This year we finally had to throw a birthday party for Calvin. He's old enough now to know what they are and that he should get one.

You know what lots of time on Pinterest does? It skews your worldview into thinking kid parties should include a lot of handmade things. PINTEREST LIES!  Those gross party packages from Walmart that include balloons, plates, and cups with Go Diego do just fine. I tapped into some place inside of me that wields a glue gun and some ribbon and my credit card and I became best friends with Hobby Lobby for a week.

But for this little man, I would buy all the shiz at Hobby Lobby and glue it all together with hot glue and top it with a bow if that's what he wanted. (But also: he just wanted the WalMart party pack)

Thanks, brothers, for all the hours spent camping/freezing/whittling/derbying/fighting with mom/earning these merit badges so I could just rip them off and put them on a party banner. Suckers!

Just some casual fishing.....

 No big deal....

But then, what's this?

RUN KIDS, RUN!!!!

 This is what the face of baby terror looks like. It kind of breaks the heart, yes?

Maybe a ferocious bear party mascot was not age-appropriate for children under 15?

But this bear is cool. He gives high fives!

And when he falls on his knees due to heat exhaustion, you can even hop aboard for an awkward ride?

Sullivan was even more upset when the bear embraced his mom. That little guy really thought this was the end of her. And if there is one thing I know about Sullivan, he loves his mama (and nautical-themed outfits).

Gavin said "Uh, no thanks!".

So much heat exhaustion. Hope Cory and Jenna sprung for your Instacare bill when you almost fainted later! (Let us know if you want cash or check)

This might be my favorite picture. Because Perry doesn't even care. He just nestled in and was also just a  little bit bored. He's a baby gangster!

 "Yawn...."

 This is where Sullivan looked at us hot, tired, and covered in cake and said, "Not cool guys!"

The bear left and then Tyler showed up....super sweaty and losing body moisture at alarming rates. Maybe his pupils got really small and his knees buckled. What's wrong Tyler? (Be sure to hydrate!)

Thanks everyone who made this kiddo's fourth birthday amazing!

Peas and Carrots

Calvin really misses his cousin Adam.

This is more of a public plea to Jae and Beth to move to Utah because the children need each other.

(This picture has a hidden amazing-ness. It's called the "Well Bless Your Heart" signature look. See if you can spot it.)

But seriously Jae and Beth. GET 'FER HOME. That's all.

Bulk Orders from China

Sometimes, when all you ever do is talk about mustaches for so long, your brother thinks about what he can get you for your birthday and then he calls China and orders a bulk order of mustaches.  Because he's thoughtful and a good listener.

And then these things happen:

 (If you ask anyone who knows my dad a good word to describe him they'll probably say "consistent". And that holds true even in picture poses.)

 See? Consistent.

Apparently I get my "consistency" for mustaches and muskrats from him. You can't fight genetic propensities.

So. There you have it. Another post about mustaches. I'm renaming my blog "The Mustache Marathon".