Puzzled

The day after Tyler's birthday, Quinten decided he wanted to have a puzzle day. Tyler received an Iron Man puzzle and Quin was dying to try out his mad puzzle skilz. [Reminder to self: Remove kid pictures from background. They've been there long enough and they are interfering with some decent photos!]

When I concentrate really hard, I have an odd habit of pressing my lips together between my teeth. Quin sticks his tongue out slightly between his. We're strange.

Quin and I also love puzzles. Tyler loves video games but always wants to be where the action is (even if he's not paying attention).

I love this photo, dirty nails and all.

Tyler's 9th Birthday

It's hard to believe Tyler is nine. I don't feel like a mom of a nine year old... It doesn't feel like nine years since I saw the double line on the test strip.

Tyler, you are growing up into a sensitive young man. You have a good core group of friends and are very thoughtful and kind towards them. You have a contagious laugh that can put your father and I over the edge, laughing til we cry. You still play with your brother and sister and enjoy their company. And although you still have no desire to help us keep the house clean or make an effort to do you homework/home reading without being told, I'll still keep you. You love with your whole heart and are easily wounded, but you are resilient and try you to keep your tears hidden (until a pokemon game gets the best of you!). I love you tremendously Tyler! Though I do not want you to get any older, I'm excited (and slightly terrified) for the coming years.

Halloween 2011

I have had a couple requests asking when I'm going to post our Halloween photos (which is totally awesome... People are actually checking this out to see what's up with my peeps!). The last couple of weeks have be crazy with a capital 'c' and fireworks. My work has made a couple huge gifts to the tune of $1.5 Million dollars (which you can check out here) and today, while banks are closed, our credit union staff gathers for a day of Education (today was all about wellness in work, life, and play). These projects all require a bit of a hand in design so I've been hopping. I'm also volunteering as co-chair of our school council and last year we had to reveal our plan for the year. Again, a bit of a time commitment. I have to apologize to my freelance clients that I haven't had a spare moment to work on their stuff (except for DaCapo who had their NewWorks Gala last week and November concert this weekend). And then there's the little thing of my baby turning nine!!! His birthday is tomorrow but we celebrated with his friends tonight and will celebrate with family tomorrow (pics will be posted later). So this whole preamble is just to let you all know that I haven't forgotten to post Halloween, I just was lacking in time. Oh, and I finished the low-light shooting course from Karen's Snapshots of a Goodlife (which is the only reason I was able to take the pics below in our terribly dark house at night).

Okay. So Halloween... This year we decided to treat our kids with a themed meal which included Cheesy Crescent Roll Ghosts, Monster Veggies Kabobs (from Owl Magazine), a Green Ooze Drink (also from Owl Magazine) and a ghostly graveyard dessert.

Then we all dressed up and enjoyed the lovely night trick or treating. Tyler was Savage Ompress and Quin was a Clone Trooper from Star Wars. We accidentally recycled Addison's Super Girl costume (it was such a little bag, we think it ending up in our recycling box... happy day for whomever finds that one, tags still on!) but her cousin Meghan gave her a Cinderella costume so she was happy. Craig was Batman complete with expanding batwings and I was Wonder Woman (or at least that's what my shirt was).

So for those of you waiting with baited breathe, enjoy the pics! I'll try to keep up on the posting!