family pics

We had our pics taken this year.  Jasper and Josephine photography took them.  I think they turned out great you can see more at http://www.jasperandjosephine.com/.  I took the top three.

my book worm

He likes to read and rip the pages in books.

Its been a while

Well hello everyone.  Its been a long time since I posted anything.  Life has been happening and I have not cared to share it unless I wanted to talk to you in that case I called.  We are all doing good.  I have learned a TON about myself and my little family.  I did the Landmark Forum, which was amazing and inspiring.  I'm still learning from it.  I'm working on my photography.  I'm going back to school, and I'm enjoying life.

  Tyler started 1st grade and is doing good, he doesn't really like reading which has made school challenging.  Jack is in preschool and seems to like being home better.  Andrew is getting smarter every day.  He is talking and repeating things we say.  He loves giving high fives and knuckles.  We started going camping as a family which has been great.  I love getting away from phx for the weekend and just being together.  I think we are heading to Tombstone this weekend.  Can't wait to take some pics and try out editing in HDR.  Well hope all is well with you see you in a few months.;) 

 I took the above picture on the bus ride out to the zoo, Tyler was so excited.

These are some of the pictures from Tyler's class field trip.  I loved going with him we had a great time.  I'm so lucky I can be home with my boys, I'm grateful Mike is such a great provider for our family.  Tyler is so funny around his buddies, they are wild little boys for sure.

Az Botanical Gardens

Last week we went to the Desert Botanical Gardens for our Joy school field trip.  It was fun and beautiful many of the cacti were in bloom.  It was nice to get outdoors and enjoy nature.  We all had a great time.  I think Grandma Sus would love this place, we will have to go here when she comes to visit again. Pictures of the flowers and cacti on my photo blog.

Green Eyed Monster

It has been a fun exciting week.  Lots of field trips, we went to the botanical gardens and to the wild life zoo.  I took a million pictures as usual, but this one is my favorite one of the week.  I love it when Mike reads to the boys it is so sweet.  I think Jack loves it too.

bear boy

I took some pictures for a friend yesterday.  I had the stuff out so I thought I might as well get some pictures of Andrew before he grows up. See a couple more on the photo blog.

Life

Perhaps I'm not the only mother and wife who feels like life and all I do is for them.  I sometimes wonder what the real purpose of being in these relationships is. I often feel like I have lost myself  in the constant need of others, it is exhausting. There so much to learn so much to go through.  Perhaps the real meaning in life, is to learn from our families how to be more like Christ, learn to see others as he sees them, learn to love regardless of other choices, learn to be unselfish. I have a lot to figure out, just feel like I need to catch my breath and take a moment.  I'm thankful for the constance of the gospel in my life, for the guidance and solid foundation it gives me.  If nothing else I know God lives that I am his child and he loves me and has a plan for me.

My Birthday and Spring Break

It has been a fun filled week Tyler is on spring break so we have been playing hard this week.  We headed for the mountains on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Melinda was kind enough to let us stay with her up in Crown King.  The weather was perfect the company wonderful and location fantastic.  The boys had a great time playing with their buddy Cara, they played in the creek and explored around the house.  I enjoyed being out in nature it was nice to just relax and listen to the wind blow through the trees.  I need to get out in nature more.  Anyways here are some pics I took of the boys I'll post the more artsy nature ones on my photo blog. (I have more to edit so here is what I have for now.)

First Birthday

Last week Andrew turned one year old.  I can't believe how fast this year has gone by. Andrew has been such a joy to have in our family.  He has a cute sweet personality.  Andrew loves to get into things, pots and pans the laundry, clothes drawers, dishwasher....pulling everything out and making a mess is one of his favorite things to do.  Andrew also loves to climb, he loves the stairs and cruises up them as fast as he can so I can't catch him.  A few weeks ago Andrew even climbed up on his brothers bunk bed ladder.  Andrew loves the toilet and any water he can get into, splashing seems to be a fun thing to do.  Toilet paper is another fun thing for Andrew he unrolls it as fast as he can and then eats it.  I found him in a pile of wipes one day, he had pulled the entire box of wipes out, and just sat in the middle of them playing.  Tyler and Jack are definitely Andrews favorite people, he loves his brothers and gets so excited when they give him attention.  He loves wrestling with them, and playing peekaboo. Andrew is cautious when it comes to food (must be a Lauricella) he puts things in his mouth and then spits them out, I don't know how he is still alive (picky thing), I guess it is because he loves his bottle. Andrew is a pro crawler, and cruiser, he has taken a few steps on his own and was proud of himself.  We love our little trouble maker, and are so glad he is part of our family, he keeps things exciting.

G & G H and New Shower

 little helper Andrew, into trouble.

My parents came to visit us last week.  I talked my dad into bringing his tools. I put him to work.  The shower in our bedroom has been falling apart for a long time, the door no longer shut, and the coriane was pulling away from the wall on one of the sides.  My dad is talented when it comes to home repair projects, so I knew he could handle this one.  The shower turned out fantastic!! I love it! thanks dad.

Photo Art

These photos are from http://photo.net/.  I love this website. (maybe someday I will join it)  The photographers are so amazing. I love how they combine photography with art, so many of the photos almost look like paintings. I tried to do something similar, you can ck it out on my photo blog. http://photosbyjulianne.blogspot.com/

Runner?

Last Saturday I ran my first ever 10K (6 miles) race.  It was a great experience and I'm glad my friend JoEllen talked me into it.  I'm not what you would call a runner, in fact I have a hard time getting myself motivated in the running department.  It has been therapeutic though, I can see why people like it.  While running the race I even had some great insightful moments (almost spiritual).  My fantastic friend Melinda came out to support me and watch my boys while I ran, it was nice to have a cheerleader.  I finished 314th out of 615 people, I ran 10 min. miles and finished the race in 1 hr and 3 minutes. 
I'm not sure if I'm done racing, guess it depends on my knees.  1/2 marathon?
Really I'm just glad it wasn't a repeat of my 5k from high school.

Swimming??

That is right, we have gone swimming three times already.  Last week the weather was wonderful, so I took the boys to the community pool (it is heated) they swam and had a fantastic time.  Jack asks me if we can go to the pool almost every day now.  Andrew loves it too, he plays in the dirt and tries to eat the rocks.  It is nice to be outside in the sunshine.

Fire Station

This month our joy school field trip was to the Fire Station.  We all had a great time.  JoEllen dressed up in fireman gear to show the boys what a fireman would look like if he were saving you in a fire.  We went for a ride around the block in the fire truck, and we got to spray the fire hose. I think everyone had a great time including the moms.