My Happy Place

Arizona and spring break go together like peanut butter and jelly. Perfection. BBQ and playing at the park for FHE was actually chilly, but grandpa kept the kids entertained. I love that game.

Zoey discovered her inner migrant worker while she was there, and picked almost all of the rest of the navel oranges off my parents tree. Well, all that were within her reach. Grandma and Zoey spent lots of time peeling and eating a slice of orange, and then feeding Nixon the obese beagle a slice. I don't care what you say Corinn, your dog is fat fat fat.

This was truly a highlight. Playing at John and Kaijas, with their girls, and being able to snuggle little Benjamin, their latest addition. The slip-n-slide was a favorite of the kids, along with Popsicles and a picnic lunch.

Aren't these girls just breathtaking? I wish I lived closer to them for Zoey's sake, and for mine. I love to photograph them.

Quizno came out to play for a while, and then we had to put him back in his cage after Liam began to harass him. Poor little guy. He as this one toenail that looks like Nicodemus from 'The Secret of Nihm'. Can you see it in the photo? Its the back left foot.


Another highlight that I have ZERO photos of was a Pullman girls night out. Dinner at Oregano's and RENT. I have never seen the play, but I love the music, and now after seeing it, I can appreciate it, but I highly doubt I will ever see it again...And whoever choreographed that particular production, well, yeah, not your forte... It was fun to spend time with all of them, sans kids...And see the guys who originated the roles of Roger and Matt. Those boys can SING!

Chelsey and Seth's engagement photos went swimmingly. Take a look. Seth is a really great guy. Liam took right to him, and that is saying something. Although Zoey asked Chels if she would share her 'prince'. I was trying to tell Zoey about him, and she wasn't grasping the concept of a fiancee, so I said she was Chelsey's prince. Then she flew into hysterics. "I WANT A PRINCE TO MARRY ME IN THE TEMPLE WITH A PRINCESS DRESS!!!" He paid Zoey a lot of attention. He will fit in great.

We went to the Zoo. I think Mom said it best. It was cool and breezy, and over in two hours. Liam looks so cute in his hat!

Liam had his par-tay while we were down there. All he wanted was the balloons. And not the awful, noise making trucks my parents got him. He still sleeps with his Thomas the Trains that The Pullman Family gave him. I love them too. They are SILENT....

Corinn and I were two of the crazies that went to Wal-Mart at midnight to buy TWILIGHT!!! I was honestly shocked at how many people were there!!! The line went from the front of the store, all the way back to the dairy section and then some! What the WHAT?? We stayed up till 3 AM watching Edward Life Size on the projector. He has grown on me. Although Dr. Cullen trumps Edward, and James trumps Dr. Cullen... (I am so stupid) AND DAMON TRUMPS ALL!!!!

GO JOEY GO!!!! RUN!!!! THEN GO EAT SOMETHING!!!! Seriously. My almost 16 year old brother is a foot taller than me and out weights me by like, 12 pounds. Seriously. LOVE YOU JOEY! He also gave me a cello lesson while I was there. He is the best.

If a photo is worth a thousand words, do I need to write anything? ( OK I will. This is Zoey. After every shutter release, she changes position. These are in order, and literally a second apart...)

Happy Birthday Liam Boy!

Liam and Zoey. Liam, 2 weeks, Zoey almost 3

Liam Mark is 2. How in the world is my baby boy 2? What a wonderful addition he is to our family. He is a total 'momas boy', a fact that I absolutely relish.

(Mom and Liam, coming out of his room in the morning through streamers and balloons, a Pullman family tradition)

I love that you got my cleft chin, and Damon's smiley eyes. If there is any question where my son gets his looks from, just look at this photo... Three generations of Pullman Men...

Grandpa Pullman, Daddy, and Liam, 14 months old


I love that you are so mischievous.


(Liam 15 months)


I love that you tease the heck out of Zoey. We all know she needs it.

(Zoey 3 1/2, and Liam 6 months)



I love love love when I pick you up from the gym, you always say "Bye!! See ya yayer!! Tanks You!"

Liam 4 months old

I love how polite you are.

(Liam in the first snow of the season, 9 months old)

I love how expressive you are



The many faces of my suspicious 5 month old Liam



I love that even at 2, you still squeak when you laugh, so I can still call you Squeaker

(My Dad, Zoey, and Liam 1 week away from his second birthday, playing the favorite grandpa game "Don't kick my bum!".)



I love that you love trains so much, and cry when we leave the house because it means parting from your train set.

Grandpa Eddington, and Liam, 21 months, Christmas Morning 2008


I love how photogenic you are... I have too many photos to choose from.


And I love your eyes. They are so much like your Father's.
(Liam 16 months old)

At two you are talking more and more each day. You are so strong willed, it drives me crazy. You will not do anything unless you want to. I pray you will never loose that.

(Playing in the yard, Liam 1 week away from his second birthday. I love love love his tummy)

Happy Birthday Squeaker

MIA

I know its been a while. But this is why...




delicious AZ post and tribute to Liam Boy coming soon

Sun, Glorious Sun! Warmth, Glorious Warmth!!

Its 87 degrees. Im in AZ and just spent the whole day outside watching the kids slip-n-slide with cousins. I got a sunburn. I don't think I ever want to come home.

I couldn't resist....

(Phmmffff)

And just because Max looks so handsome in this photo. And because he looks so much like my Dad.

And because this photo made me feel like I still got it.

Little Bits and Pieces

First off. Daylight Savings and 8:30 church do not mix.

The wii fit has proved to be the best $89 ever spent. The whole family can't get enough, and Zoey is quite the little skier. I highly recommend it. I also love this photo. Zoey looks so grown up to me.

This is our Sunday afternoon ritual. We make cookies together. The kids love it, and I love teaching them all about why it is important to cream the butter and sugar together BEFORE you add the eggs and vanilla. Makes them soft and chewy. Zoey makes sure the dough is adequate before we bake them, as you can see. Liam hates getting sugar (or anything) on his hands. The OCD taking over again. Now that I write that I am reminded of a story my mom tells of me at his age whining because my hands had dirt on them. Hmmm. Maybe he gets it from me...

While showing the kids how to properly roll a snicker doodle in cinnamon sugar, Zoey and I had the following conversation.

Z: "I want to make cookies!"

R: "We are babe, we are making snicker doodles."

Z: "Noodles? I don't want to make NOODLES!"

R: "No honey, snicker DOODLES. They are a really yummy cookie! Doesn't that sound good?"

Z: "No. Sounds like noodles. I want a cookie, not noodles."

I gave up at that point. I think she figured it out eventually, even though she never tried a 'noodle cookie'

We have had some really wonderful weather. I'm talking over 70 degrees. I have loved every minute it didn't feel like I walked into a hair dryer. The kids love being able to go to the park, and it is so nice to open up the windows. I love being out of doors. It has been a while since I got a picture of both the kids, and I never really realized how much the look alike until I saw this photo. Maybe its just me. They sure are beautiful.

Zoey demands camera time if there is one within 10 feet of her. You can see how much Percy adores her. Follows her everywhere. He has a few names now. Damon calls him "The Black Beast of Northal" (?), I call him "Pugglet", or "Perciville", and Zoey is holding strong with "Percy". Although if he gets to excited he won't leave her alone, and I take him away, she says "Pheww! Thanks for saving me."

Liam. Left to his own devices. Decided one peanut butter and honey sandwich isn't enough, and took matters into his own hands. This makes me really proud of my parenting. My 23 month old son, on top of the counter, with scissors, glass, and a knife within reach. Just hand over "Mom of the Year" award right now... Liam is talking really well now. He has about 50 words he can say on his own, and can mimic anything else. He is 2 this month. How time flies.

And to end. Zoey-isms

After Dad suggested that she go and change out of her church clothes, she replied " Dad! You're a GENIUS!!"

Wanting approval for writing her letters, she always starts by saying " Whaddya Fink?", and then after I say 'good job', she goes on to say in a very hushed, reverent whisper "Its so prettiful..."

Me asking her to do her job (put her shoes away) she replies "No Prob."

After sending her to her room for not eating her dinner, she says, "Mom! You're driving me CRAZY!!"

Life with Zoey will never be boring.

OOOO Big News. Damon is down stairs right now....READING A BOOK. I have never seen him sit down and read for pleasure. Guess what he is reading? Da Vinci Code. BOOYA! He made fun of me when I read it. Now he is hooked. Look whos laughing now... WOOOHHHAHHAHAHAHAHAH!!!

My Husband is my Best and my Favorite

I came home from enrichment last night and found this waiting on the table for me.

I'd been wanting one since they came out, just never been ever been able to find one, or justify buying one.  Damon was very sneaky and said, "I have a surprise for you when you get home." I was thinking flowers or something.  Nope.  WiiFit. AWESOME!!!  Anyone wanna come over and play?