September Chapters

CHAPTER 1: School/Daycare Transitions
Porter is doing great with Kindergarten.  He is writing his name much neater than he did over the summer (speaking of writing... MUST get back into our Pen Pal writing with Saw-Man!  Sorry Heather....).  He thinks Hot Lunch is great (EWW). He's had some frustration with a friend in class (Gill... which he sometimes calls Finn by mistake... oops... different part of the fish!) calling him "Quarter".  Wow.  Its so funny because that was SO not on the "teasing" radar when we decided on his name.  Porker, sure.  But Quarter?  Okay, so Gill isn't really teasing him, but he can't seem to understand his name is "P"orter.  And he's not the first kid to do this.  So I told Porter... just keep correcting him.  And if he keeps calling you Quarter, well... just call him Fill.  Or Jill.  Or Will.  Porter thought that was hilarious.  So the other night we were talking after bedtime story and he told me Gill wasn't calling him Quarter anymore.  I asked what happened and he said he kept calling him Quarter so he said "My name is POR-ter, not QUAR-ter, okay, Fill?"  And Gill said "My name is Gill!"  And Porter tells him, well, MY name is PORTER!"  HAHAHHAA!  And so Gill gets it right now.

Hudson transitioning back to daycare... not going so hot.  I'm not sure if its just the transition thing, his love for Oma or what... but oh my... the past week has been terrible at drop offs.  He's been worse than he's ever been... crying BEFORE even getting to her driveway.  Mind you, he has fun at Miss Marleen's and she's so good to the kids.  I know for her he's (usually) a good boy (minus this past week)... so I'm not sure what is up with his attitude.  He's usually pissed off because its "Not an Oma Day" so I'm thinking that's the main problem and it usually escalates. Yesterday morning (hell of a morning... I'll write more later) he was crying and kicking and screaming from the driveway in and I had to leave him screaming and kicking.  I got at text saying he was dry heaving for 10min and was carrying on for almost an hour.  When I picked him up I asked if he had a rough morning and he said "I just wanted a hug and kiss, Mom."  AAWW.  I swear I gave him a hug and kiss... but maybe in his tantrum of not wanting to stay he didn't realize it and then it escalated because not only was he staying but he didn't get a hug and kiss (so he thought).  I dunno.  Hopefully Friday's drop off will be easier!

CHAPTER 2: Lunch Love
I'm totally loving packing Porter's lunches this year!  I love the idea of Bento Lunches and all the neat Bento/Laptop Lunch containers available but I wasn't about to shell out $20 for one lunch container and have to wash it every night (or spend $20 x's however many to always have one to use!).  I found Ziploc had a 3-section container that is sold in a 2-pack for under $3.  SCORE!  I really enjoy trying to be creative with his lunches and making sure he has lots of fresh fruit, veggies and good "unpackaged" foods for lunch.  He has recently began loving hardboiled eggs (YUMMM) so I often send him a hardboiled egg, a cutout sandwich, some fruit and a couple muffin wrappers in there with goldfish or a cookie.  Perfect!  I also found (on Pinterest) some great (and free!) printable lunch notes.  He can't really read yet, but I hope he enjoys the little notes!


CHAPTER 3: Septembers' Curse
As much as I love September... the lower temperatures, the fresh air, the leafy breeze.... September seems destined to be a downer month for our family.  Particularly this week. Tuesday was Cathy's Day.  And then yesterday morning...we woke up to no power and then found Ramsey had died in the night.  Let me tell you, telling your 3 and 5 year old their dog they've known since birth had died and went to Heaven is not something fun to do.  Ramsey deserves her own post, as she was our "first baby" and was with our family for 10 years.  I'll write more later. 

CHAPTER 4: Photography
I am completely booked for the rest of 2011 for photography. WOO HOO!  I decided to take on 16 mini sessions (8 in September and 8 in October) and 2 full sessions per month in September, October and November.  I'm booked!  I'm excited but oh my... I know I'm going to be busy.  Especially these past two weeks I've been teaching full time (and lesson planning... which I'm lucky I normally don't have to do w/my Lit Coach job) so I've been behind on photography stuff.  I do have Hudson at Marleen's on Friday's for Preschool (M-W-F) so I think after I go back to Lit Coaching/RTI work I'll continue to take him to Marleen's and use Friday's to work on photography stuff.  Fall is always super busy for me and I'm typically booked... but I'm hoping this year I didn't bite off more than I can chew.  I think by splitting up the mini sessions into two months will help!
 
CHAPTER 5: Scrap Weekend!
I am so so looking forward to our bi-annual Girls Weekend at Duck Lake.  We're going a little later this year so I'm really really anxious for the weekend to come!  I know it'll be here before we know it.  It feels like it has been so long since we've had our Scrap Weekend!  I have a ton to catch up on because, sadly, I rarely scrapped over the summer and I've gotten behind on Project Life.  Hopefully sometime this fall (maybe on my Friday's off?) I can make a little time to catch up.  

CHAPTER 6: School Sickness
Oh my... it is only the 2nd week of school and our family is already fighting off sickness.  We've all had stuffy heads, noses, coughs and on and off sore/scratchy throats.  UGH!  Every September for the past 2 years or so I've suffered awful sinus infections.  I'm pretty sure I'm on my way to one now. 

Sunday Chapters

Chapter 1: Laundry

This summer we've been without a dryer.  Something broke and while it still tumbled, there was no heat.  So, all summer I've been quite "green" and hanging our laundry on the line.  Ryan surprised me and bought (new to us) a high efficiency washer and dryer (front load... still haven't found out if they can stack).  I love them!  And while I do love laundry on the line, the dryer is sooo much quicker (not to mention, our dryer was like almost 20 years old and took forever to dry a load!)'

Speaking of laundry, I've found a new (and cheap!) laundry detergent I looove.  It's Purex Complete with Zout in Fresh Burst.  OOOH it makes our laundry sooo nice!

Chapter 2: Walking

Poe and I went on a 2 mile walk tonight just before it got dark.  Well, he biked and I walked.  It was a perfect end-of-the-evening activity and its so nice that Porter can ride along with me.  I put in my earbuds, turned on some Jack Johnson and we spent a good half our enjoying the beautiful, getting-chilly weather.  

Chapter 3: Bring on Fall

Despite Michigan's summer being so ridiculously short (especially this year... we didn't really get "summer" until June and now here it is September already!  However... we could easily have some 90* days in October....), I'm finally at the point where I'm looking forward to fall, the crisp air and the chilly temperatures.  

If you'd asked me a week ago I'd have said NO WAY... we JUST got summer!  However, the past few days were 90*+ and I was miserable.  I'm a middle-of-the-road weather gal.  I like it between 60 and 80*.  Anything higher than 80* is downright miserable for me.  I also think part of this is because I've finally accepted that summer break is over and I'm closing up that "transition" period from not working to working.  That's one of the downfalls to working the school schedule, especially with such a organized/planner personality like me.  It always seems once I get into a good routine its time for a change and that build up to the change causes me a lot of anxiety.  End of the school year and end of the summer are bad times for me.  Whereas year-round working moms are still on the same schedule as always, the start of the school year isn't a huge change to their schedule.  Many stay at home moms are counting down the days to the start of the school year so they can get a break from some or all of their kiddos.  But me... I'm filled with anxiety as I do a 180 from not working at all to working and figuring out how to juggle both of the kids' schedules in the morning (getting P off to school and getting H to daycare).  Its hard to change from one extreme to the other.  UGH.  However, I know once I get back working for a week or two I'll settle in and things will be good until the end of the school year.  So, I've decided I have to say adios to the sweet summertime... the freedom, the casual wear, the non-schedule... and embrace another school year!

Chapter 4: The Holidays

Speaking of fall... I'm getting excited for the holidays coming up.  Oh yea... the holidays!  Halloween... costumes and decorating and candy and pumpkin patches.  OOOOH!  I love Halloween!  And then Thanksgiving... family gathering around.  And finally Christmas... the month long celebration!  I have been trying to think of some good costumes for the boys.... I know I'm kinda the mean mom but P wants to be Spiderman or something and H wants to be Mater.  Ick.  I am trying to get them to think outside the box... outside the characterized world we live in... and come up with something fun and semi-unique.  Did I mention how I love Halloween??

Aaaand... that's about it!

Random Ramblings

• Last week was the Jackson County Fair.  And I avoided it this year :)  I'm not sure but I just had no desire to spend the money, brave the crowds and eat the fattening foods.  
• Ryan did take the boys to the Monster Trucks on Friday night.  I'm hoping LeeAnn got some pictures (LeeAnn... ??).  I put my point and shoot camera on the seat of the van and Ryan STILL left it in the van!
• Thursday I had a really bad day.  A really really bad day.  But, I'm moving on and trying to work things out.  
• Friday I had some girls over (Lori, Stephanie and LeeAnn) to scrapbook.  I didn't feel like I got much done but really I did.  I got caught up on Project Life and it was nice to vent and talk with some ladies.  I feel like I've had zero Mommy Time this summer. 
• I'm really dreading work starting.  Really.  Dreading. 
• I really really wish I could stay home with the boys.  I know, after my really really bad day, I still do.  
• Medication switch isn't going so hot.  See the private blog. 
• We are "testing" out Ryan's friends camper this week at Mackinaw. (actually, we have it for a month as we paid for his next month's payment). Its a 26' camper with slide-out.  I like it, but.... I don't think it'll work for our family of 4 (someday 5).  And while campers have not been even ON my radar, I'm now browsing browsing Craigslist for hybrids.  Not sure what will come of this... we may just stick with tent camping as I really kind of enjoy it (just not the packing up/unloading part).  
• I keep thinking if we DID get a camper we'd be able to camp in April/May and September/October as well as our once-a-month camping trips in the summer.  Its hard to camp just for a Fri night-Sunday when tent camping as there is SO much stuff to pack up and prep time etc.  If we had a camper it'd be stocked already and we'd just have to throw together clothes and food and could take off for a weekend. 
• The boys have been full of silly sayings lately.  (See previous posts).  Hudson has been a riot... he's such a little shit lately but oh my word he can turn on the charm!
• My grad class is finally done and I really feel so free!  I've also sent out nearly 40 resumes this summer and had Z-E-R-O response.  Ugh.  
• I've been pushing Ryan to apply for jobs in Wilmington, NC and nearby areas.  I figure if he can get a job I'll just sub until I find something fulltime.  It wouldn't be much different than the job I'm doing now, especially if Ryan got paid more at a new job. 
• I'm really looking forward to a week of relaxation with the family.  Ryan has been gone SO much lately.  He has been working a ton and is finishing up his last class for his degree (which he walked in June but still had one class to finish over the summer).  It will be nice to spend some time together for once!
• Our yard is finally 100% fenced in.  It looks a little silly right now as we have a cattle/farm gate across our driveway but plan to "face" it with the same wood privacy fence that the rest of the yard has.  The cattle fence will essentially serve as a frame for the wood fence.  It is really nice to be able to let the dogs out and run!  The dogs seem to love it too.  The boys, well Porter loves opening the gate for me when we leave or get home LOL!  

Updates Bullet Style

I can't believe I've barely blogged in the month of February.  I had planned to do the Joy of Love workshop by Willette but sadly only did Day 1.  I may attempt to do the pictures for it, as a challenge, and post them later.  Who knows.  I haven't been very inspired to take pictures lately (other than snapshots).

I don't seem to have much to update... so I'll do it bullet-style today.

• I have begun Project Life (by Becky Higgins) to cover a bulk of my 2011 scrapbooking.  I love it so far, and I think its given me a whole new perspective on scrapbooking and documenting my kids' (and our families) lives.  I am still doing traditional, fun-play-with-paper scrapbook pages but I've also begun going back through 2010 and putting together collages and digital layouts for pictures I don't necessarily have a story for. 
  
  If you've ever wished you were a scrapbooker but never felt like you had the time or creativity BUT still wanted to have things documented alongside photographs... Project Life is right up your alley.  Here are a few bloggers/scrapbookers/websites showcasing their PL's"
  
  Ali Edwards: http://aliedwards.com/projects/365-project-life
  Michelle Wooderson:
  Lisa Truesdell
  Pine is Here (loove that she and her friend split up their journaling cards and headers so they had more of an expanded set!  DUH!!!  Anyone with the Amber Kit want to swap some with me?)
• I've been reading a few books that have been so SO inspiring and eye opening to me.  I've also begun keeping a paper journal to write down notes from these books, quotes of inspiration and words of wisdom to keep forefront on my mind.  The first is Eat Pray Love, which I have kind of stalled on reading. I went to therapy (counseling? What is it really called??) and we discussed a lot of mediation, mindfulness, compassion and connectiveness techniques and it reminded me of the book Momfulness that I received a few years ago for Christmas.  She suggested I start reading it and when we met up this week I was telling her all the wonderful things that I'd gotten from the book thus far.  I love it, and it inspires me to TRY to be a better mom and person.
• Weight Watchers is going great... I've kind of slowed down on Zumba, but since its been warmer I've been walking outside.   I've lost 8.5lbs (yes... that .5 is significant HAHA!).  And today at lunch I had 2 co-workers ask if I'd lost weight and tell me I looked great.  WOOO HOO!  That is so so motivating.  I want to lose MORE!  Ideally I want to lose 10 more lbs, which I hope hope won't be as hard to lose as the first 8.5.  I just need to buckle down and stay on track.  My WW group on FB has been very helpful to talk to other girls who are doing WW Online. 

So I think that's it for now.   I'm going to try try try to post more often.  Sometimes I feel like if I don't blog I "lose" that part of my life because I don't remember it!  Silly, I know.  But I was thinking back on the past few weeks and I can't remember days because I hadn't been blogging.  Sad.  :-(

Life in Chapters

It has been altogether too long since I've really blogged.  Time for another "Life in Chapters" post... because its going to be RANDOM!

Chapter 1: Cleaning Madness
I thought we had fleas.  Hudson woke up a couple weeks ago with like 6 bites around his legs along the diaper area.  And I have a couple random bites on my body and so does Ryan.  Porter doesn't, however, but he's been wearing jeans and long sleeve shirts all summer (more on that later).  We came back from camping and I kept feeling just... itchy.  I was reading a lot of posts on FB about a couple different people having fleas and stuff so I figured I was just getting the heebie jeebies (empathy scratches) from that.

So, yesterday I went and spent $120 at the pet store (vet was closed for holiday weekend) on Frontline and a flea bomb and a flea collar to put in my vacuum cleaner bag.  And then I set out to work.

I bathed Duncan and Ramsey.  Tore the sheets and blankets and pillowcases off all the beds, vacuumed all 4 bedrooms (area rugs and baseboards), vacuumed the living room and baseboards, and vacuumed the entire basement.  It is disgusting as I had just put on a brand new vacuum bag and it was FULL.  Disgustingly full.  I tossed it, just in case we had fleas and got it out of the house.

I folded 3 loads of laundry in addition to all the bedding.  It felt good that the house was SO clean.  I was exhausted and fell asleep with Porter around 8pm and slept till morning.  WHEW!

Chapter 2: Riding Lacey
Friday I took the boys to go ride Lacey.  They'd been bugging me to go riding since Cannen's Open House the beginning of June.  I also wanted to start teaching Porter how to ride alone in hopes that someday soon we could go riding together (although I'd probably still lead him while riding Rocket or Lacey...?)  Hudson had a huge grin on his face when I rode with him but his fun was short lived.  He preferred to chase the cat around the yard.  Porter, however, had a blast.  He rode with me, and then let me lead him, and then I taught him a little bit of how to turn and stop Lacey and he rode all by himself!  He had so much fun and was so brave.  I'm so proud of him.  I took a video and he watched it about 10 times later that day and said "I'm so proud of myself!"  So cute.  I'm hoping to take the boys back once a week... if life busy-ness doesn't get in the way.




Chapter 3: The Kitchen Remodel/Facelift
I guess you can't call it an actual remodel b/c we used the original cabinets... but it was much more than a facelift as we knocked out the entire effing wall between the kitchen and dining room.

My countertops came on Tuesday.  I'm in love.  I love love love them.  They look so nice and I can not wait to have the backsplash, floor and the beam finished.  Its going to look so nice. Now if only I can replace the appliances with black or stainless steel.  We currently have a black dishwasher but white stove and fridge and microwave.  I would probably just buy from Craigslist, and I am considering putting our stuff on Craigslist (as well as the stove and fridge from the apartment above the garage) and taking the sale money from that stuff and buying a used black fridge and stove and microwave for the kitchen.  Just for the time being, and then eventually replace it with stainless steel.

We had to get a new faucet for our new sink (SOOO happy to not have that white scratched and stained sink anymore!!).  The sink has two different sized basins and only room for a faucet in the center or to the right.  So we got a new faucet with a pull down sprayer and I love it. 

Chapter 4: Re-Opening the Pink Apartment

Awhile back I opened a Pink Apartment... a blog where I was anonymous and could blog my vents and frustrations and irritations to people who don't know me, won't judge me (or if they do I don't give a shit), and won't know who I'm talking about.  I haven't blogged there in awhile, which was probably a good thing because that means drama and irritation in my life was low. And I just typed a whole bit and then deleted it because... HELLO.... put it on the Pink Apartment.  Sheesh.  No need to have more of my words taken out of context.   (Ashley, while part of this does pertain to our "misunderstanding" last week... its most definitely not all about you :) Nothing bad. No hate. ) 

Chapter 5:  4th of July 

We have had literally ZERO plans for this weekend.  The Huffs invited us up to their (family) cabin in Evart, but we decided we have enough stuff here to do.  Yesterday we cleaned all day.  Today we were going to go to a movie (Toy Story 3) but Porter is already in a sassy mood.  Tonight we had planned to have a "camp out" in our back yard but everyone is pretty much out of town or busy.  And last night was fireworks in town and we decided not to go.  Not that we have EVER gone... I despise crowds and can't see the fun and enjoyment through being crammed in the same 10sq ft as a million other people.  Tonight we will probably go to my Grandma's brother's house on Michigan Center Lake and watch the fireworks.  And tomorrow we're going to Dave's to cook out but other than that... nada.  Big holiday weekend.  LOL!

******************

I felt like I had so much more to say, but apparently can't remember any of it.  Go figure.  

Life Updates: Chapter Style

I've been meaning to blog lately but I never seem to muster up the energy to sit down and journal.  I am nearly a week behind!  

CHAPTER 1:   Our New Addition (aka... my brother moves in)

My brother has been struggling to finish up school (he's going to an options high school) and is in need of a little more structure and support in his life at this time.  He finally decided to ask for help and has moved in with us for... who knows how long.  Ryan and I adore my brother... he used to stay with us a lot on the weekends when he was 12/13/14 and now that he's 18 he kind of has had little time to spend with us.  Porter is LOVING having him here.  He is his little shadow.  And we love having him here too.  The line between "friend/sibling" and "mentor/parent" is kind of a fine line and we're working out kinks as to how many boundaries to give him (because, really... he IS 18 but... it IS our house and he IS still in "high school").  So far, so good.  He has been very respectful and following rules and keeping us updated as to where he is.  He's also doing great with his school work as well, which is our main goal....get his high school diploma. 

CHAPTER 2:  Step On a Crack... Break Your Daddy's Back

Not really.... but really.  My dad broke his back.  He was slightly... inebriated.... and fell off a deck.  Nice.  Broke 3 ribs and suffered a T11 spinal cord injury.  He had surgery on his spine and the surgeons said the severity was worse than they expected.  It was completely severed and was basically being held onto by nerves and tendons.  They told him its a miracle he's not paralyzed.  I'm so thankful his outlook is good and he'll probably only have a bit of rehab to go through.  

CHAPTER 3:  Superhero  Birthday Party!

Porter's 4th birthday is coming up soon.... I can't believe he's almost FOUR!  Where did the time go? WHERE?   He wanted to have a Spiderman birthday and I was... uh... not that excited about planning a Spiderman birthday.  I finally talked him into a "generic" Superhero party... complete with custom Superhero Capes for all his friends/cousins.  I've been a sewing maniac this past week and am having a blast making these cuuuute capes!  I also plan to make this super duper fabulous rainbow cake and attempt to cover my buttercream frosting with some slick looking fondant.  Hmm....  I just LOVE planning/decorating for kids' birthday parties!

CHAPTER 4:  Our First Case of Strep

It seems like strep throat is such a common sickness among kids and amazingly... my kids have never had strep (just watch... Murphy's Law of Blogs says we'll be plagued with strep from here on out just for me saying that....).  And I think each of the boys have only had one ear infection in their lives.  Pretty darn good, if you ask me!  (Heh heh... I love debunking the "formula fed babies aren't as healthy as breastfed" theory).  

This past week the boys have had a snotty cold.   I wasn't going to take them in as I figured it was just a cold.  I hate paying doctor's co-pays for them to tell me to "let it run its course".  Well, over the weekend Hudson was such a butt-head.  He's been throwing Super-Tantrums over nothign at all.  Don't get his cereal to the table fast enough?  He pounds the table, kicks and screams.  Have to heat up his oatmeal... heavens forbid just feed the kid right out of the packet... he's throwing his cup and tipping chairs!  He's been a maniac.  And he had been poking at his right ear.  I'm not all familiar with ear infections (because its a rarity around here) but I figured.... poking at ear could = ear infection.  I decided to stay home from work today and take him in.   Of course we couldn't get an appointment until 1:15... prime naptime.  UGh.  I almost didn't take him in.  We were leaving Target and he had been acting pretty normal.  But, turns out he has Strep.  I'm glad I took him in and I'm glad there's at least a reason for his crankiness all weekend.  

CHAPTER 5:  Flooded... again... and again... and again....

In the past 2 weeks we've flooded our laundry room 4 times!  

• About 2 weekends ago I was doing laundry and realized our sump pump wasn't working.  Luckily, only about 1/2 of the laundry room got flooded and a small corner of my office.  
• Then Porter and Hudson drained the water tank in the dining room so 1/2 a jug (oh...2-3 gallons) went all over the dining room and down into the basement.   
• Then... yesterday Cam was doing laundry and our washer decided to poop out on us.  The sensor that stops the water from filling up broke or something... and the laundry room and part of the family room flooded. 
• And THEN today Ryan decided to "test" out the washer to see if it magically fixed itsself overnight.  He forgot about it and well... it hadn't fixed its self and again overflowed into the family room and part of my office.  SIGH.   

CHAPTER 6:  Diagnosis:  ADD

Not really... but I am starting to think I have ADD or something.  I have so many projects and ideas and things I want to do and there just isn't enough time in life.   Let's see...

• Scrapbooking our families albums
• Making 2 quilts for Hudson's beds
• Painting a 24x36 canvas for Hudson's new bedroom
• Making Superhero capes for Porter's birthday
• Sewing a banner for decorating for Porter's birthday
• We're in the middle of our kitchen remodel
• Wanting to start woodworking this summer with LeeAnn... hoping to make some Knock Off pieces of furniture. 
• Hmm... what else.... blogging, photography, making blurb books, OH yeah... being a mom/wife/teacher.  
• What the hell.

CHAPTER 7:  A Few Pictures

I haven't posted pictures of the boys lately.  Honestly... I've barely taken pictures of the boys lately!  I must get on that!

When Heather and I were little we used to lay in the bathtub and say "CROCODILE DUNDEE!"  while our ears were submerged underwater.  Porter is carrying on the tradition...

CHAPTER 8:  Fourth Birth Under My Belt

Obviously not my own birth... but my 4th birth being the photographer.  I'm hooked.  Seriously hooked.  I've photographed 3 of my friends births (and... possibly a 4th this summer???) and I've had one client birth session.  Have I mentioned I'm hooked??  I just love love love capturing these moments for people.  They're so much more special, and fleeting, than typical sessions.  I looove it. 

LeeAnn was noting how neat it was that if I am able to do Jane's birth I'll have seen a side of my BFF's that not many other people have seen.  I agreed and then asked... "So, does that mean I owe the 4 of you a sit-in on my next birth?"  LeeAnn suggested I give birth in one of the surgery rooms with an observation area above where they can all sit and watch.  HAHAHA!

 

This is one for chapters...

CHAPTER 1: Getting Boo'ed
When we came downstairs this morning we found a bag on our front doorstep. Porter was so excited and was saying "Someone BOO'ed me! I got Boo'ed!" Of course all day he kept asking for candy.... yay. LOL!



CHAPTER 2: Setting the stage with pumpkins
We put our pumpkins out on our front walk today. (Thank you, Dave, for buying them for us yesterday!) I am going for this kind of look, but I think I'll need to pick up more smaller, squattier pumpkins and stack some along the walk to achieve something similar to that picture.


CHAPTER 3: My boys. My sweet, sweet boys
After a not-so-hot session yesterday (I hate sessions that don't go so well... they're bound to happen now and then but I seriously hate how it crushes my ambition!) I decided to bust out the camera and take a few shots of my kiddos. Hudson was in a great mood so I called Porter up to join him. P threw a fit for about 10 minutes because he wanted to keep playing in the basement. By the time I got him upstairs and stopped his tantrum, Hudson was whiny and done with being my little model. Go figure.









CHAPTER 4: Wine tasting
LeeAnn invited me along with a few of her friends to go wine tasting. I'd never been, and I really had no idea what kind of wine I liked. figured it'd be nice to know a few wines I like and keep some on hand. We went to 3 wineries... St. Julian, Cherry Creek and Sandhill Crane Vineyards.

At St. Julian we were allowed 6 samples. I tried a St. J Merlot '05 (YUCK), Concord Wine (pretty good), Blue Heron (ok), Sauterne (too pineapple-y); White Heron (ok) and St. J Riesling '06(so-so). I didn't buy anything here.

At Cherry Creek, I liked all 3 wines I tasted. I tried Summer Breeze, a white wine. And I tried Cranberry Passion, a fruit wine. And I ended up purchasing Rosies Rose' (which also has a cute label!).

Our third stop (which ended up being our last) was the Sandhill Crane Vineyard. They let you sample every wine on their list... they start at the dry and end up at the dessert wines. I have found I don't like dry wines. I like a few of the semi-dry and I loved 2 of the dessert wines. We tasted over 20 wines at this winery... by the end I was feeling flushed and definitely not wanting to hit up the fourth planned winery! My favorite wines here were the Heriloom Apple, Blushing Crane, CraneBerry and Raspberry. Of course after tasting the CraneBerry, I realized it was $30/bottle and I really hadn't planned to spend anything at all.

I want to go back for a couples date-night and taste just the wines I gave a thumbs up to and maybe pick up a few bottles of the CraneBerry for Thanksgiving to eat with cheesecake. I seriously have no idea anything about wines... Michelle, maybe you can give some suggestions on kinds that might be up my alley?



CHAPTER 5: More crazy Porter tales
Ryan called me while I was out and said.... "Its a good thing you bought that Flip Video. I used it today. And if I used it, you know I have a good story for you..." Oh sheesh..... Well, turns out I *thought* I had put Porter down for a nap before leaving. Ryan went to get Hudson when he woke from his nap and heard Porter in the guest room. He had drawn all over himself with blue permanant marker. Ry got it on video... Porter kept saying "Because I just had to..."

CHAPTER 6: And now joining us at the big table is...
Hudson is getting to be such a big boy... especially seeing him next to Addisen, who was the same size as him at birth. Its amazing how fast they grow in just a few short months. Hudson was having a rare cranky day- not sure if it is teething or what, but he wanted to be held way too much today. I managed to occupy him while I made dinner, but of course when it was time to eat he wanted to be held. So, I got out Porter's old booster chair and let Hudson sit in it at the dinner table with us. He did great! I put a blanket in the sides beside him so he didn't slide to either side. He loved sitting across from Porter- he was entranced by him!

CHAPTER 7: Blog World Meets Real World 2009
I've begun organizing the BWMRW 2009 trip. I am so excited for another girls weekend getaway! Now if only my money tree would grow...