Don't laugh, I'm finally posting Halloween pictures! Ok, you can laugh, I am. What can I say? I guess, "sorry mom!" would suffice.

Sticking out the tongue helps the carving process!

Digging in. Take note of Noah's tough guy tattoo. Unavoidable, thanks to
drive-thru happy meal surprises.

Hayden was not as eager as Noah to get the pumpkin slime on him.

Noah, proud to show his slime!

I could just eat up these sweet little hands, slime and all!

What were we doing July 8th last year?


Fishing in the local pond with Papa and Mimi

Yes, there is pavement around this pond- suburbia makes me laugh.

If he didn't have his pacifier, Noah used to suck on his bottom lip- or anything else he could find.

Brotherly love...these two are learning to get along more and more!

Our "harvest" from our garden last year.


We planted a little later this year, so we only have had some radishes so far. All of the seeds didn't quite make it in there neat little rows for some reason either :)

Goodbye Winkie!

As many of you know, our littlest man was born with congenital ptosis- a weak left eyelid. His eyelid drooped, partially covering his pupil. This interfered with his developing vision.

Two months before his first surgery

On July 9th, he underwent frontalis suspension Goretex surgery and right nasolacrimal duct expansion. Basically, the surgeon lifted his eyelid by connecting it to his eyebrow muscle. He also unplugged his right tear duct. Almost two weeks later, however, he developed a staph infection that required the surgeon to remove the synthetic sling that was lifting his eyelid so that the infection could resolve...

Little Trooper!

My bestie, Carlee, was by my side during this second surgery as Mark couldn't get work off- this was during the week that he was under the threat of possibly losing his job. It was definitely trying times, but we had so much love and support!

On November 18th, our little trooper went back under the knife for his third surgery at 15 months old.


Noah hanging out with his bro the day before his last surgery- worry free!




We are almost two weeks out, and there is no sign of infection or rejection! I cannot tell you the gratefulness I felt this year as we sat down for Thanksgiving dinner. We had so much support and prayers. My mom traveled last minute to help me out with the boys after surgery (Mark was on call for work). My dad needed to stay home to take care of grandma (he was able to come for the first surgery). Mark's parents have stepped in to help numerous times for doctors visits, etc. I thank God for our health, supportive family and friends, for a job, and for these trials that have brought us closer to Him and each other. It could be so much worse!



My mom helped me cook my first turkey dinner

Outdoor fun in the mountains- and a balloon turkey :)

Noah has acquired many nicknames since birth. Two of the names that have stuck have been Winkie (started by my dad) and Bruiser...

Noah Dec. 1st, almost two weeks after surgery

...but it looks like we might have to ditch the nickname Winkie! There is still a little swelling and a couple battle wounds, but he can see the world in a whole new way now!

So goodbye Winkie! But, you'll always be my little Bruiser :)

The Wonder Years

Haydenisms: "lasterday" as in "lasterday we went to the park. "comeovers"= guests. "nordobs"= doornobs. A couple of our favorite recent quotes, "I want to be mud for Halloween mommy!" Upon seeing a rainbow, "Mommy, can I slide down it?" Hayden is quite the creative one, making forts and "nests" every day. Noah started walking a couple weeks ago and is now Hayden's partner in crime. They can destroy the house in five minutes flat. He loves knocking things over- to his big brother's dismay. Noah outeats his brother at most meals. They both are curious to the core and love to explore their world. Yes, these are the wonder years, the times that I try so hard to soak up. Everyone agrees that this sweet time goes by so fast, but I won't lie- there are some things I won't miss!

Take Five

Growing up, some of my best childhood memories occurred during summers with my family out on the water. My mom would pack up lunch and snacks, and my dad would pull my brothers and I around the lake for hours. I learned to ski, well sink at first, when I was five. We progressed from the classic kneeboard and double skis to wakeboarding and slalom. There was always tubing. These are the kinds of memories I want to create with my own kids now. We might not own a boat, but we have already covered some ground in our outdoor adventures. When trying to come up with a name for the blog that would share these moments, the name of our old ocean liner came back to me- "Take Five." A perfect description of what I want this blog to be- a chance for me to take five and share. My plan is for the pictures to do most of the talking. If it becomes more of a long, drawn-out Christmas letter than a picture post card please feel free to
let me know.



Clockwise from top right: my brother, Jeff, Mark and I- back in our dating
days (Jeff's date is his wakeboard). My dad and Dr. Cleek (Pokey) probably preparing for a fishing trip.
My lovebird parents kissing on the boat- my mom is holding the ski flag in her left hand!
Daddy in his "trimmer" times preparing to tear it up on the slalom.