Ah, The Memories...

I have exactly 3,774 pictures in iPhotos. It's running a little slow these days as I just keep lumping more photos into the pot. If I'm scrolling through folders it takes forever for them to load. I am not a patient person and the slowness is getting to me! :) So, today I decided to tackle purging out the memories and storing them on our external hard drive.

You know what? Purging online photos is just like trying to purge out the junk closet-- 2 hours later and I have done nothing but take a trip down memory lane!

Here, I'll let you take a peek at my favorites so far...

my siblings and I as little ones


the hubs and I as Bonnie and Clyde for a costume party back in 2001


my love and I on our wedding day


my love and I on the day we found out we were going to be parents


daddy's first glimpse


momma's first glimpse


our funny guy


finally catching the smile on camera

My Own Little Jonny Appleseed

We went apple picking this past weekend and have a TON of apples. I've made applesauce, apple butter, apple strudel muffins, and still we have a ton of apples left. We told Jaron that he could have an apple whenever he wanted one and he has taken us up on that offer.

Currently he is having quiet time, reading a book, and eating an apple. And he is so proud of himself because he can say "apple" clear as day. He gets really excited when he is able to ask for what he wants. It's cute.

And did you get a good look at those chubby little fingers holding that apple?? Oh, so adorable. I love every inch of my little man.

Home and Some Photos

On A Walk With Jaron

I have a post started but can't for the life of me figure out how to end it. Grrrr! I'm letting it ruminate for the moment and I'll get it out later today or tomorrow. Until then I will show off a few photos of my boy.

He keeps me on my toes, this boy of mine, but oh how I love him! :)

Funky Hair, Fun Fair

First things first... I got my hair funktified this weekend. I always, ALWAYS, have hair cutters remorse for a few days after the cut, even if I just get a trim. This is a huge change for me so the remorse is a bit more intense, but I think it's starting to grow on me. (Get it, "grow" on me?!?! Ha! I am hilarious!)

Anyhoooo... here are a few pictures...

Not the greatest shots, but I think you can get the idea. I got it cut and had some sassy red highlights added. I wanted something less blah and I would say I got it! :)

Now... on to the fair. We took Jaron yesterday and had a blast! We went with Nanna and Papa (my folks) and Jaron was in awe of just about everything. It was also the night that the Jonas Brothers were in concert so the place was packed with screaming girls! We got a few chuckles in at the antics of the crazed fans.

Here are a few shots of our day at the fair...

Now we are off to enjoy a family Bar-B-Que. Gotta love 3 day weekends! :)

What A Difference A Year Makes

I have been feeling very reminiscent lately. My baby is growing up and I am not sure I like it! Truthfully, this age/stage is my favorite yet, however I am not ready for him to grow beyond it. He is chattering so much and is proud to show off the words he knows. Any day now I expect to hear him speaking full sentences!

He has learned that he can pull his little walking toy up to the wall and reach the light switches by standing on it. He can open the doors around the house and his big thing this week is twisting lids off of things, be it daddy's coffee cups or momma's water bottles.

My boy runs around the house chasing the poor dog. It seems Maddie's tail is a source of endless pleasure for Jaron! (Poor Maddie, she's been spending lots of time hiding under the bed!) I wish you could all hear him squeal when he chases her!! It makes my heart leap with joy to hear him.

I was going through some photos the other day and found this one of Jaron and daddy at the beach last summer. He was 3 1/2 months in this picture.


These 3 are shots of him this summer (15 months). He has turned into a little water baby. He loves the beach (though he's yet to experience a real ocean beach) and he especially loves the sand. I can't wait to see him during our upcoming vacation. He is going to have a blast!!



Everyday I can't imagine loving him more, and yet every day I do. How is a heart capable of so much love? (And to think, our Heavenly Father loves even more than that!) Jaron is such a special little guy and I thank the Lord with every breath for allowing me the honor and privilege of being his momma.

Twins

In case there was ever any doubt that Jaron looked like his daddy, I think this pretty much takes care of it.

Big J & little j

Me and My Boy

Impossible

Can somebody please tell me how I am supposed to clean my house with a toddler hanging around?!? Because I think it is pretty much impossible.

"Oh, did you want me to put away my toys, mom? I thought you said play with my toys. My bad!"

"If I smile real big, can I get away with it?"

Breathtaking...

Sunset over Lake Champlain

Let the name of the LORD be praised,
both now and forevermore.
From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the LORD is to be praised.

Psalm 113: 2-3

Time With Papa

Grandpa is introducing Jaron to George and Martha.

Hmm, this isn't going so well.

Guess Jaron is too young to fully appreciate the antics of George and Martha.

Now, that's better!!

And Then My Heart Melted All Over The Toys

Jaron is a very busy little boy. Very. Busy. When he is playing he likes to go from one thing, to another, and then back again several times. Though he is not walking yet, (any day now he will be) he is all over the place. He loves to chase the dog and squeal real loud to get her attention. And he loves, LOVES, it when Maddie chases him right back.

In typical male fashion, Jaron is not much of a cuddlier. He has his moments, but those are rare. And when such rare times do occur I usually end up getting head butted or kicked in the gut as he tries to wiggle free after his 1.2 second love fest.

Cuddle time with daddy is about the same. Tonight, however, I managed to catch a few photos of a sweet little exchange between father and son.

Ah, Dad... can't you see I'm busy?

See? I'm trying to make this thing balance.

Well, okay, maybe just a few kisses.

Who Knew A Kitchen Towel Could Be Such Fun?

I Don't Know What I Am Doing, But I Am Having Fun Doing It

So, I have like 739 gazillion photos of Jaron sitting on my computer. (Not photos of him literally sitting on the computer, but photos of him stored on the computer... oh, never mind, you know what I mean.) I pretty much take my camera every where I go. I'm snap happy. I'm a shutterbug momma. A photo phreak.

You get the picture.

(Ha, get the "picture"! I crack myself up!)

Anyway, I think I have made my point- I take a ton of photos. And why not take a ton of pictures when the subject is as cute as my baby?!?

Lately I have been playing around with those pictures in Photoshop. I have no clue what I am doing. I just play with some levels here, adjust the shadow there and Voila! it's a whole new look.

Here's my new favorite photo. It looks a little blah as is, though the lighting is a good start.




Here it is with an"antiqued" look after a bit of tweaking.

The best part about Photoshop is I can change the photo a hundred different ways until I find a look I love.

Gives me something to do on a snowy, Friday night.

Happy Weekend, Y'all!

Spittin' Image

We were getting ready to run some errands yesterday when Jaron noticed that his daddy had a hat on. He got very excited about this hat and was kicking his feet like crazy (his way of letting us know he likes something.) I went and got the hat that my parents had given to Jaron several months ago. I put it on his head, backwards, just like Daddy and Jaron was thrilled!

I showed him what he looked like in the mirror and he kept looking back and forth between his image and his daddy. Again with the kicking of the feet. It was so precious. I wish I could have captured it on video.

Alas, this photo of my special men will have to do. The spittin' image, huh?


Speaking of spitting.... Jaron has discovered that he can. Spit, I mean. Cheerios have been flying all over the place.

And Maddie, the dog, couldn't be happier!

Wordless Wednesday

The smile that melts my heart.

Listmakers...

Momma's To Do List:






















Jaron's To Do List:
1. Throw all books off shelf.




















2. Steal Maddie's spot on the couch. Teach her who's boss.





















3. Make mess while enjoying cookie.





















4. Lounge around with my peeps.















5. Kiss and make up with Maddie.
















6. Help Mama stick to diet plan by not allowing her any quiet time to enjoy her cookies.
















7. Wait with Maddie for Daddy to get home.





















Jaron managed to cross all the items off his list while keeping me from crossing off most of mine! Oh well, guess that's the life of a momma! :)