Bring on the noise...

The kid is back! After a week of vacation in CT with dad, stepmom, kid brother and sister...we have a teenager back in the house and all is well...and significantly louder.

The pugger is happy...

...and so is the Skeeter. Can you tell?

Sam and I had a good week. We enjoyed our weekend grilled cheese tradition last Saturday...

...complete with giggle-fest.

A new friend was added to the menagerie...purchased with his own dough. Meet Nick the bunny.

Cardinal sin of hair...but I cut my own bangs anyway and I quite like them.

My husband is a culinary genius...particularly when it comes to soups. I ate almost the entire pot of this batch of chicken tortilla...not all at once. My love is the shizz.

Skeeter had a buddy come to play yesterday...I made them a fort in the dining room.

Chillin' in the hideout.

Then Sammy and I hung out after his pal went home.

We love blanket forts!

A little afternoon snack...3 2 1 cake. It's 3 tbs of instant cake mix, 2 tbs of water and 1 minute in the microwave. Not the best cake I've ever tasted, however...

...add a little of this combo to the top and it's a lovely, sweet little treat.

We spent the afternoon lolling around in Sam's room and had a funny face photo shoot with the iPad.

At one point, Sam looked at me and said..."I love your smile."

And I love your smile too, bean.

Pugs, and usually a kitty or two, cover my lap at all times when I sit anywhere.

Today we dropped M off to ski with some friends and then Super Sam and I headed to Burger King for lunch.

When in Rome...

And then we headed to the library to read and watch the snow. I'm typing right now as I listen to Sam read out loud to himself. He is getting to be a really good little bookworm.

Such a fun place to spend a snowy afternoon.

Picture of the week...I should frame this one. Oh how I love a noisy house.
Happy weekend!

The adventure begins...

Here it comes...the first day of school has finally crept up on me and I am so effing happy that the wait is over. The anticipation has done a number on me. I know that if I can get started and find my groove, I will manage just fine. Bring it on, life in general...I am ready to stretch my comfort zone a bit.

Winter seems to have finally arrived here. It's lovely, sparkly and white out. M just took his first ski lesson today and the kid is killing it on the slopes. He's a natural and I love that he has found a winter activity that he's really into.

The ol' radiator is working overtime at the moment. Hats and mittens, warm and toasty for the next outing.

The homework room has shaped up quite nicely...a little bit of reorganization and furniture swapping and now we have a new area for anyone in this house who needs a quiet spot. I feel like I've been nesting for the past few weeks...getting everything ready. It's all pretty exciting really.

The thinking chair has been with us since Miles was three, thanks to Uncle Chris. This seems to be the perfect spot for it now...a place for skeeter to keep me company while I hit the books.

And so here I go...changing my path with my three little birds by my side...keeping it all as simple as possible.
Happy weekend!

Better late than never...

Nearly two months...I know...and I didn't even post around Thanksgiving. What the eff is wrong with me? You'd think I have a couple of kids and a full time job, and a house full of kitties and puppies...and not even enough time to pee when I get home at night...or something like that.
Anyway...Happy Holidays to anyone who reads this...may your days be merry and bright...and so on. And I truly mean that because I just plain love the holidays. I think that my favorite time of year just might be that handful of weeks that run from Thanksgiving to Christmas. It's pure magic. I might even be just as excited as Sammy this year...and that's saying a lot!
So here are some snaps from our Christmas (plus a few random shots that I love from our year)...just a handful but I think they say it all...family is what it's all about...we are rich in love and very very lucky to have each other.

Sammy in his power suit (all his idea) on the way to a Christmas party...he was the best dressed there and pretty darn proud of that fact.

Christmas morning with the big kid...he looks so grown up to me in this shot. Pokemon cards and Ugly Dolls have been replaced with itunes cards, shaving cream and a razor in this kid's stocking.
Oh my heart.

A happy Christmas morning smile from the bean...I just love that silly bed head boy.

Merry Christmas Kiko...

and Merry Christmas Casey.

Patiently waiting for Evan and I to grab coffee before opening stockings.

A boy and his dog.

We couldn't get over how very careful and deliberate Sammy was with his gifts this year...our little guy is growing up.

Sam's very own kid friendly, ipad-ish type thing...I think he likes it!

Observing his little brother's excitement.

Our little Harry Potter fan...dressed as Harry.
Look out Halloween 2012.

"You're frozen Miles!" That was the most popular Christmas morning spell.

A little bubble bread before breakfast...our first shot at it and it was delicious.

Sam's present from M...one word...perfect.

Merry Christmas my littlest love...I can hardly wait to see what new adventures you find this coming year. You make me smile and laugh, daily and I love that so much.

Merry Christmas my teenager...you seem to grow more every day and I am so proud of who you are...and to be your mom.

Merry Christmas love of my life...you are my partner in every sense of the word and I am so happy that we're together on this journey. I feel lucky every day to have you three guys in my life.

A belated Merry Christmas and happy wishes for a wonderful New Year.
2012 is going to be a good one...I just know it.