A Full Heart

by Ang

This weekend my sis & brother-in-law are off on a much-needed weekend getaway. So, I took my two nephews to Grandma and Grandpa's so they could spend some quality time together for the weekend. I also got to see my brother, sister-in-law and Little Miss A.

I was reminded tonight how awesome it is to have two nephews and a niece that are completely amazing. I never knew that when I became an aunt almost 14 years ago that they would bring such joy and love into my life.

D, my 'will-be-14-in-two-months' older nephew is just a great kid. He is turning in to such a gentleman already. If my arms are weighed down with bags, he helps. He always opens the door. He is incredibly respectful. He watches out for his little brother, and affectionately calls him 'bub' (like tonight when M was coughing, D said 'remember to cover your mouth bub!'). I love how we can talk and actually have an adult conversation. He is smart and very interesting. And I LOVE that even though he is almost 14, he will still give me hugs....like tonight. And I didn't even have to ask for it. I was leaving mom and dad's and he just came up to me and put his arm around my shoulder and gave me a squeeze. I love that kid!

M, my 8 year old nephew is just....one of a kind. We have a definite bond that I hope will NEVER be broken. I was there in the same room when he took his first breath 8 years ago and we have been extremely close ever sense. He is easy to hang out with. He asks wonderful questions and he is sooooo funny. You just never know what he is going to say (or do, for that matter). I definitely still get hugs from him and I hope that never changes. Tonight as I was leaving he ran up to me, gave me a hug and said 'I love you Angie!'. Then I kissed the top of his head and quietly reminded him to be good for Grandma and Grandpa (since mom and dad weren't there to give him the reminder). I then said 'I'll see you Tuesday' and he gave me a double thumbs up and said 'Done!' and ran off to play. Just thinking about him makes me smile.

Little Miss A....what can I say? She has my heart. I LOVE watching her grow. I love watching her watch things. Tonight, she played peek-a-boo with M and it was one of the cutest things I've seen in a while. She smiles and laughs constantly. I love watching the whole family just go ga-ga over her. She is soooo loved by us all. And I love watching what amazing parents she has. My brother can just look at her and make her smile and he loves her to pieces. And my sister-in-law is truly one of the best mothers I know. She's just a natural at it. You would think this was her 3rd or 4th kid...she makes it look so easy! Little Miss A has brought me so much joy and love in the 6 months that she's been here....it's hard to remember what things were like without her!

I feel so blessed to have these 3 amazing people in my life. They are a constant source of joy and happiness for me and I love them completely...all the time.

(I realize this is a little 'mushier' than most of my posts, but I got to spend some time with all 3 of them tonight and I haven't been able to stop thinking about them!)

Me and my Loves:

Double Trouble

By Amy

First of all my sister was supposed to blog tonight but she is dog sitting and has no Internet access were she is! So we will forgive her and she will blog on Friday. I thought I would post some pictures of my boy and my nephew from this last weekend. They are quite the pair.

Playing a little Wii.

And just so you know, a table is a perfectly acceptable place to lay on.

They filmed themselves with my old camera. Strange dances and farting noises. Apparently it was really funny.

The weather wasn't to bad so I made them go outside and help me with yard work. It was good for them!

Back inside but what to do? How about a good old fashion game of Monopoly!

Ok so maybe it's not so old fashioned.

They were getting restless so it was time to force the big brother to play a little tackle football with them.

I promise that no one got hurt.

Well, maybe HE did.

So that was my weekend. This weekend will be much different. Me and hubby are going to Kansas City. Without the kids. Quiet, relaxing and whine free.

Lazy

By Amy

I took alot of pictures over the weekend and had planned on downloading them and writing a whole bunch about them but I'm to lazy. So I'll just leave you with this.

Cracks me up everytime I look at it! Maybe I'll be motivated to post more tomorrow. If not Ange said she would post on Wednesday. I keep telling her that people get sick of me all the time and want to hear from her! So hopefully you will. (:

Polaroid Goodness

By Amy

When I was little my mom had a polaroid camera. She would take our picture and slowly it would come out of the camera. That black square card with the white edges. We would gather around the picture and wait. Slowly our figures would start to take shape. I see it! I see it! It was like magic. I know the quality is so much better in digital now but there is something about polaroid film that I am drawn too. I love the vintage look of it. The way it mutes and blends the colors. For awhile they stopped making polaroid film. But recently I checked on amazon.com and you can still buy it. It's rather expensive though. While I was in Wyoming I found these.

I almost shrieked in delight! A whole box full of of polaroid prints on little notecards.






These are some of my favorites.








These are some of my "not" favorites.



At first I thought this was a slab of steak on a table. But I think it's toast. With strawberries.

And this is a spaceship like building. Weird.

I can't decide whether to frame the ones I like or send them to people I love.


Recently I discovered a website that will give your pictures a polaroid look. Check it out.
http://www.rollip.com/#

My boy. 30 years ago.

My hubby's '68 Nova. In 1968.

Go check the website out. Have fun!

6 Months Old

By Amy

This little girl is six months old.

It's hard to believe. She is a HALF!! Where did the time go. It got me thinking about my kids at six months old. So then I decided to dig up some pictures to see if I could see any resemblance between them and my niece. Here is my first born.

He was such a little man! My niece and my son are both light and have a little hair on top. I think that's the only similarities. My second son....










He had just eaten his first cookie. What was a thinking giving him a cookie at six months old??!



My boys at 6 years and 6 months old. Such a fun time. They were both good babies and even though I complained about them, I really had nothing to complain about. I don't really see any resemblance. So I tried to find a picture of me. Because the coolest thing ever would be a niece that looked just like you did.




Not even a eyelash is the same. Oh well. While digging through pictures I came across this.





Oh boy. So much to say about this one. The hair. THE HAIR!!! Why didn't someone stop me. I actually paid for that. My baby seems to have got his hand stuck in that mess. It was 1996 so you will just have to forgive me. I had to redeem myself by finding a decent one of me with one of my babies. It took awhile.



Better. But still the same round, white, pasty face. Sigh. Here is one of my sissy!





My boys loved her then and they still love her now. I came across these and they made me sad.



(Dona and "D" in 1996)



(Dona and "M" in 2002)


I was so happy that I captured these moments. My pictures are such a mess. I would need at least a week to organize them all. One of these days I should get a scanner. I just took pictures of these pictures which I'm sure you can tell. Maybe when the little girl turns one I'll do this again. ONE! I can't even imagine.....

Hahahahahaha!!! More Funny Fashion!

by Ang

Guess what I got in the mail today? My Vogue magazine. That can only mean one thing...

"I couldn't find my scarf....so I'll just use my gloves! It looks good, right?" (forget the fact that she looks like a linebacker with her poufy shoulders.)

I can only hope this poor woman is going to some sort of costume party. Or she's on a dare.

"I just don't understand why I'm still cold. I mean, I put on my big furry hat!"

No comment.

"My boot got caught on the post!" (that doesn't explain the arm though)
Thank you Vogue. I think when my subscription runs out I may have to renew just for the entertainment value.

Almost Mobile

By Amy

On Friday I went to my mom's and watched little Miss A while her mom and dad played volleyball. She wants to crawl sooo bad. She has the position right but just can't seem to get the movement down.

She kind of throws herself forward and she get's so happy when she makes progress. It's so cute to watch.

It won't be long and she will be all over the place!! She's a sweet little baby and I am already trying to figure out when I can see her again.

From Russia, With Love

By Amy

My boss just got back from visiting Russia. She loves it there and has been about 5 times. She brought me back a little souvenir. Something that I have always wanted because I just think they are so cool! Guess what it was?

A nesting doll! I realize you can get these here but this one is from RUSSIA. And it's special because my boss thought of me when she was buying it. Look at the details on her face....

Of course there is more......

They all have a different expression on their faces. They are so cute!

And just when you think there isn't any more......there is!

Look how tiny they are!

All in a row.....

This was the perfect gift for me. My husband liked it too. However he was more excited about the other gift that we got. (: