Great Julie Shot

Wow.... I just love this one and had to share it.

Some quick snaps of Joey

Time with Jessamyn

Recently, I can't help feeling bad for Jess. What with school and the little time we have at home that we're not busy cleaning the house, straightening up, or trying to accomplish something other than spend time with the kids, she seems to get the shortest end of the stick. I also think she is having a hard time with it the most. Joey is always so focused on.... well... Joey. Jess is very sensitive to wanting to spend time with her parents though, and I think that loss really puts her in a hard place. This is the conundrum of life for me. That balancing act between spending my free time with the kids and making memories that matter or handling the mundane administrative tasks of life that need constant follow-through or else our life will crumble to pieces. I hope that in later life, she will look back and not have regrets like I sometimes feel I do about this age and my handling of our time together.... I have to wonder.... am I making the right choices right here and now?

At Sesame Street with Jocie

Jenny and I decided months ago to take just Jocie out to see Sesame Street Live. We wanted to surprise her with something very special that she got to do with just the two of us. Being the third in a family of four, she often feels left behind as her older siblings are off at school, playing with all their neighborhood friends, and doing advanced things that Jocie isin't often invited to participate in.

So, this was just for her. And I think you can see in her face just how excited she was about having this opportunity.

A Few More Shots of Julie

Some random shots

Jocie gets to sit in her parents bed while her siblings get ready for school. I really think she enjoys her time with mommy and Julie alone these days.

The kids spent a bunch of time with Jenny working on a wonderful flowerpot for their Great-Grandmother Weigel's 89th birthday this past weekend. Here Julie looks on while mom paints an apple tree.

Julie tries to get a drink from a watering can in the back yard.

Crawling after bugs in the yard

Pretty Julie

Well, Julie just had a blast playing with bubbles in the bath the other night. Here is her impression of George Washington (her idea, of course).

in the bath with Julie

A cute one of the little girl having fun in the bath.

First Day of School

Jessamyn stands outside of the doors to her school as she begins her first day in kindergarten.

Jocie greets Jessamyn's new teacher... soon enough, Jocie will be here too...

Jess learns where she will be putting her backpack and lunch box (along with coats and things for later in the year).

Joey (not feeling too well with a 103+ degree fever... he didn't go today, just said 'hi' to his friends from a distance) stands outside the building where he will be attending 1st grade.

Joey says 'hi' to his class mates before heading home to get some well-deserved rest.

Jocie was pretty excited to escort her siblings on their first day of school.... she may start this Winter when she turns 3.

A bite to eat with Jessamyn

Another fun shot of Jessamyn out eating cookies with her friends in the back yard. jp

Julie in the Yard

Julie has been enjoying her new ability to crawl just about everywhere now. She follows us around the house (often getting into trouble with the dogs and cats food bowls as she steals from them... or diving into the dogs water bowl... something Jenny loves). This was her and I talking a short "crawl" across the neighbors back yard. jp

Julie and Jenny

Just had to share this perfect shot from a photo session yesterday.