Our newest addition...

Meet the newest addition to our family. Her name is Coco.

She was the hit of Christmas, and nothing else really mattered!

Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas

I scrambled this year to get my Christmas Cards finished.

My husband fished every weekend in November,

(in which he caught his biggest fish so far...a 36 pounder...so it was soooo worth it)

Therefore getting a picture during the daylight hours was impossible, just about as impossible as being your own photographer.

Working last minute meant that Walmart lab was my only option, which wouldn't allow my design...

But...

WHATEVER,

They got done...

They relayed the message that I wanted,

and I learned my lesson!

I know that there are family and friends that didn't get one, because I didn't have addresses.

I am so sorry...but...

I am wishing you all a beautiful holiday,

with the day spent loving your children,

and enjoying your families,

and devouring yummy food!

Merry Christmas!

with love,

The Colby's

Our "REAL" Christmas Tree

Our upstairs family room is "almost" completed, and as I was decorating our house for Christmas the upstairs family room felt sad. Sad, because it didn't have a Christmas Tree in it. So, I decided that we were going to get a tree for the sad family room. I really wanted a real one, but didn't want it to be bare and ugly.

I got an ad in the mail and Home Depot was selling real Christmas trees. We went to Richfield and picked us out a beautiful tree. We got it home, decorated it, and it smelt heavenly. Now I know why all you people like real trees.

The girls were so excited.

"We have never had a real tree before," said Aniston.

Exactly one week later it was dead! I mean, dead, like needles falling off, I was afraid of turning on the lights, dead.

We called Home Depot and they said bring it back. I un-decorated the tree and we took the dead, sad tree back to Richfield, and got a new one. We put it up again, and decorated it again.

Which was good because I didn't get any pictures of us decorating it before. So after all the fun with the "real tree". I think I am going to buy an artificial one after Christmas for the upstairs family room.

And half way though the decorating, this one was done. She was on the floor rolling around and being her silly self.

Boy, do I love these girls, and the Christmas season, and spending time decorating, un-decorating, and re-decorating Christmas trees with my family!

21 Weeks...

Here we are at 21 weeks. I feel so good. I have so much energy during the day, but come 9:30 I am ready for bed. I can eat again and I want to! Christmas is the perfect time to "have to" gain weight. We are constantly eating YUMMY treats and snacks. I love it!

I have been feeling the baby move around a lot and I love it. I sort of feel selfish because I get to feel him all day and his daddy doesn't. The other night he was kicking pretty hard and Ryan did get to feel him and I think that he loves it too. I think that it is funny that you forget something so small as feeling the babies move and kick. It is an amazing feeling. I could just set there for hours and feel him move!

The girls are so cute and are so excited for their new little brother!

We haven't thought of any names yet. I have to see them before I can decide for sure.

Countdown to Christmas...

I made this countdown board at a CK holiday retreat. I didn't finish it last year because I was insanely busy with my "homeade Christmas". My poor sweet kids got neglected and I felt like a horrible mother!!
So with a new and improved vision for Christmas this year, I finished this board and we are doing little activities everynight. And it is so much fun. The girls LOVE to pull the next slip to see what we are doing. They aren't hard, unrealistic things. They are fun little things like write a letter to Santa, and make ornaments for their tree, make treats, and stuff like that.


I just have to say that it has been so much fun not stressing about making every gift. I am not even close to finished shopping and I am not one bit stressed out about it. Everything will fall into place and I am determined to just set back and enjoy my time with my family.


Tonight our activity is to make hot cocoa and read a Christmas Story. I just found this recipe and how YUMMY does peppermint whipping cream sound. We are so topping our cocoa with this stuff tonight.

Find the recipe here...Peppermint whipped cream

I hope that you are all taking the time to enjoy the little things!!

It's Beginning to...

Look a lot like Christmas

I am not done with my shopping...

I am not all the way done decorating...

But I do have a pretty good start...

But I am enjoying the season this year...

We have one tree decorated...

We have started our "Christmas Countdown"

with activities for everynight...


starting with our paper chain making

Ohh...this year we are going to have so much fun!

And my girls are going to be so happy come Christmas morning!

I really, REALLY love this season...

I'm So Thankful today...

that these 3 call me mommy...

And just in case you couldn't tell...

We found out just hours ago that
we are having a boy!

Today I am feeling so many different emotions. I saw my sweet new baby for the 1st time today. I saw the reaction of my amazing husband and my beautiful little girls.

We are all healthy and so very Happy! We have so many things to be grateful for right now!

I just wish everyone a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Today...

I have been really, really bad at posting something everyday for 30 days.

I have been really busy and really tired!! And I don't see an end in site for either one of those problems.

But due to Thanksgiving being in a few days I just wanted to take the time to jot down some things that I am thankful for.

Today... I am thankful for the oppurtunity I have stay at home and raise my family. I am thankful for the chance to work from home. I am thankful for my husband who supports our decision for me to stay home and give our children the security, love, and support that only a mother can give them.

Today I am VERY thankful to be a stay at home mommy!!

{10/30}

I have been very bad at this 30 days of everyday. I just have been so busy with work and housework.

Anyone have those days when nothing goes as planned? I have them more than not!!

Ohhh, well...

Nothing has been going on around here. And since Ryan has banned christmas gift crafting, I am making a list of things that I want to do...

I want to make this... I found the tutorial here.

How cute is that to dress up a plain shirt with some jeans and my cute boots??

And, of course, Martha is going to show you how to make Peppermint bark right here.

I LOVE peppermint bark.

And I want to make one of these...

Because I am in love with scarves. I found the tutorial here.

And I am on a mission to "PERFECT" my Grandma Dallas Cinnamon Rolls. I know a few of you out there know what I am taking about. They were HEAVEN on earth. I found her recipie (after much searching) and I am going to figure them out, even if it takes me a million tries!!

So what are you making these days??

I am going to craft club tonight and I CAN'T wait.

I haven't made anything crafty for so long and I am having crafting-withdrawls.

And that is a real disease...TRUE STORY!!

And Last but not least...Happy Birthday Dad!! We love ya!

I still remember...

"I still remember when 30 was old..." (deanna.carter)

And guess what...

I do remember when I thought that 30 was old. It really wasn't that long ago.

But the day has come...and gone...and I guess that now I am OLD!


It really wasn't that bad. My husband took me out for the day, just the two of us. It included shopping, a movie, a really good prime rib dinner, and a whole lot of adult conversation. I really didn't feel like it was my birthday, I really didn't feel like I was old. And then we got home that night and I was really tired, and my feet hurt from walking all day, and I was in bed before 10:00.

So I guess that I really am old!!

{9/30} I'm not going to lie...

and I am not embarrassed about it either!
(and I am sort of sorry for this --->)

Yesterday I was working away, just setting here editing photos and I had a HUGE desire to hear some christmas music.
So, I went to Playlist and found my Christmas playlist and sang my Christmas-Lovin' heart out all afternoon.
Then I was so in the mood that I dug out my "Holiday Planner" (Yes! I have a holiday planner, Yes! I am a nerd, and Yes! I know of at least 2 other people who have one too) , cleaned out holiday plans from last year and made new copies of all the sheets for this year.
Then I got out my Gooseberry Patch Books and flipped through them and dreamed of what MY...oh I mean "OUR" perfect Holiday is going to be this year.
After last years Fiasco of my "only a Homeade Christmas". We ( and I mean, Ryan saying something similar to, "You are NOT making ANY gifts this year") have our game plan maped out and are starting this weekend. I am determined to enjoy the whole month of Decemeber, with as little stress as possible. I want to decorate until my heart is content, I want to bake until we can't possibly eat one more yummy thing, and I want to watch Christmas movies with my 3 little sweethearts, christmas tree lights twinkling beside us, and a fire popping and crackling in the background.

Oh... This year is going to be heavenly...I can already tell!!

{8/30}

This isn't as much as an everyday in 30 days, but it is something that we all have to do every day.

Keeping a Clean House...

I don't know about you all, but when I have a clean house I have a better, happier, healthier attitude about everything. But I hate spending all morning cleaning so that when the kids come home from school, they leave a trail of mess, and then it is time for me to start dinner, which produces another mess.

So what is the secret? What is the key to keeping it all under control? I don't know, but I am going to figure it out.

The holidays always provide me with stress and little time for all the things that I want to do, so now is a perfect time to get it together.
I am totally open to tips, ideas, sharing stories of organizing and managing time better. Share, help, inspire.
I am here to document my journey to find balance between being a mom, a maid, a cook, a babysitter, a photo editor, and a photographer!

And I am starting here. The Fly Lady (thanks Mindy. I had seen this a while ago, but had forgotten about it). Her Detailed list of deep cleaning is where I am starting.

Wish me luck!!

{7/30}

Week 15...

This week the baby is as big as an apple, or so says Baby Center .

I am still feeling tired and a little nauseous at times. I have had the worst heartburn, which makes me feel a little sick after eating. It is just a darn good thing that the moment that you hold these sweet little babies you forget all the yucky stuff!!

I finished Halloween mini session pictures yesterday and they turned out so cute. I had such a great time doing them. Thank you everyone who brought their cute kiddos to the shoot.

These 3 are the most important things to me.

They are the reason for everything that I do.

I just love them so much!

Now I am off to conquer and destroy my laundry!

How do you all do your housework? Do you do certain things each day of the week? Do you just take one or two days a week and clean everything? I am in need of a system. Anyone have a good system that works?

{6/30}

Sundays are the best!

Sundays I get to make a big dinner for my family.

Chicken noodle soup and Homeade bread...YUMMY!!

Sundays I get help from my best assistants.

Sundays we get to not be hurried, rushed, or frantic.

Sundays we get to relax.

Sundays we get to watch the Yankees pull off another win.

Sundays are awesome!

{5/30}

Halloween was a ball. My girls were adorable!

During my halloween shoots they played with my grandparents. They made pumpkin cookies. Played pumpkin ball with grandma and grandpa, and ate a lot of candy.

When we were done with pictures we went home to pick up dad and to go trick or treating. My little Snow White told me while we were walking to the next house that"Trick or Treating is so fun Mom".

We skipped out kind of early because I had a horrible headache and the Yankee game was on.

(any of you old cheerleaders remember this uniform??)

Halloween was a fun filled holiday that has came and gone. Thanksgiving we are ready for you next...

{4/30}

This little girlie is wearing me out.

She is full of it! She talks non-stop. She changes her clothes every hour.

She never quits going and going. She is silly. She is full of laughter. She is full of tears. She is slightly spoiled. She is adorable. She says the funniest things. She hates being called a baby. She tells her daddy everyday at lunch that she missed him so much.

And then she is out...

And I love her and all her little ways!!

{3/30}

Today we made some ghost suckers for our afternoon snack.

I found the idea Here.

So cute and so easy!

Mine didn't look as good as the recipe...but kids loved them anyway.

Who wouldn't love a white chocolate ghost sucker??

These 4 sure did!

{2/30}

Ohh... Winter, what have you done to the beautiful Fall??

Fall is my favorite season. I could list a million things that I love about it. But Fall never seems long enough. Winter always comes way too soon and ALWAYS lasts too long!

My sweet, awesome, beautiful mom is having her "29th" birthday today.

Happy Birthday Mom. We love you so much!!

So we are going to dinner and then settling in for the night to watch the 1st game of the World Series. (go Yankees)

I have a few spots left open for Halloween Pictures. Stop by Here to get your time set up!

14 Weeks...

I made it through my 1st trimester. 4 weeks ago I seriously didn't think that I would survive 4 more weeks of morning sickness, fatigue, and not being able to keep anything down. But I did! Yeah!!!

I just realized that during my 2 previous pregnancies I have two pictures of me with a belly. One with Aniston and one with Emerson, both at about 6 weeks away from my due date. Kind of sad... so I am going to try super hard to document this pregnancy better. It will probably be the last.

We went to the Dr. last week. We heard the heartbeat for the 1st time and it just makes me smile. I already love this little person so much.

I feel a lot better for the most part. I can eat now and I am trying to gain back the weight that I have lost.

The H1N1 Flu has got us a little freaked out. We have become germaphobics (if that is even a word). We should invest in Lysol and hand sanitizer stock.

We keep referring to life as "after the baby comes" or when the baby comes". We are really just super excited. I am trying to talk Ryan into not finding out what it is. But he doesn't think that he can wait. At our next appointment we will schedule an ultrasound. I am really not having a feeling either way about whether it is a boy or a girl. The girls are sure that it is a boy and talk at the dinner table every night about their "baby brother". How cute is that? I just really love them and think that they are going to absolutely love this sweet little baby to death!

{30} days of {everyday}

I am totally stealing this idea from Mindy, (sorry, Mindy, Lame, I know) but I have been a blog slacker and I want a good reason to get myself blogging again.

Its going to be 30 days of everyday things. It may be boring, because, well, lets face it, I live a pretty boring life. But I am going to do it anyway. It's going to be full of things we are doing, things that make me happy, and things that I don't want to forget.

HOMEWORK...

It is something that we do everyday.
I won't lie, some days 2nd grade homework is frustrating.
Somedays I have to walk away and let her dad help her.
Somedays it is SO much fun to see how much she is learning.
Somedays we work so hard on spelling test lists and she brings home a 100% and then we hang it on the fridge! And we are so proud!

But EVERYDAY,

there is one thing I know for sure...

I love her so much!!

oh... I have schedule info about Halloween Pictures on my Photography Blog. Check it out and schedule your time now!!

I have a little confession...

After a year and a half of waiting, wishing, hoping, and praying that we would be able to welcome a new little person to our family.

Our wishes finally came true!

Our sweet little addition is expected April 26, 2010.

My little girls are so excited and we talk about the new baby every day. They have been so good to help me while I have been sick.
It still doesn't feel real to me! But we are super excited and patiently (or in the girls case, not-so-patiently) waiting for April...

Halloween mini sessions

I am thinking about doing a Halloween special...


Hop on over to my Photography page for all the details...


Anyone interested??

Lake Powell

This last month has been a long and short one all at the same time. I have been busy with work, photography sessions, and getting back into the swing of "being back to school". We did take a much needed vacation this last weekend. We went to Lake Powell. My dear, sweet husband has been itching to go fishing and it appeared that it was going to be the "perfect weekend"!

And it was just that... PERFECT!!

We left early Friday morning. The girls were so excited, although not as excited as their father, who couldn't sleep the whole night before. We made it there early and got our camp set up and set out to catch a whole bunch of fish.
We had a good day. We caught a few nice fish. The girls had a nap in the boat, we had lunch, and fished and fished some more.

We came back, made some dinner, the girls swam for a while, and we went back out to find some "Striper Boils".

(Emersons idea of swimming...laying in the sand and kicking her feet)

We sat by the fire, laughed a lot, listened to Aniston tell us what happens at school everyday, and then we went to bed. We woke up early, ready for more fishing.

Aniston fished a lot, Emerson and I ate a lot of snacks, and at the end of the day we had caught 26 fish. We got into the Striper boils and had 3 fish in our boat at one time. Emerson was terrified as they flopped around. We had the most fun that night. It was insane.

And then it was time to pack up and come home. We had to leave Ryans "favorite place on earth". We had so much fun, just the 4 of us.