It's been a year

I came so close to loosing everything. 

 I'm so grateful for the marks, the scars, the reminders.

 I'm so grateful for the second chance, the opportunity to be their momma.

 We are blessed, life is good.

 Our father in Heaven is a miraculous one.

 And seatbelts save lives. It's the most basic important thing. We were so blessed to be able to get new ones. Protect your cargo for they truly are the most important things you will ever have.

Tristan is 18 mo...

 This boy is an absolute boy and time has flown by. He is such a sweet baby. He is happy go lucky. Only the last couple weeks has he started doing a little fit throwing with some slight attitude involved. It's a little comical I must admit :) He loves his Binkie, which sadly they will most likely part ways with in a week or two. It still calms him and soothes him and it will be sad to say goodbye to that baby phase. I'll miss his little binkie face :) He loves his blankie, his racoon, trucks, rocks, balls, and smacking things and people with golf clubs or bats (the toy little people kind). He's talking in small phrases, his latest is 'taint you mamammmamama' and 'nnnno no nooo nooo'.

 He's precious and very very silly :) Love this baby boy so much.

Mei's 4th bday!

 We got to celebrate Mei's bday in MN with my sister and my parents. She wanted a tinkerbell cake and I definitely made it happen for her :) She helped make/eat the frosting before she went to bed :)

 Cousin Ben took her to the store early in the morning and bought them each celebratory birthday doughnuts with sprinkles!!!

 Can't believe this little gal is 4 already. How time flies.

 She was in a serious 'got to unwrap it' frenzie. I think her brain was going a million miles an hour. She didn't slow at all. It was pretty funny, she actually said 'next' once. She just couldn't wait to get through them all.

 Seriously. they have girl legos now. Wow. She was in love.

 She's so full of life. I'm so grateful to have her bouncy spirit around us. We are so blessed.

 She LOVES: burritoes, school, sparkle shoes, writing and coloring, climbing, painting her nails, carrying a purse with all the essentials, doing things without help, playing outside, and fishing.

 She's not a fan peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, or really sandwiches in general, of tight clothing including leggings as of late, cumbersome hair accessories, or having her hair pulled up.

 But she is precious and we love her :) Happy birthday sweet girl :)

Family pics

Let it just be said that it is always someone.... If it's not one it's the other. THIS my friends is the reality of a photo shoot... Enjoy :)

what can I say. Meili was FULL of IT.

Kai has had enough and is begging for an end...

This is a classic series of photos. Beginning, middle and end, pay close attention to the girl in the middle. It's so fast you just might miss it. In fact, we did. Didn't even know this happened... Classic Meili :)

At this point Rich is mocking them...

and me...

And just like the energizer bunny, she was still going... right out the gate... what would we do without her spunk!