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campfire

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we had our first campfire of the year this weekend.
annie was so ready.
she talked about it all day.
then just as it was time to start it got chilly so she went in for a jacket.
i had on pants and a sweater and my socks and slippers!  i was cold.

we have many skilled marshmallow roasters.

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can you believe craig can get waffle to stay in our yard with no leash?!
i can't do it….but he can.

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after it got just dark enough the kids begged to play "Mallow Toss"
a game our kids made up….
they jump on the trampoline in the dark and we throw marshmallows at them. 
they try to catch them and eat them.
i didn't say it was a safe game or a creative game,
but it is always a loud game!

i am happy that it's campfire weather again.
except for tonight…
it has been pouring for hours and the tornado sirens went off tonight…during our small group.
our entire small group had to go down to my nasty stinky basement!
that is some thing that really bothers me.
i tell people our basement is very Silence-of-the-Lambs-ISH.
it was…an experience?

never a dull moment.

Vera - I pretty sure smores are now in my near future. Tornado sirens too, maybe, based on our forecast.

Naomi Marcus - I love Waffle’s bandana, my dogs would have theirs chewed off in seconds if I even tried to have them wear those!
Mallow Toss sounds like a lot of fun!

Lori Danelle - Oh, and I have to add, especially in light of the other tornado comments, I sort of miss the storms and sirens. We actually have been having quite a few tornadoes around here, but as I child, the part I loved was after the storm had passed, all the neighbors tended to make their way out of their basements and would congregate in the street while the kids would play. And there’s just something about that time of day, and the sun just about to set with storm clouds retreating and that slightly eerie greenish light. The wind had died down (only time it EVER does in KS) and I just felt a sense of peace and closeness with my family and friends. . .
But I may be crazy!!!
http://loridanelle.blogspot.com

Lori Danelle - Meg, I think that if we lived in the same place, we’d be very good friends. My husband and I are currently making plans for our own backyard fire pit. More and more in common. πŸ™‚
http://loridanelle.blogspot.com

April Meek - I received my Cora pillow yesterday, thank you so much. I love it:)

Liz - I love her little hood, she’s so serious with her marshmallow. πŸ™‚

Lyndsey - I have been craving smores so bad during this pregnancy! YUMMY, looks like fun.

Jo Paulino - Meg,
I am blog reader of yours because you are fantastic!!! =) Do you mind emailing me when you get this please? I have a question to ask you, please.
jo.paulino@demandstaff.com

Jenn - Waffle is a brand new dog! Love the cut.

katy - Hmmmmmmm….yea, tornado’s. Um, yep …spent time in our basement Saturday evening. NOT fun.

MGF - I love Silence of the LAMBS. But I would not want to go down there.
Thanks you for the kind words, it warmed my heart after last week.

Kat - Meg, your children are going to have the most wonderful memories and traditions to pass on to their own children when they get older. Love the pics of the campfire.
I received my pillow today!!! It is even cuter in person, if that is even possible and it fits perfectly in an Ikea Poang chair we have in the playroom, I mean, perfectly. Like it was totally meant to go there! I love it, thank you so, soooooooo much!!!

Tausha Hoyt - Ps-I am so trying the Mallow game-my kids and hubby will love it!!!!!

Tausha Hoyt - Meg-
Just a quick reminder to you-that I love your blog! I love the inspiration, your sweet words about others and how much you love life, your family and your Grandma! (what a sweet post-made me miss mine more than ever) Give yours an extra hug for me!!!!
Love ya lots! Keep up the fantastically, wonderful blog!

Jen from Windy Ridge - awww, beautiful REAL photos! Nothing like a campfire with kids.

carissa... brown eyed fox - roasted mallows! fun for sure!
hey… i might pee… BUT… i’d jump on the trampoline for mallows! yum!
tornado sirens… yikes… glad yall are all SAFE!
my bet… your basement has SOME sort of cuteness going on!

Karen~ - Here in Oklahoma, we live in tornado alley. I dread this time of the year, of course…living in the country, no sirens.
I wanted to ask you about the wire marshmellow sticks, are they made of fly swats??? New ones hopefully…*smiles*
Thanks,
Karen~

Lisa - LOVE THE DOGS HAIR CUT!!! EVERYONE HAS A SMELLY SOMETHING. YOURS IS YOUR BASEMENT. OH WELL…
HUGS FROM MAINE

sassafrasanne - love your blog
every
single
post!
lol @ your basement!

elizabeth - I love your fire pit…Would you mind sharing where you got it?
Thanks!!

Elisa - waffle with the haircut cracks me up every time!!

Lazy Mom Leslie - That Waffle is smart dog. She knows when she has it good! Our doodle is just as smart. If she ever gets out of the back yard from an accidentally open gate or if one of the kids forgets and leaves her out front. She just comes and sits by our side door (attached garage on side of house = side door that is really your back door) and waits for us to realize she is there. She has never run off and we only leash her when we walk to the park, then take the leash off once we are done crossing roads etc. Such a good dog!

AnNicole@OurSuburbanCottage - That looks like sooo much fun!
Don’t you hate those tornado sirens. It’s like a nuclear bomb is coming or aliens are about to attack. Freaks-me-out!

Wendy - Is it wrong that I miss the tornado sirens? I grew up in Michigan and they were a regular occurrence. I suppose I would soon grow to dislike them if I still lived there. Especially raising kids amongst the tornadoes.
Yummy S’mores!

Chasity - i think your hubbie was sneaking marshmallows to the dog and that is why he is sitting there so pretty…just an idea.
chasity

adrienneK - oh fun!!! i love waffles haircut!!! i got a recipe for “smookies” (smore cookies!!) you cant go wrong with marshmallows!!

Shar - Will you share what camera you use? You are great and since I am in the market for a new camera, would love to know.
Thanks and love your blog!
Shar

karen - We love campfires & making s’mores, too. Your photos are lovely. It’s wonderful to record those memories that you and your kids will treasure for a lifetime.

CherryTreeLane - I love those pictures. I want to roast a mellow right now!

Anna - Our sirens went off too. We don’t even have a basement! We have to sit in the bathtub! Yikes!!! Last tornado season I told my husband that I wanted to be moved by the time the next season came…but we aren’t! I will never live in a house without a basement again!
Looks like you all had fun. Where’s the teenager?

Cassie - It is a very long thread to how I found you blog lol
I belong to babycenter.com the Nov. 08 board for my daughter and there was a prayer request for another little girl so I clicked on her blog to read an up-date on her which led me to The Macs blog which then in turn lead me to your blog hahah The caption “whatever” on the side of the Macs blog page caught my eye and I thought hmm..what could that be about.
Sundays are rather boring around here. lol

danyele - so much fun…now i def wanna do a campfire tonight. do you hate how i always say that???

traci - yummy!!! love smores. we always make them when we go too the cabin. the kids never get too old for them. we have the same kind of basement. i hate it too!!

Erica - FUN!! We were going to do that this weekend too but it was too windy! πŸ™ I have 1 pyro and 1 soon-to-be pyro in my family and much more in my extended family! πŸ™‚ (I’m sure you can guess who that might be…) Oh and I was laughing (but didn’t tell anyone) at your response to my last comment! I understand…

Amber - oh, so jealous! we wanted to have a fire this weekend and roast marshmellows, but it was just too windy! looks like you had lots of fun!

gina - What a fun evening- despite the weather scares.

Wendy - Um, did you bring s’mores for all of us? *looking hopeful*

Cassie - I love smores
I am new to your blog page
i love you pillows
I love you home
I wish mine looked like that lol
I love your photography

Julia - Yum…smores!

Lorelei - Just the term tornado sirens makes me shudder. I give you a lot of credit for living in an area where this is a normal occurrence!! I’ve always been scared to death of them.
Your evening looks fun!!

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i wish i was four….

Tramp3collage

Sarah - oh magnificent joy!

Dawn - That makes two of us. Why did we want to grow up so fast again…?

carissa... brown eyed fox - i REALLY wish we could get our little ones together…
MY WORD!

sassafrasanne - amazing shots!

adrienneK - omg SO cool!!! i often tell my husband i want to be three again lol (zoe seems to have way more fun than i ever did at that age?!)

Trina McNeilly - 4 sounds really good to me right now!!!! You really captured fun!
Love it!

emily :] - this literally made my day.

jessica leigh - i’d break a bone if i did that. it does look like SO MUCH FUN THOUGH!
i told my hubby the other day that even at that young of age they worry about something so major, but if i knew not to worry or have a care in the world, i’d love to go back for a day and just be crazy. a crazy little girl, just doing what i pleased and enjoying every single moment god gave us!!!!!

Lazy Mom Leslie - LOVE these! Can you go back in time with me 11 years and document my children’s lives? Thanks, that would be great!

Laura - I am right there with ya”

Christy - That is awesome! Love the pics. You take such great shots Meg.
This afternoon I was driving through my neighborhood on my way to do errands & saw a dad jumping on a trampoline while holding his little boy, maybe 3 yo. It just made me smile. It was so sweet.

Lorilee - Awesome photos! If I even jump just a few times, my lower back hurts!
Blessings,
Lorilee

Kristin - Me too!
The pictures are amazing!

erica - how fun is that! i wanna jump!
btw i was looking through your little links on the side, and going the “engagement sweetness” site. i was looking at one of the weddings and thought the groom looked familiar and realized he was zachary ty bryan from home improvement! thought it was funny!

Chasity - i double dog dare you to do it!! and in your favorite frou-frou skirt….
{it would be fun!}
πŸ™‚
chas

robyn Beckley Vining - which grid tool do you use? i want a trustworthy one before i download it to my computer…
thanks : )

robyn Beckley Vining - which grid tool do you use? i want a trustworthy one before i download it to my computer…
thanks : )

Adrienne - You always make me smile!
Just wanted to let you know you’ve been nominated for an attitude of gratitude award! Thanks for such a fun blog to follow!
Adrienne

Erica - You could still do that… just not in a skirt! πŸ™‚

Sarah - Me too! Looks like she was having lots of fun!

patti - i feel like i’m right there with her! thanks for sharing!!

Julia - great shots! 4 is coming up for us around here….

Sandy - ME TOO!

gina - LOVE these pics!!
Four is my favorite age. I am savoring the last of my four year olds right now. The run ends this July. πŸ™‚

~Julie - That looks like so much fun!
I also wanted to let you know that my pillow arrived yesterday – it’s beautiful! And, immediately after I opened it, I tested it out and fell asleep, resulting in the best springtime/breezy/sunny nap I’ve had in a long time. AWESOME PILLOW! THANK YOU!

Lanny Stanard - Even when I was four I couldn’t do that! and now well we won’t talk about that lol… great pics once again!
Lanny

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jackson

he is edible.

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he was 12 days old.
and cute as can be.
i had to restrain myself from kissing him to pieces.

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don't you wish he would wrap those little fingers around yours?

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i thought we had to squeeze some of that wildcat purple in there.
and that wrinkly forehead is just too much!

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babies spend 90% of their time sleeping like these pictures…
but the other part of their day crying.
so we got a few of that too.

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ashley and adam….good work.
he is precious!
i think you should have ten more.
πŸ™‚

thanks for bringing him over ashley.
he was the perfect little model.

Sarah - Gorgeous pictures!

Yard Sale Mama - Oh I am in love!!! His squishy little forehead is so sweet! Wonderful pictures Meg, the first has to be my favorite- the set up is amazing, very cool.]
~Rachel

krystyn - he is super duper adorable. i’m so bummed i don’t have great pics like that of my little man. πŸ™

carissa... brown eyed fox - oh yes… when they wrap their little fingers around yours!
PRICELESS!
BEAUTIFUL shots Meg!

sassafrasanne - precious little sweet pea!
β™₯

Trina McNeilly - nothing sweeter than a fresh new baby!!!!!

lisa - So beautiful! Great photos, you are such a talented photographer!

Jennifer - Great pics! Totally cute. Totally.
Smiles,
Jen

Jamie Sampson - edible in deed! Love them. You rocked it. πŸ™‚

Emily@remodelingthislife - Oh.My.Gosh.
My uterus hurts. What gorgeous photos. I miss having a squishy newborn.
What absolutely fabulous photos that I am sure made women all over the world want another baby πŸ™‚

alyssa - oh my goodness…seriously…

Lori Danelle - so funny! I spent my day today taking pictures of the sweetest little 1 week old!!! I’ve got a few (very randomly chosen) shots up on my page.
This little man is too cute. Makes it so hard to say “no” to more. . .
http://loridanelle.blogspot.com

Kate - ohmygosh.
the fifth one up from the bottom. the best. love love love it.
you have a talent.
-kate

Adrienne - I’m sure it’s all Jackson, but your pictures always captivate me! I wish you took photos of all my babies and even now as kids. Want to come over? πŸ™‚ Thanks for sharing.
Adrienne

Teresa - Oh what a precious baby! Love the pics!
Do you have twitter?

Anna - That’s it!!! I want another one NOW!

Meredith - I might be biased about babies, but these are maybe your best pictures ever! I had my heart in my mouth with the first photo – he looked like the cherry on top of a precariously stacked cupcake. Then I remembered that babies don’t roll at 12 days. Duh. Beautiful, beautiful. I could almost smell that newborn baby smell.

Courtney - Oh my gosh !!!!!!!!!!!!! He is so sweet.

Sarah - GREAT pictures!! I love the door one. He is sooo cute!

Starnes Fam - He is precious. You have a real talent for photography, too. I love the crying picture the most.
Makes me want another!

maribeth - great pictures! i love the use of color & texture! he is precious!

Lisa - I COULD JUST BITE HIM!!!

Becca - These are wonderful photos! He is so precious. I noticed another commenter said this makes her want another baby, well, ME TOO! Haha. Looks like you’re going to be responsible for some new babies popping up everywhere πŸ˜‰

Christine - you definitely have a gift. I love the creativity and thought you put into your backdrops-
You have a great eye and great style!!
Too bad you live so far away!! πŸ™‚
you must have a fabulous camera to work with too, the photos are so clear/ depth amazing.
great lighting….
wowzers-
actually makes my heart yearn for another one…eye ya yih
he is a beauty.

Wendy - He’s so beautiful! I just love all the new-baby wrinkles! Those are some wonderful pics!

Ashley - These pictures are awesome!! Thank you so much for taking pictures of our sweet boy.

jennifer - Beautiful pictures, Meg! You’ve got such a great eye.
Really makes me want another baby… πŸ™‚

ang - AWESOME pics!!! Wow! I love the one in front of your door. So cute. LOVE new babies!!

Keri - What a little angel! Beautiful photos.

Whatever Dee-Dee Wants - He is so cute! Those pictures are beautiful!

lyndsey - I can’t wait to have my own! What a little cutie!

Mary Elizabeth - He makes my heart just melt! AWESOME PICTURES!!!!!! Wish we lived closer so you could photograph my little sass pot. I love all your shots and am not sure that I could pick a “best” one, but the fist one and the closer up of his fingers just might be in the lead! πŸ˜‰

Sandy - Absolutely precious!!

Amber - adorable. your such a good photographer. i have the same white blanket from ikea. πŸ˜‰

gina - what a doll! And what gorgeoussssss photographs!

chris - Meg you are so talented , and with all your wonderfully colorful and textured backdrops , he is a yummy wittle baby , I’ll take one please.

Jess - Awwwww. I am completely melted right now! I’ll have one please…..oh wait, it’s not that easy, is it? Thanks for sharing him! The way he’s laying on the pillow, with the polka dots in the background, looks like he’s on top of a cupcake…he DOES look edible.

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call the fire dept….

we're lighting craig's birthday candles.

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talby took this…i loved it.
(she took about a dozen like this…all cake, no heads)

craigs' birthday this year was the most laid back we've ever been.
his mom came over (with zwiebach and lots of strawberry jam).
my parents were in town so they stayed for dinner and brought an ice cream cake.
i didn't even have to bake…woo-hoo!
our dinner was the lasagna i put in the freezer two weeks before…craig's choice.
lauren was at a track meet so there were only the four kids.
we'd wrapped his present 2 weeks ago too…so no last minute wrapping…it was a volleyball net.

it was very relaxing.

in annie's card she put green rectangles of paper…money for dad.
scott ran to the gas station and bought 2 two liters of pop to give craig as a present.
so funny.

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daddies always need helpers…especially with that many candles.

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after dinner, cake, and gifts we went out for some bean bag toss.
(annie calls it "beaning bag toss")
the weather was perfect.
the sunset was gorgeous.

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happy birthday to my favorite man.

carissa... brown eyed fox - awwwe… wishing him the best year yet!
happy belated!

Quoizel Chandeliers - Ah the joys of getting old.

Sarah - I’m glad your hubby had a good birthday! Low key, low stress, always good!

JerriR - Happy Birthday to your hubby! Love reading your blog almost daily, makes me smile! Here in “Almost Heaven” WV we also call bean bag toss, “corn hole”. Who knows?? πŸ™‚ Its played at many a Mountaineer tailgate party!

traci - sounds like the perfect birthday. i love low key. happy birthday craig!!

Cate O'Malley - Laid back celebrations are the best, aren’t they? πŸ™‚

Christine - zwiebach…hmmmmm
lovely.

Staci - Happy Birthday Craig!! I’m glad it was a good, low stress day for you Meg!!

Debby Graber - Better be careful! When Darrell Conrade turned 40, we lit all 40 candles and they caught the cake on fire!! Seriously!
Happy Birthday, Craig!

sassafrasanne - happy birthday to YOUR favorite man from me too!
sounds like the perfect day!
πŸ™‚

Lori Danelle - That is awesome!!!! and I thought I had a lot of candles on my cake this year!
http://loridanelle.blogspot.com

Mrs. - In Ohio they have a similar game. It is called…corn hole. Seriously. EVERYONE has one, usually featuring the logo of their favorite team. First time I heard it (we are not from here but live here now) I had NO IDEA what people were talking about.
I especially love the photos of the cake. Gives a great impression of how wonderful the celebration must have been, the excitement over the candles and cake. Sigh. I wish y’all would throw my birthday party.

Tracy - Happy Birthday, Craig!

Anna - Happy Birthday Craig! Sounds like you all had a nice time.
God bless!!!
~Anna

Shannan - When I saw that first picture, and saw you in it, I wondered “Who took that fabulous shot?” Seriously – it’s perfect! You have obviously passed your artsy eye right down the line. And the two-liters of pop thing is a total crack up.

Lee Ann - Happy Birthday Craig!!!!
Love that Scott ran to the gas station to get 2 liters. I just love that you live somewhere where he can do that.

adrienneK - awe! happy birthday to your hubby!!!

gina - Happy Birthday Craig!
We love ice cream cakes!!
Looks like the perfect birthday.

a thorn among roses - awwww so cute! i love the candle lighting ceremony picture! cute!

Melanie - Wait till you start putting the numbers on the cake! This year ours was 41:) Yikes! When did that happen?

Jess - Happy Birthday to Craig! Looks like a yummy cake…

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my grandmother.

she is something special.

she received The Sustainer Award from the Junior League.
my parents, craig, annie & i went to a lovely luncheon where they surprised her with the award.
she didn't know we were there.
it was quite sneaky.

to present the award a Fairy Tale Princess appeared.
(bonnie bing of the wichita eagle)
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she read a silly poem full of details about my grandmother and it ended with her name.
it was creative, witty and light hearted.

she was so surprised.

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they brought her to the front of the room…
she turned and saw all of us there with her friends and was even more surprised.

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she looked right at my mom and said "are you going to stay…i need you to fix my skype"
everyone got a kick out of that.
my grandmother is 91 and she reads this blog…she emails…and SHE SKYPES!
she is the coolest grandma in the world.

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they told stories of her service all these many many years in the junior league,
thousands of hours and decades with the wichita children's home 
and raising five children.

she is amazing.

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this is her telling the group "i really don't deserve this…."
and she meant it.
always so humble.  
she has been a beautiful example of grace and class my entire life.

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the two princesses.
grandma…you looked so pretty in your pink suit!

annie was being shy most of the day.
which is better than being loud and crazy.
even the princess couldn't get her to talk.

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her friends watched her open her gift…gave her hugs and congratulated her.

it was so fun to see her get all that attention.
and to see how she is respected and loved by so many.

afterwards we went back to her house and my mom fixed her skype.
πŸ™‚

i love you grandma.

everyone loves my grandmother.
if you met her…you'd love her too.
she IS something special.

~kelli~ - Somehow I came across your blog…I couldn’t even tell you how….but I’m glad I did. What a wonderful treasure you have in your grandmother.
My grandmother passed away this Thursday (4/30), just 2 weeks shy of her 91st birthday. I already miss her so very much….but, I am filled with a lifetime of beautiful, wonderful memories and I know she is in my heart and is still very much a part of me.
πŸ™‚

Kiera - I found your blog today on my “blog Stroll” I love the picture of the fairy tale princess. Wouldn’t if be fun if we could just play dress up sometimes? I would like to use this picture in a post on my blog. I didn’t want to be a Creepy and post it without an okay from you… What do you say? OKAY?

Elisa - Love it- and love that princess outfit

Diane - She is precious. I laughed outloud at the Skype comment.

Rebecca Kriner and Tom Burke - Meg- This is such an awesome post! What Tom and I realize is we have been following your sweet family and funny antics for a year now (we both remember Craig’s last b’day!!) Here’s looking very forward to another year!! You inspire us!!!
All the best!
Rebecca and Tom
(Your friends in AL)

Melanie - AWESOME grandma! She is also beautiful – and does not look 91. Love her pink suit, too.

Jenny - Your Grandma ROCKS!

Lisa - WOW, WHAT A BLESSING FOR YOUR FAMILY TO HAVE SUCH A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF SELFLESSNESS IN OUR WORLD THAT IS SO SELF CENTERED. THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR SPECIAL GRANDMOTHER WITH US. SHE IS ONE OF FEW THAT WE ARE BLESSED TO KNOW.
HUGS FROM MAINE

Trish - What a hoot. Love that grandmas aren’t afraid of the internet! My grandma is 82 and is on facebook πŸ™‚

Karen~ - Your grandma doesn’t look 91! Grandparents add so much to our lives.
Karen~

pam - WOW!!! Your Grandmother is GORGEOUS and you look just like her!!! Such a cute post πŸ™‚ xo

Amber Mershawn - Well Waffle brought my 1st comment to you last week, but I am a sucker for sweet grandma’s, and next to mine, yours takes the cake:). Thanks for sharing her with us. Give her a big hug from a girl in Texas! Brought tears to my eyes….

sassafrasanne - i just fell in β™₯ with your grandmother.
she looks like an amazing lady.
kind heart no doubt.
sweet smile.
and i bet she’s funny too!
πŸ™‚ happy day for her!
xo

Staci - What a special special lady it sounds like your grandmother is!!! My grandmother passed away 4 yrs ago and I miss her dearly…so lucky to have your sweet grandmother around. What a great post Meg!!!! Congrats to your beautiful gracious grandmother πŸ™‚

Abby - What a beautiful woman! How blessed you are!

Penny - What a beautiful woman. You are very fortunate to have her in your life. She reminds me of my mother who is 85 and can run circles around me!! Cherish her!

Kasey - You have one hip grandma! Mine is 92 and I don’t think she’s ever touched a computer.

Dana D @BoysMyJoys - After reading about your grandmother, all I can say is that ‘the apple didn’t fall far from the tree’. She sounds a lot like you!

Trina McNeilly - Grandparents are so special!!!! Grandma seems like a pretty amazing lady. I love hearing about grandparents that are on the computer and doing things most people their age are not.. so lively!

Leigh Ann - Thanks for sharing your Grandmother with us! She is special!Mine are all gone now and I miss them dearly!

Lee Ann - Oh Meg! You are so blessed to even still have a grandma…and one as awesome as that! And how cool that your kids get to know her! Although, like most kids, they won’t know it’s cool until she’s gone and they’re older. That’s just life. What a wonderful tribute to your Grandma!

Shannan - I already love her. She’s so pretty in pink, indeed! And such a great example of the best way to live a fulfilling life – by giving of one’s self.

Anna - She does not look like she is 91!!! Congrats to her. How wonderful of you all to surprise her. Glad she got her Skype fixed πŸ˜‰

Ashley - Congratulations to your grandmother. I am certain she does deserve all the love and recognition! She is a beautiful lady, too! Girl – you have good genes!!

Heidi Jo the Artist - That is awesome! Your grandma looks great in pink. And I must know where she got her necklace with all those swirls! Beautiful! And great photos as always! πŸ™‚
Heidi Jo the Artist
http://swirlsofcreativity.etsy.com
Swirls of Creativity’s Purple Thursday ~ Every Thursday!
http://swirlsofcreativity.blogspot.com
http://greenresolution.blogspot.com

Ruth - Hot pink and fabulous ladies – what a perfect post! Congrats to your grandma, what a special lady.

gina - What a wonderful party and tribute! How fun. πŸ™‚

Steph @ Problem Solvin Mom - How fabulous! Reading about your grandmother reminds me so much of mine (she is 88) aren’t we lucky to have such special ladies in our lives? I bet it meant as much to all of you to celebrate her as anything – love it!! πŸ™‚

Becky - how cute is she?? she skypes? that’s awesome. no way she is 91!

Keri - Oh, this made me miss my Mam-ma. She never got to Skype, but was cool as well. And your grandma is gorgeous! I love her pink suit. Congratulations, Meg’s grandma!!

karen - She is a wonderful role model and example for all. I canNOT believe she is in her 90s! She looks better than many people in their 60s (and she probably hears that all of the time). God bless you Grandmother and her spirit of service and grace. The photos are lovely.
I don’t comment often, because I don’t know you personally, but I enjoy your blog and your creativity. Thank you for what you do!
http://www.karengberger.blogspot.com

Lyndsey - What a special lady! I got really emotional reading this and it makes me miss my grandmother so much.

Jennifer - Wow! Call me hormonal… I’m crying over here! What a neat and SUPER cute grandma! Makes me miss mine a LOT!
Congrats to your sweetheart of a granny!
Jen

CherryTreeLane - amazing. what a tribute!

jennymama - that brought tears to my eyes. my grandma is so special to me. she’s fun, a typical southern belle and has taught me so much about what really matters. i hope i can be like her when i grow up. :0)

Amy - I love grandmas. This makes me miss my grams who lives in California!!! She is amazing as well. Your post brings back many childhood memories.
Amy Mumaw

Lynn Bray - Oh I love that- congratulations to your grandmother, and good for you all to be there to watch! My husband’s grandmother is 90 and still emails daily! I think it helps keep them young when they can keep up with all of us.

adrienneK - i love her pink suit!!sooo pretty!!

Mindy Harris - Oh, I just loved this post. It is beautiful. I have a heart for the elderly, and when I go back for my masters (someday?), I’ll study Gerontology. I’m thrilled you’re enjoying your Grandma-how blessed you all are to have one another.

Chasity Heck - I recently did a post on my special Grandma too….they are the best treasures in the world! Congratulations to your Grandma on her award…that is really neat.
The bling princess was fabulous πŸ™‚
chasity

Ivy Bettinger Smith - What a special Grandmother! You are VERY lucky! My Gradmother was a wonderful person also. She had a brain aneurysm when she was 52! Way too young! That was such a sweet post!

Heather - She’s stunning. She literally is beaming. You are so blessed, Meg.

Kat - Aw, this made me cry. Your grandma is such a special lady. It makes me miss my grandma, she was a special lady too. What a wonderful legacy to be a part of.

Jess - Thanks for sharing a wonderful moment. She does sound like the coolest grandmother!

Julia - I love cool grandmothers! Mine was wonderful too.

artbyanya - That makes me want to cry, I miss my Grandmother, she lives in another country and too is a very special lady. Lovely post πŸ™‚

sandy toe - That is wonderful~
sandy toe

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eli

he's a handsome little guy.

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he likes fire trucks, barney and peek-a-boo.

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it's been six years since i have hung out with a two year old boy.
back when i knew the names of every construction vehicle, every rescue hero 
and which was the best matchbox car in the box.
thanks shannon and aaron…for blowing bubbles and playing peek-a-boo.
he is such a good boy.

Carrie K - haaahaaahaaa…those last two made me giggle! what a great kid and what a fabulous job you did capturing him!!

traci - he is adorable. full of personality and you captured it all. great job meg.

Jamie Sampson - so cute. I love, love, love his quirky little smile, it makes me happy. Great Freaking job by the way, the photos are amazing and so insightful and I feel like I totally know and love this little fellow.
Your amazing. πŸ™‚

lauren - i love your photography! awesome backgrounds. these photos are so awesome!!

Kelly O. - Love the one with his tongue sticking out!

Sandy - super cute

Jess - Great pics Meg! Makes me miss my little man being that age!

Wendy - Cute pics! I love the last one – the laughing one – so perfect!

Aaron Kirtley - thanks for the photos meg. They turned out great, and Eli had fun doing it.

Lori Danelle - very handsome little man! and assuming you’re anything like me, you should be very proud of yourself for jumping into the photography thing!! I HATE the beginning, figuring stuff out, not-quite-an-expert stage of things. I wish I could jump past all of that and just be the expert!!!
you are very inspiringβ€”thank you!!
(I’ve recently jumped into my own realm of unknown in the form of my blog: Inksomnia. I’d love it if you’d check it out. http://loridanelle.blogspot.com I promise, it will get better!!!! πŸ™‚ )

Amanda - These pics of Eli are AWESOME! It makes me even more excited for our shoot on Saturday! You are AMAZING Meg!

Heidi Jo the Artist - Love the photos! You are a great photographer!
Heidi Jo the Artist
http://swirlsofcreativity.etsy.com
Come Check Out ~ Swirls of Creativity’s Purple Thursday ~ Every Thursday!
http://swirlsofcreativity.blogspot.com

Brooke - oh.my.goodness. eli is the cutest thing i have ever seen! i just want to sit down on those steps with him and have a conversation about fire trucks, barney, and peek-a-boo…i am sure the words from that cute little mouth would be nothing short of hilarious…adorable!

sandy toe - A true All-American Boy~
sandy toe

Chasity - ah…the lovely co-op again. you captured some terrific moments.

patti - wow those eyes! they remind me of my daughters. big and green! wonderful job capturing the spirit of a laughing, peek-a-boo playing, little boy!

Rebecca - I would drive to Kansas from Michigan just to have you take pictures of my kids!!

gina - what a cutie!

Kim - Once again- amazing photos. He is absolutely adorable.

Tracy - Awww… what a little cutie patootie! LOVE the pictures and LOVE his Green eyes! He’s going to be a heartbreaker! :o) Great job as always, Meg!
Hugs, Trac~ ;o)

Sophie - What a gorgeous little boy (:
Meg, as usual, your photos are absolutely wonderful.
x

Jenn - Okay- I think you need to start giving some tips on producing wonderful photos!! You are so talented and I want to learn your tricks. You should start doing posts with a tip of the day or something. I would love that!!

Amy - Love all your photos!! You are soooo creative!!

jamie - He is Precious! I Love little Boys.. I have a Eli also. I used to know all the Rescue Heroes names too, can’t say that anymore. Your blog and photos are brighten my day, Jamie

Candice - These are so cute, I love the last two where he is laughing. I also dont know if I have ever commented, but I must say your blog is one of my very faves. I also want to thank you for all the inspiration. Beautiful photos!

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field trip

i spent the day on a first grade field trip.

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i was in charge of three girls for the day…wandering the zoo.

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usually when i take my kids to the zoo we don't stay too long.  
we have member passes so we can go whenever.
we go and see a few things and then go home.
all day was a long time for me to wander the zoo! (boo hoo right?  cue the violins…)

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i felt like that giraffe.
bad mommy.

we said goodbye at the bus….i drove to hobby lobby for a whirlwind visit.
grabbed a giant sonic happy hour drink…
buzzed back home.

got a HUGE headache at 4:30 that put me to bed at 6:00 for 45 minutes.

i did not feed my kids dinner.
annie came in while i was resting my head and whined about 4 times "i'm hun-gry
(it WAS dinner time)
but instead of being nice and sweet…
i yelled "then go get some food!"  
(she does it all day everyday on her own with out any help from me…)
she started to cry and left the room.
my head was still pounding and i was back asleep within a minute.
later we found her asleep in her bed.
poor annie…probably cried herself to sleep from mean old migraine mommy dearest…with no dinner!

so there it is.
monday.
bleck.
it's over.
good riddance.

alyssa - Thanks for being honest about being grouchy to your kids. Makes me feel better knowing I’m not the only one!

traci - that sucks. i have had 1 migrane. it was terrible. made me puke. i never want another one, ever.

Karina - Oh my, you make me LAUGH! That picture of the giraffe, and that’s how you feel at the zoo – HA! Thank you for making the everyday so much fun, and with gorgeous photos too (I am saving up for a camera like yours!)!

kat - Oh dear, migraines truly are the worst. I suffer from them too, luckily I only get a few a year though. We have all had moments when we have yelled at our children, they get over it quickly. I hope your feeling better!!!

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - You are such a hoot. I have to agree with another commentor up there on the list. I too have been “blog stalking” you. Your blog never fails to make me laugh, smile or cry. I just love the way you write and your photos are absolutely gorgeous. Thank you for being such a big part of my blogging day!!

purejoy - i want that giraffe picture for every time i have a migraine (almost a 3x a week occurance, and usually have some level of a headache every day. sorry you were hurting, and it’s totally understandable to bark at your kids when you want to rip your head from your body. a little mommy love makes it all better.
good luck with the head.

danie - So I have been “blog stalking” you since December and I LOVE your Blog! I check nearly every day. You have taken the place of Martha Stewart in my heart LOL! Today I was having a rather hard mommy day and thought of your blog. And I thought “man if I could just get it together too!” But I knew you couldn’t be perfect and wondered what you struggle with. Then I logged on this evening and low and behold you are normal like the rest of us! I just knew it had to be true! God bless you for sharing your life with us all, it is such an encouragement to craft, decorate, befriend, create and mother!!!

Sarah - I’m sorry you had a bad Monday but I am glad that you were so real about it. We all have days like this!

Carmen - Hope you are feeling better. Our school does the same thing for first and second grade, a trip to the zoo and the parents are the ones that watch the kids. The teachers “supervise” from the picnic tables. I know they work very hard at school but it is so much responsibility to watch 2 or 3 other kids! Last year I had to do it 2 weeks in a row. No trip to the zoo this year!

Cris Marsh - Migraines are the worst….
Love you new blog banner…

Linda - I don’t know you, but you are hilarious! Its so great when a mom is real–it makes all of us feel better for the times when we’ve been mommy migraine. Thanks for making my day a little lighter

Jess - aahhhh! welcome to the club!!! you are one of us….you had us fooled for a while with all of your craftyness,cute dog,and happy rainbow kid! you just made us all feel a little bit more normal! sorry about the headache…thanks for being real! hope today was better!

krystall - thanks for being real

adrienne - hilarity! we all certainly have our moments. try excedrin for the headache- works for me.

adrienneK - this made me feel better…to know that you…scream(too) im not a crazy screaming looney or something but i do loose it from time to time:( hope today is bette<3
adrienneK

Laura - don’t get me started on the zoo (I, too, have posted on a visit to the dreaded place)
When we go, we are lucky to see TWO animals.
My kids want to buy the expensive food
then the ice cream
then we see the alligator
then cry that it is too hot
and we leave.
there ya have it. trip to the zoo.
now, stop reading, and go make Annie dinner….

sandy toe - Field Trip=Headache…it did as a “teacher” and now as a “parent”…
sandy toe

Keri - Ugh…I feel your pain. Migraines suck. And, usually, so do field trips. =)

carissa... brown eyed fox - love your new header… perfection!
and i just have to say… THANK YOU… thank you for being you… and being true… i am NOT alone!
πŸ™‚ the “validation” just brought tears to my eyes!
love to you! and big ‘ol hugs too!

Lori Danelle - I’m so jealous!!!! Wichita has an incredible zoo. We try to make a visit whenever we are in town. But I definitely hear you on the joys of having a membership and short visits! With my 2 year-old we sometimes last a half hour, we sometimes make it 3, but it so nice not to feel like you MUST stay all day to make it worth the money. Everyone enjoys themselves and you get to see different things each visit!

Chasity - here is to a new day!!!
chasity

heather h - LOVE your honesty…it was refreshing πŸ˜‰
And I agree with all the above-we all have those days

Victoria - Ugh…migraines are the worst…especially when there are small children involved! Thanks for being real.

Courtney - That gave me a good chuckle… thank you! πŸ™‚

Lisa - Oh Meg,
Don’t feel too bad. We all have a Monday like that once in a while. Annie knows you love her. I would have cried too if you deprived me of your fantastic cooking πŸ™‚
Take care,
Lisa

Trish - Life is like that. I just yelled at my daughter for not focusing while getting dressed. The mean part about that is she has a REALLY difficult time doing it… she has CP. Why do we take things out on our kids? We always feel horrible afterwards, and it never gets us anywhere? Somedays I want to pray for more patience, but then I realize to get more patience you have to go through more things that try your patience. This rain doesn’t help me. Hope you headache goes away. Glad you keep it real for all!

Lyndsey - My Chicken Blanch looks like she had a twin on your field trip! Check her out on my blog…
http://www.puravidaculture.com/search/label/Chickens

Wendy - All day at a zoo with kids? Wow, that’s just asking for a headache…

Jeana - hi! I’ve been lurking your AMAZING blog too, and GOSH you’re mean lol. I just wanted to stop in and and say thank you too….for keeping it real. I often feel like this with 3 little boys and one is special needs. Mine happen all too often I’m sure, but I’m learning to grasp this life God has given me and really enjoy it more often! I hope today is a happier one for you and little Annie =]

Christina - Yes, hoping your day is better today-and what I have to say is at least you can blame your behavior on a wicked headache and not just your personality (which some other people I know-um, myself-are just stinky at parenthood and have those moments more frequently). My husband makes up for my wacky tendencies with lots of love, understanding, and wisdom for my kids!
And great pictures, by the way.

traci - I remember a fieldtrip that just ZAPPED me. I somehow made it thru the day (even road a loud, bouncy bus back), fell into bed and slept for about 2 hours with a HORRIBLE headache!! Teachers who do it daily are amazing. I teach 3 times a week and it zaps me….by the way…..great pics and Im sure Annie will recover..lol.

Angela Conklin - I miss my kids being little. I do not miss field trips.

Tracy - Aww…. Meg – I hope you have a much better day today and that migraine is gone so poor little Annie doesn’t get mistreated again and sent to bed with no food – LOL – you KNOW I am JUST kidding – right?! I actually THREATENED my kids (who are both 15) with sending them to bed the other night with no dinner and they laughed at me! They said that was child abuse! LOL Sooo… I feel your pain and I am sorry that the zoo day was a bad day all the way around – however, on an upside – you got some GREAT pictures, as usual! Have a great day, Meg! {{{BIG HUGS}}} Trac~ :o)

Vera - Ha! One time I had a migraine and my 3 year old wouldn’t stop playing in my closet pulling clothes off hangers, but I was in too much pain to close the door or give her something else to do, so I told her there was a giant spider in my closet. It worked. I’m going to have to show her that picture of the giraffe – it’s awesome, and those are her favorite animals!

lorel - Perhaps the mildewy rainforest and muddy barnyard induced your migraine?
I haven’t been on any of Macy’s field trips. I figure the other parents can do that – I see the kids every day! AFter reading your post, it is probably a fair trade. Hope today is better.

Ruth - Oh bless your heart! Field trips did me in everytime! But now I miss them. What’s a mom to do??

amy (not corey) - So we have 3 more field trips yet before school is out. How many can I put you down for??? πŸ™‚ I just wrote in Talby’s planner, “Thanks again for coming with us yesterday! I hope you enjoyed it!” I guess I know the answer to that, huh? You were probably really hating GB and I yesterday. I think it was the best field trip I’ve ever been on! πŸ™‚
Take a nap today. And a bath.

Becky - meg, i nearly squealed with delight when i saw your comment. the only thing that made me cover my mouth was my sleeping 10 month old. i mean, i’m not ready to walk out the door yet, so why wake her, right? i have those days too. and i have NO idea why i haven’t commented yet. i’m usually pretty good at making myself at home. to borrow a word from erika and darby, i would love to snorgle the face of that cute waffle.

Kat - You are the meanest!
Kidding!
Poor Sam and Stone have seen me like this a few times.
Hope today is better!

Katy Durec - I’ve recently started lurking on your blog, and I appreciate your honesty in this story! I can resonate with it all too well, and I only have one small child! πŸ™‚ BTW – Your house is amazing!

Brooke - ooohh lady…i call this “mean mommy mode” unfortunately my girls know the term all too well…thank goodness kids seem to have quicker reset/forgive/forget buttons than adults do! i am sure you and annie will have an awesome tuesday…at least that is what i am hoping for you this a.m.!

katherine - oh boy… what a day… it’s good to know that I’m not the only one that suffers bleck Mondays! Lucky me… I’m going to miss my son’s pre K zoo trip. I’ll be out of town with the baby! My dear mil is stepping in. phew.

kasey - you can join me in the mom of the year award! lol.
{come join me today on my photo challenge girl}
xo

Aby - WOW!! You ARE real!!!! You mean you’re not the constantly perfect, constantly creative, constantly attentive, constantly cool mom I’ve been thinking you are all this time!??! You have no idea the pressure you just took off of me!!!! LOL!!! Hope you’re feeling better… Annie too!!

Jess - Yes, thanks for keeping it real. I have been guilty of doing the same. Today is a new day! Smiles and hugs!!!

Christy Lewis - I LOVE your blog! Everyday I tune in to see what super hero mom act you are doing for that day……… I LOVE LOVE LOVE that you don’t hide anything! Glad to see that I am not the only mommy who gets migrain so bad that I have to hide in my bed and pray that no one finds me (some how they always do)! Hope you have a better Tuesday!

Julia - In my book the first mistake was going to the zoo. Friday I just DROPPED OFF my daughter, 4 of her classmates and her teacher and yelled “see you at 12:30” as I was speeding away. I don’t do zoos. My kids can blame me as much as they want for their lack of zoo time. I’m not buying it.
I do wish I was there for the Sonic run. When the kids and I go to Walmart (right next door) we try to time it to get there at happy hour. Once I had them scattered all over the store getting groceries so we could get there by 4. Serious business.

Mary Elizabeth - i hope your tuesday is more pleasant and no headaches .. those can just end any good times … for everyone involved. so hip hip hooray for tuesday today!!! have fun, hug annie 10 times extra today for her crying and all will be well again!!! πŸ™‚

Lorelei - Thanks Meg for keepin’ it real!!

Sara - here’s a big hug for you! I leave today for a 3 day (overnight) 8th grade field trip to Huntsville Alabama (space camp)and I am NOT very excited about it. I’m sure I will feel like the Giraffe…

Sandy - We’ve all been there. Knowing the great mom you are, you and Annie will both feel all better today. Here’s to a happy Tuesday!

ElizabethE - I hate field trips — honestly, haven’t our kids done enough?

dellie - You are such a classic – I know exactly how that feels. I stayed up late last night and my son decided to wake me at 6:30, which to some may seem late but for him is really very early …and I was not a happy camper!

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