To the End of the Year (. . . well last year)

Well, I think it is about time I finished up last year. Bad blogger!

We spent a lot of last fall at soccer games and practices. Gatlin enjoyed it, but we opted out of spring soccer. T-ball is starting up at the end of this month, and for right now, one sport is enough!

Kids helped dad finish up the "farmin'" towards the end of October. Love this picture of my three rednecks.

Life became a blur from mid-October on to well February. I enjoy staying busy, but this year was a little out-of-hand. Halloween has taken on a life of its own. The kids dressed up in costumes at least 3 different times for various events.

Here's the Roberts crew at Halloween. Aunt Bev had a Halloween party for the kids. Joe was not so sure about Grandma's costume.

To make things short and sweet, we survived until Christmas. Both kids loved the holiday season this year and couldn't wait for Santa's visit.

Yep, he was good to all of us!

And please disregard the mountain man in the picture with us. He was going on a deer hunt in January so he always boycotts his razor for about a month before a hunt. I did get my real husband back as soon as he got home (with no deer . . . which is fine by me)!

Sorry for always being so behind, but it is the state in which I live!

Back to August

In August, we took a trip up to Gunnison Colorado for a Metroz Family gathering. The kids had tons of fun with their cousins for a couple days and were not ready to come home. On the way back, we stopped at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. It was really beautiful.

This is just a view right out of Telluride. Yeah, no wonder all the rich people want to live there!

And here is my "minnie me." I had a session earlier that day, so she decided to set up her baby for some pictures before bed before I put all my stuff away.

Slowly, I will get caught up on this posting thing. We are all enjoying a little down time -- it is nice!

Gatlin Turns 5

He was pretty excited for his birthday this year (Jan. 20) -- finally understanding what the whole birthday thing is about. He is also pretty convinced that because he is 5, he can now do more. The morning of his birthday he wanted something opened and I didn't have the time right at the moment. Well, he managed it himself, and then he told me, "See I did it all by myself. It's because I'm 5 now, right?" I also laugh because he swears he can now run faster too.


My little guy is bossy, particular, and a bit of perfectionist(I know, I know, he got that from me), but he is also so smart and has a big heart. I can't help not wanting him to grow up, but I am also excited to see what the future holds for him.

Happy Birthday to our family! I'm glad the January b-day season is over and maybe we can have a few relatively peaceful months. Things haven't slowed down around here since October!

Carsyn's Birthday

Carsyn celebrated her 3rd birthday yesterday (Jan. 4). She loved receiving several phone calls (quite the popular little girl) and kept telling everyone Happy Birthday back. Her official party is happening in a couple weeks -- Gatlin and Carsyn get to share a birthday party -- but I had dinner and a little dessert for her last night. Yes there are pictures, but what can I say, they are still on the camera.

And I think it is safe to say, she might actually be getting the hang of the whole potty-training thing. Thank goodness! We have had a pretty good week. Everyone always says girls are easier than boys -- ummmm, not in this family! I was really worried we would still be dealing with this on her 5th birthday. She finally decided she was ready, and I guess that truly is the key.


She is my funny little gal. She came to us on her own time and terms, and that independence and stubbornness continues. Happy Birthday to my heart's sunshine!

Rewind to July

I've probably lost most of the few readers of this blog -- it has been a hectic few months. We had a wonderful Christmas and I know I should be posting pictures of that, but my anal-retentive nature is making me go back to July to edit pictures so that I can keep them in order. Please bear with me.

A couple updates:

*The house remodel is finished (except for a couple minor things--Ronnie lost his motivation towards the end which is understandable.)

*I am in my new office, but we still have to move back in cabinets and such from the shop.

*We are STILL working on potty-training with Carsyn. Nuff said!

*Gatlin is an obsessive Lego and Tinker Toy builder, and we are not to touch his creations.

*We are all getting ready to turn a year older in January, though the kids are bit more excited than their parents.


Back to July:

Here are a few pictures from our garden. This was our first year planting potatoes. The kids loved digging them up.

And here are our purple potatoes. We got many more purple potatoes than any of the others.

I am not sure if it is just in my mind, but I do think the purple potatoes taste differently (I wasn't a big fan). Aunt Bev made creamed purple potatoes and peas from those that we brought her and seemed to like them. If we grow them again next year, I guess I'll give them another chance.

My purple mashed potatoes!

Our Family Pics

I know I am soooo cheating on this blog, but I will back to it soon! We had our family pics done and the post is on my other blog :

Here

It is the 2nd post down.

I had my last official photo session yesterday, so I am looking forward to a little time away from the computer screen! Yeah right! Now I get to catch up on 5 months of our pictures, but at least they don't have a deadline! I will get you better caught up soon!

The Kids' Costumes

Until I can get a few of the snaps from Halloween day posted, you can see a few from the kids' Halloween photo session on my other blog:

http://www.amberdawnsphotos.blogspot.com/

It is the 2nd post down right now! Hope everyone had a great Halloween!