The Poort family

Dance Recital

2011-06-22T10:23:00.000-07:00

Mimi and Grace have been taking dance lessons all year long and had their very first dance recitals last weekend. There is no way I am paying for dance photos of my girls, so I ran by the studio on the way to their performance and snapped a couple of quick pics :)

I felt so old watching them dance. I think because I had so many dance recitals in my youth.. it just seemed surreal to be in the audience watching my OWN children dance. I hope they both continue on with dance. It was such an important and joyous part of my childhood....

Random

2011-05-08T21:17:00.000-07:00

We had two important milestones happen in the Poort Family last month. 1st... Macrae got his first stitches. Mimi and Mac were chasing each other and Mac feel and hit my mom's dresser on the corner of his eyeball. 3 stitches and lots 2 hours at Quickcare and he was a new man. I don't know who cried more me or him?!

2nd... we finally finally finally caved a bought a bigger car. It has changed my world. I LOVE our new car. I can't imagine my life without it. I have know idea how we shoved all three carseats in the back of our little wagon so long. The kids love it and I LOVE driving it. This is the stock photo. Ours is midnight blue and yes it has a third row :)

Foundation

2011-05-08T21:13:00.000-07:00

Grace's school hosts a great event every year called Foundation. It was started by a group of mom's 20 years ago to raise money for the school. Every year they raise thousands of dollars and sponsor a special project. One year they bought the library all new Mac computers, one year they redid the lockers, etc. Oscar and I decided that this was a really important cause. SO we dressed up and off we went. I LOVE IT WHEN I GET TO WEAR A NEW DRESS!! If only I would have won the free tuition raffle. Then my night would have been perfect.

Easter.. more

2011-05-08T21:06:00.001-07:00

Of course the kids thought Easter was fantastic. We had a chat with the Easter Bunny. You see... I detest small toys. After having three small children who seem to leave small objects all throughout my home.. I decided to tell the Easter Bunny to just bring the kids each one great surprise. Well he didn't let them down. The kids have been playing with our iphones for almost 6 months. SO the fantastic Easter Bunny surprised them each with their very our LEAPSTER :) They were a big hit. We spent the day with family and friends.. eating.. talking.. and more eating. It was a wonderful day.

Easter

2011-05-08T20:51:00.000-07:00

Easter was really special this year. Last year Oscar and I were really floundering spiritually. It was actually almost depressing. We didn't go to church which was SO weird for us. But this year we have found a new spiritual home and it was almost as if we too were celebrating a new birth. I love our St. Viator Parish. The Lenten Season was so wonderful because we were preparing for our baptism on Easter Vigil. We have been going to RCIA classes for almost a year: learning, growing, seeking... and it all came together on Easter Vigil when were baptized, confirmed and received our first Communion. I am so happy. Every time I walk into Mass my heart gets a little flutter. I am so grateful to have found this faith community and to feel truly at peace there.

OH SO BEHIND.

2011-05-08T20:43:00.000-07:00

I don't know where the time has gone. I have been trying to get on my blog and update it, but it just keeps getting put to the bottom of my to do list. So... tonight I am going to try to get caught up!

First up. The twins turned 3! I know! My babies are no longer babies. This was the first birthday that I have been kind of sad about. When I was in midst of baby/toddler heck I couldn't wait for them to be at this age. Now I am looking back and realizing that I will never have a sweet little baby to rock again and it makes me kind of sad. I am definitely at a point now where I would like to just freeze my three in time. I have been told many times that the elementary school years are the best and I can see why. The kids are riding bikes and swimming and we are going to dance and soccer and school..... I am really enjoying my children these days (of course that is when they aren't driving me absolutely crazy!)

Mimi

2011-02-25T10:05:00.000-08:00

Miss Mimi has definitely developed QUITE the personality over the last few months. She is honestly just like a chipette from one of the "Chipmunks" movies. She has this high pitched squeeky voice and she talks a mile a minute and NEVER stops talking. Mimi is always dancing around and singing. This child has SO much energy. She is like the energizer bunny. Around 6pm every night she just goes nuts.. she is pretty much bouncing off of the walls! She hates to go to bed. She can generally be found wandering around our dark house every night well after Mac and Grace have gone to bed. I don't think it is possible to not fall in love with the child. She is the kindest, sweetest little soul I have ever met. She can drive you crazy, because she never STOPS going...but she has the my endearing way about her...

LIKES:

the color purple

her "lady bug" red polka dot dress ( she can be found searching in her bedroom for this most every morning)

CANDY

coloring

snuggling ( once she finally caves and wants to go to sleep)

painting her nails

dance

the CHIPMUNKS!!

Barbies

to eat ( by far my best eater! This kid will pretty much eat anything!)

Yes.. this is my child asleep with a lolli pop in her mouth...

Grace

2011-02-25T09:55:00.000-08:00

Miss Grace had her very first little dance at school for Valentine's Day and her first little crush! She wanted to wear a white dress to the party so "JOEY" would want to marry her! Isn't this a little early?! I was able to go to school with her that day and watched her in action. When they got to start dancing she made a beeline for Joey and grabbed him right away. THAT'S MY GIRL! She definitely knows what she wants.

Catching UP

2011-02-07T16:20:00.000-08:00

January just seemed to pass me by! I moved into the new studio and that honestly took over all of my spare time last month. Grace went back to school.. and started dancing again! When she found out that Mimi was getting a costume and going to be in a recital she quickly changed her mind about dancing! So dancing she is. Mac started soccer and I am blown away by how speedy he is and by how much he LOVES IT. I seriously think his first practice was Oscar's happiest day of his life... easily surpassing the day he married me! I think that every man who loves sports prays that he has a son who will share that love with him!!! The twins are so naughty right now. They encourage each other to push the boundaries and I cannot believe the things they come up with. Yesterday morning I came downstairs to find them baking with bowls, spoons and BUTTER. LOTS OF BUTTER. My life is a zoo. A complete and utter zoo.

I am loving being in the new studio. I could not imagine going back to my home studio now! It is so nice to have my work AWAY from my home and I am finding that I am doing a much better job of balancing work/home... I am happy. I am SO happy. I am blissfully happy every time I walk through my studio door and see my logo on the window :) Life is good. I did not expect this to happen for some time. I honestly get giddy just thinking about it.

Some images from the twins yesterday... ( they are SO hard to photograph right now)

Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T10:01:00.000-08:00

Family pics on the way to Christmas Eve Mass :)

200th Entry

2010-12-25T09:27:00.000-08:00

Wow. I just hit 200 entries.

Christmas was absolutely delightful this year. We went to mass as a family on Christmas Eve and then had my brother's family over for a huge fish dinner. So yummy!

The kids woke up at the crack of dawn (as usual) and we thrilled with their presents from Santa.

Macrae loved his stinky the garbage truck and power tools and the girls loved their barbie doll house and vanity. Seeing the joy on their little faces makes everything I do so worth it. I truly feel that Christmas takes on a whole new meaning once you are a parent. These little souls truly believe and it is so wonderful to see their shining example of faith in things unseen.

'Tis the Season

2010-12-23T20:03:00.000-08:00

to be crazy!

Well not exactly. I can honestly say that even though I have been extremely busy this holiday season with work, the kiddos, Grace's school, and the new studio.... I have been finding time to find the joy!!!

This has been one of the merriest and most delightful holiday season's ever for me :)

Thanksgiving was quiet and simple. My Portraits With Santa event went off without a hitch and raised almost 2k and to top it all off I snapped a smiling picture of my three on Santa's lap!!

I made every holiday deadline for my clients... and sent out a couple 1000 cards!!!!! I attended Grace's first Christmas Party at school... which absolutely made my heart sing. We even made a quick trip up to Disneyland to enjoy the festivities there!!! Oscar and I attended our 7th a/c company Christmas party.... Cap that off with our usual Sinterklaas ( Dutch Christmas) with the Poort Family and an ugly sweater part with the Lourenco's and I can honestly say it was a joyous, busy and lovely time of year!

I got my shopping, wrapping, etc done early. So here I am .. the 23rd of December and all I have on my agenda tonight is a nice hot bubble bath. Life is good. I am blessed. This truly is the season to be merry and to remember our dear Savior's birth.

company xmas party... ( we never remember to get pictures when we are out)

Disneyland.. ( yes Mac was there... he was grumpy!)

my smiling Santa photo!!!! ( the twins screamed like crazy last year when they saw Santa!)

this is an image I have been wanting to do for a while... Mac is wearing a tie that my Mom bought for my Dad when they were dating :) I needed this a lot right now. The holidays still tug at my heart sometimes... and can often be bittersweet remembering years gone by...

Good Samaritan

2010-11-22T10:37:00.000-08:00

My Gracie Girl is Good Samaritan at school this week. She is SOOO excited. Her little face was just glowing talking about it this morning. She gets to bring show and tell to school every day for a week, holds the flag during The Pledge of Allegiance, and lead the kids in their songs each day.

I LOVE St. Viator's. We are so happy with the community we have found their. We just fit. Oscar and I were talking last night about what we were most grateful for this year beyond family, health, jobs etc and I realized that I am most grateful for finding St. Viator's.

A whole in my heart has been filled. This is what I am MOST grateful for this year....

Happy Halloween

2010-10-31T19:53:00.000-07:00

I feel so Halloweened out right now! Between the school party, school carnival, Legoland, etc... I feel like my kids have done their fair share of trick or treating! This is actually the very first year we have ever taken the kids from house to house. They loved it. We only did our neighborhood, but the kids were thoroughly impressed with the whole event! Who doesn't love free candy?!

btw... Mac had the cutest Woody costume and decided he didn't want to wear it :(

Lego Land

2010-10-30T08:55:00.001-07:00

I had to head up to Maryland for a business workshop, so Oscar took a few days off and went with his family to LegoLand. They had a blast. I know that my kiddos SO enjoy cousin time...

Mimi

2010-10-25T15:02:00.000-07:00

I am so behind with blogging lately. It seems like when I get busy at work I don't even want to look at a camera after hours... and I neglect to document my own family life!

Here is a new one of Mimi girl..

Mimi:

LOVES her dance class. I have never met a little girl who adores dance more than her. She asks every single morning if today is dance class. She pays attention the WHOLE time. I have a feeling I may have a prima ballerina on my hands...

She LOVES to dress up. She has a stash of about 5 princess costumes that she puts on as soon as she wakes up and changes accordingly throughout the dance. I generally end up peeling one off of her after she has fallen asleep every night.

She is a chatter bug. Constantly asking us "what are you talking about" and always wanting to be in on every conversation.

She does NOT like bugs. Could we say girlie girl?!

She adores Barbie movies right now... and loves to play with anything little.

She is still a night owl. LOVES to stay up!

She does not to be referred to as a baby. EVER. She will get very angry and quickly tell you that she is NOT a baby.. she is a BIG GIRL.

OH.... our family would not be complete without this little lady.

Belated Birthday

2010-09-27T08:22:00.000-07:00

This month has been so busy I haven't had a chance to get some Birthday photos of Miss Grace.

Miss Grace at 4

loves school

still an early bird

still a girly girl in every way

loves to sing her school songs and dance around like crazy

definitely a chatty chatty little lady ( she will talk your ear off)

still loves skirts and dresses, but will wear leggings at least!!

loves princess' and tinkerbell and baby dolls and the Chippettes!!

loves little things

a HUGE fan of Happy Meals ( chicken nuggets and apple dippers are her personal favorites!)

still Daddy's girl

Riding Around

2010-09-25T11:12:00.000-07:00

I found a horse stable right near our house when I was driving Grace to school the other day and decided that Grace would probably love to take some lessons. I was a little nervous that she would be afraid, but she loved it. Her teacher said that she was an absolute natural. Grace was even trotting ( with her teacher next to her of course!) at her first lesson. I have a feeling Grace has been bitten by the riding bug... and that this is going to be the beginning of a life long love of horses! It really shouldn't have surprised me that she loved it so much, as both myself and my dad loved to ride. Guess it is in her blood!

Disneyland!

2010-09-16T19:43:00.001-07:00

Our wonderful Disneyland trip..

We stayed at the Disney California which was an absolute dream!

Let's just say that Mac and Mimi definitely "GOT IT" this year... and I will let the pictures do the rest of the talking...

Happy Birthday Gracie

2010-09-03T08:22:00.000-07:00

To the little love of my life... my sweet darling FOUR YEAR OLD Gracie Girl :)

4 years ago today my life was changed forever... as I became your mother :)

Late Night Baby

2010-08-30T08:14:00.000-07:00

My little Mimi girl does NOT like to go to sleep. I seriously think she could stay up to midnight every night if I didn't force her to go to sleep. Most nights she ends up falling asleep on my bed next to me while I am reading. This weekend I stayed up later than normal to finish a project. So what did Mimi do? Well... she stayed up late working on an art project too. I bought the girls these matching jackets and hats during my little Grace/Mommy date last week and the girls have wanted to wear them ever since. So I look over... Mimi is wearing this and coloring with her crayons. She is a little artist at heart. I could have just eaten her up at that moment...

a little more fun

2010-08-30T08:08:00.000-07:00

Our last part of our super fun weekend...

probably my kids' favorite thing in the W H O L E world...

I C E C R E A M

Bowling

2010-08-30T08:00:00.001-07:00

We decided to take the kiddos bowling last weekend. It was a blast. They loved it!!!

Lots of Fun

2010-08-30T07:46:00.001-07:00

We have really been living it up with the kiddos lately. Going to lots of fun places. I swear in the past 6 months the twins have become so much easier. We have gone to the movies, bowling, the the BIG park without the fences, and honestly just enjoying spending time together as a family.

a date with the girls... shopping for new twinkle toe sketchers and ice cream..

A Mommy/Daddy/Gracie date for Oscar's Birthday Dinner

Mommy / Daughter date... ice cream, shopping for school clothes, dance class and dinner :) this was a super fun afternoon. I so enjoy Miss Grace. She is turing into quite the little lady.

Happy Happy Birthday

2010-08-30T07:42:00.000-07:00

Mr. Poort turned 29 and I missed out on his Birthday blog post! SO here it is a little belated!

To the best daddy, best friend, best husband around :) ( maybe next time when I tell him to smile at his Birthday dinner he will give me a better smile!!!.. I also love the look Jon is giving him. Classic Poort )

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

PreK

2010-08-25T13:35:00.000-07:00

Today Gracie started PreK. I am in love with her new school.. after a long search we found a school that is a perfect fit for our little family. It is quite the drive.. but I think it is going to be worth it. Grace has free dress this year and starts wearing her uniform next year. So let's just say she and I are going clothes shopping tomorrow after school! We are going to live it up the one year she gets free dress. Her teacher is the mother of one of my high school friends and made one more spot in the class for Grace this year :) The whole room is done is Toy Story, which is one of Grace's absolute favorite movies. She was so excited today and never looked back once she walked into her classroom :) I was a little teary eyed. Her teacher asked us to bring a photo of each child as a baby, so I spent about an hour last night looking through her baby pictures and thinking how fast time is going by. I am so excited for Grace to make some fabulous friends and to see her shine now that she is in school and really being challenged. Love my Gracie Girl.

Play

2010-08-16T07:59:00.000-07:00

Oscar and I wanted to get out of the house this weekend. So we took the kids to a small water park near our house. The kiddos were SO happy. Mimi ran right in and Mac barely touched the water... totally typical for them!

It is so nice to just play and enjoy one another. I wish there were more days in the weekend!!!!

Miss Grace

2010-08-12T09:37:00.000-07:00

Grace went to Bible Camp at school this week :) She was a little nervous ( I think I was more nervous!!). She did great though and it having a really fun week. I thought this would be a good way to ease the transition of starting school 5 days a week. She has met some new friends that are going to be in her class and I think she is much more confident about starting school in two weeks. I am loving her long hair. Mr. Poort decided is was time to grow out her bangs and bob and let her have long blond hair. So pretty :) She looks older and older to me everytime I photograph her.

Closet Clean Out

2010-07-21T15:19:00.000-07:00

My Mom tried to clean out some of Mac's clothes in his closet today.. but Mr. Mac freaked out as soon as he saw his clothes going into a black trash bag!! He insisted on wearing 6 shirt, 2 pants and a pair of too small converse... He looked hilarious. How do you explain to a 2 year old that their clothes are too small and that you are giving them away?!

Sisters

2010-07-20T19:31:00.000-07:00

These two are inseparable. They are best buddies. Their two little personalities just jive. They rarely fight and are totally in love with one another. I hope they always stay this way. Love my girls.

( the girls on our new KING bed) Yes... we finally caved and bought a bigger bed... now hopefully I can sleep without little feet/hands/arms/legs kicking me all night long!!

Big Girl

2010-07-11T11:11:00.000-07:00

Oh... my sweet Mimi girl. The sunshine of my life. One words sums this little girl up. EASY. She is just so easy and sweet. I think Mimi is going to be an artist. She is so meticulous and focused. She loves little things. She loves little figurines and plays with this little doll house of mine for hours. This little girl enjoys life. Seriously. I often glance at her during the day and catch her just in her own little world.: riding her bike around in circles with her eyes closed feeling the wind in her hair or twirling around in the pool with her eyes closed just enjoying the warm sun and cool water. I have never met someone who takes three bites of ONE jelly bean. She will sit there with a few candies and I swear it takes her fifteen minutes to finish them. Who couldn't love this little girl?

sibling love

2010-07-10T11:10:00.000-07:00

I walked in on this a few days ago. I think every mother's heart just melts when their children are loving toward one another. I love how Mimi is just snuggled into Mac. I hope they always take care of each other and remember how very special their bond is.

Big Boy

2010-07-08T19:50:00.000-07:00

In the past few weeks Macrae has just begun to seem so big. I took him to get his hair cut today and I quickly glanced at him and for a second I swear a preview of him in Kindergarden. JUST SO BIG. He is more verbal than Mimi, so sometimes he just seems older than her. He is definitely not lacking in personality. Spunky, fiesty, sparky.. you name it. It is funny because I am told that is exactly how my dad was as a child. He is also a total Momma's boy. He will snuggle with me for hours if I let him. There is just something about little boys and loving their momma's. Makes my heart melt. Lately at night I have been talking to him and saying "who is my good boy". And he will say "Mackie". Then I will say "who is my smart boy" and he again will say "Mackie". We just go on and on like this before he falls asleep every night. These are pictures of him eating "gapes" and watching "Bob Builder" on my Mom's bed. Doesn't he look just so content?!

4th of July

2010-07-06T06:33:00.000-07:00

I am so grateful to live in this beautiful country. I am so grateful to be free. We had a little bbq with my brother and his family. Good food. Who doesn't love bbq?! Lots of swimming. Lots of cake. Lots of fun. On a funny note. I was explaining to Grace how great it was that we lived in America because she was free to be whatever she wanted when she grew up. She looked me straight in the face and said "that's great. I want to be a princess when I grow up!". I about fell over.

Cake

2010-07-06T06:30:00.001-07:00

I came down stairs yesterday to find Mac sitting on the table eating the cake from the 4th of July with his hands. Lovely. Bright blue and red frosting everywhere. For once I didn't freak out. I pulled out a spoon and cut him a big slice and thought.... Today we will eat cake for breakfast!!

Summer Time!

2010-07-06T06:21:00.001-07:00

The first word I generally hear every morning is BREAKFAST! Well, it has quickly been replaced with SWIM! This is the first time we have had a pool of our own and it has been so amazing. We have been swimming practically every day and sometimes more than once a day. The kids were a little timid at first, but they are crazy now! Grace can actually swim 5 0r 6 feet on her own. Mimi is crazy. She was the first to start jumping in. Mac is more timid. He likes the water, just not in his face! I don't think we could ever have a house without a pool now. We have been totally ruined by having one in our own backyard!

The Beach

2010-06-21T11:07:00.000-07:00

This was the most glorious.. fabulous vacation. I found the greatest hotel that was literally ON the beach. It was worth every penny to be able to walk to the beach from your room and then run back up if you needed food or the kids needed to use the restroom. They even set up beach chairs and umbrellas for you! NICE you would think? Right? Too bad my kids were not impressed with the beach! Grace was NOT interested in the beach. She thought it was too dirty. Mimi of course was in love with it and Mac was definitely more brave with the waves then last year. We went to Oscar's favorite restaurant ever... Wahoo's... twice!! We had some great dinners and did a lot of walking and talking :) My fav. There was also a great little park right next to our hotel. Seriously soooo convenient. We took the kids to an aquarium, a fair, and basically just spent 4 days hanging out together. Oscar and I also took surf lessons and that was seriously one of the highlights of the trip. I got up a few times, but let's just say I am no surf pro!

It was so hard trying to get back into the work groove today. Some pics....

this was our hotel... right next to the beach!!!

my self made three child stroller...

Happy

2010-06-13T21:42:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged in a bit, because I am just been super crazy busy. BUT.. in all of this business I wanted to sit down and write down some thoughts. Or type out some thoughts!

I am HAPPY. So incredibly happy. I think the happiest I have been in a long long time... like the deep down happy where you wake up with peace in your heart. For the longest time I struggled and from the second I opened my eyes in the morning I would feel this massive weight pushing down on my lungs and suffocating me. Now I am finally free. I feel alive again and that I can be myself again... that I am free to bloom and be who I want to be. I no longer am struggling to conform to something I am not and nor will I EVER try to do that again, because it was soul crushing. There is too much joy in life to be constantly worrying about measuring up to preset and often very unrealistic standards. I feel like so often we are so busy doing the things that we are "supposed" to do that we miss the whole point of this journey... which is to find joy. By no means am I saying that we should have an "eat, drink and be merry" approach to life. I am just saying that sometimes you just have to let go and live.

I have finally let go and gosh it feels so good to be happy again. Today I am happy. Tomorrow my kids may drive me crazy! But today I am happy and oh so glad to be happy.

Mother's Day

2010-05-09T18:40:00.000-07:00

I had the nicest Mother's Day this year. Oscar always goes above and beyond.

My favorite part was capturing this image of my kiddos. It is definitely challenging to photograph all three of my kids at one time, so I pulled the "mother's day" card and asked Oscar to help me in the studio.

This picture really makes me think about why I love being a mom.

Am I the perfect mom? Nope. Do I go nuts most days home with my kids? Yep. But I do love these kids so much it makes my heart ache sometimes. I love being a mom. I am not the mother I envisioned myself to be. I thought I would be soft spoken, never yell, bake cookies, do crafts.. be domestic. Let's jut say that is not me. I yell.. loose my temper... rarely bake cookies or do crafts. But I give lots of hugs, say "I love you" dozens of times every day, kiss "boo boos", read lots of stories and end up sleeping in one of my children's bed every night. Motherhood is hard. Some days it is soo hard trying to balance work and home. But I love them both and will continually work at that balancing act. Motherhood is amazing. To see my sleeping children in their beds each night touches my heart. I realize they will only be little for a short time and that I must cherish as many moments with them as possible. Today I am grateful to be a mother. I am grateful to have a husband that supports me in all that I do and is my best friend. I am grateful for a mother who helps me from the minute she gets up to the minute she goes to bed and without whom my life would be ALOT more chaotic. Today I am grateful to be a mother... the most wonderful part of my life.

Mr. Poort

2010-05-05T15:05:00.000-07:00

My little man.. the little love of my life. Mr. Mas has developed quite the personality in the past few months. I really thought he was going to be such an easy going little dude. I was wrong. He is turning into SUCH a boy. In the car yesterday we stopped in front of our favorite ice cream parlor and he started screaming "get me out!". If you change the channel he is watching he screams "NO!". He is jumping off of couches, running around like crazy, and grunting?! Where did this come front... He is definitely becoming such a BOY!

Milestones

2010-04-24T19:03:00.001-07:00

Well I am happy to say that I am done changing diapers. I am actually kind of in shock about it. I potty trained Grace at 22 months, Mimi at 23 month and Mac at 24 months. I thought that Mac would take me a really long time to potty train. I have heard that boys are really tough. Well, he has actually been my easiest. I think it had a lot to do with the fact that I had just potty trained Mimi and he had seen her go through it.

I feel like this is such a huge milestone in my life. I have been changing diapers for almost 4 years straight. I feel like in the last two months my babies have become toddlers. I took away the binkies, took away the sippie cups and now they are potty trained. Where has the time gone? I have honestly been in baby mode for so long it is crazy to think that these are my last babies. That those were my last diapers... last binkies. That I don't need anything in the baby aisle at target anymore. My wallet is definitely happy about this, but somehow it is all bittersweet. It really has just hit me. My babies are not babies anymore and we are moving on to the next chapter in our lives. I am really excited to see them grow and develop and am having more and more fun with them. But gosh.... looking back the time has gone so fast. When I was in the midst of having three under 2 all I could wish for was for it to be 2 years later. Now I am there. Now by no means do I want to go back to the first two years, because they were absolutely exhausting. I am just trying to take in this moment for what it is and realizing that it went by so fast.

The closing of this phase of my life.... Crazy.

My Big Boy Mac :)

Fam Pics

2010-04-21T09:13:00.000-07:00

Family Pictures from my sis in law ... Thank you Jamie!! I am in love!

Easter

2010-04-20T07:10:00.000-07:00

The kids' Easter outfits didn't quite go as planned this year! I had planned out Mac's a few weeks in advance, but the dresses I ordered the girls' didn't quite work! They were completely see thru! We also attempted to go to church... but it was sooo full you couldn't even move. So A for effort there I guess!

Happy Happy Birthday

2010-04-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

This is a belated post to my little twinners who are now two. Oh where has the time gone? I feel like they were just newborns... but that the past two years have been long and exhausting. I honestly can say I am so happy they are two. I remember when I first found out that I was having twins and someone who had twins told me that the first 2 years were rough. I concur. I remember the shear exhausting I felt most of all the time during their infancy. I wish sometimes I could go back and just sit and rock them, instead of running around like a mad woman.

Two is great. Mimi is no completely potty trained! YIPPEE! Mac is right behind her. I will be starting to potty train him in the upcoming weeks.

Their personalities have really switched. I really thought Mac was going to be the shy one and Mimi outgoing and they have done a complete flip. Mac is mister comical. Always naughty, funny and turning into a true ham!! Mimi on the other hand has become much more shy and reserved. She is super sweet. One of the sweetest little spirits I have ever met and she is incredibly tender. On the same note, she is CRAZY at home. She will jump straight into the pool ( with floaties) and swim to the edge by herself. She almost has two different personalities. Her home personality ( outgoing) and her outside world personality ( shy).

It is a tiny bit sad for me to see my last babies growing up. BUT... I have absolutely NO desire to go back to the baby stage again. EVER.

Their Birthday Pics are pending... so here is a new fav of them together.

More Updates

2010-03-29T07:52:00.001-07:00

some more pics to update!!

Super Behind

2010-03-29T07:20:00.000-07:00

Gosh! I tend to get sooo behind on my blogging! Here are a bunch of photos that I just uploaded from my point and shoot. I don't take too many pics on it, so I tend not to upload. Well.. I have pics that go back to January on it right now!!

Sleepover with the cousins!

Gracie's First Dentist Visit ( she was a super brave champ!)

Mimi's crazy dreads!!

Mimi

2010-03-28T21:36:00.001-07:00

My gentle child. Seriously this kid is the sweetest little thing ever. She just skips around the house all day long. So happy. So easy going. So eager to please. She is the joy of my day :) I love her happiness.. it is contagious...

Grace

2010-03-16T14:43:00.000-07:00

My Grace.. who daily in her prayers asks that mommy not loose her "temperature". Humbling and hilarious at the same time.

little moments

2010-03-16T14:40:00.001-07:00

The little moments in an otherwise crazy day are what I hope to remember years from now when I think of my sweet children....

The Big Cut

2010-02-22T10:45:00.000-08:00

I have been wanting to cut my hair for a while now. It was just too long and took too long to get ready and then it would end up in a pony tail anyway. So I did it! I chopped off 11 inches and donated it to Locks of Love. I LOVE my new hair :)

February

2010-02-14T17:09:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it is already Valentine's Day. Where has the month gone. February is by far my favorite month of the year. V Day, my birthday, and Oscar and I's anniversary all within two weeks of each other makes for a very busy month. I was supposed to go to Washington DC for a business workshop, but ended up canceling due to the scary weather. We are all settled into the house.. well about 80% settled :) The kids are good. Funny, crazy and busy as usual. Mimi is just turning into a firecracker. I kid you not. This kid never just walks... she skips.... everywhere.

Mac is Mac. Still a momma's boy. Still wants to be held all day long and likes to say "No" all day. Grace loves school. Seriously loves school. Her preschool was the best thing that ever happened to her.

We enrolled Grace for Kindergarden this month. We have looked and looked and looked and finally decided on St. Viator. It is definitely a drive, but we think it will be worth it. After a lot of soul searching we have started attending church there and we love it. It is really going to be nice for the kids to have a community of church and school combined. I love that. And the uniforms are super cute!

Mimi is getting to be super verbal. I really think this is because she shadows Grace all day long. She is such a girlie girl. She even jumps on the trampoline with her "high heels" on. Grace loves the Beyonce "single ladies" song. She heard it at the "chipmunks" movie and has been singing it ever since. Mac still loves to clean. I swear this boy is going to make some woman very very happy one day.

I can't believe I am going to be 26 next week. Pretty crazy. Closer to 30 then 20. Honestly though, I am really happy with where I am in my life for only being 26. Yes.. there is always room for improvement, but all and all.. I am happy. Really happy with my life.

and of course... some pics.. not a lot this month... life just got too crazy with the move

Update

2010-01-25T14:05:00.000-08:00

January has been a super crazy month. We moved! I needed more space for work, so my mom found us the perfect house.

The kids are crazy as usual. Grace is hilarious. I found her in my makeup today and she said "I'm sorry mom for getting into your make up, but I was just trying to be stylish!" She also is obsessed with my Dad. She said to me the other day " Mom.. what happened to Grandpa Mac?" I then explained that he got sick and died". Grace says " Mom.. you know what!? I think a dragon got him. yeah. A dragon. Mom.. it's ok. After Grandpa Mac died you grew up and Jesus sent me to you so that you could be my Mommy". ( my heart melted)

Mac got a big boy haircut finally. I LOVE IT. He looks like such a hunk! Watch out ladies.

Mimi is just a joy. PURE JOY. This child doesn't walk, she SKIPS... everywhere. She is constantly singing and laughing and being naughty.

It has been a really good month. Hopefully we can settle into the new house quick.

SLEEP

2010-01-10T14:31:00.001-08:00

These are all the different sleeping pictures I got of my kids this month.. sorry Mimi you didn't make the cut.

this really did happen.. I was reading and look over and she is OUT.

New Years

2010-01-10T14:27:00.000-08:00

Oscar and I are not into big group parties. We would much rather be one on one with another couple... especially my bff and her hubbie Nick.

Amanda made her super yummy homemade pizza and we played some games.. I am a loser and wanted to go home at 10pm.. because I love my sleep. But we had a great evening together..

I totally forgot to snap a pic of Amanda and Nick :( BAD PHOTOGRAPHER.

December continued...

2010-01-10T14:10:00.001-08:00

We had such an awesome Christmas this year. Oscar and I stick to 4 categories for our presents for each other: want, need,wear and read. This was the first year ever that we didn't figure out what we were getting. Oscar got Rosetta Stone ( Dutch) and a chair massager. I got a sony reader ( kindle) and a bracelet from my fav jeweler.. Jeff White.

This was the first year that Grace really got the whole Santa thing. She was awesome. So awesome and so fun. Christmas really is different when you have little ones at home. The kids got too much, but not soo much that it was out of control. December always comes and go much to quickly. We had my brother and his family over Christmas Eve and a super yummy dinner. Low key.. just how I like it. Christmas Day was pretty laid back too.. presents, brunch and lots of relaxing...

Mac was more interested in my Mom's soda than the gifts.

More December

2009-12-20T19:52:00.000-08:00

We also had out favorite "Ugly Christmas Sweater" party last night!! SOOO fun. I love being able to hang with these girls... good times. Who could have a bad time in these sweet sweaters???!!

my bff Amanda and her hubbie Nick

The girls... Nicole, Me, and Amanda ( Don't we look soo hot?!)

what a good man to wear that sweater for me :)

Tonight Oscar took Grace to see the Nutcracker and I guess she just loved it :) I plan on making this a Daddy - Daughters tradition from now on.

December...

2009-12-20T19:09:00.000-08:00

December is going way too quickly and I am doing a horrible job blogging about it! So here is what we have been up to:

My annual Portraits With Santa Event .... not the shot I envisioned... but I raised $1500 in two days for Shade Tree Women's Shelter. I am so thankful for all the help I received from "Santa" and Dagerman's to make this happy. Shade Tree is such a worthy cause and I was so humbled by the turn out! All 50 appt's booked in 2 days :)

Family pictures of the Grandkids for my Mom's Christmas Cards.. this was a wild session!

Shopping with Oscar for the items we donated to Shade Tree.. people give you very weird looks in line when you buy carts full of children's underwear and socks :)

Took Gracie Girl to see Peter Pan at my high school. Had a fun Daddy, Mommy, Gracie dinner/date.

Made a Gingerbread house with the girl. Well Grace and I made a gingerbread house and Mimi ate her gingerbread pieces.

Held the Poort family's Sinterklaas dinner at our house. Sinterklaas is when Dutch people celebrate "Santa" and give their gifts. It is super fun and Oscar and I are so glad to be able to continue this tradition with our children.

My favorite shot of the kids from this month. When I bought this bench I totally envisioned it filled with kids eating breakfast together:)

more to come.......

Thankful

2009-12-03T18:56:00.000-08:00

I love the holidays. Thanksgiving was by far one of our best this year. We did a double Thanksgiving. Lunch with the Poort's... and dinner with my family. Grace and my Mom have decorated the whole house and I am loving how cheery it is looking.

We have some fabulously fun plans on the agenda for the next couple weeks. I just fear that this beautiful season is passing too quickly!!

My new favorite pic .. EVER.... this is soooo MAC.

Fam Time

2009-11-23T23:04:00.000-08:00

Oscar and I have been doing so good lately about getting the kids out to do fun things. We took them to the Ethel M's cactus light event this weekend. Super cute. Super fun. Super FREE. All about that. ... soo of course some funny pics.

But. I have to post some really funny things my kids have said or done this week.

Grace:

this child is obsessed with Target. It is bad. She asks me everyday if we can go to target. She is spoiled. I know.

We were getting dressed yesterday and she said to me " Mommy, I am just so happy today.. I think I could cry".

She watched Wizard of Oz yesterday and was enthralled. ENTHRALLED. So funny that an old school, not high tech... still grabs the attention of little kids.

Mac:

Has become a pyscho cleaner. Puts the dishes away. Walks around with either broom to sweep or a rag to clean. I HOPE this stage will stick.

Morgan:

Is getting sooo naughty. She doesn't like to sleep. I mean hates it. She is in to everything. You cannot let her out of your sight... or you will find her sitting in the sink plunking her eyebrows. Yep... that was a fine mommy moment. Turning into a parrot. Pretty. Sister. Ow. NO. NO. NO. No.

Life is good. Love this time of year.

LAME

2009-11-17T20:07:00.000-08:00

I have done a really horrible job of keeping up with the blog lately. What can I say. Life just seems to pass me by some days. The kids are busy. OH SO SERIOUSLY BUSY. They never stop. I am so incredibly grateful that Grace goes to preschool. It is my saving Grace... excuse the pun. I am so glad that November is finally here. One of my very favorite months. I love love love the holidays. Definitely my favorite time of year. Lots of fun family things planned this year. Oscar's family is Dutch so they celebrate "Sinterklass" kind of a Dutch Christmas that we celebrate on the 5th of every December. All the girls switch off hosting it and this year it is my turn so let's just say my mind has been planned a fabulous family gathering :)

As for some family pics... some from halloween. Which Grace adored. Mac I think was not too happy about his costume this year. I don't really blame him poor guy. Mimi... well she just loved everything.

This last picture I am posting is how Mimi has come out the last few mornings. I about fell over laughing, because she had the most serious look on her face. One accidentally kept falling out of her ear and she kept getting so annoyed sticking it back in again and again. Oh my gosh.. Kids are hilarious.

Mr. Mac

2009-11-02T15:01:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I looked at Mac and realized he was the exact age Grace was when I had the twins. Wow. How time flies. Can't believe my babies are already 1 1/2. Can't believe it is November already.. and that I am wearing flip flops still!

Ok.. on to Mac.

He is turning into such a little man. He is developing quite the little personality. Poor guy is generally bossed around by girls all day long, but he is finally starting to stick up for himself!! He is truly a Momma's Boy. He will follow me around all day long saying "mama, mama, mama" and putting his hands up for me to pick him up. I swear if I had a sling this boy would stay on my hip all day long. I am ok with that. I am starting to feel like I only have a little time left of them being "babies" and am clinging on to this last little bit. Oh.. how time does fly by when you have children.

Happy Halloween .. belated

2009-11-01T15:03:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was the craziest day. I double booked a session! I have never done that before.. and then one of the pieces on my camera broke. I guess I had lots of "tricks" in my studio yesterday!

I threw the kids in the studio for some pics before we headed out to trick or treat. Mr. Mac was not cooperative at all... you can tell how totally not into it he is...

Happy

2009-10-14T09:51:00.001-07:00

Today I am happy. I am grateful for three healthy children, this beautiful weather, a safe neighborhood, a wonderful husband.. etc.

Somedays you just need to sit back and count your blessings. I tend to get so caught up in the day to day business that I forget just how blessed I am.

I AM BLESSED.

Today I am going to count my blessings...

Today I am most grateful that it is this October and not last oct or the oct before that. ( two 6 month old babies.. no sleep.. etc.... the year before that throwing my guts up pregnant!) Today I am grateful that my babies are 18 months !!

Proud

2009-10-09T18:43:00.000-07:00

In light of President Obama's Noble Peace Prize award I feel the need to make some comments. Why is everyone so grumpy about this? Can't we just be happy that our President received this amazing award? I hear people criticizing the fact that he won the award based on his ideas and not actions. This man has been in office for less than a year. Real change comes from action and most actions start out as ideas. There will be no peace in this world if there aren't people out there promoting it and dreaming "big". People criticize and say that he is promoting peace for Muslims, or African Americans, etc...... Well what if he is? Isn't peace for everyone. Or can we just exclude a certain group of people and say that they don't deserve peace. I think that we are all children of God and that we are ALL deserving of peace, no matter our race or religion. Christianity teaches that. Or is it just more convenient to say that we believe that on Sunday at church? Change is hard. People talk and talk and talk about change until it affects them and then it is a whole new ball game of not wanting to be bothered because it is someone else's problem ( wow run on sentence).

I am so happy that someone is recognizing this incredible man. No, he is not perfect, but none of us are. Congratulations President Obama... for dreaming and seeking for a better tomorrow.

Raising Twins

2009-10-05T06:52:00.000-07:00

I saw on another blog a post about twins and decided that I really should post about how cool raising twins is. Don't get me wrong, that first year was incredible exhausting and hard, but watching these two different people grow up together is pretty cool. I love watching their little relationship grow. I know that they have Grace too, but the twin's relationships is pretty unique. I am also really enjoying watching the gender differences between the two. It is crazy that gender identity and characteristics really come out so young. I am frequently saying " Oh Mac, you are such a boy". He really is so different from his sisters. Some character traits:

Morgan:

Older twin by two minutes ( she will I am sure remind Mac of this for their whole lives!)

Dark brown curly course hair

dark brown eyes

Very brown skin

My most tender child. Gets her feelings hurt sooo easily

My most wild child. I know kind of funny that she is my most wild and my most tender!

Loves to cuddle with anyone that will snuggle her.

Loves to run. Not walk. Ever. If she is walking she kind of walk runs!

A Climber. Oh BOY. This child climbs everything.

Very adventurous. No Fear. Will go to the biggest slide in the park

Loves to read. Loves to color.

Loves to swim.

I am looking at all these things and thinking that a great description for her is that she just really loves life.

Messy. This child is soo messy. No meal is complete without putting her dirty hands through her hair.

Afraid of dogs.

Walked first ( 11 months)

crawled first

sat first

HATES TO GO TO SLEEP

pretty much does everything before Mac ( poor boy)

Mac:

Youngest child of the family.

Weighs about a pound less than Morgan

An inch shorter than Morgan too.

Thick, Straight, Soft Brown Hair

Brown hair ( lighter than Morgan's)

Tans easily, but lighter than Morgan naturally.

Momma's boy. 100%

Loves his blankie and his crib.

Loves to sleep ( just like his mommy)

Loves vacuums, brooms, hair dryers, phones and cameras. Basically anything with buttons.

Does not like to swim. Doesn't super love the bath.

Not outgoing. Very cautious. When he does try something brave he usually ends up falling on his head!

Shakes his hands back and forth while putting his hands up if he wants to be picked up.

Loves animals, especially dogs.

Has a great concentration. Will play with one toy for hours.

Loves spoons. Must eat with utensils. Weird.

Loves television of any kind.

A biter. Will pretend he is giving you a hug and then bam... he turns into a shark.

It is really funny for me to makes these two lists. My twins really are polar opposites. Being a mother of twins really is amazing. It is so neat to look at see two babies. I wonder what it is like for them to be one of two. The generally get along very well and hope that they will continue to grow as friends as they age.. I am very blessed.

October

2009-10-01T14:44:00.000-07:00

I LOVE OCTOBER. I think it is one of my very favorite months! Today I cleared out the kid's summer clothes, threw them outside to play all morning long and made a huge pot of chili. I just love fall. The food, the holidays, the weather. Especially with the horrible Vegas summers, fall just comes as such a relief. I am looking forward to a wonderful holiday season with the kids.....

one of my big girl Grace from her 3rd birthday pictures :)

18 month update

2009-09-27T19:02:00.000-07:00

The twins will finally be 18 months on Thursday!! You all know what that means! NURSERY! They went in today and were just great! They actually both fell asleep! The twins are both pretty fearless of new people, which is good and bad. All of my kids have adored nursery and never really freaked out when I have left.

Mimi is so funny lately. She is just talking up a storm and she is still the messiest little eater I have ever met. I swear no meal is complete until she runs her dirty little hands through her hair!! Every night I bath her and food just drips off of her. She is such a little piglet when she eats! Digging in with two hands!

Mac is still as whiny as ever and now that he is starting to talk all I hear all day long is "mama, mama, mama, mama". He just follows me around all day wanting me to pick him up. I think if I still had a sling he would let me carry him around in it all day long. LAZY BOY.

Grace is busy. All day long she just goes and goes and I swear tried everything in the book to test me. It looks like the 3's are going to be worse than the 2's for us. When I give her two choices, she chooses neither. Got to love that.

NO pictures tonight. Grace is whining for me to rub her back while she falls asleep... so off I go.

I want to crawl in a hole and die

2009-09-22T17:46:00.001-07:00

OH my gosh... I have the stomach flu. I don't think I have ever been this sick before. I guess I never thought about catching it as I was caring for Grace... this is poop. It is sooo yucky being sick when you are the Mom. I don't know what I would do without my Oscar Boy who has come to the rescue today...

SICK

2009-09-20T11:10:00.000-07:00

In my three years of parenting I have never had a child throw up. Poor Grace has thrown up a dozen times today. She must have some kind of stomach bug. YUCK. ALL over my BED. YUCK. YUCK. YUCK. The humbling experience of being a parent is know that you HAVE to clean it up. On a happy note. I organized my whole pantry today since we stayed home from church and Oscar cleaned the kids' playroom.

SO glad to be back

2009-09-13T07:41:00.001-07:00

Vacation is fun, but I think coming back home is the best part. We had an incredible time in California. Exhausting and incredible. I think I was so glad to come home, because I Fall is my favorite time of year. Oscar and I started dating in September, so this time of year always reminds me of falling in love :) Cheesy but true. I love the holiday season... can't believe it is right around the corner...

Awesome Article

2009-09-12T09:59:00.000-07:00

In light of all the talk and controversy about President Obama's health care address, and the buzz over him talking to the youth of our country .... I just wanted to share some thoughts and a great article I read today that was on the front page of AOL.. called "4 Problems That Could Sink America".... this is an excerpt..

"The health care smackdown -- sorry, "debate" -- is Exhibits A, B and C. The soaring cost of health care is a problem that affects most Americans. It's shrinking paychecks, squeezing small businesses, bankrupting families and swelling the national debt.
Yet outraged Americans seem most concerned about fictions like death panels and government-enforced euthanasia, while clinging to the myth that our current system of selective availability and perverse incentives somehow represents capitalist ideals.

Search for more on health care reformBut let's take a break from that burdensome issue to examine the likelihood that President Obama was born in a foreign country and hoodwinked America into believing he was eligible to run for president.
People who lack the sense to question Big Lies always end up in deep trouble. Being well informed takes work, even with the Internet. In a democracy, that's simply a civic burden. If we're too foolish or lazy to educate ourselves on health care, global warming, financial reform and other complicated issues, then we're signing ourselves over to special interests who see nothing wrong with plundering our national -- and personal -- wealth. "

YOu can read the rest of this article at

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Extra/4-problems-that-could-sink-america.aspx?page=2

I truly feel that people need to get get educated on the facts....

Disney Days Two and Three ( Picture heavy)

2009-09-11T13:15:00.001-07:00

More Disney Fun... ignore my puffy hair in these... humidity is poop!!

We had sooo much fun yesterday and today. It's a Small World was the kids favorite ride and toon town was a hit. The girls loved Mickey's house. Mimi went right up to all the characters. I thought she would be a bit more shy. Mac spent some time with my Mom, so Oscar and I took the girls for most of the day today. We took them to the Ariel's Grotto for the Princess Lunch and they loved it. Grace especially loved Belle. She has said the cutest things while we have been here. She looked up at my yesterday during lunch and said "Mom... I SOOO love juiceboxes". I NEVER give the kids juice boxes at home, except for Grace's school lunch. She also said to me " Mom... your kisses feel great". Too funny. Mimi is really starting to talk to. She came up to me this morning holding an empty juice box and said "Jus", and is saying "shoes", "bye bye" and even told the waiter "Tank You" after the waiter took her plate. Yeah for manners!!!

The kids are having a blast and Oscar and I are just really enjoying spending so much time with them.

Disney Day One

2009-09-09T16:17:00.001-07:00

We are hear! Yeah.. the most awaited part of our trip has begun. We started at Downtown Disney yesterday by taking Gracie to Build A Bear. She dug it. Totally loved it. She named her bear "Heart". Then we went out for a yummy dinner ( just me and O). That is the best part of our vacations. We always go with my Mom and are able to go out at night together... sooo fun.

Today we headed off to the park... but stopped at the big Disney store outside before we entered the gates and outfitted the girls in head to toe princess attire. They loved "it's a small world" and loved the tea cups.... I don't have much more to blog today... just lots of pics...

The Beach

2009-09-07T17:59:00.001-07:00

We are having such a fabulous time on our vacation. By chance my bff Amanda was up in Carlsbad this weekend also, so we went to the beach at her parents house and had a blast. Did dinner with them, went to Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo and then the beach again today with my mom... good good times....

Birthday Party

2009-09-07T10:05:00.000-07:00

Gracie went to the cutest birthday party last week. Sesily outdid herself with the food... sooo yummy. Grace wore one of the outfits from my studio and was so excited all week long to dress up in it!!

Grace's Number Three

2009-09-07T09:59:00.001-07:00

We didn't do much for Grace's Birthday since we were heading to CA the next day. We had the fam over for some cake and ice cream and a few presents.... doesn't my girl look big???

Nothing New

2009-08-28T07:21:00.001-07:00

Grace has just been so funny lately. She gets into my Mom's car the other day and says "Nanny, your car is sooo clean. Mommy's car is soooo dirty". Lovely huh?

We are so excited for our vacation next week. We are heading to CA for 10 days. 5 of the days we are staying at a beach house in San Diego and the other 5 we are spending at Disneyland. I can't wait to take the kids away and to spend time with them uninterrupted...

Nothing really fabulous to post this week. Just that we are ready for this heat to be over and are ready to get out of town!!!

Graceism's

2009-08-16T21:41:00.001-07:00

Lessons learned from my almost three year old.

Today Grace comes into my office and says that she needs to use the phone to call Disneyland.

Mind you we have been talking about our Disneyland trip for almost 6 months now and are to the point where we are really telling her all the little details...

this is Grace's phone conversation

"Hello.... are you there? Can you here me? Are you there? Yes... Hello... hello!!!"

She then turns to me and says " Mommy.. this freaking phone doesn't work!".

2 lessons learned....

1.... my phone reception out here is poop, because this is obviously what Grace is overhearing me say on the phone.

2.... I need to stop saying "freak", because my daughter is a walking parrot!!

My Girls

2009-08-16T05:51:00.000-07:00

Nothing great to say today. This was a super busy week. We are anxiously awaiting our trip to Disneyland in a few weeks, and I am working my heiny off in August so that I can take two whole weeks off in September. I seriously talk to Grace everyday about our upcoming trip. She can't wait either! On another note my girl Grace is almost 3. I can't believe it. The biggest news this week is that my Mom sold her mail and copy store. Yippee for me. She is going to do real estate full time ( and help me a whole lot more).

Also... made some fabulously yummy meals this week... including some great crab cakes that took way to long to make!!

Just "my girls"

Fab Weekend

2009-08-09T19:18:00.001-07:00

This was seriously a great weekend. Oscar and I had our typical date night.. and I dragged him to see Julie & Julia. I thought it was so cute. It 100% inspired me to become a better cook. Right now my family eats a lot of take out. But after watching this movie I have decided to learn how to cook. So Saturday night I made homemade Penne A La Vodka, a vinaigrette salad and a homemade chocolate cake with homemade frosting. OMGosh.. I about died when I took my first bite of my cake. WHY do people use the box? Obviously they have no idea how good a homemade cake tastes. I WILL NEVER USE A BOX CAKE MIX AGAIN. My Mom bought me a new cookbook called "The Cook's Bible" and I am going to try to cook my way through it. I have planned out a week worth of meals and am going to try a few new recipes from it each week.

Today I had to talk in church. Definitely not my favorite thing to do, but I am happy now that it is done. We had a lesson about Nauvoo today and it made me want to search out some of my family history. My Mom had always told me that I had a pioneer heritage, but I had no idea how much of a pioneer heritage I really had. I went onto lds.org and put in my great grandmothers name. Well I guess my cousin is a family history nut, so I was able to track my family back to the 1400s. CRAZY! I found out a couple super cool things as I went through all the names. A bunch of my family followed Joseph Smith from NY all the way to far west. I found a bunch of baptisms within the first few years of the church's organization. I found a sealing performed in the endowment building in Nauvoo ( what they used before the temple was built there). It absolutely blows my mind to think of who could have administered that sealing to them. I also found out that 2 of my ancestors.. from different families came over on the Mayflower , signed the mayflower compact, and were present at the First Thanksgiving. One of them was George Soules.. who was actually the teacher of William Bradford's children in England. William Bradford was the first governor of Plymouth, MA.

SO cool. Genealogy is cool stuff. Seriously blew my mind to read these things. This was a very cool weekend.

A goodbye

2009-08-06T20:56:00.000-07:00

One of my dearest friends moved to Washington this month. It is soo nice to have friends that know you, that know your past and who you really are. Who always give you the benefit of the doubt and always want the best for you. I am sooo blessed to have a handful of amazing friends. I am so glad that there is such great technology these days and I know we will stay in touch.... who else can I vent to about three children under 3 and know that she is in the very same boat...

I LOVE YOU TIFF. Kiss those kiddos for me...

cont.

2009-08-06T20:52:00.000-07:00

Into everthing.

The twins are into EVERYTHING. I remember someone saying that the twins' second year would be more exhausting then the first. I now know why. I can't turn around without finding them in something they shouldn't be in. And worst of all... the CLIMB. Grace was so not a climber. I had no idea that my twins would be such little monkeys.

A Massively Long Post

2009-08-06T20:43:00.000-07:00

Oscar and I were talking the other day about how few "snapshots" I have of the kids. SOOOO... what it a photographer to do? BUST out the point and shoot. Relentlessly! I just uploaded all the images from my point and shoot from the past two months. So this is going to be one long post about our summer.

First Post...

The POOL! WE love our pool. We didn't really see much of the pool last year ( remember that whole 2 month old twins thing?!). Mac was a little ( a lot ) leary of the water. He wanted to be held the whole time. Mimi literally just jumped right in and was swimming with floaties by our second pool day. Grace decided she could wear floaties too... after she saw Mimi wearing them. Mimi really is a water baby. Absolutely loves it... could swim all day.

This is a pic taken of the twins at breakfast. I love that I see two sweet little babies in highchairs when I look across the table.

Mac's Blanket.

This blanket has become an appendage to his body. He takes it everywhere and if he realizes that he forgot it he will go and cry by his door so that I will let him in to get it. A big thank you to Mercede Hale who made this for me when I was pregnant with Grace. I think he looks so cute with his little blankie.

My favorite little boy

2009-07-23T20:35:00.000-07:00

My little man Mac is the love of my life. I truly feel that he embodies the two men he was named after. His full name is Macrae Salesi. Macrae for my Dad, and Salesi is Oscar's middle name ( meaning Charles in Tongan). Mac's really has the sweetest little disposition. His sisters are so crazy. It is so nice to have a mellow little man around the house. He really is quiet and content most of the time. He is super easy to get a smile out of and a little cuddlebug. He has grown very found of two green crocheted blankets. One my Aunt Claire made and the other my friend Mercede made. He drags one of them around the house all day. He will walk to his room and pull it out of his crib and just bring it where ever he is going. He also has to have it to sleep. He will just run his fingers over the texture of the blanket for 30 or 40 minutes before he actually falls asleep. SO CUTE. I constantly refer to him as my little Linus for the Peanuts. Oscar found this shirt the other day and it makes me smile every time he wears it.

I heart this little man. Please don't ever get married and leave me Mac!!

Family Photos

2009-07-17T09:14:00.000-07:00

We had our family photos done in June and I just haven't gotten around to posting them.

Done By Tiffany Burke of Follow Your Art Photography in UT.

Grace

2009-07-16T14:49:00.000-07:00

We have had such a great week. I started taking the kids to an indoor play place called Child's Play. If you haven't heard of it... look it up. It rocks. WiFi for parents, air conditioning and a not uber loud chucky cheese environment. We spent many an hour there this week. Lots of play time = happy children = one happy mommy. Grace thrives with one on one attention. I think she acts most when I have been working a lot or consumed with the babies. She really is a love. I hear her singing her abc's walking around the house and it just makes me smile. She is getting big on me wayyy to quick. By the way.. have I mentioned that I am ready for Fall to be here? I am sooo over this heat. YUCK. We are heading to Disneyland in September for a week, so I am really anxious and ready for a vacation... and so is Grace! Ask her where she is going for her Birthday and she will tell you all about our vacation!

A new pic of Gracie Girl:

Mac

2009-07-01T09:47:00.000-07:00

My sweet Mac. I am so glad Heavenly Father blessed me with a son. You just have a different connection with your boys as a mother. He is so sweet. Mac seriously is such a quiet little boy. I will find him playing by himself and then look over 30 minutes later and he will still be playing with the same little toy. He is an observer... normally just watching his crazy sisters. He LOVES to eat and will sit in his chair for an hour if you give him an apple. He loves his Momma. He loves to cuddle with me. I took him in the studio yesterday for a quick pic and when I set him on the stool he would get up walk over to me and sit on my lap. What a love.

Grace

2009-06-22T16:06:00.000-07:00

I just want to give a little loving to my Gracie girl. Grace has sucked her thumb since we took her binkies away last summer. Well I started to notice that her teeth we shifting so I told her she had to stop sucking her thumb or else her teeth would fall out and she would have to eat only applesauce like babies. I kid you not... I told her this on Wednesday and she has completely stopped sucking her thumb. Not only that, she now tells everyone she sees that she doesn't suck her thumb anymore. She has always been so adaptable.. I hope she keeps that trait as she grows.. You know I can't post without a picture...

my new favorite.. taken by Tiffany Burke of Follow Your Art Photograph y is UT.

family time

2009-06-22T09:02:00.000-07:00

Oscar and I are always so happy when his family is in town. We make it a point to get together as much as we can. We are so lucky that all the kids are right in the same age group. They have a blast together. We had a bbq at our house yesterday for Father's Day and my Mom and Brother's B Day's. It was so nice to have our backyard in. The kids played and played and played. Finally we threw them all in the tub and sent everyone home. My children are so blessed to have close cousins. Grace loves Chloe so much. They are little buddies. Chloe was so funny last night. I was brushing the girls' hair and Chloe looks at Grace and says " Gracie... let me have your hand" and she proceeds to roll up her jammie sleeves for her. I just love that they are becoming little friends.

On another note... I just wanted to touch on Father's Day briefly. June is a pretty tough month for me. My Dad died in June, it's Father's Day and my parent's anniversary. I gave a lesson in church yesterday about temples and it really turned into a talk about how blessed we are to have eternal families. On a day that can be really sad for me, I was so filled with faith and hope....knowing that I am sealed to my parents for time and all eternity. Whenever I am feeling down about my Dad, or missing him.. I try to think to myself about how much joy I am going to feel when I see him on the other side. I just imagine running into his arms and hope that he will be pleased with what I have done with my life. I know that he sees me and helps me and I can't wait until the glorious day when I will be reunited with him.

Finally... my dear Oscar. I am so blessed to be married to such a kind, loving and patient man. He truly is a wonderful father and definitely Grace's hero. There is no one else I would want to go through my life with...

Happy Father's Day...

my crazy nephew Beckham.. had to include this because it is hilarious...

the cousins... can you tell me we are getting a lot of use out of our backyard?!

Big

2009-06-13T10:56:00.000-07:00

My Mimi girl is growing up oh so quickly. I feel like she is doing things so much early than Grace did. She won't sit in a high chair. She likes to sit in a big girl chair next to Grace. She likes to play with Grace. She isn't taking a bottle anymore. She understands what I say to her. She is getting to be a big girl. I love seeing her little personality shine through more and more each day. It is funny though. She seems so much more mature than Mac. I know they say girls are quicker than boys, but I really really see that with the twins. Mac is definitely still the baby.

Tiny Ballerina

2009-06-11T20:33:00.000-07:00

My sweet Grace girl started ballet and tap today!! Oh my. She is such a love. Her cousin Chloe has a dance recital next week and when Grace heard that she took dance class she begged us to let her go too. So I found her a studio today, bought her some shoes and an outfit and off we went. She was hilarious! She actually said to me " Momma take my picture!" So I grabbed my point and shoot and snapped a rare smile for the camera!!

Family Weekend

2009-06-09T10:40:00.001-07:00

Sometimes I feel like I run and run and run and never really get to spend anytime just playing with my family. This weekend was pure fun. My dear friend's wedding was Saturday and there were a bunch of events during the week to attend for it. Oscar and I spend all day together on Saturday just running around to these different events. We danced and danced and her reception. Oh.. good times! I thoroughly enjoy being with him!

Sunday we got up early and drove to Cedar City for some family photos. We stopped at the St. George temple and had lunch there with the kids. SO fun. It was so nice to just have nothing to do and be together as a family. Oscar and I loved being in the car together all day, just talking and laughing. I truly love my sweet little family. I LOVE being with them. Other than the fact that my kids are now sick again... this weekend was pure bliss. Poor Mimi.. her asthma is just kicking her butt lately :(

Here is a pic from Oscar's phone at the temple... Pics to come from our family picture session soon....

My angel

2009-05-27T19:37:00.000-07:00

I just received a huge order of new set/prop stuff for my studio and Miss Mimi was my model this afternoon.... ( this is maybe a 1/4 of it... she wouldn't go for all the outfit changes I had it mind!)

I am in love....

My Sweet Grace

2009-05-20T10:57:00.000-07:00

My darling Grace has been going through quite a bit of change the past few weeks. We dropped her afternoon nap, so she goes to bed without a peep at 7 and she started preschool 4 mornings a week. She is a new child. We have not had a meltdown in almost 10 days. She is like a totally new kid. I think she is thriving at school and being on a better routine. Doesn't she look like a little lady in this photo.....

At Home

2009-05-11T14:07:00.000-07:00

The kids and I have gotten into a very very good routine lately. Grace goes to preschool in the morning while the twins nap and I work for a couple of hours. I pick her up. We eat lunch and we play a little. The twins go down for another nap and Grace and I have a little alone time. We eat dinner, they take a bath and everyone is down for bed at 7pm. BEAUTIFUL. I love structure. I love that my days are getting to be so much more predictable. I am loving that Oscar and I finally are getting some time to ourselves. It is so nice to be able to sit down and talk or watch a movie before bed. I am also loving this beautiful weather. I wish we could freeze it right now, because I know it is going to be sooo hot in the next very months.

On an off note... Miss Mimi has definitely developed the personality of a toddler in the past few weeks. She is soo smart. She is the most mature of all my babies. She does things that neither Grace did at that age or that Mac can do right now. She will fold her arms to pray, so likes to paint, she is also crazy.. jumping of the kitchen table and climbing into the sink. This one keeps me busy.. I can't take my eyes off of her for a minute.

Grace started preschool last week and LOVES it. She never wants to come home... I think it was supposed to be the other way around!! She is so verbal. I love talking to her.

Mac is still his momma's boy. Definitely the most quiet and calm of my children. I will often find him just watching his crazy sisters play.

Some recent pics...

Mac finally got his hair cut today....

pre hair cut:

Friends

2009-05-09T21:19:00.001-07:00

Growing up my Mom always told me that if you can count your closest friends one two hands that you were incredibly blessed. I have a handful of friends that I love more than anything and I was blessed to find most of those friends in high school and two more once in college. I had some major trials in high school that were well beyond the norm of the typical high school drama. These girls helped me through it and I love them so much. I know that they understand me. That they know my history. They know who I am and love me unconditionally. I enjoy spending time with them even though it is not as often as I would like. This weekend was so fun for me. My dear Amanda is getting married :) So Nicole and I threw her a shower. It was so nice to hang out last night prepping and to spend the afternoon together today. These girls rock. Seriously rock. I would do anything for them and I know they would do the same for me. Tonight I just want to give a shout out to my girls.. you know who you are.. and I hope you know how much I love you all.....

Enjoying the Sun

2009-04-27T13:42:00.000-07:00

Every afternoon I have been putting the kids in the backyard to play for a bit and to burn them out for their naps. Today I pulled out a manual sprinkler thingy and let them run around and play in the water. Mimi and Grace LOVED it. Mac... not thrilled. He is such a quite and observant little boy. The girls are just crazy and loved running around getting wet. I am so grateful for our backyard. Seriously the best thing we have ever done. Love my kids. Love watching them grow.

Spring Days

2009-04-22T10:24:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe how warm it has been the past few days. I wish I could freeze the weather like this, because we all know that the dreaded summer heat is coming. I love April and May. I can't wait to take the kids to the pool, to let them eat popsicles on our patio and to run through our sprinklers. Now that we have a backyard summer is going to be so much more fun for my kiddos. My garden is growing like crazy and we planted some citrus trees this past weekend. I have definitely caught the gardening bug. Mac started walking this past week. It is so cute to see all three of them walking around and playing together. Some cute pics of them from today...

New Love

2009-04-18T21:47:00.000-07:00

So I got a new macro lens today and I heart it sooo much. There is definitely a learning curve and I am really new with it, but I think this is going to be a new fav lens... and I LOVE my new garden. So it is so nice to combine two of my passions. Also, I found a baby green bell pepper growing in my garden today and it seriously made me soo happy.

On a funny note.. Grace said the funniest thing today. We were at the fine art fair in Boulder City and someone asked what Mac's name was and Grace said his name was "Brother Bear".. which is a nickname I have for him!

Another funny thing.. I called to Oscar " go get Mac he is in the backyard, honey" and Grace repeated the whole thing to him .. including the honey part. Made me chuckle.

Easter

2009-04-17T08:44:00.000-07:00

Totally behind....

We had a fabulous Easter. Grace totally got it this year. It was soo fun to watch her hunt for eggs and open her Easter basket. She is such a love. We had all of our family over for a bbq and an egg hunt. The kids all love being together. It is so nice because my all of nieces and nephews are right about the same age.. all 5 and under. They have a blast together. My little niece Bella ( my brother's daughter) just doesn't know what to do with herself around the craziness of the Poort cousins! I am so grateful for my family and that my children get to spend so much time with their cousins. They truly are all little buddies.

a rare smile for the camera from Grace:

a typical Mac expression:

My kids love pictures... NOT.

Oh I know I need to cut his hair.. I just can't do it... yet:

All of the cousins minus Bella and Beckham:

a rare picture of myself!!

they are sooo interested in being photographed:

Mac was so not interested in Easter baskets:

fav pic from the morning!