The Adventures of Joel and Matthew

The other day, I discovered Joel cleaning my carpets with a bottle of sparkling water and a rag. What more could a mom wish for?

A couple of weekends ago, Joel went over to his friend Michael Fullmer's house. While Michael was napping, Joel got a hair cut. Here's Joel's before shot: I was pleasantly surprised by how well Joel did during the haircut... he was probably greatful to finally be getting rid of some of that extra hair! After his hair cut, he continued his spa treatment with a set of markers. His skin is still glowing! Joel has been buddies with Michael since Joel was born. Michael is such a tough little guy, and his parents are truly amazing! Michael even has his own little website! Visit it at www.michaelryanfullmer.com

She is absolutely beautiful! And congratulations, Becky, for surviving childbirth without any drugs! You go girl! Logan, you must have been a fantastic labor coach!

Who says that you forget about your dog after your child is born?

Joel has an inborn need to groove to music...it so irresistable to watch. Sometimes I play music just so that I can see him bop up and down and clap his hands. He's absolutely delicious!

I tend to post pictures of family members who I know read my blog at least once a quarter (they are happy when they see their picture, which in turn makes me happy)... but my wonderful MIL Teri visited us twice in December, and as such, deserves to have her picture posted on this wall of fame. We love you!

I am not the type of person who will make a new years resolution and then forget about it by the time February 1 rolls around. When I make a resolution, I stick to it. For example, the time that I resolved to run a marathon, I ended up not only running one, but two that year. Last year, we resolved to get more sleep.... by the end of January, Joel was sleeping through the night and taking two naps a day (arguably one of my greatest accomplishments as a mother to date). This year, our resolutions are a bit more long sighted... let me explain. I am a consumer. I LOVE to spend money. I love new clothes, new shoes, new gadgets, new everything. They (temporarily) make me very happy... I am smiling just thinking about them. But if there is anything to be learned from the financial mess that our nation is currently in, it is this: we need to spend less, save more, and be happy with what we have. Consumerism is making us sick, financially, spiritually, and environmentally. I cringe when I thi...

A couple of months ago, I bought a manual pasta making machine at Bed, Bath and Beyond. I usually have horrible luck with their products (about 50% of what I buy from this store is broken and I end up having to return it), however, I am still oddly drawn there. Anyways, Mike and I were both pleasantly surprised when we discovered that the pasta machine not only works, but is a pretty neat (and cheap) way for our family to spend time together... and the homemade pasta is a great reward! Even little man has gotton into the action!

Being the type A people that we are, Mike and I are big time planners. So when Mike decided to book a hotel room in Monterey for a last minute family trip, I had my reservations (what about cleaning the house for Christmas, menu planning, grocery shopping..). A glass of wine later, and Mike had me fully convinced. The next day, we headed out on our adventure. We had lunch at Phil's in Moss Landing (you have to go there if you have never been), and toured around Monterey and Carmel all day long. We ate dinner at Bubba Gump's, and then retired to our hotel room, which was more like an apartment... there were two bedrooms, one bath, a kitchen, dining room and living room, ample space for the three of us and Cody. I certainly hope that in the new year, we can add some more spontaneity into our lives. It is quite refreshing!!