Life As We Know It

Thanksgiving, Schmanksgiving

What is it about this holiday, this holiday that we're supposed to be giving THANKS for all the wonderful things in our lives, that makes me just despise it altogether?  (No, Zoe, its not because that Columbus really was a dirty b@stard... but, I still haven't pieced together why this holiday really is a sham).  Every year its always the same... trying to work out schedules and places and people and food and trying to make everyone happy and ultimately trying to force ourselves to enjoy this day of "thanks". 

Normally, we split this holiday up between Ryan's family and my mom's side of the family.  Yes, that means we eat two of the same meals and normally they're only a few hours apart (the earliest being ready by 1pm, the next being served at 4/5ish).  Its rush rush rush.  Hi, stuff your face, goodbye see ya later!

I hate cramming it all in.  Every time we just get comfortable and having fun with one side of the family, its time to pack it up and head over to another meal. 

This year Ryan and I had a good long talk about it all and decided to change things up.  See, *ideally* we would have sold our house by now.  *Ideally* we'd be in a larger home and *ideally* we'd be the ones serving dinner and inviting both sides of our family over, as well as some close friends who may want to join, and having a big, 'ol "Thanks-for-all-the-great-things-in-our-life" meal.  But, of course we're still stuck in our tiny little house so that means yet another year of swap, chow, swap. 

So, our big discussion.  We decided that the only way to make this a happy holiday for US would be to only have one place to go.  We decided to do every other year with each of our families, that is, until we have a larger home and then we're going to start our own tradition of us being the ones serving Thanksgiving dinner.  I know our decision hasn't made everyone happy, but its a small price to pay to make it bearable for us. 

Now, I guess what my post is about.... I just wonder if there are any other neat ideas that your families do for Thanksgiving that make the holidays easier and less-rushing on your family.  Do you visit each side of the family on the same day?  Do you split it up into two days? Heather had suggested doing the meal (a late lunch) with one side of the family and then joining the other side later in the evening for dessert.   ((I do like that idea, however, this year we'll have dinner with my mom.  And the entire day after T-day we spend with Ryan's family regardless of who we spend T-day with, it seems silly to drive across town for a late evening desert and then drive back out the next morning.))

So, back to the question... what "schedules" have you made up?  Have you come up with a kick-ass plan that makes EVERYONE happy?  Share it, will ya!

Adams Farm Market

Even after our visit to Plymouth Orchards yesterday, we were still lacking pumpkins.  They were pricey at P.O., so we opted to skip buying any.  Well, except for a tiny one that Porter got.  Usually we go to Flavor Fruit Farms in the fall, but I had also heard about Adams Farm Market recently from a mom in my mom's group.  I was told that ALL pumpkins were $5 each, and that you could get pretty large ones.  I wanted to go to FFF anyway, just to hang out and have some donuts, so the three of us planned to stop by FFF tonight and on our way home swing by Adams Farm Market for pumpkins. 

Well, as luck would have it (for AFM), the roads we normally take to FFF were closed so we took the detour route which took us right by Adams.  It looked really nice so we decided to just make the one stop.  I'm glad we did!  Look at these HUGE pumpkins we got... for $5!!  We also got a bunch of "pie" pumpkins (smaller ones) for $1.25 each.

Porter, as usual, was not very cooperative for "pictures", but I was pleasantly surprised that Ryan wasn't whiny and complaining so I took advantage of my time.  We walked the pumpkin patch, checked out all the crazy pumpkins and funny stems, made some jokes, laughed at Porter as he tried spelling "P-O-R-----P-O-R----T-O-R" out of the "Pumpkins $5" sign. (He thinks all letters spell his  name HAHA! And, yes, he spells it incorrectly)

The farm had a ton of these wagons you can use to go haul your pumpkins.  Its pretty much a necessity... those things are HEAVY!

Here are the three big pumpkins we bought:

Outside the barn there was an old truck that was filled with pumpkins.  I was able to trick Porter into looking at me by telling him that the ladybug that he found on the truck was on my camera.  Who would have thought.....

(the pumpkins turned at little nuclear on me in post processing... grrr.....)

And... the back of our car with our pumpkins.  (No... we didn't steal their wagon... it was in our car from this weekend LOL!)

I'm so uncreative with decorating for holidays.  (Right there with ya, Les!!)  Here's my great effort for "Fall and Halloween" HAHA!

Snapshots of the past few days

Just catching up...

Friday we went to the Chelsea Treehouse to meet Lori and the girls.  I was babysitting Aubri, so she came along with Porter and I.  Pretty crazy group of 5 kids under the age of 4 (Lia:4. Shae: 3, Brenna and Aubri: 2, Porter: 1).  We had a ton of fun, and the kids did great.  We didn't get to the Treehouse until around 12:30.  We ate lunch and the kids played for a good 2 hours.  Which is awesome, considering they all usually nap around 1/1:30ish. 

You can tell in a few pics they were tired... just before we left they were rolling around on the mats at the end of the slide.

L-R: Aubri, Brenna, Porter, Lia, Shae

Not much of a post...

Nothing great happening around here.  We've had a relaxing weekend so far, I've decided to stop working on photography (client) related stuff from Fridays-Sundays.  Its made for a very relaxing and stress free weekend.  Other than Porter being oddly bad lately.  He is normally SUCH a good listener... he does what he's told, and lately he's been SUCH a good boy. We're always told by people who have been around him that he's such a good listener and that he's so well behaved.  A month or two ago we went through a little spell where he had to have time outs etc, but for quite awhile now he's been such a good listener, not getting into trouble, etc.  Well, the last 2 days he's been so naughty.  Not listening when he's told to do something (such as go in his room to get his diaper changed, etc etc), and getting into things he has been told multiple times not to get into.  He's been in time out twice today.  I know, I know, its this AGE... but honestly, this is so not like him.  He's driving me crazy lately. 

Here are a few pictures from this weekend.  His new infatuation is the Bumbo Seat ("bummo.  seet!" pronounced with the pause inbetween the words haha!).  Leslie had borrowed it for Reyna, and recently returned it to us, so its been hanging out in our living room.  Porter loves to watch tv in the "bummo. seet!" That, or "Ahhh bree's seeet!" (the booster that Aubri used the weekend we babysat her.  I guess that warrants it "HER" seat).

By the way, Jess... these were taken with my new 30mm 1.4.  So far, I like it.  I haven't been able to really see the tack sharpness that I imagined, but then again... I never get tack sharp pictures of Porter... something about taking pics of your own kids.  Ugh. 

I love how he's curling his toes in this picture. That is something that I do alllll the time.  I even stand and do my makeup with my feet curled... as in, I curl my toes and stand on the side of my feet.  Weird, I know.

I'd rather bang my head against the wall. Repeatedly.

That is exactly how I feel about trying to take pictures of my own child. 

First, let me recap our afternoon. After Porter's lovely nap boycott attempt (which was successful, let me add), Ry and I took him to the park before dinner to get him out of the house.  Oddly, he was in a pleasant mood, despite not having a nap.  We played at the park (by the way... check out who is super brave!)

and then I figured we'd walk over through Ella Sharp Park and see if I could get any decent pictures of Porter.  Well, let me just say that trying to do a "session" with your own kid just does NOT work.  Porter is numb to every trick I have up my sleeve.  I did get him to copy me standing by this barn, but by the time I stepped back and got ready to take the picture, he was off and running. 

And don't get me started on the eye contact and total bershon*ness.  This kid will NOT look at me whatsoever, and his expression, I swear, you'd think this kid was lacking a brain. 

Let's move on to the husband-help.  Or lack of.  Here is how he worked the session....

I'm like, SERIOUSLY.... I'm killing myself here trying to get this kid to stop looking so walking-comatose.  And Ryan just.... sits.  I give up.  I'm hiring someone (ohh... Jennifer..... *wink wink*). 

You won't believe the number of out of focus pictures I have from our 20 minute jaunt.  I am not sure I even have anything worthy of being larger than a 5x7. Ugh.

Here are the only keepers.

And, here is Porter... about to flop over dead from being so tired.   I was trying to get him to sit on the porch like Ryan, and he'd go to sit, but he'd lay down and just LAY there.  HAHA!

Niiiiice....

This afternoon while I was taking a nap, Ryan heard Porter in his room crying (he had been taking a nap).  He walked in and guess who was standing there staring at him... from the FLOOR....

Yes, you heard me. I think we have an escape artist on our hands.  A big boy bed might be in the works a little sooner than possible.  Originally we were just going to wait until we had another baby and keep P in the crib until we set up the nursery, but I think Santa might be bringing a big boy bed and a new bedroom set for Christmas.

Also...

Tonight (just a few minutes ago, actually), Ryan was getting ready to put P in bed.  He told him he could stay up a few more minutes and watch Magglio bat.  I think Magglio struck out or something because Ryan says "DAMN!" with all sorts of anger and enthusiasm.

Well, remember how I said P was repeating EVERYTHING?  Well, it has happened.

Porter stares at the tv, like a little shadow and says "DAME!! DAME!!"

What does my husband do?  Well, like any good, responsible parent... he starts CRACKING UP and rolling on the floor.  I'm like "DON'T LAUGH!! DON'T LAUGH!" 

Porter... little copycat, looks at Ryan and starts fake laughing at him. 

Oh boy.  That's why I'm now in my office.  Safe in the basement.

Outakes: 3 of 3; What the hell were they doing, anyway?

And, of course... as with any attempt to capture pictures with a one year old, there are many that you think... WHAT were they doing?  HUH?

Confused?  Well, let me show you this...

Seriously, I'm scared of my husband after seeing this pictures.  I think it was around this time that Porter started being freakishly clingy and whiny toward... ME.  Hmm... I'm starting to feel like there was some sort of spell cast that day. 
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"Dude, talk to the effing HAND.  Hear that?  The H.A.N.D."
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"Listen, up, biotch.  You can take a hike!"  (and I'm smiling... hahah!)
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This one, I seriously don't know and don't remember.  I'm pleading the fifth and sticking to the "Someone spiked my drink" story.
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7

Again, my drink was spiked, my reaction time was nil and a little overreactive.  Was that little love tap from Porter so painfully scary that it called for that drastic of a reaction?
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And you're sure to love this...

I'm getting groped from all directions.  Porter's grabbing at my boob.  And Ryan...well what in the world does he think he's doing?  Check out the determined, yet very trying-to-be-unsuspicious, look on his face.  Seriously, dudes... keep your hands to yourself.  I guess that what I have to look forward to 
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Nicole cheers: "Go, Ryan, Go!  You can do it!  LIIIIIIFT!!!"

"Errrrruuuughghhh... this kid is HEAVY!"

Nicole cheers "YEAY! You did it!  You did it!"
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This one I do have a reason for my attempt to flash the world my panties.  Jess (or... was it Ryan?) yelled "GATOR!" or "SHARK" or something and of course I freaked out.  I'm a dork like that. 
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And this one... dang, wouldn't this have been THE cutest shot... MINUS the sweaty husband summoning the sun gods to go behind a cloud RIGHT in front of this adorable mother/son moment?  I love this pic... but I have to keep asking myself... why the hell did he do that... Right in the line of the camera to us?  Now, if you look closely, you'll see he was actually tossing Porter's tractor in the air.  To try to get his attention. Apparently he wanted him to crane his neck backwards or something.  Hell if I know.  Ryan's agenda... ruin good shot.  CHECK!  Thanks honey!  :) (you know I'm joking... right babe?)  (and, those of you who wonder why I added that disclaimer.. my hubby would TOTALLY think I was being serious and be all "Like I MEANT to ruin that shot! And run to his room and pout into his pillow.)

Outakes: 2 of 3; The floppy retarted hand family

The second thing I started to notice about some of our pictures is that we apparently have some sort of "wrist/hand" issue.  There are numerous pictures where we have our hands just.... there... hanging like a useless, limp limb. 

Like this... I mean, really... what was I doing?  "OH Hmm... what should I do with my hand.  Oh, YEAH!  Lets just hang it in the air a bit like this and that should work great!"  Really.  Its not needed.

Here we are, the whole family looking like dink heads... staring blankly up at the ceiling, and me there all limp handed and all. 

Seriously... SET IT DOWN.  Relax your hand, my WORD you don't have to hang it in the air all day!!

Its not just me, though... This would have been a cute picture, had my husbands hand had some sort of PURPOSE.

Awww look... our very own little hand-hanger.  Those of you who know P in person probably have already noticed he does that a LOT.  EEEk.  Poor kid. 

Stay tuned for tomorrows... it should be great!

Outakes: 1 of 3; Nicole's BIG Mouth

While looking through the hundreds and hundreds of images that Jess took, I started to notice a few trends.  Let's discuss Trend #1 in this post. 

I have a Big. Freaking. Mouth.

And, apparently, I don't know how to keep it closed. 

For further inspection, take a look at this.. awww, cute little boy walking to his mama.  What? What's that?  What is that gaping hole in her face?  OH frick! Its her mouth!

And... AUGH!  She's trying to eat his arm! No! Stop! Mother's don't EAT THEIR YOUNG!

Looks like Ryan is in on this "eating of the young" thing here...

More mouth action...

For the love of Pete, close your MOUTH!!

And, not only do I have a huge mouth, I have long freaking tongue too... Exactly WHY am I sticking my tongue out this far?? During family pictures, at that!?

Family Pictures

Tonight I got to talking to LeeAnn about family pictures and how Ry, P and I sucked at having ours taken... we are total losers under the spotlight.  Jess did a great job, though, and we ended up with quite a few that we absolutely loved. 

And quite a few hilarious outtakes too. So, this post is going to be my "Good" family pictures, and I'll post again with the "Outtakes".  It will be interesting, I promise.

(all images ©Jessica Porter. I was just too lazy to watermark them that way)

This next one is an 11x14 in my living room on the "HappyWall"






That last one I have in a 16x20 in my living room.... like this...

Ok, so those are my "favorites".  There are a few other good ones, but I didn't want to BORE you to death.  Now, on to the Outtakes.  I might have to add a few good ones of Jess and her family too... heh heh heh!