To hug or not to hug....that is the question.

So Sunday night I was hanging out with my in-laws after dinner.  Its nice having them live in town with us and we see them a lot.  I feel very close with them.  My father-in-law jokingly made some comment about me not hugging him.  I laughed and was embarrassed because I don't hug him.  I asked if his other daughters in law did and he told me yes.  Still more embarrassed I told him I wasn't quite ready to make a promise to change!  I'm awful.  I've continued thinking about it.  I hug my dad easily.  I hug my brothers.  I hug all of my uncles and cousins.  I hug back anybody that hugs me.  I don't initiate hugs almost ever.  Really only with my personal family members i think.  So I'm curious... do y'all hug your father in law?  Should I try to change?  I'm embarrassed to say I don't even hug my mother-in-law who I love and admire.

Thanksgiving 2010

events that warm a mother's soul

i love it when they get along.  Its not terrible rare either.  I think they both have very kind hearts.  As I was uploading these pictures Jackson ran from the bonus room and told this story.

"Mom!!  I told Sam I was looking for the curvy lego and he tried to HELP ME!  It was really hard but he didn't quit and then he FOUND IT!  He gave it to me and I told him thank you."  I had actually heard the very loud, emphatic, and dramatic thank yous from downstairs.  They've been playing happily together this Saturday morning for 2.5 hours!!

These are pictures of Jackson letting Sam play Mario Kart.  I think that race lasted like 16 minutes but Sam was just as intent on winning in the end as he was in the beginning.

Sam was crying that he couldn't keep up with Sam and Griffin so Jackson went back and held his hand.  really???  how did i get so lucky?

Dear Pinterest

I just want to say.  We had a good thing.  I mean for a while there, I went to you if i had any time on the computer.  You taught me so much: recipes, clothing, diys (that i'm sorry but i'll never do), cheap ways to potentially clean my house, crafts and all kinds of other whatnot.  My blog and I were sorta distant in those days.  I'm just saying, I hope we can still be friends. I'll still come around a visit.  Its just... getting a bit... redundant.  I'm sorry, I just want my friends to post on their blogs again.  Hope you understand.

Natalie

Fall is my favorite

i love a good corn maze, pu mpkin patch, bouncy house, hayride, tractor race, sandbox, sandbox filled with corn kernels, petting zoo, pumpkin launch, farm slide, family day.  i thank you oakes farm.

 we went with our good friends the ritters.  sienna and same are best friends but be afraid of their activities when they are together.  kylie was in jacksons preschool class for 2 years and now they're in the same kindergarten class.

 me and holly.  you know what struck me as i took this picture.  i almost never take pictures of me and other adults.  me and holly are good friends and have been for a while but this is our first picture together.  i have zero pictures with any of my friends.  it makes me want to set a goal.

How does a piggie eat?

When I look over and see this...

I remember to add "teach my kids manners" to my to do list.

starting solids

i procrastinate starting solids.  its so much work.  we started on her 6 month birthday and i've averaged about once a week since then.  these pictures make it look like she loves it.  they are deceiving.  adorable.  but deceiving.

 today was the first day she showed interest....

in sam's cereal at least.