I love my west coast

I am away from my babies again and missing the fam...so of course writing a blog about them makes me happy. I am, however, on my favorite coast (do not get me wrong I love the east coast, but I LOVE the west coast) which is a plus.

Here are some recent pictures of the kiddies.

This is a picture of Colin when he gets to pick out his clothes.  Normally he gets to choose, but more of an either/or option. He picked this to go on a walk when it was fairly hot and humid outside. People probably thought his mommy was so mean for having him wear this outfit.  I tried to talk him out of it. I swear.

I have been cutting Colin's hair for quite some time.  I just have not 

gotten to the point where I think it is worth the money to pay someone else to do it.  I think I am improving and he ends up (usually) looking cute. This could possibly be a mommy moment where of course I always think he looks cute.  But I think I have a good sense of when he really does not look so cute. Not always biased. Really.  Will actually let me trim his hair a few months ago...and that is either major love or a good sign that he trust my abilities.

I cleaned up some of his front hair after this picture, but you can see we went a little shorter for the summer.  I do not really care for super short but I like this length on him.

Meli has been saying "baby" and is now throwing words with it, like "baby lion".  It is super cute, if you say "what does the baby lion say?"  She will go "grr". I of course videotaped it.  She is so cute.

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~ 

The B Family

Father's Day Weekend

We had a wonderful Father's Day weekend.  Unfortunately for Will it was my last weekend of school but I was able to get mostly all of my submissions completed by Saturday.  It turned out to be a great weekend celebrating the best daddy in the world (the best dad would be mine - of course).  Both kids painted a picture for daddy.  It was cute.  Colin did a robot and Meli just walked all over sheet of paper with paint on her feet and her hands.  Thank God for washable paint.  She had a blast.  Will had to know something was up when he came home for lunch and I had orange paint all over my neck.  I took care to clean any evidence in the house and on the babies but forgot myself.  Oops.

The kids also had some fun playing in the water fountain.  This was Meli's first time and she had a blast. 

Here are some pictures:

My cute little button with her little ruffles.  A friend gave her this swimsuit for her birthday.  I like her in blue so it is perfect.

Brotherly and Sisterly love

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family

Finally...



Meli & the balloons



I am done!!  I now have a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems with a focus in Database Management. Man that is a mouthful.

 I am so glad to be done.  This has been such a long road starting over 10 years ago at the local community college, getting my Associates in Psychology, and then heading up to Portland University - Where I switched to Physical Therapy but focused on all of my art history and ancient civilization electives.  Then finishing in VA with this degree that is so on the other spectrum from where I started. I have covered a lot of ground.  I have also tried very different types of campuses; from practically in a forrest where deer will just walk up to you (beautiful place), to one integrated into the city scene, to the cyber classroom.  I loved the change and have enjoyed it (as much as you can enjoy going to school with two kids and traveling all of the time for work).

I am just so excited!!!!  I am looking at possible Master programs but want to wait until traveling is not so often.  So, for now I will be taking extra training classes here and there and maybe looking at a certificate for web design.  First, I would like to take classes for some of my hobbies - like cooking or photography :)

I did not walk, because that is not my thing but Will and I celebrated by finally having a date night...Melting Pot.  I had thought of going some where new, but I just love it so.  He is also taking me on a shopping spree.  Spoiled! The kids bought me the cutest teapot as a graduation gift. Colin picked it out and I just love teapots. 

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

 The B Family

Recipe of the Week: Feta Tomato-Basil Fish (Tilapia)

OK, so my plan to continue my weekly new recipe during my last term did not exactly work...but I am back to doing it.  This week I tried Feta Tomato-Basil Fish which was delish!  The hubby actually said it could possibly be his favorite fish dish I have made. Ever. As usual I changed it up a bit, (especially since we had not been grocery shopping and I was scrounging for ingredients) using tilapia rather then walleye and I used plain diced tomatoes rather than the italian.  To make up for that I used a few more herbs (oregano) and used parsley rather than basil.  Both Colin and Meli liked the fish as well.
I definitely recommend this recipe.  Enjoy!

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family

Baby Girl likes Nirvana

Just a quick video of Meli dancing to Nirvana's About a Girl.  She loves most of their songs I play...I think she is a little west coaster at heart!

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family

Our little athlete

Colin just finished his first soccer season.  He had so much fun!  He is excited to play this fall, but he does want to try teeball first (yay!!!).  Here is our little guy's first sports picture...hopefully the first of many. I am hoping that the kids want to play sports and also inherit Will's musical abilities.

Colin also tested a few weeks ago for his white and green belt...he passed!!  He had his little ceremony last week. So proud of my little boy!

P.S. Just to explain...it rained on picture day.  So that is not sweat...lol.

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family

A Daddy & Son thing...



The gate



So...my hubby is a Star Wars fan.  Most people who know him, know this.  It is probably not a surprise that when Colin started getting into legos Will saw his window for introducing Colin to Star Wars.  He started by buying Colin an advent calendar last year for Christmas with little star war legos each day.  Then worked his way up to little sets.  A couple months ago, Will and Colin started a very cool project together. They are building the Echo base located on planet Hoth (I have learned so much about Star Wars since meeting Will - do not get me wrong I grew up watching the movies and love them but did not truly know them).  It is actually very cool.  Will has planned what the base would look like (even parts not shown in the movie) and then uses a website that lets you buy individual legos.  It is a lot cheaper and allows for more creativity.  Colin is getting things that are not even sold as sets.  Pretty cool. 



A couple of hangars




It is still a work in progress



This is something they work on while I am doing homework or on a trip.  I think it is great that they are starting this hobby together.  It is super cute to see Colin get all excited telling me what they are building. 

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family