Something Old is Something New again!

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I remember having a Polaroid camera, but the best memory (besides the shake-shake-shake) I have is of my granddaddy with his hanging around his neck. Seemed like it was attached to him, coming along with us on walks, as we gathered for Thanksgiving, graduations, and family reunions. I'm sure I have a polaroid of him with his....

As I add to our "wall of memories" I will be on the look out for one of those polaroids to add to the story of our family-wouldn't be the same without one come to think of it.

Self Portraits

An attempt to capture more pictures of me and the boys....

3 going on 10

Oh my, he's such a joy. We can listen to his voice all day long, and how he talks, all the facial expressions he has, too-what a character. Such sweet joy found in watching our boys.

First Day of School

Our three oldest boys are attending the same elementary school as their daddy did. This is the only year they will all be at the same school, too! It's a public school, and a decent one, but every year I dread them going off and not seeing them for 6 hours. I think since Caleb's second grade I've mentioned wanting to home school.... yet not quite committed to that idea either. Well, this year, Jody said he's thought of it even more after he heard me say it yet again. So don't be surprised if you find us at your door step with our vintage airstream in tow, showing our boys the world and teaching them along the way. Hey, at least we're keepin' the dream alive! Ok, maybe that'll happen when Jody and I retire and we fulfill the other dream of writing and taking pictures together as we travel to see our son's in college/their families! : )

Until the dream....

Hovering

I talk to myself-not out loud of course, that would mean I was crazy, or at least look that way.

Anyway, too much going on in this head of mine... lately I've been feeling like I'm hovering. I walk through the house and can be close to tears as I start to write the memories of these tidbits I pass, hoping I can stop time, or at least have a mind that will be able to recall.

Sounds sad, but I'm not, yet I feel it.

Like yesterday. It was a hot day. After purchasing a 25 cent cup of lemonade from our neighbor, Atticus decided that he too, wanted to make some money. This is all it took, the desire to make some cash, saving for a pack of Pokemon cards. He made the signs, "Sweet Tea Sweetened with Raw Honey" (not to compete with our neighbors lemonade of course) "50 cents" (bigger cups, ice, lemon slices, straw and don't forget the raw honey). I ran to the store for more supplies, Jody got the table and Coleman cover out, the brothers caught up in Attie's entrepreneur zeal were bouncing around giddy. The anticipation is always the most fun, isn't it?

The sun was getting hotter and the Mason jar was full so it was time to head in... you should have seen the satisfaction in his grin. Minus the $2.50 in change we spotted for start up, Attie made $8.50, and I think Luca made $5.00 (he started offering lemonade since the neighbor girls packed up their stand).

I started looking at this day from afar when later I noticed Attie jumping in the shower by himself and then starting the hair dryer....

Man, this was a big day in my book for Attie. He's got that spirit of competition that his older brothers don't seem to have (yet). A drive to go for something that he wants. There are more stories of that spirit, and more to come I'm sure!

And then later that night (after I dropped a big semi-teasing hint during our game of UNO), "who'd like to rub mommies feet before bed?" : ) Luca and Gavin jumped on the idea. Of course, my two givers.

After Luca rubbed my feet, I offer to rub his, "Sure" uneasily, "if you want to rub 'em" he adds. Of course I do.

And I notice, my lil' guy, so tall and lean, his toes so perfectly lined and such soft skin. Just turned 8, but still so little.

So, those are my thoughts.

A side note: My friend and I are trying to start a blog writing some lingering thoughts we thought would be fun/entertaining (to us) to share. I keep writing in my head, but finding the inspiration leaves when I finally make it to the computer!

Now I must go hover over the toys I saw walking to my office-back to the house!

Caleb and Atticus Summer 2009

almost three

I'm just messin' around with a © label to put on my pictures....

Mr. G is nearly three coming up in April! I can't believe it! I think we'll do a classic birthday party for him this year! I've got some fun ideas to make it a little retro in feel.

Ok, so the © needs to be much bigger and bolder. I'll work on it later, gotta get to dinner now!

Cousins

First Day of School

A little out of order,  but here are our three boys who started school a couple weeks ago.... Caleb in 4th grade, backpacks full and ready to go, Caleb and Luca, Luca in 2nd grade, and Atti (with some obvious hesitation in his eyes).  

They are doing well and love school, all have wonderful teachers this year.  I will be Caleb's art docent this year and help out randomly in Luca's class, with my little tag-along, Gavin.  

Some Randomness

Gavin in his cuteness! Luca on Mother's Day. And a fire.... we've been doing a lot of s'mores around here since being in our new house. Our big back deck is wonderful to entertain on, just need some comfortable seating and a table and we'll be set!

Before and After

On a random day in March, I took Gavin to get his first hair cut. He had cute curls in the back and I was very tempted to keep them. However, he started to have that 'mullet' look, and I couldn't stand it any longer. He still has his curls on top and looks quite cute I must say!

Gavin turns 2 years on April 21st! I can't believe he's nearly two already! We've been talking about and had a few tries with the 'big potty', and he likes the idea of getting a "deedee" (the way he says candy) if he is successful at it (bribery works very well in this case)! I'll be so happy once we're through with diapers! :)

HO HO HO!

Gavin likes this guy, but not upclose-this is classic!

Four Little Monkies Jumping on the Bed.....

I decided to post our Christmas letter and some current pictures to most of our family (and some friends that may check back to this blog every now and then). If you're really wanting a picture to put on the fridge, then I'll mail you one :) I know all my parents have requested one, and honestly I've been trying since August to get all my boys to be in a picture together without one of them making a funny face or moving-I tried again the other night and kinda got one, not frame worthy, but at least they're all in it!

What a long, strange year it’s been…

January—we started this year excited to see the realization of a 3-year pursuit come true. Jody started recruit training for the Bellevue Fire Department. After all the classes, volunteering, and constant testing, it appeared to have all paid off. He lasted all of 7 weeks before being sent packing along with one other recruit. Unbelievably disappointing to say the least.

February—this month has fewer days than the others.

March—Stacie turned 33. To celebrate this (and all the unexpected free time Jody had) she decides to jumpstart a long overdue dream of becoming a photographer. Evidently not only does life take Visa but so do the folks that sell really expensive cameras and lenses and flashes and memory cards and website templates and can you tell how supportive her husband is when he doesn’t have a job?!

April—question: what do you do if you lose your job, don’t work for a month, and decide to start a new business? Go to Maui, of course! We took Gavin (almost 1 at the time) to Maui for 8 days. We hadn’t been back since we left in February of 1999. We stayed at a decent place and caught up with old friends. Jody read “Atlas Shrugged.” It has over 1200 pages. He read them all. Stacie took pictures of Gavin eating sand.

May—Jody ran the inaugural Tacoma marathon. This was not a good idea. Luca breaks his arm jumping off the trampoline in the backyard. There’s a play by play account of the whole event at http://wilkinscreative.com/ if you’re interested.

June—the 3rd of June is one of the most popular dates mentioned in popular music songs. I bet you’re already humming “Desiree” in your head before you finish this sentence.

July—Stacie gets referrals (Thanks Troy and Jana!) to do 2 weddings. She buys Jody a camera of his own and asks him to come. This cheers him up a great deal. His pictures are blurry and their “styles are totally different” she says.

August—Jody turns 36, Caleb turns 8. With Luca (6 on July 12), they throw a 3-way combo birthday party at the Super Jump Party Zone. They each invite 3 friends and the friends’ families.

September—morn, we danced until the night became a brand new day. Two lovers playing scenes from some romantic play. September mornings still can make me feel this way.

October—for Halloween, Caleb was Obi Wan, Luca was a SWAT team member, Atticus was Venom, and Gavin was a frog.

November— this is crazy: the really nice neighbor that sold us the trampoline a couple years ago offered us his house. No lie. He’s a cabinet maker and he remodeled this house at the end of our street. Stacie went and looked and came back smiling

December—we are preoccupied with the idea of moving. We look forward to a new year in a new house with a growing new business. Merry Christmas- The Wilkins

Happy Thanksgiving--2007

For My Family

Luca on his first day of first gradeAtti-close up and sideways :)
Home with mommy means the camera may come out! The day of shots, he got four plus the prick on his finger...
Finding and then soaking up the sun, anywhere you can find it here in WA during these months.
The best husband and daddy in the world! He's our rock!

For My Family

Luca and Gavin, snuggled in watching a movie one night.
Ok, you can't see it, but Luca lost his first tooth, I'll have to find the picture that shows the hole! :)
Big brothers attack Gavin with kisses! Look at that pucker of Luca's!
Atticus on his first day of pre-K this September.

Caleb on his first day of third grade.

Gavin's Storyboard

It worked! I tried making a story board and it worked, now I can have fun with more! I haven't posted in a long time, for it is good news that I have been editing and trying to figure out photoshop. I am done with editing our busy August events (5 total) and am looking forward to the three portrait sessions I have this month!

This is our cutie, Gavin at the pumpkin patch the other day. He's now 17 months old! I love this age, so cute imitading our family gestures, and repeating words.



Gotta get back to lovin and bathin my little guy now...