It only took 2 years and 4 months . . .

 . . . for Jacob's hair to be long enough for his first hair cut!  Finally I decided it was time.  His cute curls were getting close to being cute mullet curls, that is if a mullet can still be cute - I don't know.  SO, we made the call and set up an appointment last night at Lolilocks.  It was really a great place.  Very kid friendly.  Jacob did really well.  He didn't particularly love it, but in between the photos I was able to talk to him about the zoo, or friends and he would sit still.  He never cried, just squirmed a little in the chair.  Oh, it also helped to have him squirt me with the spray bottle!   I have the before, after and in betweens.  There are quite a few pictures, as per usual, it was just so cute and funny, I couldn't leave many out.  Enjoy!

Before the cut

Back of hair before the cut

Pickin' out the right seat - a car of course!

Not really diggin' the spray bottle

Ahh!  I don't like this!

Check out that lip!

Already asking, "all done, all done?"

Ah, no touching please!

Spraying mama with the spray bottle helped!

Oh yeah, now were having fun!

Oh, no we're not- she's back!

And with clippers!

(They only tickled and were not loud at all!)

Mama, I am going to get you for this!!

Oh, we really are all done - that wasn't so bad!

Safe at home afterwards, with a cookie crumb face and a very handsome haircut!

And finally the back

Little Music Makers

Fun with Friends

The last two days have been filled with fun times with our friends!  Yesterday Melissa and Luke came over to play.  We hadn't seen them in while and it was so great to catch up.  In fact, we had so much fun we're going to do it again next week!  I'll try to get a few more pictures than I did this last time.  Then, today, our friends Mark and Justin came to play.  The boys had a blast playing together.  The weather couldn't have been better for either day.  Thanks again for coming to play!

Luke, Jacob and Aidan

The boys

Poor Luke didn't like Aidan leaning on him . . .my boys were just trying to figure out what was wrong! :-)

Our Time with Justin and Mark

Crazy Aidan-Man

Jacob

The boys didn't quite understand the concept of waiting until they other moved before going down the slide.

Justin, focused and ready . . .

It seems my boys aren't the only monkeys around!

Aidan had a blast playing peek a boo with Mark

Justin flashin' a great smile!

Two-fistin' the drills . . .a true handy man in the works

Working together as a team!

Additional Blog

Just wanted to let you all know that I created a separate blog for my photography.  At this point it is something I am having a lot of fun with and enjoy sharing it, mainly for input, suggestions, idea etc.  I created a different blog so that I am not using this one, which I created for the family, mainly the boys.  I'd love for you to visit that site too.  My only request is that you please remember that I am very new to photography and still learning - so the pictures might not be as exciting as those who have been doing this for a long time. :-)  That being said, the site is www.angsphotos.blogspot.com.  I will also have a link from this page.

Help! Suggestions please

This mornings revelation about myself: I am lacking in a major area of American culture.  (Probably more than one area, but we'll just focus on one at a time for now . . .)  As I grew up, I loved to read.  Eventually life got busier and there were so many other things I would have rather done than sit down and read.  In school, I never seemed to take/have the classes that incorporated any good American Classics.  Well, the reading bug has bitten and I have decided to try and tackle the long list of  Classic novels.  However, I am hoping to get a few suggestions of some of the best to really get me back into reading.  If you wouldn't mind, please feel free to share your favorites.  Thank you!

What happens when Mama doesn't pay attention . . .

The day started out on a fairly clean note.  The boys and I went out back to finish planting a couple plants.  I did have to wet the ground to soften it.  Any clues as to where this is going?  Aidan preferred to sit near the hole I was digging while Jacob enjoyed helping pour in the compost.

Well, things took a slight turn while I stepped aside to photograph some of my blooming tulips.  I remember hearing a sloshing sound, but it just didn't register . . .

Then it clicked.  I turned around and walked (yes, walked, not ran, I figured if what I thought was happening, it was too late anyway) from one end of the patio to the yard and this is what I found!

The boys really had a blast playing in the mud and it was hysterical to watch them.  Then came time to clean up . . . Luckily we are having great weather and I was able to strip the boys down before going inside to take a bath.

Assignment: Action

This weeks photography assignment is motion.  I wish I had more time in the week to go out and capture some different types of motion.  All that I was able to get were "freeze motion" types.  I would have liked to played around with panning or blurring part of the action.  I'm sure I'll have many more opportunities to do so.  Here are the three pictures I will present at our class, plus one of the moon I just really like.  Enjoy!

Jacob Jumping

Zooming in at water bubbling over a fall

One of many honey bees in our front yard, feasting on our trees

The moon - I was supposed to be taking pictures of Cody's softball game, but the moon was far more interesting. :-)

Welcome to the world!!

I just wanted to send out a quick congratulations and let everyone know that our very good friends, Matt, Amy and Heidi Ulrickson welcomed their newest addition, Shiloh Joy, to their family yesterday morning.  Please check out their blog (link from our blog is "The Ulrickson Family") to see little Shiloh and their family.  Congratulations again!

First Fat Lip

For our little man, Aidan.  While playing out back today, he tripped and bumped his mouth.  Thus producing a pretty nasty fat lip.  Good news though, it hasn't slowed him down a bit!

More photography

I have definitely found a new passion in photography.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, I am taking a class, along with my mom and sister, on digital photography.  I have learned so much in just a few weeks.  Enough that I think I have seen a difference in my photography abilities.  (Hopefully others see that as well)  I have discovered that I enjoy taking pictures of nature, flowers, rocks (yes rocks), trees, animals, etc.  Of course I enjoy taking pictures of the boys - I'm just not as good at that yet - I haven't mastered (well anything yet) but especially not things on the move - such as the boys.  I like to set all the settings on my own now, and am just a tad slow at it when it comes to capturing the constant movement of the boys.  I know I'll eventually get up to speed.  I know I've got a TON more to learn and can't wait to learn it.  Here are a few of my most recent shots.  I would love any feedback.  It's how you learn . . .

This is me taking the picture below - it gives you a sense of perspective.  I am loving ( and still learning to use) my new micro lens (another gift to myself).  If you click on the picture before you can see the details much better.

Our newest addition . . .

I hope that my children never ask for a cat, dog, horse, etc. because I really don't think I will have the will power to say no! Thus leads me to the introduction of Flicka the Fish, the newest member of the Thomas family. Let me take you back a step - Jacob has had a new fascination with fish. Whether it be the fish at the Bass Pro shop or the fish at the zoo, he loves to watch them and pretty much throws a fit every time we have to say bye bye to them. At first I was not keen of the idea of something else to take care of, clean, feed, blah, blah, blah. But then the soft spot in my heart took over and I thought that a small fish bowl wouldn't be that bad. So today I purchased Flicka. Jacob and Aidan were super surprised to see her when they woke up from their nap. It was very fun to watch their excitement. I am so glad that monkeys and tigers aren't legal, otherwise we might have the beginnings of a zoo in our backyard,