Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day from my little loves...

Bye Bye Crib!

We moved William out of the crib and into a big boy bed this afternoon. In many ways today is a celebration, but it's sad, too. That crib has served our family so well for the last 5 1/2 years and watching it come down, probably forever, broke my heart. I have such vivid, happy memories of the days I spent researching cribs and driving all over Colorado to find the perfect bed for my baby-to-be. Steve and I were so proud when we brought it home, set it up, and decorated the nursery with love. Truthfully I'm really happy with our life with "older" little kids, but it just amazes me that this phase of my life is over. I think back on those nervous, excited parents 5 years ago and I can't believe we aren't them anymore. I don't really want to go back, but I sure wish we could visit once in awhile.

Here are some of my favorite pictures of our babies and their crib. Can you believe how teeny Caroline is in this first one?



Caroline and her playgroup besties, Sarah, Leah, and Noah. This is a very early Erin Cobb Photography shot. :)



William and his sock monkey, again taken by Ms. Erin.

Thank you crib, for keeping my babies safe and comfortable. I'll miss sneaking in every night to peer inside at a footie-pajama clad baby.

On the other hand, the Big Boy is THRILLED with his new bed. Pictures to come later this week!

Back to the Beach

January is killing me, readers. I'm looking through my front window at 4 feet of snow on the ground. The mounds around our driveway are taller than I am, two cars can't pass each other safely on most streets, and nearly half of my friends are dealing with water or ice damage to their homes. Every body's vehicles are banged up from playing bumper cars with with the huge, frozen piles of snow lining every street and driveway. My friends and family in Chicago got hit hard with a storm yesterday, and I had no sympathy at all - we were on our 5th major storm and 4th snow day from school. I attacked the first few snow days with snowman pancakes, craft projects, and baking, but the fun has worn off and we're all completely stir crazy. It has been a long, cold, snowy winter, and guess what? We're expected to get another 6 inches Saturday, followed by another storm Tuesday. I'm beginning to think that sometime soon we may just have to stay in our house until the snow melts - there is literally nowhere else to put it.

Sigh. Sorry for the complaining. Anyway, a perfect way to take my mind off this miserable winter? Planning our joint Clark/Cobb/Shertzer family vacation to the fabulous Isle of Palms. We booked our house (same as last year) today, and we are so, so, so, excited. In less than 6 months, there will be this...

And a little bit of this....

Maybe a mud massage....

And of course, a whole lot of these crazy fools...

Photos courtesy of Amy Shertzer Photography!