|
we have been doing nothing much since we came home from CA. just hanging out.
    talby's shot of her views at sonic.
  scott left for camp…it's very quiet around here.
         "bye mom! i 'm going on an IN-venture. it's going to be long. soooo….see ya!"
happy monday blog addicts.
we don't have these in kansas. we have slugs and teeny tiny snails but not like these.
craig found one and threw it (such a boy!)
and i yelled "NOOOO!!! i wanted to see a california snail!"
he looked at me with complete confusion…he couldn't tell if i was serious or not.
i was serious.
phil found more for me…oh and for the kids.
because they are everywhere.
 bigger than a quarter.
the kids kept bringing me more…
   they were climbing all over each other.
 they were sliding up my arm and falling off…sliming me up…pretty gross.
someone found a bucket and the kids started to fill that.
by the end of the hunt they had 40 snails.
sharon was happy to have them out of her garden.
 and i was so glad i got to see a california snail.
I come home to find out my little one put a snail in her mouth!! YUCK! Total flashback to my childhood in California…here in the Pacific Northwest we have snails without shells…errr…slugs. But when I was a kid we had this rockery along the driveway and I would run the hose down the rocks and wash the snails out. I think they were my *pets*. Yuck. I used to collect all those snails when I was a kid here in California. I had Daddy ones and Mommy ones and lots of little baby ones. Thank you for not killing the little fellas. I’m kind of partial to them, even though they eat my flowers. My girls love them. I love your photos of them too. I might have to get some pics of my kids with them. Good memories! i cant believe you put them in your hand, i am so grossed out by bugs moving in my hand REALLY? really? You can come back to California ANYTIME and come play with my snails! We fight over who gets to throw them in front of a moving vehicle 🙂 Snails and gardens are not a good mix. We used to put salt on them. They would shrivel up and die on the spot. Mean, I know but crucial for the garden. The worst was when you’d step on them with bare feet at night. Yuck! One thing I don’t miss about California. you held them in your HAND??? sweet holy moses, never in a million years would i let them anywhere near me…! collecting snails is my way of getting to sit for a long time..because they just keep filling that bucket…I am glad our CA snails showed you a good time Meg…seriously? Sorry, I just can’t so slimy. We’ve been enjoying our first week of break and I haven’t had much time to comment….but I am reading every day! CA looked like a great trip. i can’t believe you did that…i would have threw up! We don’t have California snails, but we do have Tennessee snails. . .and SLUGS! YUCK! YUCK! YUCK!!! those snails look very happy. and slimy. I just treated my hosta garden with slug poison…hate hate hate, ewwwwwwwwwwww, you are brave I could NEVER hold those things. So cool and nasty I hate those things! I think I vomited in my mouth seeing you hold them! My thought was hurry go wash your hands!! While I think they are cute and I have always loved snails since I was a kid, living in LA now and trying to keep a garden is very frustrating when these little guys eat EVERYTHING. 🙂 Seriously? No big snails in Kansas?? Wow – I had no idea what treasures were living in my yard. We have TONS, and constantly have to put out snail bait to kill them. (Don’t tell your kids.) My boys love them too: they like touching their little eye antennae things to make them go down. Gross. I could NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER do that! You are one amazing woman! I have LOVED your photos of California. You have showed off our state just beautifully….until the snails :). I swear people out here have 54,789,937,903 in our gardens. My kids love to collect them and then they throw salt on them. They bubble up…it’s so gross and cool at the same time, you missed quite the photo opp. with the salt experiment. Thanks for your beautiful pictures of California. I love your blog :). Lol!! I’ll stick with Wisconsin snails, thank you very much. I mean, hmmm… I think we have snails? Slugs, mosquitoes, and horseflys as big as my nose for sure, I’ll have to check into the snail thing… Wow, you’re just like me. I cried when my friends dad was throwing snails on the roof to kill them. EEEEWWWW!! I could only give those snails an eye, and then I had to turn away. So gross, I would have been vomiting over and over and over again if I had all those snails on my hand! You ROCK! Loved seeing Phil and Tonya!! She is so cute! Thanks for sharing. You’re so pretty! Weird, but pretty 🙂 so gross — I’ve actually stepped on them with bare feet, by accident in my yard. Ugh — I thought everyone had snails like these. Who knew. At my house we go out when the sun first comes up, before they go hide, and them pick them up and throw them in the street! We always had snail day at Preschool and we would do snail painting, letting them trail through some paint. Kids everywhere love snails. that is HILARIOUS! i cannot believe you had them all over your arm. you are, like, the coolest mom ever 😉 when my husband and i lived in modesto (ca) we had those snails all over the walkway to our door… like there was no where to step without crunching one. it was gross. i love your blog! these pictures are great 🙂 do you guys homeschool? That is so gross and cool at the same time. That’s funny! I have California snail pictures too – except I did not touch them…or let them crawl on my arm! You crazy girl! They are fascinating for us Kansas and Colorado gals though! AHHH! Those snails are grossing me out! When we moved in to our house we had bazillions of these snails and you would go “crunch crunch” in the morning dew… but I think the previous owners got rid of the snakes they found – hehehe little brown snakes are now prolific, they are slug/snail eaters so our snail population is under control… can’t say much about the snake population except when I come across one I toss it into the neighbors… gotta love living in Africa! gross… You are one brave mama to have all of those snails crawling on you. It’s really fun to see you in the pics. Looks like y’all had a great time! Kelly Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww! Sort of just threw up in my mouth! Please never ever ever ever ever post a snail extravaganza ever again. The evil creatures have devoured my pretty flower beds and left slimy trails all over. Not one of my most favorite of God’s creations. Perhaps I can fill up a USPS flat rate box with them and send them your way. we drove inland to reedley to visit family and friends. we stayed with sharon…she's craig's dad's cousin….through marriage.
i had never even met her.
(felt a little crazy bringing my 5 kids to someone's home i had never met…crazy for her and her home)
but of course she was delightful and an excellent hostess.
she took such good care of us…breakfasts and coffee, comfy beds, snacks by the pool.
yes…she had a pool.
and we loved it.
and friends' kids loved it too.
      she had a bbq by the pool with her daughter and family…whom we'd also never met.
don't you love meeting family you never have before?!
and then seeing family resemblances in them.
it's wild!
 sharon is also friends with our friends from kansas that now live in reedley too.
2 blocks away…such a small world.
so they were there too.
it was a great night .
 our high school bff's, tonya and phil, who now live in california.
we finally got to come see where they have been living all these years.
and have all our kids together.
that's the good stuff.
SO GOOD!
 they even made homemade ice cream.
perfection.
thank you sharon, from the bottom of our hearts, for letting us stay in your beautiful home.
i wanna go tot sharon’s house!!! Hello! I randomly came across your page a few months back, and check it every so often. I love your beautiful home & the pics of your fun family. I wish I could be transplanted in to your home, with all the fun crafts and projects.. I’d be in heaven!! :] Anyways, had to comment on this point because I am actually from Reedley, and now live in Kingsburg, which is about 15 miles away!! When I read that’s where you all stopped, my law hit the floor! It is indeed such a small wonderful world we live in! :] I’m a longtime lurker, but I had to post when I read that you spent part of your summer vacation in Reedley. I have family there (my grandma was born there), so everytime we are anywhere near there my husband and I make it a point to go visit. No on EVER knows where it is. It is a nice little town though, the Sierra Nevada’s form such a pretty backdrop. I made the same mistake as Lisa- your friend in the yellow shirt looks just like you and my first thought was OMG IS MEGAN PREGNANT? lol That looks like so much fun! I love this small world we live in…it’s so amazing. A pool & new relatives, & in California… I’ve died and gone to heaven… 🙂 I had to look on a map to see where Reedley is located. Embarassing being a California girl and all. Then I also realized how close it is to Kingsburg, where my mom was born and Clovis, where my sister lives. I want that pool!!!!! So fun to see T. Goertzen preggers! OH..looks so fun…ice cream maker..oh yum! OOOPPPSSSSS…. JUST REALIZED THAT ISN’T YOU. SORRY. YOUR BOTH SO PRETTY, GOT CONFUSED. HEY, MAYBE YOU SHOULD CUT YOUR HAIR? GREAT PICTURES. GREAT SPOT IN COUNTRY LIVING. LOVE THE HAIR CUT. Found your blog awhile ago, have never commented but HAD to this time. Reedley? HAHA No way. I’m from Clovis/Fresno and doubt anyone outside of the central valley has ever heard of Reedley. I’m sure that you had perfect swimming weather. If there was a female version of Norman Rockwell, I think you would be it…Norma- Meg- Hello! This is my first blog comment EVER, so feel special:) I have been reading (and enjoying) your blog for a few months now. Anyway, I was procrastinating from end of the year grading (I am an elementary art teacher) on the computer when I found a site that made me think of you and your esty shop… maybe you’ve heard of it before??? its http://www.spoonflower.com. and her family.  this could be my new most favorite shot ever.
sophie with her mom and dad…and baby on the way. :)
and she is wearing my most favorite of all the Cora dresses.
   precious.
click on it….it's just….precious.
goes right to your heart.
sophie's mom wanted to try some fun girlie pics with colorful balloons.
great idea!
but sophie…she didn't think so.
here's what we got.
 1. do i have to?
 2. but WHY do i have to…i just want my jelly bean.
(that little belly sticking out is calling to be tickled!)
 3. i asked her "what color is elmo?"
she didn't want to talk to me anymore.
 4. she let go.
we were all busy trying to get her to smile that we forgot to remind her to hold on tight.
oops.
 it was their anniversary coming up.
i love anniversaries.
 after sophie got some candy she was happy again.
we bribe because we care.
  oh i hope we get to do this again…i had such a nice time.
thanks sophie.
and sharla and nathan too.
funny story:
sharla's mom came to pick up her CD for her…she's a really nice and sweet lady.
she came an hour early.
9:30 instead of 10:30 AM.
well…it's summer now and i had only been awake about 10 minutes.
but after i saw it was her i opened the door anyway.
she got the REAL me.
nightgown…teeth not brushed…messed up hair…no bra!
sooooo professional.
oh it was her lucky day.
i'm sorry cindy.
i hope you were able to cope after that scene so early in the morning.
ha!
Those pictures are awesome! ESPECIALLY the ones with the balloons- priceless. balloons…great idea! and great shots. cute fam. I like the balloon pick where the fence is the next shot…because when I looked at them real quickly it looked like she was walking on top of the fence. 🙂 Some days I go all day without my bra! Yikes, too much info, huh? we bribe because we care 🙂 another awesome photo shoot. they are an adorable family. her dress is the cutest. Wow! What a great pic! Great job, Meg! Great shots…they capture seem to capture the personality of their family. I love the one where she is facing the wall with the balloons. And congrats on the magazine feature – they made a good choice selecting you. So jealous that you get to sleep till 9am…someday, someday. More great pics. I’m always inspired by your photography and crafts. My daughter(14)loves all the color shots and does her own versions. Thanks for the repost of “I could live here.” More inspiration for her room. Oh these are AMAZING!!!! I knew that was a Cora dress right away! Love how it coordinates with mom’s dress. I love the ones with the balloons, especially the first and last. Those are priceless and that all yellow outift, cute, cute! Love the one with the heart shaped sucker too and I think “we bribe because we care” is so funny! 🙂 The couple shots are GREAT. So fun! Kelly Meg – You do an amazing job. I love these pictures and I knew I would – THAT is why I showed up an hour early! Well, anyway, you were so gracious about it all – I’m the one that was embarrassed! I love these photo the colors they are wearing really photo well together. Cute family! Meg–thank you, thank you, thank you! We’re very happy with the pictures. You are so sweet and fun, and incredibly engaging/patient with our very-much-2-year-old Sophie. 🙂 I love how you bring surprise goodie bags for the kids at your shoots–so you! We will be calling you again sometime after Baby #2 is here! Thanks again. You are too funny! “no bra!” HA! Anyway, lovely pictures! I love the mom’s red dress, so cute! What a cute young family! ok…i know i’m repeating myself, but love the photos…again! i’m so stealing that idea with the balloons. love it! have a great weekend! Awesome photos Meg! I think the back turned one is my favorite. How cute! these are my favorite pics of a family…and I need that Cora dress….. the balloons are fabulous….i may ‘borrow’ that idea! 🙂 thanks for stopping by too 🙂 ……theses pics are great! I would have liked to have thought my hubbie, son, and I are the cutest family on earth, but, no–the award goes to these guys! Fantastic photos! Are you anywhere near Kansas City. I visit my aunt up there sometimes and I may just need to arrange a family “portrait” on one of my trips. Seriously…let me know. I LOVE the photos! You did an amazing job! What a beautiful family! Hey, do you ever come up to Chicago anymore? If so, I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to have you take pics of my family. 🙂 lol You are amazing! Beautiful! too funny. I love to answer the door like that! i have a beauty salon at my home, so it can really throw a person off. i’m sure they spend the rest of the day thinking “and she runs a beauty salon!!!!” Love this Shoot, what a Beautiful and Sweet Family. The Balloon shots, Perfect. Im sure she understands the whole, No bra, teeth not brushed, hair a mess thing. Its Summer! Jamie beatiful! I LOVE the shots with the balloons—how clever! Awesome pictures. However, I want Sophie’s rainbow shoes. Do you think they have my size? These are so good. I honestly laughed out loud when I saw her little face in the balloon pictures! (I think the people in my office are starting to get used to my outbursts—finally). if you ever come to Memphis….I want you take a million pictures for us!!!! really! a MILLION!!!! cause you are A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.!!!! 🙂 (really!) You just make me laugh! Okay, so that lovely family looks like models, the kissing daddy shot…STOP…your KILLING me!!!! And the shot with her back to you…it couldn’t have been planned better if you tried!!! Great work…all of you. I love the 1st balloon pick – gotta love that face! And that little belly is pretty darn cute, too! so natural and real – that is what I love about your pictures. What a pouting face. wow…i would absolutely love to have you take our family photos! these are so great!! i have one of penny with her back facing the photo because she was “done” with the session and the studio brought it out to me in black and white because it was just amazing and i still have it up and framed it is one of my favorites…so i absolutely love the one of her with the balloons facing the wall… love the one of her when she decided not to talk to you anymore! ha! now that is real life. I’m begging you-PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE come to Richmond, VA. I would do anything to have you take pics of my family. These are just amazing. so here it is…  thanks for all those sweet comments about my little blurb.
 there we are.
page 12.
so back in may i got a phone call.
ME: hello.
CL: this is heather and i work for country living magazine and some of the girls here love your blog"
WHAT?
i looked around for a hidden camera.
ME: HA HA HA…is this a joke?
CL: no…we really do. you take great pictures!
we wanted to feature you in a section called My Country Life.
M: ummm…i don't live in the country. CL: that's ok. (she was calling from new york city so i would say newton is probably pretty "country" to her.)
it was semi-weird for her to know so much about me because of the blog…but that's what i get right?
i answered her questions and still kept thinking it was a joke.
she chose the picture from the blog.
and it's my favorite picture of all of 2008.
annie is just so proud of that fish…and that little polka dot suit on her little bod…her bangs.
and she loves mike.
here's a scan of the little piece….
 pretty cool.
i was very excited.
but then i only told five people…because i wasn't sure it was a real thing.
🙂
i hope they call me again someday….
Oh my goodness it was SO fun to get find you in my Country Living magazine! But I’m glad to see that fame hasn’t gone to your head. LOL wow!!!! seriously….i am so excited for you. frame that…really. i would!!! my fav picture is the one of you holding the magazine….:) I opened my magazine and thought that little girl looks like so much like yours. Wow, Congrats on doing such a great job!! That is great! Congrats! I got my issue beginning of last week, but have been so busy I haven’t had time to sit and enjoy it yet, but when I saw your post, I ran to grab it. Wow! How neat! Now I can say I “know” someone who was in Country Living Magazine (the bestest magazine ever). Congrats again…you deserve it. Maybe next they’ll do a feature on your super cute house?!?! I just saw it yesterday and was so excited!!! Congrats!!! okay, so i was going to the bathroom with my new issue of country living and i open it up to find you…made me smile and yell to my husband ‘hey, you know that one girl i like that has like five kids and blah, blah, blah, blog,….she’s in my magazine!’ That is AWESOME Meggie!!! Very cool! It’s no surprise that they wanted to recognize you and your cute blog. I love your blog and read it quite often. I have this issue of Country Living and it was SO weird. I saw that photo and thought “WOW, that looks like Little Annie from the Whatever blog…” moved on and now days later I’m reading this. Congratulations! I saw the blurb, I follow your blog, I love your pics. All put smiles on my face. Congrats! ~Heather R. MEG – THAT IS SO EXCITING!!!! couldn’t have happened to a better person. i haven’t opened mine yet. can’t wait to see it in print. so cool. You are very country to me!!!! That is way awesome Meg! I will have to pick up a copy next time I make it into town. It’s not surprising that you made it into a magazine. I am inspired by your photos. And I love that you can pull off braids so well! 🙂 I LOVE your blog; your house and your photography absolutely should be featured in a magazine – it would be so easy for the magazine since you’ve already done the decorating and taken the pictures! You have a huge fan in me, up in Canada! And Annie is as cute as pie, if that’s an expression. That is so awesome Meg!! Congrats!! I love that picture too btw. 🙂 Yay for you Meg.. that is so awesome!!!!!! I’d wonder if it is the real thing too but I have no doubts they would want to feature your fabulous blog! Yea! I was starting to read my mag and thought hey that’s Annie and yep it was! I was excited for myself that I read your bog and I was excited for you ’cause you deserve the honor! Maybe next time they call it’ll be for you to do a photo shoot for them! Congrats! Very cool! Congratulations! I’ve been checking your blog daily for about a year now, and have my sister hooked too! Love it! Totally going to the store to buy that magazine today. I danced all around when I saw that little blurb! Surely these people HAVE to feature your house at some point! If they don’t—I’m starting my own design magazine and putting yours in first thing!!! 🙂 Congratulations to you—I love your blog too! To borrow a quote from my 3 year old “That is SUPER DUPER COOL!” Super Cool Meg!!! Congratulations! At our house we call that being a ROCK STAR!!!! So ROCK on SISTER! Congrats! I was so excited for you and Annie when I saw it. What did Annie say when she saw her photo in the magazine? Saw that in the magazine the other day – how totally cool! Ok so WE all knew you were famous…now you’re REALLY REALLY famous…like NEW YORK CITY FAMOUS!!!!! Good job and darling photo! Totally Awesome! You so extra rock!!!! I knew you were great, but this is just so cool. Am so proud to be a blogger junkie of yours!!! Thanks for sharing .. am going to sneek out today and get a copy of the magazine! 🙂 I saw this last Sunday at my mom’s, and almost flew off the couch trying to tell her that it was from the blog I love with the really cool old house and neat ideas!! She knew exactly the one I was talking about!! Congrats. Sooner or later, I bet your house will be featured in there as well! Hi Meg. You are famous the world over, I made your rainbow cake and took it to Jaylee’s school in PARIS!!! They loved it. oh my! excitement! Congrats on the mention…you deserve it ;o) Wow so cool! I love that magazine! It’s a great picture, what did your daughter think of seeing herself in print? Oh! I’ll have to go look for your mention in my magazine. Just received it this week and haven’t gotten to look at it yet. How fun! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY meg and annie!! what an awesome thing! That’s VERY exciting! Meg – that is awesome!! Congrats!! 🙂 Woo hoo! Very cool! I subscribe to CL but in Australia that issue hasn’t arrived yet – so I look forward to flicking through to find it. That little girl of yours sure is a knockout!! Congratiulations!!!! How exciting. congratulations!!! so exciting! Wow! I KNOW a famous person now!! that’s so exciting!!! congrats :] Wow!!!! Sooo cool. They need to do an entire spread on your awesome house and decorating ideas! Seriously, you’re stuff is awesome. Congratulations Meg!! It is high time that you- with all of your many talents- gets recognized! I have a feeling that you will be in many more magazines…………and that your comments are going to be in triple digits soon!!! Congratulations! How Exciting, Jamie I feel so honored to live by you I think that is the ultimate of coolness. Really. And when you’re having a bad mom-dealing-with-kids day, you can think about this and know that on the other days, you’re so awesome. Seriously. very very cute! i saw that when my subscription came in the mail 🙂 annie is a doll… Congratulations! ummm…I don’t know how to say this…but you’re kind of a big deal yay very cool! fabulous!!! SO EXCITING!!! I’M SO NOT SURPRISED THEY FOUND YOU. MY FRIEND WHO IS SO HOOKED ON YOUR BLOG TOLD ME TONIGHT WHILE WE WERE HAVING DINNER. I RUSHED HOME TO SEE YOUR BLOG. Oh, dang! I have that mag sitting on my island and it’s been there for a few days. I would have spit my tea out if I had stumbled upon swimsuit-clad Annie on my own! Those are always fun moments. But no worries, it’s pretty fantastic hearing it straight from you, too. Congrats!! How sweet! The picture is adorable! And you do have a really fun blog and GREAT pictures! I’m not suprised you were noticed! Who knows what’s next?! I love your blog. I look forward everyday to see your beautiful pictures. Congrats on the magazine coverage. Awww, congrats!!! Wow! That’s so neat!! 🙂 Brilliant, congrats! I have been following your blog a while and loving it. Your photographs are brilliant. Your holiday has been fantastic. I am as sorry that it passes so quickly as you are. Meg, that is G-R-R-R-E-A-T!!! So very cool for you. Love the magazine and I can see why they like your blog, it is such a cheerful, hope-filled place, (and incredibly decorated, I might add)! Cheers to you. P.S. first came across your blog via http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ you’re so fancy. My sister called and said….”Isn’t there a blog you read that has a little girl named Annie and a mama named Meg you have told me about?” I said, “Yes!” And she said….look in your new Country Living Magazine and I think they are in there. So I did….and there you were! How lovely!! 🙂 And, just for the record…I think this was their best issue so far this year! Gotta make some of those little cherry pies. Yum! 🙂 Yay! So cool. I have a group of friends who love “the whatever blog” and I’m proud to have introduced it to them! Now, I know someone famous. 🙂 OOh OOOh OOOh!!! You’re even MORE famous !!:-) That’s adorable! Congrats! Oh, that is so awesome, congratulations! Annie is so cute in that pic! Congrats! That is so cool. Hi Meg….Last week I was skimming through the pages and i saw the pic and thought: that little girl looks like Annie – so I went back and read it and sure enough it was. How cute….congrats!! that is AWESOME! congrats!!! See! You really are my CELEBRITY interview next week…and who knew! That is AWESOME!!! Congratulations! Too – darn – cool. When you hit the big time we can say “Aww, we knew her when!” Congrats! HOW COOL, HOW COOL, HOW COOL!!!!!!!!! Pretty soon the paparrazi will be outside your door or they will want you to have a reality show..lol ok thats so cool! you are so cool!! Congrats Meg!! That is so cool!! You’re so adorable 🙂 You’re a blog CELEBRITY!! super sweet! Annie’s suit and bangs are adorable! 🙂 This is so cool. And you put braided pigtails in your hair just for the occasion- love it! That Annie is such a cutie and you can just see it through all your photos that she is very determined and has a strong personality. Love her coordination of patterns and prints that to most would just not work- but on Annie it is just the Annie look. congratulations! (holding up a Sonic slushie to you.) Love it! So much fun and I am happy for you. Congrats! yay Meg! I love Annie’s little ‘bod’, too. So FOUR. Congrats! I only know you from reading your blog, and I am glad that others enjoy it too! I love Sonic, and we don’t have one anywhere near us now. Reading this made me totally crave a cherry limeade! Hi Meg, that is so cool, now your blog will be more famous then it already is 🙂 How cool. Love how you have your country look goin’ on with your braids and all 🙂 that’s pretty cool! Go Megan! 🙂 That’s awesome, Meg, but I’m not surprised. You have many adorers. Thank you for posting your wonderful pictures and inspiring others to do creative things. Thank you, thank you. No way! Congrats! I have no doubts that you’ll get plenty more calls like this. (…pleeeease write a book?!) believe it or not, but i called my mom and said, “get your new issue of country living out and flip to yadda yadda page–that’s my bloggy friend who made all my pillows!” That is so great , I will have to make sure to get a copy too . i was putting my little bean to bed the other night and cracked open my cl magazine to read by the light of the moon…and i saw annie. i was so excited for you…yet i only know you because i follow your blog. yea for you, though. very cool indeed! Congrats! I am sure you will have another magazine call you again. I mean just look all that beautiful decor in your house. You are an inspiration! 🙂 I also meant to say I think your hair is adorable in braids. Pure country whether you think so or not. 🙂 How awesome!!!! Congrats Meg! It’s no suprirse to those of us that follow you daily that the girls in NYC love you!! We all love you (and your family!). How excited is Annie to be in the magazine?!?! Meg thats SO AWESOME! Your famous! “Get me out of here I’m a celebrity” is going to be calling next. I’m so happy for you…but also, I kinda just rather pretend you arent famous so that I can keep your blog all to myself. Im selfish that way 😉 OHMYGOSH! I saw that and I thought that sweet lil’ face looked familiar! Congrats and what a thrill! That’s AWESOME!! Congratulations!!! 🙂 Congrats. I’m sure the world will be seeing even more of your pics. omygosh!! this is amazing Meg!! HOW COOL!! I have to go find a copy and see it for myself, what fun!! heehe, Annie’s FAMOUS! 😉 I’ll definitely be buying this issue! Congratulations! I think that’s awesome! Yay!! Congrats Meg… I love it!!!! What a fantasy – Your house is definitely worthy to be featured in that mag! How awesome! I remember when you originally posted that picture & thought it was adorable then. Annie jsut looks like such a spunky little thing, so adorable! Congrats on the mag! I don’t think this will be your last 15 mins of fame, your home is awesome & your blog is one of my favs (as well as many other peoples too). Just got my magazine and I knew it was your Annie when I saw it! Congrats to you!! let's take a break from the vacation slideshow shall we? yeah….we're only halfway through! *********************************************************************************************** these kids are so sweet. their parents are in our small group…so i get to hold the baby often.
but he's growing so fast.
here are his newborn pictures if you don't recognize him.
so we met up at the park for a kids photo session.
youngest to oldest….
           i asked her to give me some attuitude…she did.
 and then we did just sisters….
  then we did brothers…
 don't you just want to smoosh him up in your arms?
those pudgy fingers and the double chin are too cute!
then all together…
  i liked them both.
you can see on Nash (big brother) that he has some bumps and scrapes.
his mom got out of the car that day and said "a mosquito got in our house and attacked him!
he didn't have these bumps an hour ago!"
there had to be 10 bites and some were on face…even his nose.
poor little guy.
i said "well…now he looks like he's ALL boy"
and their mom should be given an award.
she was behind me the whole time being SUPER SILLY getting her kids to smile.
way to go missy!
your hard work paid off….hope you love these!
These make me want to have a fourth child…almost! Adorable!!! I also love the sisters shots best. it’s so unfair that the double chin works so well for babies and loses it’s cuteness somewhere along the way! 😉 The one of the little boy giving his brother a kiss gave me goosebumps – great snaps, as always! he’s adoooorable. Love the last one where the two boys both have their fingers in their mouths! I love the black and white one, the brotherly kiss, the best. Your photos are amazing, I love them all. Ooh, I love the ones of them laying down in the grass and looking up and all of them in the wagon. I’m collecting ideas! 🙂 Those are so sweet! Could those boys look any more alike?! I hope Missy enjoys nibbling on all that baby pudge 🙂 Very cute kids! My favorite shot is the sisters in color, it’s beautiful. I love how their eyes are all lit up. Nice work! what gorgeous children!! seriously adorable! great photos! Just awesome pics! You rock and those kids are super cute! I want to have babies specifically so that I can make them wear overalls. It may have to do with my southern genes, but I’m fairly ok with that. Love that brother picture! Great job! I’m going to sneak over to Missy’s house and take that Nash home with me! They are all adorable…just feel the need to make him silly at the worst times (sorry Missy). Great shots you really captured the cuteness in them. Beautiful pictures! I love outdoor pictures! What cuties! Oh my goodness!!! Pure sweetness!!! and I would have to hold that baby the whole time too… Precious!!! Great job! 🙂 Great pictures! LOVE the wagon pics especially! With 4 kids one was bound to have some type of facial injury. This children are adorable!! Great photos!!! Those are some mighty cute kids! Great pictures! Lovely pics, as always! Those kiddos are adorable. And yes, I could just squish up that baby boy! this is why i wanted to come to california. i am serious.
i wanted to have my kids searching through the tide pools discovering things we don't have in kansas.
it was as good as i had hoped.
at lover's point they climbed and climbed as fast as they could trying to keep up with each other.
 this did not make me nervous…who knows why.
but it didn't.
then i encouraged them to slow down and look.
see what they could find.
OH! it was good stuff.
  hermit crabs…hundreds of them.
like what you'd buy at pet store but in real life!
 i have spent my entire life…33 years…thinking starfish were squishy.
they aren't.
they aren't even bendy.
they are hard and scratchy and don't move at all in your hand.
isn't that something?
  can you believe it? :)
woo-hoo! she is smiling.
california brings it out in you.
  we went out searching two different times.
the second time our family, peggy, matt and peter came along…and their wolf dog Oden.
we were hoping to watch some surfing but there were no big waves that day.
  annie found a sand castle…and quickly raided it of all it's shell decorations.
she thought the ocean was stinky.
   he's up to his knee in this one.
each of the kids were searching on their own and then they would shout "look at this!"
and everyone would come running.
    when i took this i said "there's nana's new screen saver!" :)
i could have stayed here all day.
that sand was the softest i've ever felt.
but we were headed out.
(perhaps you don't want to the 2nd largest ball of twine, only four short hours away…name that movie)
we said goodbye to monterey….and the family…and oden the wolf dog.
 hannah montana UNO…they must have played 50 games over the week.
(i'm loving that they are choosing to play UNO instead of watch movies on the dvd players in their laps.)
 Okay, I just figured it out! Lauren looks like NATALIE PORTMAN!!! It’s been driving me nuts trying to figure out who it is she looks like…a movie star…hhhmmm! WHAM! It hit me! It’s Natalie Portman. Do you see it? I know I sound like a weirdo, but I swear I’m not! HA! Glad you finally got a vacation – it looks like ya’ll had a really great time. I seriously love the sparkly blue fingernails in the photos and Lauren is truly stunning. Kelly THose tide pools are AMAZING! I’ve never seen starfish except at an aquarium and there were, I think, sea anemones in the one picture too. So cool! It’s the best when your kids can spend hours (or at least minutes!) looking around for things instead of staring at a screen, isn’t it? Megan – I LOVE tidepools! I lived in San Diego very briefly and they actually have a real tide pool “park” with a park ranger explaining all the creatures in the pools – I was blown away by that. That is on my list of “must do with the kids”!! Love the starfish pictures. Well, ok, love all of them, as usual. 🙂 I love all of your pics. Your kids are so beautiful. It is absolutely beautiful there! We are going to California in a few weeks and I’m so excited, and even more so now. 🙂 What gorgeous pictures!!! I really enjoyed looking at them all. Hi! I found your blog via Like Merchant Ships. I just moved away from San Luis Obispo (I’m sure you drove through there) last year and moved to… Kansas! We’re in the middle of building a hangar/house right now in SE Kansas. Beautiful photos; I miss California so much! The starfish are amazing! Can’t you just see a chocolate donut made to look like one? UMM MEG! What about I was flipping through my new Country Living tonight and had to turn back a few pages because I realized: Waaaait a minute, I know that face. ANNIE! Then had to explain to my best friend that I recognized the cutie pie from a blog I stumbled upon months ago and love reading. haha. i love talby leaning over the cliff in the background of that one shot. Lauren’s picture just screams VICTORY and how lucky to get the next two of her with more smiles! we did this vacay in reverse order… we were married in palm desert and for our honeymoon drove up to san fran and then worked our way back down the coast making these same stops. gorgeous drive. stayed our last night in santa monica. bringing back good memories! I think this has got to be one of my favorite posts you have ever done. The pictures make it. I just love the excitment on your daughters face (the little one) and the pics of the starfishs’ are great. Wow! I have so much to say about these pictures!! I love them all. What is the purple stuff dripping down the rocks in the first pic? And oh my goodness, how cool were the tidal pools?! That is so neat to find all that stuff! And my favorite one is the last – it’s priceless and tells a whole story by itself. Thank you so much for sharing these – they are great! LOVE these photos!!!! Make me want to take my family there! And California has never been on my radar for places to take a family trip 🙂 Too many places on my list already. Oh my, I’m in heaven just enjoying the picts. Thanks for sharing- really- So glad the Kansas family got to head to the coast! What wonderful memories you have helped create for you family. Thanks for sharing the GREAT photo’s with your readers!! that beach looks incredible! starfish totally freak me out so good on your kids being way braver than me and holding them. and lauren is beautiful – totally jealous!! It looks like you guys had such a great time in CA! The teenager was even smiling – solid proof! 🙂 AMAZING!!! the photos tell the story…a great time was had by all!!- I wanna go now! 🙂 I love love love your photos! I just told my husband I want to go to Monteray CA, never been north of Newport Beach. My favorite picture is your oldest and youngst together classic picture. Looks like everyone had a great time. Hooray! Lauren is beautiful and I’m happy she was happy (I have my own 15 y/o so I can relate). You’ve just got to start setting your camera on a timer and getting in the photo yourself…totally miss you in the group shot. 🙁 I LOVE the photo of Annie sleeping! Way back in the days of film, my mom and I scoured our photo albums and had reprints made of “sleeping” photos. We then made collages in big frames. Kinda weird! beautiful photos. I remember being Lauren’s age. I didn’t like to smile either! i’m dying right now…not only did you go to the same restaurant we ate at in monterey, but the photos of annie with the stuffed animal…that’s the same little otter stuffed animal that my 4 year old, anya chose at the aquarium too. so crazy!! but i digress. lovely photos as always (do i say the same thing all the time? sorry about that.) looks like the entire family had a blast on the vacation! thanks for sharing with all of us! I *heart* tide pools! Great pictures! I would love to visit Monterey some day! I so went to that beach last year! I’m sad we didn’t bump into each other 🙁 What a fun trip! love the pics! looks like so much fun……and your teenager….she is just so beautiful. Looks like she was having fun with everyone. I know you must have really enjoyed this vacation Oh, dear. I must answer that question….Vacation! Check my header for further proof of our unhealthy obsession with the Griswolds. We aim high. And, we’re seeing the world’s largest ball of twine this summer on our way back from Walley World! Oh my…those starfish are awesome! I need to visit this place. I live in CA – how is it I’ve never been there? Enjoy the rest of your visit! LOOK LIKE GREAT FAM TIME. YOUR DAUGHTER IS SO STYLISH WITH HER SCARF AND SMILE! SHE’S BEAUTIFUL. SUCH GREAT PICS. LOOKING FORWARD TO MORE. fun adventure and makes me want to hold a starfish!!! love the last pic… thanks for sharing. Looks like such great family fun!!! As always I so enjoy your blog. Beautiful. We are taking our two little boys to Portland next month and this is what I dream of for one of our day trips. |
|
tinycandi - I love this post! What an awesome way to capture the special little “everyday” moments that we take for granted too often. And you’re a wonderful photographer. Awesome post! I’ve enoyed reading about your California vacation, too. I haven’t been since I was 12 years old…but one day I hope to be able to take my daughters. 🙂
Ashley - Meg, Your kids have such kind faces. I love to see what you all are doing daily and of course what Annie is wearing always makes me smile.
If being addicted to whatever blog is wrong is wrong then I don’t wanna be right- LOL
Amy - I love all the pics. I love Cali!! I am going with my baby on an IN-venture next month. When are you opening your Etsy shop!!!
Amy Marinello Mumaw
Chasity - what a great fort you guys!!
chasity
Jesus Christ - well, first of all, if I can comment on Anna Maries comment….I have four kids, and STILL living in a rental…I don’t think anyone stops “dreaming”…thank goodness for that
AND
you make doing nothing look really beautiful
and yes, I am a blog addict…and thank God for THAT…it could be sooooo much worse!!!!!!!
love the Waffle shot
Traci - meg, i honestly love all your photos, but i think your everyday shots are my favorite!!
Kelly - I was internet-less for a few days so I had fun catching up. It looks like you guys have had a great realaxing start to summer.
I also wanted to tell you that I love your happy things list on your sidebar. They do indeed make me happy. And then make me feel like I need to buy things.
Staci - Just “hangin’ out is always good to me 🙂 My most favorite days of Summer actually!!!! I can admit it…yep, I’m an addict 🙂 Does that make you my dealer?? hee hee! A very good dealer I must say!!!!
Penny - Seeing the pictures makes me think of when our girls were little. What fun, forts! My girls are college (2) and High school (1) age now. Miss those days! Love the picture of Waffle. We all love that dog. We also have a litter of 9 goldendoodle pups. We hope they will all be as wonderful as Waffle. Check them out. http://www.adamscreekgoldendoodles.com
meaghan easterhaus - i love your creative camera angles. i need to get better at that!
Sarah - Pigtails, Uno and bubbles…love them.
a thorn among roses - love love love the dog and ice cream shot!!!
Amber - so “addicted” i had to run out and get my own copy of the infamous issue of Country Living!! I love that magazine anyway…so it was a good excuse to grab one at the grocery store.
love your blog. it inspires me!!
Hillary @ The Other Mama - Love, love ALL the pics! Adorable! And a perfect representation of summer!
Kyleigh - Oh blimey… I think I’m a blog addict…!
Your pictures just get better and better, love it.
We’re having a lovely hot summer (so far) in the south of england – after rubbish and very WET summers for the last 2 years everyone is SO happy (despite everyone losing their jobs!!) Go sunshine! Go!
sandy toe - Hanging out is a good thing!
sandy toe
elizabeth - yeah–I loved the surprise of the “blog addict” comment. look who’s calling the kettle black, right?
Meredith - Beautiful photos as per usual – thanks for a great perspective on Monday. Do I detect a painting project in one of your living areas? Hope your Tuesday is just as delightful. Meredith xo.
alice - looks like a fun summer 🙂
Marla - Call Clara! She’s in Kansas right now with my parents @ 283-8988.
Christine - yes yes
i’m a blog addict!!!
o.k. i lOVE the picture of annie with the sun glasses!!!
truly made me smile!
thanks. 🙂
Katy Durec - I love your pictures, they are the perfect remedy for a boring, rainy Monday here in KY.
I recently cut my daughter some bangs and my sister (who led me to your blog) told me that with her bangs she resembles Annie. I take this as a great compliment! 🙂
Lazy Mom Leslie - I have said this before and thought it 800 more times than that! Will you please come and be my neighbor so I can feed you margaritas to document my life? With or without salt? Thank you.
Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - Looks like wonderful summer fun. I love your dog. He is just the cutest!
Morgan - wow scotts hair is darker
C Rose - Ok, so I’m new to the blog stuff and have NO idea how I found yours. I love it though… I love your pictures! Really they are great!!! I am a mom of two and my husband and I are full time in the ministry… I always try to have everything perfect in the house, and my kids neatly dressed with matching everything from shoes to bows:) Now, looking at your pictures it refreshing to see that you can have everything together just, not perfect…
That sounds not so much like a compliment but, it totally is!!!! I love the way your kids dress and mostly I love seeing the love you have for life and FAMILY!!!!! It seems to be hard to come by these days…
Sandy - “blog addicts” – got a kick out of that! You know us as well as we know you. 🙂
adrienne - looks like home to me! waffle is seriously behaving while waiting for a lick of that ice cream cone, too cute!
Vera - Aaaw someone get the puppy some ice cream! Great pics!
Sara at Be Still and Know - looks like alotta summer fun going on around there! …..the indoor blanket fort definently should win a ‘fort contest’ …they have those right? Thanks for sharing so much happiness!
Georgia - Love the blog!!! it gets better and better! lol xxx
joy c. tilton - Ahh to be a kid again…summer, that delicious season where life is good. No school, no homework and the opportunity to have an ice cream cone unexpectedly!
Sara - Okay, I am the blog addict! ha! love your blog…love the pictures. Reminds me to chill out and not worry so much about getting stuff accomplished!
Mrs. - HEY! I RESEMBLE THAT LAST STATEMENT!
Michele renee - I found you from the Clover Lane site and enjoyed looking at your trip to Cali. My hubs and I went to Monterey and Carmel and Big Sur on honeymoon a long, long time ago, and I lived in Santa Monica from age 4 till 20. We are in Atlanta and finished road trip from here to St. Louis, thru Kansas (stayed in Manhattan and I hear there is a ball of twine above I-70 on I-24 about 2 hours west of there). And yes, the ball of twine from Vacation movie–which we quoted a million times. Then to Colorado to Estes park for the Rocky Mountain Park and then to SD for Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse and Badlands and then drove thru Iowa and St. Louis again (loved it) and home again. Mine have never been to Cali and that is next year! Love your photos and the one with the squirrel’s arms up? A riot!!
Jess - Great fort. The best part of summer is the “just hanggin’ out” part!
I am defiantly addicted to your blog!
Kathy - Fun, fun in the sun!! Great pictures you make playing Uno look good and colorful. Have a great week!
kaitlynsage - I love love love love your desk! Where did it come from? How does it look so great and old and modern all at the same time?
Molly Pearce - I wanna come play!!! Your summer looks like so much fun!!! Forts, side walk chalk and bubbles reminds me of my childhood!!!!
~Molly P
Jenn N - Hey, do I see “forts” with blankets over the furniture? My kids love doing this and I loved it as child too.
Anna Marie - I really want more kids and I really want to be able to stay home with them. I know it is probably hard and stressful at times but I would love to have what you have. You are so blessed. Not that I am not…it could still happen for me. Only one kiddo so far and living in a rental…I “dream” when I visit your blog. Thank you!
Lori - I love seeing your pictures 🙂 And, just hanging out sounds just perfect. Hope you’re enjoying it!