Saturday, December 20, 2008

A Neighborly Santa


Every year one of our neighbor's father dresses up as Santa and hands out candy canes to all the kiddos on the block. The boys LOVE this ritual and go through all the questions like "is he the real santa", "how did he get here", "where are his reindeer", "how does he know our names"...

This year, Fisher didn't ask any questions. I fear it's the last magical year for him. For, I remember I was in third grade when I was "schooled" on the subject of Santa. I was so sad, I even cried and refused to believe it was true.

He hasn't said a word to us about it though, so at least he's letting us pretend we don't know that he knows. :)

Merry Magical Christmas!!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

The For the Moment Love of My Life


Can you believe I haven't written about her yet? She's special. I can't say enough good things about this new love of my life. I've learned so much lately, but a class or 20 could surely help. Thanks to Michele over at Pinkletoes for the suggestion. LOVE working with this baby. I would recommend getting you one whenever you possibly can!!
I actually started doing photo shoots this summer and have only gotten better with better equipment. What fun to be doing something I've always wanted to do, since I got my first camera in 6th grade. Remember those disk cameras? Wow. Photography has come a long long way!!
Merry Christmas to ME!!!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Five Years Ago Today




I had miracle number THREE. He was so precious. His name, you ask? Sullivan Davis Russell. Named after one of Mac's nearest and dearest friends, Jason Sullivan, and the town Mac grew up in, Ft. Davis.

I knew that I wanted to have three kids, but we were sure surprised after having fertility problems with the first two, to learn that I had accidently missed a couple doses of my BC pill and Wha-lah. When I found out I was pregnant, I was at the house with the two boys, waiting for Mac to come home. I kept telling him I thought I was pregnant, he kept saying "Whatever Babe, you're on the pill." I kept replying, "REMEMBER BABE, I missed a couple." To which he came back with, "Eh, itta be aww-ite. You had such trouble getting pregnant with the boys, it will be fine."

So, after peeing on le stick, getting a positive result and crying for the next three hours, I decided that the way I would tell Mac would be to tape the test stick to the door. When he came home, he pulled it off the door, came inside, chuckled and said, "What is this? Is this a joke." More tears from me, great big hugs and reassurances that all was going to be alright from Mac.

4 months later we found out we were having another boy. As soon as the culprit popped up on the sonogram, I said, "It's a boy". The sonographer said, "How do you know?" I said, "I know what that thing right there is by now."

I only shed a couple of tears when I realized it wasn't going to be a girl and have really never looked back since. I can't imagine my world without my Sullivan. He has been such a wonderful gift...even when he throws rocks and breaks windows!! :) Have you SEEN his smile? Ugh.

Anway, a few short months after that, I was sitting at home having the worst contractions evarrr. I figured we should head to the hospital. After we got there, the contractions slowed. I was so tired and so embarrassed. After all, I had been through this two other times...I knew how this was supposed to work!!!

One week to the day after that, I was at my annual Christmas Bunco with my girlfriends at PF Changs and WHAM, they started again. Mom drove me to the hospital, Mac met us there and after spending all night there, they sent us home again. I bawled my BRAINS out...I was so ready for him to be born!

Exactly one week later, I was induced and we had another beautiful baby boy. He was 21 inches long and weighed 8 pounds 13 ounces. He was SOLID. Wouldn't know it today with his skinny little self.

Anway, I thank my lucky stars each an every day for the gift of Sullivan. He's an incredible little person and growing so fast. My baby is FIVE today.

Happy Birthday Sweet Sullivan.


Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Ninth Day of Christmas...



You KNEW it was coming!!

Eli accidently stomped on Elvis' little baby leg and broke it. $566.23 later and a cast on his leg that he has to be in for 7 - 12 weeks. Poor little baby. Eli feels so bad he has cried every day since it happened late Saturday night. He said...."But Mommy, what if I broke him forever?"

My life is not full unless it's packed fulla crazy.

Monday, December 15, 2008

It's a BOY!!


Congratulations Sweet Friend of Mine....1/2 way there!

Thursday, December 4, 2008

12 Days of Christmas

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
An A/C on the fritz - woo-wee.

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me..
A power steering pump, yes it did go out,
and an A/C on the fritz - woo-wee.

On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
A son that threw a rock, through the daycare door,
A power steering pump, yes it did go out,
and an A/C on the fritz - woo-wee.

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
A case of food poisoning - god it was so bad,
A son that threw a rock, through the daycare door,
A power steering pump, yes it did go out,
and an A/C on the fritz woo-wee.

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
A hair dryer that died, half way through the "do"
A case of food poisoning - god it was so bad,
A son that threw a rock, through the daycare door,
A power steering pump, yes it did go out,
and an A/C on the fritz woo-wee.

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
A big old flat tire, running late of course
A hair dryer that died, halfway through the "do"
A case of food poisoning, god it was so bad,
A son that threw a rock, through the daycare door,
A power steering pump, yes it did go out,
and an A/C on the fritz woo-wee.

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
A son with lovely ringworm, from the new puppy
A big ole flat tire, running late of course,
A hair dryer that died, halfway through the "do"
A case of food poisoning, god it was so bad,
A son that threw a rock, through the daycare door,
A power steering pump, yes it did go out,
and an A/C on the fritz woo-wee.

On the eighth day of Christmas my true love game to me...
A different son you see, with a cavity
A son with lovely ringworm, from the new puppy
A big ole flat tire, running late of course,
A hair dryer that died, halfway through the "do"
A case of food poisoning, god it was so bad
A son that threw a rock, through the daycare door,
A power steering pump, yes it did go out
and an A/C on the fritz woo-wee.

On the ninth day of Christmas....well shit, I'm just waiting for the other 4 days of Christmas.

Peace Love Joy, Ya'll.

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Meet Elvis


Yes, we are officially certifiably NUTS. Three doggies for three boys. I told Mac to tell me no when we went up to meet Rusty's pups...but then I argued with him until he gave up. Plus, Sullivan went up to Aunt Kim with 50 cents and asked her if he could buy Elvis for his birthday. Who could resist that? My Gosh. I'm sure there will be many more pictures to come, but for now, I just felt the need to introduce you to the newest Russell...Elvis. He was already named when we met him. We thought up some other names, but I think this one is just gonna stick. Love him already. Yes, we're NUTS.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving..."Russell Style"










Monday, November 24, 2008

What's "Cook"in'??

Here's what:













THE PRIZE!!



We had such a great time. Missy has agreed to let me post these, but I can't post the family shots. You'll have to wait for your Christmas cards for those!! Thanks to the Cooks for another wonderful photography experience!!

Saturday, November 22, 2008

The Wimberlys of Wimberley

Got to do another shoot. This is my sister-in-law and brother-in-law and my sweet niece and nephews. We had a great time and they took some wonderful pics.






And I even managed to capture the cuteness of Macy!!

Friday, November 21, 2008

A Few New Favorites

I have a couple of favorites from my new camera. Still trying to work it out, but I'm LOVING it so far. I have a photo shoot with the Cooks this Sunday...but I'm sure I will forbidden to post them, just like the Hembrees. Uck. It's killing me!

Here are a few of my new favorites:


"Up to Something"



"Cutest Boys on the Block"



"One Tough Sully"



"Babe. He loves me."

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Dynamo is DY-NO-MIIIIIIITE!!


Congratulation to the Hays Dynamo for a very well played 1st place season. I'm especially proud of this "supah-stah":






Here's to next season. Hope you have as much fun as you did this one!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

My Bumpy Little Friend



DANG. How come I couldn't ever be this darn cute when I was pregnant? I LOVE this little bump with all my heart already. Can't wait to meet you in person, Little Bump.

Monday, November 17, 2008

No More Wire Hangers.....

Do you know what this is?

It's an adult-sized clothes hanger. And do you know why it is so significant to me today? Because yesterday is the first time I've had to start hanging his clothes on them, instead of the little baby child-size ones. And by "his", I mean him:


Really? At the age of NINE? I don't want you to grow up anymore. Please stay little, please don't grow up and leave me when you're older. Boys love their mommies, but they always seem to grow up and leave them too. I know one Mother-in-law who knows what I'm talking about. Sorry Jane, I get it now....it's just takes a a while to figure it all out.

The Hudson Four

A while back I had the pleasure of doing a photo shoot for this pretty lady of her and her boys for a surprise Father's Day gift for her husband.

Well, yesterday I had the pleasure of capturing the whole crew. Not only are their parents pretty wonderful, but these boys are amazing too.





Thanks to the Hudsons for allowing me to capture your lovely family.












Friday, November 14, 2008

Just Where the Blog Have I Been???

At home with Food Poisoning!! Are you jealous? Never knew a human body could lose 18 pounds of liquid water weight in a day and 1/2!!

But anyway, I'm back to the land of the living and shall I ever get such a thing again, just go ahead and shoot me. LAWD.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Rusty's Pups

Here is a picture the pups from of our dog (Rusty) and my sister-in-law's dog (Tipsy)...




Kim sent us these pictures last night. Aren't they precious? They are Toy Australian Shepherds. Sullivan just had ONE question...

"So, why are they at the beach Mommy?" Never fails to keep us laughing our guts out.