Troy and Sam

I'm a serious slacker!

2009-07-29T16:02:00.002-04:00

Thanks to Facebook, my blog has come to a standstill! April 15th? Seriously? Sheesh!!

So, here are a few new photos to tide you over until... um, October? I'll try to not let it get that out of hand!

We are very busy this summer! I am getting my business going and am currently developing the website. If you know anyone getting married, having kids, graduating high school, etc., pass my name along! (please..)

Tom is working hard and trying to keep up with the yard work. It's been quite the summer for growing- the grass and bushes have gone crazy! We still love the yard and the house, we are just trying to maintain it!

Troy and Sam had birthdays recently and are 4 and 3 now. They are very funny little boys that love to get into trouble! Troy will be starting preschool soon and is very excited!

Well, that's what's going on in our neck of the woods. Until next time... or October! Haha.

Easter!

2009-04-15T10:44:00.002-04:00

All the kids after the egg hunt.

Baby Ian found eggs too!

Rich, Lynn, Brian and Lizzy!

Eggs!

2009-04-15T10:16:00.004-04:00

Yay! My hands are blue!!

Troy just dropped his egg into the dye.

Cheese!

Here we go!

March!

2009-04-15T09:18:00.005-04:00

Tom and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary March 31st!

Troy took this picture (with a little help). Not bad!

Our garden is growing!

Moose the wonder dog in her favorite place... the hammock!

The crocuses were so pretty! I was sad when the last snow cut them short.

The first of the crocuses.

Troy giving Sam a ride!

Grandma came to visit!

February!

2009-04-15T09:01:00.003-04:00

This makes me laugh.

It's a Sammy-in-the-box!

FLOWERS! I'm not sure what they are, but they bloomed in February!

It's not very warm, but the sun is out!

Troy loves to watch the "funny boys" on YouTube. They are clips from America's Funniest Home Videos, and it's WAY funnier watching his reaction!

January!

2009-04-15T08:23:00.004-04:00

We got to go swimming!! The boys had a blast and did NOT want to leave. On the way out the door Sam pushed a button on the wall... only to call 911. Oops. I tried to explain it was an accident, but then reworded it to tell her my 2-year-old pushed the call button by MISTAKE. Yeah. They were not too happy, and we got out of there pretty quickly! Thanks a lot Sam.

Sam is in his big boy bed! We decorated his room in all Thomas (of course) and he LOVES his bed. Thanks Great Nanny and Uncle Russ for bringing it to us all the way from North Dakota!!

Train Man.

It was a really warm day, but it was pretty soggy out from all the melted snow. That didn't stop Sam! He had a great time splashing and running through the puddles!

We had an episode where Secret Agent Sam climbed up on a chair and snatched the Ovaltine from the cabinet. He took it upstairs to his room, opened it, and dumped it all over the floor. I found him running his trucks through it and scooping it into his backhoe. I guess he thought it was dirt, or a good imitation of it. (Certainly tastes better!) I thought I cleaned it all up, but I must have missed some under the bed. Moose decided to make herself useful and crawled under the bed to clean it up for me... except she misjudged her size and got stuck. Troy thought this was hysterical and wanted to lay next to her to be "stuck" with her. Funny stuff!

Sam cleaning out the cabinet to make room for the Yahtzee game.

Mmmmm... hot chocolate!

Moosey playing basketball!

I'm not sure what is bigger- Troy or his hair!!

Where does the time go?

2009-04-15T08:06:00.002-04:00

It seems that I have neglected to post new photos on here since January! Oh my! I have a lot to add, hopefully today!
We are all healthy and eagerly awaiting summer. We just hosted our first Easter dinner with 28 of us at the house. It was very busy, but the food was great and the company was even better! We all had a good time (I think) and the kids enjoyed the egg hunt in the backyard.
Tom continues to work hard so I can stay home with the boys. His job is challenging, but rewarding too. All his hard work has definently started paying off!
Troy and Sam are still growing. They are bigger than ever! Troy weighs 63lbs and is 48" tall. I'm not sure about Sam, but he's a lug and a brute too! They both have birthdays coming up and I can't believe that Troy will be 4 and Sam will be 3. Time goes fast when you are having fun I guess!
I am hoping to start my own photo business. I have been looking and applying for jobs without much success, so I've decided to take a stab at working for myself. If you need family portraits taken let me know, or pass the word along!
Well, off to get the pictures uploaded!

Too cute!

2009-01-09T10:58:00.001-05:00

Look mom, it's snowing!

Peek-a-boo Juiceman

2009-01-09T10:54:00.000-05:00

We love dessert!

2009-01-09T10:44:00.001-05:00

Sam is making his "cheese" face... too funny!

New Year's day desserts! Yum!

Test drive and the marker mishap

2009-01-09T10:30:00.002-05:00

Troy "borrowed" a marker from Grandma. Needless to say- he colored himself all the way home. (it was dark)
When I went to get him out of the car Tom and I started laughing. He didn't like that, or that I told him he looked like a reindeer!!

Crazy driver!

Heading to the back yard...

The first drive!

Christmas Morning!

2009-01-09T10:21:00.001-05:00

Checkin' out the radio.
Wow!

A "monster truck power wheels"

Look at that!

Thomas is on the tree!

2009-01-09T10:13:00.002-05:00

Sweet success! (see below)

Sniff, sniff... please.....

Aghhhh...Thomas the Train is on the tree and I waant him...

If you're happy and you know it...

Mmmmm... Nana cookies!

Letters to Santa and the Christmas Tree

2009-01-09T10:02:00.002-05:00

Troy had a long list- we had to use a big envelope! Sam loves to color!

Me testing out our new camera- it has a panoramic setting.

Oh Christmas Tree! Not bad for a $20 Lowes tree!

Christmas Card

2008-12-12T14:09:00.002-05:00

I had to stand them on chairs to keep Sam in the picture- but I think it turned out cute!

Growing up SO fast!

2008-12-12T14:03:00.001-05:00

They were watching a movie together- it was SO cute! Troy got them each a pillow and they got "cozy."

Baby it's cold outside!!

2008-12-12T14:00:00.000-05:00

Fun in the uh..... SNOW!!

2008-10-29T13:40:00.002-04:00

Moose catching a snowball!

Troy loves to make snowballs. (and throw them at Mommy)

Sam was not too sure about the snow at first.

Troy all bundled up.

The first SNOW!!

2008-10-29T10:52:00.004-04:00

Troy watching me... and the snow!

Cold pumpkins!

It is starting to look a little like Christmas- not Halloween!!

Since I took this picture (about a half hour ago) there is a lot more snow- covering the patio and all the grass. It's still coming down in big soft flakes. I love this kind of snow.

Big Smiles

2008-10-29T10:39:00.003-04:00

Tom was scaring Sam and he was laughing hysterically- it was so cute!

Happy Halloween!!

2008-10-29T10:28:00.003-04:00

Ravenna has trick-or-treating the Sunday before Halloween, so we were able to invite family and friends for a housewarming party and get lots of CANDY!!

The cutest Buzz Lightyear ever... even though he wasn't crazy about wearing a costume!

Brian and Troy- Brian is smiling... can you tell?

We love our new house!

2008-10-07T13:43:00.004-04:00

Troy and the firecracker bike.
Sammy and his favorite truck.
Troy the tree hugger! (haha) Seriously - this tree is gigantic!
It's colossal! Can't wait for all of the leaves to fall....
The patio.

New house!

2008-10-07T13:38:00.003-04:00

Yard view from master bedroom.
Kitchen and sunroom.
Living room with new paint and no carpet.

New house!

2008-10-07T13:23:00.003-04:00

Welcome!
From living room through foyer and dining room to the sun room.
The boys room. (still under construction!)
Other side of room.
Upstairs bathroom with really awesome carerra glass tile.

Apple Picking!

2008-10-07T13:11:00.003-04:00

It was the perfect apple picking day! The kids had a great time and we are up to our eyeballs in delicious apples!!!

That's cool man!

2008-10-07T12:33:00.003-04:00

"I'm a rockstar, mommy!"

Last days in Willowick

2008-10-07T12:30:00.002-04:00

The New House!!!

2008-09-05T14:24:00.001-04:00

After a very long process of negotiation and waiting- here it is- our new house!!
We are closing next week and cannot wait to move in!

Hangin' out.

2008-09-05T14:19:00.003-04:00

All of these photos were taken yesterday (9-4-08). As you can see, they both need haircuts!

Cleveland Air Show!!

2008-09-05T14:01:00.004-04:00

The red trail in the middle is a parachuter and he has three planes encirling him. Pretty amazing. Glad that wasn't me!
Red, white and blue planes doing awesome stunts.

This is an Army airport firetruck. Troy was in heaven!

Looking for the airplanes on the way there.
The Air Force was trying to recruit Troy!!
Tom and Sam are in the red circle. That was one big plane!!
Troy the Astronaut.
Sam and the Blue Angels.

More fun!

2008-09-05T13:50:00.002-04:00

Sammy loves the cat- too bad she doesn't really like him...
Maybe it's because he strangles her...
The boys and Moosey in the bounce house.

A rare photo of the two boys sitting together!

Summer fun!

2008-09-05T13:43:00.001-04:00

Troy riding a pony at the circus. Note to self- don't bother going to the circus next year- it's too dang hot and the kids have more fun looking at the animals and riding a pony!!!

The swimmin' brothers.
Cannon-ball baby!

Uncle Eddie's Pool!

2008-07-21T15:15:00.002-04:00

"Riding the motorcycle" with Grandma and Lizzy.
Not to be outdone- Sam can swim on his own in the pool (with a vest of course).

Sam and the hose.

2008-07-21T15:10:00.002-04:00

This stuff tastes pretty good!

Where is that coming from?
Every time I see this picture I laugh.

Sprinkler fun!

2008-07-21T15:00:00.003-04:00

The boys had a lot of fun playing in the sprinklers!
How does this work???

"Hey- you turned it off!!!"

Swimming Lessons

2008-07-21T14:53:00.004-04:00

Troy watches the other kids do their excersizes.
But he gets right in the pool with Instructor Ashley and his buddy Michael.
Brian jumping off the high dive.
Troy is the whitest kid in the pool!
Eating grandma's cake frosting.

I am Batman

2008-07-21T14:49:00.001-04:00

Sam being silly.
Troy woke up this day and decided that he wanted to be Batman. Luckily I had a costume!

The Birthday Party!

2008-07-21T14:12:00.004-04:00

These photos run backwards- so this was the end of the night.
Sammy and his dimples!

Dinner! (and lots of rain)
Troy and Ian. (It wasn't too long ago that Brian was holding Troy like this!)

CAKE!!
The Burns Clan

Uncle D and Aunt Gerry
Corey was soaked from the water fight that had only just begun. (Notice Tom in the background picking up the hose)
The girls.
Vanessa and Bryson

Troy on his scooter (a different day)
Sammy and the pool full of water guns.
Troy and a water balloon.
Dorito face
Aunt Lynn and Aunt Roni

Father's Day

2008-06-15T23:01:00.001-04:00

Baby Ian is getting SO big!!
Slam dunk Sam

He's SO cute!!! This is his "mom-stop taking my picture" look.

Parade!

2008-06-15T22:48:00.002-04:00

Waiting for the parade.
Terese and Eva.
Troy loved the fire trucks!

Springtime fun.

2008-06-15T22:37:00.003-04:00

Tom's cousin Mary moved back to Ohio in January and we all had a chance to go visit a few weeks ago. Behind their house was a field of buttercups. I couldn't resist taking a few shots of their daughter Oriana and her yellow outfit.

Mega collision on the slide between Sammy, Lizzy, Oriana and Troy too.

Moosey the life guard.

Annie's Camera

2008-06-15T22:18:00.006-04:00

Corey and Brian cleaning out the gutters on the garage.
Troy woke up early one morning and I put him back to bed- or at least I thought I did. He must have come back down and fell asleep with Moosey on the couch- or should I say ON Moosey???
Troy in Jonesborough, Tennessee.
It's Troy and the amazing dustbuster vacuum!

I love this picture from Maine.
And this one too.

Thomas the Train!!!

2008-05-17T13:53:00.002-04:00

The Lego Thomas
Sir Topham Hat
Choo-choo!!
Sammy smiling as Thomas chugs along.
Thomas is a really useful engine!

Back in Ohio!

2008-05-17T13:51:00.000-04:00

Moosey Mae.
The boys reading a train book together.

Troy is the big 3!

2008-05-17T13:48:00.001-04:00

Presents!

Sammy loves wheels!
I made a cake from scratch- Troy loved the frosting.

Beautiful Sights

2008-05-17T13:42:00.002-04:00

River down the road from our cabin.

We got semi-lost on this backroad. It was beautiful!
Smoky Mountains
Tennessee was a beautiful state. We'll miss the scenery, but are happy to be going home!

Goodbye Tennessee!!!

2008-05-17T13:33:00.002-04:00

Troy's self portait.
The juice brothers.
Playing around at the park!

Visiting my grandparents.

2008-04-16T08:42:00.002-04:00

Grandpa playing for Troy.
Every time he stopped Troy said, "Play more song."

We had a nice visit with my grandparents in Cary, NC. I was glad we were close enough to see them and despite Tom and Sammy having colds we had a great time!

Spring has sprung!

2008-04-16T08:37:00.002-04:00

Troy's amazing photo skills.
Lawnmower man!
Spring!!
Pretty flower.
The dogwoods are blossoming... the dogwoods are blossoming!!!

Grandma's visit

2008-04-10T14:27:00.004-04:00

Sammy contained on Dad's shoulders. (Tom looks so mad because Sam just smacked him in the head- that's why Sam is laughing.)
Baby blues.
Grandma came to visit!!! (and Aunt Geri too) Unfortunately, I forgot to bring my camera along on our adventures.
Sam contained again. Are you noticing a pattern?

Troy and Sam

2008-04-10T14:21:00.003-04:00

Every time we go outside Troy goes one way and Sam runs the other.
Aren't they so cute?
We are very serious today and seriously need haircuts!
Typical Sam face.

Driving to Asheville, NC

2008-04-10T14:17:00.002-04:00

These photos are from the car as I was driving- they are not the greatest but you get the idea.
Last night's sunset.

Corn, Fuzzy and the Jedi

2008-04-07T10:05:00.003-04:00

Troy and Fuzzy.
Sammy the corn man. It kinda looks like he is trying to smoke it instead of eat it.
Sam-in-the-box.
Jedi Troy.
He's so cute and growing up so fast. He started potty training this past week. I guess he decided it was time on his own because his diapers barely fit anymore.

In other news- Tom and I celebrated our 2nd anniversary last week. Where does the time go???

Greeneville

2008-04-07T10:00:00.003-04:00

Really nice house in town with lots of Southern charm.
Beautiful view of the Smokey's
Upward view from the couch in our house.
The boys.

Watch out Tennessee- we're here!!

2008-03-13T07:42:00.001-04:00

Our backyard.
Other rental houses behind us.
Sammy the homesteader.
Our cabin. (back view)
The monkeys. (I think Sam is eating a rock)

So...we finally made it! It's about an 8 hour drive from Cleveland. The house is nice and very cabin-ish. The boys like it and we couldn't ask for better weather. At 7pm last night it was still 60 degrees!! It's supposed to be 70+ today. We are on a mission to find a playground!

Sam in Tennessee.

2008-03-13T07:38:00.000-04:00

He's so cute! (and he doesn't run when he sees the camera like Troy)

SNOW! SNOW! SNOW!

2008-03-12T21:33:00.000-04:00

Is this really a car?
It took Tom and Rich most of the day to dig my car out of this drift.

I guess this is just an example of the snow they were pounded with in Cleveland- no wonder they closed the airport!!

Layover in NYC.

2008-03-12T21:29:00.000-04:00

Our rainy view from the 17th floor.
Sunny skies.
Troy and the view.

We stayed in New York City on Saturday night because the Cleveland airport was closed due to a mega snowstorm. Troy liked watching the taxis and firetrucks going through Union Square.

Goodbye to Maine.

2008-03-12T21:20:00.000-04:00

One amazing sunrise. It almost looks upside down.

The boys watching Curious George.
Troy posing. (He never lets me take his picture anymore.)
What you see is what you get.

More of Sunday in Portland

2008-03-03T11:44:00.000-05:00

Sam eating ice.

Portland Head Light
Really nice house we found driving around.

Sunday in Portland

2008-03-03T11:37:00.000-05:00

The Victoria Mansion
Portland Head Light
Troy at the Goddard Mansion
Sam and the Goddard Mansion
Eskimo baby!!

The Beach

2008-03-03T11:10:00.000-05:00

Sammy is so cute in his hat!
Bird in the 38 degree water...brr..
Boys on the beach and in the water!
This guy is in shorts. What is he thinking?!!?

Steamy Sunrise

2008-03-03T06:54:00.000-05:00

The other morning it was so cold there was a mist rising from the ocean as the sun came up. It almost looked like there were clouds on top of the water- it was really neat!

Marching out of Maine

2008-03-03T06:49:00.000-05:00

Well, March is here and we will be leaving on Saturday for Tennessee. This past month went by so fast! We had a lot of fun in Maine and were able to see almost everything we wanted to, despite record snowfall and cold temperatures. I will miss waking up every morning to the sunrise on the ocean, but will trade it for warmer weather!