Could It Really Be...3

Where oh, where does the time go? While I was immersed in diapers, naps, feeding, changing, playing, crying, time-outs, preschool, swim lessons, art projects, hugs, kisses, messes, band-aids, fruit snacks, laundry and sleeplessness, Harper decided to turn three. The last three years have been a wild ride. Harper has turned from a darling baby (or screaming Banshee as we lovingly called her) to a sweet little girl.

She has a big personality that makes me smile. I dare say that almost nothing is going to get into this little girl's way. I should have know when before she really could walk I found her sitting on top of her dresser that it was going to be a big adventure. And now that she has given up the binkie, diapers and has a big girl bed there is no stopping her. She has a smile that will light up a room and a "look" that will stop you in your tracks. She loves to play dress-up and be with her big brother. Happy Birthday Harper Marie!

Don't Just Stand There...

While we were waiting to Brad to come to the Finish Line of his recent Triathlon, Finn decided to bust out some moves. I'm sure this post will fall under the category of reason he will want to kill me later, but I just can't help myself. I thought his moves were too irresistible not to post.

All The Trimmings

After watching Finn get haircut after haircut, Harper decided it was her turn. I was a little hesitant as she has never even had a little trim, but there was no stopping her. She was so excited and didn't even notice when I almost choked up as I told the stylist at least five times, "only a trim please." We both made it through with no major scarring or hair loss, so we might do it again sometime.

Fourbulous!

Has it really been four years? It seems like 45...just joking. The time has gone by so quickly and there are too many memories and milestones to mention. Finn has grown into a sweet, funny little boy. I love talking with him, because kids really do say the darndest things! One of my recent favorites was when he asked me if I knew the difference between "good guys" and "bad guys." I started to answer when he interjected, "they wear different shirts."(That is more true that one might think.) It is really fun to watch him explore the world and express his conclusions. It hasn't always been easy, but it's been a great four-year ride and we are all going to hold on for the next four. Happy Birthday Finn!

It's a Hard Drive Life

Well, they say you can't put a price on memories. That might be true, but you sure can put a price on recovering them from a crashed hard drive. Shortly after Christmas my hard drive went south for the winter along with all of our family photos and a few other important documents, records, etc. Thankfully we were able to recover most things and now I can finally slap up a few photos.

It's a winter wonderland

Zoo Lights and Churros - a winning combination!










Santa...










Once there was a Snowman, Snowman, Snowman...

What'er Ya Gonna Do - Two

When it came time to take Harper's two-year photo, there was no way she was going to let go of her snuggly or blanky and she was not going to take off the fairy wings. So what'er ya gonna do, but take the picture anyway. What a wild two years it has been. What was once a screaming little bundle of joy has now turned into a little charmer. Harper has a caring personality. If you cough she will quickly pat your back and ask if you are o.k. and if you sneeze she's the first to say bless you. (Even strangers at the grocery store get a bless you.) We're so happy to have had these two years with Ms. Harper and we are looking forward to many more.

Good vs. Evil

For the first time in a very long time, the whole family dressed up for Halloween. The theme was Good vs. Evil with a Superhero twist. Finn as Batman, Harper as Super Girl, Brad was The Riddler and I was Poison Ivy. We had a great time and of course the good guys won.

Knives and Other Sharp Objects

Pumpkin Carving. It's great family activity, large knives, goop filled gourds and fire. What more do you need?

Pumpkin Patching

We came. We saw. We picked some pumpkins. There was a hay ride and a corn maze. We made some memories to last a lifetime. And it's a good thing because our pumpkins were stolen off our porch and smashed into the neighbor's mailbox. All that remains from our triumphant pumpkin pick are these pictures and a few loose stocks of hay still stuck to the bottom of our shoes. But never fear, Smith's Market Place is here and they sell pumpkins too.

C is for Cookie

Four little Cookie Monsters sitting in a row.

The Ladybug Haiku

Ladybug in a bag

Black, red, spotted and so sweet

My little ladybug

Put Me in Coach!

I am a fan of trying new things and I think it's important for kids to get experience doing new things. So when I noticed Finn really enjoyed kicking the soccer ball in the back yard, I thought, "what a great idea. He'll love it." Well...I was wrong.

Finn apparently loves playing soccer everywhere except on the field during the games. Then he hates it. Pregame at home he would kick the ball run around and then we would start getting the soccer gear. That would start the change and by the time we got to the game we were using bribes, threats, trickery. Anything to get him to go in. It worked a couple of times.

The funny thing is that somewhere mid-season, when we would play soccer at home. He changed from player to coach. He would pull a chair up and tell Brad or myself where, when, how to kick the ball in to the goal. He even had Harper running drills. No wonder all of our efforts to get him into the game failed miserably. The Coach doesn't play. After all he's the Coach.

Farewell Good Friend

As our good friend summer comes to a close we would like to say a sincere goodbye. We will remember you fondly as the snow starts to fall and we have to bundle up in 18 layers of clothing, hats and gloves in order to go outside. Before you go, here are some of our favorite moments together. Come back soon...we will miss you.

Day One for Two

Sharpen your pencils teachers, The Rutledge Kids are in the house! Finn and Harper started preschool last week and luckily I've been studying up all summer on how to take a fast photo, because we only have one shot (if that) to get both kids smiling at the same time. (Exactly two seconds after this photo was taken a complete melt-down ensued.)

When I dropped them off and got into the car I definitely felt like something was missing. The car was so quite I could actually understand what was being said on NPR. Now I just need to figure out what to do now that we have twice as many art projects coming home. I'm thinking it might be time for a storage unit.

Drive, Bike, Swim, Run, Drive

This summer Brad and I completed our first Olympic Triathlon, which was an accomplishment. But the real amazing feat was taking our kids on a week long road trip from SLC to the Oregon Coast and back via Boise, Bend, Yachats,Portland, Boise, Sun Valley and Pocatello. I can safely say that through it all we had fun and live to tell the tale.