Where we've been and where to find us!

Hi everyone! 

So I have been absent from the blog for a while. And of course I almost never do anything with Facebook. For some reason Facebook just makes me feel nervous. So here is the deal; I have been trying to keep up with my Flickr uploading (with videos too now that I have my new phone! yay!) so my pics dont just get lost in space somewhere, sooo if anybody wants to see what we have been up to, check us out here: 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/andertonphotos/

Flickr however has failed me and deleted all my sets for some mysterious reason. I tried to switch to another photo sharing program but I'm having trouble finding anything I like better. Any one have any suggestions? 

I also am in love with Instagram. If anyone is on Instagram - tell me so I can follow you! Its the best. 

I'm planning on re-purposing the blog after Christmas, since I have been doing a little painting and am feeling the need to document this miracle...ha. 

So that's whats up - and now a few pics! 

 Bethany Beach after my sweet Grandma Williams funeral

 Reese and her uncle Matt (pic by Matt's wifey aunt Savanna)

Avery at the G&G's river.  Love it

Photos of the Day

 Reese Megan - 10 months

Avery Lorraine - 4 years

Missing

Forthoseofyouwhodontknow,

myspacebarbroke.

notidealforblogging.

gettinganewkeyboardtomorrow.

picsanyone?

6 Years

Six years, 2 baby girls, one dog, and 2 degrees.

For some reason the second Judd and I had children we completely stopped taking pics of the two of us together.  Ha!  I found a few good really old ones I love just for some fun.  They aren't in order.  oh well.

I seriously love my life.

 Cannon Beach, Aug. 2007 

Engagement Day, May 2005

BVI, July 2006

Afternoon Snack

Hey mom, can I have a snack?

Sure, what would you like?

Do we have any mushrooms? (This does not surprise me too much.  Avery loves mushrooms.)

No.  How about some applesauce.

Nooooo... (thinking)... Do we have broccoli?

Yep.  Do you want some?

Yes!  I would like some broccoli please.  cooked.  not raw.

OK (a little surprised - I roast some broccoli for her)

15 min. later

(eating broccoli)  Mom, this broccoli is delicious!  I just love broccoli.  Yuuummmm.

She looks at me, gives me a half smile and winks like we are both in on some awesome secret.

And she eats an entire plate.

Her play date was not amused.  I offer her applesauce.

Some Rambling Thoughts and Confessions

My sister posted this article and I think it is great.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-bloom/how-to-talk-to-little-gir_b_882510.html?ref=fb&src=sp

Here is a quote if you don't want to read the entire thing:

Teaching girls that their appearance is the first thing you notice tells them that looks are more important than anything. It sets them up for dieting at age 5 and foundation at age 11 and boob jobs at 17 and Botox at 23. As our cultural imperative for girls to be hot 24/7 has become the new normal, American women have become increasingly unhappy. What's missing? A life of meaning, a life of ideas and reading books and being valued for our thoughts and accomplishments.

It made me rethink how I talk to my girls.

Breakthrough

See that kid in the water down there?  The one completely submerged?!!  That's my kid!

We thought it might never happen.  I mean she could swim all the way across the pool while carefully keeping he head above water.  But world, a miracle has occured in our house today.  Avery will finally go under the water!

Swim team here we come!

Photo of the Day

Rainy Tuesday fuzzy phone pic. 
 

The Stuff My Kid Says

It's the beginning of The Little Mermaid.  The ship is caught in a giant storm.  Avery turns to me worriedly"

"Mom! I wish they had a Liahona!"

Avery is eating leftover pasta for lunch.

Examining a red pepper:

A: Mom, these peppers are really sweet.

M: Yep, they are.

A: The pepper really enhances the flavor of the pasta.  (big sigh) This is the best lunch I never had.

We are sitting in the Drs office.  I notice our hair is up the same way.

M: Avery, you look like me today.

A: Really!  Is my hair brown!

M: No, just up the same.

A: Darn...When I grow up like you Mom, I will be able to cut vegetables with a sharp knife, and drive a mini van.

Because my best job is cutting veggies with a sharp knife.  And don't forget the mini van. Ha!

It's father's day and Avery is standing at the front of the Chapel ready to sing songs to Dad.  The first song begins and she realizes she doesn't know it very well.  She stands there very distraught.  The second song begins and to her delight, she knows this one.  Somehow there is a little stool right in front of her - she steps up on it and announces loudly to the congregation:

"DAD!  I know this one!  I'm going to sing it to you!!"

And she sings as loud as she can.  So stinken cute.

Avery walks in the kitchen to say hi:

J: I love you Avery.

A: Well, I DOUBLE love you dad!

Swimming Lessons

She Swims

 She Floats

 She Jumps

She Treads Water

 

 

And this one is doing a little bubble blowing too.

 I'm a proud momma.

Love my Girls

And Lucy too.

Nature Love

Oak Mountain state park last Sat.  Love it.

Summer Love

I am completely excited about summer.  I am usually more of a spring/fall girl, but after spending last summer inside hugging a toilet all day and the summer before that worrying incessantly about Avery's new skin post burn, I am seriously ready for some summer fun.  I have a really good feeling about this year!

Here are some celebratory pics of our recent trip to Fort Morgan.  Best beach trip ever.  

And He Did It!

Ok world - It happened, Judd just graduated from law school.  He took a job with this firm: Balch and Bingham - and we are completely excited.  He is now officially a lawyer.

And as it turns out, his office is really cool.  It was designed by Dungan Nequette, who I think is a pretty amazing architect.  I just love a nice clean light filled interior.