A Freezing Fall Day at Centennial Park

The girls have been begging for one more day at the park. I finally gave in. We froze our buns, but it was worth it. They keep me young and I'm grateful for that.

Our Last Fall Playdays

Avery and Paige would spend every single day at the park or our swingset if they could. They ask me everyday, even in the winter, if we can go.

Family Time

Doing the man thing.


Too many sweets.



Eating sand or a tootsie roll, or maybe both.




Castles in the sand.

WinE TaSTing

My best pal, Lisa. And Heather, is she gonna fall over?!



Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!



Shake Your Groove Thing.



One of my Besties!



Amber, Jen, Heather & Christine...what a great night!

Girls Night Out

Yay! Deb is getting married. Only a few more days, I just cannot wait. We did a little celebrating, but nothing too crazy.

My Devil Child

Paige was the sweetest little baby girl in the world. I couldn't believe how lucky we were. Anyone who knows Rudy and I well, know what ornery little shits we can be. Well, I think we're finally being paid back. Hopefully this is just the "Terrible Twos" and she'll get over it. If not, it's going to be an interesting life. Today my little treasure decided to pour and entire bottle of water on my camera. Maybe she was still pissed because I wouldn't give her some coffee this morning. Whatever the reason, I'll be shopping for a new camera on pay day.

The Higgins

It was so nice to have the whole family together again, minus a couple of spouses. We were able to spend a little time together despite my work schedule. Growing up with 7 kids in the house seemed like a whole lot of people. And not quite enough room. But now that we are older, I'm so glad I have 6 siblings.

It's Hard to Play Dress Up

Our favorite Aunt Mindy made some adorable tutus for the girls. Normally they love to dress up, but today was a little rough for Paige.

Cherry Springs

It's that time of year again. We love spending our afternoons at Cherry Springs. It's so pretty and peaceful. It's the one place that the girls don't fight. Avery loves to "go first" and show me every flower she sees. I'm still trying to teach her that we don't pick wildflowers, I think she's starting to get it. Paige is just Paige. Pretty happy to just "be." This picture doesn't reflect that...I guess I should have just let her "be."

Happy Birthday Rudy!

For months, Rudy has been begging me to dye my hair. "Just mix it up a little bit. " I'm not one to disappoint so for Rudy's bday, he got a "new wife." Men are silly and simple; but that makes our life easier, right?

Rock 'n Roll Girls

Avery and Paige share our love for music. While driving around town with mommy, we listen to best of Fisher Price, a Truck Full of Tunes, KLove...you know, the kid friendly type. But when daddy is in charge the girls get a healthy dose of KBear, Korn, Marilyn Manson...you know, the kind of music that would make our parents cringe. But the girls love it all...here they are rockin' out at the Battle of the Bands.

Mommy Turns the Big 32!

When you're little, you just can't imagine being old. Each year that passes...I can't believe the number. Not that 32 is a death sentence, but what happened to my 20's? Time flies! So to focus on the positive...I need some goals to accomplish before I'm 33....

1. Smile more.

2. Call my sisters and sister-in-laws more.

3. Show my love and appreciation openly (Loretta will teach me).

4. Relax, relax, relax...oh, I'm getting tense. Breathe, relax...that's better.

5. Backpack through Glacier.

6. Get better at rock climbing.

7. Start running again.

8. Attempt mountain biking again.

9. Start Avery and Paige's baby scrapbooks.

10. Take a dance class.

Hmmm...that should do for now. If I could just work less...

Paige is oh so BRAVE!

Paige is our sliding QuEEn. She is much more brave than her older sister. Paige is like Rudy, Avery is like Jill...I guess we're balanced at least. Paige can't get enough of the slides. She pushes the older kids right out of her way if they even begin to hesitate.

Oh Mommy, My Daddy is so much FUN!

Rudy isn't the type to just sit around the house. That makes for the perfect daddy! Avery loves the outdoors, I think as much as her pops. Her new hobby is going fishing. She thought it was going to be so exciting but soon found out that there's some patience involved. For some reason she just didn't inherit that trait (who knows why). So daddy took her 3 different places over the weekend so she would be sure to catch a fish. She loves to eat fish too. It makes me laugh that Avery can be such a girly girl with her dress up clothes, makeup and nail polish. Then the next minute she's ready to go on an outdoor adventure.

Avery Turns 4!

My firstborn just turned 4. It's crazy how time flies. Hmmm...what does Avery love at 4?

1. Anything pink.

2. Playing her flute and singing beautiful songs.

3. Going to preschool.

4. Always going first; this can be a struggle at our house.

5. Playing dress-up.

6. Planting flowers, vegetables in the garden, and anything else she can get her hands on.

7. Being mommy's girl.

8. Kitties.

9. Wearing a dress everyday...we need to go shopping.

10. Riding her bike.

Winter Fun

Rudy and I went to Catamount Yurt in January. It was so much fun. He is definitely the guy you want to have with you when you venture outdoors. It was beautiful and the weather was perfect.

Look Aunt Mindy - Paige Really Does Have Hair

I've been waiting forever for Paige to have enough hair for me to do something with it. She has just enough for some little pigtails - or "bunnies" as Avery calls them.

A Whole New Life...

It's difficult to explain how things go from there to here. But here is a difficult place to be. Am I doing what's right for my kids? Am I doing what's right for me? Will I regret all of this a year from now or will I have made the right decision? Who knows, but all I do know is.....divorce sucks!