luck

I have been meaning to blog all week.
But instead, I sat out in the sun (for 6 hours today...it was that nice!), stuffed myself with caramel apples, and played with my kids. 
Mustaches:

Painting:

dawsons tidy paints

harpers untidy paints

Photo op:

And I'm not even a little sorry.

We've had a great run of luck at our house these last 2 weeks.
It all started when Dawsons last soccer game. 
He had played his little heart out all season...see?
The last game of the season, I promised him a date to the movies (with treats) if he scored a goal.
About 1/2 way through the game, I heard cheering and an excited little boy screaming to his mommy. 
However, the mommy missed actually SEEING the goal, because she was cleaning dog poop off this little naughty:

Yes, dog poop.
My life is awesome.

So I told Dawson a little tiny white lie and said I saw the goal. 
And we screamed and high-fived and jumped up and down.
I just couldn't stand to see the disappointment.

Dawson scored 2 more goals the 2nd half of the game.
Needless to say, he's improved considerably ....and was lucky enough score a goal (or 3) this season!

The second lucky thing was in Harpers soccer game, the same day.
She did not play her little heart out all season...see?
However, Dylan promised her $1 if she touched kicked the ball during the game.
With 1 minute left in the game she ran over and kicked it out of bounds. 
Hey, he just said it had to be a kick.

that's a little tiny thumbs up.

Directly after the game she went to the store and picked out a huge box of bubble gum with her $1.
Which she devoured that night.
Entirely.

Dylan was at a continuing education conference and won the grand prize:

After 3 years of long boring classes, he finally got something out of it.
Kidding.
I'm sure it's beneficial, but this was definitely the
best. year. ever.
I told him he should go buy a lottery ticket...I've never won anything in my whole life. 
Lucky guy.

And I'm the luckiest one of the bunch.  Last week was Dylans Fall break at school (5 day weekend...lucky in itself).  Thursday, I had the entire day to myself...so naturally I headed to the Goodwill Bins.  I was standing there digging (through the clothes, underwear, and debris) and low and behold this beauty walked in:

that's my sister betsy, not a trucker.

She came into town for the weekend to surprise me. 

We filled the next 4 days with massages, laughing, thrifting, and eating, eating, eating, eating. 

caramel apples and almonds...2 meals of our weekend.  delish.

Because that's what pregnant girls do...they eat.  Did I mention there will be another little babe joining our family?  And by 'our'...I mean Betsys. 
Betsy and Matt are expecting a baby in April, 2012.  We are all so excited to meet baby Peterson.
What a lucky little baby to have such wonderful, loving parents.

And speaking of wonderful loving parents, my dad was in town for a day and came visit with my uncle Jake.  The kids always love a good visit...I don't mind it either!

uncle jake, dawson, beckham, and happy.

papa, dawson, beckham, and happy...again.

It was so fun to see them and spend the day together.  I'm a lucky girl to have such a wonderful family!
Yah for good luck!  And mustaches.  And caramel apples...of course.

xo,
tracy

birthday wishes

happy happy birthday carol dear,
happy days will come to you all year,
if we had one wish, that wish would be...

dawson:
'yarn, because I know how much grandma loves yarn. and candy...her favorite candies....the chocolate that has nuts in them. and that everyone be nice to her this week. and i want to buy her a beautiful mirror.'

harper:
'a treat. and that we could send her a present. and get her a favorite treat.'

beckham:
'i swallowed my gum.'

To the best (great) grandma in the world...happy birthday!
We love you so much!

xo,
tracy and the great grandbabies

five

I don't know when this happened:

dawson, 5 days

dawson, june 2011

It seemed like it was yesterday that Dylan and I were basking on the beach in Hawaii, enjoying our honeymoon:

Just 5 weeks later we were surprised to learn I was pregnant (thank you, NuvaRing).

our little family, the day we found out i was pregnant. 
don't worry...those smiles are out of fear and denial.

I remember being shocked, scared, and worried.
Dylan was supportive, excited, and calm.

When the shock wore off and reality set in, my pregnancy was difficult. 
We were newlyweds.
I was working full time.
Oh, and I was sick all day.
Every day. 

holy huge face.

Despite the challenges, the time flew by and we soon learned we'd be welcoming a baby girl into our family.  I was elated. 3 weeks later in another ultrasound, we were again shocked to learn that our litle girl was actually a boy.  Dylan was thrilled.
A few months later I was headed to my sisters volleyball game after a long day at work.  I was having horrible 'heartburn' (aka: contractions) and texted Dylan to pick up some Tums on his way there.  As I walked into the game, I felt something warm drip down my leg...I was mortified that I'd wet my pants.  I ran waddled scurried into the bathroom and frantically called my mom.  She walked from the gym to the restroom and I confessed.  She told me it was normal for things like that to happen...I was 36 weeks pregnant after all (and 41 lbs heavier than usual...see below):

hello huge-ness.

We left the bathroom and walked into the game.  As I walked up the bleachers, I felt a gush and knew my water had broken.  I quickly sat down (mortified, again) and whispered to my mom.  She calmly walked down to my sister on the sideline and told her that I needed her clothes.
Did I mention I was wearing tan slacks? 
Do you know what happens when you dump a gallon of liquid on tan slacks?
I walked out of the game in athletic shorts, a maternity blouse, and red peep toe pumps. 
Stylish.

I felt unprepared and out of sorts.  I didn't have a bag packed, we had no name picked out, and our Lamaze class was set for the following weekend.  I begged Dylan to stop at Target so I could buy new pajamas. 
He said we needed to go to the hospital. 
I think I cried. 
I had in my mind that the birth would be orderly. 
Organized. 
Perfect.

And perfect it was. 
Dawson Leon Hatfield was born at 4:54am on October 4th.  At nearly 4 weeks early, he was a healthy 6 lb 4 oz.

3 hours old.

During my entire pregnancy I feared that once the baby was born, I would feel trapped.  That I would feel smothered and that the 18 years until adulthood would seem like an eternity.
The moment they laid him on my chest and I heard his little cry, I knew that eternity would never be long enough.

Dawson has brought joy to our lives, every moment of every day since.

He is bright, social, and kind hearted.  He loves his friends and values relationships.
He enjoys riding his bike, playing outside, doing art, and learning new things.
Dawson is quick to laugh and has an excitement for all things good.

I can't believe how quickly the time has gone.

How much he has taught me. 
And how boring life would be without him.

Happy happy birthday to my big 5 year old!
We love you.

xo,
tracy

our life

I have nothing to say.  Which never happens.
Usually I can find SOMETHING to write about...so I'll try.  Otherwise I will feel like I'm neglecting my blog and then deal with the guilt that accompanies that...since it was one of my New Years resolutions and all.  To update my blog once/week for the entire year.  And I'm happy to report that I'm at 64 posts so far this year.
I digress.

Dylans birthday was last Sunday.  He is finally the big 2-8.  Old timer. 
We had a small family party with hats, streamers, and ice cream cake.

And what's a birthday party without a talent show from the kids?

And then things got a little bit silly.
Too much giggling and ice cream cake will do that to you:

look at that tongue.  i know, right?!

And then people started to lose their minds and forget things:

like chewing with their mouth closed...

not licking their plates

and using silverware...

It was so fun to celebrate Dylan on his special day. 

this was the best one...nice beckham....it's a birthday party.
not 'boys gone wild.'

We also decorated the house for Fall.  Every year when I get out my little box of decorations, I am reminded why I love this time of year most.

pumpkin made of branches.

a huge hair spider perches on the mirror over our dining table.

painted gourds from my talented sister jen.

who's that cute baby skunk?

candy corn wreath.

my newest fall decoration...love.

And we've been outside A LOT.  Playing at the park, soccer, and climbing trees.

Trying to soak up the last few rays of sunshine. 
Which is good, since this rolled in today:

And you know how I feel about that.
Enough said.
Have a great week!

xo,
tracy