the BenLand blog

another year over.......

2011-12-31T19:41:00.003-05:00

Wait a minute....I thought it was October?!???

2011-10-30T13:39:00.003-04:00

NEPA got hit with a couple inches of snow yesterday......Lord I hope it melts fast.........I am not ready for this yet!!!!

august

2011-08-14T20:15:00.002-04:00

Rehoboth Beach - July 2011

2011-07-29T18:59:00.002-04:00

Just for you Uncle John :)

2011-06-25T17:58:00.004-04:00

spring??? is that you?

2011-03-18T19:10:00.000-04:00

so that's what the sun feels like?!??

2011-02-18T15:44:00.002-05:00

it's been so long!!!

2011-01-04T18:46:00.004-05:00

Trying to take more pics so I'm attempting a "365 blog"........check it out here (thanks for the link help Lisa!!!)

Christmas Show 2010

2010-12-24T14:46:00.005-05:00

Ben had his Christmas Show at daycare last night. It was nice. The kids served the parents dinner and then there was a musical performance. Ben's job was to work the lights........there were literally 4 power strips taped to a table and he had to turn them off and on.....he loved it!!!

(Think his shirt is long enough???!!!)

tree shopping..

2010-12-18T09:51:00.002-05:00

tick, tock....

2010-12-10T19:35:00.004-05:00

i can't believe it's almost Christmas?!??!

halloween parade

2010-10-29T19:52:00.003-04:00

2010-10-26T19:50:00.003-04:00

that's our ben :)

2010-10-12T19:46:00.000-04:00

2010-09-18T19:41:00.000-04:00

2010-09-11T19:36:00.001-04:00

let's party!!!

2010-09-06T09:36:00.003-04:00

Yesterday we had Landon's birthday party at my in-laws house.....the kids had a blast!!!

1st day of 1st grade...

2010-09-01T14:06:00.003-04:00

My Baby Is Three!!!!

2010-09-01T14:03:00.001-04:00

Where does the time go????

ben's 1st soccer game!!!

2010-08-21T19:16:00.000-04:00

WE WON!!!

2010-08-19T19:12:00.003-04:00

One of the coolest things we did in Italy was visit St. Peter's Cathedral.....seeing Michaelangelo's Pieta was so surreal.....

2010-08-13T20:12:00.000-04:00

Photo Shoot...

2010-08-12T18:56:00.002-04:00

I took Landon to get pictures taken for his 3rd B-day......we got a few of Ben too........the prints look much better than these scans...I love them!

what the heck is growing on our tree??!!!

2010-08-09T20:07:00.003-04:00

2010-08-07T17:22:00.000-04:00

nick & eli enjoying the pool :)

greatest dad EVER!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-08-04T17:56:00.002-04:00

missing you today and everyday....

happy birthday pop :)

fan boy & chum chum.....

2010-08-03T19:17:00.001-04:00

a.k.a. ben & landon

ben's artwork

2010-08-02T19:21:00.002-04:00

my husband had gall bladder surgery a few weeks ago and my 6yr old was so obsessed with it! when i picked him up from daycare, he showed me the picture he made for his dad.....i about died....hahaha....what a kid :)

ben had to have that alien.....

2010-08-01T18:34:00.001-04:00

another year goes by.....

2010-07-31T16:20:00.004-04:00

and our hearts still ache

7.29.10

2010-07-29T20:28:00.005-04:00

7.28.10

2010-07-28T20:02:00.003-04:00

motley crew

2010-07-27T20:56:00.002-04:00

nick - aj - ben - landon

7.22.10

Mike does Italy.....

2010-07-09T21:00:00.009-04:00

when i went to italy last month, i tucked one of ben's toys in my bag with the intentions of sending photos back home while i was away...thought the boys would enjoy it.....they did...ben really got a kick out of seeing mike touring italy with his mom :)

mike was an excellent travel companion too!!!

enjoying some ravioli in monterosso.....

st. peter's square...
relaxing on the spanish steps...
at the colosseum....
loungin' on the beach in monterosso
there he is at the leaning tower....
checking out the roman forum...
piazza navona....one of his favorite spots...
he even stopped by the pantheon!!

to italy and back....

2010-06-29T19:46:00.003-04:00

I was lucky enough to spend the past two weeks in Italy on a study abroad program with 3 other students and it was amazing. It was an Art class so Italy was the perfect place to go to learn & make art. I had a great time even though I missed my boys terribly. The first week wasn't bad because I was able to Skype with them every night but, then we moved to another area of Italy and the place we stayed did not have internet access. That was hard. I missed them so much!!!

But, I made it through and now I'm home and loving every second with them :)

backyard-baseball-& hives?

2010-05-09T16:12:00.003-04:00

this spring has been a little crazy...my husband and i were asked to coach ben's t-ball team which we reluctantly agreed to.......it's been fun....but kind of hard too......turns out, 5 yr old boys have very short attention spans and a ton of energy...who knew??

here's where ben spent the entire game last saturday....taking pictures in the dugout....he's my boy alright :)

goofing around in the backyard...

landon was breaking out in hives for three days straight....as soon as the benedryl wore off, they'd come right back....i took him to an allergist on wednesday....she thinks it could be the motrin but, i'm not convinced.....he's been doing well the past few days....
he even had some on his cute little face...

happy birthday benny boy....

2010-04-22T18:36:00.003-04:00

you make me smile :)

sunshine,fun,and artwork....in no particular order...

2010-04-01T19:47:00.004-04:00

no more snow....pleeeezzzzeee!!!

2010-02-28T16:05:00.002-05:00

i really can't take anymore!

of course the boys are loving it :)

snow & reptiles

2010-02-11T16:56:00.003-05:00

sweet tuesday.....

2010-01-30T18:36:00.003-05:00

thinking of little tuesday whitt and her family today...and everyday ...

http://www.thewhitts.com/half12/2010/01/365.html

peace.

happy birthday little angel....

2010-01-27T10:26:00.003-05:00

we sure do miss you......

welcome to the world.....

2010-01-20T09:19:00.005-05:00

we welcomed a new member to our family yesterday.....little nathan james weighed in at a whoopin' 7 lbs 12 oz and was 20 inches long.....he's healthy and beautiful and we're over the moon.....

2010 - let's hope it's a good one....

2010-01-09T14:48:00.001-05:00

we wish you a merry christmas.....

2009-12-27T16:14:00.002-05:00

and a healthy and happy new year!

2010 HERE WE COME!!!!

45 life lessons....

2009-12-21T14:56:00.004-05:00

someone forwarded me an email with the following list of 45 life lessons....
and i loved it......
thought i'd share...

Written By: Regina Brett , 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written."
My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, and wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, and then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

how cool is that?!!!

merry christmas!!!!!!!
-colleen

turkey leg 2009

2009-11-28T18:26:00.005-05:00

all ben wanted was a turkey leg and some corn......so that's what he got....and he was thankful :)

big news at hanover green kindergarten this week........ben c. was STAR STUDENT OF THE WEEK!!! can i get a "woo hoo"!!!

we're super proud of our boy....

The Green Skeleton & Monkey Boy

2009-11-11T09:33:00.004-05:00

we had a great time this halloween......it's ben's favorite day of the year!
he's been telling me since july that he wanted to be a "green" skeleton.....thank God we found a costume!!!

i think the monkey costume fit landon perfectly!!! he had a lot of fun too :)

they're such cool kids....i wish i didn't have to work so i could hang out with them all day :(

oh yeah...Happy Veteran's Day!!!

-peace out

my mom.....

2009-10-31T16:25:00.003-04:00

i miss her.....today marks a year that she left....it sounds weird to say "it was a blessing" but, she was suffering.....she fought a good fight....she just couldn't fight anymore....it was so hard to see her go.....she was the glue that kept us all connected........now things are different.....she meant so much to all of us.....how she raised 8 kids and kept her sanity is nothing short of a miracle :)

i just wish she were here for the kids.....ben remembers....as much as a 5 yr old can.........landon won't remember.....and that breaks my heart......

i really can't believe we made it this far.....

love you mom...

Field Trip!!!

2009-10-23T11:44:00.005-04:00

yesterday was ben's 1st kindergarten class field trip to miller's orchard in clarks summit, pa... i was lucky enough to chaperon.......i love his class......such a fun group of kids.....they all had so much fun.....and the weather could not have been better.....70 degrees...blue skies.....pumpkins......sliding boards....apple cider.....who could ask for more??? it was great to see ben having fun with all the other kids....i always worried that he was shy....well.....he's not.....hahaha.......he has lots of buddies and i couldn't be happier :)

and....just because i love this time of year .......

...

happy fall!!!

Top Gun....

2009-10-06T12:18:00.003-04:00

i've been a little out of "blog world" lately........i started taking a few classes at a local college (kind of local....takes me about an hour to get there).....anyway, it's been a lot of work but it's something i really need to do....i've always regretted not finishing college sooooo.....why not go back at 35??!!!! hahaha.......i love it.....i definitely appreciate it more.....when i was 18, i could care less about school...i just wanted to get a car of my own and hang out with my friends.....so...i got a car.....then i realized that i needed to work to pay for that car.......and before you know it....i quit school and started working full-time.......big mistake but....you live, you learn.....

here are a few shots of the boys.....landon is finally talking up a storm!!!!

landon, doing his tom cruise impersonation......

and that's ben doing his best david beckham impersonation.....hahaha...

peace...

September is Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month

2009-09-13T14:46:00.001-04:00

September is Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month.

If you don't know what you can do to help, you can always grab a bite to eat at Chili's (Chili's one of my personal favorites).

Now through September 30, Chili’s® Grill & Bar restaurants around the country will observe National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month by inviting guests to support the mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital during the sixth annual Create-A-Pepper to Fight Childhood Cancer campaign. And when you eat at Chili's on September 28, 100 percent of profits from participating restaurant sales will be donated to St. Jude. THAT'S HUGE!!!!!

Here are a few facts I borrowed from Sharlene (thanks again !!!!):

- Childhood cancers are the #1 disease killer of our children, more than asthma, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, and pediatric AIDS combined.

-One in every 330 children will develop cancer before the age of 19.

- One out of every five children diagnosed with cancer dies.

- Three out of every five children diagnosed with cancer suffer from long-term or late onset side effects

- Cancer in childhood occurs regularly, randomly, and spares no ethnic group, socioeconomic class, or geographic region.

- On the average, 12,500 children and adolescents in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer each year.

- In the US about 46 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer every single school day.
- 2,300 children and teenagers will die each year from cancer

- Less than 3% of all cancer funding is directed at the twelve major types of childhood cancer.

- Wear gold, spread the word and show them you care

- Together you can help to find a cure TODAY

If that's not enough to motivate you to help, there's always Tuesday Whitt and her incredible family. She is the reason I think about Pediatric Cancer........her story will change your life......for the better.......I promise :)

~Colleen

http://www.chilis.com/ourcommitment/default.asp

SOOC = Straight Off Of Camera

2009-09-12T09:28:00.005-04:00

Ben was sooo happy to start school....until we got to his classroom ...:(
Head on over to Melody's @ Slurping Life to see everyone's SOOC pictures this week :)

SOOC - Back to School....

2009-09-05T08:53:00.003-04:00

ben had his 1st day of kindergarten on wednesday.....he was excited....until he got to his classroom....then there were some tears.....(from both of us)........he was fine and couldn't wait to get there on thursday......thank God!!!

landon was excited as well.......everything ben did that morning, landon was right next to him doing the same thing.....putting his shoes on...getting his hair brushed....putting his backpack on.....it was cute.....

i'm so glad i snapped this picture of them walking to school........landon was skipping right behind his big bro.....hahaha

head over to melody's for more great SOOC shots: SlurpingLife

SOOC - Happy Birthday Baby Boy

2009-08-30T14:26:00.003-04:00

how can he be 2 already???!!! it seems like he was just born!
he's my little goofball.....he's sweet.....he easy going....he's my baby...and i love him more each day :)

get over to melody's and check out all the entries for SOOC this week....

SOOC

2009-08-22T16:13:00.003-04:00

here's my Straight off the Camera entry for this week over at SlurpingLife .....it's my big guy, ben.....standing by a HUGE snake!!!!! he was so proud of himself.....he still tells everyone he meets that he got to pet a big snake.....and an alligator.......and a crocodile.......he's very fond of reptiles.....figures.......i love animals too.....but....i definitely prefer the ones with fur!!!!

have fun checking out all the entries this week!!! i know i will :)

~colleen

SOOC - where's the pool ?!!

2009-08-15T16:33:00.003-04:00

wow...it's been so long since i've been able to submit a photo for SOOC (Straight off of camera)...i'm so excited!

this is my baby boy....letting me know that he's ready to go swimming.....he's such a funny little guy :)

can't wait to check out all the other photos!!! it's been so long!

check 'em out here: SlurpingLife

here's to you Pop.....

2009-08-07T21:35:00.005-04:00

my dad would have tuned 76 this year.....on august 4th to be exact.......we lost him 5 years ago on father's day.....another casualty of cancer........he was a character....the kind of guy that never met a stranger (if you know what i mean).....just an all around great guy and we miss him :(

July 31, 2007......

2009-07-30T18:55:00.005-04:00

7/31/07....it seems like just yesterday......i'll never understand why she had to go.......i guess it's something i'll never know.......
i miss her.......

Emily Joan

1/27/07 - 7/31/07

another fun day ....

2009-07-14T11:28:00.004-04:00

well....it didn't start out that fun.....landon recently starting getting a little car sick anytime we drive further than 10 miles away.....so, this was the really pretty spot [in the middle of nowhere] that we stopped to clean him up.....good thing i had extra clothes this time....

ben was nice enough to skip his "big boy" rides and sit w/landon on the boats [one of two rides landon will go on.....]

here's the other ride he liked....a little train ride that lasts about a minute..don't they look thrilled??!! yipee!!

the boys posing w/the giant ear of corn outside of the "international cafe"....don't quite get the connection between a big corn guy and international amusement park food ??!!

aside from a little downpour of rain, we had a good time.......as usual :)

~colleen

lazy days.........oh how i love them :)

2009-07-05T17:01:00.002-04:00

just hangin' out....

eatin' some bubbles.....

doin' a little swimmin'....

playin' with fire.....

good times....

who needs a toilet.....

2009-06-28T19:26:00.002-04:00

playing in the yard......company was over.......and ben decides to drop 'em and take care of business right there on the tree......no shame........
[naturally, i needed to catch a picture before yelling at him...hahaha]

i love that kid....he keeps life interesting ;)

~colleen

please post a comment...it's for such a good cause...

2009-06-21T21:32:00.004-04:00

can you take a few minutes to read a post and help Rachel & her family over at OnceUponAMiracle? it doesn't cost a thing....just post a comment and a donation will be made to a great cause, SufficientGraceMinistries...and i know your help will be sooo appreciated.....

your good people....

thanks,
colleen :)

where is summer ?!!??

2009-06-20T08:52:00.005-04:00

we need some warm, dry weather here in northeast PA........we've had this darn pool open for 2 weeks and still haven't had a decent day to swim!!! oh well....i know other parts of the country are having horrible weather so i guess i shouldn't complain.....sorry :(

landon doesn't seem to care that he's not "in" the pool.....

enjoy your summer !!!

~Colleen

me? kreativ blogger???? i think there's been a mistake ?!!

2009-06-16T18:11:00.007-04:00

wow.....thanks for nominating me MomIn! i'm honored.....seriously...

so, i have to list the rules........
here we go :

(1) Thank the person who nominated you for this award. [thank you thank you thank you MomIN]
(2) Copy the logo and place it on your blog....[hope i got this right...i can never get those buttons to appear in my posts?!!]
(3) Link to the person who nominated you for this award. [MomIN]
(4) Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting.
(5) Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers.
(6) Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.
(7) Leave a comment on each of the blogs, letting them know they have been nominated. [not sure i know 7 other bloggers to nominate...but i'll give it a shot!]

ok.....so.....now on to my 7 "interesting things".......well....i don't know if they're interesting or just weird??? you be the judge:

(1). i've always known that i would have boys.....
(2). i don't let myself worry....it's unhealthy and i like living in my little stress-free world.
(3). i love gadgets.....computers, tvs, cellphones,.....kind of a nerd that way.
(4). i'm a borderline germaphobe....these 2 boys are helping me let go of my fear of germs though...they will touch ANYTHING!!!
(5). this list is making me realize that i'm quite boring....i need some excitement in my life!!!
(6). i'm super skeptical of psychics.....my friends at work love them....i think they're great scam artists.....(no offense to any psychics out there)
(7). lastly, i can't cook to save my life.......i can pour milk on cereal and boil water.....i swear....i did not get that domestic gene........my mom was an awesome cook.......not me....i'm pathetic

that was kind of fun........now i'd like to nominate a few people that i've been following for a while and happen to think are pretty amazing........

(1.) Rachael at LittleBitesofHeaven (she so busy so i won't be offended if she can't participate...love her blog...she's an awesome photographer)
(2.) Tressa at AmericaninNorway (i recently started following her and i think she's the coolest)
(3.) Rachel at OnceUponAMiracle (she has a great blog over there....love it)
(4.) Mary Elizabeth at thisisme (great photos....very creative)
(5). Carrie J at AMonkey&AMagpie (beautiful pics...always)

i think i failed....i only have 5 to nominate....if i could nominate MomIN again, i would......she's cool....

and i can't get that darn button in my post?!!!! what am i doing wrong?!!

have a great day !!

~colleen

VERY Random Shots......

2009-06-13T16:46:00.002-04:00

it's saturday and i was really hoping to post a picture for SOOC (Straight Off Our Cameras) over at SlurpingLife .....but, for some reason, i haven't been able to get on her page when she's got Mr.Linky going........it's only been the past 2 weeks but i'm soooo frustrated!!! oh well.......life goes on....

so here are a couple random shots from the past few days.......and i mean RANDOM...haha

a little weed growing in our driveway....[i just realized....i photograph weeds alot!!! there's never a shortage of them around here........heehee]

a rose from my pathetic little rose bush.......

ben playing on the train at Knoebel's Amusement Park yesterday.....

ben again, riding the frog hop.......he would have been on this ride all day if we didn't force him to get off.......landon, on the other hand, hated all the rides.....oh well.......looks like ben will be our little daredevil.........he is not afraid of any of the rides.....well, except the haunted house.......he didn't like that one too much........fine with me........i hate it too :)

here's our little scardy cat waiting for daddy to pull him back to our car at the end of the day....

hope everyone is having a great summer......i know we are :)

I ♥ Faces - week 21

2009-06-01T17:52:00.003-04:00

here is my entry for this week's birthday contest over at iheartfaces .....my son, ben, on his 5th birthday this past april.......i love this picture.......it always brings a smile to my face........and i'm so glad i snapped of shot of those glasses because once my little guy, landon, saw them, he had to have them and well.....let's just say.....they lasted about 2 minutes in landon's hands.........little booger......

be sure to check out all the other entries over at iheartfaces.......you'll definitely be impressed by all the talented photographers out there!!! i know i always am :)

SOOC - #9

2009-05-30T17:20:00.004-04:00

been playing around with the macro setting on my camera lately.....seems like the only thing that i can get a good "macro" shot of, are flowers...(i did get a pretty cool picture of ants eating a caterpillar but i'm not sure anyone would appreciate that shot as much as my son does...haha )

what else do you use your macro setting for???? i need ideas!!!

anyway, this is a blossom on our little strawberry plant.....unfortunately something ate most of these blossoms and all the strawberries off the plant so i'm glad i took this when i did........

2009-05-25T20:12:00.006-04:00

my mom used to say : "if you had to plant them, then everyone would want them.......but, since they just grow, nobody wants them".....i happen to love them :)

be sure to watch the beautiful tribute to little Tuesday Whitt here (top right sidebar...grab some tissues)

SOOC #8 - My Little Terror

2009-05-23T08:55:00.004-04:00

WOW! i can't believe i actually got 3 shots of Landon and only one has a small amount of "blur".....what a day!!!

[in case you're wondering, it was a blue ring pop..hahaha]

have a great weekend!!!

~Colleen

Photo Contest - I Heart Faces

2009-05-19T11:18:00.004-04:00

I really love checking out the weekly contests on the Iheartfaces blog. People are soooo talented!!

Anyway, I've always wanted to enter but was never that confident. But, I'm going to take a chance and enter the shot below of my boy Ben. I like the picture and hope other people do too.

So, here goes nothin' (I hope I did everything right) :
"I am submitting this photo into the http://www.iheartfaces.com/ Blurb Book photo contest. I am granting I ♥ Faces permission to use my photo in a printed version of a book for commercial use and possibly advertising of a photo book on both the Blurb and I ♥ Faces web sites."

SOOC #7 - BenLand

2009-05-16T08:30:00.005-04:00

i was struggling to find a picture to submit this week.......i feel like i'm always posting shots of my 5 yr old son, Ben..........i guess it's because he understands what "sit still" means......

Landon, on the other hand, can't quite comprehend the word "still".........

oh well.......boys will be boys........

see ya next week!!!

Superman

2009-05-12T21:46:00.003-04:00

"mom, i told you i can fly"

SOOC - Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-09T14:55:00.003-04:00

i don't know about you, but i can't get enough of my little guys artwork.......my refrigerator is always covered in it.......love these new mother's day pics he made me.....

SOOC #6

2009-05-02T19:15:00.003-04:00

i love the cemetery where my parents and niece are buried....it's such a beautiful place.......

these trees line the road that leads to their graves......it always feels so calm here......

(is it weird that i had my camera at the cemetery???)

SOOC #5 - Give me the cake....

2009-04-25T17:42:00.004-04:00

ok, so this one came out a little grainy looking to me but, i just love his expression.....

can't wait to check out everyone's entries this week!!!

2009-04-22T16:15:00.003-04:00

I can't believe it's been 5 years .......

Play Ball !!!!

2009-04-20T21:27:00.005-04:00

Opening day for Ben's T-ball team was Saturday......what a great day!

Here's his first at bat.....he takes this sport very seriously.....

look at that stance.......this kid knows what he's doing.....

oops.......oh well.....it was a heck of a swing boy.....
fun, fun, fun.....

SOOC #4 - Opening Day

2009-04-18T15:36:00.004-04:00

Ben had his very 1st T-ball game this morning.....it was sooo much fun!

I had to get a shot of the boys fooling around on the bench.....they really can not sit still for more than 5 seconds.......seriously..........I timed them.........

The Peep Incident....

2009-04-15T13:49:00.002-04:00

Remind me to not leave candy laying around........I really should know better by now......he puts EVERYTHING in his hair!!!!

SOOC - #3

2009-04-11T08:46:00.003-04:00

This was my first Mother's day gift from my husband & oldest son, Ben........ it's a flowering crab apple tree and Ben painted the birdhouse for me last year......i love taking daily pictures of it this time of year......to watch the blossoms bloom......too bad they only seem to hang around for a week or so......one strong wind and they're gone.

2009-04-07T14:43:00.001-04:00

I've been really consumed with grief lately. Most of my hurt is for people I've never even met. The world of blogging has been both a blessing and a curse to me. I love reading about other Moms and their thoughts about being Moms but so often lately, I'm drawn to Moms that are dealing with things I pray no one I love ever has to deal with again. It's sad and so cruel that children die.
My heart goes out to all the families suffering.
Praying.

Huh???

2009-04-05T18:41:00.004-04:00

why???? why does he insist on squeezing himself into containers/toy boxes/garbage cans/etc..????!!!!! is he trying to make me lose my mind???!!!

SOOC - My Second Attempt

2009-04-04T14:28:00.006-04:00

I had a heck of a time getting a good shot this week...... I'm terrible with a flash (you won't see many indoor pics from me) and we only had one really nice day here in northeast PA so I was out of luck.

But, enough excuses.......here's my entry for the week......that's Ben.......my almost 5 year old son......he was not the most cooperative subject (another excuse...sorry)..... I kind of like the way this profile shot turned out.......can't wait to check out what everyone else shot this week!!!!

****ummm........I didn't realize there was a theme for the week????? Let's just say that this shot "intoxicates my heart"...ok?

SOOC - Here we go!!!

2009-03-28T18:13:00.008-04:00

[my firstborn, chubs.......he'll always be my biggest baby :o) ]

i'm really excited to be a part of SOOC...anyone who knows me knows that i LOOOVVEE to take pictures!! i'm really hoping that i can learn something from you all so please feel free to critique me.......and don't hold back.....i want to know what you really think!

thanks!
~colleen

Binky, Binky, Binky...

2009-03-26T21:48:00.005-04:00

When will Landon decide he's had enough of that darn binky??!!! He likes to carry 2 of them around and switch from one to the other.

It's so hard to get a picture of him without it!!!

He's such a little stinker :o)

Waiting....

2009-03-22T20:41:00.003-04:00

Uncle John.........where are you?????

2009-03-21T18:26:00.002-04:00

we decided it would be a great day to get the wagon out and walk......and it was........for the most part.......i wouldn't have minded if it were a little warmer but, i'm not complaining........so much better than a few weeks ago that's for sure....here's a few shots from our trip.

My little leprechauns.....

2009-03-18T19:33:00.004-04:00

i wish i would have thought to get pictures of them dressed in green........oh well.........at least they're both sporting the green top hat (ben loves this hat!!!).

today was my 35th birthday........man am i getting old!!!!

i wanted to take a few shots of me with the boys to look back on when i'm 65 (God willing i'll be here when i'm 65).

(a little too much light on us here.....i'm still learning)...

Later,

Colleen

Check this out....

2009-03-16T15:45:00.007-04:00

Want to help cure pediatric cancer?
Well, just in case someone out there hasn't already done so....check out this site .....Deb is going to donate $.50 for every comment made about her beautiful new hair cut to help fight Neuroblastoma. I think she's awesome for doing this....you really do find a lot of cool people on Blogger :o)

Parade Day...

2009-03-15T18:50:00.004-04:00

Today was our "BIG" St. Patty's day parade....it was fun.......my sister asked Ben to walk with her Boy Scout Troop.....he was thrilled........thanks Aunt Sharon!!!

Landon chose to stare at these 2 greyhounds the entire time instead of watching the parade.....I don't blame him.......they were so cute!!!

The Penguins mascot TUX was a big hit.

I'm still not sure why this guy was dressed up like a peapod??? But he sure could dance!!

Landon called it quits right before it was over.....oh well.........it was a long day...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

~Colleen

2009-03-11T17:43:00.006-04:00

Boy....for not knowing her.......I sure do think of her a lot......and her family......I was so touched by their struggle........I don't think my life will ever be quite the same.......Little Miss Tuesday.......you changed me........ for the better :o)

Fresh Air.

2009-03-07T21:40:00.002-05:00

Today was a nice day. It felt so good to get out and play. The entire neighborhood was outside enjoying the fresh air.
Eric brought little Hailey over to hang out with the boys before the hockey game. It's hard to believe that Landon is only a month older than Hailey?!! She's such a little peanut! But man, is that little girl FAST!!!

Let's pray the warm weather hangs around!!!

~Colleen

Thinking....

2009-02-19T21:11:00.006-05:00

I've been thinking about her a lot lately.........wondering where she is.....I mean, I know she's in heaven but, I'm just wondering what it's like....and who is there with her......I just keep picturing her holding Emily......I hope that's what she's doing......and Lord knows my Dad is there too....and Neil........I hope it's everything she dreamed it would be.......... Cancer sucks.

Random Shots

2009-02-17T20:36:00.003-05:00

Brian bought me a new camera for Christmas last year and I'm ashamed to say that I never really took the time to learn how to use all the settings. So now I'm on a mission to take the best pictures possible. Here's a few random shots I snapped over the past week or two. I can not get the hang of the flash....the pictures just never look right....I'm much better with natural light. I also enjoy playing around with the Microsoft Digital Image Suite cd that my brother in law gave me. It can really do some cool things to pictures :o)

For Tuesday.....

2009-02-08T21:12:00.004-05:00

We did our own little "wagie ride" for Tuesday Whitt......a beautiful young girl that lost her battle with neuroblastoma on January 30th........

God bless you....

Christmas with the Cronauer's

2009-01-01T13:07:00.008-05:00

What a nice Christmas we had. I was a little worried that it would be hard not having Mom here.....and it was.......but, we made it through and I know that everyone had a nice day.

The boys got everything they wanted (and then some). Landon wasn't quite sure what he thought of Elmo at first, but now they're buddies...All that Ben wanted from Santa was this Haunted House.......I think he's already over it!! hahaha!!! The day after Christmas, he was back to playing with his old toys....oh well.....Ben at his Aunt Theresa' house........he found the "Christmas Pickle" so he got this prize...(it's a picture of Spiderman...his favorite superhero by far).Here's Landon holding his Aunt Theresa's puppy, Isis.........she's such a nice little dog! My little Landon loves animals :o)
But, I'd have to say, the best part of the day, for me, was when we all met up at Mom's house later that night.........Mom would have been so happy to have us all there........We all miss her so much.

I forgot about Thanksgiving !?!!?

2008-12-12T09:51:00.004-05:00

I can't believe I forgot to write a little about our Thanksgiving day this year. Of course it was bittersweet. It was nice that we got together, cooked the bird, and ate on Mom's dining room table, but sad without Mom.........

We're going to keep up the tradition of eating on the table.......we all agreed that Mom would like that.

Ben loves his Turkey!!

All in all, I think everyone had a good day.......

Breakfast with Santa

2008-12-12T09:47:00.002-05:00

Every year Lord & Taylor hosts "Breakfast with Santa" for all the children of employees. The kids always enjoy themselves (even if it is the same exact party every year!!), including Ben.

Landon wasn't able to attend this year because of that stupid stomach virus that has been reeking havoc on the Wyoming Valley..........oh well, he's not a big fan of Santa anyway :o)

Christmas here we come!!!

2008-12-04T11:56:00.004-05:00

These boys are going to have soooo much fun this Christmas!! I just wish my Mom were here to enjoy it all.

Ben & Landon ( try to ignore the spaghetti sauce on their faces......I guess I should have thought to wash them first....oh well )

Gingerbread LandonGingerbread Ben