from the quiver, not the river

Archer, Crafts, Family 13 Comments »

Good morning! I’ll bet you’ve been wondering when Mommy & Daddy were going to make this post! Well the wait is over! I’m here, and now it’s time to celebrate…me! Did you know that my nickname Fletcher means arrow-maker? That’s kinda funny, because now my name is Archer, the arrow shooter! Ha!

img_3725

While I bask in the glow of the delivery room heat lamps, let me fill you in on the details: Archer David Farnsworth, born November 3rd at 4:52 am, 7lbs 5oz, 20.5 inches long, and pink! Mommy was at the hospital for less than an hour before I decided to show up, and everything went smoothly. I had my right hand hooked over my left shoulder when I came out…I was reaching into my quiver for an arrow, just in case!

img_3728

Mommy! They poked me in the foot when I wasn’t looking and the heat lamps turned off! Mommy!!!

img_3729

I was transferred from the spacious delivery room into a luxurious recovery closet. Seriously, that room was maybe 80 square feet and was shaped like a bean; no square walls at all! I’m still balling up my fists just thinking about it!

img_3749

Just kidding, I’m all chill. Now it’s time for my close-up! Rowan says those are sparkles on my nose!

img_3752

Don’t be fooled, I can see what you’re doing! I may or may not have been smirking just now…

img_3759

Time to catch some z’s. I hear there are some excited siblings of mine coming to pay tribute. I want to be well-rested when my people arrive!

img_3765

I’m still napping, but it’s ok…it’s two-thirds of what I do all day. Nice to meet ya Brinley!

img_3770

Hold on tight Rowan, don’t let me go! I’m feeling a little nervous about your grip…or i just pooped.

img_3775

It was poop. That’s ok, this hospital wizard robe made the diaper change a snap. Hi there Big Sis Eleanor, how do you like your new title?

img_3786

‘Sup bro?! There’s no denying that you are the most excited sibling, right Drew?

img_3793

We’re making plans…mischievous plans! Cuz that’s what boys do!

img_3795

Time for a parts check: Make sure I have the correct number of fingers and toes…don’t let Ellie do the counting!

img_3798

Let’s head down to the family lounge, I hear there’s free ice cream in there. That’s right Ellie, everybody be quiet! We want all that ice cream for ourselves.

img_3800

I’ve been poked, prodded, tested, and endured a slight traditional modification to my man parts. I’ve had my fill of this place! Time to put on my super-cool-homemade-go-home outfit and get the heck outta here!

img_3805

Once home, I ditched that scratchy petroleum-based “disposable” thing and slipped into something far more comfy…ahhh!

img_3837

I’m snug, warm, and vibrating. I think I’m gonna like this place.

img_3842

I suppose I should take a peek before I make a final decision though. What’s that up there?

img_3860

While I was chillin’ on the inside, Mommy was busy on the outside! Look at all my cool one-of-a-kind homemade outfits!

img_3862

Since the price of cotton shot up recently, some of the fabrics for my duds were scored at thrift stores. All those solid colored shirts were custom dyed (more on that later!)

img_3867

Quality boy-themed fabrics are hard to find…I think bikes, rockets, cars and trucks will do…

img_3873

High-contrast patterns are essential to neurological stimulation. Can you see my gears turning?

img_3882

Leading experts also say that Mozart makes babies smarter…so how come all I hear is Veggietales, Dora & Daniel Tiger?!

img_3891

I think I’ve seen enough to settle on this place. Time to work on another one of my talents…

img_3902

This picture makes you want to yawn. Just admit it.

img_3915

Naptime’s over, and I’m in a new outfit. Are we going somewhere?

img_3935

Ah, road trip! I got my vanilla scented binky, somebody pull down the shade!

img_3940

We went. We bought. We ate. Happy Thanksgiving. Even Grandpa & Grandma Johnson, Kelsey, and Jenna were there. Yeah, I got passed around, but I was comfy the whole time! Don’t you wish you could be so stylish in sweatshirts and elastic waistbands?

img_3949

This…is my pooping face.

img_3992

And this is my poopy face! C’mon over Daddy, I got a mustard-colored surprise for you!

img_3999

Another cheap way to expand a wardrobe: buy white baby items and custom dye them! Meet my sweatshop employees:

(disclaimer: we recommend dyeing with permanent fiber-reactive dyes, not the cheap RIT stuff you can find in stores.)

img_4019

They didn’t seem to mind the low wages or the peculiar uniforms…

img_4025

They just can’t get enough of serving me.

img_4027

Ok, there may have been one little protest…but that was because she didn’t get a shirt for herself. Tough beans, Bob!

img_4028

I’m wearing my new blue hat and my salmon-colored shirt. Salmon is the boy version of pink. It”s a manly color…

img_4041

“…Everybody finds somebody someplace, There’s no telling where love may appear, Something in my heart keeps saying, My someplace is here…”

img_4045

I see all kinds of colors and shapes, I hear all kinds of sounds, and I feel all warm and cozy…I like bathtime!

img_4047

Leave me in here until I’m extra pruny! I’m gonna raise hell when I get out!

img_4054

You didn’t want to see a pic of the hell-raising part…just me snug as a bug.

img_4061

It’s time for my P90X Insanity Tae Bo MMA workout with Jane Fonda. Hiiiiyah!

img_4068

Phew! I think I may have burned off .006 ounces. Time for…zzzzzzzzzz…

img_4078

I’m pretty good at this, by the way…

img_4082

You’ve heard of man caves…this is how they start…a comfy chair, a blanket and a couple markers… 

img_4091

All that working out AKA eat/sleep/poop-ing is paying off: I’m such a beefcake now; I’ve gained almost a pound a week since I was born! I’m coming close to outgrowing some of my super-cool outfits, like this one:

img_37251

Daaaad, you’re trying too hard…just be cool, like me. And what’s up with those pants?!

img_4148

on a windy spring afternoon

Amy, Everyday, Family 11 Comments »

We’ve all heard the saying “a picture says a thousand words”…

all4

But what could this picture possibly be saying?

chonk

feet

So pictures with words say even more words, right?

mcgooey

roasters

binniebob

scrubbie

Maggie can sum up our feelings on the matter…

mag1

darn kids

Family, The Outdoor Woods 3 Comments »

Remember the days when you could go outside for hours to enjoy all the wildlife around you without a coat, hat & gloves? Ellie does:

 img_9174

So these pictures were taken in October…So what?  Uncle Aric made a quick college visit to Denver, but we managed to kidnap him for a few hours of pre-school fun. Those darn kids sure do like Aric, isn’t that right Rowan?

img_9176

We figured that going to the zoo was the best place for Rowan to do some hippo research for the upcoming dance recital. But why is Drew picking the hippo’s nose? And where is the rest of Drew? Are you wearing camo again scoobie?!

img_9179

Ah, you’re wearing peacock-camo! We made one failed attempt after another to snatch some peacock feathers for home decor…darn. heck.

img_9181

Inside the poo-poo smelling house of pachyderms the kids said their farewells to the elephants who lived there. The zoo is building a new habitat and the animals get to hang out in it without snot-nosed kids pounding on the glass all day. I wonder what that feels like?

img_9184

Here kitty kitty, Uncle Aric’s got a couple of scooby snacks for ya!

img_9187

We stopped by the gorilla exhibit to say hello to BJ. Looks like he’s still sitting around doing the same thing he’s always been doing…nothin’. Lookin’ sharp BJ!

img_9191

Drew gives an enthusiastic thumb-up for his new ride. Aric is giving 2 thumbs up because Drew will spur him if he doesn’t. Hyah mule!

img_9196

My how the tables have turned! But this appears to be a great deal…Especially for Ryan & Aric’s backs!

img_9211

You’ve seen the milk ads with the fake moustaches on celebrities. This yo-stache is 100% real, and well, Ellie’s face is plastered all over this corner of the internet, so that’s got to count for some kind of star power right?!

img_9229

(Eleanor just realized she’s a celebrity)

img_9230

What does a pig and Eleanor have in common? 2 things: messy eater, and made of ham!

img_9232

We played tag team babysitting awhile back to enjoy some quality quiet time. Rowan seems happy!

img_9250

 …Or not. It’s ok Rowan, Ellie just wanted to make sure  your baby was in the picture too!

img_9251

Oops, looks like even I have been duped. It’s a kidnapping! Quick, get that darn kid!

img_9261