Happy Birthday Ginny!

Exotic Vacation Spots

This week is vacation week. No, I'm not sitting on a nice sandy beach while typing this. I'm sitting in the dining room like normal. B and I celebrate our 5th anniversary in November. It's a not so good time to try to get out of town due to Thanksgiving services and the upcoming Christmas season. We decided that we would take a 5th anniversary vacation in summer instead. Well, we look at cruises, Florida, DC, Colorado, LA; everything is so expensive when you add up all the costs along the way. It just wasn't going to work to head out on a nice anniversary vacation. (Maybe in another 5 years it'll work.) We made up our minds that B would still take the week off, and we would just do things around here. N got picked up by his grandpa yesterday afternoon and will spend the next couple of days down at the farm. That allowed B and I to have a date night last night. We started off by going to see Harry Potter 5 and then headed to Barnes and Noble to pick up HP7. After that we headed over to Roja ( http://www.rojagrill.com/ ) for $1.99 Margarita Monday. After a short walk around the adjacent shopping center we headed home. We found a very thorough synopsis of HP6 ( http://www.harrypotterfacts.com/ ) and began to refresh our memories. I'll tell you about todays adventures once they're done.

so annoying

Here are a few of the things that we have determined are pet peeves for N:

• bed covers covering up over the shoulders - he gets to come to our bed every morning (so I can stay there longer), but he can't stand for the covers to be all the way covering us; he's continually pulling them off me as I try to pull them up
• food needing to be cooked - he might be cut out for the military or nasa so that he can enjoy some mre's; he can't stand waiting for something to cook
• also on the food topic, food being in the wrong plate section - you can't let a vegetable cross into the meat section of the plate; this could be a result of watching Monk with his dad or the beginnings of his mom's issues with different foods touching
• shoes lying around the house - if he sees a pair of shoes they must go on a pair of feet; he know's which are his and which are ours (I'll post a picture related to this in a bit)
• falling on his bottom - how many times do you have to fall before you naturally learn to balance

my chicken's so going to beat your chicken

Okay, so, Worlds of Fun was just as it's name implies. I had a lot of fun riding all of the coasters. I must be older than when I last went to an amusement park though. I was much more leery of certain rides and ached more than I thought I would. I did manage to get completely drenched on a ride since I was the person who least wanted to get wet. Go figure.

Anways, I was at Walmart doing the weekly grocery trip. I was heading from one side of the store to the other and happened to walk down the toy aisle. I feel it's my duty as a mom to know what new toys are out there. I'm not sure if this is new or not, but I had never seen it before. The pictures are of a Fisher-Price game/toy called Chicken Chase. If you know anything about my mom's love of most things chicken, this should make you smile. I could just picture her getting all excited about this. It comes complete with clucking and banjo music. All this fun can be yours for only $15!!!! http://www.fisher-price.com/us/products/product.asp?id=38614

On another kid-related note for all you parents out there. I discovered Nick Jr. Radio http://www.nickjr.com/playtime/cats/radio/index.jhtml yesterday. I went to find out what type of Backyardigans activities they had. (I'm in love with the Backyardigans.) The radio play about an hour of songs from the show you choose before repeating. N had the greatest time listening to it yesterday. I bookmarked it and turned it on this morning; N got excited as soon as it started.

Can we just skip Monday?

Having a good Monday? Mines been so-so. Yesterday was pretty good, and tomorrow should be great though.

This weekend was Student Edge weekend at church. This means that B and his staff were in charge of the service on Sunday. Normally when B preaches that's about all he's in charge of. Since it was SE weekend that was different. It was an amazing worship service, and I don't just say this because my husband had a hand in it. Everything about it, other than N trying to wander all over, was extremely worshipful for me. I loved the songs, the band, the front setup, the darkness, the energy that seemed to be coming from everyone; I loved it all! I would love to be able to worship in that way every Sunday! (I would of course expect a Mtn. Dew on my seat each week, just like yesterday.)

Tomorrow is Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun day in Kansas City with SE. I've never been before and am quite excited. I've driven past it a million times when traveling through KC. I tend to really enjoy going to amusement parks. I would love for it to be 15 degrees cooler tomorrow, but not much I can do about that. I'll be sure to try to tell you all about it afterwards. N isn't going, but he'll have a great time spending the day with a friend.

Good Sunday. Good Tuesday. Monday????

Uncle Who??

B, N, and I had a great weekend. We decided we would head to Illinois for the annual family reunion for my mom's side of the family. It seemed like a good idea since my parents and my sister, brother-in-law, and niece would be there also.

We drove to St. Louis last Friday and met up with the parents, sister, and my aunt's family. After a tasty lunch on the Hill and a drive past our old house, we headed to the zoo. It was a ton of fun but a bit on the hot side. After several hours there, we decided we were to worn out for another meal on the Hill. (What can I say, my family LOVES Italian food!) We headed out of town and on to Decatur. We were able to stay in Decatur where B did his internship a few years ago. It's only about 40 minutes from where the reunion is.

Saturday, we spent the bulk of the day in Decatur. We were able to run into our old pastor and did some shopping and eating in downtown. In the evening we headed to Nokomis for dinner at the fair and to watch the parade. It was as good as always to see family that is seldom seen. N didn't seem too impressed with the parade, but Camryn loved everyone throwing candy at her.

Sunday we went to church in Decatur and saw a ton of people. We headed back to Nokomis for the official reunion as soon as church was done. It was a day of eating, playing, visiting, and picture taking. We spent the evening back in Decatur hanging out with some of B's closest guy friends. I was exausted at the end of such a long and busy day (and weekend).

I was sad for the weekend to be over. I miss getting to be around my family more, but I'm also very lucky to see them as often as I do. Hopefully I'll find a way to see them again before Christmas!

Family Reunion Pictures

Recent Picture Update

Animal Crackers

Happy belated 4th of July. We've had quite the busy week, and I didn't get around to posting on the 4th. We went a couple of different places and eventually ended up sitting on the driveway watching everyone else shoot of fireworks. N sure didn't seem to impressed with all the fireworks. That might be very different next year.

We also have seen quite the number of wild animals in the past week. We saw a fox on Monday as we were driving to pick N up from Patty's (our most lovable babysitter) house and then saw a deer on our way home. Thursday, we had two different bunnies run out in front of us, had a most unfortunate encounter with a black bird, slowed down for a wild turkey crossing the road, and watch a buck jump a fence. The next day we saw another turkey with several babies. I wonder if we'll see a giraffe walking down the interstate next?!?!

Help Please!

Oh the joys of parenthood. Yesterday evening was one of those times that you just hope and wish as a parent would never occur. We had our small groups over for Bible study and were getting close to wrapping things up. N had been downstairs with B and the boys for most of the evening. He finally decided to come join me upstairs with the girls. He got really whiney and cuddly suddenly. The girls had just gotten done ooohhhing and aaawwwing over how sweetly he was cuddling up to me. I was also thinking how sweet and assuming he might just fall asleep on me. Then out of no where came breakfast, snack, lunch, and dinner all over me. I was in complete shock as I sat there with grossness all over me (and him). Other than not being really interested in lunch or dinner, he had shown no signs of not feeling well. Luckily, the furnitured was spared thanks to me using myself to catch everything. He's doing much better this morning. You wouldn't even know he hadn't felt well. I'm wanting him to take it slow today, but there no way to tell a one-year-old to slow down. If only there was a way to avoid moments like that as a parent.

Boom

Good Morning!

It's about 9:30 a.m., and N just woke up. Why does he never choose to sleep in on a morning that B and I would also be able to sleep in? It's like he knows. Part of the reason he slept in could be the fact that he absolutely refused to take a nap yesterday afternoon. He screamed his head off in protest. (I was ready to scream also after listening to him scream for a while.) It also could be the fact that everyone around here thinks that the 4th of July is a several week long celebration. Every evening about the time that we try to put N to bed, the entire neighborhood and those all around decide it's time to start setting off fireworks and they go until at least 11:00. We're not talking about dinky little snaps and pops; we're talking enormous sometimes rattling booms and bangs. I'm sick of it. It ends up waking N up several times. We finally put a fan in his room last night just to create some noise that would help muffle the fireworks. I don't mind having to get him out of bed and rock him back to sleep, but I want him to be able to sleep restfully. Oh well, they have to run out of supplies sooner or later. (I've never been a big fan of fireworks.)

I am having one of those days where the clock just isn't moving. I swear it should be almost dinner time; the day feels as if it's been that long. I've been meaning to blog about several different things lately. Here are a few.

• Fire: Our next door neighbors got a firepit this winter. Friday night they invited us over to enjoy it and the new patio they just put in. It was wonderful. B ran to the store and bought fixing for s'mores. Delish! I want a firepit!
• Worms: Okay, technically caterpillars. They ate the few plants I successfully grew from seed this spring. So much for saving a few bucks by getting plants the hard way.
• Veggies: My child has always loved to eat anything you offer him. Lately though, he's refused to eat his veggies. It's turned into quite the battle of the wills between he and I. The winner of the battle varies from day to day.
• Fur: I love our Mags, but I hate her fur. I told B before we ever got a dog that I didn't care for long-haired dogs. I am so tired of her fur covering everything. I'm at the point that I'd love to shave her bald. (Okay, not really. That's a bit drastic. And she's too pretty.) Right now, I'm thinking our next dog will have very, very, very short hair.
• Feet: N is spending more and more time on his feet. He'll walk from one thing to another if it's a short distance. His prefered mode of transportation is still crawling or Mom for the time being.
• Grass: Two things here. One. Our yard is being invaded by weeds. We are continually walking around the yard searching for something else to pull. The crab grass is the worst. Two. N seems to be getting over his fear/utter dislike of grass. Previously he would just cry and scream when put on the grass. Now he will sit there for a minute, and then bear crawl (way too cute) to the closest lap. Once on that lap, he attempts to keep as much of himself as far away from the grass as possible. It's not perfect, but it's progress.

That's all. Carry on.

Happy Birthday Matthew Al!

. . . with an ocean view . . .

B and I were blessed this evening with Patty wanting to babysit N so that we could have a date night. We absolutely love her for wanting to make sure we have time to spend together without our little guy. With my broken toe bothering me, we decided to go see a movie. It's not an easy to make a decision on what to go see when we are in the middle of the summer movie boom. There were at least 5 or 6 that I really would have enjoyed seeing. We decided to narrow the field by which we could make it for a matinee of. (Gotta love the cheap seats. If only they had matinee snack bar prices too.) We decided to go Ocean's 13 over Spidey 3 (sorry Aaron). Ocean's 11 - great. Ocean's 12 - not so impressed, actually bored by. Ocean's 13 - wonderful!!! It was a lot more in line with what made the first one work so well. B and I were laughing on and off again throughout the entire movie. It is definitely a must see. (Dad, I'm talking to you.)

will work for food

The above title is N's new motto. It's amazing what he can be inspired to do when food is involved. In the past few days he has learned how to sign that he wants "more". Along with this comes something along the lines of "mawh". He also has a sign for "all done" or "all gone". I'm hoping to help him learn more signs in the coming weeks and months. Ginny loaned me her book on baby signs. It's nice for him to be able to communicate before he's able to say all the words to express his needs, wants, and feelings.

I also discovered another power of the cheerio today. I'm ready for my boy to walk. He can crawl faster than lightning already. It'd be nice if he wasn't always getting his hands and knees so dirty. (Although I am aware that that does just come with having a boy.) I was able to get him to take about 40-50 unassisted steps over a 10 minutes period today by enticing him with cheerios. (Up to about 8 steps in a row without going down.) He hasn't taken any since then without the cheerios, but at least it's progress. At one point he looked down at his feet after taking several steps with an expression that read, "did those thing just do what I think they did?"

I'll let you know about our progress with both the signs and steps. Cheer on the little guy!

Rainbows of color

I thought I would share some of my newest flower pictures. All but two plants here are ones that either Mom or I bought last week. I love all the colors! I'm letting things fill out a little more before I take a picture of the entire garden. I have to say that I am so proud of all my flowers. The glad bulbs that Mom planted last week have already started to come up. Hopefully they will be blooming in no time since they add a lot of height and color. My butterfly bush is also getting ready to start blooming. I've got flower buds on both the mums and the clowns too. I love it!!! (Thanks again Mom for all you did to help with my garden! I used my new too last night.)

Precious

Happy Father's Day to our favorite Dads!

Love,
B, A, and N

Stand Back - I'll Get You!

Sleep anyone?

It has been quite a busy week, but I wouldn't change anything about it. Mom, Ginny, and Camryn got here Sunday evening. It was constant activity from the time they got here until they left. (constant at least compared to normal) We spent Monday around the house for the most part. Camryn really seemed to enjoy the park that is just down the street from us. We did spend some time and dollars at the local flower nursery. Mom helped me fill up all of the empty spots in my garden. (Thanks again Mom!) It looks really full and colorful now. I'll have to post a picture soon. Tuesday was our shopping day. I ran into Camryn when she stopped suddenly and ended up breaking my little toe. OUCH! We vetured to the outlet mall in the morning and the outdoor mall in the afternoon. That was a lot of stroller time for the kids! B got home from Mexico on Tuesday night. I sure am glad to have him back. Maybe I can convince him to post about the mission trip to Mazatlan. Wednesday my hubby had a big day. He turned 30! Happy belated one! We were suppose to go to Arbor Farm in Nebraska City, but the weather didn't cooperate. Instead we found ourselves shopping once again. (What did you expect?) Ann and Don came over that evening to help celebrate B's birthday. Unfortunately I managed to hurt my poor toe yet again. It was quite a painful experience. Again. Thursday I was forced to go get my toe checked out by the doctor. That afternoon we went and ventured around work and then headed to the zoo. It probably wasn't the best decision with a broken toe, but I really wanted to take them. Today they headed home. Sadness. It was a great time. We all went and took a 2 hour nap after they left because we were all so worn out.

N played in his pool this afternoon. I'll try to post the video after a while.