The Many Faces of Sam

This is my Fav!!! The Red Boots Say it ALL...

ARGHHHHH!!!!!

Thinks the Walkie Talkie is a Phone...

Where's the Fire?

The Love Doctor...He'll Melt Your Heart

Lounging and Loving the Summer

Kate's favorite thing...thumb sucking and relaxing!!

Lounging...

Kate squeeling with delight! She loves the water although we have discovered that the chlorine is really making her excema flare up:(

Aunt Margaret Fishing Pool Side with the kids!

Just a Taste of What's Been Going on...

Last Saturday the group of women I meet with on Mondays (AM2PM...Affirming and Mentoring Pre-School Moms) had a family picnic. We thought the weather wasn't going to hold out for us, but it did and it turned out to be a lovely evening eating yummy food, beautiful scenery and to top it off HORSES!! The kids loved the horses and were mesmerized with petting them and feeding them grass. Sandra, one of the mentors of our group, was kind enough to open up her home in Taylors where all this wondrous fellowship took place. It was truly one of the most beautiful views of the mountains I have seen. Sam even got to sit upon the John Deere tractor, which made his day!

For Mother's Day we took a trip to Westminster to hang with Rob's family. My sister in law Deanna hosted lunch at her home and it was fantastic!! What a great way to spend Mother's Day! The day was clear and beautiful and the company was fun as always. Rob has a much larger family than I do, so I always enjoy the fellowship and closeness that comes along with a big family! It was a special day, just in the fact that I got to spend it with my sweet kids who always make me laugh and remind me how special it is to be a MOM!!

On last Saturday morning we went to a birthday party extravaganza right here in our neighborhood. I call it an extravaganza, because it was just that. We were celebrating Trey and Jerod's birthdays together and they had a jump house, cotton candy, popcorn, a balloon making clown and then the icecream truck rolled up!! The kids loved it and were quite exhausted which made for a great nap for all of us!! Thanks Tera and Dana for including us in the festivities!

Our Little Roadsters

The sun is shining and we spent the day riding bikes and any other "outdoor" acitivity we could think of. I am not sure how people who live in places where it rains or snows for long periods of time manage with children at home. I would lose my mind!! I love to be outside and the kids do too! Our culdesac is such a great and safe place to be and for that we are truly thankful. Hope everyone is having a great week!

Kate's Reaction to the News...Starting a Little Too Early

Potty Training...Cha Cha Cha!!

Still Our Little Snuggle Bug

Bathing Beauties!!!

As much as bathtime almost drives me to an early grave somedays the laughs are plenty!! They are enjoying playing together more and more every day and that is a true blessing. I can't believe the rate at which they are growing up! Kate is making short sentences now, mostly "I don't want it" and "I want yogurt", but the progress is precious. Sam is soon to be three and Kate is soon to be two!! They are for sure sunshine in our lives!!

Itching for Springtime Fun...We have already begun!

Don't Ask!!

We have had some gorgeous weather lately, along with some torrential downpours, but we have been making the most of the sunshine. We thank the Lord for whatever he brings us each day, because He knows we need the rain, but we sure do LOVE the sunshine! Here are some random pictures of our outdoor fun over the last few weeks.

Snow, Sun and More

The days are quite busy,so the words shall be few...I apologize for the lack of posts lately! One day I will get back to it, just not today! Enjoy!!

Please listen...Just Click this Title

Visit With My Pal Sal

Oh what a gift childhood friends are!! Over the Christmas Holidays I got to visit with my best friend Sally. She and I have been friends for nearly our entire lives. It all started back in first grade, in I believe Mrs. Woods class, but that doesn't matter. She is one of the best friends a girl could ever ask for. She is one of those friends you could be separated from for years and when you see each other again you just pick right up like you haven't missed a beat. Unfortunately, Sally has decided that living out West is where her heart is, so we rarely get to see each other, but when we do, the memories come flooding back. She is currently in Physicians Assistant School in Portland, OR. She will be finished in August and I was hoping I might be able to convince her into moving back this way, but I think I might as well hang that up. She is quite the adventuresome type. She climbs mountains, repels, hikes, camps, snow and water skis, swims, bikes, yoga's and anything else you can think of. I am so proud of her and all that she has accomplished in her life and little envious of her "free spirit" or traveling heart. She knows I miss her terribly and wish we could live closer together, but for now we will have to live for the next visit and pick right up where we left off.

What Warms My Heart...

Our Precious Sam (32 months)

My Sweet Hubby

Sam and Kate (19 months)

As the new year approaches I am reminded that the most important things aren't things at all, but the lives that surround you every day. May your new year be filled with many loved ones to warm your heart.

May Your Hearts be Rekindled with The Spirit of the Season

Bob the Tomato & Little Miss Piggy

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Pumpkin Carving Party

We were so thrilled this year to get invited to our neighborhood's annual pumpkin carving party at the Hick's home. It was so much fun for everyone, big kids (parents) and the little ones. Each family had the opportunity to bring up to 2 pumpkins and carve them to enter into the contest. We only entered one, but Rob did a stellar job. There were some very imaginative and creative designs. I was quite impressed with the handiwork of all the dads. Tera had awesome chili for the adults and the kids had quite the spread to choose from. Sam and Kate devoured a cupcake, a brownie and a juice box all on their own. Needless to say, the sugar was flowing!! At the end of the night we all cast our ballot to pick the best pumpkin along with some other categories to see who would win the trophies. That's right, they even had trophies. The best pumpkin went to the Thomas family who incorporated dry ice into their final pumpkin and it was very original and funny!! We didn't win anything this year, but next year we will have to do some more planning and strategizing!! We had a great time and thank the Hicks for including us in the party!!

Pumpkin Patch Fun

Two Saturdays ago, I decided to brave a trip to the pumpkin patch while Rob went to help his mom in her yard for the day. Not sure what I was thinking as it turned out to be quite the adventure. After loading everyone into the van, we drove 25 minutes to the Mini Miracles Farm in Taylors. I had read about it and really talked up the entire experience Sam like it was going to be the best trip EVER. They have rescue animals, gardens, fresh fruit stand, hayrides and last but not least a huge pumpkin patch. We were all so excited, but when we drove up and saw the locked gates I knew I was going to have to do some fast thinking... I turned the car around and headed back towards home, not knowing exactly how I was going to "fix" this when all of sudden I hear this awful thud on my car. The worst thing ever, a dog had run out in front of my van!!! We were on a very busy two lane road out in the country and obviously this little dog had gotten loose from the fence and that was the end of the poor dog's life. I have never hit an animal and was extremely upset. I pulled over and saw the neighbor staring at me. I quickly realized that I couldn't get the kids out and allow them to see this carnage. If Rob had been with me, we would have for sure gotten to the owners home and told them the awful news, but since I was alone with the kids, the neighbor was going to have to deliver the news. Fortunately, the sweet man standing there drinking his coffee told me that he would have no problem telling his neighbors of their loss. Well, I of course was crying and Sam lightened the moment by saying "mama, was that a LOG that hit the car?" I said " sure was". Anyway, I did recover enough to stop at the local farmers market on the way home and have a simulated "pumpkin patch" experience!!

BUSTED...

This is the scene that I walked into on Friday afternoon while I was desperately trying to take a shower before our small group meeting. I rarely take showers during the waking hours of my two precious children for this reason, but today I didn't have a choice. Most mornings I am up before anyone to get my "quiet time" in the shower and I actually enjoy this time. Well, Friday I closed the bedroom door and hoped for the best....the best was Kate discovering a box of "feminine ware" from under the sink and Sam ransacking my closet for shoes. It was quite a site and I should have taken a picture of the bathroom floor as it was equallly as amusing:) Anyway, these are the days in which I live in and it is hilarious!! Love to all.

Iraq Veteran Shares His Message...Dear Mr. Obama

JUST CLICK THE TITLE OF THE POST TO HEAR THE MESSAGE.

Mermaids, Motorcycles and Midnight Oh My....

Here are some shots from when we visited Nana & Papa. We had fun hanging out outside in the beautiful weather and just relaxing with family. In the above shot the kids were finishing off their afternoon popsicle and Kate was just gearing up for a ride on her "hog." She loves to ride on the motorcyle at Nana & Papa's because it plays music and that fits in perfect with her need to dance!!

Sam is always loving on Kate and squeezing the you know what out of her neck. She is usually a good sport, except when the hug becomes more of a "choke hold." He says, "It's ok princess, I love you."

Sam loves my parents cat, Midnight, and quite honestly the cat loves him right back. It is funny because Midnight is not one to love on just anyone. They have definitely bonded. I am allergic to cats, so this is the ONLY cat Sam will bond with:)

Here's Kate with her serious game face...she looks ready to ride.


My First Mermaid!!!