A Weekend at Jellystone!

Over Fourth of July weekend, we headed to Warrens, WI to Jellystone with the I family.  We were there to celebrate Mike and Jessi's pending arrival, Sam and Olans wedding shower,and  Adams Graduation.

We had family come from far and near to celebrate for the holiday weekend.  California, Arizona, Minnesota and Illinois were represented.  The kids played with their cousins and had the opportunity to play with second cousins and those they don't see very often.  The adults were able to catch up sitting around the cabin during the day, at the beach, volleyball courts, fires in the evening and bond through games.

Some pictures to show off the weekend of fun we had!

Happy Birthday Franny!

Wow!  You are TWO!  How did that happen?  As we drove back from Chicago today, I found myself looking at the clock all morning... around 10:25, I remembered this was the time that I got an epidural two years ago... around 11, I remembered that I felt like I had to push and then at 11:36, I looked at the clock and realized that 2 years ago today you were 3 minutes old.  I cannot believe how quickly the time flies by.

Let's see... where are you now?  I cannot wait for your two year appointment in a couple weeks to get the stats.  If I had to guess, I'd say you are 32 inches tall and 24 lbs.  We'll see how close I am on that.  You are still such a peanut.  Most of your clothes are 18 months, and you have started to wear 2T or 24 month shirts.  Without a doubt, you are still in 12 month bottoms... as the 18 month ones are still too big.

You have hit a huge milestone, and I can proudly say that I have a two year old that is 90% potty trained.  You did this on your own, as I fought putting you on the potty, because I thought you were just 'too little'.  But you weren't having it... every day as soon as you got home, the diaper came off and you wanted to sit on the potty.  You tell us most of the time when you have to go.  We are so proud of you.

You had your very first haircut yesterday.  There still isn't much to cut, but the back was shaped up, and we'll just have to wait to see how quickly the rest of your bleach blond hair grows in. 

Your personality... I think you have mommy's temper, but you look exactly like daddy.  One of your nicknames is little tornado.  You create a big mess wherever you do... and getting you to help clean up isn't the easiest.  You like to dance, you like to jabber, we understand more these days, but sometimes, I just have to wonder what you are talking about.  You love to pretend you are a baby and have us hold you like a baby.  So much so, that you've changed your name to Ella.  We'll see how much longer that lasts. You love Elmo.   In new situations, you are definitely shy and it takes you a bit to warm up, but once you're comfortable... look out!  You give the BEST hugs and kisses, and I love that.  You still love to snuggle, but not for too long anymore.  You are my champion little eater... of the good stuff.  You love your fruits and veggies and, like all other kids... candy.

Your sister... boy, you love and idolize your sister.  You want to do everything she does, even if your little body can't keep up.  It's fun to see how much you look up to her and how that special sister bond has already been created.  We can't wait to see that strengthen over the years.

You have completed our family of four, and we love you more than you will ever know!
Mom, Dad, Nece and your four legged family (Hazel, Reggie, Dennis and Leroy)

Ridiculously Behind...

I cannot believe its been a month since I've updated... oh wait, yes I can.  I have tons of blog posts in the back of my head that need to be done and published... 

Including:

• Celina and Tim's baby shower (which is now a mute point, as Baby Alexa has arrived and that will be another post I'm behind on after this coming weekend)
• The Family Reunion in the Dells
• The Girls Room
• Hazel's Birthday
• The Girls Birthday Party
• Another Garden Update
• Random Fun stuff we've done this summer

There really isn't any excuse for being so far behind... except that we were on the road every weekend of almost a month straight, we were very busy getting the girls room done, getting ready for their birthday party and finally, when all that was over... we just crashed and burned and have taken 2 weeks off and done nothing.

Do I feel better that I now have a list and commitment on paper to update this blog so I don't lose track... yes.  I just need to work on getting in done.

This past weekend was an absolutely fantastic weekend, and it's just what we needed.   Don't anybody get me wrong... we love being on the go, and seeing friends and family and filling our summer weekends up.  But sometimes, just sometimes, it's really nice to spend some time at home, doing what we want, when we want, with no deadlines and commitments.  That's just what the doctor ordered for us, and we LOVED every minute of it.  A day at the waterpark as a family, a bonfire, getting the garden caught up and a whole bunch of family time.

This week, unfortunately isn't much better... We're off to the Twins/White Sox game Tuesday night, Weds night and Thursday night packing and getting ready to head to Chicago to meet our new niece, Alexa Brooklyn, and Franny's 2nd birthday on Sunday.  Next week doesn't look much better, as we'll spend Monday-Thursday getting caught up from being out of town this weekend and ready to spend a long weekend in Ely.  And then, I could post that we have 2 weddings Labor Day weekend and family pictures the following weekend and then mid-September we have a free weekend again.

So, I've committed to the topics above... I just need to find time to get them posted,so I don't get further behind as we have some pretty big milestones and weekend trips in the coming weekends.

Craziness, I tell ya, craziness!

A Garden Update

It absolutely amazes me that the garden was all seed with a couple starter plants approximately two months ago.  The garden is going strong...

Here is a little rundown:

• The corn should be knee high by Fourth of July... DONE
• Beans- they have been staked up and we've gotten one harvest already... too bad the bunnies have gotten in and I'm not sure we're going to have many more; we'll see
• Peas- The bunnies LOVE peas... we've only gotten 2 so far, and I'm not overly confident that peas will be abundant
• Cukes- OH MY... they are everywhere.  We're getting 3 or 4 every other day
• Carrots- coming along nicely
• Beets- been thinned out and coming along nicely
• Onions- getting nice sized bulbs on them
• Tomatoes- a bazillion and they are overtaking everything
• Peppers- even though the tomato plants have dwarfed the peppers, we have a bunch growing and should be ready for picking in the next couple days
• Herb garden- huge!

And the girls... they LOVE the garden.  Nece loves to help me pick weeds, and goes in there almost daily to check on what we have, and what might be ready to be picked.  She's a pro at beans and cukes!

And a few pics from tonight, for proof!

It's still a mess...

but coming along, slowly and surely.  We'll be done by the end of the month, most of the painting is done, carpet is scheduled to be laid on July 24th, and there is trim to paint and install, a closet to build, and carpet to be ripped up before then.

Until the finished product, here is a peek at what's been going on.

Still a mess...

The girls wanted to help with the stairs

Nece painting away

Franny helping dad

Daddy doing ANOTHER coat.

And yes, there are a bazillion colors... here is the color palatte.

• Dark Purple
• Light Purple
• Hot Pink
• Medium/Light Pink
• Yellow
• White Trim
• And the ceiling was supposed to be white, but its a really really light purple!

Let's just say, dad has spent hours and hours and hours up there... and isn't exactly happy with the colors, as it takes many coats to color... but he IS being a trooper and it is going to be an awesome room for the girls!  I can hardly wait for the finished product.

The Fourth Birthday!

The last post was for us to look back in a year and say... wow, I remember that, or wow, we were right on or wow, that sure has changed in the last 365 days.

I'm a big believer in making your birthday a very special day!

School agrees with me... here is the sign on her classroom door!  We also brought ice-cream cups as the birthday treat today!  Perfect for a warm, muggy summer day!

And then the birthday girl got to pick where we went for dinner!

Waiting for burgers and hot dogs!

A princess cake was requested... I was thinking more Disney princess, but this is what Dairy Queen had... at least I got lucky with this one, considering I didn't call ahead, oops!

The three muskateers... Nece, Franny and Mya!

Nece getting all nervous as we sang happy birthday!  She does NOT like to be on the spot.

Opening presents... you'll notice, she shared with Franny and Mya... so all three girls got to open presents!  So sweet!

And the Big Wheel daddy wanted to get Nece!

Thank you to our neighbors for coming over tonight for some birthday cake, and helping Nece celebrate her fourth birthday!

Happy Birthday Nece!

Where have the last four years gone?  I still cannot believe it, every year as this day approaches.  I love looking at the clock throughout the day, and going back four years ago, remembering what was going on.  It's all so vivid, yet such a blur. 

You are still in 3T clothes for the most part, but starting to go into 4T in certain instances.  Dresses are the name of your game... it doesn't matter what season, you want to be in a dress.  It takes lots of convincing to get you into shorts or pants.  Pink and purple are your favorite colors.  Your pink sparkly shoes and flips (pink Crocs) are your favorite shoes.  You still love to play babies, and Barbies are becoming a bigger part of your life.  You also love to play school... it gives me a glimpse into your routine at 'school'.  You read books to your babies, have group time, nap time, tell the babies to 'listen to your words', etc... You love to read books.  I cannot say with certainty there is a favorite at the moment... over this last year we've spent lots of time reading Bisquit, Fancy Nancy, some Dr Suess and alot of others that come and go.

Your sister... overall, without a doubt, you love your sister so much.  Yes, she bugs you, and yes, you pick on her, but those tender moments when you girls give hugs to eachother, or when you make sure she's okay, or when you are playing so nicely together, or when you are bossing her around because you're 'older'... all of those times melt my heart.  I cannot even begin to explain the feeling that I have when I watch the bond the two of you have grow stronger and stronger every day.

Your personality... there are so many different facets to your personality.  You are kind, you are caring, you are concerned, you are a processer, you are bossy, you are a rule-follower for the most part, you are willing to take chances, but think it through first, you have a definite opinion, you are smart, I believe that you can be either a leader or a follower, depending on the situation, you are my first born babe.

Happy Birthday Nece... we love you!
Mom, Dad, Franny, and your four legged-family (Hazel, Reggie, Dennis and Leroy)