Family and other news

Samuel and Lillian have had the opportunity recently to meet some extended family. My Grandma (on my Dad's side) flew in last week and spent a couple of days with us. Samuel wasn't so sure of her at first, but once she started reading books to him she was his new best friend. Sadly, I did not get any pictures, so you must wait until I get the copies from my parents or see if my Mom posts any pics on her blog (hint, hint Mom).

In May we flew out to California and visited my MIL's side of the family. We surprised Great-Grandpa on his 92nd birthday and he was just thrilled to see his great-grandchildren. The kids were exhausted after the trip (Lillian slept in until 8am and Samuel till 11:30am! - my kids normally get up between 6:30 and 7am). We also got to meet Great-Great-Aunt Lillian. She's turning 98!


Lillian with Great-Great-Aunt Lillian


The kids with Great-Grandpa

As for other news, Samuel turned two. For his actual birthday I made birthday brownies and he got to open the gifts from us (as well as a couple of gifts that were given by some sweet friends who were out of town for his birthday celebrations). Then we celebrated with family the following weekend.


Samuel "helping" me make the brownies.

Life has been treating us pretty good and flies by faster everyday. I feel like Samuel, Lillian and I are finally finding our groove. Samuel and Lillian get along super well and Lillian is a little ray of sunshine in our world. Between Samuel and Lillian a day doesn't go by that they haven't made me smile (among other things).

Happy Birthday Samuel

Inside you boy
There's an old man sleepin',


Dreamin', waitin' for his chance...


So keep on playin',

Keep on runnin',

Keep on jumpin', til the day

That those old folks
Down inside you
Wake up... and come out to play


Poem adapted from The Folks Inside by Shel Silverstein (book: Falling Up)

Too Country

I love me some country music. I mean, I really love it. The lyrics are refreshing, original, and down-to earth. My favorite love songs come from country music.

I know country gets a bad rap - but I bet most of you are country lovers, even if you don't want to admit it. And people like to say that you don't have to be able to sing to be a country star, but some of the best singers are country. Besides, do I need to mention rap?

Summertime brings out the country girl in me - so here are some of my favs. Now all I need is some fried chicken, okra, and lemonade. Yummm.

Before & After

A couple of pics of our house. I got the kids rooms done except for wall decor. Here is the before:


Samuel's room


Lillian's room

And after (we painted Samuel's a light blue and Lillian's a light pink - I'm in love with the colors).



Samuel's room


Lillian's room

Samuel goes to a Mother's Day Out program once a week and he made me this:

My first homemade Mother's Day gift!

And just a little picture of my beautiful family:

Happy Mother's Day everyone!

We bought a house!!

Closed on it last Monday. Painted and packed like crazy people and moved in Saturday. We are all feeling rather exhausted but excited to have a home we can call our own.


I feel so grown-up.

Dancing in the rain

It's been a slow day. Gray and cloudy. Then it started to rain and there was only one thing to do:






Dancin' and playin' in the rain.


Getting warm and dry. I had hot chocolate and Samuel had chocolate milk as a treat. Lillian just watched us, safe from the rain, in fascination.

For Whitney

Whitney has claimed that I don't put enough pictures on my blog of Lillian. I guess I can't really argue, it just seems to take so much time. So, here are some pics and a video of our adorable girl. I also need to update pictures of my charming little boy who is growing up so fast. He's just not my baby anymore, so sad. :( So, here's for you Whit.


Samuel and Lillian hanging out on the couch.



Lillian showing off her cute dress!

And she can do the Elvis Presley lip thing! Yep, definitely my daughter.


Here's Lillian being a Badger!

vis a vis: http://www.badgerbadgerbadger.com/