Trip to STL--Oct 2011

Trying to get caught up on my blogging. I have decided that blogging is a lot like reading for me, I really have to be in the mood to sit down and do it, and over the last few months, I just haven't felt like doing it, so I'm trying to play catch up.

Back in October, we got to spend a weekend with some of our favorite people...

Ryan's family. They were nice enough to drive a long 10 hours to meet us in St. Louis. We were tickled at the idea of going somewhere "new" (at least for them), and meeting in a wonderful town like STL. I'm always thrilled to go back to there, it brings me back to my college days. I was lucky enough to go and visit my Alma ma tar, Missouri Baptist University. Let me tell you, that place has grown and changed so much, but yet it still feels like home in so many ways. I will always be thankful for the friendships that place produced, the time I spent there and the feeling of family throughout the campus. So glad I got to go back.

We were able to score a pretty awesome deal on a Hampton Inn there in Chesterfield. The kids got to go swim, we had adjoining rooms and just had a great time spending time with each other. The Saturday that we were there, we went to "The City Museum". I have been here once before in my college days, but its a lot more fun to go with kids (Ryan included) and see it through their eyes. There are TONS of nooks and crannies that kids and adults alike can crawl through, climb on or build. We spent over 6 hours in this place and didn't even see it all. As my mother in law, Sandy said, its the "Disney World of the Midwest"!

One shot of one of the rooftops you can go out and play on. You can pretty much climb, slide or hide on anything you see in this picture.

The kids have a great time climbing.

The Roller Slide.

I can't believe I let my baby go up there. From left to right, Ryan, Adriana and Jim. They were pretty high up there and Adriana wasn't scared at all.

All the cousins looking to go into one of the many ball pits.

You can just see how many stairs and things there are behind Adriana.

Paxton LOVED playing in all the blocks.

Paxton and the Sumo Wrestler. He didn't really know what to think of this big man.

Four best friends.

After the City Museum, we went by and walked around the Arch. Although I have seen it many times, I'm still awe struck whenever I am around it, and how awesome it is to see in person.

A family shot down by the Arch.

The kids playing on the iPad. Its amazing how fast kids catch onto electronics.

We had a WONDERFUL time in STL. We made a TON of memories that will last us all a lifetime. Hopefully, if we do it again, we can stay longer and see more sights. STL is a fun town to go and visit, with or without kids.

Happy New Year-2012!!

MAN, how is it possible that it is 2012? Time just seems to slip away faster each year. I know I have slacked off so much on my blog over the last few months, life is a total whirlwind these days, and I'm waiting (and hoping) that they will slow down SOON, but I'm afraid, I might just be wishful thinking.

2011 was, overall, a pretty good year for us. God blesses us richly everyday, and we are thankful that this last year was full of blessings.

Ryan's work has kept steady all year (which isn't always the case) and he has been able to remain one of the top sales people in his job. He is a hard worker and he does an excellent job at providing for his family.

Adriana started Pre-K in the fall and LOVES it! I DREAD the thought of her going off to Kindergarten this fall. She couldn't be more excited about it (which is a good thing), but how is it that my baby is old enough to be going off to "real" school. She's so smart and is in a mode where she LOVES to write, try to read and do puzzles, she difinitely gets all those things from her Daddy!

Paxton, is well, 120% ALL boy! This busy little 2 year old, keeps me on my toes! He started Preschool this year, and (for the most part) seems to enjoy it (until he runs into me in the hallways!). He's got such a sweet, tender heart, but also has a busy, wild side that can plum wear me out at times. He's a smart little guy too and enjoys being read too. He also loves to pick on his Sissy, whom he ultimately loves and adores.

This last year has been super busy one for me. Not so much the first part of the year, but about half way through, I was asked to teach our Sunday School class (which I do love doing and am thankful for a class that is patient as I learn and develop). I also started teaching at the Preschool the kids go to. I have a busy classroom with 8 little 2 year old BOYS! They are so sweet and I'm blessed beyond measure to have this job. I also am still a discussion group leader with my MOPS group, which I enjoy too!

Life has definitely been busy. I am amazed at how God continues to care for us, day to day and how our needs are met without fail.

My hope for your family and ours, is that 2012 brings many rich blessings, good health and love from friends and family in your lives. God never promised us an easy road, but with Him by our side, we can get through the tough times. Here's to a great year, a better you (and me!) and true happiness! Happy New Year!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Paxton!

Disclaimer: In all of the following pictures, I am not looking the best. You would think that over the years, I might improve, but no, not yet....Don't say I didn't warn you!

So today we celebrate our Paxton Boy's 2nd Birthday! Its hard to believe that my baby is 2 already! How did he go from this...

To this....

So fast? He is so much more than we would have ever imagined. He is full speed. I tell people, he has 2 speeds, full blast and sleep, with nothing in between. He's a sweet baby who still likes to be held, and I will savor that for as long as possible. He comes up and says, "holds you", wanting to be picked up and loved on. I LOVE that! He's also getting quite a personality. He loves to joke around and kid. Its funny to see what he understands and what he will kid back about. His new thing is when you hand him something or do something for him he responds with "thanks dude!". We don't know where he got that, but its so cute. So many things about him we love so much. Does he wear me out? Yes, but I wouldn't trade it for the world! Happy Birthday Paxton, we love you so much and can't wait to see what life holds for you!

A side note: While going through the pictures tonight, I came across one from Adriana's second Birthday. Just thought you would like to compare the kids at the same age. Its funny. Everyone always says how much Adriana looks like me and how much Paxton looks like Ryan, yet they look so much alike. I can't get over how much their faces look the same. Also, we had Paxton's party last night, a post will be coming soon about that.

Trick Or Treat!

So each year, the age old question comes around, about early October, you start stressing out on what your kid is going to be for Halloween. If they are old enough to tell you, then you try to make it work, if not, and you're like me, I HATE spending money on something they will only wear once or twice, so you start thinking about what you can find at Goodwill or what you can make at home. Okay, maybe its just me that does this, but needless to say, it can be kind of a stressful thing. This year, I lucked out. One night, me and Adriana were going up to Goodwill (I say "going up", because Goodwill is literally less than a mile from our home and its just up a big hill. I LOVE it!). Anyway, I had asked her what she thought she wanted to be for Halloween and to my surprise, she said she wanted to be a super hero. I have NO idea where she came up with this. She isn't into any kind of super hero stuff right now, but I thought I could maybe change her mind, if I found something different. Well, that night, at Goodwill, I found a Wonder Woman outfit for $2! In a separate bin, they had the hair band and the boots, for $1.50 more! Adriana LOVED it and I loved the price, so she was set! I was so pleased with how it turned out!

Paxton was a different story. I had NO idea what to make him go as. I thought about putting him in a super hero outfit, but then again, I was having trouble finding something reasonably priced. Then it dawned on me. I had bought a little Micheal Jordan jersey this summer at a garage sale. I think Paxton wore it once all summer, but I thought that would be perfect, since he loves sports so much. So, I just had to go and get a sweat band and he was set. The jersey, by the way, only cost 50 cents at the garage sale, so I can't complain about his outfit either. I thought he turned out pretty darn cute too!

So for Halloween this year, we did the same thing as we did last year, and go with our good friends Matt and Mandy and their kiddos. The kids get along so good and we love being with Matt and Mandy. We are blessed to have them in our lives. This year, Matt and Mandy also dressed up. I LOVED their outfits and they got so many compliments. My picture didn't turn out so good, but you can see they are Mary Poppins and Bert.

We ate a "scary" meal over at their house before we left. I wish I would have taken a picture of all the food. We had Mummy Dogs, Eyeballs, Teeth, Worms, Ghosts and Frankenstein Brownies.

It was a lot of fun and super yummy!

Then we were off to Trick or Treat. The kids had so much fun, Paxton had a blast and couldn't believe how much candy he got.

Our cute little kiddos. They were all so sweet and thankful to the people handing out candy. Truly a fun memory!

Pumpkin Carving

Well the Saturday before Halloween (which Halloween was on a Monday this year), we all of a sudden got in the mood to go to a pumpkin patch. It was a nice Saturday, and we woke up and decided we were going to go. Well, that quickly got squashed when we saw how expensive it was going to be and for the amount of time we were going to spend there, we didn't think it was worth the money. Second best thing? Carve pumpkins at our house. My dad was in town for a visit (currently they are living in Jefferson City with my grandma, being her full time caretakers, so they alternate coming home each week). I felt bad, my dad signed up for a pumpkin patch and by the time he drove out to our house, we had changed our minds, so instead, he sat outside and watched us carve pumpkins. We had a good time. It was such a nice fall day, actually quiet in our neighborhood and just had a good time talking. I love it when "plan B's" end up working out probably better than Plan A would have.

Adriana was SO excited about carving her pumpkin. Well, as you can guess she didn't really do much carving, Ryan got stuck with that job, but she loved pulling the seeds out and coloring on her pumpkin once it was carved.

We had bought a "Carving Kit". Those things are tricky and very time consuming. I branched out and created my own. I got real creative and made a big letter "N".

Poor Ryan worked feverishly on both Adriana and his and here I never got a picture of his finished pumpkin. His turned out really good, he made a haunted house, but by the time he finished, I had already put the camera away. Sorry for not getting a picture, Ryan, but here is the hard work and determination that was written all over your face.

Of course we did all of this while Paxton was down for his nap. I don't even want to think about the mess he would have made if he was in the mix. So when he got up, I let him color his pumpkin. He was so excited!

All our little pumpkins in a row. Starting at the top step: Ryan's, Adriana's, mine and Paxton's.

Such a fun, fall memory!

In Pictures....

When you see your kids everyday, its hard to notice how fast they change and grow up. You may notice that they all of a sudden seem to have a mouth full of teeth or super long hair, but you miss the settle changes, which is kind of sad. Thank goodness for pictures, right? There are things you may forget, a facial expression, a cheesy smile or a goofy way they stand, but pictures capture it all for us. I LOVE having pictures all over our house, I think it makes it seem so cozy and I always enjoy seeing pictures hanging on people's wall when I go to their houses too. Its fun to see kids grow up and change.
Recently I updated some pictures that are hanging in our stairway. Its kind of sad to update pictures. Its like you're covering up your children as babies and making them grow up through pictures. Anyway, as I prepared to change them, I took pictures of the before and after. Its amazing how much they have changed within 18 months or so. Time goes by too fast!

Daddy Daughter Date

Okay, so since I'm so far behind on my blog, this Daddy Daughter Date Night probably happened about a month and a half ago or so. Chick-Fil-A had a daddy daughter night and I just KNEW Adriana would LOVE some one on one time with her hero, her daddy. I told Ryan about it, he was all for it. We told Adriana about it and told her that she gets to go on a date with Daddy. So we did hair, make-up and a fancy dress for the occasion. Ryan kept reminding me that it wasn't a fancy event, but what girl doesn't like going on a date and getting all dolled up? She was so excited, Ryan even went and got her some flowers, which she LOVED!

I'm so glad they got to go, they had a blast and hopefully made memories for both of them, that lasts a long time! Here's to many more date nights with Daddy!