Monday, August 15, 2011


It's been awhile, hasn't it? There has been a lot going on and when I've had time to update... I am too wiped to write something worth your (and my) time.

So instead of some giant post about what's been going on these last couple weeks of summer, I'll pick up from here.

Amelia is doing good but testing her mother's patience on a daily basis. Ah, the terrible twos. I remember those days when she was an infant going to the store thinking, "I can't wait until she can walk so I don't have to carry this seat everywhere." Sure the big ordeal of an errand entailed a diaper bag with half of what you owned inside, a car seat with this child that may or may not start crying mid-shop. But oh, I miss those days. Now... she doesn't want to ride in the cart, in the front or back. She wants to stand and walk beside you, which usually means she changes her mind every aisle or isn't listening, or walking to fast, or slow, or touching something she shouldn't or laying on the floor... and suddenly your the mother in the store trying not to lose your cool and make an even bigger spectacle. *sigh*
Bedtime as turned into a game for her as well. She has started coming up with things to put off actually going to bed. Some of her favorites are "more milk","blow my nose," "Change my diaper," and my all time favorite is when she throws her blanket on the floor and cries until we come in and pick it up for her.
Thankfully, the threat of a spanking usually stops it... unless it doesn't, and then you have to spank her. ha... She's still amazing us with how much she knows/remembers and still makes us laugh with her charming personality and cuteness, you know, when she's not trying to run the world.

She's a gift... and quite a struggle all in one... testing my patience and driving me to my knees in prayer.






Sunday, July 24, 2011

Meeska Mooska... Mickey Mouse!

This weekend, we had Amelia's birthday party. We had great fun celebrating and I think she completely worn herself out. We did a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse theme... one of her favorite shows. She got to celebrate with 4 grandparents, 3 great-grands, One Uncle Michael, and Aunt Kristen and Uncle Shaun. Here are some pictures of the festivities.


Birthday Girl Posing before the party
Clubhouse cake which Amelia was excited about all week.
TOODLES!!! (this was my favorite part) For those of you who don't have to watch this show over and over, Toodles comes along during Mickey and friends adventures and whenever they need something to help them accomplish their goal, they call..."oh, toodles!" So we made our own and he looks just like this, in case you are wondering. The Mystery item was Mickey ears for her to wear instead of a party hat. Then a map telling her where mommy and daddy hid her gift, candles for the cake, and a fork to eat with. Each time we realized we needed something... Amelia got to call Toodles to come help her.
more decorations
the Menu: Hot Dogs, Orange jello, raspberry lemonade, fruit salsa, Mac and Cheese cups, and of course the cake.
The hit of party (besides the cute 2 year old): Fruit salsa and homemade cinnamon chips
singing and blowing out the candles
Presents! Dinosaur Train from Mommy and Daddy
Sandbox from Nana and Papa and Aunt Laura
Car from Granbo and Gigi
And her slide, which she is still on, from Mommy and Daddy.
Big girl! Thankful for her and looking forward to a new year with her.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Two

Holy Smokes... she is two. And somehow it feels like no time. Those times I thought would never end, struggling with the tiredness, the confusion, the trials of babyhood, have, in fact, ended leaving behind a humbler mommy, one crazy, beautiful toddler, and only memories ... Wow, I barely remember this baby. So thankful for the past 2 years. Looking forward, by God's grace, to many more.

Celebrating Amelia today... we are blessed

Monday, July 18, 2011

While we've been away...

I know it's been awhile, whether or not I've been missed might be a different story, but I've had a chance to update... so here I go.

Yes. We have been busy but the real reason for the delayed post is a malfunctioning computer... UGH! We have not had much luck with that in the past two years. I think there is a desktop in our future. We STILL are waiting for repairs so we've used my ipod for any email/internet checking. All of the sudden, I've had some more time on my hands. perhaps spending too much time online? Well, maybe. It has been refreshing actually. Except when I need to look something up or send someone a message.

here is what you've all missed ...

1. Much time spent in the pool ... Amelia is loving swimming, jumping off the side, and splashing mommy.

2. I had some outpatient surgery. Nothing too big and nothing huge to recover from but yes, I had to go under for the first time in my life... Feeling normal and thankful for a wonderful doctor.

3. James found out he passed his last and final test of his actuarial exams! Praise the Lord. No more studying, no more looking for ways to pass the time waiting for him to be done studying, no more putting things off because of time studying... So grateful and so excited for him. He has a few more "projects" to finish before he gets a change in his letters, but those wont take too much time. Oh, and by the way, average age of people who make it through... 30; James ... 24! He is awesome!

4. Amelia turns two in TWO DAYS! I feel like this year she has grown and changed so much it's unbelievable to think about her last year at this time... Talking, walking, running, climbing (never still) Goofy, with a great sense of humor and continues to impress us with how much she knows and remembers. She is learning her lower case letters right now. (why we have to have 2 completely separate alphabet, I don't know) She's almost got them all. We are so thankful for her and the little person she's becoming. As soon as we get the computer up and running.. I'll post pictures from her Mickey Mouse Party.

Welp, there's a quick update... and hopefully we will be fully functional within the week!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Summer Happenings

We have been busy over the past couple weeks. Summer activities have picked up and amid the x,y,and z's we have to get done, we are enjoying some play time.

We've been able to see Lincoln alot while my mom watches him. They love each other :)

Uncle Michael's been over to play too. Amelia made him read to her... over and over
Our play group went to the new Splash pad here in Avon. Amelia LOVED it! I was so surprised how much she loved it. She usually like to see how things work before jumping right in... apparently not with water! We'll have to make more trips here.



We went to the Zoo last week all together... finally. We were excited to see the new tiger exhibit. WOW! it was awesome to see those cats up close. It was an exciting afternoon there... the lions were roaring quite loud, the zebras were going nuts, the leopards were up close, the polar bear, sharks, they were all extra entertaining.

Here is one with the Tiger up close. Amelia even recoiled, he was so close.
on the other side, this tiger kept him back to us the whole time.
SERIOUSLY!? this is NOT cropped... we were this close
Linc got to come with us.
Almost 2 ... can't believe it.


Thursday, June 23, 2011

Summer Cooking

I've been trying some new recipes that are quick and easy. You know, in between getting stuff done around the house, enjoying friends, and swimming, spending a little time in the kitchen for some quick deliciousness. Lets see, I found a great dinner recipe, Mongolian Beef, which is pretty close to the PF Changs' recipe. Again, so quick so easy ... and one of my husband's favorite. Another favorite of his is Fudge popsicles... What's better than Homemade, right? If you are looking for a fun summer dessert, HERE it is.
And finally, my favorite...

These-
Raspberry Rolls, oh my. Seriously, there is nothing to them and would make a great breakfast treat. I used Frozen bread dough. Let it rise once. Rolled it out into a rectangle. I used frozen raspberries and 1 Tablespoon each of water and cornstarch. Threw those 3 into the microwave for 1 Minute. Mashed berries slightly and stirred it all together, Spread it onto rolled dough and roll up like cinnamon rolls. Slice, arrange in a greased pan, and let rise for another 30 minutes or so, and Bake. Then a simple frosting on top and Wowza...

I would highly recommend trying it. I'm sure any other berry would work just as well, but I really enjoyed the tart from the raspberries with the sweet from the frosting. You be the judge.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Pool Time!

We've already enjoyed much time sitting around and splashing in the pool this summer. Amelia loves it, even more than last summer. So, if you need to find us this summer... you can probably find us here.

Eating a cookie and talking with Papa
swimming with Daddy
Jumping off the edge to Aunt Kristen
Hitching a ride with Linc