Thursday, September 12, 2013

I’m back! Summer 2013 Part 1

What a summer…………….  I didn’t plan to quit blogging all together – but life became busy and unpredictable and blogging hit the back burner.  Now that summer has come and gone I’ll try to do a recap of all our fun and then hop back into blogging in real-time and not seasonal summaries.  

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This boy finished his first year of Pre-K and this was a picture of his first and last day of school.  I can’t believe how grown up he looks in the comparison! 

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Memorial Day meant a trip up to Taylor to see our good friend Luke who was in town for business.  We got to take the boys to campus to see the football field, our old dorms, the bell tower, and more.  And of course, we had to have lunch (and ice cream) at Ivanhoe’s! 

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We had our first garage sale!!  It was a rainy day and most of our signs blew away, but we still had a pretty successful day!  Asher found the whole idea of selling our stuff in our garage to be fun and exciting.  He was a good help!

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We scaled back our planting in the garden – It’s funny to look back at this early picture since everything has grown like crazy now! 

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We spent lots of time outside playing!  It was such a mild and gorgeous summer.  NO complaints! 

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Of course that doesn’t mean we didn’t spend some time inside watching cartoons!

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As always, the water slide was a hit….

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And so was the pool!

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We celebrated Father’s Day with the best daddy!

I think that covers the highlights of May and the beginning of June……. next up: Our time at the cabin!  :)

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Spring Celebrations!

It’s been a BUSY spring!  I’m finally getting around to posting a recap, just in time… since it’s almost summer!!

After returning home from Spring Break in Florida we celebrated Asher’s birthday as a family, then we celebrated Mother’s Day (back-to-back) and then we celebrated Asher’s party with friends last weekend.  Here’s a recap of all our fun!

Asher turned four on May 11.  To celebrate the big FOUR we had cinnamon rolls for breakfast, opened presents (So fun that it was a Saturday and Chris could be home with us).  Next up, we went to the Children’s Museum – Asher requested Connor Prairie, but it was an unseasonably cool/cold Spring Day and we opted for an indoor activity.  After the museum we went to Target for Icee drinks per his request.  Finally we had dinner – hot dogs and Mac and Cheese and Nana’s special Chocolate Cake!  It was a fun day of celebrating our sweet Asher Joe!

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Having fun with the presents he opened on his birthday – a cash register from aunties and uncles and “Bucky” Jake’s pirate ship from Nana and Papa.  Both presents were BIG hits!

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The next morning it was my turn to be celebrated!!  Woo Hoo for Mother’s Day!  Breakfast in bed and a new bracelet started the day!  Off to church and then lunch at Abuelo’s.  We decided it was a restaurant we’d rather eat at sans-kids.  :)  A relaxing afternoon (for me) and then yummy fettuccine alfredo prepared by my sweet hubby all made for a really great day!

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Finally we celebrated Asher’s birthday this past weekend with our “family” here in Indy – friends from small group - and our family in Ohio - Grandma and Grandpa Atkinson, Auntie Liz and Uncle Joel and Coralaine and Adelaide.  Asher requested the theme of Jake and the Neverland Pirates.  It was a really fun day!

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It rained that morning, and called for a wash-out, but we totally lucked out with overcast skies, but NO rain… the sun even peeked through a few times!!

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Pinata Time!!

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The BEST part……

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Our next game was pin the eyes on Tick-Tock Croc!  Chris made an awesome Tick-Tock Croc and the kids had a blast!

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The last game: Treasure Hunt!  Reading the first clue…

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Working together….

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Jesse and Cora skipped the hunt and went straight for the treasure!

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Checking out their loot!  ;)

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And now it was time for CAKE!!!

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Presents!!

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The awesome pirate costume Auntie Liz made Asher!

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{Most} of the sweet kiddos!

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How blessed am I to have these three guys!?

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Cousin Love :)

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Everybody loves baby Adelaide! (Even Daisy!) :)

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It was a really special day and we are thankful for the friends and family who helped us celebrate our sweet boy!

Sunday, May 5, 2013

This boy…

Oh Jess, you are officially a second born!  I missed 1 of your monthly updates and then 1 turned into 2, which turned into 3… and the rest is history.

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This picture is from last month – see I really was trying to get back in my groove!!

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You are NOW 22 months old!!

Daddy and I both agree that you have officially hit your MOST fun stage.  I can’t get enough of you and could kiss your cheeks ALL day long!

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You are funny, funny, funny (and you know it!)  Your laugh is the best and I love hearing you and Asher giggling together.

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You talk and talk and talk!  Some of my favorite phrases are when you say,

“Are you?”  When you’re looking for us.

“Thank you Mama-mama” Adding an extra “mama” for emphasis I guess.

“Yuv you!”  Oh melt my heart!

“Okay, I will!” Which is what you say when we ask you to do something.

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Jesse, you are such a sweetheart and I love everyday of being your mommy!  You keep me ON. MY. TOES. (but I wouldn’t have it any other way.)

We love you! xo xo xo