the fourth: 2014

Huh, how about that. I guess I've never posted a 4th of July recap. Well, last year we were on a little weekend getaway for our 10th wedding anniversary but it wasn't all festive with fireworks and that kind of crap.

So here's my first real Independence Day recap. It was nice that the 4th was on a Friday which lent itself to a lovely, long weekend.  Ryan's parents live on a small lake that is perfect for relaxing, jumping off the dock, floating around, and taking pontoon boat rides. They invited us We invited ourselves to come and stay for the weekend. Ryan's sister and her family were able to join us from Ohio as well.

Obligatory red, white, 'n blue outfit pics.

I mean, could they be any sillier? No. Cuter? Never.

Love them a lot.

They napped for HOURS every day.

Saturday was our 11 year anniversary so Nana and Pop Pop watched all three boys while Ryan and I enjoyed a rare double date with his sister and her soon-to-be husband.  Dinner at FARMbloomington.

Their FARMfamous garlic fries. Oh. Wow. And their homemade chipotle catsup. Yes.

Our view from the "silo" table.

Neat sights at every turn in this one-of-a-kind restaurant.

Yep, even by the bathrooms. 

Although it was a GORGEOUS night to walk around downtown Bloomington, which is lovely, we wanted to get back in time to enjoy the fireworks over the lake with the boys. Aunt 'Chelle treated the boys with glow swords and glow bracelets --they may have been a bigger hit than the show.

After messing with my camera settings for five minutes before the actual show started, I gave up and put the camera down. I couldn't figure it out and didn't want to spoil the moment.

Sunday mornin' cherry eating.  Theo likes the "yellow cherries." 

Dexter prefers red.

There is a HUGE component of our weekend missing.... the LAKE and the sunshine that we were so lucky to enjoy all weekend.  Seems like when we are all able to get together, we are cursed with cool temps or cloudy skies - or both. Not this time. Again, I chose to live in the moment and not take 500 pics. I had a drink in my hand and the sun on my skin and many long conversations with my sister-in-law. That was all I needed to make the weekend complete. 

A few iPhone pics: 

What'd you do for the Fourth? 

xo,

~C~

father's day q&a

This year, as part of Ryan's Father's Day gift from the boys, I decided to interview them. I simply googled "father's day questionnaire" and printed off the sheets before asking the boys what ended up feeling like a million questions. I did it while they were strapped in their carseats so they couldn't run off or get too distracted.  It took quite a while to get all the answers, but it turned out cute.

Dexter's answers:

My Dad's name is: Ryan Dan.
He is 6 years old, 4 tall, and 5 pounds.
His hair is black and his eyes are blue.
He is smart because he knows how to play.
At his job, my Dad fixes my house.
My Dad is really good at playing games.
My favorite memory with my Dad is the playground playhouse with tables.
His favorite food is broccoli.
My favorite thing to do with Dad is playing toy Batman.
It makes Dad happy when I sing songs to him.
Dad always tells me to go to time out.
If he could go on a trip anywhere in the world, he would go to Target.
And he would take me.
I'm just like my Dad because I like to play Batman.
I really love it when my Dad comes back from work.
If I could give my Dad anything for Father's Day, it would be a toy guy birthday party.
What I love most about my Dad is his blue shirt.

Theo's answers:

My Dad's name is: Daddy.
He is 5 years old, 13 tall, and 8 pounds.
His hair is brown and his eyes are brown.
He is smart because he knows everything.
At his job, my Dad makes money.
My Dad is really good at coloring and chopping boards.
My favorite memory with my Dad is the splash pad.
His favorite food is soup.
My favorite thing to do with Dad is playing Legos.
It makes Dad happy when I play with him.
Dad always tells me to do stuff.
If he could go on a trip anywhere in the world, he would go to outerspace.
And he would take ME! and Dexter.
I'm just like my Dad because I have brown eyes.
I really love it when my Dad plays with me.
If I could give my Dad anything for Father's Day, it would be a kiss.
What I love most about my Dad is his iPad.

Pretty priceless! I hope the dads in your life had a special day!

xo,

~C~

memorial day weekend 2014

We traveled down to Tennessee to see my mom for the long Memorial weekend. In the couple of days leading up to the trip, I started dreading the drive there and back, assuming I-65 and I-75 would be jam-packed with other travelers. Luckily it wasn't too bad and we made good time going both ways.

We got there late Friday night. First thing on my agenda for Saturday was to drop off my rings to get that missing diamond replaced.  I am getting them sized down and a couple other little things done so I've been without them for a week now. Feels like part of me is missing! Can't wait to get them back on my finger, fitting and looking better than ever. Nothing like an extreme close-up of your wrinkles to get you feeling really old...

My mom runs the office at a propane gas company and they just moved into their beautiful new facility so we were excited to get the full tour. 

Afterwards, we went to the duck pond to feed the ducks and geese, then played for a bit before going to grab some lunch at my favorite local /small chain restaurant, Petro's. A must-do attraction EVERY time I'm in town. The boys were melting down by the time we ate lunch so I wasn't in the mood to try to take pics of that delicious meal.

Ready to feed the duckies!

The rest of the day was perfect for relaxing at my mom's and decorating a cake with jelly beans. 

Sunday we ate at another of my favorite local restaurants. Why am I so obsessed with food?

After lunch, we just went to the mall and Target. Typical Sunday, regardless of where we are, right?  We'd actually planned on going to a cute park but it started to rain just as we left Riverview Grill.  Rats. 

I didn't take many pictures on Sunday. We spent the evening hanging out at mom's. Coloring. Eating. Watching TV.  See, typical Sunday!

Monday - Memorial Day - we took another shot at that park and it was a great time to go. There was almost no one there when we got there around 10am.  

After playing, we grabbed lunch at yet another local delight by the interstate - Harrison's Grill. One of those experiences that exceeds every expectation. Good prices, great food. Everyone loved their meal. The boys behaved and cleaned their plates.  After only eating so-so all weekend, I was glad to see them get some goodness in their bellies before the long drive home.  We ended a great, albeit short, trip on a good note and hit the road to get back home. 

xo,

~C~

Dear Dexter - You're 3!

Dear Dexter

Happy birthday buddy, my big boy! My Batman-loving little man. 

You are so kind. Genuinely kind. This will carry you far in life, but don’t let people take advantage of your kindness.  You care about people and have a sincere desire to be nice to them. You want to follow the rules and do what’s right. You love making people smile and feel happy. You are also wildly unique and wildly … well, wild!  You love to run and jump and climb.  You are fearful of almost nothing (just jumping in the pool).  You trust others. You give the best hugs and the sweetest little kisses.  You still ask for “milk hot” when you wake up and most nights before you go to bed. I don’t care…I will fix your milk hot as long as you ask me to. You are rarely ever still but you love sitting in my lap to read stories so I take advantage of those special times.

One hour old - meeting big brother.

You are almost potty-trained. We just need to work on getting you out of diapers while you sleep. You have come a long way in a short time with tremendous growth in your independence.  You love to be outside. You are strong. You are tough. I have to remind myself that while you are MY baby, you are no longer a little baby. You fall and brush it off. You are a stinker and put me in my place sometimes. I will threaten you with a time out and you willingly run to the time out chair, laughing all the way.  You sit there and shout out to me “mommy, I’m in time out!” Then come to me tell me to ask you why you were in time out. How am I supposed to keep a straight face, Dexter?

One year old - you still use this cup. Ha.

Your blonde hair is getting darker every year but your eyes are still a beautiful medium blue.  You love all things Batman, along with other superheroes.  You are falling just as deeply in love with Legos as your brother.  Batman + Legos = a dream come true for you. You are a good eater with a wide variety of well-liked foods.  You would eat candy for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if I let you and I have to constantly remind you that we have to eat more healthy things than unhealthy things.  You are usually happy to oblige.  You like coloring and playdoh.

Two years old - bad haircut but still cute.

You wake up happy and go to bed happy.  You have a bright smile and a positive outlook to go with it.  You are silly and smart and want to be a lot like your brother in a lot of ways. You talk like a baby sometimes and it drives me crazy. You stuttered briefly for a few weeks but it went away as quickly as it started.

While you are three, you will start pre-school.  You will become 100% diaper free.  (Our house will be diaper free….I can’t even wrap my head around that!)  You will fall and get new boo boos for me to kiss. You will go to the beach for the first time ever.  You will get even better at numbers and letters. You will get taller and your hair will get darker. You will outgrow everything that fits you today. You will find something new that you love and get tired of something that you play with every day right now.  You will grow and change but you will stay the same.  You will continue to make us laugh happy laughs and smile joyful smiles. You will continue to brighten our days and fill our hearts. I hope you will still hold my hand and hug and kiss me every day.

Three years old - happy birthday, babe!

I can’t wait to experience every milestone and challenge that three has to offer, right by your side. Welcome to 3 sweetheart!  

Love,

Mommy

Mother's Days

I've been meaning to pull out our external hard drive for awhile to look up some pictures.  One of my favorite things about taking pictures, and especially sharing them with others, is marveling at how much changes in a few short years. Here's a recap of my Mother's Days as a mom... I can truly say I've never been happier to hold any title.

2010 - my first Mother's Day!

2011 - less than a week before Dexter was born.

 

2012 - day before Mother's Day at Dexter's first birthday party.

2013

2014

I might have bribed them with a mini donut. 

Before dinner. 

Hope you had a great day!

xo

~C~