Special Gift

My sister sent Blake a extra big, extra yummy fortune cookie for his birthday. This is the second time she has sent them to us, and we love it every time! They're homemade and loaded with all sorts of yummy goodness. Here are the pictures. Then Blake realizes what it is and this is the face I get...

wait for it...

COOKIES!!!

Then, being the mean mom that I am, I let him know he won't be having any till Daddy gets home and this is the face I get.

Ok, maybe just a little taste :)

If you are interested go to www.sumocookies.com, and check them out! Thanks Kelli!

Fun at the Park

We went to the park to have a picnic on Monday and caught some cute pictures. Here are some of my favorites. It didn't take long for Bailey to find the flowers!

Bailey and Blake

These two really love each other. I am so lucky!!

Feeding the ducks

Blake checking out the duck and the duck checking out Blake.

The hardest part of taking pictures of my kids is getting them to actually look at the camera. So Rustin asked Bailey what color the lens was and this is what we got.

At least she's looking! I think we will try something different next time. :)

Scary Morning

I hesitate writing this blog, because I don't want anyone to get worried. Bailey and I had a very scary morning the other day. We were in her room getting dressed. Anyone who knows Bay, knows how much she loves to jump. She was holding onto her bed frame and jumping up and down when she lost the gripping and fell on the bed frame. The bed frame sort of chopped her in half. She started to cry (really hard) and never took a breath, causing her to pass out. I freaked! Holding your little baby and watching her little body go limp, I felt helpless. I screamed her name probably a dozen times, blew in her face and she finally started to come in and out. I didn't know what to do. When she came back, she was very lethargic. She kept telling me she can't breath, she wanted to go to sleep, she couldn't feel her feet. I called my neighbor and she dropped what she was doing and rushed right over. After all the medical training I've had, you think I would know what to do, but it is a different story when it's your kids, I went bananas! Let me remind you , Bay is just fine. We went to the Dr. and she simply had the wind knocked out of her.
There are a few things I learned with this experience.

1. I want to live closer to family. I was terrified and I felt so alone. Our closest family is at least 40 min away, including my husband on work days. I wish we were closer!
2. I am so grateful for our health. I don't know why it takes something like this to make you realize the things you take for granted everyday.
3. I have the best neighbor! I am so glad that we are close enough, where i feel like I can call you when I need someone so bad. I couldn't have dreamed of better neighbors. Thanks for dropping what you were doing to rush home to help me. We love you guys!
   

I could go on, but the kids want my attention, duty calls! :)

Birthday Boy

Blake had a Birthday! My little man is now 2. He loves his Baseball stuff.

The only pic we got of him opening presents we gave him because the camera battery died :(

I know it's blurry but his reaction to the Deigo toy grandma and grandpa gave him was priceless

Say cheese!

We let the kids pick out what ever cake they want for their birthday. No surprise here, as soon as Blake laid eyes on the Baseball cake

he was sold!

Picture with some of the cousins

I was actually surprised he blew out the candles without any help, considering when he usually tries to blow, he blows straight up his nose! Good Job Blake!

Blake, I hope you always stay the sweet, loving, innocent little guy you are now.

Happy Birthday Big Guy !

Yikes!!

WARNING! The following may not be for those who get a little squeamish when talking about...mice!

A few days ago I was determined to tackle our weed infested flower bed. Armed with a shovel, and 2 little determined helpers, we went to work. Mid-way through, we were blessed

(or frightened) with the arrival of a mouse! I jumped, Bailey got closer for a better look. My initial reaction was to tell Bailey to RUN! After giving it a little thought, I figured I could use her interest in this little creature to my advantage. I instructed her "chase" it into the lot next to ours. As if putting it in the empty lot right next to ours would prevent it from coming back?! She did, however the mouse had a better idea, and hide under the hose reel. Keeping my distance, I told Bailey to wiggle the hose, she did and... well ... lets just say that the little mouse now lives in Heaven.

My Happy Place

One (of many things) my dad does well, is his unfailing way to plant the biggest, most beautiful, lush flower pots. Yes, that's right I said my DAD. Not that there's anything wrong with men planting flowers, lets just say it's not all that common. When this first started, years back, I was a little confused, thought maybe midlife crisis, gender identity issues :). I asked dad "Why" the response I get (typical dad response) "Baby, It takes me to my happy place" I left it at that. Years later with 2 young kids I understand. So here are pics of my "Happy Place" Love you Dad!

101 Things

101 Things

At least one of us have done the bolded items

1. Ridden in a train. Karli, Rustin

2. Slept under the stars KR

3.Played in a band/orchestra

4. Visited Hawaii R

5. Watched a meteor shower KR

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disney World

8. Climbed a mountain R

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo R

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea K

14. Taught yourself an art from scratchR

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning KR

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables KR

19. Had a letter to the editor published

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight KR

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when not really ill. KR

24. Built a snow fort KR

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping KR

27. Run a Marathon

28. Seen the running of the bulls

29. Seen a total eclipse KR

30. Watched a sunrise KR

31. Hit a home run KR

32. Been on a cruise KR

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors KR

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Been on a draw-bridge

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Received a traffic ticket KR

41. Sung karaoke KR

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt K

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant K

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight K

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted K

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Been a story on the news

50. Seen a wild mustang

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling R

52. Kissed in the rain KR

53. Played in the mud KR

54. Gone to a drive-in theater R

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies K

62. Gone whale watching

63. Received flowers for no reason K

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma KR

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter KR

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy R

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt KR

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Won a contest R

77. Broken a bone KR

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Been in a cave

82. Bought a brand new car KR

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper KR

85. Read the entire Bible or other religious book KR

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chicken pox KR

89. Saved someone’s life R

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous KR

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one KR

94. Had a baby K

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit KR

98. Been to the top of the Gateway Arch

99. Been stung by a bee KR

100. Seen Mount Rushmore in person

101. Learned to play an instrument K