Christmas Train

Yesterday while Olivia was taking her morning nap I got to spend some one on one time with Z! Last year we built a Gingerbread (Man) House and I wanted to make it a tradition. This year I went with a train because he is choo choo for trains right now.

We had a great time and he got a nice sugar buzz off of the icing!

(sorry I uploaded the pics in the wrong order so you'll have to see the finished product first.)

Thankful

This time of year everyone is asked to think about what they are thankful for. Every year I think about it and I compile a list and it makes me feel warm and fuzzy. This year, I feel overwhelmingly thankful. Thankful and blessed.

I am thankful for my amazing son who makes me laugh each and every day. He is a ball of energy that I attempt to keep up with daily. He keeps me on my toes and knocks me off of my feet - I never ever see it coming! His little smile is a ray of sunshine and he warms my heart through and through. 

I am thankful for my sweet little girl who allows me to see through her eyes and experience life all over again. She is my big reminder to slow down, giggle more and enjoy every moment of each day. She is a dream, a breath of fresh air. She completes our perfect family and I thank God for her every day. 

I am thankful for my husband who is undeniably the most amazing man I have ever met. He is my strength, my support, my biggest cheerleader and my best friend. I can never begin to describe in words the roll that he plays in my life. I am beyond blessed that I get to share my life with him.

I am thankful for my family. My mom who doubles as a best friend. She is the strongest woman I know and I am blessed to be her daughter. My step-dad, Mike, who takes care of my mom and treats me as if I were his own child. My siblings; Robert, Sarah and Miranda - I am so thankful that I can call the three of them my closest friends. I am thankful that I have nieces and a nephew who fill my heart to the brim. My kids are so blessed they will have cousins to grow up with, who will be their best friends. I am thankful for my inlaws, Mr. Rich and Mrs. Laura, who have always been there for me whenever I have needed them.

Lastly, I am thankful for my friends, old and new. I have very few friends in my life but the ones I do have are amazing. I am thankful for my longest friendship with Cristin. She is not only my best friend she is my sister. I am thankful for my three girlfriends; Carmen, Lianne, and Carrie. While I don't see the three of them often enough I know they are always a phone call away. I am thankful for the new friends I have made this past year; Kellie, Dawn, Joce and Lisa. It is invaluable to be surrounded by people who make a neighborhood feel like a family. 

Believe it or not I could go on and on with my list. I can't say enough how blessed I am to be able to have such a long list of people to be thankful for. I hope all of you are feeling as thankful this year as I am.

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Trick or Treat

Well Halloween is finally winding down around here. I feel like we've been celebrating for weeks - oh wait, we have! Last weekend we went to Chris and Cristin's house for their neighborhood's annual parade. Zachary loved walking behind all of the fire engines and getting a special treat at the end. (sorry no pictures of that event)

On Friday we went to Rich's work for a pizza party. The kids got to dress up and eat lots of junk food. Zachary still isn't a huge fan of dressing up so he was content with wearing last years costume, a choo choo train. Olivia dressed up as a cute little purple fairy.

Here she is at Rich's work:

Z is very determined to get all of those Nerds that spilled!

Last night was trick or treating in our neighborhood. Zachary was so excited to wear his costume and go out with his buddies.

I wonder if I'll ever get a picture where the 2 of them are smiling at the same time...

Here is the neighborhood gang (the ones who dressed up at least) Rich and I went as a prom king and queen - you can sort of see us all the way in the back!

Firecracker, Firecracker...Boom, Boom, Boom!

We just had a super busy and spectacularly fun 4th of July weekend! Saturday we went to The Jack's house for some swimming, eating and fireworks extravaganza!

Olivia went swimming for her 1st time.

A family photo!

Anna & Olivia

Lillian running around

Collin

All 5 cousins!

Daddy & Z waiting for the fireworks to start.

Hey, ANOTHER family pic! Poor Olivia is being strangled.

Me and the kids - Poor Olivia again

The fireworks display was amazing. Top notch job Phil and gang.

Yesterday we all got in our patriotic outfits and went celebrated with our neighbors. It was such a great day!

Next up... someone special has a 3rd birthday!!!!

Long Weekend Recap

We had such a busy and fun weekend that we're all totally pooped from it today!

It started on Friday with a trip to Cecil County to visit the Plumpton Park Zoo. We met up with my mom, Lily, Anna, Phil, and Collin! All of the cousins were accounted for which is a rarity for our family.

Here are Lily and Anna enjoying a ride in the stroller to see the animals.

Zachary checking out the miniature pony.

This was a bull-type creature. Only a Cecil County zoo would have such a beast.

Collin fed the donkey's while Z watched.

Collin and Zachary petting a donkey.

Somehow I missed getting a picture of Olivia but she really enjoyed the zoo, too.

On Saturday we went to Boordy Vineyards with Chris and Cristin. I think this was our 4 year going to this event with them and as always we had a GREAT time.

Sunday we went BACK to Cecil County (lots of driving this weekend) to pick-up Zachary. He stayed with Sarah, Phil and Collin all weekend. We had a little cook-out with them and celebrated Memorial Day a bit early.

Olivia beat the heat with Pop & Nana.

Hanging with Aunt Sarah.

Taking a little nap in her tent. How big does she look here? She's getting so long!

Zachary spent some time by the pool. He wasn't too interested in getting in it though.

Monday we lounged at home which was much needed after all of that running around!

Easter Weekend

What a busy and fun weekend we had! Rich was home for three days and we really took advantage of the gorgeous weather.

On Friday we dyed Easter eggs with our neighbors, Madelyn and Lianne. The kids had a really good time making a total mess!

aren't these LOVELY?

Saturday we went to Redman Lake for a picnic.

this is as good of a smile as i can get

the boys walking on the pier

melt my heart

Sunday we woke up to find that the Easter bunny left some goodies for the kids. After church we came home for naps and then went to Baltimore to have dinner with Rich's family. It was a FANTASTIC DAY!

easter egg hunt