Cracking Up

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Waiting on my Harvest

Come on already! I have 2 huge tomato plants with at least 30 fruits. I am ready to eat! I hope they ripen soon!!!

Consignment Finds

I am helping Sawyer explore his identity. Skater or cowboy? They will fit much later, but how cool are they! $9 for both pairs together. I love shoes!

Tooth Alert

Sawyers first tooth popped through today!

Teddy Bear Picnic

Today our town had a Teddy Bear Picnic for people who participated in the Tot Time Program. It was so much fun. It was pouring out so they had it indoors at the cultural center. You brought your lunch and ate it with your favorite teddy bear. They also had facepainting, a jumparoo (Ali was freaked out by that), singing, a candy scramble and other fun games. Ali got a good supply of GIANT lollipops. We ran out of dum dums and that was going to be the end of poo rewards, but now we are back in business to my disappointment.
Allison's favorite game was hula hoop. She was trying so hard to do it correctly and getting dizzy in the process. This is the Tshirt that she made at Tot Time on Monday.

Spity Dude

Sawyer is getting teeth we think. He has been chewing on everything in sight and drooling to the point of saturation of multiple outfits a day. Ali calls him her "spity dude". All in all he is still a happy little man. Yesterday I changed his schedule...4 feedings, 2 naps and 12 hrs of night time sleep. So far so good!!!

I Guess the Life Guard Ticked Her Off

It is funny when candid shots can give you crazy captions.

Potty Trained!

Ali has mastered the art of going to the bathroom in the bathroom for all functions!!! Woo Hoo. She is still very excited about the #2 part. I was using Dum Dums as rewards for the #2 event thinking that may happen once a day if not every other day. Well she has mastered the ability to put what is "technically" a #2 in the pot 2-3# a day when she is in the mood for a treat. I will deal with that in a week or so...for now we will deal. This is her multitasking and celebrating a poo & taking a bath. I didn't tell her to pose this way. George the Animal Steele

Touch a Truck

Our town held an event called "Touch a Truck" where kids could touch lots of vehicles and touch lots of stuff. Ali enjoyed it somewhat. The constant honking of horns was a turn off for her. She loved the sandboxes provided.
She got a free bike helmet which is loves.

Sawyer loved hanging out and being cool.

Another Family Member

On Thursday evening they had a goldfish catch at all the local kiddie wading pools. They drain the pool water, put fresh in, stick a ton of fish in there and let the kids catch them. It was fun. Ali caught "Rex". She came up with this name rather quickly which was cute. And just so you know "Rex" is a girl, or so Ali says. Below the fish biologist tries to help Ali with catching
"Rex". We played before and after the catch
Goldfish Catch: Free
Tank, Pebbles, Scenary: $38.00
Ali's First Goldfish the she LOVES: Priceless

Anniversary Date

Curt and I went on a date to celebrate our 7th anniversary that was last week. First, we were adventurous and tried an authentic Indian restaurant call the Saffron Patch. It was AMAZING!!! We absolutely loved it. We ordered a mixed grill Tandoori and Curry Shrimp and shared both. We also had Naan which is like a Indian bread product. AWESOME. After that we went to an outdoor play of The Odd Couple. It was so fun and the weather was perfect! It was great to hang out together again!

I Scream, You Scream...

Running in the Falls Fountains

Nature @ Night

We took the kids to an event called Nature @ Night that was located in one of the Cleveland metro parks. It was fun. There were animals and walking and puppet shows.

Just Hanging Out

#2 Not #4 is the Charm

The search is over. We have settled on a van. #2 it is. 2006 Kia Sedona in "Gold". I can't wait. Friday we are going to do all the paperwork and stuff, hopefully we can take it home then. The color is not the first I would have chosen, but everything else is exactly what we want...great shape, auto windows, but not auto seats (we have to move the seats a lot since Curt and I are so different...something to break in our minds)...an unlock remote (I have never had one of those before)...stow & go rear seats...I could go on and on! This is just a picture I got off the Internet, not the exact van. I feel like I just got a sports car. I NEVER thought I would be so pumped about a minivan! Yeah for minivans and motherhood! PS...Anyone in the market for a "well loved" "95 Ford Crown Victoria? Runs well, has some serious get up and go! Let us know!

Bummer Again

Red Van had a smoker owner...gross. Essence of smoke is NOT what I want for my kids. 3 vans we were excited about...0 vans purchased. Maybe the 4th will be the charm.

7 Years Ago Today

Today is our 7 year anniversary! We are going to celebrate next week on a date, and we are so looking forward to that. We have been so blessed in our short marriage with health, 2 sweet kiddos, great families, a cool dog, physical needs provided and just general happiness! So while Curt is going to pick up what is hopefully our first minivan tonight and I take the kids to the park and grocery shopping, I will be remembering our awesomely fun wedding day! Thank you Lord for my husband and our marriage!

Sleeping Angel

I'm Freakin Out Man

Largemouth Bass

Ah, the forbidden Lake Rockwell. This is the City of Akron's (and surrounding area) primary water supply lake. No boats are allowed on it and only a VERY small area of shoreline has allowable fishing. So basically it is an unfished, untouched lake. We had to be on it last night to collect some fish tissue samples. We electrofished an amazing array of largmouth bass. It is safe to say our AVERAGE size was 3-3.5 pounds! This one was 6.23 lbs. A very nice bass indeed!

Swinging & Getting Dirty

We went to 2 different parks today. This morning we went to tot time where Ali made a popsicle stick flag, sang songs and played parade. Each kid had a percussion instrument and took turns leading all the other kids around the park playing. I was excited cause when in was Ali's turn she got creative and led the entire parade (only 12 kids or so) up then down the sliding board. Tonight we went to a huge park and played for a couple hours. Both kids had a blast. Sawyer thinks he is big stuff when he sits in the swing.
Ali got soooo dirty. Her bath water was milky tan at the end. Cute & Gross at thes same time!

Tribute to MJ

On Thursday I got the horrific news that my all time favorite music artist died. My Dad gave me the news over the phone. I could hardly believe it. I have a couple of purely superficial dreams and one of them was to see MJ in concert. Others include to see Cirque De Soliel in Vegas and to go to a Caribbean island someday and snorkel. I stayed a fan even through all the allegations of being a Pedo. This poor guy had no childhood, was abused, had a skin disease, and was just generally screwed up, but I don't think he ever hurt kids in that sick way. I love MJ and think he is the greatest music artist EVER. I will miss him and my kids will know his legacy. Ali already loves to dance to the "Coyote Song" AKA Thriller. (There is howling at the beginning of the song) Here's to you MJ. You will be missed and I will always have the coolest birthday cake that ever was.

35 Years of Wedded Bliss

Congrats to Phil and Sue (Curt's Parents) who celebrated 35 years of marriage on June 15th. We celebrated this past weekend as a family with lunch and presents. Phil really loves Sue...you can tell cause he is smiling in the picture! The AWESOME cake that Karen & Dan got in Philly at a bakery. YUM!
Decorations prior to the prelunch transfer inside due to rain.

Pretty Flowers

Pure Exersaucer Concentration

Sweet Curls