Independence Day

We spent our Independence Day poolside with friends and family; 

barbequing, sipping cocktails, learning to swim underwater, napping, and churning homemade ice cream....what's more American?  It was a great day....

all natural sunscreen is weird....pardon the white sunscreen boogers on this cute face.

this guy decided that this was the day he would learn to swim under water.  and.  he.  did.

Max wasn't a fan of the pool in her early days.  I predict (and hope) that this will change!

Happy Daddy: sunshine, relaxation, and beverages.

Poolside nap

My lovies, snoozing during the afternoon storm.

More Lovies snoozing:  they sleep like this b/c they aren't married yet.  ;-)

Derek's yummeriffic homemade ice cream

Max giving George (Or "Woody" [from Toy Story} as Cole calls him) the stank-eye while Aunt Sta protects her.

Now that Spring seems to be springing, I look forward to many days 'round the pool!  C'mon Summer!

More Mother's Day

After celebrating with the Na & Gigi on Saturday, we had Mother's Day at home. We intended to make the trip to put flowers out for Oma in Carlinville.  Maxine did not cooperate in her fussiness. (We thought of Oma very much on this day and sent lots of love to heaven!)  So, we opted for a low key day at home. Derek made homemade pizza for lunch, we all enjoyed a nap, and spent some time outside.  I also got my birthday/mother's day gift of photo editing software!  I am having tons of fun with that!  Truly though, being mom to my two kids, in partnership with a wonderful daddy, is gift enough!  Much love to the mothers in our lives.

Hoppy Easter! *2011*

To celebrate Easter, Cole (and Maxine) and I dyed our eggs on Friday evening. Cole was a wonderful dye partner.  We loved our bright our eggs came out!

Sunday morning we woke to Easter treats from the bunny!  That darn bunny left too much candy!

While Daddy bathed Cole, the bunny snuck back in and hid eggs (darn yucky weather!).

After we all got cleaned up, we headed to Na's for brunch. 

We celebrated with Gigi, Josh & Courtney, and Na & G.  Na cooked a wonderful brunch and held Maxine while Derek and I both got a hot meal!  What a treat!

Cole got to hunt eggs outside a Na's.  He had a huge cheering/direction giving team with the rest of us.  He scored really well with golden dollars, paper dollars, quarters, and candy!  He even learned a bit about money along the way.  He has since put all of his money into his bank to save for a toy!  :-)

Maxine didn't care much for hunting eggs but seemed pretty content until it was time to go.  Poor baby's belly started to hurt.  :-( 

We headed home and all got a nice Easter afternoon nap.  Hope everyone had such a 'hoppy' Easter!

Bringin' down the Tree

Taking down the Christmas tree is something that we don't look forward to in our house.

 It's just a bummer...the holidays are over :(

However...anything can become fun when you add some bootie shaking moves.

And, who can resist this? 

;-)

NYE '10-'11

The eve of 2011 found us....tired.

We spent the early evening with Na & G trying some new recipes for a nice, low-key dinner.  The later evening found the Albracht's home and snoozing by 9:00.  The holidays can be so draining, we all needed to begin 2011 rested. 

I couldn't be more pleased with 2011 so far.  Cole caught up on some much needed sleep.  I got to do so as well.  Derek got up with Cole at 7 and I snoozed until almost eight o'clock am!  It's been the perfectly relaxing day we all needed; the boys playing Wii, me cooking black-eyed peas, and us watching a few of Cole's movies from Santa!  I could get used to this I think!

'10 Christmas Slumber Party

Jayjay is home for the holidays!  Yay!  This means we had to have our annual slumber party!  Cole didn't want to share "his Dayday" much this year.  There were lots of books to read and hours of playing to be done in his room.

 When he did decide to share her, we all played the Wii for a bit.

We ended the night with air mattresses on the living room floor and Toy Story 3.  We passed out one by one for a fitful night's sleep.  Jayjay and I were both battling colds, which makes for poor sleep (and increased my already problematic pregnancy snoring!).  It's all worth it though.  I hope that Cole will remember these early years of what I hope will become a longstanding annual tradition!

(alternately titled - I am too old for slumber parties.)

New Year

Whew!  2010 - What a year! 

For a brief recap of the ups and downs....

April 2010 - We put our house on the market.

 4 days later, it was under contract.

May 2010 - We closed on our home...

  ...and moved in with Na & G.

Memorial Day Weekend - we moved into our new home.

June 11, 2010 - We got the news of Oma's diagnosis.

September 4, 2010 - We lost Oma.

Holidays 2010 - Bittersweet.  We are so blessed, yet it has been hard to adjust to a new life without Derek's mom, Ed's wife, Cole's Oma, etc.

There were many more unmentioned ups, but looking at these major, life-changing events makes me tired! I hope for a whole lot *less* in 2011.  Not sure that we'll get too much less though!  Baby will arrive within a few months and we will have lots of adjusting to do - - either way, I look forward to embarking on our new family life with my family by my side!

As for resolutions, I need to focus on small things that are realistic.  Having a new baby and a three year old will prove challenging I am sure.  So, I want to focus on a few things....

- eating more veggies and serving more veggies to the family.

- practicing more patience with Cole.  Realizing that however challenging he can be, I only get one chance to spend his childhood with him.  I want to show him all of the love that I have for him.

- exercising a few times each week.  

So far in 2011, we're off to a good start.  Derek, Phoebe, and I have all worked out....yes, Phoebe - she had her first round on the treadmill!  Homegirl's birthday is fast approaching!  14 years will look good on her!

Wishing all a wonderful 2011!  Here's to health & family - the things that I have learned most about in 2010.

Merriest Christmas *2010*

We woke on Christmas morning to find that he really had come...Santa brought the two things that Cole had been asking for on repeat; "Stinky, the Garbage Truck" and a "race track" (a present that Derek had been waiting years to share with Cole, a slot-car track).

There truly is nothing better than Christmas with a child. 
Completely magical.

After we opened gifts, Na & G, Jayjay, and Gigi joined us for brunch.  This is a tradition that I stole from Sheryl because I love it so. 

I cooked my heart out the day before to fill everyone's bellies.   

Cole loved having company to help him break in all of our new toys.  He got a little emotional when everyone left.  I am sure this had nothing to do with the massive amounts of sugar he had consumed within the past 48 hours.

I think Derek said it best when he said that this was the best and saddest Christmas he's had. 
We missed Oma and thought about her so much. Opa kindly gave me a beautiful necklace and favorite ring of Oma's.  We all shed some tears when he gave this to me but then quickly returned to joy watching Cole enjoy the magic of Christmas.  We feel like Oma was with us and enjoyed every second of watching Cole with all of his goodies.
On the other hand, we have always wanted a relaxing Christmas at home.  The joy of being at home and watching Cole enjoy Christmas to the fullest made this the best Christmas of my life.  We are so happy that Opa got to spend a few days here.  It made it even better to have him here. 
I am recovering from the holiday, feeling so happy and full of love.  I can't wait to do it again next year....with a new addition to the Crew! 

Christmas Eve *2010*

With the possbility of bad weather coming, Opa decided to come to our house on Christmas Eve Eve (or Christmas Adam, as our neighbors say).  The snow started falling steadily by 7 am!  Cole tried his hardest to be quiet to let Opa sleep, but Daddy thought it would be a good idea to take him outside.

They had a wonderful time.  My favorite "Cole-ism" of the day was when Derek threw a snowball at him.  Cole's response: "Daddy, can I be on your team?"

(because I will do almost anything for a photo)

The boys ganged up on the dogs for a snowball fight.  Cole even demanded that Derek throw a snowball at ME! 

 After a warm up and a big breakfast, we were all ready for an early nap.

 We loaded up for a snowy, slow, and safe drive to Na & G's house for the afternoon.

We had a wonderful time enjoying the company.  Everyone was able to be there; Na (recovering from her knee surgery) & G, Josh & Courtney, the Albracht's, Jayjay, Opa, and Gigi!  

Na & G generously gifted each of the "kids" a new Wii!  We were all very excited!  I'll blame the pregnancy hormones for the tears I shed seeing everyone so excited.  (sniff)

There was plenty of high caloric yumminess for all to enjoy.  After we snacked the Wii fun began. Cole entertained us all with his flailing arms as he fought "doiks" (aka - dorks) in the Wii Resorts jousting game.  

 All the while, the snow continued to fall.  It made for a truly lovely scene.  And, G's landscape looks wonderful during all seasons...especially magic under a blanket of snow.

We played with Jayjay's photo booth app on her new computer.  Cole cracked us up with his silly faces. 

I am so grateful for our family.

We had to rush home to prepare for Santa's arrival.  Cole put a chocolate covered oreo and glass of milk for Santa and we sprinkled reindeer food in the yard.  Cole was resistant to head to bed but the threat of Santa skipping our house was enough to frighten him to sleep. 

Merry Christmas Eve!

Finnegan, the Elf

Meet Finnegan. 

Santa sent him to our house to watch over Cole this Christmas season. 

Finnegan has been so busy! 

He flies back to the North Pole every single night to report to Santa. 

Every morning when we wake up, we can find Finnegan in a different place.

Finnegan had varied reports to send to Santa...but mostly good we think.
Fingers crossed that we make the nice list!

We'll find out very soon!