A Day at the Park

The new park opened up at Robert and Shane's preschool. I have to say it is awesome! They have this huge slide that the kids love!! You go really fast!















Cecelia even loves to go down it herself! All we got was her head and it looks like she really doesn't like it but she LOVES it!


















Baby even had to have a turn!

















This is Cecelia's "boyfriend" Travis. She is always trying to hug him. She even got a kiss in! So cute! It is so hot this weekend that I don't think we will go to the park much but I am sure we will be at this park a lot this summer so look for updates of our summer fun!

My birthday and the Zoo

All I wanted to do on my birthday was have a fun day with the kids and Brian. Since Brian took the day off he said I could do anything I wanted ....... so I surprised him by saying I wanted to go to the zoo. He was expecting me to say I was running away for the day with no kids and to just be by myself. The day could not have been more perfect! The kids had a blast, my mom went with us, and then that night my sister Kara took all 3 kids!

Our trek down to the zoo started with a metro ride! The boys were so excited and Cecelia had no clue what was going on.










The boys with a huge hippo. As you can see, Shane was not so sure about it. He makes the funniest faces.










No matter how many times I see a hippo it amazes me how big they are!











I always tell Robert that his memory is ridiculous...... he remembers everything! I was telling him that elephants have good memories. He was sure that it could not be as good as his. The boys were more fascinated with the big piles of poop!








This is Robert next to a HUGE gorilla. The funniest thing happened...... another monkey came flying in to get this monkey and it jumped up and slammed on the glass with it fists right at Robert. He FLEW back like 50 feet and almost peed his pants. It was hilarious!









This enormous orangutan Lucy loved to watch me put my lip gloss on for some reason. I would put it away and then slowly take it out and she would come running. You can't tell that well, but she would put her head right on the glass just inches from mine and watch me put it on. It was so amazing to be so close, literally, face to face, with this animal.





Cecelia playing on this brass frog. So cute!












Granny and Cece playing!










The boys playing in the playground that is supposed to simulate what it would be like to be a badger or a mole that digs.









The kids relaxing watching the seals. Aren't they the cutest three kids?! We really had a wonderful day! I think I may make this a birthday tradition of mine! If you ever get the chance to visit DC then you have to go to the National Zoo. Nothing beats making memories with the kids!

Mothers Day

So, the morning after my surprise party was Mothers Day so we had a full day of family activities. Church at 9am, brunch with Brian's mom, then grill out and cake with my mom and family. Here are some pictures of kids having some fun cousin bonding!

Drake, Robert and Shane chillin.










Poor Cecelia... alllll those boys! She is ever so patient.












Cecelia loves her cousin Drake!









Why do all boys do air guitar!? I swear they are born with this tendency!










Rock on with your bad self!







Cece trying to keep up with the boys. Notice the baby doll in her hand! Such a girl among all those crazy boys. She has no hope!











Cecelia is very patiently waiting for Cammie to start shoveling the ice cream cake into her mouth! Notice the baby doll again! She always has her baby doll!













Cece insisted on having a lemon so Kara (yaya) let her have it! She quickly changed her mind! So dang cute!









Oh I love my family! I truly am so blessed to have them so close. Now all we need to do is get Dustin and his family back here so we can be all together again! They are such a joy in my life and I could not survive a single day with out talking to my sisters or my mom! Family rocks!!!

Lunch and Surprise Party!!!

So, once a month my mom, my sisters, and I get together for lunch (which we call Granny's Goombata). This was my birthday month so Kara let me choose the restaurant even though it was her month to choose where to go. We went to Coastal Flats in Tysons. So yummy! Then my sisters took me shopping and bought me an outfit for my birthday. We always have so much fun and I am not sure what I would do if I didn't have my sisters and my mom!


Later that night..... Mandy and Brian surprised me with a party at Clarendon Grill for my 30th birthday! It was so much fun and most of my closest friends were there! We danced all night! My perfect way to ring in the 30's!!



Mandy.









Cammie.









Cammie and Brian. I love how close my sisters are with Brian.











Katie, Cammie, me, Mandy.






Brian being a goof ball wearing Cammie's sun glasses. Oh Brian Brian Brian!!








Brother Travis, sister in law Shawnie, mom, and Cammie.









Cammie's hot new red shoes!





All in all it was an awesome night! It was the perfect way to bring in the 30's! Thank you to all those who helped make it a memorable night!

Hard Day

Well, today marks 2 whole years of life with out Bob! I can't believe it has been 2 years! I will never forget the phone call that informed me that he was gone. I felt a combination of shock, disbelief, and could actually feel my heart break. I miss him terribly every day and my heart still aches to feel his hugs! I had the wonderful gift of having Bob as my step father for almost 19 years. From the day my mom started dating Bob after my daddy's death I immediately had a bond that was unbreakable and so significant in my life. He was a father, confidant and best friend. He was an amazing grandfather and we even named Robert after him. He was my rock and there are many times I still long to be able to call him and ask for advice. I will always miss our morning talks. I feel so lucky to have the knowledge that I will be able to see Bob again. I have faith that my Heavenly Father and my daddy will take care of Bob to ensure that he will be part of our eternity. There are many times a day when the kids do something and I can still hear Bob's sarcastic or funny remark in my head. I know with all my heart that my daddy and Bob are looking down on my family and protecting it (and many times laughing at us, they both had the best sense of humor) and will continue to look after us. I feel so privelaged to have had a father as wonderful as Bob and will miss him every day until we are reunited.

Wilsons Animal Wild Zoo

So the kids preschool class went to this Wild Animal Zoo in Winchester. It was actually really cool. The first thing we got was a big bag of food that we can feed most of the animals. Shane was a little scared at first but got over it pretty quickly. Robert had NO fear! The goats were first and Cecelia was not getting anywhere near them!















The first picture is of Robert, Shane, and Robert's best friend Wyatt. His mom is one of my closest friends and they are like brothers...... fighting and all. They have a lot of fun together!
Here are the three stooges from their class in preschool. Brendan, Wyatt, and Robbie. They cause most of the trouble but Miss Michelle says that they make her laugh so hard. We have many play dates!

OK-- have you ever heard the noise an EMU makes?!?!!? It was the weirdest sound and completely caught Shanan and me by surprise. It sounded like a tug boat horn and was really loud. Weird! Shane absolutely fell in love with the Lions. He was amazed by their size. I think he truly would have gotten in their with them if they had let them!





















So I had the most amazing experience at the zoo! I actually got to play with this baby bear!! The zoo keeper let me jump the fence and play with him. He had only been in his new enclosure for 3 nights! He had some really really long nails and sharp teeth. He also made the CUTEST noises!!! I could have taken him home and kept him forever.....that is...if he stayed that size! It really was so amazing to play with this creature that in just a couple months could rip me apart in two seconds!


So my day ended by Cecelia and me feeding the llamas. She was actually warming up to the animals and was trying to feed the Llama. That was until he sneezed ALL OVER US!!! If you look closely you can see the tiny bits of chewed up food. It was so nasty!! Let me just say that we could not get to the bathroom fast enough to wash our faces! The saddest part of the day was when the BEST thing from the whole day happened and we didn't get a picture. The boys thought they were so cool by chasing these huge geese that were walking around the zoo. They were chasing them down the hill.......and I swear these geese have some secret language and all decided at the same time.....and the geese turned on them! These boys were in a panic to get up the hill. One almost got Shane and he dove into this bush. I thought they were all going to return with wet pants! I thought I was going to laugh to death! All in all it was a really fun day and the kids had a blast and that was the most important thing!

50 Odd Things

50 ODD Things about me! I got this from a friend in an email....copy it to your blog and add your answers!

1) Do you like blue cheese?
No way—but it was my granddad’s favorite.
2) Have you ever smoked heroin?
Are you kidding me? No!
3) Do you own guns?
No but Brian wants to get one eventually.
4) What flavor do you add to your drink at sonic?
Never been to a sonic
5) Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?
I have been to so many Drs that they get nervous before I come in! HAHA
6) What do you think of hot dogs?
I will only eat one at a cook out.
7) Favorite Christmas song?
Oh geez—way to many but maybe Silent Night?
8) What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
Now that I have given up Diet Coke, water I guess
9) Can you do push ups?
yeah but not many, it takes a lot of work to lift this heavy body!
10) Can you do a chin up?
Not if my life depended on it!
11) What's your favorite piece of jewelry?
My wedding ring!
12) Favorite hobby?
Dancing
13) Ever been in a car wreck?
Yep, 2 and one was pretty bad. Neither of them my fault!
14) Do you have A.D.D.
Not that I know of. Maybe you should ask my friends.
15) What's one trait that you hate about yourself?
I don’t have very much patience.
16) Middle name?
Jeanette
17) Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment?
I can’t wait for nap time.
I need to fold laundry on my bed.
I am so sick of hearing Star Wars! Robert is watching it for the second time because he has strep throat!
18) Name 3 things you bought yesterday?
Medicine for Shane (oh, did I mention, Shane has strep throat too?), popsicles, strawberries
19) Name 3 drinks you regularly drink?
Apple Juice, water, that is all I drink now that I have given up Diet Coke (did I mention that already? J )
20) Current worry?
Am I going to get strep throat too?
21) Current hate right now?
LAUNDRY!!! That is not really current, that is an every day thing.
22) Current love right now?
I guess I should say my husband but that is a given…… I am really into the Lime Tostitos
23) How did you bring in the New Year?
Brian fell asleep so I watch the ball drop by myself….. how pitiful!
24) Where would you like to go?
On vacation with just my husband….. no kids….just the two of us!
25) Name three people who will complete this?
Mom (if she can figure it out), Hannah Rose, Shanan
26) Do you own slippers?
I have 4 pairs of slippers! My mood dictates which ones I wear! HAHA
27) What shirt are you wearing?
Jeans, yellow stripped shirt my sister Mandy gave me, and slippers
28) Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?
yeah
29) Can you whistle?
yes
30) Favorite color?
I really have two many, not one specific favorite. But I like yellow, blue, and pink
31) Would you be a pirate?
Sure it would be fun to drink all day and get treasure! HAHA No, they stink too much and I couldn’t stand all that hard labor!
32) What songs do you sing in the shower?
It is more like yelling “GET OUT! MOMMY IS TAKING A SHOWER!”
33) Favorite girl's name?
Cecelia
32) Favorite Boys name?
Robert and Shane
35) What's in your pocket?
A quarter
36) Last thing that made you laugh?
Robert telling me that he would live on grilled cheese if I got sick because that is all Daddy knows how to make! 37) Best bed sheets as a child?
I can’t remember, Mandy might but I don’t remember what sheets we had on our beds.
38) Worst injury you've ever had?
oh geez, giving birth! Gross, I know , but true!
39) Do you love where you live? I love my friends here but I would like to be back in No Va
40) How many TVs do you have in your house?
3
41) Who is your loudest friend?
Shanan but Monica’s laugh makes me happy
42) How many dogs do you have?
1 black cocker spaniel names Dixie
43) Does someone have a crush on you?
My husband better…..even after 11 years of being together. I will have to ask him tonight!
45) What is your favorite book?
I just read the Other Boleyn Sister but I love to read so I have a lot
46) What is your favorite candy?
Reeses Peanut Butter Cups and Snickers
47) Favorite Sports Team?
REDSKINS FOR LIFE!!!!
48) What song do you want played at your funeral?
Celebration! HAHA No I think maybe A Poor Way Faring Man of Grief because it is my favorite song and it is how I try to live my life, by doing things for others to make their life easier. Ok—stop laughing….I said I TRY!! 49) What were you doing 12 AM last night?
Sleeping!
50) What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up?
I heard Cece yelling for me and I looked at the clock and thought “Are you kidding me? It is only 4am!!!”