Toddler Boy

Man has time been a flyin' by lately! It seems like one day I woke up and POW, Andrew was no longer my baby boy, but a full-fledged toddler.



He is 16 months old today {yes, I agree...he does look like a 2 year old}.



Andrew is talking, running, and is very opinionated. He loves his big bro and don't let the sweet smiles of my two little guys fool you...they are honery little fellas.

{In this photo they are having a grand time rolling their race cars off of the deck so that Brandon can fetch them and toss them back up...ohhh...my favorite sound...their laughs.}



Man oh man, do these boys love each other. In fact, the other night when Brandon and Parker slept out in the camper without Andrew and I....Andrew was up until about 10:30 pm, calling out, "Bubba!!" and crying himself to sleep. They are two peas in a pod and neither one of them can imagine a life without a brother. {Sigh...so sweet}

One more thing. Look at these curls! With the humidity and warmer weather, Andrew's locks have become tiny little rings...go ahead girls, eat your heart out! And, even though I've been nagged and harrassed by some of the men in my family about Andrew's sweet golden locks, I can't find the time to take him in to get his hair cut. {wink, wink}



Andrew has become my toddler boy. And, as the days pass and he just keeps getting bigger and bigger, I start to miss the sweet little baby that I used to be able to hold and rock and snuggle with...without much squirming. But, with much anticipation, I am also looking forward to what this new 'big' boy can do and how his personality is unfolding.

Happy 16 month birthday, sweet toddler boy!


{Disclaimer...Andrew loves to wear his brother's shirts...hence the over-sized, tie-dyed look. He he.}

Spring Things, Continued...

First, let me just say that we had the best weekend!

You know those friends that you can go months {and sometimes even years} without seeing and then when you're reunited it seems like you were never apart? We got to see some of those friends this weekend. And we laughed and laughed and laughed and laughed...oh, how I love moments like this!

I also got to be a witness to the most beautiful wedding! It was just perfect for my friend Lilli!! Don't you love it when you can see one of your friends marry someone that they are just perfect for? And, as they are walking down the aisle and you turn to look at the groom, he is smiling and trying to hold back tears of happiness, just at the mere sight of the woman he is about to marry? Yep, it was one of those perfect moments where I got chills and I was overwhelmed with happiness for my sweet friend.

And, what's even more than this? Celebrating the birthday of my best friend's son, who turns three this week! Happy birthday Mason- you are such a blessing to our lives! We've loved watching you grow up {way too quickly, I must say} and you are so sweet and smart!!

We wore our green this weekend, we did our part on St. Patty's Day, but this year on St. Patrick's Day our focus was not on celebrating this green holiday...

Now, I know you're all asking....what is my number one, most favorite thing about spring this year? What is this excitement we want to share with you all?

Let me start with this: You know those dreams you have with your husband {or parents, or best friends, or kids, or just for yourself}...those dreams like buying a house, having kids, or a dog, getting your dream job, owning your own business, or just plan and simple happiness together? Well, Brandon and I have had a family dream for about 7 years now and we are so excited because it came true this weekend!

I think I've mentioned before that our family loves the outdoors {and most of you know this first-hand}. We love to go to Colorado. We love the mountains, the trees, the fresh air. We love being together in our own element, on our own time. We love to travel and see new places.

And, having two boys and strong family traditions of the 'great outdoors', we had this dream of one day owning our own camper to travel with our little family.

We are so excited....take a look at what we purchased on St. Patrick's Day...





In fact, we are so excited that last night, Parker and Brandon slept in the new digs...in the driveway.

We are so excited, that we invited all of the neighbor boys to come over and play and they seemed even more excited than we are about this new adventure. And, as they were climbing, having snacks, and planning out where they would all sleep on their first campout...I smiled.

This is the way memories are made. And, I can't wait!!

So, even though, I didn't have my camera out to take tons of photos of our new camper, here are a few that I managed to sneak in...











And, I'm sure you've all guessed what my new favorite spring thing is?! Camping with my sweet boys, of course!

Spring Things

What's your favorite thing to do to kick off the season of spring? Mine is easy.



I know that spring is just around the corner when I get a longing for a nice, relaxing pedicure. There's just something about having my feet cleaned up...scrubbed...and fresh, shiny polish on my toes that puts an extra skip in my step and makes the world seem a little brighter.

It's a great way to kick off the spring season!

Other things I love about spring:

The flowery trees on the way to daycare, where Parker always exclaims, "Mom, we're going through the tree tunnel. Look at the flowers!"

The cool, brisk wind that makes its way through the open windows.

Playing outside with all of the neighbor kids until dark....stinky little boys who always need a bath at the end of the day...tired boys that sleep so good...fresh air.

The urge I get to clean and declutter. {Yes! We are having our first ever garage sale at this house- the first weekend in May...you ladies out there with baby boys...come and stock up!}

Planting flowers and our annual vegetable garden, now with two boys to help!

Spring Break, full of grandmas, grandpas, aunts, and days full of fun activities!

And...there's one more thing I love about spring! But, this one is a surprise!! You'll have to check in on Sunday...we've got something exciting to share!

Happy Friday friends! This is going to be a wonderful weekend!

Spring Project {#253}

So, while we've got a gajillion spring projects on our to-do list, this is one that I've been wanting to do for about a year now.

Ever since Parker's room became an official 'big boy room', I've been thinking that his dresser needed a face-lift. This dresser belonged to my great-grandma and it definitely looks like a dresser a great-grandma would have, not a four year old little boy...don't you agree?




Here goes my first re-finish of a piece of furniture.

Now, I almost completed the entire project in one day...but, with the drying and the sanding, and then realizing that I hadn't purchased enough pulls, I couldn't get it all done today. But, here's a sneak peak of what I've been up to.







I'm going to be honest here. I was very nervous about this....I was afraid I would somehow ruin Parker's dresser, but after a few minutes of talking myself up, I sorta got excited about this project! And, I had no intention of completing as much as I did today...in fact, I think I'm almost done, and the best part- the hard work really only took a few hours.

All I needed was some sand paper, a couple of rags, new finish, and new pulls {which I purchased here}. It was super easy and I am in love with what it looks like! I can hardly wait to show you the entire finished project!!

And, the best part about this project is that Parker gets a whole new dresser for less than $60! Amazing!

Here's to checking things off of the Spring Project to-do list!

Weekend

Wow, what a weekend we had. Who knew we would have such a wonderful weekend, after all that has happened in the past few weeks.

Why is it that we only get to see our 'extended' family at major holidays, funerals, and weddings...and for those that live far, far away, we don't always get to see them at even these times? Let me tell you- I am sad about Grandpa's passing, but you know what he did? He brought us all together.

He brought together cousins, 2nd cousins, neighbors and employees {from the past 50 years}, grandkids, great grandkids, great great grand kids, people I haven't seen for 25 years {that I don't remember in person, only in photographs}, great aunts, and even the ex-wives {including my Mom}. It was truly a celebration and it was one amazing day of remembrance and reconnecting with family and friends.

Here's what I wish I would have done on Saturday:

1) Taken more photographs. I wasn't sure what the etiquette was on taking photos on the day of a funeral....but, I quickly learned that the next time {which I hope is a LONG way off}, I am bringing out my camera earlier and getting pictures of all of these people we never get to see.

2) I wish I had my dad's eulogy recorded....written down...memorized, so share with you. It was funny, informative, sad, and it wrapped up everything that my Grandpa would have wanted to have said about him on this day. Dad- you were incredible and I am so proud of you and your story-telling!

Now, here are some of the photos I have from that day. Keep in mind, that most these were all taken about five hours after the funeral service....we were all tired, out of our 'nice' clothes, and just hanging out at the graveside, saying our final goodbyes to Grandpa, but these are better anyways...this is how we really are.

The boys were getting restless {they did so good!} so we promised them a trip to the park in between events on Saturday...my sisters and brother joined us. It was just what we needed.






Rest in peace, Grandpa. Look at how beautiful and strong my Grandma is. It was a perfect day to celebrate the life of my Grandpa.



After spending Friday and Saturday away from home and surrounded by family, we wanted Sunday to be pretty low-key...normal...back in our routine. But, as most crazy weekends go, there's a million things that are goin' on and you can't miss out on anything- right?!

On Sunday, Parker performed in is first bells concert at church. He did such a good job! You see, Parker has dreamt about this day since we first started attending Westminster. Every time there's a bells performance, he would ask, "Mom, have you signed me up for this yet?!" And, all we had to do was wait until he was old enough to go to Sunday School, where they practice the kid's bells choir, and time just couldn't go fast enough for my little man to have his chance to play the bells.

And, we all know how much Parker loves to perform in front of an audience! {Video to be posted soon.}




He loved it. And, we were so proud of him!

Luckily, Sunday afternoon had a nap in it for Andrew and I....



Parker and Brandon got some projects done around the house...

And, we even had time to watch Home Alone, in our very own private movie theater {designed by Parker and Andrew}. You'll notice that some of our animal friends enjoyed the movie right along with us.



And, because I haven't had any time to go to the grocery store for at least two weeks, we finished out this weekend with breakfast for dinner....a bath for the boys...and a little Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles....it was nice to be at home and back in our routine. And, don't worry, I've got a big trip to the grocery store planned tomorrow morning!

After this weekend our hearts are full and we are ready to take on this week!

I wish safe travels to my family who came to Kansas on Saturday and I hope everyone can find peace in Grandpa's passing and know that he is laughing at all of us for crying!

Happy Monday!

Remembering

You know the feeling when you just know in your heart that this is going to be the last time you see someone you love? The moment when you stop, right before entering the room, and you ask yourself if this is really a good idea? Should I go in there and see that person that is so sick, so frail, and you just feel your heart start to ache and you start to question taking that step? Do I want to see him this way or should I just remember him always as someone who is very much alive? Will he even know I'm there? How will I know what to say? Will I be able to talk to someone who won't be able to respond?

I know we've all felt this way. And, to be honest with you all, I've been feeling this way for the past year. I haven't wanted to visit. I haven't taken that step. I didn't want to see my Grandpa struggle to remember who I was. Alzheimer's is an awful disease that takes over the mind and makes people change. A man that was once very intelligent, once very fun, witty, and that we teasingly called 'Grumpy Gramps', was now, in fact, mean....he was mad...he was angry that he couldn't remember what happened five minutes ago, five days ago, and sometimes even what happened five years ago. It made me sad and scared to see my Grandpa like that and around a year ago, I decided that I did not want to remember him like that and, more importantly, I did not want Parker and Andrew to remember him like this. So, as much as I hated it, we didn't visit....

Until Saturday. On Saturday I took that step. I stepped into my Grandpa and Grandma's house, a house that I'd been in a thousand times before, and I knew this was it. I knew that was going to be the last time I would see him and a flood of memories took over me...as I know they did to my siblings. What an amazing day this was. A man who, for the past three years, couldn't remember much of anything, was peaceful. And, he remembered. He remembered who we were....Parker and Andrew got to talk to him and hold his hand, we all got to use this day to tell Grandpa what we've wanted to tell him for the past three years- that we love him, that we'll miss him, and that he'll always be the intelligent, funny, witty, and sometimes grumpy Grandpa and that we will forever be grateful for having him in our lives.

I have so many memories of my Grandpa - from my young childhood, when I would 'run away' to their house {which was only three doors down from ours}, to visiting him at the Ice Cream Store to get a Clown Ice Cream Cone {he owned Baskin Robbins}, to learning about the 'country life' when they lived out on the farm, to learning about horse racing, pool, and golf {although I didn't pay much attention in any of these areas}, and the time when I was in high school, going on a trip to Mexico with friends and upon my return, my Grandpa told me he'd seen me on MTV {not true, of course}....only to have me question why my Grandpa was watching the Spring Break special on MTV. {Smile} Grandpa always teased me about...well, about pretty much everything....he teased me about my driving, about my boyfriends, about my grades, about my clothes, about my friends...but, I always knew that he teased me because he was proud. He was proud of all of us grandkids.

And, I sat in Grandpa's room on Saturday, I wasn't quite sure what to do. Should I hold his hand? Should I snuggle up next to him while he slept? Should I turn on the basketball game on the TV for him? I just wasn't sure. So, I talked. I told him about my recent car accident and that he would have loved to have teased me about it {I got him to open his eyes on that one}. Lauryn talked about golf, Dani talked about KU basketball, April was the caretaker, and Jon just wanted to be close by...and although his responses were short, we all had the feeling that he could hear us and that he knew we were there.

We all wanted to say goodbye, but I don't think any of us did.

Instead, I think we all took a vow to keep remembering. To always remember the fun days we had with Grandpa and to always remember this last day. Love you, Grumpy Gramps.

Grandpa smiled at my boys on Saturday and told them it was 'real nice to see you boys.' This photo is the only other time I've seen him smile in the past year....it was taken last spring.



Rest In Peace, Grandpa. You will no longer be suffering.

"Where Is Your....

...Nose!" This is our new favorite game to play with Andrew..."Hey Andrew, where is Bubba's ears!" And, while Andrew only gets it right about 75% of the time, it is so, so, so, so, so much fun to watch him learn and grow and play!

So, in light of all of the craziness this week {sorry if it seemed like I was begging for sympathy, but really, it was an awful week}, here's some fun!

"Hey Andrew, where's your....BELLY!" {Picture Parker laughing hysterically at Andrew trying to push his belly though the rails!}





Happy Friday!