Road trip to Ohio!

This past weekend we took a 6 hour road trip with the kids to Cincinnati to visit my friend Kris and her husband Mike and son Tyler (almost 14 months old). We have been friends for many many years and it is always great to spend some quality time with a friend. The kids were pretty good in the car and it made the trip that much better. We went to the playground, pool and a few walks in their new neighborhood. We ate way too much bad food and good beer. We also went to the Cardinals/Reds game on Sunday and the kids were good despite the game being during nap time. Thank you Mike and Kris....we had a great time and can't wait for you to come visit us soon!

Here we are at the Cardinals/Reds game

The boys had a great time playing with each other.

The weather was perfect and we spent a lot of time outside.

Kris, Tyler and Cincy in front of their amazing new house! Kris had all the rooms decorated already and they looked very settled in after moving in just 2 weeks ago.

Tyler did great with his first bath with other kids.

Lots of Birthday Parties.

All is well with us. Finally it is not too hot here in St. Louis and we can spend some much needed times outside. The kids and I seem to visit a lot of parks and now that Lucas is very active, it sure is a lot of work. Addison is going to be 3 in just 3 short weeks. Lucas is just about 16 months old and says new words every day (today he said door, chalk, and rock).

About 5 years ago it seemed like we spent so many weekends at weddings and bridal showers. Then it turned into baby shower after baby shower. Well, now it seems we spend many many weekends at kids birthday parties. The past few weekends were no exception.

Here are some pictures from Mackenzie's 3rd birthday party this past weekend. Mackenzie is Addison's very best friend. They both just love princesses.

Wearing pretty dresses and dancing.

Mackenzie blowing out her candles on her amazing castle cake.

Addison eating cake (just the frosting really).

The birthday girl.

Lucas making a mess out of eating his piece.

Here is just a cute picture of the kids one morning eating breakfast in front of the tv!!!

Last weekend we went to Ashton's 4th b-day party (no pictures) and then Molly's 4th birthday party the next day.


Here is Addison giving her cousin Katy a kiss.

Addison really liked Molly's princess cake.

The birthday girl.

Lucas giving a cute smile.

Fun times playing inside.

When it is raining or too hot to play outside, we come up with some fun things to do after dinner. We play hide and go seek, ring around the rosy and Daddy pretends to be a horse. It is fun!!!

My 30th b-day party was great. Bob planned it all and we had a fun kids-free evening. Bob is busy at work, I am trying to juggle my 2 part time jobs and it is going fine and the kids are just enjoying the summer. We have a lot of birthday parties coming up and then we need to plan Addison's party in September!

Ring around the Rosy

Daddy giving horse back rides

Addison just playing on her couch

Lucas trying to get the camera

I'm old.

Well, it happened....I turned 30! I guess it was not that bad, but I am sure the first time someone asks "how old are you" it is going to be hard to say 30!

The day was pretty good. I had to go into work a little but after that I had lunch with the kids and my parents. My parents then took the kids back to their house and I cleaned the house ALONE. I know cleaning does not sound like a fun thing to do on a birthday, but it was fun for me. Bob got home from work early and we went to dinner and out for ice cream...so it was a good day.

As for my gifts....Bob got me a ping pong table and I am thrilled. We played our first official game tonight and I must disclose that I won the first game in the house (the first 3 actually).

My parents also really shocked me with my gift. I lost my digital camera about 2 months ago and was very upset about it. Well, they got me a new one (the same one that I had before). I was so happy and shocked that I actually started to cry. Thanks Mom and Dad!!!


Here is my new ping pong table.

Me and the kids on my birthday....do I look 30?

Looking pretty in her princess dress.

So handsome!

Our first baby....Louie.

Lucas' 15 month appointment.

First of all, congratulations to Becky and Cort....they are now the proud parents of a son. Cole Anthony was born on Wednesday weighing 8 lbs 10 oz after a successful c-section. I can't wait to meet him Becky and I am sure Mia will be an amazing big sister!

Today was Lucas' 15 month appointment. He is pretty much staying on his growth curve of 75th percentile in height (32 inches) and 25th precentile in weight (22 lbs 8oz). He handled his 4 shots pretty well. Lucas is hitting all his milestones for a 15 month old. He walks and runs really well, is starting to use a fork and spoon, probably says about 8 words and today he said "all gone" for the first time. His new obsession is books!

Our Family Vacation

Well, we just got back from our family vacation! We spent 5 days at the lake of the ozarks at Bob's parents condo with them. We had a great time and the weather was pretty nice. Sure, it was not very relaxing for Bob and I with the kids, but we still had a great time. We spent a lot of time on the boat and swimming a the pool. Lucas is talking more and more and we swear he said "addison" last night twice. I am signing Addison up for mini-preschool today. She is going to be thrilled to start school in the fall. I start a new part time job tomorrow (in addition to working Friday's at my current job). I hope I like it. It is just about 12 hours per week.


Here are MANY pictures from our vacation.

A messy Lucas after a good meal.

Bob and Addison tubing.

Me tubing. I felt so old and kept telling Bob's dad to slow down.

Addison learning how to swim. She sure is getting much better with swimming!

Bob and Lucas on the boat.

Lucas passed out on the boat and took a nap on the dock while we were getting the boat cleaned up. Addison just posed for the camera!

Our Family picture with the beautiful lake in the background.

Sitting together with their pj's on.

Smiling on the boat.

Playing on the deck in the tub.

Addison just loved to jump in the pool and have us catch her.

Playing nicely together.

He really liked to wear his sunglasses on the boat.

Addison probably would have stayed on the boat the entire time if we let her.

Lucas playing on the beach.

WE HAD A GREAT TIME!

Happy 4th of July

We had a fun filled 4th of July weekend. Friday we began the weekend by going down to my parents lake house for the day (it is about an hour away). They are still in the process of remodeling but it is coming along so well. My parents have been so busy at work and it is going to be amazing. We went on the boat and the kids went tubing for the first time (with us of course) and we took Addison to play on the small beach. It was a great day and actually not hot for a change. We then got home around 7pm and joined the party in the cul-de-sac with all of our great neighbors. We are very lucky to have such great neighbors and friends!!! Some of the neighbors put off their own fireworks and we watched others in the neighborhood as well. It was a lot of fun.

Here are some pictures from the 4th of July party with our neighbors.

On Saturday, Bob went golfing with his mom and cousin for 18 holes. We then had a bbq at Bob's parents house along with his brother and his family. Sunday Bob and I worked in the yard and then went to our friends Tre and Julie's for a bbq and swimming in their pool. It was a busy weekend but so much fun!