Pictures From Katy

Just wanted to share these 2 pictures that my fabulous Sister-in-law, Katy, took of the boys and I at the park at the begining of the month. I am usually the picture taker, so I am not in many pictures with my boys ( I am sure all you mommies can relate to this) I guess that is why I just HAD to post both of these photos. This is one of the MANY reasons why I LOVE hanging out with Katy! She always has her camera and ready to shoot away. Thanks for the pics Katy!

Joshua's Graduation

On May 18th, Joshua graduated from Zion Lutheran Preschool and  we are so very proud of him! He has learned so much from his teacher, Miss Amy, and the many friendships he made throughout the school year. Joshua has really REALLY enjoyed preschool! As a matter of fact, Joshua was upset (crying) when he found out on Wednesday that he was not going to school because school was done. I think he realized that he will not be seeing his 2 best friends on a regular basis like he did when he was in school. I know he will miss his 2 best buddies, so I foresee many of play dates this summer with Drew and Nickolaus.!

Here he is getting lined up for the ceremony.

All the preschoolers sang songs they learned throughout the school year.

I love to hear Joshua sing!
Can you see him?

Joshua had to memorize a verse from the bible for graduation.

"Luke 12: Verse 31. The thing you should seek is God's Kingdom. All other things you need will be given to you."

He did a GREAT job reciting his verse!

  

Joshua getting his diploma from Miss Amy!

Mommy, Daddy with the Graduate.

Way To Go Joshua!

We are so proud of you!

All In A Day

The last time I checked, it was May not April. You know the phrase "April showers bring May flowers"? Well, I think we may have to rephrase that because we have had nothing but rain, rain, and more over the last few days weeks. I am so sick of all this wetness!

A couple weeks ago, we did manage to have a few really nice days. Joshua, Noah, and I (Nicholas was at school) decided to eat a picnic lunch outside in the backyard. I guess all the early morning playing caught up with Noah because while I was in the kitchen getting our lunch ready, he was doing this..............

 He climbed up in the baby swing (by himself) and fell asleep. This is proof that he is still the baby! So, while Noah took a nap in the swing, Joshua and I had a picnic.

Here we are enjoying our lunch.

Menu:

Turkey Sandwich (for Mom)/ Turkey Roll-ups (for Joshua)

String Cheese

Doritos

Grapes

Yogurt

My lunch date and I.

It's not a true picnic if you can't play between bites.

Uh oh! Look who decided to wake up and join us.

Later on that day, we got a phone call from Grandpa Bob asking us to come over to see something he found in his yard while he was mowing the grass. It was a TURTLE! This turtle was stuck inside Grandpa's basement window well. Grandpa scooped him up and put him in a cooler to show the boys.

The turtle was afraid of us and wouldn't come out of his shell. I attempted to get a picture of it, but this was all I could get. Later on that evening, Nicholas and Grandpa released the turtle ino the ditch in the backyard.

Our Little Buckeroo is 2!

On April 24th, Noah turned 2 years old! Man, time sure does fly when your having fun. I am not sure where the last two years went, but they sure were GREAT ones. It seems like we were just celebrating his arrival into our lives. I can't believe my baby is growing up so fast. I need him to be a baby for just a little longer (or at least till Nick gives in to having baby #4! LOL)

We celebrated Noah's second birthday by throwing a cowboy birthday party. (You know me. All my parties have themes.) All of Noah's favorite people came (excluding my family) wearing their cowboy/cowgirl gear! We ate bbq pulled pork sandwiches (compliments of Grandma Connie), potato salad (compliments of Great Grandma Ganz), baked beans, chips, cake (which was so CUTE and YUMMY!), and ice cream. The kids had a blast playing and chasing each other like sherrifs and outlaws. The weather wasn't the greatest this year for Noah's birthday party, so the festivities were moved into the garage. We even moved the cowboy boot pinata inside the garage, hanging it from the garage door. I am telling ya, rain can't stop us from having a good time! I hope you enjoy looking at some of the pictures  taken from Cowboy Noah's Birthday Party.

The Birthday Boy!

You can't really tell, but this banner was really cute.

I made it myself using a variety cowboy print paper.

The Birthday Boy with his big brothers!

Cowboy Noah taking time for chow.

All of the little Cowgirls!

Time to eat!

I was so happy with the way the cake turned out!

 I was and still am excited that after 7 years of throwing birthday parties, I have FINALLY found a cake place!!!

Happy Birthday To You!

Katy, this picture is priceless.

You truley captured the essence of a HAPPY birthday!

Weeks before his party, Noah and I would practice singing Happy Birthday and blowing out a candle. When it came time for singing, Noah kept blowing the candle on his cake out before we could finish singing to him. I think we lit the candle at least 3 different times. I guess all the practice paid off!

I think Papa Dan lost one of his shoes.

It's not a party without a pinata!

The Birthday Boy opening his presents.

Thank you to everyone that came to help us celebrate Noah's special day!

The Circus!

A few weeks ago, the circus and all it's glory came to Mascoutah. The boys and I were so excited! (Actually, I think that I was more excited than they were) This was the very first circus that any of us had ever gone to see, so it was such a treat. Plus, Grandma Connie was able to join in on the circus fun with us! I really didn't think it was going to be as neat as it was. I was pretty impressed. This circus was complete with a big top tent, clowns, elephants, camels, tigers, dogs that did funny tricks, horses, jugglers, a "fire-eating man" (as Joshua calls him), and acrobats. I didn't take many pictures because I was just as enthralled by the show as all the little kids were. Here are a few pictures that I did take. Enjoy!

Mommy with her "3 ring circus"!

This pictures shows you just how big the Big Top really was.

The Elephants and the Ring Leader.

Amazing! Don't you think?

Meet Our New Nephew/Cousin

On April 15th, Nick and I's first nephew and the boy's first boy cousin, Baby Gideon Charles Love, was born! We were so excited to welcome him into our world and family. Even though he is only 2 weeks old, he is already such a big/strong boy! He must have been lifting weights inside the womb because he was already (brace yourself) 9 pounds 15 ounces and 22 inches long when he was born! I am telling you, my boys better not pick on him because I get the feeling he will be bigger than them as he gets older. Baby Gideon is such a peacful, happy, and healthy baby. We are blessed to have such a beautiful nephew/cousin. Thank you Katy and Justin for bringing him into our lives!

Gideon Charles Love

Gideon's stats.

Big Sister and Baby Brother.

Jamison + Gideon= Sister/Brother and Best Friends Forever.