Happy Birthday Greg!

Friday was Greg's birthday, Happy Belated Birthday Babe! CJ wanted to have a "surprise party" for Dad so we made him a cake while he was playing softball Thursday night. When Friday came I had to explain to CJ when you tell the person ahead of time about the surprise party it isn't much of a surprise. LOL. Here is Greg blowing out his candles at his "surprise party" with a little help of course:

Saturday Greg headed to Iowa City to see the Hawkeyes beat the Arizona Wildcats. Go Hawks!! While him and Uncle Doug were having a good time, my Dad came over to watch the kids while I painted the basement bathroom. Greg hates to paint so I figured I would tackle it myself while he was gone. Dad also helped me finish some of the trim in the shower. I think it looks great. What do you think?

At least I feel like I accomplished something on our never ending to-do list!

CJ spent the night with Pop and Nana last night and Ms. Ry wasn't pleased. What can make everything better? A popsicle of course!

-J

Thankful

I read many blogs each day - most of them written by complete strangers. Some are funny, some are sweet and some make me thank God for what I have. The Maxey family lost their beautiful 11 month old baby girl to cancer last night. My thoughts today are filled with prayers and sadness for a family I have never met but who deeply touched my heart. Fly with the angels baby Annette. And THANK YOU GOD FOR WHAT I HAVE!!!!

I love you two more than words can ever say.

-Mommy

Labor Day with Ayo Kitty

Don't you think every weekend should be a 3 day weekend? That one extra day is so great!

We started the long weekend with a bonfire at the Drury's (thanks guys!). We had a great time and the best part? The neighbor girls watched all the kids so the adults could have some grown-up time. The kids played great together! They stayed up until 11:30 which is SUPER late for our kids and they slept until 9. Yes, you read that right 9 am!!!! Amazing!

Saturday we did a little shopping. The kids needed fall clothes badly. All of CJ's pants looked like capri pants when he tried them on! Sunday we were lazy and didn't do a whole lot. Those days are the best.

Monday we had the Firle family over for lunch and then we celebrated Ry's 2nd birthday early. Her birthday is the 13th and we will be in Iowa (look out Mamaw and Bapaw we are on our way soon!!) so we had cake early with Pop, Nana, TT and Jeff-o. Nana got Ry an "Ayo Kitty" cake.

She didn't have a nap all day so when she opened her Hello Kitty pillow and blanket from Nana and Pop she said "I go ni-nite". LOL.

I can't believe she is almost 2. Where is the time going? We love you little girl!

-J

Big News for Mr. CJ

Hey everyone! This is just a quick post to wish our little guy well on his first day of Pre-K! He moved into his new room today and was very disturbed that his jacket had to be put in a different place. That's our little creature of habit! I know he is going to really love his second day because every Thursday his class takes a trip to the library for storytime. Thank goodness I've gotten him used to the library in the past 6 months!

We love you bud and know you will do great in your new room!

And because I hate posts without pics here is one of CJ from March 2007. He's always been so handsome!

-J

Someday she will be on American Idol!

Two posts in one day! Here is Ms. Ry singing the Itsy Bitsy Spider and ending with her shortened version of the ABC's. Oh and a request for more cheese. LOL.

-J

Fevers, fireflies, fotos and fights! Oh my!

We had a pretty good weekend. Friday afternoon I got a call from daycare that CJ had a fever. Once I got him home and got some ibuprofen in him he seemed better the rest of the weekend. He did complain of a headache here and there.

CJ was feeling better Saturday evening so I got the bright idea for us to catch fireflies (or lightening bugs as CJ prefers they be called). The kids were all excited with the jars Daddy got ready for them:

For some reason the idea of putting lightening bugs in pickle jars was hilarious to CJ! After getting them all excited we saw two, yes TWO lightening bugs! Greg said it was probably too chilly out. We did get some good pics while we were waiting for the dark though.

The fighting part of my title came on Sunday when the kids starting fighting the minute they got up. By noon Greg and I were ready to pull our hair out!! Good thing it was nice, we took them outside where we hoped they would wear themselves out and lose their frustrations. It worked!

Hope you had a great weekend!

-J

Wonderful Weekend

The weather was absolutely amazing this weekend! Greg and my Dad worked on finishing up the kids' new swing set area and I finally took some pics!












































Greg and CJ were going to "camp" Saturday night (in our backyard) so he put the tent up early. The kids played in it for hours. Of course they had to fight over which side they wanted and which sleeping bag they wanted, but such is life!! They ended up not camping because, strangely enough, it was too chilly out! I can't believe we can say that in August! Here they are enjoying the tent in between fights:

I want to wish my in-laws a very Happy Anniversary. Yesterday they celebrated 40 years together. Congratulations!!! We love you guys!

-J