A relaxing weekend

It's been a long time since we just stayed home the whole weekend, and we really enjoyed it. My sister and her hubby and Wade's friend Matt came by Friday night. Saturday Wade's sister Heidi came by and we took her on a bike ride. After church today we all played outside, ate some ice cream at Annie's, and played some more at the park. What a great weekend. There is nothing I find more fulfilling them simply just being with my hubby and kids. It can't get any better than that!

Sweet Caitlyn

If you get a chance please send out a prayer for Caitlyn's parents and brothers. I found Catilyn's website a while back and her beautiful little face grabbed me and her story pulled me in. It just hit home with me and made me think of my little Gracie. Caitlyn was not diagnosed until she was five and sadly she died last night, just a little over six years old. What an amazing little girl she was and what an true example of Christ she and her family have been throughtout their ordeal. It broke me heart to even try to imagine saying goodbye to my little girl. I cannot imagine it, yet for this family it is their reality. I have no clue why God chooses to take some home earlier than others, especially the littlest ones, but I know someday I will know. “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. —John 14:1-3

Big Boy

When Gracie turned two we surprised her with her very own big girl bed. I was so excited to move her out of her crib, and I was pregnant with Charlie, so I knew I would need the crib soon. However, from the first day on she's been an early bird. So, i've learned my lesson and kept Charlie in his crib. He has been fine with it, he loves to sleep. He would usually get up between 9-9:30 everyday, and still take a nap at 1 for a few hours. But he decided on Tuesday that he wants to be a big boy and have big bed just like sissy. So, at 2 years and almost 5 months, I had Wade take the side bar off of his crib. He was so excited and kept saying, "me big boy!" However, I was awaked at 7:30 with a little face next to my bed. And I knew the good days were over. However, this morning he slept until 8...not too bad, I can handle that:) It was so cute to see how much he loves going to be now. And it makes him look so much older. Sigh....they grow up too fast!

I thought this pic of Wade at the top of the mound was kinda cool After checking out the mounds we headed to the city, we checked out the new casino, just out of curiosity (not anything great) and then we headed to the upscale part of town to find a good place for dinner. We stopped in a really cool little place and were given free beers to celebrate our anniversary. We settled on a really cool little French restaurant (Chez Leon). Wade and I have both been to France and this place really made you feel like you were there. We ate outside, the weather was perfect! Then we headed back home and on the way we stopped in at a car show. When I met Wade he had a muscle car (Olds 442 if anyone cares, he had to sell it to move out to WA) so he loves to stop in and look at all the old cars. Then we headed back to Edwardsville and went to the movies. We packed a lot into one day, but none of it felt rushed. Happy Anniversary Wade! I realize when it's just you and me how much fun I have with you. You really are my best friend and no matter what we do I just have such a good time. Thanks for the last six years of marriage. They have flown by, but each day I thank God for giving me the chance to be your wife. I love just loving you. You are so good to me and the kids. You take care of us so well and love us so perfectly. Thanks for showing me God's love and for putting up with me in the mornings..:) I love you so much and I can't wait to see what God has in store for us on this wonderful journey.

Six Years

On Saturday Wade's parents picked up the kids and Wade and I got to spend the whole day together...we got to celebrate our six year anniversary, which was on the 22nd. We has such a good time. We dindn't have a thing planned. We ate lunch together, then decided to walk around Lowe's, just looking at things for the house. Then we decided to head into the city. On the way we saw a sign for the Cahokia mounds, so we decided to stop on in and check it out. It was really cool! These mounds were man made back in 800 a.d. by the Native Americans. It took them over 300 years to build these mounds and they are HUGE. Almost 20,000 people lived there and there were over 80 mounds, 70 are still there. The view of St. Louis from the top of the mound Wade always has this confused look on his face when he's trying to take a picture of us..:)

Party Time

Two weekends ago Wade and his brother put in this new brick patio. We had been wanting to do this for a while, and i'm so happy with the way it turned out. It's so nice to have another area for people to hang out. We were excited to have it all finished for our party on Friday night. We had about 16 people over and it was a beautiful night. The lighting bugs are just starting to come out and it stays so nice and warm into the evening. A friend and I started a couples game night and it was at our house for the first one. It went over so great and everyone seemed to have a really good time. I'm already excited for the next one!

Father's Day

We had a great Father's day, it was the first one ever that we got to spend with BOTH sides of the family. I did not have my camera with me, but we had a great time over with Wade's family. Great Grandma Betty cooked up a great meal and the kids got to drink root beer and run around the yard like crazy. After that we headed out to a park to celebrate with my dad. My sister took some pics, and we had a great time. I'm so thankful for all these great men in my life. I realize every day how blessed the kids and I are to have these great role models. Thank you for all you do! All the gang getting ready to eat Katie, her boyfriend John, and Gracie Auntie Melissa teaching Gracie some softball skills My dad and his two little buddies Here is a great picture of Wade and the kids. I feel so lucky everyday to wake up to this man and to watch my kids call him daddy. He has amazed me with what a great dad he is...he loves his kids and always puts his family first. We love you so much!

Charlie giving the shotput a try Gracie at the bag races...Click on this and check out her tongue! Go Gracie GO!! These four girls are all about the same age and are so cute together All the kids taking a break and listening to a story

Summer Camp

Gracie's been going to VBS/Summer camp for three weeks now. She has really been enjoying it, but wow we've been busy. This week was our MOMS club summer camp. We used the theme summer olympics. Yesterday was the first time I got my camera out to take some pics of all the fun Gracie (and Charlie) have been having. All the kids marching with their flags and torches Gracie's turn at the obstacle course, she was intent on winning! Gracie at the water balloon shotput What determination!!

Lucky 13

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Unlucky for some? Dutch statisticians have established that Friday 13th, a date regarded in many countries as inauspicious, is actually safer than an average Friday. A study published on Thursday by the Dutch Centre for Insurance Statistics (CVS) showed that fewer accidents and reports of fire and theft occur when the 13th of the month falls on a Friday than on other Fridays. "I find it hard to believe that it is because people are preventatively more careful or just stay home, but statistically speaking, driving is a little bit safer on Friday 13th," CVS statistician Alex Hoen told the Verzekerd insurance magazine.

Historical Recreation

My dad is a huge history buff, so the fam and I took a trip out to a little town that was putting on a recreation. It took place at an old fort that is still there from the seventeen hundreds. It was amazing to learn about how the U.S. fought for their freedom from Britain. It was great for the kids to start to learn a little bit about our history. Almost everyone was wearing clothes from that time period and selling things they had made themselves. However, i think everyone will agree that the food might have been the best part! It was sooo hot, in the low 90's with high humidity, so we spent a lot of time in the shade, eating and drinking ice cold lemonade...yummy! Gracie got to try on a hat they wore then, and see how 8 people had to share ONE bed, she was amazed! Watching the men march through the crowd Charlie loved the corn on the cob Pappa and Charlie (guess who was getting a little tired?) Nanna and Gracie

Only in the midwest!

On Friday my parents, sisters, the kids and I all headed to the Science Center. We were once again surprised to find out it was FREE..how awesome! But the more exciting part came when we were getting ready to go. The sirens went off and a voice on the loudspeaker told us we were under a tornado watch and needed to move immediately to the lowest floor. They herded us all downstairs into what I guess was their "tornado room." The kids were a little freaked out, but after about a half hour they let us out. A funnel cloud had been above the city, but had never touched down...how scary! The excitement didn't end as we drove home in the worst rain i've ever drivin in, and lighting strikes every few seconds....wow, what exciting weather! Here we are in the tornado room all giving "thumbs up", notice Gracie is giving "thumbs down." All the people waiting for the tornado watch to be over

My pretty girl

I just love this outfit on Gracie. I just had to capture how cute and little she looks in it. She is growing up so fast and I'm trying to capture every moment of it! She wanted her hair braided, so I gave it a shot, i'm getting better! Her hair is getting so long and in the humidity it gets all curly, I don't know where she got it, but it's beautiful!