The House

This is a picture of the house we are looking at. There were a few other offers on it so were not really sure how it will turn out, but we will hear back on Tuesday. We were warned that we may lose the bid, but if we do we should wait it out a few weeks to see what happens. We talked to the neighbors and it sounds like someone is offering the asking price, but have not seen it in person, and that once they see how much work needs to go in to it, may back out. We will be thrilled if we get it, but if not, we will just keep on looking. We are not in any rush yet.

Bouncing is fun!

Eli is really starting to enjoy spending time in his jumperoo bouncing. Here he is in the one at Gramma Cindy's house.

Sharing

Noah loves sharing his toys with Eli. It's pretty cute...but sometimes Eli gets piled a little too high with toys. Here's a super cute picture of Noah starting to load Eli up with toys.

Meeting new family

Last week Brandon's aunt Sara, and cousin Amanda came up from Oklahoma to visit. This visit was especially exciting since they both got to meet Eli for the very first time.

Chatting with Daddy

Eli is following his big brother's footsteps and is becoming quite the daddy's boy. He loves when Brandon talks and plays with him.

Playing outside

Now that it has finally warmed up again we have been playing outside everyday. We especially enjoy sitting out as a family after dinner, watching Noah play in the yard. Here are a few pics from today.

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More pics for the Grandparents.

Well I know most of you see these on facebook...but I have to post them for my out of town family who don't get to see them!

The Return of Crusty

A week after going missing, Crusty has returned home. My sister and I went to the mall yesterday afternoon, and while I was there I figured I would check to see if they had a lost and found. I hadn't asked earlier because I really didn't think he had been with us on any recent trips to the mall...but figured it didn't hurt to ask. Boy am I happy I checked!

The girl at the mall's welcome desk checked with security, and I heard them over the walky talky tell her that they did not have anything in lost and found matching Crusty's description. No surprise since I didn't think he would be there. We started walking away when I hear "WAIT!"...turned around and the gal was on the walky talky again. She then tells me that they found him...he was just hiding in the pile of lost items. When the security guard brought him out to us he told us that someone had turned him in from the parking lot saying they knew he would be missed since he looked so "loved" (which is just a really nice way of saying that he is disgustingly dirty). Anyway...we are happy to have our friend back home with us!

It's funny...if you told me 5 years ago that I would be driving a minivan and spending my time desperately searing for lost stuffed animals I would have laughed and said "yeah right".

More Picture

There are just a few more of the pics my dad took last weekend. I am so happy with how they turned out. Thanks Dad!

Family Pictures.

My dad took some family picture for us on Mother's Day. They turned out so great!

Wanted:

"Crusty"

Noah has a blue elephant lovey named Crusty. He can't sleep without Crusty, and takes him on most outings too. Sadly we have lost our beloved friend. We do have a back up Crusty so things are not too bad, but Crusty gets, well, crusty throughout the week and we have to swap him out when we wash him. And since he goes out and about with us it would be nice to have a back up crusty in case we lose him again. Which brings us to our problem. Crusty is not sold in stores anymore, and has apparently become a "collectors item" thus...when you find a "crusty" they are usually selling for a good chunk of change.

SO...I am asking (or pleading) that if you have one of these elephants (and your kiddos wouldn't miss it) to let me know and I will buy him from you. I will be honest and tell you upfront that you could probably get more for him on ebay, but we can assure you he would get much more love here than anywhere else!

Crusty was made by Carter's Just One Year (I think they were sold at Target stores). As you can see he is blue, he has a darker blue star on his left side in front and his inner ears are white with blue pin-stripes. He also plays music when you pull his tail (although our crusty hasn't worked in quite a while!).

We have a theif!

Things keep going missing around our house. Cell phones, credit cards, remotes, sun glasses, everything! I thought I was going nuts...misplacing things and not remembering where I put them, but today I found a stash hidden in a certain little boy's bedroom.

The Perfect Mother's Day?

This post was inspired by a facebook conversation about Mother's Day. The gist of the conversation was basically that a mom said her Mother's Day wish would be to not be a mom for the day, and most mom's were upset by the statement. While I feel like the good mommy thing to do here would be to join in on the shock of such a statement...I'm going to be honest and say I can relate.

I have the incredible blessing to get to stay home with my boys. I LOVE it, and I LOVE being a mom. BUT...

Eli is up at 7 (if not sooner) to start his day (he also is up once at night). Then I feed him and rush to the shower hoping to be ready for the day before Noah is up at 8. Eli naps around 10, and wakes up just before Noah goes down for a nap at 12. Then Noah is up, and Eli goes down. Bedtime for Noah is 8...but Eli stays up till 10. SO...I have a nice 30 minutes to myself before I go to bed. Combine that with Eli refusing a bottle and you get a mommy who gets one 30 minute break in her 24 hour a day shift (sleeping doesn't count since it is a necessity). I love it, wouldn't trade my life for anything, and I know it will get easier as Eli gets older. But I would be lying if I didn't say that I look forward to the day I can go out kids free for the day and do something for myself.

So...My idea of a perfect Mother's Day? Sleeping in, having Brandon get up with the boys, get them breakfast, get me breakfast, get the boys dressed, teeth brushed and ready for the day. Have him do all the diaper changes while I rest quietly and peacefully. Snuggle with my kiddos for a bit, and I sure wouldn't pass up an afternoon alone at the spa!

Maybe this particular mom put it a little too harsh for popular opinion...but I sure don't blame her for wanting a day to be a little self indulgent.

The women in my life...

In honor of Mother's Day I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite memories from time spent with some of the important women in my life.

Mom, of course I have lots and lots of memories from growing up, but my favorite childhood memory of time spent with you was after I broke my finger. I remember meeting you at the hospital or doctors office and I remember how much better it felt just to see my mom! I don't really remember how old I was, but I must have been around 5. I also remember going home and how you let me watch The Land Before Time over and over.

Grandma Jane, I remember how much I loved going on our "summer adventures". Brooke and I both had so much fun on those trips with you and Grandpa! I don't even really remember where all we went...just how much fun we had. I also remember how much I loved being sick when we got to go up to your house and be spoiled. You or Grandpa always made a special trip to the grocery store for whatever Brooke and I wanted.

Grandma Mary, I remember learning how to sew with you. I loved quilting that pillow with you, I can't remember how old I was when we made those, but I would guess around 10. I was so proud of what I had made. I also remember countless times we made cookies and watched those great old movies together. And while I may tease about it...I really did like State Fair.

Brooke...well there are too many memories to pick just one! You are an amazing aunt, and always there to help. I think you are going to be an awesome mom! I can't wait for my little niece to arrive.

And Cindy, my favorite memories with you are those of shopping and hanging out while the guys were out hunting, when Brandon and I were still just dating. I don't know how many wal-mart trips were made...but they were always fun!

So Happy Mother's Day (a few days early) to all the wonderful moms in my life!

Just pics

I have nothing interesting to say...just some more pics of Eli at 12 weeks.

It's a Girl!

I found out today my sister is having a little girl :) SO exciting!!!

VOTE!

Cedar Rapids officer Tim Davis is a finalist for the America's Most Wanted All Star Award. In March 2009 Davis was injured while trying to apprehend a suspect. He was beaten and as a result suffered from a severe brain injury. If you don't mind taking a minute he could use everyone's votes today!


http://www.amw.com/allstar/2010/nominee-detail.cfm?id=8422