Five Year Old Friday

My Little Helper...

Emma LOVES to help in the kitchen. She is always asking me if we can make something. My grandma watched her in the afternoons after preschool and it seemed every day I came to pick her up they had baked something new. I love that she will have these memories because I have some of the same memories with Mamaw Jennie. Although I am certainly not the best cook...my dear hubby does most of the cooking...I do love to bake. Although this was just a cake mix..we had so much fun. I love that she reads the directions and wants to make sure that we have all the ingredients. Spending time with Emma makes my heart so happy!

Way Back When-esday

I love vacations...who doesn't, right? One of my fellow teachers posted on facebook that she was enjoying St. Thomas. That sure brought back some memories.The first real vacation Damian and I took together back in the summer of 2006 was to St. Thomas. This was the first trip that didn't include driving to Indiana to visit family, visiting our Florida beaches, or going to the mountains of Georgia or Tennessee. This was also the first time we left our baby girl Emma with her grandparents for an extended stay. Needless to say, we had an amazing time and made some wonderful memories! St. Thomas is beautiful and we definitely want to go back. Our friends Jon and Cathy lived on the island at the time--we're so glad they live much closer now--but we were able to go to a private island and spend time with them as well as much needed alone time. Now I can't even imagine taking a vacation without Emma and Max but it sure is nice to look back at our pictures and remember a fabulous time!

Enjoying banana daquiries...look at that view..Wow!
Absolutely Beautiful

Celebrating our anniversary with dinner at our hotel.

Chillin' with our good friends Cathy and Jon..enjoying the beach & maybe a cocktail or two

Play along with Cheryl at Twinfatuation...it's so much fun to reminisce!

Tales of a Two Year Old

Max and his cheesy smile! We were on our way to watch Toy Story 3 and he was a little excited!! He loves to wear hats!

Every time I turn around it seems Max needs another haircut. His hair grows sooo fast! I don't know where my kids get their crazy hair--Emma with all her curls and Max and his fluff. It is so funny to me because I always had straight pixie type haircuts growing up--except for those occasional perms that started in the first grade--thanks Mom!

I came across these pics of Max's first haircut at the Magic Kingdom. He was 11 months old and was a little apprehensive. Now at almost 3 yrs. old...he LOVES getting his haircut. He will even ask me to take him--he sits so still and smiles at the girl that cuts his hair. He knows that he will get a lollipop when he's finished so I think that helps.

**these pics are in the reverse order...oops**

my sweet baby boy--love the hair!!

not sure if he wanted to smile or cry...what just happened here?!?

what a big boy!

I knew it was time to get his haircut when a stranger said.."oh, SHE has such pretty hair!" Damian and I planned to go to Disney the next day!! ha ha!

Make-up Monday

I had every intention of writing a post for Five Year Old Friday and calling it furry friends, funnel cakes, and ferris wheels.
However, I have been running around like crazy and barely had a chance to get on the computer. My mom graduated from nursing school on Thursday night, I ended up staying at my parent's house, then we hosted a party on Saturday so I spent the entire day on Friday getting my house party ready(I'll have to have my mom and sis send some pics from the grad and party for me to post--we had a fabulous celebration--because the ones I took on Thurs. came out blurry and I was having too much fun on Sat. that I didn't take any!)
Back to my five year old. She is an absolute joy to me! She makes me smile every day. She also makes me laugh! Yesterday out of the blue she looks at me and says "Mommy-I think we need a day just for us-a mommy and Emma day. Let's go get manicures and pedicures!" I think that's a great idea so it looks like we will be doing that sometime in the next couple of weeks. She's also very thoughtful...she didn't want to leave her Daddy and brother out-- she told Damian that he can have a Daddy and Max day at the golf course.
Emma's furry friend
first funnel cake-with chocolate of course for my little chocolate lover

and first ferris wheel ride with mommy--I know it looks old but it was sturdy and safe

I'm looking forward to a fun-filled week spent with Emma and Max and our family and friends!

Way Back When-esday

In our family we love birthday celebrations!! I came across this picture from my Mom's 50th luau birthday party in June 2008. It's amazing how small the kids were only 2 short years ago.

Our Big Happy Family

Play along with Cheryl at Twinfatuation...it's so much fun to reminisce!

Tales of a Two Year Old

We are back from a quick trip to visit family in Indiana. We had a terrific time and it was so good to see my Grandma and visit with my aunts, uncles, and cousins. Max loved being on the farm and especially loved Uncle Thomas' tractors. He had a blast taking a ride in the fields. He absolutely loves being outside and just loved to run around and check things out while we were there. He kept asking Uncle Thomas to "please drive me". It was too cute!


Max is ready to go...

Max really loved the big John Deere

Max and Uncle Thomas

Way Back When-esday

I love summertime...mostly because I am off work for the entire summer with my kids, but also because I'm fortunate to live in Florida so close to beautiful beaches & great vacation spots. This week I found some adorable pics of Emma and Max on the beach.

Summer of 2006, Emma-1 1/2 yrs old

Summer of 2008, Max 11 months old

Play along with Cheryl at Twinfatuation...it's so much fun to reminisce!

Tales of a Two Year Old

In a little over a month I am going to have to change this day to Tales of a Three Year Old. Oh, my! I cannot believe this year has flown by so fast. It seems just yesterday I was heading to the hospital to have my sweet boy!
I absolutely love planning the kids birthday parties. It's a time to have our nearest and dearest family and friends help us celebrate some very special days. I just love a social gathering!!
We've decided to do a Toy Story themed birthday party for Max this year.His love of Toy Story began when we took him on the Toy Story Mania ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios(It's one awesome ride by the way!!) He has also been watching the first two Toy Story movies repeatedly for several months and just loves Buzz Lightyear and Woody. I thought how perfect with Toy Story 3 coming out this summer. I have been able to find tons of stuff. Everywhere I go I see Toy Story merchandise.(this is great since usually I choose a theme that you cannot find anything of in the stores!) So I pick a few things up here and there--and am well on my way to planning a terrific party. Max's cousin Joshua also loves Toy Story and we were so happy to be able to borrow his costume. I am working on making the invitations on shutterfly and snapped some adorable pics last week. Enjoy!
To infinity and beyond...

Mommy and Me Monday

I couldn't let this day go by without posting a pic of me and my sweet little girl. We had a great time with some friends this weekend. Here we are enjoying some fun in the sun in our pool. I hope she never stops coming up to me and telling me in her cute little voice that she loves me and that I'm the best mommy in the world. (Maybe I should record this so when she is a teenager I can play it over and over again!!) I am so blessed!

Five Year Old Friday

This week we took the kids to get their annual summer pictures with their cousins. Right now we have eight kids that are 8 and under...next year at this time there will be nine kids 9 & under. We can't wait!! Although it can get a little chaotic when we all get together...I wouldn't have it any other way. I feel so fortunate that both Emma and Max are able to grow up with their cousins. I love watching them talk to each other, play together, and have fun! Emma and Hannah are especially close. Whenever they are together they are inseparable. Here are a few cute cousins pics.
Max, Nathan, Emma, Hannah,& Joshua
at Nathan's First Communion
Hannah and Emma are always together

All American Kids

Emma & Hannah have always loved playing together

Hope everyone has a terrific weekend! We're looking forward to chillin' with some good friends and enjoying some relaxing family time.

Way Back When-esday

We are planning a trip to visit my Grandma Goldie and many of my family in Indiana next week. I am so excited to show Emma and Max where I grew up and of course for my Grandma, aunts, uncles, and cousins to see the kids.I found some pictures from a few years ago of one of our summer visits. Emma has a special place in her heart for Grandma Goldie...she often includes her in her prayers and talks about her all the time. Even though we don't see her as much as I would like and her health is declining--she will be 92 next month..I share stories and pictures so that they will know their family both near and far.

Grandma Goldie loving on Emma
Emma loved the kittens at Aunt Sharon and Uncle Thomas' house

Play along with Cheryl at Twinfatuation...it is so much fun to reminisce!

Tales of a Two Year Old

Max cracks me up. He is definitely his father's son. Always smiling and making others around him smile too. We had a great time at a BBQ for the 4th of July. We were so busy having fun that I didn't get an opportunity to take a lot of pictures. We have had such a busy weekend...visiting a children's museum in Lakeland, hanging out with Max's buddy Brody from school and the BBQ with friends. Here are some of my fav pics of my little guy from this past weekend...Max LOVED the fireworks at night but didn't love the poppers the big kids were throwing on the sidewalk.

Dancing to the music

my little firecracker

Five Year Old Friday

This summer has been fun for all of us. One of the perks of being a teacher is the fact that I get to spend all summer with my kiddos. No time has been wasted this summer... We started the first weekend with Emma's very first ballet recital and barbeque with family and friends. Then we headed to St. Pete Beach(which is our new favorite vacation spot) for our vacation. While staying at Tradewinds Beach Resort, Emma really wanted to try out the bungee trampoline. She did an amazing job and even did some backflips. Her daddy and I were pretty scared when the guy working asked if she wanted to go higher and she screamed--"YES-this is so Awesome!!"

I have realized this summer just how much she is growing up. She went to dance camp for 7 days at the studio she currently attends. She had an amazing time and learned how to do so much--including a cartwheel and handstand! I cannot believe that she will soon be starting kindergarten...