Is Summer Really Here to Stay?

Magnificent 7!

Olivia Pearl was born on June 27th to a wonderful friend and co-worker of mine, Christine Mortenson.  We went to visit them in the hospital last night- she couldn't be any cuter.  Amy, Christine and I have all worked together for the past 8 years.  When we first started at JMC Marketing, none of us had kids- now there are 7 among us.  We were able to capture this photo to the best of our ability- not too shabby.  The sad part about all of this is Christine will not be coming back to work.  She is blessed to be able to stay home with her 3 kids- I'm so happy for her but I'm sad that I'm losing a co-worker :(  Congratluations, Mortensons!

(LtoR) Wyatt, Bella, Norah, Emma, Olivia, Frankie and Marcus

Baker Park

We took Wyatt on his first camping trip this weekend to Baker Park on Lake Independence.  We rented a cabin to ease his way into a tent.  He's naturally an outdoors boy so we had a blast- he's definitely ready for a tent for the next go around.

Cabin #4 at Baker Park

Someone felt right at home.

Had we known this hill was so steep we wouldn't have let Wyatt go down it, especially without a helmet.  I bet he was going 30 mph by the time he made it to the bottom.  He had no fear, he had to do it again but that time he hit the grass and rolled twice before bouncing right up to say, "I'm okay....that was fun!"

Blessing the wilderness!



Grabbing sticks from the woods for the fire.



My boys!

Happy Birthday, Dan/Daddy!

Dan loves peanut butter...I mean loves peanut butter.  I found a recipe for Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting.  They were good but very rich.  Next time they'll be made with white cake.

We didn't think he was going to be home and he surprised us- we were so happy!

Is this what comes to mind when it's 103 degrees?

Equipped with a car, sprinkler, rainboots, gardening gloves and tools. 

Garden Time!

We purchased an Earthbox this year to plant our tomato plants- images to follow. Wyatt had a fun time helping his dad mix the "growing media" up.  Hopefully he'll leave the plants alone so we have nice juicy tomatoes in a couple months.

Nice face!

Memorial Day

Enjoying the heat with his new sprinkler...

Turbo Style!

Our Upton Neighbors

Dan brewed up a great fire Sunday night so we had our favorite neighbors over to enjoy it.  Despite a few sprinkles it didn't stop us from having a good time. 

L to R:  Jeff, Kristi, D 'Lee, Me and Dan

Happy Birthday to Me...AGAIN!

I don't necessarily want to say that everyone misses my birthday but because it seems to always fall on Memorial weekend it usually gets put to the way side.  Dan made it super special and wanted to have the weekend be all about me- and he meant it.  Saturday my family came over to celebrate.  At my request, my mom made my childhood and adulthood favorite birthday cake:  confetti angel food cake with fluffy white frosting.  To this day it's the only thing I expect from my mother on my birthday :)  Severe storms rolled through that afternoon but the skies cleared up just in time to enjoy our company.


Wyatt trying to sneak a taste!




Mark and Megan brought one set of peonies and Dan and Wyatt gave me another set- can you tell they're my favorite?  Thank You, Thank You!  Check out that cake!




Wyatt and Papa Suess being silly!




Gotta love the camera that sat on top of a storage chest that sat on top of a wagon to get the perfect family photo- well, almost perfect.




Wyatt helping me blow out my candles.



Uncle Scott and Wyatt




Wyatt perfecting his bowling.





Me and my Papa!




Our nephew, Johnny!  Who couldn't love this pooch?



Happy Birthday to Me!

Dan surprised me and invited Mark and Megan over to help celebrate my birthday Friday night.  I had requested to stay in and have Dan prepare his BBQ ribs.  He nailed them- they were superb!  The weather wasn't in his favor to grill but leave it to Dan, he made this make shift contraption to keep him dry over the grill.  Thanks for making my birthday a special day!

Outdoor Soccer Starts!

Saturday was our first day of outdoor soccer.  One would think the middle of May would bring sunny skies and warm weather...apparently not!  Instead, we were blessed with 45 degrees, rain and wind.  Despite the weather Wyatt prevailed.  He still is only interested on his own terms- hopefully we'll see a sign of change toward the end of this session.

Mother's Day Weekend

First spring meal on the patio- a burger I've been craving forever!  Dan did a fantastic job and a nice Grain Belt Nordeast accompanied it :)

My fruit kabob concauction for Mother's Day brunch.

Need I say more....I have the best son in the world- my life wouldn't be complete without the little fellow in my life.  He made me a Whoopie Pie at Lunds, a homemade card from daycare and gave me a charm from Tiffany.  Dan wanted to start a new tradition this year and begin adding charms to my bracelet that symbolize my life with Wyatt.  I look forward to see what these two boys come up with in the years to come.  I love you both so much!

Bon Voyage Megan and Clay

My cousin Megan and her husband will be heading to London for 4 years while Clay is stationed there for the Air Force.  They were spending some time at my parent's house before departing so we met up with them at the MOA.  Of course Wyatt had to get some play time in at Nickelodeon Universe.

Wyatt, Me, Uncle Gregg, Megan and Clay at Twin Citie's Grill