sunny snooze

After pushing Sammy on the swing for several minutes yesterday, I finally went around in front of him and saw this...

Going...

going...

gone!

This little man was

TIRED!!

Don't worry, I didn't leave him there...it was nap time after all! :O)

I also had to add these pics of Sammy and his new boots!

New Recipe Blog

A couple of years ago I attempted to start a blog for moms...it didn't work. :O) This time, I'm simply starting a blog to document and share some recipes that I've enjoyed making (and eating!). There will always be a link to the left of these posts or you can check out the link below and add it to your Google Reader!

If the Church Cookbook is too high to reach on the shelf...

She is so sweet, because we love Ellie.

Little Ellie continues to provide the sweetest comments and lovable "isms" and we just can't get enough!

Here are a few recent ones that come to mind...

This morning as I was smashing a spider on the floor with our fly swatter, she asked, "Did you dead it Mommy?"

Later she was trying to help Sammy with his pronunciation of bathing suit saying, "Sammy, say 'babe-ing suit,' it's 'babe-ing suit' Sam!"

We've also have a little fun with her use of the word 'because.' Poor thing just can't seem to get it straight!

Examples...
"I'm hungry because I want a snack."


"I'm hot because I want to play in the water."


"I'm going poopy because I locked the door!"

...the list goes on and on with that one!!!

And later while sitting at the table doing crafts, she heard thunder, which she's not so fond of, and exclaimed, "I like 'funder' down here!" (as opposed to 'funder' up in her bed when she's trying to go to sleep at night!!!)

Oh how we love our precious middle child! :O)

*added on 5-30-10*

Ellie seems to have a popular ingredient on pizza mixed up with something else kids love to eat. When expressing her dislike for pepperoni she says, "I don't like macaroni on my pizza!" 

I love Saturdays

Our morning (so far - since it's only 10am!)

boys will be boys!

and girls will be girls...

*on another note, we found a new hair stylist RIGHT NEXT DOOR (she works out of her parent's basement (our neighbors)) to us and she is my new friend! She colored, cut and straightened! my hair and then "fixed" H's adorable cut (we liked her hair cut but realized it could be improved) and we were right. Lala, my new friend, said "I never say this, but you should go get your money back!" Thank goodness I used a coupon and didn't pay much (thus the poor cut)! But, don't you just LOVE what Lala did!?!? I love it! Ellie even got her's cut and she wouldn't let the girls at the other place come near her! Sadly Sammy wasn't up for a cut, but that's okay. Brian and I can torture him with the buzzer at another time!

What do you think??? It's a fun change for a day or two,

 but I'll be going curly again VERY SOON! :O)

Let's get this party started!

We just wrapped up party #4 for Sammy boy's birthday and I realized, that boy was spoiled this year! 4 parties with friends and family, 3 "construction truck theme" cakes/cupcakes + 1 free ice cream sundae, 4 yummy meals and 4 chances to show everyone again what a crazy 2 year old he is!
(warning - LOTS of pictures below!)

We started 3 weeks ago with a group of dear friends and their kiddos.

I LOVE a fun picnic in the grass with great little friends! This was the longest they sat still all night...mmmmmm, cupcakes!

BFF's Jackson and Ellie :O)

"Hmmm, how much of this will actually fit in my mouth?"

We love our friends!

Cake #1 - Trader Joes Vanilla Bean cake w/ choc/vanilla frosting mixed together and crushed oreo "dirt"

Mother's Day weekend brought us up to MI to celebrate mom's and grandma's and great-grandma, as well as sweet Sammy.

If only they showed this much love ALL of the time!

Sunday lunch with great-grandma Smith (who turned 97 in April!)

Looking up to his big cousin Luke!

Cake #2 - cupcakes smashed together with choc/vanilla frosting over all of them...

crushed oreo dirt and fun trucks!

How old are you Sammy? 2!

Sammy loves frosting and I LOVE those baby blues!

Great Grandma with Hannah, Ellie and our niece Taylor

Grandma Marge with the girls

We finally reached Sam's real birthday and once again, had a party! This one was a little different, but perfectly perfect for a sweet 2 year old boy. We met Mar and Jackson at a local mall that provided free entertainment (play area), a train ride for the birthday boy (fun little ride for a minimal price) and a restaurant that was super fun for the kids and gave Sam a free sundae for his big day (Ed Debevics!).  It was great fun to watch the kids enjoy themselves and share the night with our dear, dear friends!
(sorry about the small pics...I had to borrow Mar's iPhone to capture the moments!)

And finally, we were able to celebrate one last time with the Giere side this past weekend. Another great evening with family!

Grandpa, I love you, but put me down! :O)

Princess Ariel made an appearance at the party!

One of Sammy's gifts from several of us is a new bounce house to be sure to get all his wiggles out!

Brian was getting ready for the inaugural inflation!

Ta-Da!

I'd say the new gift is a hit!

Another great night for a picnic!

Big boy table!

Oooo, more cake!!!

Cake #3 - cupcakes w/ choc/vanilla frosting and little cut out trucks 

(found on google images, taped to a toothpick! easy!)

Thank you friends and family for making Sammy's 2nd birthday such a wonderful 3 week celebration!!! We love you all!!

Sammy is 2!

I cannot believe that 

2 years ago today

this young man came into our lives and

has been blessing us and keeping us

on our toes ever since!

We love you Samuel Brian!