Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Luke - Washer's Champion & Bon Voyage Angie!

A few weekends ago....we took the family to Robb's cousin Angie's Bon Voyage Party. Angie joined the Peace Corp and will be living in Africa for the next two years!

We'll miss you Angie!!

One of the activities at the party was washers. Luke had never played, but he could barely stand not to be outside so Robb thought he would take him outside and let him run out some of his energy.

He's the perfect person to play with...not only does he fetch his own washers...but he happily gathers yours as well!

I think Robb spotted him a few points....but Luke won! He was awesome. He was hitting the cup, too. It was so fun to see him play and see him get excited each time he hit the box or the cup. So fun!! I think he and Robb will be signing up for my Young Friends Washer's Tournament next year!

Kate's Birthday Party (Part Dos)!!!

Like I said...one wasn't enough. So party #2 moved to Southern Illinois the following weekend for celebrations with the Benefield family.

It wouldn't be a party without Grandma Ollie!!

Blowing out the candle on cake #2...although this time we went with a cupcake....that seemed to be the key!
She liked the cupcake! Smaller was key......but still chocolate:)


Robb got sick the day before we left, so we had to leave him behind for the weekend. Come to find out he had viral infection and double ear infections! So we had to wing this one on our own!


After a quick wardrobe change, it was on to presents!



All in all a good weekend! We missed Daddy, but Kate had a great time. Overall she got some great outfits for this fall, some $$ for her savings and a few toys. Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate!

Kate's 1st Birthday!! (Part Uno)

Hard to imagine, but the little chunky monkey is one-year-old. Our little Kate Elizabeth celebrated her birthday not once, but twice! This is one of the problems of large families....and too much family living out of STL.

We celebrated part one at our house with friends and family. We ended up having a little backyard BBQ because it was just 73 degrees on JULY 18!!!!! HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE???

Here she is opening a few of her gifts.

And her baby doll that Mommy & Daddy got her.
Her rockin' shoes she got from Uncle Geoff & Aunt Nikki.

Waiting for the cake...and rockin' her new shoes! Aren't they cute.
Waiting for Mommy to light her first candle.

We thought the cake was going to be a huge hit....not so much....she just kind of licked the icing and that was about it!

Cake for the rest of us! A delicious two-layered, chocolate cake with whipped cream. SO YUMMY!! We love Federhoeffer's!

Thank you to all our friends and family that came out to celebrate! Especially our good friends Jack & Nick Morra!
And of course little Luke Morra!


It wouldn't be a day outside if we didn't swing! And this was day was no different. Such a great way to end a beautiful day.


We love you Katie Bug!

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Bathing Beauties

Earlier this summer, Robb's parents gave us some "summer fun money" to purchase the kids a pool. They always seem to know when we need something fun for the kids....they helped us purchase the swing set we have in our backyard, as well!
Well we finally put that money to use and bought the kids their first "pool". I'm being generous when I say "pool", as it's one of those ridge plastic, 10 minutes of running the hose and it's full, kind of pools!

My Mom was up last weekend and she offered to drive to Wal-Mart and help me get it back home. Did I mention we were doing this on the HOTTEST day of the year? Did I also mention we were squeezing a pool that is about 5 feet in diameter through an opening that's about 4 feet 10 inches in diameter? Good times.

Alas...we made it back to the house...and after a few hours, the pool regained it's shape. Ten minutes later, seriously, the pool was filled up and ready to go.

Luke loved it! I think this is really the first year really like "swimming". He has gone to my Aunt and Uncle's pools respectively and he was a "clinger". He would only get in if he could hang on to you for dear life.

Well...I'm hoping this year will be better...so first he tested out the "slide".

Kate wasn't a fan so much....here she is after I pulled her out of the pool. But doesn't she look great in her green & white swimsuit!

And without any lessons, Luke has learned to hold his breath "underwater". I think it was more holding his eyes and blowing bubbles in the water.


Since we knew that the pool wasn't a hit, we decided to let Kate swing. Here she is rockin' a two-piece look.
The kiddos...


One more close up the little miss.



Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Kate's Baptism

It's been a busy few weeks since I last posted. We've had family in town for Kate's baptism, Robb's cousin's wedding, Robb's mom has been visiting the last three weeks and work has been super busy for Robb and myself.

So here is a quick catch-up on the family.

Jeanna and family came up for a visit and zoo trip the last weekend of May. It was so great to see her and all the boys (and of course Tony!!). It was a beautiful day. The kids had a great time. But of course....my battery died two pictures in to the day. Here's Miss Kate in her sun hat!

Kate's baptism was the first of June. We were blessed to be surrounded by our entire family as Kate was baptized. It was a wonderful ceremony. Father Fitz, who also baptized Luke, presided over Kate's ceremony, too. Geoff and Nikki are Kate's godparents. They were so thrilled to be asked and included! And thank goodness Geoff is Kate's godfather...because his height was a great help during the ceremony! See pictures below. All in all we had 41 friends and family celebrating the day. Luckily we had great weather and some even better tents were able to set up in our backyard so most of our guests could sit outside and enjoy lunch.

Did I mention Kate's baptism gown was made out of my wedding dress?! Yep...my beautiful wedding gown is now about 2 1/2 feet long! My friend Amy Morra told me about this great lady who takes wedding gowns and makes baptism gowns. It turned out great!!! After I saw it I had no qualms about what we did. I love it and it will make a much better heirloom as a baptism gown.

She really did use all the parts of my dress. The bonnet is made from the bodice. She also used my original bodice in the bodice of the baptism gown! How cool, huh! The skirt/train is also made out of the original skirt. But it's the back of the baptism gown that is so great....

She used the loops that laced up my dress as the button loops for the baptism dress! How great. She also kept my original dress tags sewed inside Kate's gown. I'm really glad we made the decision to do this....it really made the day all that much more special!

Here's Robb & Kate with his niece Madi, stepmom Trish and his dad Bob.


Right before the the holy water was poured on her head...she knew something was up!


Remember me mentioning Geoff's height? Yep...here he is on his tippy toes trying to light Kate's baptism candle!

The kiddos with PaPa and Ma. I love this picture....we have one that is almost identical when we had Luke's baptism!
Kate with her godparents & Father Fitz.
All the grandparents.
Our family...it seemed every picture of the four of us..someone had their eyes closed or Kate was looking the other way...you know the drill!

Three of the 5 grandma's! (L-R: Robb's mom Barb, Grandma Ollie and my mom Terrie).
One of my favorite pictures from the day...me, Gma Ollie and Mom.
Kate's adorable cake!! Funny thing....no one would cut a piece of Kate's face! All day long people cut around her face...even after a week..no one would eat the face!

All in all a great day. After the baptism everyone came back to the house and we had a big taco buffet. She got a lot a great presents. Robb's own godparents even came. They bought Kate a beautiful rosary bracelet and cross for her room.

More to follow....TTFN!

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Memorial Day BBQ

I love three-day weekends. We should have them every week. One day to clean, run errands, do laundry....and then two days to recover and hang out!

We rarely have a chance to hang out with friends en mass. They are so great. Yeah friends!

Robb and Sarah...

Cheryl, Kate and Nikki...
Geoff and Luke...

Luke munchin' on squashed strawberries...yummy!

Miss Kate....looking pretty!


Great day!! And very little rain! Yippee.

Cover Girl

Work it girl.
You're fierce!
Do your thang....

Such a diva in the making (oh gosh...I'm kidding...I hope not!).