We're still alive!

I just had a very busy week last week, no free time to post...and, it looks like it'll be just as busy this week! Even today, I'm uploading pictures and typing between diaper changes and bottles!

I'm always keeping my eye out for houses that are for sale closer to church and Ben's work. On my way to church Wednesday night, I saw a "For Sale" sign on a house only 3 - maybe 4 - houses down from church! The outside is very well-maintained with a beautiful big yard, complete with a swingset! The inside looks like it might need some updating...but nothing too terrible. With the price of gas so high, Ben's commute would be cut over half...and we could walk to church in nice weather! I'm also thinking I could get a craft room! **Aaahh!** Sounds too good to be true, huh?? Well, it is. Like most houses we've checked out, this one is just a bit out of our price range. I think we'd be laughed at if we offered what we could afford; although, who knows!? The sellers might just be desperate enough to accept! lol! Oh well...we'll keep looking and dreaming of desperate sellers...or big checks in the mail! lolol :-)

Here are some pictures:


The closest I've been able to come at capturing one of Nathan's smiles. Here's a picture of the tail end of one:


BIG blue eyes! (also looks like he has a stubborn-set jaw, doesn't it?!)


THANK YOU, Uncle Al and Aunt Rachael!! Megan looves her new slide!!

First time picking dandelions, or, "RAH-RARHS!!!" Megan had so much fun seeing a yard full of such "piiitteee" (pretty) flowers! :-)




Got to get back to my busyness...! Hope you all have a great week, despite the cold and rain that's forecasted!

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...

...a beautiful day for a neighbor!

The weather yesterday and today has been gorgeous!! Yesterday morning, I made my first Walmart attempt with both kids...and, I'd say it was a success! They both behaved in the store -- Nathan did all of his crying in the car on the way to and from! Then, after lunch, we decided to visit Aunt Rachael. Megan loved playing with all of the other kids -- Aunt Danielle came with her girls, too! We were all very tired by the end of the day...but, it was a good tired! Must've been! Nathan slept a 5-hour stretch last night!! I just may go to Walmart and Rachael's every day if it makes him sleep! lol! :-)

Then, tonight, Megan played outside with daddy when he got home from work. She loves discovering things in the yard...mostly sticks! :-) She also found a few "rah-rarh!"s (flowers) that she picked all of the petals off of. Then, she used her sticks to whack her ball around -- not sure if she's playing golf, lacrosse, or baseball?! Whatever it was, she was having fun. Nathan sat in the bumbo seat for a little while and then decided he'd rather sit in mama's lap while watching his big sister.

Hope you've all been able to enjoy the nice weather, too!

Chubby Cheeks and Shades

Just a few pictures today. Proof of Nathan's chubby cheeks...look at that double chin a'comin!


Daddy bought Megan some shades last time we were in Walmart. She already has a pair, but, Ben couldn't resist. (Daddy's girl??!) Anyway... she's played with them, but not until I showed her herself in the mirror did it click what/where they were. Oh, boy! Then Megan just cracked us up. She began talking to herself...kissed the mirror...and winked at herself!!! We were laughing so hard! Ham alert!! :-)

Our Weekend

Even after all these years (8 in May!), Ben still surprises me with flowers! He brought these home on Friday... they are soo pretty! (And, he's pretty wonderful!) :-)


Nathan is growing bigger and bigger every day! No idea on weight. He won't go to the doctor's until May. But, he's certainly filling out his clothes and cheeks! :-) Starting to get some "pinchable" fat on his legs, too! :-) Nathan has begun cooing and gave us his first smile last Saturday - we've gotten a couple more since. It's perhaps a little too early to tell, but, we've had to work awfully hard for those smiles! That's exactly how Megan was (and is!)... do we have another sober baby on our hands?!



Saturday was beautiful! Ben did a little yardwork and Megan HAD to be with her daddy!

Then, Ben worked on the lawnmower and guess who HAD to be his helper?



Giving "Nay-Nay" bedtime kisses


All prettied up for church


Hope you all have a great week!

Birthday Weekend

My grandma is very special to me, so I was very glad that we were able to be with her to celebrate her 90th birthday. The party was just after lunch, so Ben, Megan, Nathan, and I went a couple of hours early to visit in Grandma's room (she is now living in a nursing home). We were also able to sit with Grandma in the dining room during her lunch. We wanted to be able to visit with her without the loudness and craziness that gatherings are bound to be!

The party itself was nice. I got to see several of my cousins - some that I haven't seen in at least 15 years!


Megan loved the cake! (You should've seen all the frosting on the chair when she was done!)



I've debated whether or not to get one of these... I finally saw a double stroller on craigslist (on Wednesday, got it Thursday!) that was about half the price of a new one. We don't often use a stroller...but, for those times when we WILL (the mall or zoo), this will be great! We used it at Grandma's party in case we needed to take a walk to keep the kids happy.


After Grandma's party, we went over to Stacey's house for supper.


The obligatory-whenever-we're-all-together-oh-what-a-circus family pictures - Take one: hm. Well, besides terrible lighting, a squirming Josiah, and a not-looking Megan or Mike...where's Ben? And, where's Nathan?

Take 2...getting worse! Some adults laughing...others with pasted smiles...children who have NO desire to be there:


Take three...better. Only Megan is really unhappy. Success? Not really... we're missing Josiah! *Sigh* I don't think it will ever be easy -- or that we'll ever get a somewhat perfect picture. All we'll really get are memories of the moment... good and bad! :-)


Megan and Caleb eating dinner together:


How we all felt after this weekend:

Hope YOU all had a good weekend!