Is the doctor in?

I just love this picture. Remember how much fun it was being a kid? Oh, and the imaginations on some of them (including you know who!).


Gab's and her pre-school classmates, including her "best friend" in the chair, are playing doctor at the local children's museum. Grandma and I volunteered to chaperone this trip and I think I had just as much fun as the kids. It was so cool to see them experience so many new things.

Now this is what I'm talkin' about! Painting on plexi. It's got to be virtually mess free, right? Especially with the big smocks? Guess again...all the sudden, I see a big goop of blue paint plop down on her shoe. She was really trying to be careful too! Luckily, they were Crocs so we could just rinse!! You all know I'm extra careful about her getting her clothes all messed up. Poor girl's gonna have a complex...too late she kind of already does.

Six great years.

Well really 11 great years, but today marks Corey and I's 6th wedding anniversary! I gotta tell ya, I'm a lucky gal! For those of you that know Corey well, you know I have a lot to be thankful for. Since I totally forgot to get him an anniversary card (bad wife!), I thought I'd dedicate this blog to him. In honor of 6 married years, I'm listing the 6 things I appreciate most about my hubby (in no particular order). Believe me, it was hard to choose!

Corey is the bestest because...

1. He's a master grillman and makes a darn good pork steak
2. He is a fabulous dad who loves spending time with his family
3. He cooks and does the dishes way more than I do
4. He puts up with me when I'm being crabby and don't deserve to be put up with
5. He has a very forgiving heart
6. He is truly self-less and would do anything and everything for the kids and I

"From now on, it will be you and I. And a ribbon in the sky for our love."

~Stevie Wonder, Ribbon in the Sky ("our song")

It stands the test of time.

Dad has had this yellow swingset, well, it seems like forever. Morgan was reminiscing about it when we were all celebrating Aaron's HS graduation last weekend. The swingset may not look pretty, but it's still going strong!

Gabs and Aysha.

Morgan and Aysha

Little guys can swing too (with help from Uncle Aaron, who I chopped off! Yikes!)

Cassius being a daredevil and trying to climb UP the slide. He doesn't seem to mind the tumble down though.

A couple more random shots of the little man at the grad party!

A man of his word.

He always said he'd get himself a Harley when my brother Aaron graduated HS. That time has come (congrats Aaron!) and dad didn't waste any time! Brand spankin' new and pretty 'clean', huh?


Dad getting ready to take a spin on his Harley Davidson Electra Glide bike.

Jump on in! The water's just fine (for some of us!)

Let me tell you a little bit about the kiddos and their experiences with water.

The first one...fearless! And absolutely LOVES the water. Bathtubs, sprinklers, pools, hoses, puddles, and the list goes on and on. Water on the face and in the eyes? No sweat! There he goes!!!

_

He couldn't quite figure out where the water was coming from though!

Having fun with Elle, who was also just as fearless! (Oh, and aren't the little man's swim trunks adorable? Compliments of "aunts" Ericka and Tracy!)

Now onto Miss Gabrielle...the (un)fearless, when it comes to water anyways. She HATED getting water in her eyes as a baby and still does to this day.

This picture says it all (scaredy cat!) Hmmm. Do I go in or not?

I asked her if she was going to get her hair wet and her response, "NOOOO mom, I'm NOT getting my hair wet!". Wow, what a crazy concept, right?!

When she finally decided to get in, she proceeded to do this...

...because she certainly wouldn't want to get her face wet! =)

Okay...this was a HUGE step. And, her hair did get a little wet.

She had a hard time with the fire hydrant sprayers at first (check out that face!). She accidently sprayed herself a couple times and wasn't happy about that. When she finally figured it out though, she was happy to aim it at other kids at the park!!

Did I mention we did this on FATHER'S DAY?! I couldn't possibly post this without at least one pic of daddy and (one of) the kiddos! I know, I feel bad that I didn't get a picture of him and both kiddos!

All's well that ends well.

06.07 - State Farm Play Day 2008. An all-day outdoor fair full of rides, animals, games and good food. So...as you can imagine, we were very disappointed to wake up to cloudy skies that morning. Nonetheless, we had our breakfast, dressed and packed up for the day's festivities, just praying that the sun would come out. Then, it came...rain...and more rain...and more rain. But, Play Day goes on, rain or shine, so we were on our merry way.

By the time we arrived, the rain had stopped, but we knew there could be more from what the forecast was calling for. Believe it or not, there were other families just as crazy as ours that were ready to head out and weather the storm.

We're waiting for some friends to meet us in the parking lot, but Cassius is ready for a driving lesson.

_

First stop? Face painting.

Don't forget the bawoo. That's Cassius code for balloon!

Next stop? Rides. (with buddy Ethan)

Daddy and Cassius watching Gabs on the ferris wheel.

Gabrielle's very first roller coaster ride. (with friend Emily)

Round and round, round we go!

Time to wind down. Yep, he's still got the red bawoo.

The whole fam! (and the red bawoo)

More rides. (with friend Elle)

And...two grumpy faces. A sign that it's time to head home.

Although our journey started off a bit wet and unpredictable, we couldn't have asked for a better day at the park. (except for the wet grass of muddy mess that we trecked through the entire day, but that's truly another story for another time!!)

And they lived happily ever after...

Most little girls love a good old fashioned fairytale and Gabs is no exception. She really thought she was a "true princess" as the flower girl in Chad and Kelly's wedding (05.03.2008).

Not that I'm partial or anything (hee hee), but if you ask me, she stole the show in her "mini wedding dress."

Hanging out with the bride and waiting to make her big DEBUT! The suspense was killing her and boy was she ready to throw those petals. And...she literally did THROW those petals (somewhat forcefully! LOL!).

Get going already!

Okay, enough is enough! So, I just need to get a post out here. I've spent too much time fretting over making it look pretty (w/ the little blog knowledge I have!). A friend of mine introduced me to the blogging world (thanks Melissa!) and I thought this would be a perfect way to keep people up to speed on what's happening with our fam and brag about the kiddos! I look forward to sharing with you and hope you'll visit often for updates!!!