Field Trip

A few months ago our church play group took a field trip to Heartland Ranch. I didn't know much about it but turns out it is owned by a minister and was designed to help recovering addicts and people who needed help. These people work on the farm in various capacities. While an overall cool idea, there were some things that just didn't sit well with me. Like a group of teenage girls who lived with the minister and his wife. Anyway, we did have a fun day and Sophie was in her element. We got to ride a bus around the facilities and to the goat house and cow house. There were hundreds of baby goats that just licked and nibbled little fingers. All the kids loved it! We got to see cows being milked. Then had a picnic at a local park. It was a fun day. 

being silly on the bus

Easter 2012

We woke up a little early so we could open presents and do the egg hunt before church. This year Sophie was old enough to enjoy the egg hunt and really got into it. The Easter Bunny had a great time hiding the eggs and he sure knows the kids well :)

Sophie's new trains that talk

New princess jammies

starting the hunt

loving it

her new dress and her full basket

Liam opening his basket

toothbrushes and jammies!

what, there's stuff outside too?

a purple hippopotamus pool!!! 

bunny mask :)

TJ's 30th!

TJ turned 30 in March. He was a little anxious about this number. Something about leaving his 20's. I figure life can only get better! In one year he will be done with his residency and actually making some money! We will have a better idea where life is taking us, hopefully more children, fun, and laughs. Yes, life will be good in our 30's (let's see what I say in 9 months)! Any, I wanted to do something special for TJ. That was going to be trying to find his favorite car to rent for an hour but that didn't pan out. So, when my friend Nicole asked me what he likes to do we decided to throw him a surprise party outdoors. When he lived in Utah his favorite thing to do was to be in the mountains. Since we don't exactly have mountains out here we settled for a bbq and campfire. It's kind of funny because like a week before the party we were talking and he told me he doesn't like parties cuz he hates to be the center of attention. Well, it was too late and he was only the center for about 5 minutes! He was completely surprised, though even I almost blew it a couple times. And his brother Brett happened to be in town for the occasion and helped pull it off. We had a great time with friends and family. I hope he felt special and loved, because he truly is!

Sophie playing "heavy heavy hangover"

her tissue paper bonnet

walking out

realizing what is happening

the boys roasting some dogs

Liam's 1st Birthday!

Yesterday was Liam's 1st birthday. I can't believe it. Seriously. Where did the year go?! It's been full of laughs, tears, and lots of sleep (at least for Liam, Sophie, and me). He is basically a pretty chill little guy. Tends to only cry when he is hungry (and the tears come quickly). Lately he has been screeching and squealing very loudly. I think he gets this from his sister. He loves Sophie. So much! He follows her everywhere and loves to be in her room with her. There are some times where she doesn't appreciate that very much. They do play really well together, though she is definitely the boss. His toys are her toys. Her toys are her toys. My toys are her toys. You get the picture.

Anyway, back to the birthday boy. His one year stats are:

height: 31.5 inches (95%)
weight: 22 lb 10 oz (70%)
head: 47.8 cm

He's gonna be tall like his daddy!

He's giving kisses and hugs, sort of, responds to his name, eats pretty much anything and everything except green beans, loves to be outside, in the stroller or wagon, loves the water. He's a fast crawler and loves to walk along the furniture. He stands for long periods of time but doesn't care to start walking. Everything goes in his mouth. He loves to watch his daddy play his game (or maybe he just loves to play with the keyboard and mouse).

fell on his toy and split his lip, on his bday

He just brightens our house and our lives. We love this little dude and are so happy he came to our family.

St. Louis vaca with daddy

After we took Tom back to the airport, we went to stay with TJ's cousin. Jenny is about the sweetest lady on the planet! We visited that night and the next day we went to the Butterfly House. So beautiful!

yes, those are cockroaches. gross. 

the mating butterflies that landed on me. cool and strange. 

the moms went shopping while TJ "babysat" the kids