in 12.5 years

Squint your eyes and imagine the scene in twelve and a half years, big brother driving, little brother riding shot gun. Are you scared? Me too. Especially if Spencer continues to pay more attention to what is happening around the vehicle than on the road. Now it is only feet and lawns he runs over!

I can see it now:

I dropped the keys. Move over so I can get them.


I said I got 'em. Move over.


You think it's so easy then do it yourself.


Whatever show off.

joy

It is what you bring to your father and me. We can only hope to give as much to you in return. Judging from your smiles, we are on the right track.

flashback friday

Same park, different year:

2007


2009


A few things to note:

1. We call Lincoln "chicken", it's a long story.
2. Linc is the gutsy 13 month old I know. He heads right up to the slide and barrels down head first over and over again.
3. We may need to rethink the whole chicken thing.
4. Different year, same annoying mom voice...sorry!
5. Yep, Spen is wearing Mickey Mouse ears over his hat. Don't ask, he's 3.5.

dots

A conversation at Culvers tonight:

Spen: "Mom, why does that little girl have dots all over her face?"
Me: "Those are called freckles Spencer."
S: "The little boys has them too, but not as many. Maybe he picked some of his off."
Me: "Spen, you can't pick freckles off, they are permanent."
S: "So they will have pickles on them forever?"

Thank you Spencer for you curious innocence.

redemption

As you may recall, Lincoln's first birthday cake experience was a little traumatic. While grabbing the glowing flame of the candle may have seemed like a good idea, baby Linc quickly learned fire equals hot.

This past weekend Lincoln had a second go at the whole thing, and it was picture perfect; see for yourself:

Baby waits patiently as the song is sung.


Baby tests the waters.


Baby likes what he gets.


A little more.


and more.


and more.


Grandpa John thinks his profile resembles Tweety Bird.

behind where it counts

I started this blog to keep track of all the important things in our lives, and to keep you updated as well. I have fallen behind and regret it daily. This blog serves as my memory bank. With a simple click I can go back to any moment from the year gone by. I can see pictures and read words that evoke such sweet memories of the ones that mean the most to me.

I wear many hats in my life, play many roles, but the most important to me is that of wife and mother. So I am vowing to return to document each fleeting moment, so weeks, months, and years from now, I can return to them and smile.

So with that, I am catching up:

My parent's came over a couple of weekends ago and we had steaks on the grill for the first time in a long time. Any one who lives here knows, when the weather warms up, even slightly, we grill. The food was great and the everyone enjoyed a little time outside while the grill worked its magic!

hide 'n' seek

Scott snapped this picture of Spencer "hiding" during a game of hide and seek. I guess Spencer works under the "I can't see you, so you can't see me" theory. These moments are what makes all of life's stresses a little more bearable!

rockstar

flashback friday

These pictures were taken on March 4, 2007 and have been favorites of mine ever since. Spencer seems so puzzled with all the white stuff surrounding him. These pictures also serve as a not so welcome reminder that spring is still just out of reach!

give me an s

Spencer and I practiced writing his letters before bed tonight.



In case you need a little help deciphering his handwriting:

and you're one

We celebrated Lincoln's first birthday in Marshfield, WI. It was a nice weekend get away for us as a family. We stayed the night at a hotel with a fun kiddie pool, ate pizza and cake with the family, opened presents, and blew out candles. (Actually Lincoln tried to grab the flame of his candle resulting in many tears.)

The most important thing about Lincoln's first birthday celebration was the people we got to spend it with, Great Grandparents, Grandparents, Great Aunts and Uncles, Cousins, and dear family friends.

So different from Spencer's first birthday, but still so loved (I will go in to those details another day!).