Dells Trip '09

Last year while we were at the Dells, we sat through a timeshare seminar, never again! After 3 hours later & four salespeople trying to get us to buy a timeshare we got a free vacation for 2 nights/3 days to be used within the next year. After have two dates previously denied, I didn't get my hopes up about the 3rd but to our surprise we got our confirmation for this past weekend. It was a nice trip but I will never go through that kind of hassles again. Besides everything we had a good time. We took the kids to the water park. Taylor loved the Lazy River, Owen not so much. Owen & Daddy tipped over because Owen was squirming to get off. So I ended up with both kids on my lap, not very comfortable. They had a great kid area where they went down slides & played in a shallow pool. Caylee & Owen rode go-karts by themselves. Our neighbors actually went up the same weekend we did, so we got to hang up with them on Saturday at their campsite.
Good trip but glad to be home.

Look No Training Wheels!!!!

Yesterday Matt took off Owen's training wheels. After dinner Owen looked at us & stated "I think I can ride it". So I started helping Owen down the road. Than he looked at me and said Mommy I want to do it on my own. He had one big fall, cried for about 10 mins. After that I figured he was done for the day. Nope, mommy was wrong. He kept at it, until he was riding perfectly. This little boy was so determined to do this. You wouldn't believe it. In an hour he was riding his bike & showing us tricks. He can ride with no feet, one hand & standing up. I love my little man & am so proud of him. I can't believe how fast he is growing. Way to go Owen!!!


The 1st couple times on his own



He mastered turning while riding

Taylor's 2!!!!

This is back when Eric & family visited, love this picture!




Long time no blog....

Busy, busy, busy during the day from babysitting & at night usually trying to wind down from the day.

May 30th we celebrated Taylor's 2nd birthday!! We did the whole Luau theme. My mom made the cake as usual, turned out great! The kids had a blast. She is starting to pronounce her words so much better. Now you can at least understand 80% of what she says. Everything is "momma" this or "momma" that. She can count to 5 & knows some colors & all body parts. She HAS started the terrible twos, much worse than Owen was, but I guess that is the girl attitude for you.
Owen is great, right now he is obsessed with Lego Indiana Jones video game. I pretty much have to yank him off the game.
Caylee finished 1st grade here in Illinois & is doing better as well.

Easter Weekend

Caylee's B-day!

Taylor coloring eggs!

Long weekend.......

Taylor & Conner

Caylee



Busy, busy , busy... I now have 4 kids that I babysit, 4 months, 17 month, 5 & a 6 year old PLUS Owen & Taylor (sometimes Caylee), so believe me I have been BUSY! I love doing it but some days are definitely harder than others.
We had a great weekend! Saturday we celebrated with Grandma Debbie, she did a great job hosting the Seder. Sunday we celebrated with our church & than on to Grannies. Aunt Kim set up an Easter egg hunt for all the kids. Taylor didn't really know what to do but Owen was a pro! It was great seeing all the family!

We colored Easter eggs, I figured Taylor would have made a mess. Totally opposite, she was so careful & dainty. Even when she got a little on her hand she had me wipe it off right away. Owen on the other hand, well just look at the picture!
This year Easter happened to fall on Caylee's birthday. She is now 8! Instead of throwing her a party this year, she wants to go to the local water park. So we are planning to go in a few weeks.

Taylor is almost 2, how the time flies! She is very stubborn (just like her daddy)but so luvable. Every day she makes sure to give everyone a hug when she wakes up. She loves baby Conner. Owen also loves helping out.
More updates later naptime is almost over!

Owen wanted to help feed Conner.....

5 minutes later they were both sleeping!! :)

Caylee moved back to Illinois!!!!

Yes, finally! Caylee has moved back to Illinois! She actually lives a few blocks a way from us for now. So we have her every other weekend & twice a week. So it has been great! Owen loves having her around. I have been babysitting, Taylor has been extremely jealous (hopefully this will pass). Both kids are going through a little cold :( Other than that everything is good!!

Future Chippendale or Video Gamer, you decide!

Yeah!!!! Owen is finally fully potty trained. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. The kids are great. I started babysitting Baby Conner (Keith & Jenny's little one). He has been such a great baby so far. Taylor & Rex (our dog) watches over him so closely. Whenever he takes a nap, Rex has to lay right next to the Pack N Play. Speaking of the Pack n Play, Taylor finally mastered the art of escaping from it while we were in Florida. Luckily it was the last night we were there. We put her down to sleep, I kid you not 20 secs later she was out of it. I found it so funny that I put her back in so I would be able to record it, I know mean mommy. Hopefully she won't master the crib until a few more months.

For some reason I can't upload the pictures, so enjoy these videos until I am able to upload.

Grandpa Jack

My mom , Me, Owen Grandma & Grandpa Jack Sept 2007

Grandpa Jack

Grandpa & Owen

We had the most devastating news this past week, my grandfather passed away after 92 great years. My mom, my sister , me & the kids took a road trip down to Florida for the service & funeral. It took 22 hours each way, we drove straight through. The kids for the most part, were great. We left Saturday night & arrived Sunday around 7:00pm. We were gone a week & missed daddy terribly. My grandma seems to be doing great. The service was beautiful. He was buried 5 hours north of Miami, so we drove up there Thursday. He was a great man & will be missed. He loved Owen dearly, he really didn't get as chance to bond with Taylor. Owen just started really potting training right before we took this long road trip. He did great. Now it has been almost 2 weeks with him fully potty trained except for wearing a pull up at night. Grandpa, you will always be in a hearts, we love you!