Day 219: Ice Cream before lunch and an Anniversary Date

This morning I took the boys to the park. Then, as a special treat for being such good listeners, I took them to get ice cream at McDonald's. It was very exciting to Daniel because he's been asking for 2 days to go get ice cream and even more exciting that he got to have it before lunch!

Then, this evening my mom came over to watch the boys while Davey and I went on our anniversary date. (Only a week late. I'd say we're doing pretty well!)

We decided to go to the restaurant Mexico a few blocks from where we live so we walked. I ate way too much because it was so tasty! And if I didn't look prego before walking in there I certainly did walking out! ha! After dinner we took a stroll on the board walk where we proceeded to run in to 3 people from our church. (I'm honestly surprised it wasn't more than that!)

By the time we got back home, mom had the boys bathed and in their pj's. Fantastic! All in all, it was a good day.

Day 218: Purple for Abby Joy

Today we wore purple for Abby Joy. She is a very special little girl who lives with a rare genetic disease and  went in for a major surgery today at CHOP. In support of her and her lovely family, Davey and I wore our purple along with may other people across social media. (I would have put the boys in it too but they had nothing purple.) If you want to know about Abby and how you can pray for her and her family check out her mom's blog Life as a Leach.

We love you Abby Joy!

Day 217: D's 1st Trip to the Dentist

Today was Daniel's 1st trip to the dentist. I have been procrastinating with finding him a dentist and getting an appointment scheduled. I also wanted to get him in before I go back to work in 2 weeks...I called 2 places yesterday to see if they had any openings and could get him in this week or next and the 2nd place had 2 available appointments today! Score! I'll take it!

 I was slightly concerned how he would do since every time I help him brush he thinks it's funny to close his lips so I can't see where I'm brushing. Thankfully he didn't do that for the dentist. I was really happy with how the hygienist and the doctor were with him. The doctor even let him try on his magnifying glasses once he was done looking at Daniel's teeth. Should have gotten a picture of that but I did get this one while they were out of the room.  (Confession- I feel funny taking pictures in certain situations and sometimes will just pretend I forgot...This time I just waited until the hygienist went to get the dentist.)

 Show me your clean teeth!

Day 216: Home Sweet Home

Even though I love being at my grandparents in Ohio, there is just something so nice about being home. It's even nicer now that we have our own home. Something I won't take for granted for a long time.

The boys and I took it pretty easy today. We could tell they were tired because they both slept in til 7! This never happens! And then Micah was ready for nap by 12:30 and slept for 3 hours.

After nap this afternoon Daniel looks at me and says "Mommy, we're home!" I guess it finally sunk in. :)

Daniel was very happy to have daddy home from work this afternoon.

Day 215: Headed Home

Well, after a very long drive home (1.5ish hours longer than it should have taken us) I wanted to blame not blogging on the computer and camera being buried in the van. Unfortunately for me by the time I got out of the shower, Davey had it all set up with the camera and everything ready for me to blog. Thanks honey!

This morning we went to church with my grandparents. It has become some what of a tradition for some portion of our family to do special music on this weekend each year. This year Mom Amy, Natalie, and I sang Blue Skies (Point of grace) and my dad sang Watch The Lamb (Ray Boltz). I would post the video that Davey took of us singing Blue Skies but I haven't previewed it yet and I know we botched it up a bit...well, mom messed up the words and I messed up a harmony. Amy and Natalie sounded great!

After church we ate lunch with the family and headed home around 2. The trip is 6 hrs without stops. With stops it should only take us 7. It took us 8.5! blah! But we are home and that is a blessing! I am thanking God for the wonderful week we had with family. It is definitely my favorite week/weekend of the summer!

I like getting a family picture here before we leave each year. The boys were super excited for another picture.

I am so ready for bed! Good Night!

Day 214: Reunion Day

There are many  nights I find myself praying that the boys (Daniel) will sleep in til 7. Last night was one of those nights because I knew today would be a long day and he would need as much sleep as he could get. Somehow my prayers got mixed up with the mom who asked for her son to wake up at 4 am instead...Yep! Daniel was up at 4 and Micah couldn't sleep and ended up in our bed most of the night which meant Davey and I got little sleep. That boy tosses and turns like it's his job.

So instead of getting well rested boys I ended up with tired boys. Davey ended up bringing Daniel back to the hotel around 11 to take an early nap. And I had Micah napping at the house in the spare crib. before noon. Thankfully they fell asleep and took a decent nap even if it was really early. It got them much further through the day! 

This cat is one that just showed up at Grandpa and Grandma's house recently. He's is super nice and lets the kids all get up close to pet him. He has even tolerated Micah pulling at it's tail. Sarah's boys named him Oreo. We also saw it eating a bird this morning...

As I said yesterday, one of the placed Daniel wants to be is on the train tracks. So this morning Joanna and I took the kids for a walk and I got these cute pictures.

While we were there Grandpa and Tim drove by on their way out to the lake to get some stuff ready for the reunion this afternoon.

I took Daniel out on the paddle boat which he loved. We stopped by the island and I picked a flower for him to give my mom.

Micah didn't care what anyone was doing this afternoon as long as he could be with the grandma or on the Gator!

 Look at him trying to shift the gears.

 My mom brought lolipops...I am pretty sure Daniel had 4 in a row.

Oliver having his first taste of marshmallow.

Of course once most of the extended extended family left (the people I don't really know like my dad's cousins and others who don't seem to be related at all but show up anyway) we got the bonfire started and had smores. Daniel only wanted a bite of his so when he was done I, of course, had to eat a 3rd one!

It was a really nice day though we definitely missed having Steven and Jenn's fam and My Uncle Steve's whole family. Here's hoping for a full turn out next year with no sick kids!

Day 213: The Gator

This is a blow up bed Davey got for Daniel and Micah loves it. I guess he'll be getting to use it next year!

Every waking moment of this week Daniel asks to either walk to the train tracks or take a ride on the Gator.

What was even funnier is that today Micah kept walking down to the garage where the gator is parked because he wanted to get on. If the garage door was opened he's walk right in and stand there trying to climb on. If the door was closed he's fuss at the door and try to open it. If anyone took it out and didn't include him he would fall apart crying. Oh my! Is he a boy or what?

 Grandpa helping Mikie play the piano.

Happy boys on the Gator again.

This evening we had our sort of annual family picnic (not to be confused with the reunion which is tomorrow). It is missing way too many people! My Uncle Steve, Cousins Dan and wife Sarah and kiddos, and my cousin Angie and husband Ian. And Steven and Jenn and kids. (And Sarah and Joe who didn't get off early enough to be there for dinner or this picture.) Missing you all and we're so sad you couldn't be here this year!

Bubbles with Aunt Joanna