Memorial Day Weekend...

We had a very busy yet wonderful Memorial weekend. Friday night we headed over to Indiana. Matt's cousins, Scotty and Kennedy both gradutaed from High School. Not only did we have a long weekend with the family but we were able to share in the graduation festivities! We headed back to Ohio on Sunday night around 9:30 and got in about 2:30 (it's easier driving through the night so the kids sleep!) My dad and mom came over today (Monday) and we went to the park for a pinic.. it was a good day!

Braylon's first time in a "big boy" swing...

Hannah and Madison climbed trees....and were both terrified of the bugs!

Four generations...this is Nana, she makes the best candies and blankets!! We love her!

Braylon ~ taking a break from all the fun!

Here is a group of us at the graduation party on Sunday...

Kennedy, Trent, Scotty and Matt...

These are two of Matt's cousins, Bea and Kennedy...aren't they beautiful??

American Idol Fan

Isn't she beautiful!!!
At 4 years old, Madison, along with the rest of America was addicted to American Idol. On the night of the last show she looked at me and sang this beautiful little medley..."May there always be Ryan Seacrest"... She makes us laugh constantly!

First time bowling...

Doesn't it look like I super-imposed her into this picture. I thought it was pretty cool. I told her to pose and I guess she thought I meant dance????

Our friend Sophie had her 9th birthday party at a bowling alley. It was Madison's first time to ever bowl. The first roll down the lane didn't quite make it all the way but after that, she got the hang of it! The score of her first game was somewhere around 48. That's pretty good for a 4 year old!!

Girls night out!!

Friday night Madison and I had a "girls night out". She and I went to the movies to see "Over the Hedge". We had a good time. As you can see from above, she enjoyed her popcorn and candy. It was fun!!

Braylon's 1st Birthday!

We had a big day yesterday celebrating Braylon's birthday. There were a little over 20 people eating hamburgers, Italian sausages and tons of chocolate cupcakes!!
Braylon wasn't sure if he even wanted his birthday cupcake.

Papa and Mama bought him this toy, he loves it becasue it spins and makes lots of noise!

Nana in Indiana bought him this nice set of wheels. (It even has a sippy cup holder)

Madison loved playing this Pin-the Tail on the donkey game!!

Even Madison got a couple gifts!!

Braylon didn't want me to put him down!! Here he is waving to the camera!

He is our little gift!

Everyone just made themselves at home and sat anywhere they could find a spot! It was fun having everyone together!

Grammy, Bea, Sarah Braylon and Hannah

Smile everyone!!

Mother's Day Party at Madison's Class

Yesterday Madison's class had a Mother's Day party. There were muffins and punch , we made beautiful noodle necklaces and watched the kids perform silly songs and dances. This was us getting ready for the party.

I'm not sure what this pose was all about???

Priceless...

When I arrived, the class was having "Circle Time".

Here they are singing Happy Mother's Day to the tune of "Oh Christmas Tree".

Madison dancing with her friend Reiley

The kids were dancing to a song called "If I were a Noodle"....it was too funny!

Madison says that this is her best friend (although that changes everyday!)

I told you...

We recently had to put locks on the cabinets and Braylon is NOT happy about that!

This little boy is basically running around the house!

Pictures from this weekend....

This was at church yesterday.Braylon and Abigail (Adam's daughter) were deciding who is going to sit in this seat.

We went to Ruby Tuesday's on Saturday night. Braylon found their saltine crackers to be everything he expected!

Madison was STARVING and was trying to color to take her mind off of it!

Watch out!!

Braylon is now on the move!! He is walking everywhere, into everything and that is just the beginning!! He follows Madison everywhere she goes and wants to be doing what she does. Everyone keeps telling me that it only get worse from here! :-)

My Little Brother

This is a picture of my youngest brother Zach, he is in a band called "Test Pilot". You can check them out at www.testpilotonline.com or www.myspace.com/testpilotmusic
I am so proud of him!

Playing in the Yard

Madison is so excited that it's getting warm and she can play outside!

Checker Tournament

Madison dominates yet another game.... Papa Sweet Pea was a strong opponet but couldn't cut it when it came to Madison's cunning moves. (Moves that he had never seen! ;-)

Our tent

I helped Madison build this tent...she said that it was the coolest tent in the whole world!!!
Some of my greatest memories are of my brothers and I building tents and forts, using every blanket and chair in our house! Those were fun times!!

A day with the kids...

Today is my second day in a row to be off of work, Braylon hasn't been feeling well. I took him to the doctor yesterday and she said that he has "Rota-virus", she laughed and said that rota stands for "right out the anus"! Boy, is that true, we've almost gone through 54 diapers in 4 days!! I'm hoping that the worst is over!
For lunch today, Madison, Braylon and I went to Burger King. We ate our healthy burgers and then Madison got to play on the playground. When it was time to go, I called for her to come out. As with every kid, she didn't want to go and let some of the little girls she was playing with talk her into going through the playground one more time. Since I had Braylon is one arm, a diaper bag and my purse in the other and our two drinks...I wasn't able to run in after her. I finally caught her eye and she knew that she was in trouble! Once we got out to the Jeep, she kept apologizing over and over saying, "Mom, please don't be mad!" After a 10 minute talk of how she had disobeyed and we weren't going to be going back for a while...I looked at her through the rear view mirror and she said, "I'm glad we worked this out Mom!" :-)
Both of the kids are now sleeping and I get to mop the kitchen floor....what a day!!

Easter Weekend

Our weekend...
Papa and Grammy came over from Indiana to visit for the weekend. Friday we spent the day relaxing. Saturday we went up to my parents church for an Easter Egg hunt, it was fun. While the kids were waiting inside to hunt the eggs, they did skits and songs and had the Easter Bunny there. Madison about came unglued when that bunny walked in. After she collected herself, she told Matt," I don't like people in costumes!"
We spent Saturday afternoon at my parents house eating hamburgers and visiting.
Sunday morning we all got up and got all "fancied up" for church.
Here are some pictures from our weekend....

Easter Sunday morning

Snuggling up after getting out of the bath tub!

Both sets of grandparents...not many kids get that priviledge!

Music runs in the family... with three little ones playing, I'm sure that you can imagine how beautiful it was!

Me and my favorite sister! :-)

Aunt Hannah and Braylon...