Monday, July 28, 2008
Look out Diego!
There's another animal rescuer on the block! Kylie has had the Diego rescue truck for years now but recently has started playing with it quite a bit. Part of the reason being is that she has acquired quite a collection of plastic animal toys that she loves to play with.
What's pictured here just amazed us last night. Kylie was playing very quietly alone for some time. When she called us over to see what she had been so busy doing, it almost brought tears to my eyes. She had grouped the animals into each type on a tray in the family room and had also put all of the "mommies" with their "babies". She had worked so hard doing that too - I just had to take a picture of course :)!
This reminded me again of what a special little girl she is- pays attention to the smallest details which she usually uses to later bring a smile to someone's face, sweet and caring. We're very anxious to see her continue to develop these wonderful traits and they make us so proud of what she already is.
What's pictured here just amazed us last night. Kylie was playing very quietly alone for some time. When she called us over to see what she had been so busy doing, it almost brought tears to my eyes. She had grouped the animals into each type on a tray in the family room and had also put all of the "mommies" with their "babies". She had worked so hard doing that too - I just had to take a picture of course :)!
This reminded me again of what a special little girl she is- pays attention to the smallest details which she usually uses to later bring a smile to someone's face, sweet and caring. We're very anxious to see her continue to develop these wonderful traits and they make us so proud of what she already is.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Children of our own?!
A quick group shot before we headed back to Grandma's houseHere's a photo I never posted last week that was taken when my friend Becky and I were able to connect while we were both in Michigan City. Kylie and I were to spend the weekend there with Grandma and Papa on our way back from Louisville and were surprised by Daddy, Peyton and Spike having arrived there as well for the weekend!
Becky is my oldest and dearest friend, going WAY back to high school. She was my matron of honor as well as Peyton's godmother.
Allison, Jack and Kylie had so much fun playing together outside at Becky's parents' house. They enjoyed popsicles, played on the playset and had the most fun of all making a big mud mess with water from the hose :)! Little Peyton was an innocent bystander for the most part- except when she wanted to eat Mommy's popsicle!
It's still hard to grasp that we have children of our own now. I think back to all of the great memories we made together as "kids" ourselves and what fun and friendships our little ones have ahead of them!
Becky- it was great seeing you and the kids and I look forward to when we can meet up again- maybe in PA for some yummy Hersheys :)!
Kylie the Entertainer- still going strong on night 2!
As promised, Kylie didn't disappoint Peyton during tonight's "7pm show" :). Tonight's feature was the Hannah Montana Dance Party! Can you tell which of Kylie's dance moves Peyton liked the most?! Daddy and I were impressed with them all of course :)!
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Kylie the Entertainer
Thought I would post this video from earlier tonight to calm my nerves and bring a smile to my face. Peyton was testing out just how far her vocal chords could go for about the past 2 hours! A few sips of a bottle seemed to finally do the trick so hopefully she will sleep peacefully- at least for a little while now!
Kylie loves to find ways to make Peyton laugh and tonight during her bath she discovered another! I think she's saying "Peyton has her leggies and says OH!" To explain, I think she was referring to when we hold Peyton she typically has at least one leg kicking around and is making some sort of sound. Regardless, Peyton found Kylie's Saturday night performance quite funny! She'll be here all week if anyone's interested in checking out the 7pm show :)!
Kylie loves to find ways to make Peyton laugh and tonight during her bath she discovered another! I think she's saying "Peyton has her leggies and says OH!" To explain, I think she was referring to when we hold Peyton she typically has at least one leg kicking around and is making some sort of sound. Regardless, Peyton found Kylie's Saturday night performance quite funny! She'll be here all week if anyone's interested in checking out the 7pm show :)!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Sleeping like a baby
Not sure who the heck created that saying but we're happy for them! I'm starting to think there may be many more months ahead of us before we can say that about little Peyton!
Peyton was beginning to sleep ALMOST all thu the night, ALMOST on a schedule... then tooth #2 hit. She is very CRANKY this week and won't sleep for any amount of time unless she is held. Poor thing- it seems like she feels so yucky :(...
But we'll survive- how can you get frustrated with this little face :)?!?!
Peyton was beginning to sleep ALMOST all thu the night, ALMOST on a schedule... then tooth #2 hit. She is very CRANKY this week and won't sleep for any amount of time unless she is held. Poor thing- it seems like she feels so yucky :(...
But we'll survive- how can you get frustrated with this little face :)?!?!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Build A...Turtle & Elephant!
I was on my own with the pair one night that Uncle Mark had to work, so we headed to the Build-A-Bear Workshop around the corner to build some new friends. This was Connor's first time and only Kylie's second- you decide if they had a good time :)!
Best Cousins
Here are some random shots of the 2 stooges when we were at Uncle Mark's last week.
As you can see they kept each other entertained AND on their toes :)!
Enjoying some Cocoa Puffs to start the day
Completely mesmorized by something on tv
As you can see they kept each other entertained AND on their toes :)!
Enjoying some Cocoa Puffs to start the day
Completely mesmorized by something on tv
Heading to take a dip in the neighborhood pool
Uncle Mark's work inventory doubling as the perfect toddler couch
The "three" taking a bath after a long day of playing
Friday, July 18, 2008
A Kingdom in Kentucky?!
Yesterday we went to Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom right here in Louisville! We spent most of the day making a splash at the water park but did hit a few rides on our way out too. More pictures to come but thought I'd share the "professional" ones taken of us at the park (sorry they posted so tiny!)...
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Peyton...........
cut her second tooth sometime during the course of the last few days. She has been crying a bit lately and I figured something was up. I got a peek inside her mouth today and sure enough, i see number 2 popped through.
NIU...................
Here I come!! I just received word that I was admitted to the Graduate School at NIU. I will begin in August and should be done in roughly 3 years.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Hello from Louisville!
Kylie and I are in Louisville this week visiting Uncle Mark and Cousin Connor.
The little ones are already having a blast together and after finally collapsing at almost midnight last night they are back at it for another day of fun together!
Check back this weekend for some pictures of our adventures "down south"!
Hi Peyton & Daddy- we miss you and hope you are having a good week!
The little ones are already having a blast together and after finally collapsing at almost midnight last night they are back at it for another day of fun together!
Check back this weekend for some pictures of our adventures "down south"!
Hi Peyton & Daddy- we miss you and hope you are having a good week!
Sunday, July 13, 2008
An exhausting "Sun"day
Today we took advantage of the nice weather and filled up the pool this morning for an afternoon of fun in the sun. Our neighbors did the same, so from 1:00 until close to 6pm the kids had a great afternoon playing together! Needless to say, little Kylie was EXHAUSTED and it was all over after her bath. Here's how I found her on the couch as I was making her dinner and she was all set to watch 1o1 Dalmatians before calling it a day!
Dreaming of the next day of fun in the sun!
Little Peyton followed suit as she seems to actually be on a bit of a schedule now so after her bath and dinner it didn't take her too too long to fall fast asleep as well. It's a very eerie thing when both girls are asleep by 7:30 at night b/c that RARELY happens. I took advantage of the time though and grilled some bbq ribs and headed to our bedroom to catch up on some of my DVR which is at almost 100% capacity these days!
Ahhh, a few minutes to myself on a Sunday evening and bring on the week ahead!
Dreaming of the next day of fun in the sun!
These 2 definitely look like they're up to something!
Peyton opting to relax in the shade and chew on a pool toy than to exert herself in the pool like her big sister!
It's definitely more fun to sit on top of the water toy and see what it's really made of!
Little Peyton followed suit as she seems to actually be on a bit of a schedule now so after her bath and dinner it didn't take her too too long to fall fast asleep as well. It's a very eerie thing when both girls are asleep by 7:30 at night b/c that RARELY happens. I took advantage of the time though and grilled some bbq ribs and headed to our bedroom to catch up on some of my DVR which is at almost 100% capacity these days!
Ahhh, a few minutes to myself on a Sunday evening and bring on the week ahead!
Saturday, July 12, 2008
What strong little legs you have!
We bought Peyton a walker last night b/c boy is she ready for one- at only 8 months next week! Now she can pull herself up to stand holding onto the couch, toys, chairs, her crib- you name it! Here are a few pictures of her playing yesterday and a video of her playing bumper cars in the kitchen in her new walker today!
Friday, July 11, 2008
Meme v 2.0 (Pete Remix)
Figured I could chime in here too.
Three things...
THAT SCARE ME: Financial dependency, my kids future, US economy.
I LOVE: My girls (Lisa, Kylie, Peyton), playing sports (physically and virtually), xbox
I HATE: Hate is a strong word and against my convictions. THINGS I REALLY REALLY DON'T LIKE: Gluttony, selfishness, dishonesty.
I'M DOING RIGHT NOW: Government reporting, this blog, thinking about finishing my entertainment center shelf.
I CAN DO: Home improvement, computers, numbers ($)
I CAN'T DO: Move up in the world, just let it go, compromise to the extent of benefit. (Are all 3 the same?)
THAT ARE MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE FOODS: Pizza, Ranch Doritos, anything that Lisa makes. (especially her sandwiches and paninis)
SHOWS I WATCHED WHEN I WAS A KID: Kid is a huge time frame, but the shows I was really disappointed about missing if I did was: Dukes of Hazard, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, A-Team.
Three things...
THAT SCARE ME: Financial dependency, my kids future, US economy.
I LOVE: My girls (Lisa, Kylie, Peyton), playing sports (physically and virtually), xbox
I HATE: Hate is a strong word and against my convictions. THINGS I REALLY REALLY DON'T LIKE: Gluttony, selfishness, dishonesty.
I'M DOING RIGHT NOW: Government reporting, this blog, thinking about finishing my entertainment center shelf.
I CAN DO: Home improvement, computers, numbers ($)
I CAN'T DO: Move up in the world, just let it go, compromise to the extent of benefit. (Are all 3 the same?)
THAT ARE MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE FOODS: Pizza, Ranch Doritos, anything that Lisa makes. (especially her sandwiches and paninis)
SHOWS I WATCHED WHEN I WAS A KID: Kid is a huge time frame, but the shows I was really disappointed about missing if I did was: Dukes of Hazard, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, A-Team.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
A Meme
I've been tagged by my friend Jennifer to do a meme. But first here's the definition I had to look up to know what I was being asked to do!
A meme (pronounced /miːm/)[1] consists of any unit of cultural information, such as a practice or idea, that gets transmitted verbally or by repeated action from one mind to another. Examples include thoughts, ideas, theories, practices, habits, songs, dances and moods. Memes propagate themselves and can move through a "culture" in a manner similar to the behavior of a virus. As a unit of cultural evolution, a meme in some ways resembles a gene.
So here goes:
Three things...
THAT SCARE ME: bugs that bite or sting, bad storms with high winds, criminal people
I LOVE: my family, the 4 seasons, taking pictures
I HATE: inconsistency, that there is world hunger, seafood
I'M DOING RIGHT NOW: relaxing for 5 minutes before I go pick up the little ones from school, catching up on the news of the day, pushing the dog with his wet paws off the leather couch I cleaned & treated yesterday
I CAN DO: pay attention to detail, remember ALMOST anything, organize (when I have the time!)
I CAN'T DO: return phone calls promptly, keep up with mail/paperwork, keep plants alive
THAT ARE MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE FOODS: any carbs I shouldn't have, Starbucks (is that a food?), Spanish tapas
SHOWS I WATCHED WHEN I WAS A KID: Different Strokes, Three's Company, Little House on the Prairie
A meme (pronounced /miːm/)[1] consists of any unit of cultural information, such as a practice or idea, that gets transmitted verbally or by repeated action from one mind to another. Examples include thoughts, ideas, theories, practices, habits, songs, dances and moods. Memes propagate themselves and can move through a "culture" in a manner similar to the behavior of a virus. As a unit of cultural evolution, a meme in some ways resembles a gene.
So here goes:
Three things...
THAT SCARE ME: bugs that bite or sting, bad storms with high winds, criminal people
I LOVE: my family, the 4 seasons, taking pictures
I HATE: inconsistency, that there is world hunger, seafood
I'M DOING RIGHT NOW: relaxing for 5 minutes before I go pick up the little ones from school, catching up on the news of the day, pushing the dog with his wet paws off the leather couch I cleaned & treated yesterday
I CAN DO: pay attention to detail, remember ALMOST anything, organize (when I have the time!)
I CAN'T DO: return phone calls promptly, keep up with mail/paperwork, keep plants alive
THAT ARE MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE FOODS: any carbs I shouldn't have, Starbucks (is that a food?), Spanish tapas
SHOWS I WATCHED WHEN I WAS A KID: Different Strokes, Three's Company, Little House on the Prairie
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Welcome Gentlemen
Chad Gaudin
Rich Harden
Welcome to your new home, complete with the best city and fans in all of MLB. Go Cubs Go!!!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Great work Daddy!
Daddy finished installing our new family room ceiling fan tonight after many attempts to get everything connected correctly.
Great job Daddy! Our new fan and light work just perfectly!
An Enchanted Castle
Is where Kylie and 40 of her classmates spent the morning today. From June-August, the 4 and 5 year olds of Kylie and Peyton's school have summer camp. This means they go on a different field trip on Tues., Wed. & Thurs. of each week. The trips range fron spending the morning at a local park or zoo and having a picnic lunch to going to downtown Chicago to the Children's Museum at Navy Pier or to have lunch at Rainforest Cafe in Schaumburg about 40 minutes away!
I'm taking advantage of being able to spend some extra quality time with Kylie the next few weeks and have signed up to chaperone several of her upcoming field trips. Today was my first trip and we had a great time together. Enchanted Castle is a bit like Chuckie Cheese but without the mouse and more of a medieval times theme. Each little one got tokens to play games and a ticket to go on 4 of the rides. The morning ended with cashing in their tickets for "valuable prizes", cheese pizza and lemonade for all and a bus ride back to school for much needed naps after such a fun filled morning!
An alpine racer in training?
I'm taking advantage of being able to spend some extra quality time with Kylie the next few weeks and have signed up to chaperone several of her upcoming field trips. Today was my first trip and we had a great time together. Enchanted Castle is a bit like Chuckie Cheese but without the mouse and more of a medieval times theme. Each little one got tokens to play games and a ticket to go on 4 of the rides. The morning ended with cashing in their tickets for "valuable prizes", cheese pizza and lemonade for all and a bus ride back to school for much needed naps after such a fun filled morning!
An alpine racer in training?
It doesn't get any better than flying through the air with a handful of Laffy Taffy!
Playing Deal or No Deal (or "the ladies with the cases "as Kylie knows it as)
This video will give you a REAL feel of how much fun the rides were!
Monday, July 7, 2008
4th of July Fun
Here are some pictures from July 4th 2008!
It was a great time had by all! We as well as Uncle Mark and Connor were at Grandma and Papa B.'s house for the 3 days and visited with Oma, John, Eric and Alex too!
We'll be back to do some more swimming and playing soon...and for more Landsharks, apple pie and American Idol rematches :)!
A very patriotic Peyton
It was a great time had by all! We as well as Uncle Mark and Connor were at Grandma and Papa B.'s house for the 3 days and visited with Oma, John, Eric and Alex too!
We'll be back to do some more swimming and playing soon...and for more Landsharks, apple pie and American Idol rematches :)!
A very patriotic Peyton 
The lifeguard
Peyton enjoying a cocktail poolside
Mr. & Mrs. America waiting for the Long Beach fireworks show to begin
A happy little Peyton waiting for the fireworks show to begin too. At least she didn't protest putting her jacket on. It was a COLD night on the golf course but you would never guess it looking at Connor and Kylie out there!
A Wet & Wild Time
Here are some pictures of our fun in Grandma and Papa's pool over the holiday weekend.
As you can see we had a great time splish splashing around and staying cool in the summer sun!
As you can see we had a great time splish splashing around and staying cool in the summer sun!
Friday, July 4, 2008
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Happy 1st birthday Ava!
This post is about a month overdue. As today was my last day at BP, I found myself trying to stay positive and reflect back on all of the great memories and friendships I'm taking with me after the 8 years there.
DeAnna is someone that started out as a work acquaintance about 5 years ago but we soon became great friends and helped each other survive day to day "corporate" life and supported each other through life's ups and downs. Unfortunately she was affected by BP's recent reorganization and I have really missed her smiling face and daily chats over coffee ever since!
These pictures are from DeAnna's daughter Ava's first birthday party we attended about a month ago. The kids had a great time and 1st birthdays are always so special!
Keep in touch my friend!
DeAnna is someone that started out as a work acquaintance about 5 years ago but we soon became great friends and helped each other survive day to day "corporate" life and supported each other through life's ups and downs. Unfortunately she was affected by BP's recent reorganization and I have really missed her smiling face and daily chats over coffee ever since!
These pictures are from DeAnna's daughter Ava's first birthday party we attended about a month ago. The kids had a great time and 1st birthdays are always so special!
Keep in touch my friend!
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