Coconut Fun!

June 28, 2009 - MaKayla has been asking for a coconut for a couple of weeks. So, we went to the store and she looked them all over and picked one out. When we came home, I shook the coconut and asked her if she knew what was inside of it. She certainly did she was happy to announce, "coconut milk". She then asked if she could put a straw in and drink the milk. Daddy poked a hole and let her try it. Her excitement soon turned into a sour face. "Yuck, Icky" She didn't care for the milk or the fruit. I am not sure where she learned about coconuts but it was very interested to see how much she already knew.

Happy Father's Day!

June 21, 2009 - Happy Father's Day to my husband, my Dad, Andy's Dad, Grandpa, Ben, Joe (first Father's Day!), Ben, Stephen and everyone else who is a Father! This year the kids surprised Daddy with pictures of them dressed up in Harley gear. He loved it!

JcPenny's did a great job and you can't beat the price!

The kids also picked out little gifts for him on their own.

They made him stepping stones so he can always treasure the small little pitter patter of little feet in the future. Note: this is a very fun but messy project!

Daddy with all three of his kids!

Saying Good-bye is Never Easy!

June 20, 2009 - Andy and I picked the kids up from Tati's. It was nice to see our kids but sad to say good-bye to Tati. She is like a grandma to the kids and has played a huge part in raising them with us. We will miss her very much but will stop in for visits. Here is a picture of Tati, Shawn and Shara with MaKayla and Noah.

We stopped by our empty house to let the kids see it one last time. I thought it would help them to see it empty and then to see all of their belonging in the new house. We have created many wonderful memories at this house and it will be very much missed.

Pulling away from our house for the last time. I cried as we drove off.

We are officially Cheese Heads!

We signed the papers to our new house on June 18, 2009. I can't tell you our emotions because we were so tired from lack of sleep! This is our wonderful realtor Bill handing us the key to our new house. It ended up being a very messy closing that extended into the next day but I will spare you the details!

After the moving guys loaded the house full of boxes, I begged them to take a picture of us in front of our new house.

Here is Andy next to the garages. I think he would live out there if I would let him =)

The back of the house.

Andy's workshop

Left side of the back yard
The middle
The right side

Our first goal was to get the kids rooms ready before we picked them up from Tati's. We wanted them to feel comfortable and have a room that they could retreat to that felt like home. We slept very little over the past three days. Andy painted Noah's room a nice green and finished it off in a jungle theme.

MaKayla's room is pink and purple with a theme to fit a Princess!

The kitchen opens up to the great room.

This shows the kitchen, loft and great room.

Room in the basement that we are using as a movie and toy room.

Lockers in the mud room

The loft turned into what I call the red room. My cherry and redwood furniture does not fit in the log cabin theme very well so we decided to dedicate a room for this furniture. I have to have a place for my beautiful red wood table that my Grandpa made.

A picture of our bedroom. We will repaint it some day but not right now.

Playhouse Fun, One Last Time!

The kids played in their playhouse at our last evening together in the house. Andy was in Little Chute, WI so I was alone with the kids on our last evening. It was a very emotional night! We said our "good-bye's" to their rooms, the playhouse and the rest of the house as well as neighbors and friends. Let me tell you their were lots of tears! The next morning, "loading day", I dropped the kids off at Tati's. I wouldn't see them again until we were all moved into the new house. They stayed with Tati for a few nights so we could get everything unloaded. We wanted to get the house situated and their rooms done to make the transition a little easier on them.

Packing Day Has Arrived!

June 15, 2009 - I said I was going to try to keep you all in the loop and I am keeping to my word. The movers arrived at 7:50am and the fun began!!! They started in the basement and have been working on packing our things for 1 1/2 days now. It is strange watching other people pack your possessions. There are times that I just couldn't contain myself and I start helping only to be told, "Don't worry, we have it." The team of two are very courteous and professional. I am impressed so far. On June 17th, the truck will be loaded and we will make our trek up to the Appleton, WI area. On June 18th, we take possession of our new house and the movers deliver that same day. It is an exciting, sad, nerve wreaking, stressful week. I can't wait for it to be over!

Nothing like having a semi in front of your house!

5 Year Anniversary!

June 12, 2009 - 5 years ago today we got married! The time seems to have flown by at time and other times it seems like it stood still. I guess it all depends on what you are going through at the time. We have been through a lot in 5 short years. We now have two beautiful children and are moving to Wisconsin. Life is better than I would have imagined. We never thought in a million years that we would be a family of four at this stage. Life is good! Andy's sister Vickie and her husband Nick (Aunt Vickie & Uncle Nick) have us the best gift and watched our children so we could go to dinner and a movie. It has been a very long time since we have had the chance to have an evening out just the two of us. We went to JMK Nippons for dinner and then we went to the movies. It was so nice to spend time with my husband!!! With moving to a new place, who knows when we will get the chance again!

A picture in the yard before we left for dinner.

Dinner at JMK Nippons, YUMMY! We had sushi with our dinner which was so good!

Andy spoiled me with the beautiful Mother's ring custom made by Clodius & Co. in Rockford, IL. Anyone who knows me, knows that Mark at Clodius is my favorite jeweler. Most of my jewelry is from him. Andy and Mark have impressed me again!!! There is a brilliant blue natural sapphire for MaKayla and clear bright green natural emerald for Noah. The stones are set in one of Mark's signature white gold designs which is just stunning! Thank you honey!

Andy and I do not normally exchange anniversary gifts. We haven't exchanged gifts since our first anniversary so this is four years wrapped up into one. I was not expecting this or anything close to this so it was a huge surprise! Yes, he spoiled me! Thank you honey, I love you!

Below you will see my gift to him.

A Drawing of Ike

June 12, 2009 - My anniversary present to Andy was this pencil drawing of Ike. My step-mom gave my Dad a drawing of his dog Haley after she passed away. I loved the drawing so much that I knew that I wanted to have one done of Ike for Andy. Karen Garrard (Griffith) is a very talented artist out of Genoa, IL. She was able to complete this 18 x 24 drawings of Ike in under two weeks. I was so impressed with the completed piece of art when I walked in her house and saw it sitting on the easel. I couldn't wait to give it to Andy. Without a doubt in my mind, he absolutely loved it!!! So that you can compare the original photos to the drawing, I have added them for you at the bottom. I have also added her contact information if you are interested in having her do any artwork.

Karen Garrard (Griffith)

email: kareng404@charter.net

Thank you Karen for creating the perfect gift for my husband!

If you want her phone number, please email (designbyink@yahoo.com) or call me and I will get it to you. I do not want to post it on the blog.

Standing Alone!

June 11, 2009 - Andy has been gone for 10 long days. It was so nice when he came home tonight! The kids were so excited to see Daddy! Noah gave him a present of standing all by himself for the very first time!!!! If that was not enough, he grabbed his sister's cup of strawberry milk and was drinking it while he was standing!!! Andy was so trilled that he was he for this milestone!!!

Time with Papa & Nana

June 11, 2009 - We went to my parents house for dinner. We wanted to be able to spend some time together before the big move! My sister Jen and her family and Bonnie's Dad were able to be there too. It was nice and sad at the same time! Here is a picture of Noah after he climbed into the toy basket. It was funny he would dive in head first. He thought it was fun!

MaKayla and Papa giving goodbye kisses!~

Papa, Nana & MaKayla ~ I know we will only be less than four hours away but it is still hard!

A Time for Friends & Treats!

June 8, 2009 - MaKayla had her little friend Bella who lives next door over to play. They usually end up playing dolls for My Little Ponies in her bedroom. Here is a picture from when I went to check in on them. They sure are going to miss each other when we move!

June 10, 2009 - I make yogurt pops that MaKayla loves. Noah screamed when he saw me give one to his sister and demanded one for himself. I was so surprised that he could hold it and each it without any assistance. He is such a BIG BOY!

Yummy!!!