First Birthday

Callie Reese turned 1 a few weeks ago, and I truly can't believe that she is already one! She is truly such a joy with a happy, adventurous, and loving personality. On her real birthday, both sets of grandparents did FaceTime with us so that we could see each other and sing together. It was so great to be able to do that. Although I wish we could have had our family here to celebrate, it was a good birthday celebration. For her party, we had some friends over and magicians, "Mystical Matthew and The Great Nancini" entertained and did temporary tattoos and balloon animals. We had a fun time, and Callie seemed to know that everyone was there for her! She was so happy! We love our sweet girl more than words can express!
I was so happy with how pretty and simple this table turned out! Those are real roses...so beautiful!

Callie getting her temporary tattoo...a pony. : )

During the magic show, Callie giggled waving her hands at everyone! She loves a good magic show!

Sitting and watching

Yum!

Keeping Me On My Toes

This little cutie never sits still...never. : ) We had library storytime today. Brayden has his class first, and then we have Callie's. Brayden has always been a child who sits in my lap for storytime or any class that we are in and pays attention hanging on to each word, song, or story ivery intently. Let's just say that all children all individuals because Callie wants no parts of sitting with me or singing with me during library time. She enjoys smiling, laughing, waving and visiting everyone else in the class. The librarian is so wonderful and sweet. After the first class, she came over to me and told me how her daughter was the same way and how children learn by exploring and each child has a different personality. (This meant that she totally didn't miss the fact that Callie had taken her water bottle while she was reading and walked away laughing...) She explained that I should really just let her explore and enjoy rather than holding her back and trying to have her sit with me. Well, alright then...today while she was using a puppet and singing, Callie ran right up to it, grabbed it, and ran away holding it above her head laughing. Wow. Brayden and I looked at each other and Brayden said, "Are you going to go get her now?" : ) Everyone was laughing and thought it was so cute, but this type A momma's blood pressure was sky high. It really is fun to see her little personality shining through, and its shining through alright! : )

The Gardener

My little man and I had such a great time with our first garden! We had so much fun keeping up with the garden and finding our little treasures as they ripened. This garden encouraged me to try new recipes and eat more veggies. We grew the largest basil plant that I have ever seen! The first picture shows basil on the far right...the very next picture shows Brayden standing next to the ridiculously large basil plant just a few weeks later! Crazy, right?!?! Ahhh...I am going to miss our fresh basil pesto! Yum!

New York

We drove to Syracuse, New York for Ray's cousin Chris' wedding. We had a great time spending time with family! On the way to Syracuse, we stopped at Niagara Falls. Such an amazing sight...absolutely breathtaking. It is so neat to think that Niagara Falls is where my Grandma went on her honeymoon. We also got to see Ray's parents first house. It was so neat to imagine them there. Fun fun time!

The Happiest Place on Earth

While many things have gone on during the last few months, our trip to Disney World is one which deserves its own post. We had such a FABULOUS time! Seriously, one of my most memorable and joyful times!! Disney World has always had a very special place in my family's hearts. We have always treasured our vacations to Disney World. Bringing my own two children to Disney World was even more magical than I had ever experienced or expected. Some of my favorite memories from the trip were: watching Brayden dance during the Oktoberfest in Germany at Epcot; watching Callie wave to the princesses during the parade and them wave back at her; playing/swimming at the pool with my family; the character breakfast buffet...etc. One of the most special nights was when we let Brayden stay up later than he ever has before to watch the fireworks over the castle from the pool at our hotel. It was so much fun. After dinner, we all went swimming in the pool. Then we roasted marshmallows on the beach, and took a boat ride around the lake to watch the water show. Once we got back, we sat and talked watching the fireworks over the castle. So relaxing and fun! It was so nice to spend a good amount of time with my family...the BEST part. I am so thankful to have had such an amazing time in such a special place...planning our next trip there already!

I'm Baaaaack!

I have been such a blog slacker over the last couple of months, and it ends today! I am seriously going to make an effort to blog about what has been going on in our lives. I LOVE the book that I made from Brayden's baby blog, so I would love to do the same with this one each year...plus, with us in Ohio this is such a great way to keep family and friends updated. Anyway, if you are reading this...I am totally open to a little push to update when I am lagging behind. : )

6 Months Old

Callie Reese is 6 months old...I would really like for time to slow down a bit! It has really flown by, but it feels like she has always been a part of our family! I love the dynamic she brings to our family. She is such a sweet and happy baby, and she absolutely adores her big brother. I am so thankful for her and her smile that melts my heart!

Who needs Aunt Jemima?

We had a fun week! We went with our playgroup to a maple syrup farm and took a tour, had a chance to help with the process, and the best part...tasted the finished product! So fun and so tasty! Brayden had a great time, and he enjoyed tasting the sap dripping from the tree and then comparing it to the finished syrup. We also met some playgroup friends at an indoor playground. Brayden really surprised me with how adventurous he is becoming. The place was huge with slides, tunnels, ball pits etc.

I have really been enjoying making baby food, and Callie is still loving eating it! I love seeing the freezer full of avocado, banana, apple sauce and butternut squash.

Click here to see pictures from this week

Home Sweet Home

We took advantage of Ray's business trip in Houston by making it a "go home and visit family and friends trip." We had a fun few days. We got to see Lacey's first softball game; we spent time with family; saw the TUTS musical, "Billy Elliott," (SOOO good by the way); we went out to Baker Street with some friends; and we had a playdate with Brayden and Callie's friends. Such a great time! The day after we got back to Ohio, some of the neighborhood ladies hosted a luncheon for us. It was so nice and they had all made such delicious food too! : ) Although it will always be difficult to say goodbye, especially to our family, our friendly neighbors and comfortable house in Ohio make it a little easier.

To see our photo album click here

"Buddy" the Snowman

Bring on the meat!

Maybe not the meat just yet...still working our way through the veggies, but Callie is loving them! We started off a little rough with the plain rice cereal, but once we began mixing the cereal with a veggie it tasted much better and our little girl was much happier about the idea of solids! : )

Mom and Aunt Jo Visit

My mom and Aunt Jo Anne came to visit a few weeks ago. We had such a fun time! We went out to eat, were spoiled by meals made by each of them, went shopping, went to story time at the library, and had a fun time just spending time together! It is becoming a bit of a tradition that Brayden and Grandma make chocolate chip pancakes together. Brayden loves making them with Grandma! We didn't want them to leave, but thankfully we knew that we would be seeing them in Texas in just two weeks!

Lately...

We've been enjoying exploring the new place that we live in along with meeting lots of new people.
Getting ready for playgroup. Our playgroup is not only made up of two year olds, but babies Callie's age too! Perfect! About to leave for the "Hudson Newcomers Club Hawaiian Social." We met lots of people at this event, and the best part was that they were really dressed in Hawaiian gear...didn't expect that especially considering that it was 8 degrees that night! : )

We have been loving the beautiful sunsets!

And of course, playing in the snow!

Let it Snow!

One of the first things we did when we got here...played in the snow in our backyard!!! Wheeeeeee!!!!!!!

We're Here...

We are settling into our new home in Ohio. Although I had anticipated and prepared myself for a stressful day as we flew with Brayden and Callie to Ohio, (at 6am) it went incredibly smoothly! My mom and mother-in-law were such a huge help during our day of travel and Brayden and Callie were wonderful! Brayden loved the flight, and was excited to meet the pilot until we had a bit of a loud/shaky landing. After we landed he told us, "I don't like the pilot." : ) Ray and his dad had driven with the dogs, and they did a few projects in the house which turned out GREAT! (Pictures to come) We are having so much fun in the snow and decorating the house. Once again, our family was a huge help with helping us get settled quickly. Hudson is a cute town with incredibly friendly people...we are going to put on some serious lbs due to the many cakes, brownies and muffins that we have received as welcome gifts. So sweet! Although we wish that we could transport our family and friends here, were are excited about this phase of our life. More to come and more pictures once I load our other camera.

Tender Heart

I want to write down some of the things that Brayden has said recently before I forget. I am amazed at his vocabulary, his communication skills, and most importantly his tender heart.

- He kissed Callie on her cheek and said, "It's just me, Callie, your big brother, Brayden." It was so sweet and out of nowhere.

-We were walking out the door the other day, and he said, "Wait, Mommy!", and ran back inside. I followed him and heard him whisper to Lillie while he gave her a hug, "Good-Bye Lillie. We be back very soon."

-He makes me laugh. Whenever he asks for something in particular to eat and I tell him that we don't have it he responds with, "That's ok. We get it at HEB."

-I bumped into the table, and I must have made a loud noise. Brayden came running over to me and asked, "You ok, Mommy?" He kept repeating it until I told him that I was ok. Then he said, "I kiss it." He kissed my leg and gave me a hug.

-Ray was on a business trip in Ohio, and before Brayden went to bed one night he said, "When Daddy back from Ohio I give him my Pillow Pet." Sure enough...the minute Ray walked in the door a few days later, he ran in his room and got his Pillow Pet to give to Ray.

He is such a sweet little boy, and I just hope and pray that he always has such a tender and loving heart. I love him so much!

Best Hubby Ever!!!

I seriously have the most thoughtful hubby ever! My 30th birthday is on January 20th. Ray wasn't sure if we would still be here or if we would be in Ohio by then, so he planned a surprise birthday party for me. He started planning the day we found out that we were moving. He and I went to dinner at Las Alamedas, and then we decided to go have a drink at Baker Street Pub. Well, I thought we were deciding at dinner to go to Baker's Street, but it was actually all part of the plan. HA! Afterwards, Ray told me that he tried to "let me think" that I was deciding what we would do next! When we walked in, so many of our sweet friends were there waiting to surprise me. I was totally shocked! It was so sweet! It was such a FUN night...we were dancing machines! I don't have many pictures of the night, so if you were there and have pics, I would love a few more. : ) If I had known about it, I would have brought my camera. : ) I had a blast!