Denny Jr's 2nd Birthday

This is a week old, but could be left alone. We had a wonderful time last weekend at Dennis and Adriana's house for their little boy's 2nd birthday. I haven't been out too much at night with Brooke, that is her time and isn't always an angel, but we had a wonderful time. I know that Adriana wants a little girl someday, and we think that Denny has an eye for Brooke already, so she loved to hold my little girl. As most of you know, your home changes with kids. We "had" a dining room which is now a play/computer room, and the Winky's did the same thing. They had a great pool table room, with beer signs and lights, but now that Denny is two, the also have too many toys for the living room and decided it was time for a Play room instead of a Mans room. It just amazes me how much these little people change our lives. Anyway, it is always so much fun to spent time with the Deems. They are such a close knit family and they make us feel like we are family as well. The last time that Denny was over he loved Lucas's lawn mower, so we got him one just like Lucas's. And because of that Lucas had to bring his with. The two of them ran around the back yard mowing the lawn, it was awesome. Dennis and Adriana also got Denny a bounce house that Lucas had a blast with, now the only thing that we hear is that we should buy one too!

the zoo, ready in 45 minutes, with 2 kids...

when we woke up this morning, we knew we wanted to do something, but driving to Tampa I didn't think would be the first thing on our list, but it was. I was feeding Brooke and Lucas was watching cartoons at about 7:15 when Rusty came out and asked if we wanted to go to the zoo. We both thought it sounded like a good idea, and by 8:15 we were all in the car ready to go. I am still not quite sure how I got myself, and two kids dressed and in the car by then, but it worked, breakfast sandwiches from McDonalds was on the way. We got there about 9:30 and had a great time. Lucas loved to see the monkeys and pet the Llama, but most of all, wanted to play in the water. We say the giraffes and elephants, birds and zebras, but still, wanted to play in the water. We only stayed until about 12:30 because it was then 95degrees, but had a great day. After that came home and played in the pool. I think that Rusty and Lucas had more fun in the pool, they were in there until about 6 o'clock, but Brooke must have been overwhelmed by the fresh air that she got because she slept from about 5-8 and then back down by 9. All the kids (including Rusty) are in bed by 9:15 and I have a little me time. Hopefully the sleep that Brooke got earlier doesn't' get her up at 2, but I am enjoying my time on the computer and watching a movie. Also, we saw the space shuttle go up at 5:02, it was amazing as always, the picture is right across the street above my neighbors house.

a flower for Mommy...

What a sweet little boy. The sun finally came out and Lucas wanted to ride his 4-wheeler, who could say no after being trapped inside yesterday because it was a yucky day. So as he rode around in circles in my front yard, he said wait a minute Mommy, I have to get you something. He jumped off his 4-wheeler and picked me a flower, what a beautiful start to hopefully a great afternoon.

Rainy Day FUN!

When we woke up this morning Lucas asked what was wrong with the windows, there was so much condensation on them he couldn't see out. I explained that they house was cold and the outside was warm and that is what caused it, whether it understood or now, I don't know. But after watching the forecast, we realized that it was going to be an inside day. We stayed in our PJ's until after lunch (all three of us) and got out my Rubbermaid container of craft stuff. It was fun, I think I should have started with one project, but I figured why not get the stamps, glitter, glue, markers, hole punches, fun scissors and paper and just dive in. I think I will be finding glitter for the next month, but it was all worth it. We had a great time and some beautiful picture frames that came out of it. I don't know who had more fun, me or Lucas!

making Bread...

Since I have been on maternity leave I have tried to be a good wife and mother and cook new things. I have been successful at times, so when my Dad was here he showed me how to make homemade french bread. Unfortunately, this time wasn't so successful. Lucas was at the sitters a few weeks back and I decided to try it out. After talking with my Dad I got everything in the bread machine and had and hour and a half to get some cleaning done. I was in Lucas's room going thru some toys and I heard a crash, I thought it was just one of his toys in the playroom since I had just been in there cleaning. After about 10 minutes, I walked into the Kitchen and found my bread machine, a ball of dough and the pan all scattered, yes, on the floor. All I could do is laugh. Apparently, while the dough was kneading, it had rocked the bread machine right off the counter. I put it all back together and turned it back on. Seemed to be working well. After the timer went off, I put it in the oven and the bread actually came out ok, not as good as Dad's bread, but ok. Now comes to a few days ago. Lucas was home and we decided to try it again. We got the machine out, put all the ingredient in it and plugged it in...all we got was beeping and EEE...yikes, I think the fall took it's last toll on my Bread Machine, out to the trash it went. Now I had a new problem, what do I do? I call my Dad right away, he told me to put the ingredients in my Kitchen Aid and mix it that way and just put it in a greased bowl and let it rise like that. Who knew...it was much better than my last loaf, and if pictures can tell, I think that Lucas had fun helping..or at least playing in the flour and eating it!

Bike Riding

So my last week home with the kids has been fun so far. Lucas started really riding his bike on Sunday night. Rusty and I think back to us being kids and wonder if our parents would let us learn how to ride our bike in the house and realize that Lucas has it pretty good. So as Rusty and I sat playing our Wii, Lucas comes sailing in on his motorcycle bike, turning around and pedaling back into the kitchen and back to the living room again. He was so proud, so were we. I was sure that Monday we would be outside all day, but it rained for the most part. Tuesday we took a little ride and today he made it around two of the road in my neighborhood. Brooke by his side in the stroller, it was a great morning. I promised that we would go out again tonight after it cooled down, 90 degrees is a little warm to ride bikes, so I think we will venture to the pool for the afternoon.

A afternoon with the Winkys and Greg

What is more fun than being around friends on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. It is a little harder getting together once you and your friends have families of their own, but we cherish every minute that we spend with Dennis, Adriana, Denny, and Greg. We had an afternoon in the pool and a great dinner I might add. Lucas and Denny are at the perfect age to begin a bond that will hopefully grow as strong and us parents have, and I think that I already caught Denny checking out Brooke (smile). They came over in the afternoon and we has some appetizers of BBQed bacon wrapped mushrooms that my sister started me on and I can't pass up on a weekly basis, then headed for the pool. Of course, my little fish Lucas loves the water but it was Denny's first time in a pool and he just loved it! Brooke is getting pretty accustomed to the water herself. The we had some drinks and dinner outside on my new patio dinnerware that I had to purchase when we got a new gazebo and table and chairs and also our fence that we just love! It was a great night and I am sure that there will be many more this summer. I don't remember how "the winkys" got that name, but it has been one that has stuck and will forever.