Picnic Time

It's that time of year, every time you turn around there is some sort of picnic/carnival going on.  Well we decided it was time to hit one up, so we did just that.  Wasn't anything too crazy, we went…we rode a few rides…ate some nachos…played a few games…and were on our way.  It wasn't unbearably hot yet so it was actually a nice little outing.  

You'll see by the pictures neither boy seems all too impressed with the rides, but I assure you they actually did like them and we were not torturing them.  We started with the Carousel, "Mr.Cool" looks too cool for school and Bennett wouldn't even sit on the magical horse! 

So Nolan moved on to a "big kid" ride, the swings.  You have to be pretty tall to ride the swings, so I imagine most 4 year olds can't actually ride them.  That made me a weeeee bit nervous, as it goes pretty high in the air and there is just a wee little seatbelt holding him in.  He thought he was pretty cool though with all the big kids.  I swear when I was yelling his name he was giving me the "stop it Mom, you're embarrassing me" look.  Don't worry, I still yelled and waved with every passing of his swing.  

Next we moved on to the cars.  This was really the only ride Bennett could ride by himself and he just kept saying screaming truck, truck, truck.  So we obliged and let him ride it...a few times.

On to the dragons.  Every time Nolan passed us he would make a funny face at Bennett to try and make him laugh.  Bennett just kept yelling truck, truck, truck.  But I thought he was funny?

Time for some nachos, here's the little chipmunk stuffing his cheeks for the winter...

Finally, to the games.  Nolan tried his little heart out and he legitimately won a decent prize.  I couldn't believe it either but it happened and we got to take home a spectacular stuffed snake.  We are just oh so lucky!

There's that sweet snake I was talking about.  

Bennett would have been just as happy playing on the steps all day.

Chugga Chugga

The boys and I spent last Friday at the Museum of Transportation.  It's not the coolest place in the world, but the boys like to climb on the trains and it was a nice day so I figured why not?  This time I went crazy and even sprung for an hour at the "Creation Station", I know I know…I'm awesome.   I can't lie, "Creation Station" was the highlight of our trip and comes with a rating of two thumbs up from this Mom.  Any place that can entertain both of my kids…simultaneously... in a fairly contained area…gets two thumbs up in my book.  We actually had a lovely day, and BOTH boys behaved themselves.  You read that right, BOTH boys.  Must have been my lucky day.

Behaving or not, I did spend most of my day trying to make sure the kid on the left didn't fall off a train.  Mark my words, he will land us in the hospital before his third birthday.

I mean seriously, could they be any cuter?

You have to ride a trolley (that I of course called a train) from one portion of the museum to the other. We ended up riding it like 4 times.  It might have been Nolan's favorite part, each time making friends with the "Conductor" with his special seat riding shotgun.

Next up, Creation Station! They even had a puppet show...

Just make sure you bring your own Puppeteer with you ;)

What two letter word do you think I just told this little man on the right?  If only he could do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted…the world would surely be a better place.  Don't fret, he refrained from putting the gross germ infested play food in his mouth from that point on…but he was NOT happy about it.

Poor Baby Cy

Well we all knew it would happen.  I went to the lake for my nephews birthday…you didn't think I was leaving without snapping a few pictures of him did you?  Poor Baby Cy, he's probably so glad he doesn't live closer.   I don't get to take pictures of him as often as I would like, but I'm sure he feels plenty tortured just like my kids too.  I do it out of love Cy, I promise.  I want you to be able to see just how cute you were when you're all grown up!  So here he is, all dressed up…

Baby Cy Turns One

Nolan always always always calls my nephew "Baby Cy"…not just "Cy", it has to start with "Baby".  I'm wondering when Cy is 18 how he will feel about that?  Well "Baby Cy" turned one last month, which makes him less of a baby and more of a toddler I guess.  Perhaps he should graduate to "Toddler Cy"…nah just doesn't have the ring.  Anyway, the plan was for our family to gather at the lake to celebrate since we are in three different cities now.  Plan got spoiled by…drum roll please…a sick kid!  SHOCKER.  So, Chad stayed home with the sick one and Nolan and I headed on down to the lake for the festivities.  I'm sure Cy didn't miss Bennett stealing all of his toys and spiking them on the ground.  We'll save that for his next birthday, we are givers like that.

My sister in law is super duper creative and even though it was an intimate gathering she went all out for Baby Cy's first birthday party, check it out...

And what birthday party is complete without a little cake smash fun?

Although, in this picture I think he is looking at me to rescue him from that straight jacket contraption they forced him into.  Sorry buddy, next year we'll convince your evil parents to just let you go au naturale!

Then on to the presents!  I know the way straight to my brother's heart…The Cardinals!  So I went with the sentimental gift of a jersey with his name on the back.  Awwwwww. BEST SISTER EVER.  Yep that was a horn you just heard, tooting it loud and clear for myself.

Don't fret, I know the way to Sharon's heart too.  So for the second half of the present I went with a vintage milk carton set.  Genius present giver, if I do say so myself.  

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Some of the party goers.  Apparently guests get presents too?  At least they do when Grandma is involved.  Spoiled much?

And here you go Mom, the picture of the cookies you requested (1 million times).  Apparently my Mom SLAVED over these cookies because she thought Baby Cy would like them?  No that's not it at all, they are actually my brother's favorite cookies.  I'm sensing some favoritism here because I SURELY did not see my favorite cookies on that platter. #rude

 And finally I will leave you with the Happy Family after the Happy Birthday celebration!

  

The Graduate…the final addition

Chad has a big family…a really big family.  It's something I was not used to as I came from a rather small family, but something I'm glad I have become a part of.  With large families comes a lot of gatherings…graduations, weddings, holidays, anniversaries, wedding showers, baby showers.  You get the picture.  Well, I'm sad to report the final graduation is among us.  That is until my nieces and nephews start graduating and at that point I'll just be…old.  Anyway, Zack is our last Senior and what better way to document that then with a few pictures.  Just what every guy loves!  Actually, he was a really good sport about it, secretly I think he liked being a model just saying.  This was an extra special Senior session where the whole family came to participate!  We decided to throw in a few family pictures while we were at it, always a good idea in my book.  They even brought along some new additions…Toni (Tyler's future Mrs) and Layla (the pup).  Beautiful day, beautiful scenery, beautiful family (even Greg)…made my job pretty darn easy and for that I thank you!

Awww, look at these two.  Aren't they precious?

Happy Graduation Zack, I hear you are following in MY footsteps and heading off to Missouri State.  I mean look how awesome I turned out, I can see why you picked it.  You'll do just fine, just stay away from those sorority girls :)