Do not feed the animals!

I can barely type this post because I am giggling so hard at these pictures.  Here is the disclaimer:  no children were forced to get in the cage, no adult was present when they enetered the cage and no one encouraged them to get out. 

 I know what all of you are thinking...what animal in the world needs a cage that large?

 The answer is just a few pictures away...

 Yesterday, we were so fortunate to spend the afternoon with the Zukowski family.  It was Colby's 2nd birthday and we were all there to celebrate.

 Our gift to him was a sit-in-spin (remember those?).  Peyton got one for Easter and had never figured out how to use it.  Luckily yesterday, Big Brother Alex demonstrated and she got the hang of it right away.

 Oh here is the reason for the XXL cage.  Meet the newest addition to the Zukowski clan, Zar!  He is a 7 week old great dane.

 And go figure, Mike snatched him and bonded right away.

 But seriously, isn't he the cutest puppy ever?

 The rest of this post is cake with toddlers....enough said!

 Please note the difference in eating styles of the boy and the girl.  Gotta love them boys!

 All I can think when I look at that face is that she is as close to pure joy as she can get.

Happy 2nd Birthday Colby!  And Happy Monday to all of you!

A Week Ago

Alot of you may not know where I was one week ago tonight....

 I can tell you I was where I was suppose to be....

 And it wasn't with my husband or daughter....

 And it wasn't with Liam (pictured above and below)...

 It was with the newest addition to the Hassen Family....Kenley Lou Hassen

 Born July 11, 2011 at 1:01 pm.  She is perfect and we are all in love!

 Her Mom is Krystal, one of my best friends and I volunteered to pull night duty Tuesday night after Kenley's birth.  It was as you would expect...exhausting and wonderful.  I can't tell you how special it was to spend the second night of Kenley's life with just her and her momma.

 It is always nice to have your Mom or another mother figure there to help you when you need it most but I think there is something to be said to having a fellow mommy friend there (who just went through it 2 years before) to support you along the way. 

 So we laughed and slept.  We talked about these two littles that were at home sleeping safe and sound in Daddy's care and we spent time marveling at the new little life before us. 

 It was the perfect night!

 And I pray to God everyday that if we ever add another munchkin to this world, that I will have my friend Krystal there by my side. 

 Congratulations Hassen Family!  We couldn't be more happy for you!!!

Uncle Mike sure knows what he is doing with a baby girl.

Kenley Lou Hassen

8 pounds 3 ounces

21.5 inches

July 11, 2011

Sunday Catch Up

I feel like I have been away on a trip.  Of course, I have not but I feel disconnected for my normal routine.  I am chalking it up to alot happening around here lately.  There have been births, birthdays, visitors and much more.  However, following the chaos there inevitably comes a relaxing lull.  This weekend the lull began and we have been enjoying the quiet.

 Why do kids always go up the slide the wrong way?

 We have been making good use of the pool lately.  This little kid is a fish in the making....or perhaps an olympic swimmer.

Well I am off to enjoy the "lull".  Happy Sunday!

Happy 4th of July

There is so much about Independence Day that is unpredictable... the weather, kid's moods and whether the fireworks shows will start on time.  Lucky for us this year we hit the trifecta. The late afternoon rain came and went in a flash, the kids were all smiles and the firewroks started at exactly 9:30.

 This year we were blessed to spend the evening with some old friends as well as a few new ones.  Our good friends Jon and Yana brought along their family which included two adorable little men, Alex and Colby.  Colby is just a few months younger than Peyton and they hit it off right away.

 Ms. Ruth is Jon's mother and also the Grandma to Alex and Colby.  She is super fun and brought the best gift for the little kids....glow bracelets and wands.  The kids loved them and enjoyed chasing each other around in the dark with them. Thank you Ms. Ruth!

 Glowing kids!!!!

Cheers to another great holiday and God bless the USA!