Happy 6th Anniversary!

This year we spent our anniversary not working on the house (shocker!), no kiddos in tow - just enjoying each others company! We went to Nashville and had GREAT Sushi at a place called Kens. Kens was recommended by a friend I grew up with in Dickson and is this great little joint on the edge of the Vanderbilt campus. We stuffed ourselves and spent $35. That probably sounds like a joke, but we seriously ate a ton and it was delicious, fresh and we ordered good, quality rolls. We'll be going back! We then went to the Nashville Tennessee LDS Temple together, one of our favorite ways to spend our anniversary! Afterwards we went to the nearby Costco and spoiled ourselves with a few purchases - such as a whole flat of strawberries and these delightful chocolates that were in the shape of a potato chip (oh, and that gigantic case of toilet paper... what a luxury item). Matt also spoiled me by sending me a bouquet of roses & calla lilies delivered on Friday.

Happy Anniversary babe!

Mason at 2.5

Ok, so he hit 2.5 at the end of April. Never too late! Back to the post!

Oh, Mason, where to begin! This boy goes, goes, goes and I can't help but smile thinking about what to say/how to describe the little munchkin. He is a character, always pulling some facial expression that cracks you up (oftentimes he is doing it on purpose, sometimes not). He loves to paint pictures, blow bubbles, play in water (outside, thankfully), play with animals, "workout" with his Pop pop, watch movies, anything involving trains, read books, go to the store, go to the library, visit family, and run - run - run. He loves to help me around the house and with Lincoln -he really, really loves Lincoln. He is a stinker when he is tired but is finally much more flexible with sleep than when he was younger (hallelujah!). He is more than happy to go home with/spend time with anyone - he is NOT shy. Talk about needing to keep a close eye on him in public places. He is currently on a kick of using the word "just". Examples: "I'm just full" "I'm just fine" "I'm just awake (not tired)" "I just need < insert some food > " "I just need to < insert some activity > (and not go to bed yet)". He eats great, although still not a fan of casseroles, and LOVES salad (who woulda thought?). And, at this very moment, is calling my name because he just woke up from his nap.

We love our little, big boy! He is growing up so fast!

Our Little (big) Eater

Where is Lincoln? The pantry, of course!

Boy, does this kid like to eat. It seems that since he sprouted his 8th tooth a few weeks ago that he has taken off in the table food department. He has become completely against purees (it is a battle to get him to eat him, which mostly involves trickery) but he SCARFS down any and all food. Today for lunch he drank 6 oz, ate about a 1/4 of an apple (he likes to gnaw on and eat whole apples... skin and all), 5 large florets of steamed broccoli, an entire banana, several chunks of tortilla (mmmm, the fresh kind you make on the stove), and a good handful of rice chex. Seriously! I am not complaining at all though - I love that he is a great eater and so eager to try any and all foods. Hope he keeps that trait!

Memorial Day 2011

The story of America's quest for freedom is inscribed on her history in the blood of her patriots. -Randy Vader

So grateful for all those who have served, do serve, and will serve our great nation. Let us never forget their sacrifice!

God Bless America!

Backing Up: Old Timers Day

Dickson hosts Old Timers Day every year on the first Saturday in May since 1959. They have a parade, arts & crafts, food, a pageant (see picture above), a liar's contest (really want to see that next year!), tractor/antique car display, etc. The men were gone for the weekend helping in the relief effort in Alabama, so Mom and I took the kids for some fun. Mason LOVED it and even made a little girl friend who he watched the parade with. Following the parade, I bought some really ridiculous lip gloss from an Avon booth --it was a few bucks and I thought it'd be pretty... too bad it made me look like a hooker-- and we ate some lunch. Enjoy some pictures... and come join us next time :)

Loving our HOME!

I know I know, still no pictures. Part of me wants to just throw some out there, but the bigger part of me restrains and says I need to hold off for a really nice reveal. Not that the house will be done... because, lets face it, I'm not sure when it will be truly done. But, at least most of the way there would be nice! My goal is within the next 4 weeks. Go ahead, hold me to it.

In the meanwhile, we are truly loving being in our home! It is great to say we have a home again and to be making this house our home. I LOVE putting up decorations again and caring about what is on the walls and how it is placed. I just wish there were more hours in the day - specifically naptime and nighttime hours when little hands/feet are not roaming - to get things done. Not that I don't wish I had my kids or anything like that! Just that my progress is

waaaaaaaaay slow with these two little munchkins afoot. Oh well, seasons of life!

On a little sad note, we lost our lone apple tree in the most recent storm! It was LOADED with apples and with the saturated ground and crazy winds it said, "uggg, I give up."

Silver lining: we believe the established plot for a garden will now receive enough sunlight to be a garden! Yay! (the previous owner said he tried growing in the area but it was too shaded).

Oh yeah, and we got a fish!! I have almost always had fish when I could... a fish seems to make a home to me (is that odd?). I told Mason he could name him and gave him some ideas... the fish is blue, after all. I thought he had chosen Super Grover but the next morning when I asked him

what its name was he told me "Fish". Yes, he is a fish, but what is his name? What will you call him? He adamantly replied, his name IS "Fish". Surprise :) Fish is doing quite well and seems to have adapted to his new habitat well. And POOF, our house became a home overnight.

(there is your sneak peak - my kitchen is a fabulous green called "fresh guacamole"... so fresh & fun! I really like it.)

Train or Train?

The other night.......

Matt: Mason, are you going to be potty trained?!? (casually gearing him up for the upcoming adventure)

Mason: Potty train?? What train! A train?? Oooo, potty train!?!

We then tried to explain the difference between a train and being potty trained. Hopefully he ends up being that excited about the real thing. :)

...his train table has been in storage for over 5 months now. We are setting it up for him this weekend. Poor deprived child ;)

Backing Up: Chris & Jess Visit

OK, this is the first of my 'backing up' posts. Unfortunately, I dont even know yet how many I will have... my mind is that gone at the moment. But, hey, lets go with what I've got for now.

Chris & Jess came to visit!!

Matt's brother, Chris, got married in January in California (I think I blogged about that... eh, maybe not. Eh, maybe yes? Uh. Sorry.) and Matt got to go. Sadly, it just wasnt in the cards for all of us to go. Anyway, due to that, we hadn't met our new Sister in Law and Aunt! They came to visit at the end of April and it was great to meet her! We had lots of family time and we adults even got to go out on a double date to the Grand Ol Opry! It was the first time for all four of us and it was fun to be out. It was great to spend time with both of them - the kids ate them up! -and we look forward to seeing them again hopefully soon! Maybe we'll even convince them to move to TN one day :) Love you guys!

9 Months

18.8 lbs, 29 inches, and going, going, going!

Our baby boy...

Lincoln is doing fantastic and is changing by the day. He has sprouted 5 new teeth in the last 3 weeks (brings us to a total of 7 teeth), started walking around furniture in the past week, and finally said "Ma Ma" today. We call him "Sir Squawks- a- lot" or "Squawk-a-mole" because he is very vocal whether he is happy, mad, needs something, etc. It is cute... usually. :) He has started Rice & Oatmeal cereals as well as green beans and has digested them all with ease. Yay! Next up will be peas. Oh, random side note - he LOVES Broccoli. Weird, huh?

He still ADORES Mason - and squeals in delight when they gently "play wrestle". Yes, they're already wrestling. I imagine this is the beginning of a journey. Mason can get him to smile anytime and I love that. They're cute together.

He is so much fun and such a good boy! Oh, and adorable, of course! Happy 9 months baby boy!