Erik's Birthday

Back in August, Erik celebrated his 30th birthday. I threw him a party, his parents flew in for the party, there was a lot of family there. It was kinda a success. =) I'd been planning the party for MONTHS and got Erik a photo book of his life. I know that he enjoyed that, as did the guests at the party.

Erik with our friends (Rebecca, Jeff, Dennis, Christine, Mike and Beth)

Me with the birthday boy (and my pink eye...yeah that was a delight)

Timmy playing with cars with Christopher, Erik's cousin's boyfriend's kid (you got that?)

Erik about to devour the birthday cake (thanks again for ordering and picking that up for me Christine!)

Us with my brother and sister-in-law (Paul and Katie)

Happy Baptismal Birthday!

Happy Baptismal Birthday to me! It's been 29 years since this day, and I think I can say that at least the weather projected for me today isn't nearly as interesting as what occurred on my baptism.

I've still got my baptismal candle, but that's pretty much the only reminder I actually have. Some people think you should light your candle every year on your baptismal birthday (I know that my dad subscribes to this theory because I've heard him suggest it at baptisms). However, I just like having the candle and that alone is a reminder. Plus, of course, the pictures.

I think it's important to remember this date as much as any other in one's life. I know that we make sure to at least mention Timmy's baptismal birthday to him every year, whether he actually understands the significance...that's something else. I am hoping that he does as he gets older.

Anyway, here's a few pictures that I have from my baptism. Enjoy!

My Birthday

My birthday this year was my golden birthday. I know that not everyone celebrates golden birthdays, but my family does and I'd like to continue that tradition in our family (right now we'll have to wait until Timmy turns 19). I watched both of my brothers have their golden birthdays and then I was told I just had to wait. So I waited and waited...and finally it was my turn. Awesome!

On my actual birthday the boys and I went down to Chicago. We had a friend come over and let Bud out during the day, just in case we were there later than we wanted. Since we belong to Discovery World in Milwaukee, we could get into the Field Museum, the Planetarium and the Museum of Science and Industry for free. I called to double check earlier in the week (because the last thing I wanted was to get there and be told that we had to pay). Timmy had never been to the Field Museum and Erik and I hadn't been in about 8 years so we decided to go there.

We got to the Field Museum and found out that a lot of events were actually going on that day (ok, just two, but that's more than I thought!). The person who discovered the most intact T-Rex skeleton was there (the T-Rex is named Sue) and 2010 is the 10th anniversary of Sue being at the Field Museum. We then saw that Dr. Scott the paleontologist was going to be giving a talk a little later in the day too. Dr. Scott is from PBS's Dinosaur Train that Timmy watches sometimes. It was actually pretty neat and fun to be able to hear him talk in person. Dr. Scott is a huge advocate of kids getting outside and making discoveries on their own.

Once we were finished with the Field Museum (we did about as much as we thought Timmy would be interested in), we decided to take Timmy to the park by Soldier Field to burn off some more energy before heading home. The only problem with that plan was that we couldn't find the park from the way we left the Field Museum. Oh well. We saw the line for the Shedd (a place we had debated going) and it was over 100 people long for the stroller/wheelchair entrance and that was at 2:30. Really? The Shedd closes at 5...that's crazy! So at least we know now that if we want to go to the Shedd we need to be there EARLY.

After not finding the park we decided to walk down towards the planetarium because they were also on our list of reciprocal museums. I had never been and I don't remember if Erik had or not either. It was a pretty good time. We didn't see any of the shows but had a lot of fun walking around and Timmy really enjoyed playing on Planet X.

Timmy and I by the Field Museum sign (proof that I do exist and go places with him)

This is the person who found Sue, the T-Rex. She was available for autographs and pictures.

Timmy having fun seeing how some prehistoric bugs saw life

Erik getting in on the action

Looking at the stegosaurus

All of our feet inside a dinosaur footprint

The footprint without our feet

The birthday girl

A view of the main floor of the Field Museum

Dr. Scott the Paleontologist

Timmy enjoying making noise in the music room

Helping to harvest corn

A view of the Chicago skyline

Erik and Timmy checking out some exhibits at the Planetarium

Timmy dressing as a royal at the Planetarium

Happy Baptismal Birthday!

Happy Baptismal Birthday, Timmy! I hope that you always remember that you are special and a child of God. We are so proud of you and all that you've accomplished so far in life! May God's blessings continue in your life.

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

Timmy's 4th Birthday

Last Sunday (the 18th) we were able to celebrate Timmy's 4th birthday with family and friends. We started out the day by going to the zoo with Uncle Paul and Auntie Katie, coming home to take a nap (Timmy), and then having people over for a cook out, presents, and cake. It was a really great time and I'm sorry that not everyone could be there to share it with us.

Here's Timmy's cake that I made a decorated. It's not going to win any cake decorating awards but he loved it!

Timmy, his bike helmet, and his Lightning McQueen bank

The excitement of being able to open his "motorcyle". It was seriously the most excited I have ever seen my son.

Opening a gift from one of my co-workers

There's my cute little boy! Happy Birthday!

There are more pictures posted on my Facebook page which you can see here.

Easter 2010

This Easter we were able to make the trip down to Joplin to celebrate with my parents. It's been our idea to go down for Easter since before the New Year...and then my brothers totally copied our idea. It was nice to be able to get together for a holiday as a whole family. I don't think we've done that since before either Paul or I were married. So, yeah, it's been a few years!

We took off on Thursday night after Erik got home from work. We stopped in Fenton for the night and then finished the trip in the morning. It was a pretty good time with the hotel. The only true issue was that we forgot Bud's dog bed (oops). When I woke up he was in front of the door just laying there watching it. At least he's not a barker!

When we got to Mom and Dad's we met up with Tim and met his girlfriend, Amberlynn. It was nice to have a little bit of down time before Good Friday service. After church, Erik, Timmy, and I went to pick Mom up from work. So, this time we got to see a little bit more of Joplin, if only by about 12 blocks. =)

Saturday we went to play in the park with Timmy before heading out to lunch with Tim and Amberlynn. After lunch we went to Toys 'R Us and Tim bought Timmy a few birthday presents. Back to the house for a nap for the little man and some egg boiling and stump removal for the grown-ups. Woo! Once dinner was over and the eggs cooled, we were able to decorate and dye the eggs for Easter.

Easter Sunday we went to brunch, participated in the Easter egg hunt, and then late church. Timmy didn't do too badly with the hunt. There were some people who didn't seem to realize that the point of the event was for everyone to get some eggs and not to hoard them all but, that's how it goes sometimes. That night Amberlynn and I went to Blockbuster to rent a few movies. After watching "Couples Retreat", we decided to call it a night.

On Monday, after breakfast, we hit the road to come back to Wisconsin. Both Timmy and Bud did really well on the trip (again) and I'm glad that they are both such great travelers.

Grandpa and Timmy reading "How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?"

Daddy and Timmy playing on the playground

All tired out

Opening presents from Uncle Tim

Dyeing eggs with Grandma and Auntie Katie

All set for the Easter egg hunt

My silly dog

Opening another present from Uncle Tim

Playing with his new toys with Uncle Tim

Happy Birthday Timmy!

Happy Birthday Timmy! It's so hard for me to believe that 4 years have already gone by. My life would just not be the same without you in it. You are such a blessing to your dad and I and to those around you. I am looking forward to everything that we have yet to experience together. You are truly a gift from God. I love you very much!

Love,

Mommy

April 2006

March 2010

Chris's 30th Birthday Party

On March 6th we were able to be part of a surprise party for our friend Chris. His wife, Beth, started planning it back in January and he was completely surprised. Chris decided that he wanted a party for his birthday but that he wanted to do all the work for it. Meanwhile, Beth contacted everyone to have them say they were busy and couldn't make it when Chris asked about getting together. Chris actually invited people only the Wednesday before his birthday (so it ended up working out in Beth's favor anyway) and Dave and Buster's (an adult Chuck E Cheese I guess) that had only opened the day before. Clearly that wasn't going to work anyway.

Erik and I contacted Beth on Saturday to say that we were able to get a babysitter at the last minute (yeah...3 week last minute) and could join them for drinks. So we waited and met them outside Benno's in 'Stallis and went in with the birthday boy. He was COMPLETELY surprised! It was great!

A picture of the birthday cake

Erik and I

The Book Club girls (minus Jen who had to work and Steph who was out of town)

Doing a shot of Jager with the Birthday Boy and his wife

Yeah... I've got nothing

Time to make a wish!

Presents! Here's what we got Chris

Here's one of his other gifts

Book club does a shot (I think a Lemon Drop but I'm not for sure)

One more of Erik and I