VACATION!

I hope you're ready, guys. This is a long one...

We just got home today from our week long vacation to Missouri and man did we have a great time! Our first stop was in Branson for the weekend visiting my family. The whole gang was there - Grammy & Papa, Pop, Jeff, April, Alli, Jake, Kami, Julie and an extra special visit from my cousin, Renea, and her family. We haven't seen each other in almost 10 years so we had a great time catching up! On Saturday we all went to Silver Dollar City to ride some rides and just have a good old fashioned Branson experience. SDC was my favorite place when I was a kid and my parents took Jeff and I all the time, so it was really special to take my own family and enjoy it in a whole new way.

Nicholas had never been on any rides before so he was about to burst with impatience while being forced to wait in lines. But, eventually it was our turn and his little face lit up with pure excitement when he finally got going. This is the jumping frogs, which I think was his favorite because he laughed through the entire thing! I have to admit, for a kiddie ride it was pretty darned fun!

Then Papa took him on the bug ride that flew up & down. He liked it too but I think his heart belonged to the frogs.

And of course we had to take a ride on the choo-choo train!

But the day couldn't end without a trip to jail. Every 2 year old boy should be in one at least once!

After a few hours, Grammy & Papa took Nicholas and Jake, who wasn't feeling well, home for naps while the rest of us "kids" stayed to play. We rode all the roller coasters and ran from one end of the park to the other at least 5 times! We left no ride untouched and some we even went back for again and again. I haven't had that much fun since...well it's been a long time, to say the least. We shut the park down that night, leaving sweaty and completely exhausted. It was the best feeling in the world! It's hard to top a day like that but we gave it our best shot. The next day was my parents' 40th wedding anniversary (Happy Anniversary!) so we went to a lovely family brunch then set about preparing for Nicholas' birthday party. Things were going according to plan at first, but then we hit a snafu. I was picking up the cake and balloons when all of a sudden I felt really SICK. So sick that I had to go home and climb in bed for a few hours while I left the preparations to everyone else. I'm not sure exactly what I had but it was bad. I managed enough stamina to get out of bed for the party but in case you notice me looking a little drab, that's why. It hung around for a few days afterwards, but I didn't let it keep me down one bit. There was too much fun to be had! Anyway, the party was a success and all the kids had a ball!

On Monday, it was time to say good-bye and head off on the second leg of our journey. Destination = St. Louis to meet up with Mimi & Grandpa and visit Grandma Jaggi.

Another great couple of days were in store for us there with a lot of family time and a special little outing to the Transportation Museum which was FULL of old train engines. Nicholas was in sheer heaven. Seriously, he paid no attention to the sweltering heat. Nope, he ran around those trains as fast as he could checking every little nook and cranny he could find. Our boy was definitely in his element.

These things were mammoth. Just look at the size comparison!

Nicholas and Papa working hard on the railroad. It's a tough job, people.

We even got to take another train ride!

Then it was onto the last section of our trip in Rolla, visiting Grandma Smart on the farm.

Nicholas loves it here because he gets to get dirty and play with all the animals! We saw the usual suspects - chickens, cows, and kitties. But Nicholas also discovered the old tractors this time, which you could hardly pry him away from. He loves anything mechanical, what can I say?

And there was more mechanical fun in the form of 4 wheelers! We rode, and rode, and rode some more. And as soon as we stopped, he'd yell "MORE!" Insatiable!

Then we had a little fishing time at the pond with Cousin Adam. We didn't catch anything because we started getting rained on, but there's always next time.

And more birthday presents!!

Before we knew it, the time had come for us to head back home. We were all a little bummed after such an awesome week and so many fun adventures but it's always good to be back in your own bed. But before we left Rolla, Aunt Kathy made one last attempt at getting us to accept Nicholas' birthday present, pretty red bow and all. It was very tough to refuse:

All in all, this was one of the best weeks I can remember. Nicholas is getting older now and we have so much fun exploring the world through his eyes. And being with family is the best thing in the world. Especially when we live so far away and don't get to see them very often. Thanks for hanging in there through all these pictures. I'm terrible at choosing just a few because I love them all!

2 Year Pictures

In the midst of our very full weekend we managed a few hours to get Nicholas' 2 year pictures taken at Mimi & Grandpa's house. They turned out fantastic and we couldn't be happier with them. They pretty much speak for themselves so here you go:










Kacee also got her 2 year pictures taken at the same time so we were able to catch this priceless moment. Ashlee and I both stood there watching our babies with tears in our eyes.

And Mommy & Daddy were able to get a few shots too.
The pictures were taken by friends of mine from work who are just getting started in the photography business. Hard to believe because they're already so great! Their blog will be up and running soon so check the website at http://www.photosbyfirefly.blogspot.com/.

Let the Fun Begin

Just where would we be without the wonderfully fantastic Aunt JuJu? I don't want to even think about it for a second! She came to town for a visit this weekend and brought loads of sunshine into our world, as usual. She also brought along some pre-birthday presents for the little man which were quite a big hit! He's really getting into the presents thing now. He got a basketball hoop for the bathtub (kid's got an awesome dunk shot!) and a choo-choo train puzzle that he instantly went crazy for. It took him awhile before he'd allow us to dismantle the pieces though. I think he was worried that once we took it apart it would be gone forever. Every time I touched it he would cry "NO"! This was also the first trip that he's really been able to say Julie's name, which was quite a heart-melting feat. He'd run around the house calling "JuJu", or my favorite, "Jewy". I can't believe time flew by so fast and she's already gone but boy do we have some awesome memories. We love you Aunt Jewy!

Mother=Love

I was driving down the road the other day and saw a church sign that read: "Mother is another word for love". It instantly caught my attention because I am certain it could not be more true. No matter what kind of day you're having or what kind of challenges your child may be handing out, you are always a mother and you always love unconditionally. Mother's Day is so special to me because it makes me stop and appreciate all the blessings I receive every single day in the form of a 2 year old boy, and it makes me smile. I'm proud to be a part of this elite club that I was never sure I'd be a part of, or if I even wanted to be a part of. But turns out I did want to and I'm thankful for it every time I hear my little boy call me Mama. Today also brought up the memory of a special conversation I had with my mother shortly after Nicholas was born. He was sleeping in my arms as she and I were speculating on the vast meaning of life and what each of us have been put on earth to accomplish. She asked me what I thought my purpose in life was and, without hesitation, I answered "to have this boy". There is no doubt in my heart that I was meant to meet this wonderful man and that together we would create this amazing boy. He may be stubborn and strong willed, to the point that I want to pull my hair out some days, but it's those same fantastic qualities that ensure he will never be the kind of man who is pressured into doing things he doesn't want to do or to ever accept someone telling him he can't accomplish his tremendous dreams. Yep, our Nicholas is going to do incredible things alright. No doubt about it. And that's why I'm proud to be not just a mother, but his mother. He is, by far, my greatest achievement.

23 Months Old!

This post is rather bittersweet for me. Today is the last official monthly milestone post for Nicholas. Next month, our little baby advances into his plural numbered years and shifts away from the how-many-months-old-am-I variation. I cannot believe we're already at the 2 year mark! Unbelievable.

I took these pictures yesterday while we were playing in the backyard. I couldn't believe all the great smiling shots I got, considering most of what I get lately is of the back of his head. It's hard work keeping up with a curious and energetic almost 2 year old!

Jilly Bean on Vacation!

Little Jillian's mommy & daddy went on a trip this week so she decided to take a little vacation of her own and visit Mimi & Grandpa in Oklahoma. We've all had a lot of fun playing together over the last few days, especially Nicholas. He just loves having someone to pal around with and show all of his cool toys to. He also loves to give her kisses and good advice. We have no idea exactly what he's been telling her, but it seemed very important. Probably something special he wanted to pass onto her about what he's learned of life so far.






But the weekend wasn't all fun and games. There were other important matters to tend to - learning to fish. Well, sort of. Grandpa got out a rod for Nicholas to practice with in the yard and the boy just went to town! It looks like spending endless hours in the boat, patiently waiting to catch that elusive big one, are definitely in his future! Yep, I think he's a natural!

Like Mother, Like Son

Nicholas may look more like his Daddy but there's no denying he's got some of his Momma's genes in him!