Here lately...

We have been having lots of fun this past week. Today I looked out the window and was so excited to see some sunshine! We even headed outside to have a "picnic" for lunch! These pictures are a little out of order but here is what we have been up to lately...

We enjoyed eating lunch outside today. (and I didn't have to sweep up all the crumbs :)

We finally got our Potato Heads out of the box from Riley's birthday. I couldn't for the life of me figure out where I was going to put all the pieces so they stayed in the box for a while. But I had a LOT of homework this week and the kids needed some new entertainment so...

Here are two of Riley's creations.

The kids are very into chalk right now. We even headed out right before bedtime again this past Sunday.

I thought Sam looked SO handsome in his new outfit. He is really starting to look like a little boy instead of my baby :(

Thanks Aunt Lizzy for the SUPER cute shirt!

When Riley headed over to my friend Maryanne's house to play she snagged a few photos of her! I am really loving her new photo blog. There were a couple other pictures from their play date.

I am super excited because tonight I am going out with Ryne. I have been wanting to go to these free ballroom dance classes for a long time. He surprised me last night and told me we were going to dinner and then learning the Waltz and the Fox Trot!!! I can't wait to blog about it!

Hope everyone enjoys their weekend!

MOCHA

MOCHA is the intramural basketball team that I was on. (Married Apartments, O is something, Commuter, and Honor Apartments) I can't tell you how much fun I had. We were undefeated for the season and won the championship game this past Wednesday! We were missing a few girls but this picture was from our last game.
I had almost forgotten how much I love the game of basketball. It was great to get out and excersice while doing something I love. I have already signed up to play ultimate frisbee! However, I really think I might be organizing some sort of weekly pick up game to help keep me active.
Congratulations MOCHA! I loved getting to know you all better and being your teammate!

Sunny Days

Yesterday and today we actually had some sunny days! It was so nice to be able to get outside with the kids and play. We don't do well stuck in the house all Winter long! Here are a few pictures from us outside the past few days.

Valentines Day

My Valentines Day was AMAZING! My first surprise was that Hannah came in Friday night. The next morning Ryne and our friend John had planned a spa day for my best friend Angie (Johns wife) Hannah and I. After that Ryne gave me some spending money so I could buy a new outfit for our date. I LOVED shopping with Hannah and Ang. After we had gotten new dresses for the evening we all headed home and got ready to go out. My wonderful sister was babysitter for the night for Livy, Riley, and Sam. The guys took us to a resteraunt that I had really been wanting to go to. It was GREAT. We had such a good time with John and Angie I didn't want dinner to be over! After that we split ways. Ryne and I headed to the theatre to catch the movie Valentines Day. We really liked it. But I think we both just enjoyed the night out all together.

I hardly had any time to take pictures though. But here are a few... Us before we were pampered!

Ryne and I before going out! Ryne looked SO sharp
I love her.

Us at "Fritz's"

The next part of my Valentines was even more special. We had gone out on Saturday so that we could travel to see my Grandmother for Valentines Day. This Valentines would have been my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary. (It was also the anniversary of my dad's proposal to my mom) We surprised G-ma at church that morning then took her out to lunch. When we headed back to her house we were excited that my Aunt also showed up to surprise her! We ended up having quite a few people there visiting and celebrating with her. It was great!

This is the only picture I got from our day with her.

We love you Grandmother!

Snow

My neighbor Maryanne snagged some GREAT photos of the snow here at LETU. I just love how God is so creative.

Ryne Loves me

Playing in the snow!

Look how much we got!

I thought it looked so beautiful.

Sam and Daddy playing

The bikes were covered!

We had lots of friends to play with outside!

The guys used a sling shot to shoot snow balls.

I thought the trees looked so beautiful!

It is funny to be posting snow pictures when it was so sunny and beautiful today. We sure did love having the fluffy white stuff to play in. Riley loved the snow. As a matter of fact, she kicked and screamed when we brought her in for her nap. Sam on the other hand did not really care for the snow. He whined most of the time but I think he was just cold. We don't have snow clothes for the kids.

It was so much fun to see all the snow creations around campus. With a school full of engineers there were some interesting creations. We saw a family of bears, an igloo, an airplane (Cessna size) a red car (in a parking space) and of course, lots of snowmen! Even though we liked the snow, we sure were glad when the cold weather moved out.

I love how they make me smile.

Sam's Birthday

I can't believe Sam turned 1 almost three weeks ago and I am just now blogging about it. (Ok I lied. I can believe it Ha. I have been SO busy) but nevertheless... here is a post about my little man's birthday...

Here were his invitations. The owls, trees, and color that the words were on, were different for each invitation. There were two different pictures in the invitations as well. I just couldn't decide :)

I just love Sam in his "letterman jacket". (atleast that's what we call it) He looks like such a big boy!


Before the party he colored a little (or ate a few crayons. There isn't much my boy doesn't eat)

The back of his shirt. (Thanks Cait for helping me. I can't draw to save my life)

My wonderful MIL and Cait came up with the idea to make little center pieces with some pictures on them. I loved pulling out pictures from months before. It is easy to forget how much they change.

Some of the guests

Daddy, Sammy, and Mommy

Opening up some gifts

It didn't take long for him to start to get the hang of it.

Sam had a WONDERFUL bannana cake for his birthday. I thought it was age appropriate and it tasted great. (Thanks Grandma)

I just love this picture of Sam playing with his new toy. Of course big sister was there to help like always.

Oh Sam. I love your belly

I can't tell you how excited I was to get to see my very best friends from High School. I was super excited that they could both come down to celebrate with us. Distance doesn't seem to slow us down. When we get together we always pick right back up from where we left off. Thanks for coming you guys. I love yall SO much!

And of course... my best friend, my sister. (I missed you Sarah, and Hannah your my bff's too)

I was so happy that the Patrick family was able to be there as well. We love you guys and miss you so much. Thanks for coming to celebrate with us.

Riley had lots of fun too!

We had such a wonderful time back home for Sam's birthday. Sam is such a sweet boy. We love him so much and are so thrilled that he is loved by so many others. It has been amazing to watch our Riley become a big sister. Sam reminds me of his daddy so much. The way he makes me laugh and that smile that is irrisistable. His handsome blonde hair and chubby skin (that isn't from his daddy ha) make my heart melt.

"Owl" always love you Sam. Happy 1st birthday!