Nathan's Reaction

A few days ago, Brian and I noticed that Nathan reacted funny whenever he hears "Dad/Daddy/Dada".  He does it every time I say it and sometimes when Brian says it.  It's soooooo funny!!!!  Sorry the video is dark...

Red is the theme.

The first red picture is Brian. He had possible food poisoning and was up in the night so sick. He tends to break blood vessels in his face when he is sick like that but this time was severe. He looked like a zombie for days and totally played that up, too. Yuck!

The 2nd red picture is Nathan.  It was a bad choice to give him a red popsicle--while dressed!!  Ha!  He tends to get a little red when he eats red things, anyway, so this didn't help.  His hands and face are completely red.  After I stripped him down, he put on this helmet, which is so completely appropriate for him and his lack of fear of falling!!!!  So cute!

*Oh, the playpen is out to block the kitchen doorway. #1 because he opens the oven if I'm not careful and I was baking supper and #2 because he climbs onto the kitchen table and then hangs over the edge to look off.  The hardwood floors could do damage to his little self, I'm thinking.  We don't have a 2nd gate anymore (the other 3 kids have broke 2 gates already) so this is our solution.  Don't you think my life sounds boring? :)*

L-o-n-g Post

I was going to separate this post into 2 or more but I decided to cram it all into 1 so get ready for pictures.

1st off, my Mom's side of the family had their reunion this past weekend.  They usually do this get together over July 4th so I can say that the weather was a ton better this year!!  We met at a playground this year so the kids were very, very busy (and so were the parents!).

This is my Grandma with her children (Jimmy, Debbie, Bruce, Susan, Sandy{my Mom} and Denise).

Here is my Grandma with the grandkids that were there.  Steve and Zach were missing...maybe others?!

Grandma with her great-grandchildren.  The kids on the left side of the picture are from my Mom's kids...ha!

Mother's Day was the day after the reunion.  Brian said I amaze him every year because I choose an outdoor activity.  :)  I just like to pick something we can all do together and the weather is usually wonderful.  The kids were super excited to show me the cards they made and the box they decorated to put them in.  We hustled around to pack a picnic and get everyone out the door to go to Pinicon Ridge.  It was gorgeous out.  We picked a nice flat spot to picnic at (just remembering Mother's Day at Palisades and the cliffs that terrified me!!).  I was acting like my Grandma, though, because the kids were getting so close to the water...I had to leave the area (Brian was there!).  I then got to take a nap while they planted my flowers and have some alone time in the evening.  A wonderful day to remember how blessed I am to be a Mom (and wife!)!

 See?  Too close to the water!  :)

And, playing with sticks.  Ha! 

Samuel lounging around, waiting for the picnic to begin.  That's so him!

Lily putting the blanket out

Hunter helping to carry food and bags.

Time to eat!

So sweet!

Enjoying the shade by the observation tower--the tower I will never go near again.  Am I a chicken or what?

The best picture we got of me and my 4 kids.  It was a painful process to get any.  Side note: we left shortly after this because of failure to listen.  Happy day!  :)