Welcome Terrific Two's

Happy Birthday Lucas!

He was really excited to open his first present, but was slow to open the rest.

Howie was anxious to use his pocket knife to help Luke get his presents out of the packaging, but Luke wouldn't let him help.  He insisted Daddy did the work. I love his "thoughtful" expression here. 

At breakfast we let him play with the most annoying ball in the world.  You can't tell, but his arms are shaking violently.  He had a blast!

After lunch it was time for cake.  I love Luke's face here, he really wasn't sad.  I don't know what he was thinking.

Daddy was over on my right side trying to get Luke to smile...it worked!

He blew out the candles without any help! What a big boy!  Last year, he wanted nothing to do with his candles.

He loved his homemade banana cake so much that he had seconds.  I don't ever remember another child of mine having seconds on birthday cake.  I tried a new recipe and it was a success!

The great thing about today is that the kids are home from school on yet another snow day.  And Howard is home also because he has a promotion test tomorrow.  It's customary in the Air Force to get the day off before the test.  Good day!

Another Snow Day?!

This snow day was different.  The kids were on restriction from all electronics and the wind chill prevented them from going outside.  

They really used their imaginations...

...at Dash's expense.

He seemed to enjoy it at first, but eventually jumped out of the shopping cart and quit playing along.

We also played beauty shop with Erin tonight...

 

...Luke insisted on having curlers too.

He took his out after about 10 minutes, but Erin's still sleeping in them.  She's going to have beautiful hair tomorrow and no where to go...

It's ANOTHER snow tomorrow!

The Story of a Chair

When my Grandma died, my Mother inherited all her stuff.  Now that my Mom is gone, all that stuff was up for grabs.  I was fortunate to be able to get this lovely step-chair, featured on the left side of this photo dating back to 1964.

Update: I just learned from my Uncle Rick that my Grandmother received this as a housewarming present when we was 6 years old in Iowa.  It is 58 years old.

This photo was taken in my Grandmother's dining room, but for as long as I could remember this chair was always in the kitchen.  It was next to the stove, under the rotary dial wall phone, near where the ladies are standing in the photo.

It doesn't look too bad here, but it definitely needed some work! It was a rusty little devil!

The chair top was nasty and we learned that it wasn't original, because it didn't match the back rest.

As I took it apart, I could hear my Mother yelling at me to stop, "Don't mess up my chair, it's fine just the way it is!"

Mommy's little helper.

Once upon a time, this beauty was yellow.  Who would have guessed?

The finished product!

I originally pictured in my mind using a sparkly ruby colored vinyl to fix it up, but I decided to keep it neutral for two reasons. 1. To keep with the original style and 2. I love redecorating when we move, so I need to have it blend in to any decor.  The vinyl came from the remnant section at the fabric store and we used chrome spray paint on the chrome and tan paint on the steps and trim.  The black tread needed to be replaced, so we (read:Howard) taped it off and sprayed black truck bed liner on it for the rubberized look.

Okay, here's the truth.  I took it apart, bought the supplies to fix it up, sanded for about 10 minutes and turned it over to Howard to finish.  He did a beautiful job!  It's a family gem worth more in memories than in value.  Thank you to Ted and my sisters who let me have it.  It will be used and loved very much. 

Wedding Bells

On February 5, 2011 our neighbors, Amber and Charles, were married in a beautiful ceremony.  And when we say neighbors, Amber lives right next door and Charles owns a house a few doors down.  This is a new development so everyone in the neighborhood is new.  That's how they met. When we returned from our vacation in April, Amber and Charles were dating.  I knew right away that they were right for each other.  A few days before Charles proposed, I was bugging him and asking, "when are you going to propose? It's obvious that you're made for each other!"  He lied and said he wasn't ready.  Howard told me recently the Charles felt so bad for lying to me, but he had to so he could keep it a surprise. No hard feelings, I understand.  I love weddings!  I seem to cry at all of them now.  Even looking at wedding pictures brings tears to my eyes.  I'm so happy that we could go and share in their happiness!

Charles is in the Army National Guard and will be leaving for a year very, very soon.  :(

Best kiss of all time. 

 He should have received an award!  It's blurry and I was competing with the professional photographer (notice the black line near her veil), but I had to include it!

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Gather

The cutest flower girl ever!

The Pastor was announcing that it was time for us to move into the annex where the reception would immediately follow. the wedding was held in a wedding chapel.  It was one of the prettiest places ever!  makes me want to get married again (to Howard of course!)

The cake was so pretty and actually tasted decent too! The fondant wasn't too hard, it was perfect.

The wedding didn't start until 7pm, so we were in for a late night with the kids.  Luke fell asleep right at 8pm and we eventually laid him under the table on my coat.  I picked this picture because Howard didn't know I was taking a picture right then.  I think it's funny because we all know he can smile, but he looks like one of those guys that don't.

We curled her hair.

This was Erin's creation, C (heart) A

Right before Amber threw the bouquet, I gave Erin a stern talking to.  Last time we went to a reception she bawled her eyes out that she didn't catch the bouquet.  I told her she better not cry or she would get in trouble and I told her she probably wouldn't catch it, but an older and taller person might.

I was wrong!  Erin caught it!  It was so exciting and I was so happy for her.  Definitely no tears this time!

Jack was making silly faces to keep us entertained.  We didn't know anyone there besides the Bride and Groom, so we chatted it up with an elderly couple we shared a table with. There were a lot of old people there, but they were all really sweet! 

Jack and Erin danced with the Bride and Groom for the dollar dance.  Once the dance was over, the bride stuck all of the dollar bills in the top of her dress and her husband pretended to pull them out with his teeth.  I wish I had a picture, it was too funny!

We had such a wonderful time and were so happy we could go.  We almost weren't able to because Luke and Jack weren't feeling well, but we medicated them really well and hoped for the best.  I was also very nervous because I knew there wouldn't be a lot of children there and I didn't know how kid friendly it would be.  The kids did great!  In all I think there were about 7 kids there (and 4 were mine!). The kids were specifically invited, so it's not like I took them because I didn't want to get a sitter.

The only sad moment was during the wedding toast.  Amber's mother was given a tribute because she couldn't be there for the wedding.  She passed away about 18 months ago due to cancer.  My heart ached for Amber last night.

Hopefully we'll have a new baby in the neighborhood in about a year or so.  Now that would be great!

Natural

This is how Luke has been spending his days.  He now comes and tells me when he poops or pees in his diaper and he likes to be nude whenever I let him.  Sometimes he falls asleep naked and I have to sneak a diaper on him.  Unfortunately he doesn't like his potty seat or toilet.  I'm not ready for this journey, but I guess it's not up to me.  Diapers are SOOOOO much easier...less laundry, less mess. I think I'll be ready this summer when he can play in the backyard naked and I won't have to worry about ruining my carpet. Wish us luck.

Snow Day #2

It's another snow day...HIP HIP HOORAY! I love snow days!  Howard's home too which makes it extra better!

Another pajama day for me, yippy!

It was too cold for Luke to go out and play with the big kids, so he got the next best thing. We brought it inside for him on a baking sheet.

Erin also LOVES snow...to eat!

Howard bundled up and shoveled/salted the driveway before the kids had a chance to pack it down.

Where did my flower bed go?

Since last year's blizzard wasn't normal here, I heeded every one's advice and didn't buy new gloves or boots for the children this year, thinking that we wouldn't get a lot of snow two years in a row.  I was wrong.  We got really creative.  Howie wore my snow boots and Howard's gloves.  Erin wore Howie's boots from last year and my gloves, and Jack was able to squeeze into his gear from last year.  It was so cold, they were only out for about 25 minutes.

Erin made a small snow fort for little critters.  How thoughtful!

Howie's favorite activity was to throw big chunks of snow in the air and punch them into powder.

Sorry that some of the pictures aren't that great, but I wasn't about to go out and get cold.  I like my warm house very much!

What to do?

It's a blizzard...and you know what that means in Oklahoma?

No school + no work = sleeping in!

Snow Ice Cream for a breakfast treat. Yum!

8 cups of freshly fallen snow

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 tsp vanilla

Mix well, serve immediately

No worries this time, our trampoline is secured to the ground.  We bought the tie downs after last year's incident.

 Look closely at the street names.  "Calm Wind" & "Still Wind".  Seriously?! What a joke.  Anyone who has ever been to Oklahoma KNOWS that's not happening!  The wind here is crazy. I took this picture from my dining room window, this is behind out house.

Happy Tuesday everyone!