Happy Birthday Bhrett!

Today is Bhrett's 19th Birthday, but we celebrated it last Sunday. We had a great lunch of grilled chicken and all the "fixins". For dessert it was pie and homemade ice cream. Yummmmm!





After lunch we enjoyed some pool time. Jack is still a little undecided about swimming. I think he enjoyed just playing next to the pool with me.



Have you noticed Jack's hair is getting long? I love it and no, I haven't gotten it cut yet. I have no plans on getting it cut. I LOVE long hair on little boys and he has beautiful hair. So I'm letting it grow for now.





But he did get in the pool and Jack had fun with Bhrett and Daddy!

Happy Birthday Isaac!

This weekend was a busy weekend full of birthday celebrations. Saturday we celebrated Isaac Moseman's 2nd birthday and Sunday we celebrated Bhrett's 19th birthday That will be a separate post to come a little later.

There was quite a crowd at the Mosman's house and we celebrated with hot dogs, pasta salad, and of course, a monkey cake with ice cream. (Isaac really likes monkeys!)





I got this shot of the birthday boy and Jack. I think it's safe to say, these two little boys will be making a lot of trouble together in the future.





Jack had lots of fun with all the kids at the party and met many little girlfriends too! Jack is already a chick magnet!





It was great to see ALL the Moseman's!

Life Is Good

Can you read what is written on Jack's bum?




Let me help...





That's right, Life Is Good.


This little guy reminds me every day just how good my life is. We are truly blessed!


And speaking of being blessed, I was trying to take Jack's picture after he had his bath tonight. By the way, taking his picture these days is like herding cats. I guess in his case it's really like herding A cat, but you get the picture....it's very difficult!


As I'm looking back through the pictures, I realize they all look like this.....









This is the familiar glimpse we get these days: Jack's backside as he is headed for trouble (ie., chasing Rudi, playing in Rudi's water bowl, locking himself in a closet, crawling all the way up the stairs and making it to his bedroom before I even realize he's out of sight). You probably guessed, none of those situations were hypothetical!


And he loves to play with his toothbrush and toothpaste, but yet he never wants me to brush his teeth!!?? I have to trick him by making him laugh and then quickly brush them while he's smiling. I know this can only go on for so long before he catches on. He's a pretty smart little boy.

Here are the few shots I got of his front side.






But thanks to this guy, life for us, really is GOOD!

Blog Makeover Coming Soon!

I am very excited to announce that in a week or so I will be unveiling my new look. I have contacted a blog designer (The Design Girl) to help give my blog a "face lift". To be honest, I'm quite tired of looking at the same 'ol generic layout and design, so I know you probably are too.

I don't want to give anything away, but you can be looking for a new title as well. The blog will still star our little boy, so you'll still get all the same great stories, just a new and improved look to the site.

Stay tuned for the change coming soon.....

Walker's Bluff: The Jury is Still Out

Last Friday night, while Jack was doing this:






We were doing this:







We met up with our friends, Brittany and James, for a little dinner at Houlihan’s and then we made a stop at our newest local winery, Walker’s Bluff. The dinner was great, but we're still not sure about Walker’s Bluff. To be totally fair, another trip is warranted.


I will spare you the details, but to make a long story short, it wasn't what we expected. But the permanent building they had was gorgeous with wooden furniture everywhere both inside and out.


Here is a pic of Brons and Brit sitting on some of the chairs outside. The furniture was really very nice.





This is a picture of the permanent building where they were serving wine.




But, we had a great time, like we always do, with the Moseman’s. And Jack had a great time, like he always does, with Nanny, Pops, and Aunt Bhrett.

Have Another

What’s better than one paci?




Three!


Jack LOVES his green paci and one is just never enough. He is the happiest with one in his mouth and one for each hand. The way his face lights up when you hand him a paci, is PRICELESS. Paci makes his bumps and bruises better and restores balance to my little man’s life when he is upset. All is right in the world when we have our paci!


I hope you all have a wonderful Monday and may your week also be filled with “little green pacis”!

If You Want Something Done Right……

....you have to do it yourself. That is one valuable lesson I have learned very early (at least when it comes to house building, that is.)


Bronson and I spent several long weekends and evenings painting our house, because no one else apparently wanted to do it. The worst part about it is, I actually convinced Bronson to hire someone and we still wound up painting it ourselves. Everyone talks about how bad the economy is, but it sure seems that no one wants to work!


Sorry! Let me step down off my soapbox.


So, three hired painters and one long month later, we finally have a painted house. There are still a few places on the dormers and some trim to finish, but at least our neighbors aren’t embarrassed to be our neighbors anymore and all the people driving by aren’t wondering about our hot blue hot mess.


So here is a picture of us in action. You see those REALLY LONG ladders?? That's right, my height-fearing self actually got up on them. I was really proud of myself and my decision to face my fears, because trust me…..that took A LOT of guts!!!






(The pictures are a little foggy because we chose the hottest days of the year to paint, of course. And immediately upon stepping outside, my camera fogged up. That's also why I didn't include a picture of myself in this post. Just take my word for it....I was real pretty!)


And here are a few pictures of our house in its almost completed state. We still need a driveway and a yard, but we’re getting closer. Stay tuned for more pictures. Hopefully we’ll be 100% soon!!!

Learning To Ride a Bike

Last night, Bronson decided that he was going to teach our son to ride a bike. Do I need to remind you that Jack is only 1? He is such a little man, we forget that sometimes. But Jack, understandably, couldn't quite get the peddle thing down. So Bronson wanted him to know how peddle pushing felt.


His solution?




That's right....taping my son's feet to the peddles.



*DCFS, if you're reading this, please note that we don't normally tape up our son.



Things were really great for about two minutes. He actually started to get the hang of things.







But as you can see, Jack decided that the bike riding thing just wasn't for him....at least for now. Maybe he'll change his mind when he gets a little older.

Weekend Recap

Yesterday evening, Bronson's second cousin was married at Von Jakob Winery in Alto Pass. The rain had stopped by that time and the sun actually came out for the ceremony. It was beautiful. It was really great to see the family and spend a little quality time.

Jack was the life of the party, as you can imagine. He is always doing something to get people's attention. Last night he wandered away from Brons and stood in front of everyone with his little hand on his hip and just looked around like he owned the place. It was really adorable. I wish I could have gotten a picture of that.

Here is a picture of the bride and groom just after the ceremony.



The bridesmaids dresses were gorgeous. I absolutely loved the peach!



Jack was a very good boy during the ceremony, but he was ready to go inside and eat!



Sunday was also a stormy day in Southern Illinois. But Bronson woke up this morning with an urge to play golf. I was so proud of him. He loves to play, but never has time. It was nice to see him enjoying his Sunday afternoon for once.


...look out Tiger!!!


So, while Brons hit the links, Jack, Rudi and I had a very relaxing afternoon at home and we even managed to sneak in a little nap.


Rudi has found a new napping place. It doesn't look too comfortable, but he seems to really like it.



Later in the afternoon we had some strong storms which kept us inside for the rest of the day. So, we watched a movie, Brons played some guitar hero, and then Jack and Brons horsed around a bit.

I think my son is part bat. He LOVES to be upside down.



And then they had a pillow fight. Jack was laughing hysterically!

Danke Schon, Tante Finja! Wir Lieben Dich!

Translation: Thank You, Aunt Finja. We Love You!

Yesterday, Jack received a birthday gift in the mail from his Austrian Aunt, Finja. I know she appreciates my German, so there you go, Finja! This adorable little outfit came from H & M. I didn't even realize they had kid's clothes. How adorable! We miss you Finja and can't wait to see you at Christmas!

Here are a few pictures of Jack in his new threads: