More from our trip to PA and Idlewild and a few more to come

The ultimate family vacation spot

This past weekend we had the opportunity to visit with the Groff's and Byers and also to experience Idlewild - an amusement/water park that Charlie and his family have been going to in Pennsylvania since Charlie was little. On Friday we visited with Charlie's cousins and then Saturday some of us headed to the park. This park is amazing and honestly has no comparison to any park in Ohio. It has something for the entire family all at one location and very reasonably priced. We all had a blast and of course Emily did not want to leave. There's more pictures to come, but here's one of Emily and her cousin Cameron riding the cars on the kiddie side of the park.

Thank you Gimmy for the tickets and thank you Aunt Kristen for capturing this moment on film.

35 months old - July 16

Emily tells us quite often that she's a big girl, but then is sly enough to say that she's still little when she wants her pacifier (fa-fa) which we have finally successfully weaned her from except during nap time and night time.

There have been many funny "Em-isms" this month, but one that stuck out.... Emily was over at her friend Micah's house and during lunchtime Micah was evidently paying too much attention to his food because she told him in this very adult manner, "Micah, when we sit at the table we're supposed to talk to each other".

Birthday Boy

Happy Birthday Charlie!

We love you!

New Room and New PJs

Since Emily is our little wilderness girl by picking up every leaf, rock and stick she can find, we thought it was appropriate that she have a wilderness big girl bedroom, complete with deer mount, wooden curtain rods and a wilderness quilt that was one of mine and Charlie's wedding gifts (no, Emily will not be sleeping on this quilt come true potty training time - it's a one of a kind).

Timing could not have been better with the transition to this new room because July 1 was the very first time that Emily climbed out of her crib. All of a sudden I hear from atop the stairs, "Mommy, I'm awake". Talk about a little shock to my system.

Gimmy and Pappy surprised Emily with a gift for moving up to a "big" girl bed - a pair of bubble gum pjs. You can see how excited she was.

Show Me the Proof also!

I don't know about you, but I agree with this article. It's time that we start getting answer my friends. Click HERE for the article.

6 months and growing

Cornhole or Dominos - you decide

My very creative husband finished our cornhole set this past weekend and we enjoyed quite a few games over the holiday. This set brings a flood of memories to me because growing up I had the privilege of playing Dominos with my Grandfather every time we went for a visit. Thanks Mom for making the bags.

Another fun Zoo trip

It's nice when you have a zoo pass because you can roam for a couple of hours and go home when you need to. We had another fun trip this past Thursday. Emily had a blast on the boat ride and of course did not want to get off. She also did not want to leave the carrousel when the time came. You can read that expression right on her face.

3D tells all

Two weeks ago Charlie and I had the opportunity to view our little one on a 3D ultrasound. We saw the 4 chambers of the beating heart, the perfectly straight spine, the arm and leg bones just the right length, even the little bladder and two kidneys formed as they should be.

I had thoughts before going into the ultrasound that I did not want to know the gender of this little one unless it was 100% identifiable. As soon as the ultrasonographer reached the private parts she said they were none too private. Little boy Groff will be here before we know it. Aunt Kristen says he already resembles Charlie in the first picture. We're so thankful for God's gift.

(click on the picture to enlarge)

Happy 5 year Anniversary

34 months old - June 16

Yes, very soon I will be out of the months old stage and enter into years. Emily will be 3 this August and I can't believe how the time has flown.

I know they say kids say the darndest things, but you never really understand that statement until you have a toddler around your house. She constantly brings laughter to our house with the things she says and does. For example, one day she was sitting in her car seat preparing to go somewhere and she says "Mommy, I'm worried about you". She never said why she was worried, but the fact that she had that thought made me giggle. Then the other day we were talking about the baby in Mommy's tummy and she said "Mommy, I love you and I love the baby in your tummy". We've been emphasizing what a big helper she's going to be for Mommy so hopefully that sticks.

This year Emily was in the class I co-taught for Vacation Bible School. I was a little concerned how she would do with me as one of her teachers, but I think she did great. She had a blast until story time on the first and second day when Miss Sarah and I brought out the puppet. Emily and another little boy were scared to tears of this puppet. Consequently the puppet was put out of sight the rest of the week.

Daddy and Emily relaxing by the new sandbox. For those with potential ant problems in your sandbox, I read recently that a good home remedy is to sprinkle 1 or 2 cups of dry grits down.

Needle Sized Art

This is incredible!

Needle Sized Art Very incredible story! Not only is this mans art cool but he got a ton of cash for it!

Congratulations Kristen & Jose

This past Saturday was another joyous occasion for the Groff's and Byers'. We were so thankful to be a part of their special day.

We were a little concerned with how Emily would do, but turns out she did better than we expected. She sat as still as could be while Charissa french braided and even trimmed her bangs. She had a blast during pictures. She did her part walking/skipping down the aisle and even rang the bells. She moved to the music with her buddy Kara and when the whole day was over she didn't want to take her "wedding dress" off.

Zoo trip with Mommaw

Emily received an early birthday present from my parents of a zoo pass so we could go before August. We had a lot of fun and of course Emily was ready to pitch a tent right by the pond with the geese and probably would have been content spending the night there. I wish there was some way to convince a child that when you leave a place of fun, that it does not mean you can never go back.

33 months old

Our little toddler has so much zeal for life. You can see it in everything she does. It's neat to see how much excitement shows in every new experience she has. Whether it's digging a hole for a flower or picking rocks out of the garden, she makes it so exciting. Her newest thing of enjoyment is jumping on the mini trampoline we bought mainly for those cold winter days last year and the fun has spilled over to this Summer.

Emily seems to understand that Mommy has a baby in her tummy and she's convinced she's having a sister. We had friends visiting a couple of weeks ago that have a newborn and while Emily was upstairs with Aunt Kristen the baby started crying. Emily's question was, "did Mommy's baby come out?".

Outdoor Fun

Free Stuff for Kids

For those who haven't seen yet, my Sister, web entrepreneur as I call her, has created a website called Free Stuff for Kids. The title explains itself and is a great website for everyone, even those that don't have kids. Check out the site by clicking here for the latest toy giveaway.

Happy Mother's Day

My mother's hands were always there.
Letting me know how much they cared.
They would clean my room and brush my teeth.
Buy me shoes to put on my feet.
Showing me how to plant in the back yard.
Letting me know it wasn't too hard.
Making my dress for the big dance.
Always letting me take a chance.
All the quilts her hands would make.
She would always give and never take.
How talented she is in every way.
I love her more every single day.
My mother's hands have never changed.
Some how they have always stayed the same.
Now they are different in one small way.
They hold her grandchildren when they want to play.
(c) Ellen Shost

I love you Mom! I am truly blessed beyond measure!

And baby makes 4

After many long months of prayer and by the grace of God, I am blessed to be pregnant with our second child. With the miscarriage last year we chose to wait a while before telling anyone. Two weeks ago we were able to share the good news with both sides of our family and our friends. I am now beginning my 4th month and the baby is healthy and growing. We can't say thank you enough to all those who joined us in prayer for this little one.

"Knit away, Lord, knit away."