A Wild Time at the Indianapolis Zoo

On Thursday I took the boys to the Indianapolis Zoo. We had a great time checking out the animals and at the splash pad. Peyton's favorite animal was the tiger, Brady's was the tiger and the elephants, and Mommy's favorite was the giraffes. It was hot but Mommy enjoyed a good day with her boys.

A Message for My Daddy

Love, Rylee
(This picture is just because I'm so stinkin' cute.)

Missing my boys. . .

If you're looking for funny, pick me up blogging this is not the blog you are looking for. . .at least not today. Don't worry, no serious tragedy or deep depression just a mama missing her baby boys (good thing Peyton can't read or I would soooo be in trouble for calling him my baby boy) and her wonderful husband. They've been gone a week now. FYI-for those of you who don't know our story: My husband is the camp director at a cub scout camp in Indianapolis every summer so we relocate up there. I had to stay a few weeks for training and Rylee stayed with me. Anyway, I enjoyed the peace and quiet for about 24 hours. . .now, I'm soooo over it.

Here's my top ten list of what I miss most:
10. The Wiggles, Little Einsteins, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, etc. playing in the background of my life.
9. Brady parading through our house in some conncoction of an outfit he has put together: plastic bucket as hat, Superman cape, and my shoes on his feet.
8. Drinking coffee with Peyton 7. Laughing with my hubby about silly things
6. Brady shaking and pointing his finger at me and firmly stating "No, No, Mama, No, No!"
5. Watching movies or TV with Jon
4. Seeing the boys doing their best to entertain Rylee and make her laugh; nobody makes her giggle like the two of them.
3. Hearing Peyton say "I love you, Mom" at totally random times.
2. Brady getting up early in the morning with me, sitting on the counter while I make his chocolate milk and my coffee, and then sitting in the recliner together.
1. Hugs. . .from all three of them.

Ok, I'm done now! Love you guys and at this time next week I'll be in Indiana with the boys!

Island Babies

We spent our Memorial Day weekend on Little Gasparilla Island this weekend at my aunt and uncle's beach house (Thanks Jacque and Guy) with Grandma, Ryan, Stacy, Madison, and Maci. We had a very relaxing time. Brady is definitely a beach bum-He loves the sand, sometimes a little too much but he has so much fun. Rylee liked sleeping on the beach and Peyton, by the 3rd day, liked playing in the gulf. My husband has also decided he could live the island life-too bad they don't have an island school we could teach at.

Music in the Park

On Saturday night the California Toe Jam Band was playing at the Hammock. My cousin Jordan is a member of the band so my mom and I took the five kids out there to listen. It was apparently a very popular idea because it was very crowded. The whole middle grassy area of the parking lot was full! Luckily, my Aunt Cathy and Uncle Bob are "with the band" and staked out front row seats so we had great seats for the music. The kids enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and dancing to the great music.

End of the Year Program

Peyton, Brady, and Rylee's end of the year program was last Monday. Peyton was in his element singing and even dancing a little to several songs. My favorite was "Every Move I Make" (I make in Jesus). Brady sang "The Wheels on the Bus." Now, in the last six months I've tried to sing this song several times with Brady and he screams "NO, MOMMY, NO" every. single. time. Then he gets up there last Monday and sings every word and does every motion! Oh my Brady! Rylee and her class rode around in the stroller and each baby was a different color crayon. Rylee was brown (with a little pink thrown in for good measure).

Busy Weekend

I've been a blog slacker lately but this weekend has given me plenty to blog about. Jon's parents were down from Indiana for a visit so on Friday night Jon took me to Olive Garden for my Mother's Day dinner. Then we enjoyed a night staying at the Chateau Elan. Yes, we stayed at a hotel in our hometown but we had a gift certificate and it was kind of nice to get away even if it was only for a night and only 10 minutes away.

Saturday was very hot but we braved Cypress Gardens anyway. Thank goodness for the water park!

Sunday was busy. Rylee was dedicated at church. Our church does them once a year on Mother's Day and helps us as parents make a public declaration that we will raise our child in a Christ-centered home. We then headed to lunch at my Aunt Becky's house. Then home for naps (one for Mommy too-that was one of my wishes for Mother's Day). What a blessing it is to be Mommy to my three beautiful children.

Rylee's Baby Dedication

Madison, Brady, & Maci playing in the sand at Aunt Becky'sTwo Beautiful Girls on the dock.My boys at Cypress Gardens