Slow down the Clock!!

Took the kids out quick this morning to do our 'scale' picture!  I failed to do it last year, and really regret it.  These two are growing up before our eyes, and I should have taken the 20 minutes it would have required and just got it done........but, no sense in living in the past.  We did one this year, that's the important part!!

Some days they really do like each other!  :}

2013, Evan 7 & Ella 5.5

And now for a trip down memory lane.......minus 2012!

2011, Evan 5 & Ella 3.5

2010, Evan 4 & Ella 2.5

2009, Evan 3 & Ella 18 months

2008, Evan 2 & Ella 9 months

Gingerbread Junction

Another year in the books for the Gingerbread Junction!!  The kids have so much fun designing their houses each year........and I enjoy not having to try to make my own house at home......it's a win, win!!

Ella eating more decorations than she puts on........

I even busted Evan eating quite a bit this year.......he's not my 'sweets' kid!

And of course Santa is there.  :}

Beautiful Fall

With all this wonderful weather, I'm reminded that winter is creeping up on us!  :{  I could live year round with fall weather.......but this is Ohio!!

Gorgeous sunrise putting the kids on the bus one morning

Ella working her lemonade stand at the campground........she made a lot of money!!

Which resulted in the purchase of this guy.......my Boo now has her 'Kitty'!!  ;}

He went shopping with me one day when Ella insisted that he ride in the van with us!!

Oh and the FAIR......one day is enough for this momma!!

Ella wasn't 'technically' tall enough to drive her own, but the guy didn't stop her, so she drove!!  And she loved it!!

A little dental work.......this girl loves her candy!!

Picture Day at school........and Ella pouting!

And with camping season winding down, it was nice to have an adult evening and party with Nashville Crush at Huggy Bear.......they were great!!

All the grandkids in Old Man's gorde house.........

First Day of School

Another summer has come and gone.......and the kids are once again back in school!!  Evan is starting 1st grade with Mrs. Tow and Ella is starting Kindergarten with Mrs. Evans!!  Both kids are extremely excited!!  Ella still can't believe she's riding the same bus as Evan and going to the same school as Evan.......and at the same time!!  They both were in pre-school at the same time, but always went different days.........so this new revolution about actually going with Evan has her pretty excited.  :}

I hope they both have great days, make lots of new friends and listen to their teachers!!

Evan (just turned) 7

Ella 5

Evan's Turning 7 !!!!!!

Seven years ago today Joe and I were at home working around the house.  I was inside cleaning and Joe was outside working in the yard.  Knowing we were due any day, we were both pretty excited!!  All the sudden I have the urge to pee.......so I go to the bathroom......and I can't stop peeing!!  Not sure if my water has actually broken or not (first kid here), I called my mom to ask her what it was like to have your water break.  Thankfully she reassured me that it was nothing like in the movies where women stand in a puddle of water.........and since I felt as though I couldn't stop peeing, my water did in fact break!!  So I yell out to Joe that I'm jumping in the shower cause my water broke and I hadn't showered yet and wasn't going to the hospital un-showered.........I mean, come on, who would!!  ;}  So after I get around, and Joe gets around, and we drop our dog off at his mom and dads, we are finally off to the hospital.  Gosh, I sure am hungry........so we pull into McDonald's for a bite to eat before check-in!!  Hey, just because I'm in labor doesn't mean I'm not hungry!!  Plus I wasn't having any contractions at this point, so I figure we've got time.  hahaha

So a couple hours after my water broke we are finally checking into the hospital to have Evan!!  My nurses were not too happy that I had just ate, but I was going to need more than just ice chips people!!  So after about 15 hours of labor......most of which I don't remember......I delivered Evan on August 14th, and our lives have been forever changed!!  Never did I imagine a tiny (well sort of) baby could have such a hold on my heart.  Motherhood is amazing.  Not only do I have the best son ever, I have the greatest husband in the world that made me a mother.......and he also happens to be the best dad ever!!

Tomorrow Evan will turn 7.........seven!!  These past 7 years have flown by.  He is such a great kid and I am so proud to call him mine.  We had Evan's party out at Huggy Bear this year and it was a good time!!  He had some school friends attend, and boy are they ready to get back to school so they can hang out again!!

Happy Birthday Evan........dad, mom and ella love you very much!!

Amazing cake made by my friend Stephanie........always tastes as good as it looks!!  (Don't count the candles......the ball bats were sold in a 6 pack, and I was just too lazy to dig out a 7th candle!)

Present time........Evan got tons of cool gifts from everyone!!

And of course a piñata...........this puppy was tough to crack too!!

Columbus Zoo

The day after our epic walk around Chicago we decided to torture the kids and make them walk around the Columbus Zoo!!  haha  We couldn't have asked for better weather than what we had both days!!  Perfect temps, slight breeze and overcast........quite enjoyable!!  We arrived as soon as the zoo opened, so we stayed a few steps ahead of the crowds, which was awesome!  The kids did fantastic considering this was day two of walking all day......we're just preparing them for our Disney vacation next year!!  ;}  

Ella couldn't pass up on the pony ride!!

We even got Evan to ride one!!

Polar Bears from above......

Polar Bears from below......

Feeding time for this big guy!!

Kids just had to pet the snake........I stayed as far away as my camera would allow.  I'm surprised I even walked into the reptile building!!  Yuck!!

A nice little break on the Carousel.

Dino Island had a fun little ride with all these amazing animated dinosaurs......this one even sprayed water at us!!

I love all the beautiful fish!!

Only one elephant the day we were there!!  :{

Another favorite.......gorilla's!!

Baby gorilla.......adorable!!

The manatee was pretty cool.......and huge!!

Evan pretending he's a cowboy.......just missing the hat!!  lol