VISIT TO NEBRASKA

At the end of May, we visited Nebraska to see most of Mike's relatives. It is always really nice to go down there and catch up with everybody and to see Rayn interact with all of her family that she doesn't get to see very often. While we were there we enjoyed a visit to Grandma Eiko and Grandpa Don's house, we had a dance party with Grandpa Mike and Grandma Lisa, and a barbeque for everyone to come and visit and enjoy each other's company.

Making my new favorite breakfast: Sprinkle pancakes with Grandpa Mike.

Playing pink legos (who knew?) with Aunt Danielle.

Let the dance party begin. Or as Rayn called it, the PJ Party!

Uncle Chuck, Uncle Jim, Mike, and Grandpa Mike

Grandpa Don, Grandma Eiko, and Rayn

Aunt Mary and Rayn

The Dance Party with Grandma Lisa

Saying goodbye to my Aunt Danielle :(

2 SUCCESSFUL B-DAY PARTIES

All in the same day of the cooking class at Eckert's, we had two birthday parties to go to over an hour away. These birthday parties were celebrating my Grandma Anne-Marie who turned 80 years old in May. What an accomplishment to say that you have lived 80 long years. Happy Birthday to one of the prettiest 80 year old woman I have ever met! 


The next birthday party was my Aunt Mary Jo's 50th birthday party. What a wonderful aunt she has always been to us as we were kids and still as all of us grow into mature adults. My Aunt Mary Jo and I are both teachers in an elementary school and often have very similar stories to share about our wonderful teaching experiences. 


Lastly, the best part of this day was how all of the little ones got to enjoy each other all day and play! All they did was play all day long. What a life, huh? 

WARNING: Extremely long post, so don't get too bored! :)

Benson does not enjoy having his picture taken, so I always get so excited when I get a good one of him!

These three are not related are they? How could you tell?
(My dad, his uncle, and his brother)

My beautiful Grandma and her brother!

My sweet girl, contemplating her next move. :)

This is the sweetest picture EVER! This is three generations of hands here. My dad are the dark set of hands, my Grandma with the painted fingernails, and my niece, Caden! I love this picture and all it represents!

Jadyn and Rayn having a great time on the trampoline!

Who would have thought, a couple of dump trucks, a couple of cars, and some mulch would have entertained this long? 


Let the adult party begin!

LOVE THIS PICTURE OF MY SISTER AND ALL OF OUR COUSINS!

COOKING CLASS WITH CALLEIGH

In May, yes I am finally caught up to May. Which means, I am almost done! :) I have to admit though, catching up on these posts really does help me sit and reminisce about all of the memories that I have created with Rayn, and all of the joy and laughter she brings to our lives on a daily basis. (If you are a mom and reading this, you know, as well as me, that not every day is joyous; however, looking at these pictures helps remind you of how joyous times can be and to forget the things that are bothering you.) 


So, for the first time ever, I signed Rayn and I up for a Mommy & Me cooking class at Eckert's. This was the first thing that we did together this summer. I went in with we will see how she does here. Well, during the class we only had one meltdown, but after a short minute, she was just fine. Overall, I would say that it was a huge success and she really liked it, as a matter of fact, I am going to look and see what is next on the list at Eckert's for a kids cooking class. 


PS: Rayn is going through what I call a "scaredy-cat" phase where she is scared of everything. So, the meltdown was about the noise that the blender made when people pushed it down. Part of the participation in the class, was the kiddos were allowed to blend their own smoothies. Eventually, Rayn decided that she didn't want to be the only without so she got over it and was extremely proud of herself (I was, too) for overcoming her fear. 

Saying goodbye, class was fun! The girls even potted their own tomatoes plants to grow at home and ours has doubled in size! Rayn is so good at remembering to water it everyday. 

SOOOO EXCITED!

Rayn: "Look mommy, mommy look, I did it!" (She was so extremely proud of herself.)

"MMMmmmm...tastes so good."

Someone better hurry up because I think there patience is wearing thin.! :)

HAPPY EASTER 2012!

This year we celebrated Easter by going to church with what Rayn calls her "Grandma Jane and Papa Mike." Then we went back to their house and had a big brunch and hunted Easter eggs. This year Easter egg hunting was a big hit for her because she was very into it. She got a piece of candy or a number (the number got you a special prize, and the anticipation of that was...ohhh so exciting) in every Easter egg. Below you will see pictures of her and all of her cousins hunting eggs. 

"Watch out, Daddy, I found an egg!"

Rayn and her sweet little cousin, Caden!

Benson and his basketful of eggs. I snuck a picture of him. :)

"Coop-Coop" (as Rayn calls him) looking for his eggs!

As I get ready for the next post, I admit my biggest regret. I look at the pictures and realize that the pictures from her 3rd birthday party, in February, are the last pictures that I have from her since Easter. I  am normally so good about taking pictures, I am not so sure what happened. I feel like I lost a couple months of her life, even though I do realize that I have mental pictures, but they just are not the same. 


Enough of the saga....For Rayn's 3rd birthday party this year, we decided that we would just have a little family get together. We informally invited the immediate family over and Rayns girlfriend, Calleigh. We created a craft table, which she loves to do "Crafts." (if you have heard her say that word, you are smiling right now) We also, just let them all run around in Rayn's room. Daddy made Rayn her most requested meal: grilled chicken thighs/legs, fried rice, and steamed broccoli. We got her an ice cream cake and I think that she devoured the whole slice that we let her have!

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY, SWEET GIRL!  You have made the last three years the most enjoyable three years of your mommy's life. You are the only person in the world that can make your mommy soo happy, sad, and excited all within five minutes! I love the little girl that you are developing in to. Lastly, know that no matter what I am so extremely proud to be your mommy and I can not wait to see what the future holds for you! 

SOOO SLEEPY

My sweet little girl sleeping in her toddler bed. She used to sleep like this all of the time! She doesn't look comfortable at all, but it is what she liked. I will definitely post another picture of her and the new way she likes to take over her whole big girl bed now!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

For New Year's Eve, we decided to spend the evening at home together as our little family. We let Rayn stay up as late as she wanted. Her and daddy made popcorn, and she got to pick the movie. Well, as you can see this is how the night ended up at 9:30. Rayn thought it was really cool to get to lay with mommy on the couch and spend the evening up with her mommy and daddy. She was so excited for awhile, I think she just wore herself out!