Happy Birthday, Mema!

Nathan's Mema (his Mom's mom), turned 87 today, so we celebrated at his parents' house. It was a gorgeous day to be outside! We enjoyed turkey burgers for lunch and then had homemade angel food cake with fresh strawberries, raspberries, and cool whip for dessert. I don't have any grandparents left on my side of the family, so I'm grateful that our kids are able to spend time with Nathan's. His Mema and Granddaddy live across the street from his parents, so we get to see them every week. What a blessing it is for our kids to know them!

Jacob with Nathan's AT-AT (from the first time Star Wars came out)

We gave Mema this frame with pics. of the kids in it

Daredevil Emmaline

Jacob wearing his boonie hat from Uncle Andy

Ellie hiding in Papaw's chair

Photos from Iraq

Here are some pictures from when Andy was in Iraq. He is in the middle in the above pic. under some of the squadron patches that he painted.

He also painted this mural (he's in the middle again)

Sandstorm on base

Andy, next to a picture of Sadaam that used to hang in the palace

Happy Memorial Day!

Memorial Day really snuck up on me this year. We didn't have anything planned, but since Andy was home, we decided to have a cook-out with our families. Everyone had a good time visiting and we got to see some of the pics. Andy took while he was in Iraq. I'll put them in a separate post later.

Sibling Totem Pole

Jacob on the porch railing

Aunt Katie, Ellie, and Mimi

Family Photo

The Zoo (again!)

We went to the zoo with my sister, Katie, today. The weather was beautiful and we got to see lots of baby animals. Our pass as definitely gotten a lot of use this year. If you have one and want to go with us some time, let me know.

On the Carousel

Jacob had lots of fun "playing" with this Bonobo

Jacob, Aunt Katie, and Ellie by an elephant

Leaving the Zoo
They just redid the entrance to the zoo, so you park across the street, go across a walkway and use the escalators/elevators to get to the new entrance. It's definitely an improvement from the old one.

Andy's Home!

Andy came home from Iraq today! He's actually been in Qatar for over a week, but it was still nice to have him back in Ohio finally. His arrival made for quite a busy day. We picnicked for lunch, drove to Cincinnati for his arrival. The plane was late flying in, so he didn't touch down until 5 pm. I had a book party to do at 7, so I gave him a quick hug, chatted for a few minutes, and then we hit the road. Nathan actually had to drop me off at my party and then come pick me up later because we were cutting it so close, but thankfully, it all worked out. Here are a few pics. of Andy's arrival. I'll put an album on facebook with the rest of the pics. soon.

Waiting for Uncle Andy

Walking off the plane
Andy is the second from the right

Hugs from Mom

Andy and Alora

Picnic at the Park

Another nice day, another picnic at the park

Jacob

Emmy being silly
She thought it was really funny to peek through the bars and blow raspberries

Ellie

Her smile says it all...we had a great time!

My 32nd Birthday!

I didn't do much for my birthday, which was just fine by me. I lounged around all day in my jammies, took a nap, and read a book...it was very relaxing! Nathan and the kids got me more jammies (I needed them since we are going on vacation soon) and a CD I had been wanting. I also got lots of plants which I have been successful in keeping alive thus far...we'll see how things are next week! Thanks to all for the cards and good wishes on facebook!

I got two fern hanging baskets from my parents,
along with the tea cup planter at the top of this post

This purple plant is from my friend, Jen

And no birthday is complete without Banana Split Cake!
Thanks Mom!

Celebrating in Cincinnati with "The Girls"

For my birthday, I wanted to head to Cincy to celebrate with my sisters (minus 1) and my mom. We ate dinner at Maggiano's, saw "The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past", walked the mall, and finished the evening with Strawberry Chip Ice Cream from Grater's. It was a fun evening and so nice to have some girl time together!

Me, Dee, and Mom
enjoying ice cream at one of the squares in Hyde Park

Dee, Mom, and Katie

My Birthday with Nathan's Family

Tonight we celebrated my upcoming birthday with Nathan's family. We ate pizza and had yummy pies for dessert. It was really nice out, so we spent lots of time outside enjoying his parents' new patio furniture.

Jacob drew me some birthday cakes on the driveway

Ellie made one too (she must have an "impressionists" view of art

Emmaline is ready to watch a show in her favorite chair

Emmy and Papaw on the glider

Mother's Day Celebration

For Mother's Day, we had both sides of the family over to our house for dinner. We made homemade burgers and had lots of yummy things to go with it. Nathan's gifts to me (pictured above) had a pink theme: roses, bag, tissue paper, balloon, pajamas, & waterbottles. We were going to take some family pictures, but right before we took them, Ellie tripped off the bottom step in the front yard and landed head first on the cement sidewalk. Thankfully, she is okay, but the bruise and bump were pretty scary.

Birdhouses painted by Jacob and Ellie

Ellie and Mommy

Emmaline being silly

I didn't even tell him to wear this shirt today!

Jacob and Momma

Jacob and Mimi with her plants

Grandma, Jacob, and Emmy

Mema and Jacob

Ellie's nasty bump...doesn't she look pitiful?!