Lance's New Job

It's official.  Lance started his new job today as a retail account manager for a seed company.  Here's how his first day went.....

He had to go pick up a brand new truck.  That's it.  That's all he had to do on his first day of work.  Pretty rough, huh?!

The kids would've sat in there for an hour if we would've let them.  They thought it was pretty cool.

Summer Bloggin'

So I've realized that blogging is a great winter hobby for me.  With the warmer weather, we are outside most of the time.  This leads to less picture taking and blogging time.  I've also recently become an Independent Norwex Sales Consultant, so my extra time is taken up by that.  So, I just wanted to let you know that you may not be seeing as much of us through the blog world this summer!

Monkey See, Monkey Do

I heard the water running in the bathroom, and this is what I found:

Sesame Street Live

We decided to go to Sesame Street Live again this year.  Thanks to Cousin T for some free tickets and some discount tickets from Friend S.  We had a great time.  Too bad Papa didn't make it this year.  He was in the field.  

 

Waiting for the show to start!

 

 

 

These two were singing and dancing their hearts out! 

This guy wouldn't take his eyes off the show.  Not even for popcorn!

 

 

She's 3!

At 5:50 PM, my little girl will officially be 3!  Before we had kids, I remember looking at my friends' kids who were around the age of 3 wondering what it would be like to have a kid that age.  It seemed so far away at the time, and in the blink of an eye, here she is! 



Mara is the best big sister.  She is always waiting around for Micah to wake up in the mornings or after her nap.  She is always looking out for him and including him in just about everything she does. 

Mara loves her grandparents.  She asks to go to Papa's just about every day.  She has started to understand what friends are and is always curious about who is going to be at the places we're headed to.

She loves to be outside.  She gets much enjoyment out of helping her Daddy with anything outside.  She loves to play in the sandbox and ride her trike.

She is a social butterfly.  I think it's a fun challenge for her to get every stranger to notice her.  Not always so fun for her momma.  But I wouldn't trade her personality for anything.  She spunky, spontaneous, and fun loving. 

 

We like to celebrate birthdays all day long around here.  We started the morning with birthday confetti pancakes.  With candles and the birthday song of course!

She opened a couple of presents before Lance left for work.

We invited friends over for a birthday play date.

 

We made our friends ice cream cone cupcakes.

Do you think Micah enjoyed his?

Daddy brought these home.

Opened a couple more presents.  This time Micah was awake and got to join in.

And we finished the day with a bike ride and ice cream. 

Happy 3rd birthday, Mara!  Mommy and Daddy love you!

 

 

 

 

Mother's Day

Dear Mom,
There are so many things I really didn't appreciate until I became a mom.  Thank you for staying at home with us when we were growing up.  Being a stay at home mom myself, I really appreciate that sacrifice.  I am very thankful that you are always willing to help me out and love me unconditionally.  It means so much to me that you adore my kids beyond measure.  Happy Mother's Day! 
I love you,
Nicole

Our moms are both out of town, and we all have colds, so our Mother's Day festivities were pretty low key.  I taught Sunday School, and when I got home there was a picnic lunch waiting for me! 

 

Mara and Lance made cookie bars for dessert while Micah was napping! 

I am so blessed to be a momma of two. 

I am so very thankful for this each and every day.

Thankful Thursday

1.  annual garage sale day with my mom and sister - We have memories from each year we've gone.  Cousin G probably made the memory this year by puking in the car.
2.  Mara's birthday party - I love to make their birthday parties special.  I am also thankful for my husband who understands my love for theme parties even if he thinks it's way too much work.  He helps out with no complaining.
3.  Pinterest - lots of birthday party ideas
4.  couple of hours to myself
5.  sunshine
6.  morning walks
7.  girls night out
8.  our sandbox
9.  play date - thankful to have mommy friends with young kiddos
10.  Kleenex with lotion - sure saves little noses from getting so red!
11.  my mom's love and dedication for volunteering in the public education system - We got to attend an awards dinner where she won a 2013 Friends of Education volunteer award.

When my mom went up to get her award, Mara started crying, "No, my gama, my gama!"  I guess she thought they were going to take her!

Mara's favorite part of the night (besides Grandma winning an award) was the sugar cookie she got to decorate.

12.  the farming and livestock opportunities my brother has been given - He so kindly took the kids to feed his new herd of cattle. 

 

 

13.  my parents and their love for our kiddos - not every Grandma goes out in the rain just because a little girl wants to swing!



 

Birthday Girl

When I started planning Mara's 3rd birthday party, I asked her what kind of birthday cake she wanted.  "Horse cake!" she excitedly shouted.  No idea where that came from.  Not her favorite animal.  Never rode one.  Doesn't own cowgirl boots or a hat.  Hmm.  I waited another week, asked again, and got the same answer.  Waited another week and still the same answer.  So....

Grab your boots and hats, this cowgirl is turning 3!  Saddle up and trot this way.  It's a birthday party for Mara.

 

 

 

 authentic decorations with Grandma J and Uncle L's rodeo pictures and trophies

 

 

 

 

extra cowboy and cowgirl attire for the guests who forget to wear theirs

 

 

 

And the guests arrived.....

Great Grandma D and J

Aunt K, Uncle T, Great Grandma K, cousin H and cousin A

Grandpa A, Grandma J, Uncle J, Aunt A, and Cousin L (a bit grumpy)

(still a bit grumpy)

Great Grandma P and Great Grandpa M

Aunt K and Cousins S, E and S

Aunt K and Grandma D double teamed the cake and it was delicious and just perfect, of course!

Micah thought it was his birthday cake.

 

 

Great Grandma D and J got Mara a little dog that moves and barks. 

It was quite a hit with all the kids!

 

My little cowboy.  Can you imagine his Daddy in this outfit?  He once was!

 

 

Dinner menu:

Chuck Wagon Pulled Pork, Buckaroo Baked Beans, Country Cole Slaw, Cowboy Chips, Cowgirl Carrots, Picket Line Pineapple, Sheriff's Strawberries, Giddy Up Grapes, and S'More Pops.

 

 

 

Grandma D and Grandpa G's grand kids (minus Micah who was sleeping)

Grandma J even busted out her buckle!

We are very blessed to have such wonderful family who helped us celebrate Mara's 3rd birthday.  The reality of my baby being 3 hasn't really hit yet.  I still have a few days to prepare!