Memorial Day

We had a GREAT Memorial Day weekend!! I will share lots of pictures and stories from the weekend in the next post, but this one I just want to dedicate to Memorial Day. I am a big believer in celebrating holidays for their true meaning. Memorial Day also has a very special meaning to Ryan, naturally since he is a soldier himself.

This is a day in which we tried to remember not only the soldiers that we know, but also the soldiers we didn't know who died for our freedom. Ryan has often said that he has the highest respect for men who served in earlier wars because it was a different type of war and fighting. He mentioned that they had to endure so many more hardships and had to have much more courage.

We have always agreed that we want our children to respect many different things...and today was a great opportunity for a lesson. Ok, I know Blake is only 15 (almost 16) months old, but we are starting traditions! Every little bit helps! We went to our local Wake Forest Veterans Memorial. It always seems like there is such a peace at memorials like this. Very nice moment!

Strawberry Picking

It recently came up in conversation that there was a strawberry patch right down the road from us. So I thought it would be a great place for Blake and I to visit. Of course I had to bring along an expert...Memommy!! :)

 

 

Blake really likes eating strawberries that we get from the grocery store, so I figured that he would enjoy this outing. What I didn't know is how much he would LOVE it. Boy, oh boy! He strutted his stuff into the field like he knew exactly what he was about to do.

 

 

 

The second he saw the first strawberry he was off! He grabbed it and it went straight to his mouth. HAHA! From the one he stuffed his face. They probably should have charged me based on his before and after weight.

 

 

 

 

To begin with, I was a little worried we would never get a bucket full. Haha. Luckily Blake got full after a while and he finally started to help picking. He and Memommy ended up picking two full buckets (about 11 pounds!) Wow! We all left fat and happy!

 

 







Bulls Baseball

I don't remember if I shared part of mine and Ryan's anniversary gift to each other, so forgive me if this is somewhat of a repeat...

We both love baseball and we wanted to go to lots of baseball games this season, so we purchased aseason firework "package". Basically its 10 games that we get to go to.

We have already been to 3 games or so,  and I have neglected to post pictures. GASP! :) Here ya go!

I believe this was from the first game that we went to.

 

Even at a Bulls game we are still UNC fans! Go Heels!

 

We have also had rained out games...

We still have lots of games to go during this summer. Still lots of fun ahead!

Happy Mothers Day

This is such a special day!! As a mother, I feel as though this day is just a day of appreciation...for all of the hard work we do each day. To be honest, being a mom is just dirty work. Most days I am up to my elbows in diapers, food, dirt, bath water, and toys. The really bad feeling is when you go to work and you smell poop.... then you have to run to the bathroom to make sure its not on you somewhere. LOL!

This year is my second Mother's Day, but it has been the most deserved so far! Our family has had SO much going on this year with moving and Ryan switching jobs. Most of that required me to be a "single mom" while we were in transitions. Whew... let's just say that I am worn out. ALL THE TIME...

Thankfully Ryan and Blake are always quick to praise my hard work and tell me what a good job I am doing. They REALLY made me feel special today. I woke up to a vase of fresh flowers with pictures of Blake around them. Ryan explained that he had a gift from him and that there was a gift for Blake. My gift from Ryan was a gift certificate to Massage Envy to get a facial or a massage. Thank you, Hubby!! Relaxation time! YAY!

Then the boys said that my gift from Blake was outside. That made me a little nervous. I never know what they are up to! :) I went outside and saw a brand new bicycle with an infant seat on the back. Smiles all around! Ryan had just fixed up a bike for himself and he wanted me to have one too. My new bike is beautiful! The infant seat is pretty nice too... Blake will be all comfy on our family rides.

After breakfast, I tested out my bike...just to see if I could still remember how to ride. Haha. Then we put all of our little helmets on and we did a little ride down our path. I couldn't see him, but Ryan (who was riding beside us) said Blake was all smiles and laughing. Yay again! I was so scared that I would topple over with Blake or that he would scream and not like it. Luckily all went well and we are ready for family bike rides in the future!

It has been the best Mother's Day. I love being a mom so much. I know that it is such an important role to have. I am just at the start of it. I have a lot of responsibility on my shoulders in raising my family, and I am so ready!!! There is nothing better than being a mom to my little man. I don't know how I got so lucky to have him...but I am beyond grateful.

Pre-Tot Lawn Care

We are absolutely loving our new yard. We have also had to be very patient. The new lawn must be watered and it must be mowed. Blake is clearly taking these responsibilities very seriously! :)

 



Meet In The Street

Wake Forest has this festival type celebration on the first Saturday of May. My family has gone for YEARS. In fact, when I was little I used to perform with my dance team at these little events.

This year Blake and I went with my mom and Taylor. Ryan had to work his National Guard weekend.

We got to walk around and see all of the little vendors. Normally I would like to stop and look at all the crafts, but Blake didn't really give us that option. He was ready to explore!! He really liked checking out the Fire Truck and he LOVED the live music. He would stop and just dance until the songs switched. He seriously had a blast.

The best part was that so many people stopped to give him attention. What proud mother doesn't like random strangers stopping to brag about her son?!?!?! :) I even saw some of my students. Blake just smiled and waved at all of them.

Seriously such a great part of my day!!!

 

Big Boy Blake

We have a full blown 15 month old boy on our hands!!! After Blake turned 1, he turned into such a little boy! He grew up over night! I can't believe it.

• His favorite place to be is outside. He begs to go outside and play all the time.
• He can do "High 5's"
• He gives kisses upon request. Just be warned...they are open mouth kisses!!! Haha!
• He loves to wrestle with his daddy. The only problem is he has started trying to wrestle his friends at Ms. Dawns house too. Oops.
• He clearly tells you when he doesn't like something. Oh my word!
• Eats everything... new favorite = strawberries