Halloween

I know...I know...it has been a RIDICULOUSLY long time since I have blogged, but trust me, it is not because I haven't wanted to!  'Swamped' doesn't begin to cover what we have been since school has started this year, but hopefully, I'll be able to catch up.  We had a great Halloween weekend!  Jakob was decided on his costume month ago.  It was really fun to try and fit Lily into his scheme since she doesn't care still.  I know that those day are coming to an end!  So, we had Mario and Baby Toadstool this year.  We decided to take a cue from the youth at our church and 'reverse trick-or-treat' this year.  With the craziness of our schedule this fall, we have been blessed with friends and family who have loved us, covered for us, helped us, and just plain put up with us!  It was a really great time hopping from house to house to say, "Thanks!" 

Mario and Baby Toadstool

Yes, it was a bit hard to hold up!

Sweet Lily Bug

One excited Super Mario

MeeMaw and the kiddos

Sweet Anne and her (unpictured) parents, Dug and Cherie

Trick or treat, Joy!

Tracy, Joy, and their adopted kids

Jakob and two of his favorites, Megan and Molly

Plus Lily

Jakob and Aunt MerMer, the iPod

Jakob, Lily, and our other two children, Barclay and Bryce



Happy Fall!

Really? Preschool?! REALLY!!!???

Tomorrow, my sweet baby boy starts preschool!  AH!  I thought I was so okay until tonight as we were working on his first 'homework' assignment.  (Details to follow!)  I listened to him go on and on and on and on about how excited he was to meet new friends, 'get comfortable' with Mrs. Gassiot, and do more homework.  He is so smart.  So kind.  So creative.  So funny.  So loving.  So big.  I broke all of the 'rules' tonight and laid with my big boy until he fell asleep.  He held my arm like he always has and rubbed it until he was dreaming away.  Before he drifted off, though, he said, "Mom, I think I might miss you tomorrow.  Will you wait in the parking lot for me?"  I am so very blessed, but tonight, I am 'that mom.'  Kind of sad.  Kind of excited.  Incredibly proud.  Clearing off the camera card for a gaggle of pictures tomorrow morning.  You know, totally normal.

Mansion Next to Yours

Oh, how I wish I had more time to write tonight, but this is all I've got, and I don't want to forget this story.  Tonight in the Market Street parking lot as I was buckling Jakob into his seat, he grabbed my hand and said, "Mom, when I grow up I want to be a designer."  "What do you want to design, buddy?  What kind of designer?" I asked.  He replied, "I want to design houses.  One for me, a little one for Lily, and a humongous one for you and dad. I will put them all in a row so we can live next door to each other.  Then, I will come over and eat your food."  That settles it...we're building a family compound.

Good Cop, Bad Cop

Okay, maybe good mom, bad mom!  When Jakob turned 1, I was planned and stressed to the nines!  However, I only sent e-mail invites 48 hours before Lily's party.  Last minute?  I think, yes!  However, Jakob's party was two months ago, and I have not posted a single picture from it.  Lily's party is being at least partially posted THE DAY OF her party!!!  It all evens out, right?!  Let's all pretend the answer is "yes!"

Our precious birthday girl!

...and her daddy who bought himself a birthday gift that matched the festivities!

We had to move Jakob's birthday party in May at the very last minute because of a drenching rain storm that ruled out our backyard.  Guess what it has done all day?!  That's right!  It rained!  Even though we were rained on a bit during the party as well, we didn't let it drown our spirits!

Time for gifts!

Aww!  Sweet baby!

I dare you to say "no" to these beautiful blue eyes!

The cake saga...my beautiful friend, Joy, again helped me with the cake for my children.  (Just wait until I finally post pictures of Jakob's cake!)  Last night when we went to bed, everything looked great!  This morning, however, the strawberry ladybugs had oozed, peed if you will!  :-)  Oh, well!  It all makes for a memory, right!  Lily certainly didn't care!  See below...no captions necessary.

Disclaimers:  no child, especially Lily Hope Hardy, was injured in the eating of this cake.  Also, no adult hand helped decorate the aforementioned child.  Thank you.

After her bath, the black icing was still oozing from her nose!  Ha!

One partied out little lady bug.

Happy Birthday, Lily love...how blessed we are and how loved you are.  Sleep well, my Lily bug.

Happy Birthday, Lily Hope

Happy Birthday, our little Lily Bug.  Enjoy your cake!