Most Recent News, and No It's Not Another Baby!

After my post earlier today, I realized I never made a post about our most recent good news! Daddy got a new job! well, technically a new position! He has worked his way to a field supervior and gets to actually use some of the things he learned while getting his Business Management degree. He began in March and we both seem to be loving it. His days off are Sunday and Monday, it kinda stinks that he works Saturday, but 2 days off in a row is better than what he had before! Also on Saturday he gets to work from home! The job is very laid back and flexible with our schedule (most of the time). I'm so glad to see him succeed after all the hard work he's done in manual labor the last several years!

Summer is Coming!

Or maybe it's already here!! I fear that it is going to be another very hot summer around here. Although our lives seem to slow down in the summer, the past few days have had me looking forward to winter! :) Okay, not really, but I would have at least liked a little bit of 60-65 degree "Spring Time" temps! Lately we have been hitting the zoo twice and week. Today after the 90 degree temp and horrible humidity (Yes Jess, for a while I thought I was visiting you)we took our first trip of this year to the pool. Rachel loved it, and Noah wasn't so sure. Hopefully he warms up to the water soon! If it's hot, we will be in the pool quite a bit this summer!

Easter 2012

For as long as I can remember my family has gone to Granny's for the Easter holiday. Fortunately we were able to go to GGma and GGpa's this year too! Rachel liked the egg hunts, but Noah LOVED them. He walked around picking up eggs like there was nothing else on the planet to do! It was a GREAT first egg hunt experience for the little guy!I think Rachel had the most fun playing at GGma's later in the day. As seen in the pictures, Rachel made a new friend! My cousin Richard was in town visiting over the holiday weekend. He brought his girlfriend, Alissa, and her two kids, Noah and Landry (sp?) When we got to GGma's Rachel and Landry had on the same dress. Later that night at bedtime Rachel assured me that Landry was her best friend, and she "couldn't take her dress off and that she wanted to wear it tomorrow so she could match Landry!" It was great to meet them and see Richard since we don't get to very often. Now I'm looking forward to seeing Dacia this weekend! Hope everyone had a great Easter! We did!

Talker #2!

Noah has just recently (the past month) began to say more words. Some are regular while some are only occasional and although there aren't very many they still "count" as talking!

The regulars: jack, peasss (please) dog, up, thanks (not thank you, simply thanks!) uh-oh!, uh-huh, daaaad, this, that, and grampa (grandpa)

The occasionals: nack (snack), duck, ma-ma, boon (balloon), sue (shoe) ock (sock)

I'm sure there are others that I can't think of right now, but at least I've documented a few! My "baby" is growing up!

Finger Painting Fun!

It had been a while so we pulled the finger paints out today! This was Noah's first time and he was a little unsure of what to do. But leave it to Rachel to show him how! Shortly after the fun they enjoyed a much needed bath!

Rachel Recap

It's been quite some time since I really had any updates on Rachel. It seems we are out of "major" milestones such as walking, talking, etc so everything seems to just kind of flow and be "as expected." however, I wanted to document some things I'll want to remember in the future about her hobbies and interests, as well as things she is able to do at her age.

Her biggest toy fav is anything to do with the Disney fairies! Not only in toys, but her room decorations as well. We recently moved a twin bed into her room and she was able to pick her bedding. She adores the tinker bell bed set and uses the excuse of being cold so she can bring the comforter out to the living room to use. Her communication and comprehension skills continue to improve. She is quite the little negotiator, and tells us exactly what she thinks WHEN she thinks it. Example: at Christmas aunt Jenn bought her a pair of Disney princess light up tennis shoes. Upon opening them she yells... " I don't want this kind, I wanted fairy ones!" there are many times she says embarrassing things, just as this, but I guess we are blessed she can communicate, we just heed to work on some manners! Recently she has become interested in "dress up" and "pretend" activities.. Noah just doesn't really like being a princess so she especially likes when Kate comes over for the fun. Even though Noah doesn't enjoy "dress up" they really play pretty well together...if you think torture and playing have the same meaning! :) the two of them know exactly how to push each other's buttons, but then again, what siblings don't?! Rachel loves to finger paint, blow bubbles, read books, play with her new leapster explorer ( a new Xmas present from ggma and ggpa), and watch movies. (Amongst her favorite are Gnomeo and Juliet, Tinkerbell, Beauty and the Beast, and The Little Mermaid.) favorite foods now a days include "dough bread" ( she calls homemade bread dough bread) corn dogs, Mac and Cheese, peas, and if she asks for a cookie she PREFERS an Oreo...well really 2!

Rarely is there a day she doesn't get a spanking...she is DEFINiTELY my challenge, but she does have a sweet spirit as well...even if we don't see it all the time. She still is truly one of the greatest blessings of my life.

Gingerbread House Making 101

Aunt Krista organized a gingerbread making activity at Gma and Gpa Oakley's a few days before Christmas. Tons of fun for everyone!