Branson Getaway

Last weekend we went on a much needed, way too short family vacation to Branson. My grandma and grandpa were so nice as to let us use their condo for the weekend. We left on Friday after Tim got out of class. I stayed home to work, pack and manage the kiddos. As you will notice Addison had some fun with stickers.

Modern technology allows you to be able to work while on the road. Isn't it great, well sometimes. It was nice to be able to leave the house early, but did not necessarily love working the whole way there.

Tim did a good job manning the wheel with one hand. He broke his hand playing softball. Think about it strollers, buckling kids in car seats, picking up kids, diapering babies all can't be done easily with one hand. So we have decided that he can't do this again before vacation! ;)

We arrived about 7:00 on Friday night. We picked up some fast food on the way and had a little picnic on the back balcony. Then we went on a little walk. It was on the walk where I just took a deep breath and thought wow this is relaxing. The weather was perfect and everyone was happy.

The next day we went to Silver Dollar City. We got there when it opened because Tim and I both wanted to ride the new wooden roller coaster. We raced to the back of the park, only taking a few detours. 20 minute wait, well Tim you can just ride. So I walked around trying to find a bathroom, with two kids and two strollers. We saw this pretty lady. Addy wanted a picture. Then wanted a fan just like hers (which we never found).

Lilah started to get fussy, so I moby wrapped her and that made her happy.

After Tim's ride, which he said was awesome, we decided we needed to do some kid friendly things. We were losing them fast so...

We milked cows, 

looked cute,

played with balls,

 played on drums,

 rode a pirate ship,

 and loved it,

and rode the teacups.

After all that fun we decided we would eat lunch and head back for quick naps. It was the BBQ and bluegrass festival that week at Silver Dollar City. We had some great BBQ and listened and danced to some bluegrass music. Then got home for quick naps, which Lilah so kindly did not do. She was apparently still amped up from all the fun.

That evening we went to the Dixie Stampede. We were told we had to be there at least an hour early for the pre-show or they may sell our tickets. Now I will be honest. I was thinking an hour for a pre-show and two hours for the actual show. There is no way these kids will last, but I didn't want to lose our tickets. When you are walking up to the door you pass all the horses in the stables. Addison wanted to ride one so bad. We made it inside and to the juggling pre-show. The father/step-son duo was wonderful. Tim was trying to be a fun dad and bought Addy a night bright red slushy in a boot cup (I disapproved, but oh well). 

Then we finally filed into the actual show. Let me tell you it was AWESOME. We will be returning. We didn't buy a ticket for Addison, but we got lucky no one sat beside us so she had her own seat. Next time we will for sure buy her a ticket. It is a dinner show and the food is all served for you to eat with your hands. That would not have been fun holding a wiggly toddler. Addison was mesmerized the entire show! 

And Lilah slept nearly the whole show, so I got to eat! There was also some standing up and down in the show, which at one point I ended up with that darn red slushy all down my dress and leg. Awesome, Tim, you just had to be a fun dad. ;)

Lilah woke up and was equally as impressed. 

After the show Addison begged us to take her swimming. I love summer and how it stays light for so long in the evenings. She was super excited. 

and ADORABLE!!! 

 Lilah was excited too

 and she absolutely LOVED the water!

The next day we went back to Silver Dollar City. I took my turn riding the roller coaster and I agree, pretty amazing. Then we rode the train. We got one refillable cup with Sprite while we were in the park. Addison had more Sprite than any of us. Haha, her first real pop experience (ie more than a sip) and she was in heaven.  

Addison rode the swings and several of the rides she rode the day before. We walked around tried the food and went home again after naps. This time everyone slept.

 That evening we went to Branson landing to eat Mexican food. Addison got a new necklace, bracelet and coin purse.

Monday we left in the morning, so we could stop at Lambert's for lunch. 

We drank from big cups 

and caught some rolls.

Back in the car. Lilah had her lunch. These pouches are AWESOME. Most of the time I make all of her food, but when we are out she has these little pouches. This weekend she learned to suck out the food by herself. Growing up!

Back home!

That evening Addison insisted on wearing an old pair of her footy pajamas while riding her "Phillipe" around the house.



Addison: 3 Years 6 Months

Addison,

You are 3 1/2. How did it happen? Little girl you are such a delight. You are quickly moving from toddler to girl so fast.

You still tend to be a girly girl. You play dress up and dance and sing nearly everyday. Sometimes when you see everyone watching you, you will try to act shy. You give us a sideways smile, cock your head to the side and pull your hands up to your face. But we all know you love the attention. We went to a store they had a "stage" (area for a tailor to make adjustments). You were quick to do a little song and dance on that stage and since have occasionally told me you need a stage at home. That is what you use our fireplace for. You have also started to make up all sorts of songs. Instead of singing songs that you know, you are now just singing whatever you are doing or a story you are making up.

You are quite the talker with a huge imagination. At night after your bedtime stories we will lay and chat before prayers and songs. You will say "mom, let's just talk". Then you will tell me all sorts of stories. Sometimes things that happened months ago. You will jump from topic to topic and it as if I can see your little wheels turning in your head. It is so fascinating to watch. I know you are stalling bedtime, but I also love this little bonding time we have. Just you and I with no interruptions.

You will start big girl school this June. You are so very excited about this. I am so grateful that you have been able to stay with your loving second mom, Stacy for so long, but the time has come to graduate. You are ready to learn and be in a school environment. I know you will thrive in this environment. You are a sponge right now. Learning is fun and exciting for you.

Highlights and tidbits throughout the past few months-
- You call Romo and Buddy your kids or you will call the kiddos in the nursery your kids. You recently added a Memo ("Nemo") to your group of favorite "kids".
- You are bossy and a leader, the typical first born. I see so much of myself in you.
- You are always mothering others.
- You had your first real playdate (ie not family or one of mom and dads friends). A little girl from your ballet class came over one evening. You two were so incredibly cute, grabbing hands and hugging when she arrived and left.
- We got a trampoline and you love it. Right now the fun game we play on it is "don't let the giant exercise ball hit you". We run around and try to avoid letting the ball hit us. I see many evenings of fun in our future.
- You are hilarious. You always say things that make us laugh. Your stories are funny.
- You are still a sensitive little girl. You get your feelings hurt rather easily and are rather dramatic when you hurt yourself.
- Around January of this year you started disobeying us and Stacy, so we instituted a strict time-out policy. Just a little time out to think about your actions and compose your emotions seems to help.
- Your nightly "thankful" prayer often includes being thankful for mommy, daddy and Lilah. You are so sweet, often telling us and Lilah you love us or we are your favorite.

Addyism's
- One day you told me "Daddy is my best boy"
- Lella bar = Granola bar
- When telling a story you tend to start with "last week"
- Belax = Relax
- My I miscuse = My I be excused
- Edderbody = Everybody
- Mackin = Napkin
- The cat off of Cinderella is LuciPer
- Bad move = bad mood
- Kajama = pajama
- Hadacado = avacado
These are just a few of the funny things you say.

Addison, you are sweet, funny, sensitive, musical, dramatic, imaginative, and just the perfect fit for our family. You are the best big sister, so kind and loving to Lilah. We love you so very much and can't imagine our lives without our little ray of sunshine.

Love you forever and always,
Mommy

Such a big girl now!

Here is are a few videos of you the other night entertaining us on our little family vacation....

I'm an auntie again!

My brother welcomed his baby girl Avery today. We got to go meet her. She is sooooo cute!

Mother's Day Weekend Recap

Friday night we started off the weekend with a date night at the OSU vs OU baseball game.

The next day Tim went golfing and I took the girls to their first parade. They start the parade by handing out ice cream sandwiches. Addison was so mesmerized by the people passing by that she only ate a couple of bites.

By the end of the parade she was less shy and would move up with the other kids to gather candy.

Saturday night, Tim and I had our mother's over for dinner (I failed to capture any pictures of the night). Addison had her first sleep over with cousin Emma though. She was so excited Emma fell asleep long before Addison did.

The next morning it was off to church. We actually got some pictures of everyone dressed up.  

After a quick lunch we headed out to Rooster Day's. Addison and I rode rides, while Daddy watched and Lilah snoozed on and off in the stroller.

Lilah: 10 Months

Little Lilah,

Only two more months and you will be a year old. It is just flying by way too fast.

You weigh 15 pounds and 9 ounces. Apparently with all of your movin' and shakin' you have lost a few ounces. You are still in size 3 diapers and wearing 6 months to 9 months clothing. The weather can't decide if it is summer or winter, so your clothing is different everyday.

You are still loving food and this month you have been exploring lots of new foods. We introduced meat and all sorts of combination foods. I have made you chicken and veggies combinations (broccoli, cauliflower, carrot, corn, peas, and green beans). You have also eaten soft pieces of chicken, fish, and pork. We are still feeding you a food cube puree (fruit or veggies/chicken combination) for your meals, but you are also eating small pieces of whatever we are eating. You are really getting the hang of putting food in your mouth and chewing. We have also offered you a sippy straw cup with water for practice. You are starting to get the hang of it, but you end up pretty wet still.

You are still sleeping through the night and take two naps on the weekends. You had been going to bed very good until the last week. The last week you have been going down for bed and waking up about 15 minutes later. Then you have lots of trouble going back to bed. You will just stand up in your crib with tears streaming down your face until we come back in to get you. Then you hang on to us not wanting us to put you down. At least you are sleeping through the night, so I am not going to complain.

You are moving fast. You crawl where ever you want to go. You are walking along the furniture and from toy to toy. You are ready to walk, but don't quite have the stability yet. You walk behind push toys and holding our hands. A couple of times you have stood independently for about one second. I know it is going to happen soon and we are actually really excited about it. It will be nice for you to be able to walk out on the back porch and deck. The porch is too rough for your knees and I am afraid you will get splinters on the deck. Right now the trampoline is perfect for you! Now if we can just get the weather to stop getting cold.


Highlights this month....

- You started clapping
- You have six teeth.
- Went to your first softball game of the season, and loved all the clapping.
- I took your first Woodward park pictures
- You went to a baby shower for your uncle Matt.
- You are showing signs of waving, but it is not always intentional.
- We bought a trampoline for you and your sister. You love anything that takes you outside.
- You went to your great uncle's wedding.
- You went to watch you aunt Jenny and mom get pedicures.
- You love the swing.
- You might have the start of a small biting problem. You have bitten your mom, dad and sister. You actually left bite marks on Addy. After you chomp down, you quickly flash us your precious smile.
- You like to show off your teeth and scrunch your nose.
- You are really interested in toys, especially your sisters. We brought out all of the play kitchen toys. You and your sister have had fun playing with them. I have found you upside down in the kitchen toy bin though. You were reaching a little too far.
- Since you love playing in Addison's room so much, I put away all of the Polly Pockets and small doll house toys.
- Speaking of doll house, one day you accidentally pushed it over on top of your sister.

Lilah, as I say every month, you continue to be a happy go lucky baby. You are such a delight and loved by everyone who meets you. You always have a smile on your beautiful face, and you are just so happy. We love you little lady.

Love you forever and always,
Mommy