Noodle Fun at ELLA's Daycare

New Home, New Friends & NEW ADVENTURES

We made the move from our little home on 14th to a dream home on Ferguson in NW Salem. When you walk into the new house, you're greeted with beautiful wood floors and an expansive great room where our family spends most of the time. Yes, the new house has an amazing kitchen, closets that dreams are made of and beautiful details throughout, but the most wonderful thing about our new home is our neighbors. When we were just in the consideration stage of the house, we were greeted by two little boys with their goofy grins and charming personalities. Baylen and Clarke have taken Quinn under their wings and have created a very special friendship. Later we learned that Baylen and Clarke also have a baby sister named Reese. Ella and Reese play every day and are so entertaining to watch. Rick & Lyndsay have become fast friends to Adam and I as well. Together our families have made the most of this summer enjoying PJ waterfights in the moonlight, bbqs, boat rides, dance parties, long walks, berry picking, bargain hunting and some great conversations. We feel so blessed to have found this new home, new friends and look forward to all of our new adventures.

Sweet Moments

Easter Fun

Easter was at our house this year.

Special Visitors

We had the honor of hosting some very special visitors. Grandma Helen, Aunt Mo Mo and Uncle Steve all came for a week. Many special memories shared. We are so blessed to have such an amazing family. During the visit we went to a St. Patrick's Day Party in Detroit. Ella took runner up in the best dressed competition and Adam got Bingo - TWICE! He cheats. Quinny got to play with our good lake friends - the Meduri's. We all had a great time!

Special Time with My Boy

With Baby Ella demanding a lot of attention, we are trying really hard to make sure that Quinn knows how much he is loved and appreciated. Here are some pictures from special times carved out of crazy schedules.

Valentines Day 2012

With Chona and new baby in the hospital, we had two special visitors at our valentines dinner - Paul and Layla. Our gourmet meal included fancy grilled cheese sandwiches with gouda and apricots, tomato and roasted pepper soup and special cookies. I tried to also play love songs, but PJ drew the line. We settled for some 80's rock-n-roll.

Holy Temper Tantrum, Batman!

Last night we decided to take the family out to a family dinner at Wallery's Pizza. Quinn spotted the mechanical horse and chicken and immediately wanted to ride. We let him try out each until our number was called. "Dinner time!" When I went to get Quinn off the pony, he threw himself on the ground and began to beat it with his fists and feet - screaming all the while. Faster than fast, quicker than quick Adam swooped him off the floor and to the car they flew. I threw the pizza in some tin foil and grabbed Ella and we were in for the longest 1 mile adventure of our life. On the ride home, Quinn screamed the entire time - "I want my raisen bran." (meaning restaurant, I think) & "I need to listen." & "I want my pizza." The drama did not end when we got home leading Quinn to bedtime early after a tiny dinner and shot with a beer chaser for Adam and I both - helping us calm our nerves.

When Quinn woke this morning, the first words out of his mouth were, "I want my raisen bran!" and he began to cry. It's gonna be a long day. I had better lock the liquor cabinet. :)

So as it turns out, our perfect little boy is in fact far from it! But we love him all the same. I will admit though, that our family dinners out are probably a thing of the past... for a while anyway.

Ella's Progress

12 weeks old
8 lbs, 11 oz

She's on the charts at the 50% all across the board. This is a great and unexpected thing. She is a great eater - every 3 hours and is napping a little longer periods at night. She loves to stare at our ceiling fan and stained glass lamp. Her tongue is really fascinating to her as well. She flops it around in her mouth over and over again.

Stormy January

The rain has been falling (HARD) for weeks now and the river has spilled over in several areas. We were fortunate enough to avoid damage to our store and home, but unfortunately my brother Paul's gas station had a stream running through his lot. They are dealing with the damage now - water in the tanks. We are all praying for a speedy fix.

Ella is growing like a champ. At her last dr. appointment, she was already at the 50% for height and weight. This exceeded everyone's expectations as she wasn't even expected to make the chart at this point. She's a wonderful baby. Smiles often, coos and sleeps like a dream. Last night was our first full night - 7 hours, quick snack and back to sleep for another 2 hours. I can't tell you how great I feel after some quality sleep.

Quinn loves his school. On the ride home, he tells us what he learned, who he played with and that he loves his teacher Betsy. It's so cute. Quinn also loves to help clean and cook. He helps me with every meal and also makes my cup of coffee (Kuerig) in the mornings. It's so much fun to have him help in the kitchen. You should see that boy crack eggs. He's a master!

Adam has been manning the store and is doing a great job. After the crazy holiday season, business has slowed, but remains steady.

I am scheduled to return to work on the 6th of February. I've loved my time at home with the kids, but feel ready to get back on schedule and to reality. I know time will be shortened with the children and that saddens me, but I feel ready to get back in the grind.

Here are some recent pictures of the kids.