Holidays in Missouri

We spent about a week and half in Missouri.  We had lots of fun.  We did our normal yearly events as usual.  Biggest differences were the addition of our new sister, Sally and wedding planning for Jessica and AmberDee (Josh's cousin's fiancé).  We had a blast and are looking forward to it again next year!

Visiting Grandma

Snow day!!! Landon's first snow man :)

Missouri Christmas- Our 3rd Christmas celebration

Second snow day! We got lots of snow fun in while visiting ;)

We rang in the new year at Grandma Williams house, which is where we general stay when we go to Missouri.  She was in the nursing home the whole time unfortunately.  Sally bought Josh some birthday wine.  The girls drank the Lambrusco (1 of the only 2 red wines I really enjoy) while the boys enjoyed Apothric Red.  We all enjoyed Uncle Mark's annual trumpet playing of Auld Lang Syne.

Happy New Years! Happy Birthday to my Love!

Just as every year, we headed over to the Strattons for some family, food and football time on New Years Day. As always it was lots of fun!

Aunt Christie and Uncle Steve's for our annual seafood New Years Celebration!! 

New Years Day Fun

Brother and Sister 

Silly faces! Silly couple!

Sally, Jamiie and I decorated Cody (and in April- Jessica's) apartment.  Jessica was sick so she missed out on helping :(.  After Aunt Christie's we all went to Cody's for a little surprise party for Josh.  He was quite surprised.  Thanks Cody for letting us use your apartment!!  Thanks sister for your help getting everything ready!!

Surprise!!!! Happy Birthday Josh!!  

 AmberDee and Christopher (One of Josh's cousins) recently were engaged.  The sisters were able to join her for some wedding dress shopping. What fun!! She is going to be a beautiful bride!  Thanks AmberDee for including us in the celebrating!!

Sisters!

Sally had dyed her hair before Thanksgiving.  She brought her dyes, pink, purple, green and blue with her so Jamiie, Sally and I all dyed our hair.  It was fun!

Tie Dye hair adventure.  Thanks Sally for dying Jamiie and my hair!

Visiting with Grandma.  They had a cool castle play house at the Nursing home.  Landon is showing Grandma his tricks :)

I thought this was a "must have" picture.  ;) 

On the way to and from Missouri we got lots of indoor swimming time.  The hotel we always stay at has a indoor swimming pool.  Landon and Arabella love it.  Landon even remembers now, so when we talk about visiting Aunt Jessica he asks if we will be swimming.  He was very excited this year weeks before we left Gainesville.  

On the way home.  My travel packs for the kiddos were quite the hit, thankfully. Plus I have great little travelers!  Once back at the Williams, Arabella and Landon were quite tucked out from 2 days of traveling.  

Christmas Paintings

I painted several Christmas themed pictures for gifts this year.  I plan on trying to sell my paintings soon.  But for now and I am sure in the future I love making them as gifts.  Let me know what you think of them.  

My Surprise Birthday Present

I realized somehow I failed to mention my awesome surprise birthday present from my husband.  

He came home from work at lunch time a couple of weeks before my birthday.  He ran in, grabbed something to eat quick and then ran outside.  He yelled from the door for me to bring him something.  So I run to get it, run to the door, walk outside.....to find a van!  We have been wanting a van and looking for one for many months with no avail.  Well he found one on Craigslist, listed with incorrect spelling so the guy selling his company van hadn't had offers on it.  Josh got a great deal on it and I love my van!  It is so nice and roomy compared to our little 2 door Honda Civic that I love but is just entirely too small for a family of 4 with 2 big dogs and 2 cats.  

Both kids love it but Landon considers it a birthday present to him as well.  He really Loves it!

So happy birthday to me from the best husband!

Birthdays!!!!!!!!!!

I love September. Well I might be a little bias... it is my birthday month and the month that I first held my first child for the first time.  Landon and my birthday are 5 days apart and I love it.  I also love September because the day after my birthday is Autumn my favorite month. 

This year Landon choose a Batman birthday theme.  Not really what I wanted him to pick but I went with it.  I was surprised he picked it because he has never watched Batman and doesn't even have a Batman toy (although now he has lots (;  ).  Landon helped a lot in the planning, I have to say he is quite the planner.  He knew what he wanted to eat, what decorations he wanted, what kind of dessert and who he wanted to invite.  I helped offer some suggestions but it was mostly his ideas. 

I thought it would be fun to have the kids dress up so we edited the theme to be Batman's Superhero Party.  I loved the costumes!  I think I will be encouraging my children for more dress up themed parties.  Arabella went as Sailor Moon.  Sailor Moon is a Japanimation or Anime Super hero that was my favorite growing up. I made Bella's costume. Landon went as Batman, of course.  My parents, Josh and I bought the different parts to Landon's costume.  I was Catwomen and Josh was Joker, per request of our son-Batman. 

The Super Heroes (and Joker)

 Thank you everyone who made Landon's birthday special!!!

Party Time!

 The Joker had captured some of our little Super heroes (seen in lower right hand corner) so all the BIG super heroes had to brave past THE JOKER and bring the little super heroes to the safety of Mrs. Victoria ;)  The kids had fun!

Save the Super Hero Game!

Birthday Boy and His Cake and Cupcakes!

 Mommy and Batman's Party back home with our family at Uncle Jon's and Aunt Merry's.  I was surprised with the most amazing chocolate raspberry cake made for me by my sister, Merry.  It was the best cake I have ever had!  Although the trip home included leaving a day late (due to sickness and just too much to do), loosing Reesie for 4 hours in Tallahassee (Josh stayed behind to look for her and thankfully he and Sally found her), Jon driving to Tallahassee to pick up Josh, and a whilwind trip home in general, Landon and I did have a great time celebrating our birthdays and so thankful we have an amazing family to celebrate with!

The Super Heroes, Cat Women, and Joker

Cake, Presents and Play Time!

We also enjoyed celebrating a family friend's birthday.  Emma turned one! 

We were excited to celebrate with her and family and friends!

Father's Day

Silly dress up fun with Daddy, Photo edit fun with Mommy ;)

Josh is an amazing father. We are so blessed to have him in our lives.  I love that Josh is not just a great father in his actions and thoughts.  He always is trying his best to be the best father he can be at work, home or wherever he is.  We spent Father's Day going to church, and just relaxing with the family (one of Josh's favorite things to do).  It was a good day to relax because Josh has been working 12-15 hour days 6 day a week and I have been pretty busy nannying and being alone most nights because of Josh working.  

The kids and I made Josh a father's day shirt, got him some Sponge Bob and Batman boxers (Landon was super excited about Daddy getting Batman boxers because he had just gotten Batman pjs from my parents) and Landon and I did one of the questionnaire cards for Josh.  

The questions on the card and Landon's answers are underlined. Some of his answers had Josh and I laughing pretty hard.  For the height and weight we measured Landon, Arabella and I so that Landon could have a reference on what our height and weight were.  We also talked about how Landon and Arabella weren't as different as Landon and Mommy.  I think he did pretty good a guessing for a 3 year old ;)

My Daddy's name is Joshua.

He is 3 years old, 123 inches tall, and weights 150 pounds.

His favorite food is spicy stuff.

My daddy is really good at painting, puzzles, and painting puzzles.

He loves to play.

My favorite thing too do with my dad is play puzzles, trains, blocks, and gears, Snuggle with Dado.

 I'm just like my dad because I am  the same color as him. (He then asked me what color that was )

What I love most about my daddy is how he makes dinner for me

It makes Dad happy when I am able to do something myself

Love Landon

Thank you, Josh, for being a great example to my children, a wonderful leader of our household and just a great guy to have around.  WE LOVE YOU!!!!

Happy New Year and Happy Birthday Josh!

 New Years was spend at our house and with the Bolins and Sally.  We had a video game night.  While the little boys were awake they played Mario or Wii Play.  Once they went to bed we all played game show video games.  It was a fun, quiet evening with great friends. 

Playing the PS3

Making homemade Pizza

The boys had fun dressing up.

Our cheap champagne that was yummy tasting, I only had a few sips.

New Years/ birthday kiss for my wonderful husband

Happy Birthday to an amazing father and husband, Josh!

Josh's family bought him a receiver (for our entertainment center) for his birthday.  It happened to come a day before his birthday while he was gone (He was pet/house sitting for friends of ours and he had spent the night there).  I let the Williams know it had arrived and asked them if they wanted me to wrap it.  Before I did I had a great idea of surprising Josh.  I called back Dad Williams and asked him if he liked the idea, he did.  I called Josh to see how long until he came home and tell him the receiver had "stopped working and I needed hep to get it to work so the boys and I could listen to some music." He had just left so that would mean I should have 15-20 minutes. My story wasn't really that far fetched since we had been having problems with our old one.   As quickly as I could I unpacked it, unplugged (ALL the wires) and moved the old one.  In the meantime, Landon and Zach seem to need just about everything, so it was quite the tasks.  I also unplugged our computer (Thankfully we have a Mac and I only have to move a big screen) and called with Skye the Williams family who was visiting in Missouri with the rest of the family.  After I got them on and Zach and Landon said their hellos to everyone, I muted them and minimized the screen and set up the video camera.  Right as I finished, Josh walked in the door.  He went over to our cabinet with the electronics and opened the door.  He looked at the receiver for a second very confused before he realized it was a new one.  His reaction was perfect considering everyone was "watching" in Missouri.  I unmuted it, everyone said their hellos, and he got to say his thanks and share his surprise.  The best part was, this was the same day Josh surprised me with my scrapbooking day.  It was great!

Josh went out for a couple of hours with some guys friend to enjoy a birthday drink and some guy time.  While he was gone Landon and I had fun making him a birthday card.  Landon picked out the stamps and colors and designed it himself.  He even told me basically what to write in the card.    I was a little curious to how the card was going to turn out when the first things he picked our were red flowers.  I guess he knew what he was doing because he told me he was trying to make it look like a pond, which both Daddy and Landon enjoy.  He also thought Daddy would "really like Landon's hand prints" so he decided to have me help him put one inside and on the back of the card.  I think he did a great job!

We also watched a movie for Josh's birthday.  Landon enjoyed write his letters (which he is getting quite good at)  during the movie on his new easel. 

We had a great holiday/birthday.  Happy birthday, Joshua!!! We love you!!!!

Prego Mom's Scrapbooking Day

I love my husband.


Here is the letter he gave me...

"Prego¹ Mom’s Scrapbooking Day!

I bet you didn’t know it but today is Prego Mom’s Scrapbooking Day! 

Lady, you are in for a treat today!

A scrapbooking table will be set up, your supplies delivered, a special lunch has been prepared for you, and those kids you love so much will be put in good hands² for the day³ so that you can celebrate!

Sure, you’ve got stuff to do, so go get it done.

Figure out the minimum you need to get done to relax, complete your list, and then get to scrapbooking!

Those pictures, random paper menus, stickers, and miscellaneous pieces of sentimental paperwork won’t trim, shape or glue themselves! They need you!

If you have any questions, please ask any one of our team members⁴ and he or she will be happy to provide any information you need or fulfill any special requests that you may have.

From all of us in the business of selling paper bits at thousands of times their value in scrapbooking supply stores around the world, we sincerely and ecstatically wish you a

Happy Prego Mom’s Scrapbooking Day!

Disclaimers

1The term prego is used as a common slang term for the word “pregnant,” or the biblical phrase “being with child,” and is in no way affiliated with the Campbells® owned Prego® Italian sauce brand.

2The phrase, good hands, refers to the care of a reasonably competent, yet often absent-minded husband. The founders of Prego Mom’s Scrapbooking Day! are in no way responsible for the care your children receive during this event.

3The word day in this ad refers to a minimal of 5 hours away from all responsibilities that are generally believed to hinder the average scrapbooking hobbyist. The founders of Prego Mom’s Scrapbooking Day! are in no way responsible for this event coming to an end due to unforeseen circumstances such as but not limited to: husband’s flat tire, your water breaking,  child’s broken leg, husband’s broken leg, house fire, or any other natural or man-caused disaster. Note: man-caused disaster also referrers to terrorism, refer to Janet Napolitano for more details on this definition.

4The team members referred to are volunteers. The founders of Prego Mom’s Scrapbooking Day! are in no way responsible for the accuracy of the information provided by these individuals. Have fun!"

My work station!

"I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend" (well blessed is really the right word!)

I knew when I met Josh that he was pretty special.  I think I was taken with him the first day we meet.  He has always impressed me with how much he cares about others.  He is an amazing husband and father and Landon and I are so blessed by having him in our lives.  He isn't a perfect  guy but he makes me feel like I am a queen.  He does so much for me.  I sometimes take him for granted.  Recently Josh did two things that were just a small reminder of how great he is, at least I think so.  So I wanted to brag on my husband (I think husbands need to be bragged on my their wives) and also write down so it can be remembered what he did.  

A week or so ago...


Josh tries to take Landon with him to work when he cleans the church.  Landon often plays with Ben (his mommy works at church and they are only 2 months apart) and then I get a few hours to myself.  I needed to clean the house recently when he took him.  When Josh came home, I was almost done.  Josh helps with the cleaning and he does a great job and I appreciate all the help but I am pretty particular to how I like things clean.  With the birth of Landon I have come to relize that help, even if it is not up to my standards is better than me wearing my self out or the house staying dirty.  Josh knows that even though I appreciate his help he just doesn't do it how I do.  That night before bed, he told me he want me to "train him" on cleaning the house.  He said he know I like the house clean and with a toddler and a new baby there will be a few weeks that cleaning is just not really on the list of things to do or at least not high up there.  He knows I start to go a little "crazy" when the house isn't clean and he wanted to try his best to help the house stay the way "I" like it.  
I know it might not be much but I think that for someone to really doesn't enjoy cleaning to realize that someone else "needs" the house to be clean a certain way is pretty great.  And to try to make an effort to live up to my standards is even cooler. So you may thin I just rambled on for a while but I just am so impressed with my thoughtful husband I had to share.  


Then this week...

Landon and I spent the week at my parents.  It turned out to be the perfect time because Josh just got a job at UF and they change him from part time to full time in a day.  Plus Landon and I both were under the weather so it was nice to have my parents to take care of us.  We left early enough so that we could make it home for dinner with Josh.


Josh even though he had work an 8+ hour day had a homemade mini Thanksgiving dinner.  He bought a huge turkey- I LOVE turkey so we have lots of left overs and I am super excited!!!!  He made green bean casserole, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy and rolls.  
Josh is a awesome cook in my opinion and he cooks most of the time but it was a nice treat to have after 4.5 hours of driving.  Plus this year we will be in CT for Jon's wedding so it was nice to have "our" turkey dinner.




I know it isn't luck that I have a husband like Josh.  My Lord created us just for each other and Josh was made perfect for me.  After 6 years of marriage sometimes I forget all of the wonderful things about him that made me fall in love but in general I know I am pretty blessed.  This song always reminds me of Josh and in my head I just change the words "lucky" to "blessed."  Thank you Josh for being the best husband for me and the best daddy to our children!





Do you hear me? I'm talking to you
Across the water across the deep blue ocean
Under the open sky, oh my, baby I'm trying

Boy I hear you in my dreams
I feel your whisper across the sea
I keep you with me in my heart
You make it easier when life gets hard

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
Ooh ooh ooh

They don't know how long it takes
Waiting for a love like this
Every time we say goodbye
I wish we had one more kiss
I'll wait for you I promise you, I will

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again

Lucky we're in love in every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday

And so I'm sailing through the sea
To an island where we'll meet
You'll hear the music fill the air
I'll put a flower in your hair

Though the breezes through trees
Move so pretty you're all I see
As the world keeps spinning 'round
You hold me right here, right now

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again

I'm lucky we're in love in every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday

Ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh, ooh

“Don't grow up too quickly, lest you forget how much you love the beach.”

I said maybe we should bring the kite.  Josh being the musical movie lover and also loving to sing started singing "Lets Go Fly a Kite."  He sang the whole song.  Landon listened and danced, he loves it when Daddy sings.  As soon as Josh was done, Landon very firmly said... "No kite" and walked out the room.  Apparently he didn't think it was a good idea to bring it... turns out he was right.  But it had both of us laughing at our little very opinionated boy.  The kite we have is HUGE and takes a little bit to put together.  It is a 3-D pirate ship, so you have to put it together every time you use it.  The wind was so strong we couldn't even get the parts out of the car without having to chase after them.  Plus we both thought the wind might be too strong for such a big kite. 

Our family

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Checking out the water and waves

They are a little scary when the waves are twice your size!

Josh played out in the cold water a lot longer than Landon and  I did

Sand is so much fun

I LOVE the sounds of the waves

"Ccccooollddd, Mommy, lots towel warm"

Hello Seagulls

The seagulls and sand pipers really liked the area in front of us, they hung out there most of time we were there

Boardsailing

There were 7-8 guys out there doing all kinds of cool tricks

Building sand castles

"Pat, pat" the sand

Landon was not interested in the family picture

Me and my great spontaneous husband

Mommy, Landon and Baby Williams at 20 weeks