Jack has an odd obsession with shoes...

I was folding laundry a couple days ago and when I came into the living room this is what I found. A shoe rainbow!! Every girls dream!!

Megan Christmas

It appears that some of the Christmas pics didn't load...

Merry Christmas!!!

Happy Holidays to all and a blessed New Year!!!! Here are some random pics from this weekend.

Christmas season 2011

Tis the season for...too busy to do anything! Especially blog! Lots to catch up on, but I'll only do the highlight reel. First we started the month with my Dad having a car accident in Ste. Gen. He's recovering very well, bang himself up pretty good, but should be home from the hospital next week, just in time for the holiday!
Second, the house is Christmafied, and Santa has been watching Jack and Megan very closely. However, Jack is on his way to getting a big lump of coal!
Third, Darrell and I took turns staying home with Jack this week due to his asthma. Jack visited the Pediatrician as well as his allergy Dr.. He's better now, off the meds and only doing breathing treatments when needed.
Fourth, Jack was well enough to participate in his Preschool Christmas program last night. The seats were not great and I don't have a fancy phone to take video, so my camera video will have to do.

Santa at the Firehouse

Santa stopped by the O'Fallon Fire station by our house today! Jack wanted to see Santa to tell him how "good" he's been. Jack did awesome. He ran right up to Santa and told him, "I've been good and I want a scooter and train stuff. Pleeeeeeeaase!" Santa was a very good sport. Thanks to the OFD for sponsoring a great event!!

Arrrrrrrrr Matie! I be 4 years old!

We celebrated Jack's 4th birthday today with a pirate party. When I asked Jack about what kind of party he wanted he said, "I want a Pirate Party with steamers and balloons." Easy enough. We ate cake. We made treasure maps. We opened presents. Thanks to all our family and friends who helped celebrate today!

4 years ago...

I became a mom. A day I'll never forget. Happy Birthday to my favorite 4 year old!

Forest Park today

We drove down to Forest Park and met up with the Knese girls today. It was awesome weather until the wind picked up. We played on the playground, had an inside picnic lunch, and even went on a bike ride. Kids are napping and I'm off to finish laundry, so here are some pics from today. P.S Go Crusaders!!! My nephew Travis is playing in Quarter finals soccer against Priory. Best of luck Travis!!

Fall 2011

So I've been a little absent form the blog. Trying to keep up with kids, work, and Darrell gone for deer season leaves little time for other things. I'm getting back into the swing of being a working mom, but it's a challenge with two! Especially since they are not at the same place each day. But it's working! Jack is LOVING preschool. He tells me exciting new stories everyday. This week is all about the letter "H" and learning Chirstmas songs in music class(for the Christmas program). Megan is Megan. Growing and learning everyday. I love this age(15 months) everything starts to click and they turn into little sponges. Just wish I was home more to see it.(mom guilt). So here's a little picture update...Halloween, pumpkins, and fun.

Another Zoo Trip

Our Anniversary

Darrell and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary on Sept. 30 with a little get-a-way to southern IL and the Shawnee Wine Trail. We stayed at a great house called Cypress Grove Lodge, tucked in on the edge of Shawnee National Forest. We traveled the wine trail and sampled at 9 different wineries over 2 days. We fell in love with Star View Vineyards and Blue Sky Winery. We met some great people and even made friends with Starview's dog. We had a great time and cannot wait for the next 11 years!

Fall wrap up

So I've been a little absent on the blog. This time of the year seems to sneak up on me and the days go by too quick. The family has been busy trying to fit the last of summer activities in before the weather turns cold. I've been trying to juggle being a working mom again as well as a deer widow. I went back to work last week and it's been a big change. Getting out of the house in the morning and getting back to O'Fallon in time at night is a challenge to say the least. But the bright side...I'm back to work for a company called Biomedical Systems. Now on the the good part, pictures...
-Our 11th anniversary
-The kids
-The Zoo

My own little Picasso

Botanical Gardens

I'm usually not a fan of rain, however since my grass looked like (beep), I was beyond excited to wake up to rain today!!! My grass looks so happy now!

Need-less-to-say I'm glad I took the kids to the Missouri Botanical Gardens( or what Jack called the "Potato Gardens") yesterday! They had so much fun in the children's garden. The weather was perfect and the grounds looked awesome. I wonder how much they'd charge to landscape my yard? Jack and Megan climbed around the tree houses and ran off some energy! We had a great time!

Turtle Park and Art Hill

Yesterday I took advantage of the awesome weather and took Megan and Jack to the Turtle Park. Jack was climbing all over the sculptures and Megan was trying to keep up. Jack even found "treasure" to bring home, a pine cone. After the Turtle Park we headed to the other side of Forest Park and enjoyed lunch on Art Hill. I love Art Hill and that area of Forest Park. I wish we lived closer to the city so we could take advantage of the park more. Here are some pics.