8th Anniversary

Jeff and I celebrated our 8th anniversary yesterday. He sent me a dozen long stem red roses during the day. I got to swim with my sweet children while I am off for the summer while he slaved away at work! Then for the evening we went to dinner and a movie. We went back to the restaurant where we got engaged at 8 years ago. So hard to believe it has been that long ago. We have made it through PA school, a big move, buying our first house and having two magnificent children. It has been so much fun!

I told Caitlyn that we would be going out for the evening and she was intrigued with the whole idea that we were celebrating our anniversary but from all the discussion she really only focused on two points. We were going to our wedding and that she wanted a man-boy to marry! This morning when I woke up she immediately asked me (because she is staring at me waiting for me to open my eyes), "Did you have fun at your wedding last night mommie?" Her second question was when will I have a man-boy and/or will you be my man-boy? She obviously doesn't get that one at all. Thankfully for this mom and dad's sake!

Ophelia Gilmore June 26, 1923-May 5, 2009

Dear Torchy,

I always loved your nickname and thought it was neat that I could call you Torchy instead of Grandma. I felt like I was getting away with something.

Torchy, I am so thankful for the time we had together when I first moved to Dallas and began my teaching career. I would come over every Tuesday night (and any other night I called and you let me drop by) and you would cook me dinner. I so enjoyed hanging out with you and watching you cook. You were so good at setting the timer and you were sure to fuss everytime I did the dishes, but I had to do something to help out. That was such an extra special time in my life that I think of so fondly. You tried several times to teach me to make Jalepeno Dressing and you would make it on everyday occasions just because you, Uncle James and I loved it so much. I am pretty sure that everytime I came over I would crash out on your couch and watch tv and so many of those times I remember getting to lay my head in your lap. I could also bring laundry to your house and it was never a problem.

It was fun times helping you pack up your apartment. Maybe not so fun. You were so adament on how to do things and of course I had a much better plan. You were going to be packed weeks before your move but I realized then where I got my stubborness from.

I remember crawling up in the bed with you one time when you were at the hospital and watching game shows. The nurses frowned on us, but we didn't care. Grandma, I so badly wanted to crawl into bed with you yesterday at the hospital and watch tv but instead I got to hold your hand, give you a kiss and tell you to go on to heaven. I'm so glad you are with Jesus and so many other loved ones.

I have such wonderful memories that have been brought to my mind since yesterday. One time when I was little I came by myself to Dallas and when we went to the grocery store you bought me green apples just because I wanted them. Then I got in trouble because I didn't eat them. I loved coming to see you because you always had treats and especially Honey Buns. I particulary remember sitting in front of your old house on Audelia and the song that goes, "You gotta know when to hold em, know when to fold em" came one and you said that was one your favorites. I was floored because that didn't really seem your style. I love that song to this day. I remember driving to your bank, which seemed like the longest drive in the world. All the cashiers knew and loved you there. When I moved to Dallas you would go home with me and I so enjoyed the company and you always had change in your pockets to pay the toll. You always loved to stop and get a "cold drink"!

I can vividly remember a scary time too. We had gone Christmas shopping at Town East Mall and Kari and I were with you in the car. You began driving us home and I was terrified we wouldn't make it doing 45 mph on the freeway. But you did. (I drove from there on out.) You made it to 85 years old. There are so many more memories, some sad, some that made us mad, but most of the them are so funny and good!

Thank you for loving me all the time. I'm so thankful of all the special times we had together. I love you so much. I miss you already!

Love always,

Stephanie

A to Z

Caitlyn has been learning/working on a letter a week. This week the letter was Z. Every night when I put her to bed we talk about what she did at school. Tonight she was eager to share her knowledge of "z".

She jumped down off her bed, while saying, "It's the letter in the book. Where is that book?"

Now she is thumbing through a stack of books in her nightstand. "Oh, here it is. Remember this book mama."

She begins flipping through each page.

This is going to take forever, I'm thinking.

She spots a name on the dedication page that begins with a z. Yeah! We are in luck!

Nope - we are headed to the end of the book.

I am trying to go through the process with her. "Is z at the beginning or end of the alphabet?"

Nothing. Flip. Flip.

"There it is! That is the letter z. We are doing that letter in class."

It is so worth it. On the way back through the back (flipping page by page) she finds R for Rickert, J for Jeff, N that is in her name, I that is also in her name and so forth and so on.

It is so much fun to learn with her and see how she puts it all together.

Happy Easter 2009

We had a fabulous Easter today! We made it to church on time, found a great parking spot and everything! Here are the kids opening their Easter baskets. I really tried to not load them up with too much candy and small toys that would just end up littering my house. They were still very excited!!! I was a little worried but it is so easy to please little ones. Brent kept calling the eggs "ball" and chucking them.
Here we are at lunch. Aunt Claudia got the kids presets that dance and sing songs and a ton of other toys to occupy them at lunch.

Uncle Les and Brent. I love the squished up eyes on Brent!
Aunt Claudia and Caitlyn.

Our family picture. Notice Brent's little plaid shoes. They are soooo cute!
My handsome men. I am starting to notice that Brent is beginning to look more like me (well, a little bit!).
Caitlyn dressed her self this morning. We laid all her clothes out last night. My mom used to do this every night before Easter and I loved waking up to my Easter clothes being hung up on my door (of course she made everything that night because she rocks!)
Caitlyn and Brent were not afraid of the Easter Bunny this year. Brent would not take his eyes off of the Easter Bunny though.
There were bunnies when we arrived.
Here are our precious little ones all dressed up and ready to go to church. Happy Easter!

Sneaky Kisses

Brent is finally giving kisses all the time when we ask for them. He even gives them when I tell him I love him! They are the best, little, wet kisses ever! He is becoming so affectionate with hugs, kisses and he is into snuggling again!

Caitlyn is fabulous too. She loves candy and she will do anything to get it. Even if that means she has to quietly move the stool over, get her Easter basket from school down, sneak it upstairs and eat all the candy in her bedroom while she is supposed to be napping and mommy really is. She then proceeds to clean up the red mess she makes on the carpet with a wet wipe, which doesn't work mind you. All this while trying to convince me that she had indeed taken a nap.

She is sleeping now!

Back to reality, Brent is on the table. Again.

Mastering his own spoon

Brent loves using his own utensil, especially since he sees everyone else doing it. He is getting pretty good at it (well with thick items - rice still goes flying). He says "all done" at the end. But the big bites are not until after that.

Six Flags 2

Six Flags is becoming a favorite of ours. The kids love it. This is another perfect day because it was overcast and windy so the lines were minimal.
Caitlyn is usually so frantic of the life size characters but she is beginning to embrace some of them.
Lots of wait time. I hope the bars didn't give him a complex.
Brent's favorite ride, so far is the train. He lights up and gets so excited.
Caitlyn loves this ride and will ride it by herself. It takes her up high and drops her repeatedly. I am not a big fan of it myself.
My happy guy.
Caitlyn and I went on the oldest ride, Judge Roy, after Caitlyn went on it with her daddy.
Up we go!