Favorite Season of the Year

The spring is my favorite season of the year. I love when our rose bushes are in full bloom and so fragrant. I know this picture is zoomed out, but I think you can still see all of the roses.

I was reminded that I didn't show a picture of our finished playset, so here it is! Olivia and Joey love having it in there backyard. Joey's favorite is his swing, and Olivia likes it all.

The Leapster Pro

Olivia recently got a Leapster, which is a video game from the Leap Frog Company. She LOVES playing it! We got her a Disney Princess Learning Game and that entertained her for a good 1/2 hour (since it was raining outside and we couldn't go swing). As I have stated before, her technological smarts amaze me!

Splishin' and Splashin'

Yesterday, Olivia and Joey splished and splashed in their pool. They have really become water bugs!

What should I do with my hair today?

Olivia has always been into wearing dresses, wearing her "pretties," wearing dress shoes, etc. Her new thing is to sit with mommy in the morning, put on some "lipstick" and do her hair. I think we are in trouble when she becomes a teenager!

Here Ollie, Ollie, Ollie

Lately, Joey has been very interested in Oliver. If Ollie is anywhere near him, he will try to get him. He loves to pull on his collar and at times pull his hair.

A Big Girl Bike

Yesterday, Olivia got her very own big girl bike! She was pretty excited to get it and after the first time riding it, she said "I love my new bike!" She is still learning how to ride it, but once she does, watch out!

Elmo Goose

Every time we go to grandma's house, Olivia loves to look at her goose and figure out what it is wearing. Grandma Dressler found some goose clothes that she thought Olivia and Joey would get a kick out of. This weekend she had her goose dressed like Elmo, and she said the next time we come the goose will have another fun outfit for the kids! (Minnie Mouse)

Food...must have food!

Joseph is a growing boy. He has been eating sooo well lately. Usually he will eat two jars of food and then follow that with 6 - 8 oz. of milk. He loves his sweet potatoes, and he seems to want to try another kind of potatoes.

Brownies, must have brownies!!!

Do you think she wanted brownies?

Memorial Day Weekend

On Memorial day weekend Olivia, Joseph, and I went to Bloomington for a long weekend. We were able to have a sleepover at Grandma's house, go and visit Grandpa Dressler, go to Aunt Kelly and Uncle Rick's Memorial Day Party, and attend the very last mass at Epiphany Church (they are renovating the next 9 months).

On Sunday afternoon, we went to Aunt Kelly and Uncle Rick's house for their party. We were able to visit with lots of family and friends, eat delicious food, and play outside A LOT! Olivia and Joseph were able to play in the sprinkler. Joseph absolutely detested the sprinkler so we came up with a make-shift pool for him to play in. Uncle Jake and Stephanie were talked into running through the sprinkler too. They were good sports!

We also played the beanbag game. Olivia was nice enough to help everyone win or tie by putting the beanbags through the hole for them, what great sportsmanship!

The Amazing Joe's

We all know how amazing our Joseph Crane is and the miracles that God worked through him, but there is another Joe that is just as amazing. My Aunt Kelly teaches with Joe at Holy Trinity Elementary. This winter Joe noticed a mass in his throat and went to have it examined. It turned out to be throat cancer. The first miracle was that the cancer was isolated in one tonsil and the second miracle was that they caught it early. Since then Joe has gone through tonsil surgery and several radiation treatments. Today he is done with his treatments and is doing well, miracle number 3. God is good!!!

Last weekend the two Joe's were able to meet. I had to capture the moment.

Caught

We now know where Oliver goes in the middle of the night when his bed is not quite comfortable enough...he was caught!

Plantin' with Grandpa

This weekend, Olivia, Joseph, and I went to Bloomington to visit family. On Saturday night I brought Livi and Joey out to see Grandpa Dressler and ride in the tractor with him. They had a lot of fun! (Before you even think it, yes I know they are a little dressed up to be out on the farm, but we went right after church)

First Bowling Experience

While in New Hampshire, Olivia got to experience bumper bowling for the first time.

First Plane Ride

Last weekend Jason and Olivia went on a trip to New Hampshire for our nephew Kolbe's First Communion. This was Olivia's very first plane ride! She was very excited and mommy was extremely nervous to let her baby go!

In the Chicago airport there was a mock airplane for kids to play in while they were waiting for their flight.

Best of Friends

Olivia and Joseph are like two peas in a pod. Joey absolutely loves watching his sister and Olivia loves to entertain. They have been the best of friends since the first day Joey came home.

The other night at supper Olivia was being quite the comedian and Joseph was just laughing hysterically.

Happy Mommies Day Mommy!

Everyday I feel completely blessed to have my two beautiful children, but yesterday in particular I LOVED being a mommy. I woke up to a little 3 year old telling me "Happy Mommies Day, Mommy" and to a sweet little boy smiling from ear to ear.

What a beautiful day it was...sunny, warm, and a quiet day at home. Jason, Olivia, and Joey treated me to a delicious brunch after church and then Jason had to work. Livi, Joey, and I played all day (with the exception of naptime). Then for supper we had a picnic lunch downtown, and had Cold Stone ice cream for dessert...YUM!!!

For my Mother's Day gift, Olivia and Joey made me beautiful stepping stones to put by my new patio in the backyard. They each had "Happy Mother's Day" and the kids' names and their age.

What a perfect day!