Olivia's 5!

We CeLeBrAtEd Olivia's 5th BiRtHdAy last weekend! This year she said "Mom, can we have my birthday somewhere else?" We've celebrated her birthday in our backyard every year...the last 4 birthdays. This year we broke the tradition. We rented an IcE CrEaM truck which joined us at Audubon park. Thank goodness for IcE CrEaM, and the water park, it ended up being nearly 100 degrees! We had quite a mixed group this year...family, friends, classmates, ballet mates, & neighbors. It was a sweet, fun, hot, and a very memorable 5th BiRtHdAy party. Five? Could time please just pass by a little slower in my world? I truly miss Liv as my teeny tiny baby who wanted to lay on my chest for most of the day, nurse, wanted her Daddy to walk her to sleep, asked me for her "seeky bear," or would simply walk up to me and ask "mama hold you?" Ahh, I miss I miss I miss. I'm grateful for each chapter of life she's gone through, and anicipate the new chapters in her life with excitement. However, I still have a very hard time wrapping my mind around the fact that she's going to start kindergarten in a month. It's going to be an adjustment for both Olivia and I. I get a lump in my throat thinking about her being away from me monday-friday. At the same time, I'm looking forward to my one-on-one time with Nolan J. Olivia may God continue to BLESS your life. You are such a loving, caring, curious little girl! A few of your favorite things are still; your baby dolls, bubblegum, dressing up, painting, reading books, & your playtime with Nolan. I pray that you and Nolan will always remain close. We LOVE you so much!

*And even though you're 5, I will still be calling you my baby girl, because you are!

how we spend our days...

I always say that my days typically feel like groundhog day(the movie.) Very repetitive, familiar, same ole' same ole'. I'm not complaining, I just think it's funny. I'm so glad that most of my friends share this same lifestyle. We usually have a good laugh or two, maybe shed some tears on our hard days in mommyville. Being home...that is what I have decided to go back to. After August 14th, I will be free from a job that has consumed my life for the last year. I have met some incredible people, and enjoyed what I've done for the most part. However, my family needs me more, and I need them. As repetitive, chaotic, and busy as it gets around "the zoo" in our home, I have learned that this is where I belong =)

Swim Lessons

Olivia and Nolan had swim lessons every morning for 2 weeks in a row. While it made for a busy morning each day, I like how they kids were in the pool daily learning to become comfortable in the water(which I think is one of the most important things when learning to swim.) Their teacher was so patient, sweet, a perfect instructor for the way my kiddos are wired. I sure hope she offers swim lessons again next year, we really enjoy her!

4th of July Part 2

Here are a few of my favorite pictures during the 4th. I put the one of the kids in the raft up because they were all about to doze off while sitting in it. They were knackered! I also love the picture when the fireworks started and everyone is looking up at the sky. Enjoy!

4th of July 2009 Part 1

We had a lovely 4th of July spent with our dear, dear friends, who are truly like our family. We were at Loon Lake and the day/night/and following morning were so much fun. Shane and I have decided it was one of our favorite 4th of July celebrations yet. We went for a boat ride, cooled off in the water, Nolan caught his first fish with Daddy, LaUgHeD, Laughed, and LAUGHED some more, ate lots of lake food(chips, cookies, dips, ice cream cones, you know, the healthy food in life.) The fireworks were amazing and seemed to last for hours. All the kids did great, stayed up for most of the show until they fell asleep on their Daddy's, so cute! Some of my favorite memories that are still making me laugh as I write~
*A tube from one of the fireworks came down HARD and hit my friend D in the head, and left a huge bump(it's okay, she's laughing about it too!) At first we didn't know what the heck had happened until she found the piece that hit her. It resembled a small toilet paper roll, OUCH!
*Shortly following, the neighbors roman candle container tipped over and started shooting the fireworks right at us. I of course was in sheer panic, grabbed Liv(Shane had NJP,) and headed for the cabin. D was in shock too and yelled out "Wells, get the kids!" The best part about that, the kids were on her lap =) I was so embarrassed because I let out a big Oh F*** when it happened. I seriously thought one of the kids was going down, or maybe I thought I was. We laughed about this for the rest of the night.
*Last but not least, while we were taking a little stroll on the beach before we headed home this morning, my little wild guy decided he'd like to take a dip. He ran in to the water, which I figured he'd stop once his feet were in, but NOPE, he kept going, AND going! It had a slight drop so, in and under he went, while I ran after him in my clothes. What a scene! He was totally fine, in fact, it did not bother him a bit. I on the other hand...this is why I have high anxiety =)
Richie bought a special firework for Shane & I. Mine was called "The Luck of the Irish." It was one of my favorites. Shane's was "Jack A** " and was seriously the loudest firework I've ever heard in my life. It also had me running towards the cabin at full speed.
I love the memories we made this year. Loon is a sentimental place for us and has many years of special memories especially for Shane. Thank you for everything Wells Family & Much Love!
Part 2=Pictures very soon!