Nathan's 2!!!

Holy gravy - my baby is 2!! A few days before his birthday we went to Picture People in Oakbrook. Rich actually went - he has never been a part of getting the kids birthday pictures before, it was so great to have his help. We also had Kamryn as it was a Monday and she doesn't have school on Mondays...

I put together this collage of his 2 year pictures...



Thursday (his birthday) night we ordered pizza and had a cake, just the 5 of us... we'll have Nathan's actual birthday party at the beginning of November at my mother-in-laws house.

Mother/Daughter Banquet 2010

My mother-in-law invited Kamryn and I to join her and Marsha (sister-in-law) and Aunt Maryann at her church's mother/daughter banquet.... this is something she used to attend with her own mother-in-law... needless to say, I thought that would be pretty special.

So, Kamryn and I drove out yesterday afternoon - Tyler was really upset - he couldn't understand why he couldn't attend "girl's night"... poor guy! Always happy for a reason to dress my little girl up - we did it up to the max!

My princess ready for the ball...


Showing off her battle boo-boo (fell off of her bike) on her cheek...


Me and my girl...


Kamryn and her grandma...


After dinner and the concert...


Kamryn with Grandma and Aunt Maryann...


The mother-in-law, mother and daughter...

Kamryn relaxing the morning after her big night of being the princess... nothing like grandma's chair!!

Silly Dress Up Girl...

Kamryn is in this major dress up phase - she thinks nothing of coming out after "nap time" dressed in a fairy dress, with angel wings, with a bright pink-tutu to make it bigger, and of course, don't forget the heart pants underneath it all - it is halarious!!

Today, she actually came out looking put together - I was impressed... this is a purple Tinkerbell (or Stinky Tinky as we call her) pajama dress, with the matching purple princess shoes!!

I told her I wanted to take her picture, and she took that to mean a whole photo shoot - oh dear... so, here are some of the best shots...





And this last one really made me laugh - she would make Tyra Banks and the judges of America's Next Top Model proud... she is doing serious high-fashion posing - LOL

I was feeling bad-

about being SO behind with blogging and posting pictures (for those few rare people that are NOT on Facebook)... so, here is a quick overview of pictures from the last 4 months...


Nathan started crusing (although to date he is still yet to start walking independently - gotta love Davis time for accomplishing milestones!).


Pop-pop and Tyler's 6th and 60th birthday cake!


Daddy and Kamryn love!


Tyler's writing skills are improving SO much! He left this note for Rich one night when Rich had a meeting... translation - "Dear Dad, mom said we can play the Wii. Love Tyler"


These brothers love each other so much! Nathan wants to be just like Tyler (dear God, only the good things - please!).


The group of ladies that went to Florida (L-R) Beth, Me, Shannon & Hope - we're some hot mamas aren't we?!


The view from my bedroom of the ocean - gorgeous and so peaceful!


Tyler's latest feat - yes that is the roof of the garage, and yes, I said he could do it and no, I'm not crazy.


Tyler & Kamryn's Easter eggs (and their colored hands underneath them!).


Kamryn in her Easter dress...


With Jayden and Sierra before the Easter egg hunt started!


On the plane to Denver


The big cousins together...


The little cousins together.


Everyone - it was so great to see Aunt Carol and Uncle Mike!! We miss them!

Uh-oh, I should be fired..

From blog world that is!! I can't believe I haven't written since January 1st... naughty mommy!!

I'm going to try to be a bit better at keeping up.

I've had a busy January to April, my mother-in-law has termed me a gypsy... I think it is about time - LOL

In January, Nathan and I flew to Atlanta (in route to South Carolina) to help my dad celebrate his 60th birthday. I can't believe my dad is 60... seems like we just had his 40th birthday at Mark & Sharon's not that long ago!! WOW!! I have to say I think my dad still looks pretty good for a man in his "60s" - haha!

In February Tyler turned 6... that is right - my baby boy is 6!! He had his birthday party at Chuck E Cheese with 6 of his friends - and Nana and Papa flew in to help him celebrate. He also lost his first tooth in February - the one next to it is loose and I'm sure it'll be out before too long!

In March I went on a quick trip to Florida! I literally himmed and hawed until Sunday night and flew out on Monday - crazy I know! I went with a friend from church to her grandmother's condo right on the ocean in Jepsen beach... her sister-in-law and college friend joned us as well (or actually - I joined them!). I was gone for 96 fabulous hours. Rich had all 3 kids. It was the first time I have ever left Nathan - and he was (and is) still nursing... so this was HUGE!! Rich and the kids did great.

This month (April), Nathan and I took our annual trip to see Cassi and Cole. Last year they were in Pheonix, this year they have moved to Fort Collins, CO - so off to Denver we went. We had a fabulous time, and, as an added bonus, my aunt Carol and uncle Mike moved there as well - they wanted to be with their grandbaby (as it should be!). So Nathan and I had 6 days of great family time - although it was a little crazy with two 17-month boys... they have a love, fight relationship - so cute together!

I guess that kinda catches everyone up. Here is the latest picture of the 3 kids together... it was taken in April. I actually took Tyler in for his 6-year pictures, but threw the 3 of them together for a quick picture - what did I have to lose (well besides my sanity?!).

Happy New Year!!

I haven't posted since Nathan's 1st birthday - and we've had LOTS of fun stories and pictures since then, but, I just don't have the energy/time to go back, so we'll start with last night. What a fun night we had to ring in the new year...

Our get together included:
The Whiteside family (Mark, Shannon, Victoria (3) and Marcus (19 mo.),
The Wilkens family (Bruce, Heather, Abigail (2) and Josiah (2 mo),
The Bunch family (Dave, Andrea, Sierra (3) and Jayden (3)
Our family - Rich, Shauna, Tyler (5), Kamryn (3) and Nathan (14 mo).

When our party began, Nathan was already tucked away for the night... and when the Wilkens arrived, Abigail was already sleeping. The rest of the kids had fun running around, playing and snacking until we had their "new year" at 9.


Victoria & Kamryn

Dave and his monkey Jayden

Baby Josiah (yes, that is a shrimp!)

Kamryn, Jayden & Victoria

Marcus & Tyler

Dave and his girls!!

And of course we had to take group pictures before the kiddos went to bed...

Taken by me..


Taken by Bruce..

After the kids were down the adults (+1 Victoria wasn't ready to miss all the fun) had a fun night of yummy food, yummy drinks, yummy desserts - fun games and great conversation (Rich still can't figure out why nobody else thinks "attending church" isn't creative, and I still can't figure out why people don't put the word "chewy" and "Mike Tyson" in the same thought! Oh well... We had a fun champagne toast at midnight (well, a pinch after, we kinda missed midnight)


Dave & Bruce


The Ladies

Before all the kids got woken up and taken home, I had to take pictures of them sleeping like the little angels they are!!


The clock in my room as we were getting kids.


Jayden & Sierra on an air matress in Kamryn's room.


Abbs in a PNP in Tyler's room.


Baby Josiah all snug and cozy in his carseat.


Tyler in our bed.


Kamryn in our bed.


Marcus in Nathan's room in a PNP.


Victoria at midnight!

What a great way to start 2010, surrounded with wonderful friends!!