Good Friends!

This past weekend our good friends, the Towne family (Jack, Margo, Josie and Jackson) came up for a visit. They came up Saturday mid-morning and we headed to Pewaukee Beach for a picnic. The kids were excited to actually eat on a picnic blanket like big kids. Afterwards we walked by the water and fed a duck (we only had one piece of bread left) then headed home so the kids could nap. Josie and Jackson were so much fun and Jillian loved playing with them. After everyone woke up from a nap we headed outside to explore the slide, swing and sand/water table (although there is no sand, its noodles!). Josie and Jackson were somewhat fascinated by the noodles. They were all really good about taking turns on the slide and seemed to have a great time!


We headed in, fed the kids some dinner and gave them a bath. Then it was off to bed for our tired bunch.



All three of them went down really well (they had a busy day with little to no naps!)...no it was time for some adult fun! We played a few games of bags, grilled some burgers and had a few beers (well Margo and I had a bottle of wine). After dinner we lite a fire to make some 'smores. Margo was determined to make the perfect 'smore by warming her marshmallow to perfection.



It was a fun weekend, thanks for coming up Towne family!

Dinosaurs...at the ZOO!

So Jillian and I visit the zoo a lot now that we have the zoo pass. We are transitioning to one nap so we are keeping ourselves busy in the morning (and so mommy doesn't loose her mind!). So today we went to the zoo (again), but we ventured into new territory...the dinosaurs! Jillian thought these were pretty funny at first. They moved, growled and even spit water! (just so you know they were machines...not real!) Then we fed the goats. I was helping so I didn't get any pictures of that. But Jillian thought this was positively hysterical. I am sure it tickled her fingers! Here are some photos of our day. Enjoy!

Sand and Water Table

For Jillian's first birthday she received a sand and water table. We have yet to fill it with sand, but I did put some water in it today. And like anything else related to water...she loved it. Although she did spend quite some time trying to drink it! I should have put her bathing suit on, but didn't. She ended up with more water on her clothes than in the table I think! She moved around the table taking the toys out and I moved around the table putting all the toys back in!





Thanks for a wonderful birthday present Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Deibert!

Starved Rock

This past weekend we went down to Dekalb (my home town) for some family time. We started our weekend with a stop to Corn Fest. A family tradition for many years, although I had not been back for quite a few years, we thought we would check it out. It was a fairly warm afternoon but Jillian was a trooper. Who can pass up free corn on the cob (yes, at Corn Fest you get free corn!). Then grandma and grandpa (my parents) watched Jillian so Jason and I could go out on a double date with "The Greats" (my grandparents). It was nice to get out with just them and be on our own schedule.

It was a little steamy at corn fest...Jillian was a little red in the face!

Sunday we drove down to Starved Rock in Ottawa, IL. The last time I had been to Starved Rock was the Father's Day before Jason and I were married (roughly 4 years ago). So it was kinda fun to bring Jillian here, although I doubt she'll remember much of it. It ended up being a warmer day than expected, but we still ventured onto the hiking trails. It was a nice day with family. Jillian always loves spending time with her family (she tells us this after every visit!).


Hangin' out before breakfast at Grandma and Grandpa's

More photos to come....

Summer Days

Our fun summer days are quickly coming to an end. I feel as though we haven't been able to do much either because of the heat. But today was beautiful out. Jillian and I took advantage of the cooler weather. Jillian got a slide from us for her birthday and she really enjoys climbing up and sliding down.

Jillian was able to go up the steps and get herself sitting at the top of the slide.


Then she scoots herself to the edge of the slide and goes down, without any help.



She turned herself around at the bottom of the slide and then climbed up the slide so she could go down again! All on her own without my help. What a big girl:)

Happy 1st Birthday James!

Howdy Cow girls and guys! This weekend was our nephew James' 1st birthday and we celebrated cowboy style. Meg and Todd (as usual) did a fantastic job and we all had a fun time.


We were at Todd and Meg's house Saturday to spend a little extra time and to help set things up. Before the girls (Anna and Leah) went to bed they opened a little day spa for us. We enjoyed some nice massages and a little hair TLC. It was very cute and surprisingly relaxing!


Sunday we woke up and went to church. Then hurried home for the Deibert Hoe-Down! We had some yummy grub for lunch, then opened presents. After the presents we ate cake. Meg and Todd did an AWESOME job on the cake...it looked professionaly done. It was a fun time, as they always are. Here are some great shots from the day.


Happy first birthday James!

Sleepover

Jillian had her first boy girl sleepover last week...don't worry, it was supervised! Jillian and I went down to my cousin Meghan and Kevin Schrammel's house last Tuesday and stayed over night. Jason was at an evening Brewer's game so we took advantage of the free night for some fun times with Bode. We got there Tuesday afternoon and ventured over to a splash park. The splash park was only mildly entertaining for the babies and we were there for a short time. Then we headed back to their house for dinner (Kevin was nice enough to get it started while we were away). After dinner we took the babies upstairs for a bath. Jillian loves her bath, and Bode wasn't too sure about sharing his bath. He started enjoying himself a little more after seeing me dump water on Jillian's head. He thought that might be fun for him to do as well. He kept trying, but it didn't phase Jillian, she just kept on moving around the tub to find to more toys. Then off to bed...and some wine for the mommies!



On Wednesday, Meghan spoiled us with a yummy pancake breakfast. Jillian has been obssessed with doggies this summer. Kevin and Meghan have a dog, Jackson. Jillian just thought it was the coolest thing when he would come and lick her hands (especially at the table, they probably had food on them!) She was more interested in Jackson then eating her breakfast.


Then it was time for a morning nap for Jillian, which gave me some time to play with just Bode. When Jillian got up we went outside for some fun exploring. Bode went in for a little nap and then Jillian got all the attention! We went in for some lunch and then headed home. She had so much fun at Bode's house she fell asleep instantly in the car and slept the whole way home!


Thanks for the fun time Schrammels!

Cutie-Pa-Tootie

Jillian has been going through a "no afternoon" nap phase the last couple of days. Some of it has to do with our busy schedule and trying to enjoy the summer weather (it will get cold before we know it and we'll have to stay indoors!). So she has been going to bed a little earlier than usual and has been a "peach" in the time leading up to her bedtime. Sometimes Jason and I will turn on her favorite TV show, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, so we can eat really quick before we put her to bed. I was able to snap a couple of cute pictures of her watching TV. She was so tired and zombie like...it was funny. She is such a cutie-pa-tootie!

Playdate at Lake Geneva

This past Saturday Jillian and I met our friends Kayte and Mason in Lake Geneva for a little playdate. We were a little unsure if our beach plans were going to be ruined with the grey clouds looming overhead and the rain pouring down. But eventually it blew over and the sun came out, it ended up being a perfect day! The babies had a fantastic time in the sand and water. Both babies really enjoy the water so we had no trouble with them the whole time we were there. Neither baby slept very long on the way to Lake Geneva so we were thankful they were good babies. They were so well behaved it gave Kayte and I a chance to catch up! Here are some pictures of our fun day:)


The babies got along so well. They both ate an okay lunch in Jillian's new wagon. I think they were both more interested in each other than eating! Mason is too cute and will be a good friend to Jillian (he is only a few months younger, but is getting to be about the same size!). They had so much fun, that Mason fell asleep on our walk back to the car and Jillian didn't make it out of Lake Geneva! Thanks for the fun playdate Kayte and Mason.

Cute as a Button!

Last Saturday (July 31st) we hosted Jillian's 1st Birthday party here at the house. It started off a little rocky with the weather. When I got up at 3:00 AM with Jillian it was pouring rain...not a good sign. But as the morning rolled on the rain stopped, but it remained a little dark. So Jason and I decided not to take any chances and cleaned out the garage to hold the food. If it rained more we didn't want to be scrambling to find shelter! So we set up the table and chairs in there, along with a pop up tent on the parking slab with some chairs. As it got closer to noon our family started showing up. Jillian just loved all her family there and was excited with each new face. She wore a "1" onesy all made out of buttons (yes, I was the crazy one who sewed it) with a pink tutu skirt. She looked super cute and very grown up (as grown up as a one year old can be)!

We ate lunch first and the kids ran around playing. After lunch the older kids played "pin the button on the shirt" and won a goody bag full of fun things! After the game we rounded everyone up and headed back into the garage for some cake and ice cream. We sang happy birthday to our cute little button and she blew out her candle on her pink button cake (yes I also made the cake...I must have been crazy). She wasn't too sure of the cake at first. She would touch it and look up at us with a face that said "are you sure I can eat this?". Eventually she got into it and it ended up all over her face and hair. I am not sure how much she actually ate, but she definitely needed a bath after we were done. So we rinsed her off and put her in party dress #2 and she was ready for more! After the cake the kids played another game, "Find the button". There were various sizes, colors and styles of buttons hidden around the house...but only one SPECIAL button was out there and that person received the prize. The kids ran around frantically finding many many buttons. Hailey (Our step-brother's daughter) found the special button was very excited to take home the giant bouncy ball.

After the game we moved out to the parking slab to open presents. Jillian of course was more interested in the paper and tissue paper than the actual gifts, but she received some great gifts. As the days have passed since her party she has enjoyed the gifts more and more! Jillian (and James) were so good, considering they did not nap that afternoon. They just played in the play yard and were content to have an audience watching them. It was a great day and Jillian had a ton of fun...onto the next year of her life!

Now for some details (yes, I have details)...
In the living room, a "cute as a button" banner hung. It was made all out of buttons and yes I glued that as well (I don't think I want to see another button for a long time)


There were two tables with pink table clothes and flower center pieces. There were white daisies, pink carnations and some greenery. Around the vase was a pink ribbon with buttons tied on. Simple but still tied into our button theme.


The "pin the button on the shirt" game was a colored yellow shirt on poster board. All the kids had a button with their name on it and velcro on the back. The goal was to get all the buttons in the middle, but some found their way all over the shirt.


The cake was chocolate with strawberry cream cheese filling. It was button shaped and covered with pink frosting. Then is was decorated with pink ribbon for the "thread" and had a "one" candle in the middle. We also had yellow cake cupcakes with pink frosting.


Here are some action shots from the day. Our sister-in-law, Misty, took on the photographer role for us and took 202 pictures! Here are a couple of the 202...


We really want to thank everyone for coming and celebrating Jillian's special day with us. We want to thank Grandma Grace, Grandma Kathy and Grandma for helping with the food. We also want to thank Misty and Shaun for taking great pictures for us.We love you all!