Making New Friends!

One of the presents that Lexi is getting for her birthday is the chance to build a friend at the doll version of the Build A Bear. We went the day before her birthday. She got excited and wanted to pick them all. She also asked nicely if her brother could make one too. What a sweet request. And he was excited! She picked a pink haired girl and Nicolas picked a brown haired boy. Okay, boys don't get nearly as many choices. Are you surprised?



Nicolas and Lexi give their little hearts rubs and cuddles before they are put in the dolls.



Nicolas makes a special wish on his.

Lexi takes her doll to the beauty parlor to be primped and made ready for home. I think she is having fun!

Okay, let's look for an outfit... um, clearly she won't get her mind past a pair of sparkly red shoes. What about these cute... nope. Um maybe this.. nope! Had to match the sparkly red shoes. Um... has anyone told her that women with hot pink hair don't wear red?

Lexi takes her little friend for a walk through Potterybarn Kids. Luckily Lexi put back all that she "bought". Oh my would we have had quite a bill if she had her way... including a set of loft bunk beds that Nicolas and Lexi are convinced will be perfect for them. They have it all figured out... who will sleep where. They were pretty convincing.

Lexi and Nicolas pose beside one of the Galleria's fountains with their new "friends" while I shop for her birthday outfit.

Monkey's At Monkey Joe's

Monkey Joe's opened in Fairview Heights this year and our Mom & Me went to check it out.


Nicolas waves a very friendly hello as he heads into one of the many bounce house play sets. He had so much fun. What was I thinking though? Long sleeves? Really? On Nicolas when he gets this much time to get out his energy. This boy can sweat! Thank goodness he is fun and friendly, smart and silly... or he might be "the boy who sweats too much." (giggle)

Wee! Here I come mom!

There are days they fight and days they can not get enough of each others company. More good moments every day! Here is one. Here is one that shows them all. Lexi wanted to go through this obstacle course inflatable. She got through the front... but this hump had her stuck. She was just a bit too short to pull herself up. She couldn't get her leg over, her body... she got so frustrated that she started to do her diva whine. But here comes brother Nicolas. He climbed over and when he got to the other side he pulled her over too. Nope, didn't even push her down or tease her on the other side!

Wang Gang's Opens

Our dear friends Jamie and Ryan O'Day have done it. They have swayed us from our usual hang-outs for dinner. They opened Wang Gang Asian.

http://www.wanggangasian.com/

Our big group eats dinner during the first week of their "soft opening". We had a blast! Now that they are open to the public, we ALL highly recommend you give them a try for your dinner needs - carry out, dine in or delivery!

I do have one complaint! they are killing my diet! Augh!

Birthday Girl Nancy!

Mom, Wife, Meemaw, friend, sister... Nancy Vetter turns 60!
We all gathered together for her birthday celebration. It wasn't a huge party (she wouldn't allow it) but it was huge in love. Rich opened his new "party" basement to the family and in honor of her.


Nicolas and Meemaw pose together with the drawing that he did for her as the temporary until we can do our real gift - a family photo with both her boys and their families. Come on warm weather!

Blow! We were nice and didn't do 60 candles! Her favorite carrot cake. It was yummy... but not sure if it was worth the time. wow, that was a lot of carrots!

The pool table was used earlier for adult entertainment but as the evening got later and later... and it did get later... the kids parked their little selves on top to watch Disney movies. What a site. Yes, better parents would have taken their little ones to bed but alas as long as they were happy we did push the envelope and kept having fun with the family!

Lexi enjoyed her new baby Edie Anna. She sang to her. She rocked her. And she loved every minute of being a mini-mommy. Someday when they are older this will be a marvelous little photo of them.

Julia Turns Two!

Julia turned two! Can you believe it? I remember when she was just born and now our little friend and neighbor is two years old! Here are some photos from her fun party for her friends.



(top around clockwise) Julia's Mommy (aka Erica) reads a table full of listening children one of Julia's favorite stories, Pinkalicious. Lexi loves that story too! Boy do these girls love PINK! Even the boys get a kick out of this story though.
Then Julia digs in daintily (okay for this photo anyway) to her pink cupcake.
After she laughs with her Julia-style laugh at one of the boys she seems to adore - Nicolas.
The kids find their names on paper hearts that are edible. Yum!
Pink Cupcakes are yummy to all!
(middle) Nicolas and Ryan sure do like them! What an adorable pair they make!

Pin the tail on the donkey! No donkey was injured in the playing of the game!
Tyler, Jacob, Nicolas, Julia, Lexi and Ryan all enjoyed getting their chance at the sweet little donkey!

Lexi reads Ryan their book. What a really cute pair they make. Bless Ryan for being agreeable to sitting and listening to Lexi read her version of a story. Boy, it can go on and on sometimes.

Playing Catch Up...

I am so behind on blogging! Augh! So here are a few photos that I felt I really wanted to post!



Edie the first week after she came home. We got to cuddle her. I can't believe how big she is already but here she was so sweet and tiny.

Nicolas' class was on the stage during the school gatherings in the church each morning one week. He isn't much for performing in front of too big of a crowd but he had his cute moments. And of course jumping and being silly was in his "comfort" zone.

They did the 10 commandments with two kids each holding up one as the entire assembly shouted them out. Ironic which one my little Nicolas and John got to hold up. What a perfect photo op. Okay, thinking about having this one blown up and put in a frame for his room. Would that be wrong? I mean... really?