My Best Friend's Wedding (Part 1)

OK, people.... get ready for an influx of Blog Catching-Up!!!!!!  I have been EXTREMELY busy with work... and I use that term loosely - I still don't think of myself as a working woman, but I suppose I should!  Fall is busy in the photography world - newsflash!!!!! Hahaha!
Rewind the clock to mid-October..... and my best friend, Melissa's wedding....

The weekend started with a Bridal Luncheon at a tea room in downtown Woodstock.  My mom and I hosted the luncheon, and it turned out beautifully, if I do say so myself!!!

Me and my awesome mom!

Us with the bride and her mom...

Me and the bride...

The bridesmaids...

The bride's aunts, grandma, sister-in-law and future mother-in-law...

Talking about each bridesmaid and giving gifts...

Then the fancy hats...

Too much fun!

Then we were off to the bride's mother's house for a Sip 'n See...

See? We got to view all of her gifts!  So neat to see everything set out!

Oh no... mom is already worn out!!!!!

And we still have the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner to go!!!!!!  Those pics coming in the next entry... To be continued!

It's a Mother's Right... to Brag!!!

Disclaimer.... If it annoys you when a mother gushes about her kids and thinks they're the best thing since sliced bread - you may want to stop reading!!!!

Last week I had a scheduled conference with Sam's teacher.  He's in Pre-K, so this year 'matters' and is beginning to shape the type of student he is going to be.  His teacher had nothing but wonderful things to say about him!  He writes his name better than anyone in the class (she didn't actually SAY this, but she showed me all of the others!)  You can read it, he keeps it on the lines, and he can write it small when necessary!  He knows all of the shapes and letters - there were a few lowercase letters that he had trouble with.  He can count unassisted to 20 (I happen to know he can go higher...), and he recognizes all of the numbers.  He definitely knows all of his letter sounds - when you ask him what something starts with, he sounds it out with no problem!  The only thing she told me he couldn't do was skip!  I couldn't help but laugh... he IS a boy!!!!  However, BJ worked with him - which was funny unto itself - and he can skip now!  The teacher said that he follows directions (the first time) very well and that he can begin tasks without having to ask what he is supposed to be doing... which she said is rare!  I wanted to know what happened to that kid when he came home!!!!!!  What a smart, SMART little boy I have!!!!  I am SO proud of him!!!

I took Jake to the doctor yesterday for his 3-yr check-up.  He did smashingly as well!  He is in the 50th percentile for height and weight.  About 30-40% less than Sam was at this age, but I'm not surprised with Jake!  She asked him to draw a circle.  He drew a small one AND a large one... then took her pen a bit later to draw more.  He asked her if he could write his name for her.... she was impressed until she realized his name was a scribble!!!!  Hahahaha!!!!!  He is healthy, smart, and a chatterbox!  She was cracking up because he wouldn't stop talking long enough for her to listen to his heart and lungs!  I would tell him to catch his bubble (keep air in his mouth), and we would.... but then he would spit the 'bubble' out!  Ah, well.... he's going to be my mischievous one!!!  BUT --- he is going to be that super-smart kid that goofs off all the time but still makes good grades!  His poor teachers....

I could go on, but I must get back to work! ;-)

Jake's Birthday (Party #4)... at School!

The next stop on Jake's birthday journey was his school snack / birthday!  I took cupcakes in... which he was so excited to see him Mommy in school!  He still "doesn't want to go to school," and "wants to stay home with Mommy."  BUT... once he is there, he is a happy little guy!  His teachers say, "He's definately a talker!"  Mmmmmm.... wonder if that is their nice way of saying he talks all the time!?!?  All of the kids had a fun time celebrating with Jake!

Waiting on snack time...

Saying the blessing...

Singing to Jake...

Sitting down for cupcakes...

Go-Gurt too.... Had to be a little healthy!!!

Jake only eats the frosting...

And still doesn't stop talking!

Jake's class!!!!

Aren't they cute?

Jake's Birthday (Party #3)... Playdate!

Jake's birthday fell on Columbus Day this year.  Some random guy gets lost and heads for the closest shore - so we make that a holiday!  Regardless... that meant that most of Sam and Jake's "Playdate Friends" were off from school too!  So we were able to have a playdate where I served cupcakes and Jake got to blow out a candle! We love spending time with our friends!

Jake and his McQueen cupcake!

Blowing out the candle...

The 'party'...

Caroline....

Addison...

Landon...

Mark and Sam...

Kaden...

Macey...

Playtime...

And Jake when everyone left!  He couldn't wait to be naked!!!  But DO NOT remove the wings!!!



Jake's Birthday (Party #2)... The Farm!

For round two of Jake's birthday, we went to the farm for the weekend!  We love it out there.  It's quiet, peaceful, minimal to no cell coverage... just perfect!  And just what our family needed!

Sam immediately found the "man chair!"

Jake immediately "needed" to go on a 4-wheeler ride!

Then Sam and the rest of the fam did too!

Goofy!

And this is what they looked like when they got back!  SOAKED!!!!  Uncle Bo led them to the creek... they did the rest!

Then it was time for presents... Sam was in such a goofy mood!

Sam in his Iron Man light-thing!

Jake racked up!!!!

Sam is really into Iron Man...

And Jake is into Cars and Toy Story!

Can you tell the eyes are foggy in there?

To Infinity...

And Beyond!!!

OH! And Wall-E...

Jen is helping Sam...

Into his new Iron Man Costume!

Scary...

Or not!

Iron Man vs. Buzz Lightyear!

Dad will always join in the fun!

Cake time!

All Jake wanted were the cars with the frosting!

The fam!

This is what happens to three-yr-olds who stay up too late to celebrate their birthdays!!!

Another 4-wheeler ride and romp in the creek cured that!

Riding in the woods... SO MUCH fun!

Uncle Bo being 'crazy!'

And we saw another snake... all that kept this snake alive was the fact that it isn't poisonous and the kids being right there! Not that we don't shoot guns around them.... Sam even said to BJ later, "Why didn't you just shoot that snake, Daddy? You had your gun!"

Hopefully Jake's birthday celebrations can all be snake-free in the future!?!?