Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for my little monkey boy, just wanted to share :). A a cute picture of him posing (this is after mommy had her 'before' boot camp pictures taken--hence why he wants to pose).

It's incredible looking back on this year and the amount of obstacles our family has endured. I'm proud that we have found the strength to face them head on. Here is to this year looking up!

Guitar Fun

AJ is hilarious with his guitar! He hears music and he runs to get it, then plays very seriously on it. Here is a more laid back, fun AJ playing his guitar:

And here is SERIOUS AJ, AKA Jimi Hendrix. This kid is too funny. He puts this face on like he is concentrating so hard on the notes to play and puts his little foot out and taps it. It's too cute!

4th of July

Happy Independence Day, America! We celebrated by traveling up to America's one-time temporary capital: Philadelphia. As most of you know, Philadelphia houses a lot of America's history such as the Liberty Bell.

For as long as I can remember, and maybe even before my time, my Godmother Aunt Kathy and my Uncle Bob have thrown a 4th of July picnic. This isn't just a BBQ, this is an all out shindig. The all-day party consists of amazing food and desserts, swimming, a manly game of volleyball (and of course little kid and girlie volleyball ), beer pong, pinata hitting, jello-shot shooting, and so much more.

This year was significant as it was the first big family party since Grandma Nelson's passing. There was something important obviously missing from the party and that something was the woman who we have to thank for creating such crazy human beings. I know Pop-Pop and Mom-Mom were smiling down at us on that day, proud that we had continued the tradition past their time. They were probably also calling most--if not all--of us 'sonsabitches' :).

This happened to be AJ's first Philly 4th. We usually spend this holiday with the Halls--part of John and I's marriage compromise (Thanksgiving in Philly, 4th of July in DC). I think AJ had fun, especially being around all of the little kids. Alex and Shane LOVE AJ and are so good with him! Here are ALL 11 of the great-grandkids--and it's growing every year!





AJ and Daddy, enjoying the day:




Passing on the pinata duties from the old cousins to the younger ones (not so young anymore!)






AJ hitting the pinata--have I mentioned how much this kid LOVES to play sports? Oh, and yes, my child has nothing but a swim diaper on.






Ava and Leah, beautiful little girls!



Normal families would normally worry about this kind of behavior, but we welcome it!






And on to more bad behavior we encourage: beer pong!!!






My family of three--John and I created such a beautiful little person, if I can say so myself!




Our complete family of 9--think there will be a #10 soon?!?! :)


I didn't get any firework pictures because AJ was hysterical. We tried to warm him up earlier in the week, but nope! He says "FIREWORKS GO BOOM AND AJ GOES WAAHH WAAHH!" At least he is honest!

One quick story before I end the post--we had to drive home that night and I didn't drink during the day so John could drink--so I was driving. AJ and I were tired and ready to go and in the car. We waited for what seemed like FOOORREEVVVEERR for John. Everyone had packed up and left and all of a sudden, no one was outside. After about 15 minutes, I went inside with AJ to see what was going on. There was John, with about 10 of my family members, leading everyone in taking shots. John said that in that time frame, they had CRUSHED an entire bottle of Vodka!

Happy 4th everyone!

Hot, Hot, HOOOTT!

It's been hot here, so what do you do to cool down? SWIM! Here are my boys!



And HAPPYYYY Anniversary to my parents! You guys are a true inspiration for a happy and fun marriage!

Update

Hello all! We are doing great, just very busy. It's been one thing after the other. I know I'll find time to update soon!!!!

AJ is in summer school. He is having a blast. Every Tuesday is water day and I, being the ever forgetful Nicole, forgot his towel and had to go home and bring one. When I got back, they were already outside and AJ didn't even acknowledge me--just looked at me and started laughing with his friends and having a great time!

He talks so much. I forget that he just turned two! He puts real sentences and paragraphs together--it's amazing! I can have a real conversation with my two year old!

One funny thing...whenever John or I get upset about something he looks at us and says, "I'm sorry mommy/daddy"....he didnt' do anything, he just feels he needs to say it!

Grandma Nelson

My heart is so unbelievably heavy right now...my Grandma Nelson has passed. She passed away on Sunday evening with all of her precious family surrounding her. She was 86. A lifetime of love--my grandmother had 7 children, 19 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. A a young age, my grandparents met and fell in love. Within months they had eloped to get married. My grandfather was a divorced man and in those days, it was unacceptable to marry a divorced man. My grandparents spent their life in the firehouse and my grandmother managed the kitchen. I remember going several times a week to the bingo hall with my grandmother while she prepared that night's dinner.

I have a lifetime of memories from the minute I was born until the minute she took her last breath. She was at every big event of mine--she even travelled all the way to Newport News for my college graduation. After my parents divorced, my mom, brother, and I lived with my grandparents. My grandmother served supper not only to a bunch of strangers several times a week, but she opened her home to all of her children and grandchildren nearly every night.

My grandparents didn't have a lot of money, but they always made ends meet. They showered us all with so much love. All 50 of us (spouses included) were there to celebrate her life on Sunday night. We all hugged and cried together. We shared so many great stories. My grandmother, I am sure, looked down and smiled at all of us that night.

Here is one of my favorites of her meeting my little AJ, at 6 weeks old:

Last year at AJ's first birthday party, with all three of the newest additions.

I am back from the longest weekend I have ever had. Today was the hardest day so far. I am so emotional and can't focus. I just worked to put together the slideshow for the viewing on Thursday night--and it made me so happy to see her and her life. I will miss her deeply.

Mom-mom: thank you for everything. You mean the world to all of us and I hope I live a life half as wonderful as you.

Happy Birthday AJ!

We celebrated AJ's birthday with a Sesame Street themed party! It was so much fun. We had a lot of the people we love come--and our special guest was ELMO himself!

I get really into planning these parties. Everyday I had another decoration idea. I made a big mistake though, I didn't get too many decoration pictures before people got to our house! Sad, I know--time just escaped me and I ran out of time to take them before people arrived! I had SO much fun planning this party, although there are quite a few things I will do differently next year (not at my house and catered so I can enjoy it!). We had so much--5 dozen balloons, 2 cakes, an Oscar the Grouch trashcan, sesame colored table clothes and flowers, Sesame Street toys galore, Ernie in a tub with rubber duckies, and so much more! Here is one picture I got:




Some kids were really afraid of Elmo, but not AJ! He loved him! Notice one of AJ's friends scared in the background--Dylan was hiding under the table during hiding go seek and Elmo 'found' him, which scared the living daylights out of Dylan since Dylan wasn't actually playing the game--but was really hiding!



Playing musical chairs with Elmo.




Face painting during one of Elmo's much needed breaks (I need breaks too!):



Saying goodbye to Elmo! Some of the kids were happy to see him leave, but some of them really enjoyed him and hugged him as he left! Elmo was awfully hot in that outfit--as proof of him laying down on my stairs and then in my neighbors driveway!



The cakes. Yes, I HAD to have two cakes for AJ's birthday--One yummy sheet cake and then I couldn't resist the Elmo shaped cupcakes. Cupcakes aren't anything special, flavor wise, so I got the sheet cake too. What--AJ is worth it! I know you are judging me :), but we actually needed both cakes--we didn't have much left at the end of the party!



Time to sing Happy Birthday! AJ loves being center of attention--here is a picture of him just after blowing out the candles!

Who says you can't have your cake AND eat it too? AJ loved his cake--he is great eating with utensils all on his own now!

Two of my bestest friends and their kiddos (Maggie is my other best friend, but she couldn't make it as she lives in CA): Lauren and McKenna and Clare and Daniel!

My cousin Shannon and her daughter Leah:

Happy Birthday AJ, you are the best thing to ever happen to Mommy and Daddy!