wordless wednesday - Olivia & Brooke

New Jersey Trip - 2012

Back to reality today. We got home yesterday at around 1:00 in the afternoon. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit with Jar's family in New Jersey.

We were there for Jarrett's grandmother's 80th birthday party. It was a surprise party. And it was a surprise to her that we came out for a visit. I wish we could have timed it so that we all got there at the same time, but it was still a good surprise. She cried when Jar's mom & dad got there. Then Jar's brother Kyle came. Then we got there. Then the next day Jar's brother Ryan & his wife Ellen arrived.

I was a little worried about this. Like surprise you have guests staying for a week at your house. But it went great! She was so happy to see the girls.

The girls did a lot of this....

Grammie has a pool in her back yard.

some random pics from our trip...

This sign was new from the last time we were there visiting. The farm is where Jarrett's grandfather "Pap" was born & raised in. This is also where Jarrett's father was raised. Frederick Totten = Jarrett's great-grandfather. The sign is right by the driveway into the farm.

Aaaaah the carousel. Just so much delicousness in there. I think we made a trip there every single day - no counting when we were at the shore. Black & white cookies, pizza, ice cream treats. Yummm.

we did mini-golf one night. and I won! I repeat, I won. only beat Jar by 1 stroke, but still that is a victory!

hands down, best part of our trip - going to the shore! Jarrett's aunt has a beach house in Cape May, New Jersey. beautiful beach & nice quiet little town. no run-ins with the juice-head guidos & guidettes. very very nice & relaxing. it was not without excitement. Jarrett dislocated his shoulder in a boogie board incident. and i saw the grossest thing - he popped it back into the socket on his own. so gross. also, i was recording with my phone a little bit to send to my mom. and i happened to get the whole ordeal on video. my cousin said i have voice over skills on par with Morgan Freeman. bahahaha! Jar says he is glad I can laugh about it now. I agree.

my favorite picture of my 3 favorite people



does Olivia look pissed off to you? well she was. evidently, the waves were more than she could handle & she kept getting knocked down. I told her "that's all part of the experience" & she gave me this look.

Rachel hated the water. Literally like trying to throw a cat into the ocean. But she loved the shells & the sand.

Post shoulder dislocation. He's sad because he has come to the realization that he is no longer 16 years old & cannot do that kind of crap.

Fun in the sun & sand.

attempt at a family picture. I didn't know Olivia was making that face, but I am not surprised in the least.

Olivia loved the beach the 2nd day too. the waves were more calm & she enjoyed it much more.

Rachel still hated the water. She spent a great deal of time in this chair.

who doesn't bury their kids at the beach?

To Olivia on your 8th Birthday

My Dearest Olivia,

Happy 8th Birthday!!! I was born to be a Mommy. And when you were born, you made that a reality for me. 8 years ago today, we welcomed you into this world with open arms & you had already stolen our hearts before we even knew you were an "Olivia".

From the very first moment I saw you, I thought my heart would burst from the joy & love I hold in my heart for you. You were an absolutely gorgeous baby. Of course, I am not biased at all.

Watching & experiencing you grow into the sassy, beautiful, little spit-fire of a lady you are today has been the greatest joy of my whole life.

Olivia, I am so very proud & honored to be your mother. You make my life complete. And just when I think I couldn't possibly love you more, I always do.

Seeing you accomplish your goals & exceed your own expectations with bowling & dance this year has been so wonderful. My heart is bursting with pride. I didn't do it, but I so badly wanted to shout "That's my girl!" with every little turn & clap, strike & spare.

Having you was the best decision your father & I ever made. You have filled our lives with so much laughter & fun, I honestly cannot remember what I did with my life before I had you. My wish is that you always know how loved, wanted, & cherished you truly are, & I will spend the rest of my life showing you this is true. You are one of my two most prized possessions.

Happy 8th Birthday, Olivia Grace!!!

I love you so very much & hope you have a fantastic year as an 8 year-old!

Love always & forever,

Mama

things that are awesome - part 3

for this installment - pictures are awesome

• let's face it, pinterest is full of all kinds of awesome. my favorite thing aside from the crafty crap is without a doubt the e-cards. hilarious. i scroll through & crack up. this one is the best one i have seen in a long time.

• the kidney stone that is now gone was housed in this specimen jar until we could take it to the doctor to send it to pathology. but that just may not happen. as you can see, rachel decided the specimen jar was the best place to store her little beads. i laughed until i almost passed out. i said "rachel, where did you put the little itty bitty thing that was in that jar?" her response was "dere was nothin in dere when i put mah beads in" - so somewhere in the midst of those beads is a kidney stone. now, how in the world are we supposed to find it in there. one thing is for sure, i will not go on this little quest.

• the blind taste test that took place last night, totally awesome. it all started with me buying the wal-mart brand dill pickles. jarrett refused to eat them. he said he only eats claussen kosher dill pickles & that after almost 10 years of marriage i should know this about him. i told him he wouldn't be able to tell the difference & he stood his ground that absolutely he would. he bought the preferred brand of pickles & thus the blind taste test took place. and i am sad to say, i lost this round. he was right on the money. i laid out 3 different brands of dill pickles. jar was victorious.

• rachel & andrew and there little brand of toddler jackass that took place sunday at my mom & dads. they rode around like this for about an hour. then switched places, rachel didn't last as long as andrew - mainly because her mom is a little protective now & doesn't want any more broken bones.

• we all know olivia has some mad dancing skills. but rachel can shake her money maker with the best of them. and this video my friends is all kinds of awesome. enjoy, nevermind my cackling in the background. i challenge you to watch this & not cackle.

all she wants to do is dance

Olivia's very first season of dance has come to an end. They had their big recital on Saturday night & performed for a sold-out crowd. We weren't allowed to take any picture or video during the recital. I snapped a couple of pictures during the dress rehearsal, but flash was not encouraged there either, so they didn't turn out very well.

Walking into the high school for the dress rehearsal. She's a pretty big deal.

Start of the jazz number they did.

In the dressing room (aka - my old home ec room in the high school). She was so pumped. And she got to wear some make-up.

Olivia, words cannot describe how proud we are of you! You accomplished so much during this 1st year of dance. You were an excellent student & a leader to your friends in your dance routines. I truly hope with all of my heart that you stick with dance. You are so happy when you are dancing, & I love to see you smile. It was so wonderful to see you realize your dreams & perform on the big stage. We are just so very proud of you, & we love you more than you will ever know! 

Livie Lou's 8th Birthday Party

June is a busy month for us this year. Therefore, we pushed Olivia's birthday party up a couple of weeks & celebrated on June 3rd. I cannot even begin to wrap my mind around my little baby girl turning 8. Seriously, where does the time go?

Olivia, with her cake.

Half Cubs, half Cardinals. Always wanting to please her family that is divided down to the core of Cubs Fans (YAY!!! CUBS RULE) & Cardinal Fans (BOO HISS!!!)

Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday dear, Olivia. Happy Birthday to you!

Make a wish!!!

Presents & cards.

General merriment. Jumping on the trampoline & swimming in the pool.

And Olivia, what did you do with all that loot you scored?

(please note, the busted lip in this picture. The poor dear fell face first onto the sidewalk. She get's her walking skills from her Mama)

That's right my friends. She is now the proud owner of her very own iPod touch. She's just a little bit happy about this purchase.

Happy early birthday, my dear sweet Olivia. We love you so very much!



more things that are awesome...

I have pictures of Olivia's birthday party to post, I promise I do. But in the meantime, here is another installment of "things that are awesome"...

• Jarrett had kidney stones & I had to take him to the ER - that part not so awesome. But him being under the influence of narcotic pain medication - awesome! He was so sweet & funny. He said "I love you, Baby" repeatedly. Not really sure where all that mushy talk came from considering he NEVER calls me baby, like NEVER ever.
• Another awesome thing, said kidney stones are gone. I will save you the details. (Jarrett, you're welcome. And see I didn't spew all of your personal business on the blog....yet.)
• You know that moment when you convince your 4 year old to kick her father right in the behind when he is bending over. Well, I get to experience that moment quite frequently. However, poor Rachel misjudged & kicked him not in the behind, but somewhere a little more sensitive. Awesome. Next on list of things to teach Rachel, how to avoid certain areas when kicking.
• Olivia received enough money as birthday presents to purchase her beloved iPod touch. When did 8 become the age when you absolutely-have-to-have-an-iPod-or-you-might-die? I'm pretty sure I still got barbie dolls & crap for my 8th birthday. This awesomeness is 2-fold. She's happy & I'm happy, now I don't have to share my iPod with her. And she will quit bugging me about playing on my phone while we are places.
• Rachel told me & I quote, "You are grumpy in da mornin' every mornin'. Is that because Liv is givin you a hard time this?" Hahaha - I had to laugh. I'm pretty sure I say almost every single day of my life "Please don't give me a hard time about this..."
• Vacation starts in precisely 8 days. Only 5 more working days if we are going to get specific. And believe me we are. I need a break like nobody's business. How I long to sip mixed drinks by the pool all the live long day. Oh, that's right the kids are going on said vacation too. How about not all the live long day, just after 5:00 pm.