5 years ago tonight...

We were preparing to meet this little man....

just look at him... all squishy and fresh

There's nothing like meeting your child for the first time.

Thank you, Lord, for letting us share in your image.

{This is one of my favorite articles about childbirth.}

Ode to Copper

I am not a dog person (at least in my adulthood- a mystery to many) but Copper was the exception.  He was my parents' dog that they got for us in high school.  We all loved us some Copper Dog 'cause he was a gooood dawg.  We are thankful for all the lovin' he gave us for nearly 18 years and the great times we had with him.  I know a little boy and girl who especially loved him.  We will miss the CoppaDawg.  We are thankful to Paw and Maw for taking good care of him long into old age.  He was a good one.

With his first master... Willie.

Copper was a STRONG, manly dog.  

He was well loved by some boys turned men who certainly roughed him up.

Paw later became his master, after Uncle Will grew up.

Copper would sit on the dock and howl when Paw went out on a boat... 

A group effort saved him from drowning about 5 years ago.

A story we've retold many a times.  An ode to him wouldn't be complete without it!

Copper got thrown into the water from the dock.... hmm, it may have been a brother wanting to hold on to Copper's younger, athletic days.  But as Copper swam to shore, he started going under.  Mike, the life guard, swam over and carried Copper to shore, as people on the dock called yelled for "Dr Dennis" Ro-bert!!  Paw came running and.... resuscitated Copper! 

Copper was afraid of storms... so he got in the chair with me many a times.

 Most recently, these two little ones adored Copper. 

We loved you & already miss you a lot, Coppy!!

Another Bus Party

We celebrated Peter's birthday this weekend with a party with friends (his and ours).

This was more of a middle ground party... We'd only done family parties through age 3, then last year we did a BIG party b/c we had a lot to celebrate (and still do), and this year we struck the middle ground of a smaller friend party.  

{flashback to his 2nd birthday: the boy's love for buses is long lived!}

Here are some of the decorations (clockwise):  

~I used this tutorial to make his name and strung it on twine.  

~Had "man flowers" for a centerpiece.  In my grandma's vase that I love.

~Goodie bags for our friends.

~A Thomas cake.  His request.  You know I don't do cakes well.  But Ukrops does!

~a balloon garland

 This year we did a City Bus/Pizza Party!!  

We decided to bring friends along for a city bus adventure.  :)

They are good sports.

We met up at our house and then walked to the bus stop. 

 We ended up with a 25 minute wait so played some Duck-Duck-Goose, courtesy of sweet Sara.

 The bus arrived just as we were deciding on Plan B.

 We rode it to our favorite pizza place.

 And then rode it home!

 Then we had cake and ice cream at our house.

 Gifts... 

4 more days til 5!!

Always remember this as my week of being overdue...

this year the days line up as they were the year he was born... due date on Saturday, born the following Friday eve.  Thankful for the sweet Peter that arrived at the end of the week.

And I cannot believe he is SO BIG!

look at this chubby, almost 2.5 year old!!

Halloween Preview

they couldn't wait

learning about their characters in costume :)
can you guess who?

"Daddy & Baby"

...a grocery store rarity that had to be documented....

capturing them

I had some friends over last eve for a gathering to meet and welcome a friend's baby girl.  This morning the fine china was still out.  As Lily ate breakfast, she asked, "Mommy, did you have a tea pawty with your friends?"  :-)

We had lunch on the front steps today.  Lily said, "After we eat our sandwiches all, we can go to the pool!"

But then we got distracted.  I thought these pictures capture them SO well.  

Oh, my heart.  Oh, the joy, simplicity, and sweetness.

Come run with me, Pete!

Peter is so much more interested in the flying vehicle that he has created.  

I love that about him.  He is so able to imagine.

Seriously, could you just die?!?!?!?

 Where is Peter?

I see you!! 

 We got pool clothes on Peter and then it was another "distraction".

 If you could hear these pictures, you'd hear motorcycle sounds coming from both of them.  

Their dry erase markers were talking, interacting motorcycles with loud engines.  

I enjoyed watching them today.
That was much easier than usual b/c my kind mother in law took them for most of the day yesterday so I could prep and clean for the party.  So everything felt more orderly today and less "busy".

Thanks, Kathy!