Layne's Birthday

Layne had an awesome 4th Birthday!! He opened his presents from us right away in the morning. He got a rocket launcher and a book. After opening gifts he chose to donuts for breakfast, so Matt and Layne went to the local donut shop and got donuts. We played for a while before going to meet my parents for lunch.  Layne wanted to go to one of his favorite places, Burger King. After we got done eating we came home and he got to open his presents from Grandma and Papa. He got a bulldozer and a steamroller, a Remote Control Gravedigger (his favorite!), and some pool toys.

In the afternoon, Matt's parents came over as well as a few of Layne's friends and we had a small pool party. The kid's had a blast and were all worn out by the time everyone went home.

Layne's Construction Birthday Cake

Opening Presents!!

Excited about getting a rocket launcher!!

More Presents

Layne and his RC Gravedigger. He was so excited!!



Layne and his friends trying out the rocket launcher!!

Matt put the pvc carwash sprinklers in the pool. The kids had a blast!!

All of the Kids in the pool having a blast!!

My Love of Shopping

I have always loved to shop. My mom says that I was "born to shop" and that when I was little she would take me shopping and I would calm right down when I was fussy. ( My love of shopping started very early lol!) I love shopping of any kind. I'm not picky!!

Some of my favorite places to shop for clothes for myself  are Old Navy, Gap, Kohls, Target, New York and Company, and Maurices. I have a few online and local boutiques that I really like. The Blue Door Boutique, AMAVO boutique and Modcloth.

When I'm shopping for things for our home, I love Gordmans, Hobby Lobby, and Pier One Imports. I also have found some really cute stuff on Etsy. I could spend hours and hours looking at the things on Etsy!!

For Layne's clothing, I love Old Navy and Gap Kids. I also love the brands Hurley, Carters, and Osh Gosh for Layne. I also find a lot of cute clothes at Target but our Target sells out of kids clothes fast so his size is usually really picked over. :(

I'm Such a Klutz

Last Thursday started out like a normal day but boy did it end far from that!! Thursday afternoon I ended up spraining my ankle while walking down my parents stairs. ( Don't ask how I managed to do that, I really have no clue either!!) My MIL ended up coming to get me to take me to the Dr.   I had to wait at the dr's office for a couple of hours but after finally being seen the Nurse Practitioner said I had just sprained my ankle really bad. Now I'm having to wear a walking boot for two weeks. :( 

I thought I was going to die when I woke up on Friday morning because my ankle hurt worse then it had on Thursday. I ended up sleeping for half the day on Friday while my mom watched Layne. My ankle is doing a lot better now. I can't wait to be done wearing the walking boot because have to wear that and the temp outside being in the 100s is NO FUN!!

The only upside to all of this is that Matt has been very helpful and wait on me!! I'm so not used to that but I LIKE it!!

Chloe Gets A Haircut

Our dog Chloe was in desparate need of a haircut. Rather than spending money on having someone cut her hair, Matt decided to do it himself. We have had plenty of issues with taking her to different groomers. We have only had a couple of people that have actually cut her hair decently. Usually it turns out to be a disaster. She has had so many bad experiences at the groomers that she has freaked out the last couple of times we have taken her to get her haircut!! She did such a great job for Matt while he was cutting her hair. Layne was by her side to reassure her while getting her haircut. Such a sweet little boy!!

No, Matt did not leave her face like this. I just thought this was a funny picture because she looks like a Schnauzer in this one but she's not. lol

Dear Layne ( A Happy Birthday From Mommy and Daddy)

Dear Layne,

   I can't believe that today you turn 4! I can still remember like it was yesterday waking up in the morning and finding out my water had just broken. Your Daddy and I were so excited that the day had finally come that we were going to meet you!! After 9.5 hours of labor, we got to meet you!! I was devasted that you, my sweetie, were having such a rough start to your beautiful life. My emotions were all over the place but I knew you were getting the best care from the nurses and doctors. During your short time in the NICU, we barely left your side. There was no way I was going to go home without you!! We were overjoyed that you only had to spend 5 days in the NICU!! Since bringing you home, 4 years ago, you have been the biggest blessing of our lives!!
 

Layne and Mommy in the NICU

Our Little Family

    You are such a special part of our family and I just can't remember what life was like before you were born. I have enjoyed watching you grow and learn new things. Watching you grow from such a little baby to a very strongwilled, independant 4 year old has been the biggest joy of our lives. You spread laughter and happiness wherever you go with your great personality that you have. I can't wait to see what this next year will have instore for you!! You are such a blessing to our family and you are loved so much by so many people!!

Mommy and Daddy love you so much, Layne!! We hope that you have an amazing birthday with many many more in the future!!  We love you!!

Oh DVR, I love you!

   Matt and I like to watch a lot of different things on tv. I don't know what we would do without our DVR. (In all honesty, If we didn't have one I don't think we would get much done. Especially Matt.)We usually are pretty busy doing lots of different stuff during the week that we don't have time to watch much tv till later at night. We watch a variety of shows ( most are ones that Matt got me hooked on. lol)

Our DVR'd shows include:

Swamp People- Our whole family loves this show! Earlier this year, we got to meet Trapper Joe and Tommy at a Car show. Layne was super excited and even got their autographs!!
Deadliest Catch- Oh how this show intrigues me!!
Duck Dynasty- Love the Robertson Family!! They have us in stitches all the time when we watch this! Uncle Si is awesome!!
The Mentalist-Love Simon Baker!
The Client List- Matt didn't want to watch this show at first but we both are hooked on this!! Such a good show!!
Pawn Stars
American Pickers
Snooki and Jwoww-I've watched Jersey Shore from the beginning and just had to see how this spinoff show would turn out. I have to say I will keep watching it just to see how dumb these two are but I think Pauly D's show was so much better!!
Awkward- This show is so much fun. I just wish it was longer than 30 minutes.
Longmire- From watching the previews of this show, I wasn't sure I would like it but it's really good!!
Criminal Minds- I love this show!! Love Garcia!! She is amazing!!

I used to LOVE watching CSI Miami and am so sad that it isn't on anymore. I'm really into the crime drama type shows. I also LOVED  ER when that was on but I haven't found a comparable show since then to watch. (I'm not a fan of Grey's Anatomy. I just never got into it). What shows do you watch?? Any Suggestions of Shows that I'm missing out on??

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Killer

  I had mentioned in an earlier post that I had been reading Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Killer. I finally finished that book and I LOVED it!! At first it took me a little while to get into the book because I was slightly confused by what was happening in it. After taking a break from the book for a couple of days, I decided to try reading it again. I couldn't put the book down because I was so intrigued by it!!
   I loved how the book was written and that basically all of the minor characters in the book were actually real people that Lincoln knew.  The author did a great job with researching Lincoln and adding in the vampire parts with such ease that you would think it all happened. The only thing that I did not like about the book was the beginning. I found it very confusing and I still don't really understand what was happening at the very beginning of the book. The author never revisits the portion of the book again.
   Now I really want to see the movie after finishing the book. I am just worried that, like usual, the movie won't do the book justice. Let's hope that this won't happen with this movie!!

4th of July Lake Fun

It is a tradition in Matt's family that everyone comes to the lake each year for a get together on my MIL's side of the family. We spent four days at the lake relaxing and having fun in the water!! Layne loved getting to play with all of his 2nd cousins.

Layne and one of his cousins driving his gator around the yard.

Layne and Daddy enjoying the lake. Sadly Layne lasted about 10 minutes like this and then proceeded to scream in the water for about 15 minutes.  Daddy decided to take Layne out of the boat and hold him. Layne thought Daddy was going to feed him to the "sharks" Oh the joys of an over dramatic 3 year old!

Jetsking, Tubing, and Swimming. Such a Fun way to spend the 4th!!

Layne driving his pedal excavator. He loves this thing!!

4th of July Parade

We had a great 4th of July this year!! Our 4th of July Celebration lasted 4 days this year!!

To Start out the festivities, we went to the parade in our little town. This is a big deal in our town. They have a bunch of activities every year on the 4th. We just went to the parade though. Layne loved watching the parade!! His favorite part was the Land o Lakes truck that was handing out ice cream!! Layne also got to see lots of old tractors in the parade. It was a hot morning to watch the parade as it was almost 90 degrees out at 10:30 in the morning!! I'm thankful that the parade wasn't in the afternoon or I don't think we would have gone!! After the parade, we went over to my parents house and had lunch before heading off to Lake Kampeska for more celebrating.

Layne, Grandma, Papa, and Matt waiting for the parade to start. Layne didn't sit down much during the parade, he was to busy looking around at all the stuff!!

Eating his ice cream that he got!!

Layne and Papa waiting for more floats to come by!!

5 years Ago....

5 years ago I married my best friend. We have been through alot the last 5 years but I'm so happy and thankful that I've gotten to spend it with my husband!! He is my rock and I would truly be lost without him. He is an amazing husband and father and I'm so unbelievably happy that I can call him mine!!

10 Things About Little Ol' Me

   I thought I would share some random things about myself. And trust me, they will be RANDOM. I'm kind of a random person.

1) Since Matt and I have been married (almost 5 years) we have owned 6 dogs, 3 snakes, 1 turtle, 1 raccoon, and a quaker parrot. Currently we just have two dogs and two snakes.

2) I HATE Snakes. This is kind of strange since we have two snakes but those are Matt's. I DO NOT do anything with them because they scare me.  And their cages are securely locked down. I wouldn't be able to sleep if they weren't!

3) I used to be terrified of swimming in lakes. I still don't like it. I don't like the idea of not being able to see the bottom and of swimming with fish. I'm totally fine with swimming in the ocean though. (Yes, Weird I know.)

4) I HATE socks. I only own about 5 pairs.

5) I've always been fascinated by anything that deals with Richard Nixon and the Watergate Scandal. 
    (Yes, I'm a nerd!)
6) I can't sleep unless I'm covered up with both a sheet and a comforter. If Matt steals my covers I almost always wake up right away.

7) My favorite movie of all time is One Fine Day. Love George Clooney!

8) I can't make chocolate chip cookies. For some reason I always seem to screw them up!!

9) I could eat chips and salsa everyday!

10) I like visiting odd places...I've been to the SPAM musuem, seen the worlds largest ball of twine, and to Laura Ingalls Wilder's Birth Place just to name a few.

At the Carwash

What happens when you find old pvc pipe laying in the grass at the back of your property and a handyman for a husband who likes to build stuff?? Your child gets a carwash sprinkler!!

Matt constructed this using pvc pipe and fittings. He poked holes in the pipe and then rigged up a hose. Now Layne has his very own carwash to wash all his toys in. And boy does he love it!!

Washing his wagon in the carwash!

Catching drops of water on his tongue. Silly boy!!

(I'm slightly jealous that I didn't have one of these when I was little!)