What do you do?

What do you do when you're trying to finish getting ready for the day and look down and see you son doing this? Grab your camera of course!



This is why they say to buckle in your child-
Sometimes he just cracks me up!

Traveling Mamma Part 2

Reaching Nashville-
I am told that Nashville is a small airport, but when you are in the last possible gate both coming and going, and are carrying a backpack, a diaper bag, and a 20lb. baby it isn't so small.

We were greeted at the front end by Uncle Seannie, and got a quick tour of their new town. Nolensville is a very cute and growing community. I was totally shocked by the size of Miss Fiona's new elementary school, but they have small class sizes which is really great and she seems to really love it.
Julie took on the great role of tour guide and after dropping Miss Aida off at preschool (she just loved showing off her little baby cousin) we headed out to Franklin to see the Carter House, the historical site of the Battle of Franklin. The tour was so amazing and seeing such well preserved history we totally ran out of time to take any pictures. I would say skip the movie and just take the tour, their guides are so good you get all the information and in better format.
Our days we definitely spent playing the Tourists, we had to hit the good'ol southern food spots- Arnold's is the best, and the typical sites like Country Music Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry. But we really hit the jackpot when Aunt Julie took us to the consignment sale she donated to. I got some really great outfits and toys for insanely great prices. Can't wait to hear how the next one goes. I also was able to be totally spoiled by Julie; I let her practice the Raindrop Technique me, which sent me into a deep sleep. It was soo relaxing, sure hope Sean learns how to do it to repay his lovely wife for me. This technique uses the Young Living essential oils that Julie has gotten into and I have to say she has sold me on their benefits.
We had such a wonderful time staying with them. Their new home is beautiful, their neighbors are great, and they seem really happy. So glad to see them as a whole again, I know it was hard to be away from Dad/Husband for so long.
We spent our last day totally stuffing our faces with great food and the girls even got a special dessert for their Monkey Ryan's Birthday even though he couldn't join us, but they were sweet enough to let us go home on his Birthday -even though they were pretty tempted to have us stay :)
Julie and I decided that next time we need to take this tour.

Visiting the local stops




Love their Fried Green Tomatoes and their chocolate pie is to die for.

She dreams of the stage.

Surrounded by the great ones- gathering inspiration.


Here is the Aquarium restaurant-Great Ambiance and the desserts are sensational.

Look at that fish!


Happy Birthday Monkey Ryan




He just couldn't enough of putting food in Quinn's mouth- must be in the genes, huh Papa Mike?.
Thanks Sean, Julie, Fiona, and Aida. We had a truly great time visiting your new digs and wish you the very BEST.

We then headed home in the early am. Arriving in AZ. We were so sad to miss seeing Ashlyn and Avery, but I dropped the ball and didn't call in time to have her meet us- Next time definitely, sorry Mike for upsetting your prego wife.

So happy to be home, so sad to be done traveling. But I am all about planning the next one in my head.
Couple tips I learned:
Pack ahead of time
Be super prepared for security
Keep a smile on your face and take deep breaths when you think you're going insane
Most people really do love babies- just sit on the aisle and more than likely you'll get your own row :)
and over all
Enjoy the trip for all it's worth!!! It is worth all you make it.

Traveling Mamma Part 1

After finally settling down my nerves we got on the plane, found our seats, and then we were joined by two hiliarous nurses on their way to Vegas to celebrate a Birthday. I am so grateful my trip started with these fun ladies, they had me laughing through most the flight as my sweet little boy slept. From Vegas we made our way to Columbus, easily surviving a 40 minute delay on the tarmac and arriving just about 2am.
First Day
My great sisters picked us up and even made a nice stop at Tim Horton's (a little bagel drive thru) for an early meal. Then we crashed. When we finally made our way out of bed we got to play, and Quinn got to learn how to jump on and off the bed by his adorable cousins Ben and Riley. And I got to hold my BEAUTIFUL little niece Maddie.
With eight kids my sister Emily is a pretty hopping little lady, and from 6 to 10 her house is moving and grooving. so for the next couple days we took it pretty easy. One day we joined Amy and their mom Gail in Fremont for some visiting time and to check out a couple yard sales. It was so lovely to sit on Gail's porch and share stories and laugh at everyone's funny little kids.



Can't quite explain how relaxing it was even with all the kids running around and sometimes crying, to sit and visit with my sisters and watch Emily sew and help in the kitchen, etc.
Then Saturday came along and the memories just kept being made. Quinn got to go to his first ever Ren. Faire, in costume even.

And did he ever love it.
Emily has been bragging about the Michigan Faire for ages and we were finally able to get there for it.
And best of all we made it to the Washer Women Show. These ladies are so stinking hiliarious- I was almost crying.
Before the show Quinn was paid with kisses for helping the "SAVE the Cleaveage" a fund for Breast Cancer Research where you pay to throw sponges at wenches and all proceeds goes to the fund.
Very hot day, but TONS of fun. Can't wait to go again.

That's a puppet on her shoulder!

Cuddle Time with Uncle Ron


Love these birds, one day maybe honey

What a ladies Man!

I love these Ladies!


Meeting Winnie and Daphne



This Lady was beautiful playing a type of oracle.


Visiting the Children's Area- Very good story time act




Guess what we also found out- My Little guy LOVEs pickles. It's amazing what traveling teaches you.

Sunday, we unfortunately did not get to go back to Fremont to see the Wylykanowitz's. Little Miss Mena got really sick and had to make a trip to the ER (They ended up coming home and making a trip to the DR. later, because the Hospital was so insanely busy) and then have a couple down days. Sorry Phil, we will get more time to visit next time, promise.
We did have dinner with Amy Monday night in between her crazy class schedule and had a quick trip to Hobbie (something) store. Amy and Emily go crazy over this store, which is kind of like Michaels, but much much bigger and cheaper.
Then we finished off our Ohio trip by having scones, Ben felt the bread machine was better used as a toy storage area, and then spending a little time at Allison's home AKA Kid's Heaven. Swear she owns almost every kid's toy out there and due to her cleverness with paint and her prowress at the internet it all came at very great prices.



And then it was off to Nashville. . .

Traveling Mamma- Ben and Quinn

I had to get this in while I am thinking about it. I am so thankful that my lil'guy has a big brute cousin to give him that boy time, not that we aren't grateful for the girllies too but he is definitely a boy's boy. Quinn truly loves his cousin Ben, he had him laughing so hard over the funniest stuff. Can't wait to see these two get older together.

Quick Post

I know I haven't posted in a while, I blame it on my soon to be 6 month old and Life.
So really quickly, because I am really supposed to be packing right now while lil'one is sleeping, here are pictures I promised to post for the Grandma.

These are from Mike's 60th Birthday party- Very exciting, lots of work, tons of fun. The theme was Movie Magic (okay I just made up the title, but it was a movie theme party and everyone dressed up). Roo and I made the cake- FYI black frosting makes black teeth :)





For those affected by the "IKE" my prayers are with you and soon my father-in-law will be down there to help with the insurance claims.

OKay, now I really need to get packing as I leave tomorrow to see my wonderful sisters and then off to Sean and Julie's in TN, and I am getting the "first time as a mom" flying jitters. Good Luck to me :)

Been awhile

Okay so it has been awhile since I posted. Not because I have been so incredibly busy or anything, more because I just can't seem to find any real drive to come up with anything to write about. But looking back I have some real good markers of time:
Quinn has started baby/ real food and loves it











Quinn has also become a techy geek. Scary I know and I blame it all on Ryan :)


I am about to qualify in Slumber Parties (for those who don't know what this is; it is a company I joined that sales Relationship Enhancement products ;P so if you need some more spice in the house let me know!)
Also the Really big news is that after lots of walks and more watching my plate I have gotten into my old jeans! YEAH! Couple more months and I will make my goal of being the size I was when I first met Ryan, now won't that be cool.
Ryan starts his first real teaching job tomorrow, and Friday Quinn and I are on a road trip to Seattle/Tacoma to see my parents before their cruise- and then it's off to OH in two weeks, WOOHOO
Beyond that not much, but here are some pic I couldn't put up before
These are from the SAND IN THE CITY, lots of very talented people with sand


And these are from our trip to the Aquarium with my Dad, Quinn just loves fish, good thing we are getting him so much better with water.