Two Little Monkeys

Here's a video of my boys "Monkeying Around." Riley and Ethan love playing together! They are both at a very fun age right now. I am really going to miss this stage. They grow up way too fast!!

Our Weekend Getaway

Seven months ago, Tim and I were invited to a wedding in Asheville, NC. We decided it would be a great opportunity to make a vacation out of it. We haven't gone on a trip by ourselves since Riley was born and a weekend away was long overdue. Tim's parents kept the kids at our house. I was a little sad about leaving Riley and Ethan but I knew they were in good hands and I also knew Tim and I really needed a weekend to ourselves.

We drove to Asheville Friday night after we put Riley and Ethan to bed. On Saturday, we made a quick trip to the mall and then got ready for the wedding. One of Tim's friends that he used to work with was getting married.

Oh, did I mention they got married at the Biltmore Inn? It was a beautiful wedding!!

Jessica and her father

Mr. & Mrs. David Gebhardt

After the wedding, we came back to our hotel to relax. It was so nice being able to do whatever we wanted to do. Then, we walked around Downtown Asheville. Afterwards, we went to a movie and had dinner at TGI Fridays.

On Sunday, we slept in till 9:00. Its extremely rare that I ever get to sleep in and unfortunately my body is trained to wake up early. So, its hard to sleep in any longer than 9. Then, we went swimming at the hotel. Afterwards, we took a drive to Ridgecrest. Tim worked there one summer as a camp counselor. It is so beautiful there! We wanted to go hiking but it was raining but we were able to get out a little a the gorge.

The weekend went by so quickly. I really enjoyed getting away and just being with Tim! It was so nice to be able to get in the car and not have to deal with car seats. We also really enjoyed being able to go out to eat by ourselves and not feel rushed to eat!

We came home around 3:00. We were so glad to see our boys!! I missed them so much!! I know they had a great time with Mimi and Paw Paw. Riley wanted them to stay and keep sleeping at his house.

We are planning on taking a weekend trip alone at least once a year.

Our weekend

This past weekend we went to visit my family and celebrate Austin's 3rd Birthday. We had a great time! Here are some pictures from Austin's party.

Riley got caught poking the cake.

Riley had so much fun playing with Austin on the playground!


Tim with his boys.

Tim and I really like Taylor Swift. We love how "down to earth" she is. On Saturday, we stalked drove by her house. She lives about 2 miles from my dad and Deanna's house. I was very surprised because she didn't have a gated fence around her house and basically you could just drive up her driveway.... except there was an armed police officer in a car, behind the bushes, by her house. Maybe that's what kept me from taking a picture of her house. It was a nice house but really nothing special about it. We were wondering if she was home since there was someone guarding her house. Tim was hoping she would be outside so that he could yell, "Hey Taylor!" We didn't ever see her and we stalked drove by her house twice. I see this turning into a habit ever time we go to visit my family now.

Quality Time

Do you know what your "Love Language" is? The 5 Love Languages are words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, and physical touch. A love language is the unique way in which you like to receive love from someone else. My love language is quality time. My love bank was overflowing this weekend with all of the quality time I received from my family.

Tim wanted to make it a special weekend since it was Mother's Day. He did a great job and this weekend was one of the best weekends I ever had!

On Saturday, we had our family pictures taken by my good friend, Katie. She did an amazing job chasing after our energetic 2 year old. I am really looking forward to seeing the pictures. Afterwards, we walked down to the water and let Riley play. We also took some pictures of our own.







Then we decided to get Pals and have a picnic at the park. I love picnics! Mainly, I love eating outside and I love being together as a family.

Then we let Riley play at the park.


Then we went to Tim's parent's house and went on a golf cart ride. We rode on a path near their house. It was very beautiful and relaxing. I really enjoyed being with my family!


On Sunday, my family got me a card with Riley and Tim's voice. It was so sweet! They also got me a baby rose plant. I am also getting a "surprise" gift, that will be ready on Wednesday. I can't wait to see it!!

After church, we got Zaxby's and had another picnic. Did I mention I LOVE picnics?


When we got home, I was able to relax in a quite house. Ethan was taking a nap and Tim was laying down with Riley. Then we went to Tim's grandparents house to be with all of his family. Riley loved playing with his cousins! I really enjoyed being with his family. I missed getting to see my family today. I am really looking forward to seeing them all next weekend!!

I had a wonderful Mother's Day. I feel truly blessed to be the mother of 2 amazing little boys. They bring so much joy and laughter to my life. I love seeing their smiling faces every morning. I love seeing them learn and grow. I love seeing Riley and Ethan play together. I love playing with them in the floor. I love being the one to comfort them when they are upset. I love to hear them laugh. I love dancing with them. I love chasing them around. I love playing outside with them. I love giving them hugs and kisses. I love reading to them. I love cuddling with them.

I LOVE BEING A MOM!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

And he's off!

Ethan has mastered sitting up.

In just a few short days, I am going to have a crawling baby on my hands.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm very excited for Ethan. But honestly, I was hoping it would be another month before he started crawling. Now I am really going to have to watch where he is, be careful he can't get small objects into his mouth, and be extremely mindful of closing the gate upstairs.

For now, he's hurling his body forward and crawling backwards.

Do you see the determination in his eyes?

Way to go, Ethan!

Riley's Helmet

Riley got this bike for Christmas from his Great Grandparents. Its a bike that's been in the family a few years.

This past weekend, we picked up the bike but we told Riley that he couldn't ride it until we got him a helmet to wear. So, he found a bucket and decided that would make a good helmet.

Cute.... yes!

A suitable helmet.... no.

For the past 3 days, he's been wearing his Spiderman bucket on his head. I know, we need to get him a helmet!!

Bad Morning

I live by routines and so do my kids. Every morning in our house is pretty much the same. They wake up, I change their diapers, we go downstairs, I fix Riley his breakfast, and then I make coffee. I have been drinking coffee for 6 months now. Before I had Ethan I wouldn't have ever dreamed I would turn into a coffee drinker. After a few sleepless nights with a newborn, I turned to coffee and now I'm addicted.

This morning I poured my water and then went to the cabinet for a coffee pot liner. (Tim later corrected me that they are called filters.) Well, we were out of coffee filters. This was not good! I live for my morning coffee. I always pour a cup of coffee and put 3 splendas and creamer into my Dunkin' Donuts Coffee and then go catch up on my blogs and email.

My coffee mug remained empty all morning. At one point, I thought about using paper towels as a filter but I didn't get that desperate. I was very sluggish all morning and I just wanted to just crawl back into bed. It didn't help that I was up with one of my kids for 2 hours this morning. Thank You, Jesus for good little nappers this afternoon!

Tonight I will be heading back to Kmart to get coffee filters. I can't go another morning without my coffee! Our local Kmart is doubling coupons this week, so I've been trying to get some deals.

I got all of this for $16 and saved $40!

You can go here to get some tips. It isn't as easy as it seems and our Kmart prices our higher than at other places. Saturday is the last day Kmart will be doubling the coupons.

Anyone have a coffee filter coupon?