Rowan's shoes...

...a girl after her Mom's heart!

Rowan frequently visits my closet and wears my shoes around the house, but apparently they aren't mine anymore! She likes the sound these make on the tile floor! Too funny.

Oh, and the other pics are her acting like a monkey to get to her diaper! Very naughty!

Cousin Time...

While Molly and I were preparing for the shower today, Blayne, Eddie and Papa took the kids to Lowe's to build a project. Kieran does this frequently back home, so we thought we would see what Rowan thought of the experience too. She is definitely a girl, and definitely 2! Lost interest once her dad opened the package of parts! But they all got to spend time together!

Many super cute pictures of Rowan, Kieran and Grady! Rowan sure held on tight to her baby Grady! And both Kieran and Rowan loved sitting on the tractor! They play so well together! Wish we could do it more often. They are going to come visit in a couple weeks!

Bridal Shower...

....honoring, Dustin and Julie!

Molly and I threw a shower for Julie this weekend in Belvidere, IL. We chose to throw it there because we thought it was most centrally located for all of the friends and family to travel to. And Aunt Jill was willing to open her home to us for the festivities.

Our original plan was a Citrus themed shower for the women, and the men were going to be go golfing. But plans changed, and therefore our theme and menu pretty much went out the window. So we re-planned an easier menu to feed men and women alike, but kept the color scheme. On the menu were Chicago Dogs, Pork burgers, Chicken Penne Pasta Salad, Potato Salad, Chips, Salsa, and a Sundae Bar too! The only citrus theme item we kept were Orange cookies (because they are Julie's favorite), and they were the party favors for all who attended.

We had a beautiful day that we spent outside playing bean bag toss, washers, wiffle ball (I think that ended before the shower started because Blayne and Eddie broke the balls), and of course some plain old visiting among family and friends. The group photo was taken after some guests had already left, but it is our immediate Smith family, the Specks, the Knotts, DAve, Cathy, and LInda!

Oh, and a disclosure on the Peace Sign. Julie's brother and sister in law ordered her a cheese platter that they registered for from Potterybarn, and instead they got a light up Peace sign from PB Teen. They were wondering why the box said PB teen on it! That'll teach ya to open the box!

We didn't do any standard shower games. But Rick and Jill took a trip to Chicago the week before to video tape Dusty answering some questions, and then put on a mini Newlywed game for all to enjoy. Poor Julie was quite embarrassed with some of the questions they had to answer! And Dusty even kept it G rated in his responses. It was very cute and entertaining!

Then of course there were gifts. The kids opened most of them for Julie I think. And lucky for her they ripped lots of bows, therefore leading to many children in her future!

Here are a few pictures of the kids, most of whom are in the wedding. Rowan and Kaitlyn are flower girls, and Tommy and Kieran are ring bearers. They are all going to be so darn cute!

All in all it was a wonderful laid back day. Ended up being a bit long, since Rowan was up at 530am, and we were on the road to Belvidere just after 7am. And didn't get home that night until just before 10pm. But it was a great time spent with family and friends!

Hump Day...

I have to apologize for this random, boring post. I have been absent for the last week because I worked Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Then Monday thru today have been without a vehicle (just some standard maintenance on both vehicles). So it has been quite boring around here. No place to go, just catch up on laundry, cleaning the house, and some quality time with Rowan!

Friday night, Grandma and Grandpa Bremberger spent the night. They made the trip to exchange some items with us and a very brief visit. They were barely here 15 hours. We had some dinner when I got home Friday night, and they left after breakfast Saturday morning to head to Pickerel. This super cute tote was one of the exchanges. They bought Rowan two toy totes from PBK, and this big one was defective so we had to exchange. Too bad she doesn't use it for toys yet. And heaven forbid I take a picture of her. She wants me to take pictures of Elmo and Grinch! Boring!

This a random addition. This frame I got for one of Rowan's baby showers. And I have it displayed in the bathroom. I think I was supposed to replace the picture with one of her, which clearly hasn't happened. But this is a picture of myself, Casey, Andi, and Ashley (my cousins) when we were little. I will have to look and see if I have a picture of all of us now! Sorta cute!

4 Years already...

Time sure flies when you are having fun with your best friend!

Today is our 4 Year Wedding Anniversary! Our wedding day seems so far in the past now. So much has changed and we have come so far since then! Sorta sad, but exciting at the same time!

Many more years to come!

I love you Ed!

Girls day...

Rowan and I got to spend the day visiting with Crystal and Kenadee! They came up for a day trip visit! It was much overdue and very fun catching up and letting the girls play. Kenadee was very into watching Rowan and her every move. And Rowan was very into Kenadee and being a big helper.

Apparently Kenadee isn't a big car person, but she did well on the ride up! And you would never know that she was lacking in sleep this morning. She was a very well natured little girl, and tolerated Rowan and I smothering her just fine. Wish we could get together more!

This evening, we had Rowan outside again since the weather was so nice. She is getting better and better at the pedal idea with her tricycle. And to this day, the button on her 4-wheeler still excites her just as much as the very first time!

No good very bad day...

The morning didn't start well, as Rowan woke up with a puffy eye from a pesty mosquito bite by her eyebrow. These pictures are taken later in the day and really don't do it justice.

Then, at daycare, we were faced with our 4th owie slip! Rowan was bit in the arm by another girl. And this time, there is evidence! Let's just say Mom wasn't very happy, and the teacher didn't give me the time of day! I feel like 4 occurrences (always the recipient) in 6 months is a bit extreme! Time to graduate to the bigger kid room!