A Toast Raise Your Marshmallow Stick!

Typically the kick off to summer starts on Memorial weekend. Since we have been so anxious about getting nice weather and we finally had a break from the rain, we decided to kick off the summer a week early with some of our friends in the neighborhood.

And what better way to do it than with a Barbecue. We also finished the night off enjoying our new fire pit (a birthday purchase of mine) and making some sticky chocolaty delicious s'mores.

Now if only summer would stay here for good we could do this every weekend.

29 Candles

Our Luke turned 29 today

Even though he didn't want to do a single thing for it

We had to do something

Just to show how much we love him.

So,

I took the day off of work and

Took him out to breakfast at the best breakfast place ever,

Market Street Grill.

I mean seriously

Just look at all that great food.

And they still hadn't even brought out our milk.

Luke had to work

but it gave me time to get ready for his party

with us,

his family of 3.

He chose pizza from Papa John's

Something we hardly ever get to eat because of me

(I hate the smell)

And then time for Birthday cake,

Rainbow Chip boxed cake

and canned Rainbow Chip frosting.

Makes for 2 very happy boys

And a happy me for making it so easy to please my family.

Oliver and I sang to Luke
It was the sweetest sound hearing Oliver sing to his dad
Luke had some help blowing out all 29 candles

After singing came the chanting from Oliver
"Take a bite, take a bite"
Luke was a good sport

And Oliver made sure he didn't skimp on the bite.

We love you so so much

and enjoyed spending this special day with you.

Happy 29th Birthday!

Mother I love you, Mother I do...

I am so lucky to have these boys in my life. They spoil me, tease me, make me laugh, make me crazy, and make me feel like the best mom around. This year for Mothers Day, we had a low key day and Luke and Oliver gave me a mothers day gift early so we could enjoy them in the sun.

This is what they got me...

A couple of these totally comfortable, perfect for summer, Adirondack chairs.

Like I said, I'm so lucky. I would be ungrateful if I didn't express my love and gratitude to my own mom and my mother in law for all that they have done for Luke, Oliver and I and all that they continue to do. We hope you all had a beautiful Mothers day!

D day

I have been wanting to do this for such a long time. If you recall, I even mentioned it here a few years ago. And one day I thought, Why not?

So I did it...

I got Dreadlocks!

41 to be exact.

And here are all the answers to the questions I have already been asked...

Q. How long did it take?
A. 5+ hours
Q. Who did it?
A. My sister in law, Taleesha did 36 and my other sister in law, Amy did 5. I even named a few after them.
Q. How did you do it?
A. A lot of back combing and twisting.
Q. How long to they last?
A. As long as you want.
Q. How do you "fix" it?
A. You cut it off.
Q. Can you wash your hair?
A. Absolutely! I wouldn't have ever done it if that weren't an option.
Q. What kind of shampoo do you use?
A. A non-residue shampoo
Q. Did it hurt to do?
Nope.
Q. How long will you keep them?
A. Maybe a year..maybe more...maybe less. Who knows.
Q. What did your boss say?
A. Nothing.
Q. What did Luke say?
A. He likes it, but was worried about what my boss and his parents would say.
Q. Do you like it?
A. I love it!

Birthday #28

I turned 28 on May 4th and it was so much fun. I do have to confess that in my 27th year, I kept saying that I was 28 when people asked...Ooops. I must be expecting great things this year.

So, I had to work at both jobs this year, but I didn't mind one bit. When I got to the office that Wednesday morning, The Doc had spoiled me with doughnuts, hot chocolate, and and entire cake. I couldn't resist having all three. Half way through my day I got such a nice surprise from Amy. She came by with the girls and Oliver AND lunch. She even helped Oliver make me a card. It was so nice. (sadly, no pictures)

After work I went to work #2. And what do you know, another cake. Can you say spoiled? One of my managers had made this gourmet lemon cake that I'm sure took her hours. It was delicious!

Seriously, I work with some pretty sweet people.

So later that week, Luke and Amy threw me a party. Since I hadn't had any Coke for 60 days, Amy, being as creative as they come, Decided on a Coke themed party.

She went all out with red and black balloons, matching utensils and the best part, an entire bucket full of ice cold coke. Yum!

Love her!


And here is cake #3! Taleesha, another awesome sis-in-law, Made this with a few hours to spare before the party. She knows that I love bees, so she made this yummy chocolate bee cake.

Of course I got sung to in true Baker fashion. And got my face smashed in cake, but it was fun and it's always something for the kids to look forward to....unless it's them.


And here is the moment of pure thirst quenching joy!
My brother asked if I would ever go without it again. My response, I totally would to experience that deliciousness of that first swig.


And here are my rad gifts...

Anyone that knows me well knows that I want Luke to finish our bathroom so bad. I pretty much ask him everyday how progress is coming so a few of my gifts are for my bathroom. I also got money, gift cards, a totally awesome fedora hat, lotion, lip gloss, a necklace, birthday cards, and a new purse.

I'm really so blessed.

Thanks a million times over for all the birthday wishes.

Cinco De Mayo

Happy Cinco De Mayo! Trent and Amy threw a pretty cool fiesta. We had fajitas, chips and queso, cowboy caviar, real Mexican drinks, and the best churros ever.

At the end of the night, I was tempted to pull out my Mexican revolver and shoot a few rounds in the air shouting "ay yay yay yay!", but I contained myself.

Thank you Mexico for giving us Americans another reason to party. Viva Mexico!

1 month

Today we went up to see my Dads grave. It was the first time I took Oliver up with me and he loved going to "see" his Grandpa Bill. We laid a few roses down and walked around the Cemetery for a little while in the beautiful spring weather.

We all miss you more and more everyday, Dad.

Easter

This Easter was more exciting for us since Oliver could really get into all the fun activities we had all weekend long. First up was an Easter Egg Hunt. Of course he was too little to get a lot of the eggs, but I'm okay with that especially since he insisted on opening every single egg and then eating its contents right away.

See...Oliver was totally fixed on those little treats he wouldn't even look up to take a picture.

We thought this would be the moment where Oliver would freak out kicking and screaming to get away from the Easter bunny. Nope. He even leaned into him and chilled with the creepy eyed thing. Seriously, it's no wonder kids get scared.

Luke and I also hosted a party for the Baker side. We ended up having 14 little kids there to join in the fun of the Easter egg hunt. They loved finding eggs full of candy, money and confetti. The adults later on had their own Easter egg hunt and this year Luke won the fifty dollars! Woo Hoo! We also enjoyed some really good food and had a good time hanging out together as family and friends.

Sunday morning, Oliver was surprised by the Easter bunny again when he saw his basket in the living room. (It wasn't that cute really, so I didn't take a picture, but it had all the good stuff)

The favorite toy was to no surprise this....

Of course Easter wouldn't be complete without reflecting on the real reason why we celebrate this Holiday. I'm always so grateful that Easter falls on a Sunday where we can wind down and remember our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, His life, His sacrifice for us, His resurrection, and His eternal love.

Happy Easter!