Beautiful Day For A Walk!

Yesterday afternoon Strummer and I went on a walk because it was GORGEOUS outside! It was extra exciting, because we saw the signs that Spring is finally here! Trees were starting to bud, grass is starting to turn green and we even saw flowers! The sun was out and there was slight breeze every so often. A PERFECT day for walking!! Here are some pics from stroll. 

budding trees!

a flowering tree!

Strummer is excited to begin our walk

1/2 way through our walk

After our hour long stroll. I guess he became tired after exploring!

Strummer's First Easter

We headed to Omaha for Easter this year! It was hosted by the beautiful, talented, overly awesome Jensen's! (AKA - my sister Erika and her hubby Brad!)

It was Strummer's first time visiting Omaha! So he had fun exploring the Jensen household! (Okay, technically, he had been to Omaha, he just didn't see it...hee-hee-heee)

We had lots of fun spending time with family and celebrating Christ's resurrection! (Which is what Easter is all about, not bunnies, candy and eggs) 

Sunday we met mom and dad at church. Our family as well as Scott and Sara all stayed w/the Jensen's Saturday night, so we all headed to church together (just in separate cars, to many people for 1 car!)  This was Strummer's 2nd ever church service. His first was Christmas eve at my parent's church and he was only 2 months then, however at nearly 6 months, I wasn't sure how he would act during the entire service (which, was pretty long!). He actually did fairly well. I was very proud of him! He hung out w/Grandpa, then Grandma, then Aunt Era. Grandma gave him a bottle that I had made up 'cause I KNEW he would be HUNGRY! He even played w/one of his books, then towards the end he started getting, well, vocal. So he was passed back to me. 'Cause he kept on 'talking'. I think people around us thought it was cute, b/c they kept on looking back and smiling. Nevertheless, I headed to to the back of the room so he wouldn't be as distracting! 

When we arrived back at the house, Mike, Crystal, Hannah and Ian were waiting for us! So everyone went inside, and while lunch was being prepared, (we had a BBQ-style meal) the eggs were hidden for the kids to find. Hannah and Ian love finding the eggs. I'm sure Strummer will have lots of fun w/it next year! He was just a bit to little to enjoy the festivities! 

Lunch was super yummy! Then afterwards, we had dessert. Erika made a Peanut Pie for my dad's b-day and a cookie tower for my brother's b-day! Both equally delicious!!! As Usual! (Fab Job Era!)

Strummer even ate some food! Crystal blended up some leftover sweet potatoes and she and my mom fed Strummer! He really liked it! Plus, it was a bit more chunky then his usual baby food, but he still loved it (And - it was less messy!)  Then during dessert time, he had a few small bites of some homemade whipped cream from the pie. 

Overall, it was a wonderful weekend w/the family! I always love when we are able to all get together! Love You Guys!!!

April 5, 2009

Yesterday we had a spring winter storm! Here in Iowa, weather is strange and sometimes these weird events happen! Brad and I both played at church (actually, they ended up canceling the gym services, so just Brad played). Anyhoos, Saturday night I told Brad we needed to ride together, because there was no way I was going to drive back home after church if we were suppose to receive what we were told that we were going to get. Unfortunately, the weather people WERE right w/this one! So, during the morning while we were at church, first there was freezing rain, then slush, then the snow started...and kept going and going and going. By the time we left which was a little before 1 it had pretty much stopped. Thank goodness! All though, during the process, the roads were HORRIBLE! They ended up having to close I-35 from Story county to Hwy 20 b/c of semis that had jack-knifed. Thankfully by the time we got back on road, Hwy 30 was pretty clear. (it also helped we were following a snow plow!) However, on our way home (which is about a 20 mile stretch) we saw 15 cars in the ditch! At least no one had a major accident! 

Boone received 6-1/2 inches of snow! UGG! Now need I remind you that snow has been completely gone for over a month! However, I'm sure it will all be melted w/in a week, because the temps are suppose to be back in the 50s and 60s starting tomorrow. Again, crazy weather! Of course, my husband was THRILLED having snow again. He likes winter :P 

Here are some pics!!! 

The sidewalk I shoveled (Yes, I volunteered to shovel!)

Close up of what I shoveled. It was HEAVY b/c the bottom layer was of a slush/ice mix. 

Which is why it came off the shovel as chunks!

The backyard

The grill

Bosco investigating

Taking a 'winter' photo w/our stocking caps

Back inside

(just wanted to throw in a photo of him sitting on his own! hee-hee-hee)

Strummer's New Pal

Yesterday Strummer and I drove to Ankeny to go play w/Holly and Brayden! As I've said in a previous post Brayden is just 3 weeks older than Strummer so it was fun having them interact with each other! I think our first playdate went very well! It'll be fun getting together again, especially as the boys get older and having more of a concept of playing together! :P  Here are some pics from our day! 

Brayden was nice enough to share his toys

Strummer was concerned on why Brayden was upset

Happy Baby

Another happy baby!

Pals

Brayden wanting to give Strummer a hug!

(yes, Strummer is a bit taller!)

Fruits and Veggies

Hmm...

I don't know

I think it's good!

This is a bit strange

I like it! It makes me happy!

But why am I so dirty?

The past couple weeks, we have introduced Strummer do the new textures of baby food! He seems to enjoy eating these new things! The first week he had peaches, which he really liked. The next week he ate green beans. The face w/the green beans was classic! He wasn't sure what to think, but he still ate them! Also - a green food does not look to appetizing when it's all over, oppose to an orange color :P

3-Month Photo Shoot!

My extremely talented brother-in-law Brad took Strummer's 3-month photo shoot! (all though technically, he had just turned 4-months, but close enough....hee-hee-heee)

It was awesome! Strummer was a bit tired b/c he didn't take a nap that morning, so he wasn't as 'animated', however the photos still turned out REALLY well! 

Thanks again Brad!!! It's so fun having a photographer in the family!! I will be looking forward to our 6-month photo shoot!  

BTW - I would totally recommend Brad for your photography needs even if he wasn't family! His work is FABULOUS!!

Here's the link the Strummer's photos. The password is: grout

http://www.bradleyjensen.com/pickpic/gallery/jump.php

(You can also click on the title of the post to go to his website)

Have a terrific day! :o)

Meeting Holly, Brayden and Nicole

Holly, Brayden, Strummer and I

Sara with her nephew and godson

Getting love from Nicole

At the end of the night

I LOVE my sisters!!!

A few weeks ago Nicole had a Pampered Chef/Premier Jewelry party...and my sisters and I ALL attended!! If that wasn't awesome enough, Holly and Brayden were there as well! So Strummer was able to meet new people. It was a lot of fun. I don't think I have seen Holly since her wedding (as crazy as that seems) and last saw Nicole when I was like 8 months pregnant. 

So - it was a GREAT night of reuniting w/my wonderful sisters and friends I hadn't seen in a LONG time! 

It was totally fun being able to see Holly and Brayden! Brayden is exactly 20 days older than Strummer, so it will be a blast getting the little guys together since they are SO close in age!  

So - THANKS Nicole for having a party! We were able to see old friends and I was able to spend some time w/my sisters....at the same time! Which RARELY happens!!!