Happy Birthday Rocky

Is it possible that my baby is 2? I really don't want to believe it. I would freeze him in time if it were possible. Rocky is magical and is truly my sunshine. It is funny how I used to think having a 2 year old was soooo hard. He is easy! I can pick him up and put him where I want him and he is easily distracted. He constantly gives me loves and thinks I am the bomb! Sometimes I have to stop myself from eating him. I adore this boy!!!

A little note on his cake. I LOVE to make over the top cakes to remind my kids how cool I am. I also want them to look good on my blog to prove to someone, I don't know who, that I am a domestic diva. I spent lots of time trying to figure out the perfect cake for Rocky. Then it hit me, HE DOESN'T"T CARE!!! I realized he would be much more happy playing with me, than being kicked out of the kitchen while I am stressing over HIS cake. I could have lined up cupcakes, or anything else for that matter, and told him it was a train. Rocky would have squealed in delight. I built the cake, but didn't decorate it. Guess what? Success!!! He loved it and he already knows I am cool! Sorry if I let anyone down in the domestic diva department, but you will get over it! :)


I love you Rockstar and am so blessed to be your momma!

This brings me to another issue. Today my kids had school pictures. I am into very simple backgrounds, just a flat color, nothing else. My kids were thrilled to show me the hundreds of backgrounds they could choose for their picture. I quickly let them know that they only had about 4 options and I wasn't budging on this one, so they shouldn't even try. They begged and showed me all the "cool" pillars, beach scenes, geometric designs as I tried not to have a panic attack. Ruby asked me why I cared and told me it was her picture. Guess what? She is right!!! Why do I care? Soo, the next morning I let them pick whatever they wanted to wear AND whatever background their little hearts desired. Ruby did well in my opinion. Cute outfit and a simple pattern for the background. I could handle it. Cooper on the other hand, made me smile. He chose a rainforest background and a green soccer shirt. The best part is that the shirt is backwards because he doesn't want it to show. I am going to guess that it will be one of my favorite pictures ever.

Pappa and Sharon

My dad and his friend Sharon are here visiting for the next few weeks. We love having visitors! We really enjoyed having them here for General Conference Cinnamon Rolls! I love that tradition.

We have been busy! We hiked the Shenipsit tower, visited the Springfield Armory, and Magic Wings (a butterfly exhibit), celebrated Rocky's birthday, and enjoyed some delightful apple cider doughnuts!


Before we moved here, my dad told me we had relatives that lived in Enfield long ago when it was settled (1650-ish). We found the grave of my great, great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather! That is 7 greats! William Simmons is buried just 10 minutes from my home. I feel like we have a special connection and that it is not by accident that we are here. It was even more meaningful to find it with my dad. I loved Elder Bednar's talk in Conference about family history. It inspired me to learn more about my family history.

Children of the corn, apples, and pumpkins

A corn maze is really exciting when you pretend you are being chased by the minotaur!!!
This picture cracks me up. The pumpkin didn't fall from the sky, Rocky fell off it.

Pumpkin patch.






I feel like I should weigh my children before and after they pick apples, then pay for the difference! The leaves are just starting to change. I can't wait to see what a New England fall looks like! Happy leaf peeping! My daddy comes to visit tomorrow....YIPPEE!!!

Giles and smiles

My dear friend from high school and her darling family came to visit us. We played hard, had a sleepover, and went to Yankee Candle Flagship in Deerfield, MA. Our kids hit it off swimmingly and had oh so much fun together. We played hard and laughed until we cried. Luckily they don't live far away, we can't wait to play with the Giles family again soon!

Brimfield!

$550 for the car, baby priceless...
Dang, I was looking for a bigger billows...
Perfect, I needed a naked Greek statue...
Look who is almost 2...
The ladies (minus Jennifer, we missed her)...


Picture the biggest flea market you have ever seen and multiply that by 100. That will give you a small idea of how big the Brimfield Antique Show is. They say if you can't find it at Brimfield, they don't make it! People come from all over to be part of this unique antique experience. I saw some crazy stuff to put it mildly! Any of those random things you need for projects, Brimfield has them. The best part was being with my girlfriends and my chunky monkey.

Back to School!

My big pups went back to school last week. We had a great summer, I miss having them around more! Both kids have great teachers. We are really excited for this school year. Rocky asks several times a day where every one went, he really misses having his pals around.
I can't surprise my kids anymore with the first day of school surprise party. They would be shocked if I didn't have the party.

Irene Good NIght

We are very thankful that Irene decided to calm down before she came to visit! We have had lots of rain and wind, but not a big deal at all. I was more scared in Indiana when Ike came through. I am emotionally exhausted from being so nervous about the storm.