Monday, February 28, 2011

Firsts. . .

We are experiencing a lot of firsts these days.  It seems like everyday Caleb is surprising us with something new.  I love watching him learn new things, and wish I could have the same patience and tenacity that he has!  We are so proud of you, sweet boy!  Here are some of your "firsts" that we happened to catch on camera. . .


first chore

first kiss

first piano recital

1st best friend

1st bday cake

1st winter walk

1st time clapping

1st bday party

1st (and last) diaper change by big sister

1st time to return to hosptial since his own birth 
1st time drinking and driving
1st "favorite" toy, thank you Limburg family!

1st time eating at "big" table


1st time to have control of the remote 

and lastly, first one-on-one game!

Looking forward to many more firsts!  Love you buddy!


4 X 4

I was recently tagged in a questionnaire game.  I struggle to keep this blog updated at times, much less complete a forward of questions. However, I couldn't disappoint one of my favorite bloggers Dawn. So, here is a little insight you may or may not want to know about me.  :)



01. Four Places I Go

1.Tim Horton's (yes, I have totally failed one of my New Year's resolution to give up my iced capps, but to my defense someone in our family has been sick for a solid month, and Mama needs some caffeine:)
2.Giant Eagle (although I go grocery shopping once a week, I find myself constantly running in for things I forgot).
3.My parents house (Nana is currently at home recovering from knee replacement surgery, so we are enjoying as much time with her as possible, before she returns to work).
4.Preschool

02. Four Favorite Smells

1.A freshly bathed baby/child
2.Suntan lotion
3.Food cooking on the grill
4.T-shrits with my hubby's scent

03. Four Favorite Movies/Shows

1.Modern Family (hands down the most hysterical show on tv these days. I don't think there has been a single episode Jeremy and I haven't quoted the next day).
2.Parenthood
3.Pretty much any movie with Julia Roberts or Meg Ryan
4.Cast Away


04. Four Recommendations

1.Give your children what they need, not what they want (I have to remind myself of this one daily:)
2.Allowing time away for yourself and as a couple makes for a healthy and happy family(I am blessed to have a hubby who encourages me to give myself this break, but somehow I still seem to feel guilty, but I'm working on it!)
3.Be the change you want to see in the World. 
4.Enjoy where you are in life right now, regardless of how hard it may be or how much easier you think it will be in the future.  One day you will look back on this time, and wish you had more of it.

This is a game of tag so now I'm tagging...

1. Holly
2. Amy
3. Ashlee
4. Whitney
And there you have it, my very first forwarded post complete!  :)

Saturday, February 26, 2011

65 Years!

Happy Bday, Dad!  I am so thankful that you were brought into this world 65 years ago!  You are an amazing son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend. I know your parents were looking down from heaven at you today and are so proud of the man that they raised. You have truly made this world a better place just by being in it!  You are a man of great character, the hardest worker I have ever known, and a walking encyclopedia.  I am so proud to call you my father, and am so thankful that my children are able to know what a loving and giving Grandpa they have!  Here's to 65 wonderful years....and many more to come!

...I had to include this video text we sent you today, so you can always look back and see how loved you are!  Mackenzie said it best "isn't it a wonderful day...."  yes, it was!  (Don't forget to pause the playlist before viewing.:)



...and just for fun, here is Mackenzie and Caleb's video from last year, wishing you a happy bday!  Caleb was a little over a month old....man how time flies!


....and while I'm on a roll....I had to include the fam singing you (and Jeremy) Happy Birthday.  The best part is that although Melissa, David and the kids couldn't be there with us in person, they were on the phone to join in on the singing!



We love you Dad!  "Hippy Barth-day!"

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Birthday Shout Out

Happy Bday, Kaylee Jane!  6 years old today!  I can still remember your parents leaving your house early in the morning excited for your arrival, and bringing Ella to the hospital, with your Uncle Buzz to meet you.  To share in that excitement is a day I will always remember.  You were my first neice that I was able to meet hours after birth.The first time as an Aunt that I was able to hold the newest member to our family on the same day you entered the World..  (Your sweet sister I did not meet until much later, as I had just began dating your Uncle Buzz, and I have always lived too far to be there to meet my sister's children the day or even week of their birth).  So, you hold a very special place in my heart!  We love you so very much and are so proud of the amazing little girl you have become.  Stay sweet and never lose that wonderfully contagious laugh! 

Happy Bday, Kaylee!    Love, Uncle Buzz, Aunt Jill, Mackenzie and Caleb

...and now, a special shout out from a little girl who couldn't love you more. ..

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Time Warp Tuesday-Sledding 2007

Here's a video taken when Mackenzie was about 16 months old. It was taken outside of our old house after a big snow storm. Mackenzie's first official sled ride. . .although there technically was no sled on this ride....

...and here's a pic from this Winter of my sweet girl playing in the snow....

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Happy Anniversary!

Today marks 39 years of wedded bliss, for my wonderful in-laws!  Anyone who is around them can feel the love that they have for each other.  They are an amazing example of love, and have taught their boys by example how to love and treat  their spouses.  This one is for you, Bob and Kathy.  A little throw back video from a few years ago when we visited Disney World!  Remember this?  (Remember to pause playlist to the right:)



Happy Anniversary!  We love you!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

35 Things. . .

that I love about my husband. . .



1.  you are my very best friend.

2.  you love me even at my very worst.

3.  you are a kid at heart, and appreciate the small things in life.

4. you can meet someone once and remember everything about them.

5.  you go over-the-top for holidays, birthdays and celebrations.

6.  you are loving, gentle, and hands on with our children.

7.  you work hard for our family & take good care of us.

8.  you are a glass is half full type of guy.

9.  you enjoy life.

10.  you are not one to sweat the small stuff or complain.

11.  you are a risk taker and truly believe in things working out (ie-buying our new house before selling our old house).

12. you are a true and loyal friend.

13.  you love your family and would do anything for them.

14.  you are a lover of potato chips and popcorn, and look forward to your late night snack (as much as I do:).

15.  you are the person people go to when they need a good chuckle.

16.  you notice the small things, that most people overlook.

17.  you are an unwaivering, loyal to-the-end Ohio State Buckeye fan!

18.  you are good to give up sleeping in on the weekends, so that I can.

19. you  refuse to pay full price for anything

20.  you love finding the perfect gift for people and are the "shopper in our family".

21.  you are always good to give me a break when I need one, or encourage me to get together with the girls.

22.  you have the magic touch when it comes to healing our children's boo boo's, getting them to sleep when they are restless, or making them belly laugh when they are down.

23. you tune in to more a.m. radio channels that f.m....and it always provides me with a good chuckle whenever I borrow your car.

24.  you have one volume, and try as hard as you may, you just cannot whisper  :)

25.  you have a hard time getting rid of things, even if it's an old undershirt, tattered exercise pants, or socks with holes, you just can't get yourself to throw things away.

26.  you are a resourceful kind of fella.  You have been known to use your "Macguiver-like" skills to fashion together tools to aide you in getting that pesky old popcorn kernel out of your tooth, or to work on your "toe".  (I'll just leave it at that, but those who know him well, know exactly what I'm referring to!:)

27.  while you may think you are an action kind of movie guy, your favorite movies are actually:  Mrs. Doubtfire and Sister Act I.

28.  you have a way of making people feel good when they are around you.

29.  you are a social, outgoing guy, with more friends than most.

30.  you are not one to go to the doctor unless you are on your death bed, and this generally happens once every few years.

31.  you love, love, love the thrill of a good sale, and have saved us thousands of dollars thanks to Black Friday sales and online coupon codes.

32.  you can get a beautful, golden suntan, just by going out to get the mail.

33.  you will try anything at least once and are up for any challenge.

34.  you have been known to pull off great pranks on our old neighbors, pranks that went on for several years, and are still talked about today.

35.  you take the time every morning to give us a kiss and hug goodbye, and to tell us to "make it a great day!"

...because of all these reasons, and so many more, we love you!  Thanks for being an amazing husband, father and best friend.  We love you to the moon and back.  (Or as Mackenzie says"  all the way to the princess castle and back.")