The Train Museum

When asked what Joey wanted to do for his birthday, he said go to the train museum. This was not a surprise. The train museum that we like is in Tuckahoe which is about a half an hour away. It's not real big but it is nice. This is how it always goes: As soon as we walk in the door, Joey runs around like crazy from display to display. Then he plays with the wooden trains for awhile. This the wooden train table. He wouldn't look up for even one second. See the half smile?

Celebrating with Chuck E Cheese

As a tradition, our family celebrates our birthdays at Chuck E Cheese. We went friday night for Joey's. It was so packed, Joey didn't have as much fun as usual. We'll have to remember to never go on a friday night. We did see Chuck E Cheese a lot. I was surprised when Joey wouldn't get his picture with him.Riding the carouselHangin with Laura in the tubesAlex playing air hockey. Yes, she went as Cindy Lou Who.
We sang Thomas songs the whole way home. This is why Joey's mouth is open. He sang his heart out!

Cindy Lou Who?

In celebration of Dr. Suess, Alex's school dressed up as Dr. Seuss characters. We pondered a few different characters and Alex chose to go as Cindy Lou Who. We were proud of how she looked. She even won BEST DRESSED CHARACTER for all of Kindergarten. Granted, there are only 26 kids in kindergarten, we were still proud.The dress is courtesy of Aunt Fran who gave us some of Tracey Lee's old dresses. Daddy did the hair. There are two braids in the back that are hard to see. Yeah for my Punkin!

Life Moves Way Too Fast

Today is Joey's birthday and I wanted to share some photos of Joey from then and now. It's amazing how quickly your children grow. Sometimes I feel like life is passing me by. It's crazy!

This is the photo we took for Alex to announce that she is a big sister. Joey is 3 days old.We were so excited for Joey's first Halloween because we found Tigger and Pooh costumes. This was taken in September, almost two months before halloween. This was Joey's first lollipop. Alex was sharing her halloween candy with him. At first I almost had a heart attack. Then I thought, what the heck. No harm in a little sugar and broke out the camera. He was 8 months old.This one is one of my favorites. Alex used to do all sorts of things with and to Joey. Her favorite thing was to show him books when he was in the walker. One day, she decided to decorate him with stickers. At least it wasn't markers. My neice Camryn decided her brother needed powder when he was little and dumped a bunch of it on his head. So I felt lucky that this is all she did to him. If you felt like you've seen this picture before, you probably have. It was on his first birthday photo. I don't really remember why he was in the basket. Anything that I write would be pure speculation.

At times I feel Joey is not as advanced at certain things that Alex probably was at his age. In the rush of life, I don't take the time to show him how to do things like put his coat and shoes on and brush his own teeth. I just do it for him. He still amazes me at times though. For example, he puts his own train tracks together. They don't always work out but sometimes they do. We can always hear him making up his own stories too. It's really neat. The other day, we went to a party at McDonald's. I brought his food over and then got distracted talking to someone. When I looked over at him, he had all his food set out and even had his straw in his drink. I was pleasantly surprised. My Little Man is becoming such a big boy right before my eyes.

Here are some photos of Joey today

This was riding on Thomas the Tank Engine in DecemberHe looks so small next to that great big train.This black tongues is from black icing at halloween. This picture, I feel is the perfect depiction of Joey. Carefree, easy going, in his own world. As you can see, he has Thomas in his hands. This is normal.

He amazes me everyday. Whether it's something he says or does. He gives the best hugs. I love him to pieces. I can't believe my baby turns 4 today. One thing is for sure. Life moves too too fast.

Vacuuming With My Boy

We have had a kiddie vacuum ever since Alex was little. She liked it but nowhere near as much as Joey. Ever since he started walking, he has gotten out his little vacuum every time I got my vacuum out. He hasn't done it in a while. That's why we thought this time was so much fun. I jsut wish it really worked!

Scrapbooking with the Sister Missionaries

I enjoy scrapbooking. At this stage in my life, I do more single projects like the occasional card or a present for someone. I haven't made my own scrapbook in a long time. Who has the time. It is time consuming. I still enjoy every aspect of it though. I also like to have whatever I need to want at the time on hand. So, I have lots of stuff...and I don't mind sharing.

Ever since I joined the LDS church, my best friend Stephanie and I liked to feed the missionaries. Missionaries are young men (elders) and women (sisters) who are called to teach people about the church. Missionaries taught me when I was researching the LDS religion. So when I moved down to Cape May, Brodie didn't mind continuing that especially since our area is covered by sisters. Most Mormons are scrapbookers. This is how I learned the trait. When the sisters where over for dinner last week and they spoke of their photos, I offered for them to come over and scrapbook. It was fun.
Sister Tolefson and Sister Thorton and their projects. Sister Thorton decided to make some Miss You cards after being indecisive about what photos to use and what layout to choose for her project. I hope the girls are proud of themselves. I had fun.

Joey's Bed Head

Ok, so I thought it would be cute to grow Joey's hair out a bit a get him a cute swoopy kinda cut you see the boys have these days. It has been an extremely difficult few weeks. Everyday his hair is standing up in some shape or form and I spray his head with water and comb it down. The other morning was the worst though. I could not stop laughing at the poor kid. His hair was so crazy. This is the best photo I could get. I don't feel it shows the extent of the craziness. When Joey saw his hair in the mirror, he frowned and asked me to fix it right away. It was so funny.

We Love Laura

Brodie has been friends with Laura's Dad Matt ever since his junior year in high school, 1986. When Matt decided to baptize his daughter, Laura, he asked Brodie to be her godfather. Being her godfather used to mean we just bought her a Christmas present. Ever since she's been a little older, last couple of years or so, we started having her spend the night. Turns out, she's close in age with my neice Camryn and our children love her. In fact, Joey just adores her. Spending the night turned into invites camping and other places as well. Now, we invite her to just about anything we do. She has become a part of our family. In fact, Brodie secretly tries to adopt her from her Mommom. Shh! Don't tell anyone. For her birthday that was last week, I wanted to share some photos and things about Laura.
This is Laura (she was named after her Mommom whom she currently lives with)This was from tubing in the PoconosI'm sharing this one because I know she'll love it. This was from chocolate chip pancakes and chocolate milk.This is Laura hitching a ride up the mountain in the PoconosI allowed Camryn and Laura put on make up the last time they spent the night togetherLaura went camping with up for Halloween. She was dressed as a goth girlHere, Laura is teasing Brodie's brother Tom because she has all the 100 Grand barsLaura gave Alex a Unicorn E-Pet for her birthdayFor Alex's birthday, we went to the Chinese Buffet. Laura ate the tops off of 3 ice cream cones, then decided to get a bowl for her 4th. That's A LOT of ice cream Laura!
Mini Golf at our 1st Annual Camping PartyAunt Franny did some face painting. She had her face painted like a Devil.

All in All, We love Laura. She enjoys hanging out with the kids and they love her. She is very easy to get along with and has become an intricate part of the family. At times, we forget that she has her own family that loves her. We hope she knows we'll always be here for her. Happy Birthday Laura!

Happy Birthday Laura!

Laura's birthday is on Valentine's day. She turned 11 this year. So we thought she might like Dave & Busters. Afterwards, she came to our house and I made her birthday brownies (she already had cake with her family on her actual birthday). As you will see below, my first attempt ever at writing on a cake (well, brownies). Might I add, it was not as hard as I expected. I do, however, feel I could benefit from a decorators class which I think would be fun.Here are some photos: The car trip to Philly

Laura and her chocolately milk shake that she had for lunch

Horse racin'They were still warm so the icing kept melting.

I thought Laura would enjoy seeing this picture posted.

Laura enjoys magic and Brodie enjoys sharing his secrets with her. So he likes to buy her magic tricks of her own. Here, she is pulling a bubble from the air and turning it into glass. Not bad.

Happy Valentine's Day

Brodie and I are at the stage now where Valentine's Day is nothing. We both know we love each other and we express it regularly. This year, I just couldn't do it. I couldn't get to the store not to mention I didn't know what to buy anyway, I didn't have time to make something, I just couldn't do it this year. With that said, I was not upset when Brodie bought Alex and her cousin Brianne tickets to see Dora the Explorer Live (in Camden) for that day. It was a nice show for the girls. The boys went to the Camden Aquarium then we had lunch in Philly with Aunt Fran.The four of us: Alex, Me, Brianne, and DianeThe girlsMe and my PunkinAlex, Diane, & Brianne

Brianne absolutely loved the show. It was so nice to see her smile and dance and clap. I could tell, she was really excited. As for Alex, I think she's just a tad too big. She liked the show. It just wasn't as exciting to her. She clapped and danced, but only after I coached her.

All in all, it was a nice day. The boys seemed to enjoy themselves and it was really nice to see Aunt Fran.

I Have An Addiction

I must confess... I have an addiction. It is one that is very bothersome to me at times. I am completely and utterly consumed and helpless. I am an addict. I am addicted to Facebook. I had no idea what I was getting into when my good friend Denise sent me the invitation to join. I thought sure, I blog, I MySpace, I'll Facebook. I had no idea that I would not be able to sit at my computer without logging on. I didn't realize that I would need to log on as soon as I wake up in the morning, various times throughout the day, and once again before I go to bed. I had no idea that it would cause me to neglect the dishes, the laundry, the cleaning, WORKING, and even the children at times. I find myself saying, "Just one more second honey, I'm trying to do something real fast." I spend hours on Facebook and get NOTHING done. I love it and hate it all at the same time. I am; an addict.

All the Way at the Top

My children talk in their sleep. I know I have at times as well. It's not multiple sentences or paragraphs. Random words or phrases. 9 times out of 10, I can't understand a thing they are saying. Tonight, Brodie and I are working late (it's 11:24) and Alex and Joey fell asleep on the couch. Just a few minutes ago, Joey says, "All the way at the top" as clear as day and we imagine what he's talking about. Brodie wanted to start talking to him to see if he would talk back but he refrained. I'm guessing it had to do with trains. His life seems to revolve around them. A few minutes later he mumbles something that was unrecognizable. It made us smile. I love my children.

RENT

For Christmas, we got my Mother-In-Law tickets to see "RENT". It was also my Christmas present. She and I both love theater. It was at the Acadamy of Music in Philadelphia. This place was beautiful. As usual, before the show, we went out to dinner. Then off to the show. It was EXCELLENT!! The company was too. We both absolutely loved the show. Anyway, here's a clip:

If you ever get the chance, it is worth the money.

My Boy

My boy, Joey, is such a neat kid. He makes me smile all the time. It's snowing today and he wanted to go outside. So I get him all dressed and out he goes. Right away he asks me to make him a little snowman so he could smash it with his outside Thomas train. I stick to the kitchen and the laundry room when he's out so I can keep an eye on him. He spent most of his time laying on the ground making his trains drive through the snow. My Little Man in the snowOne time he came in and asked if I could make him a snow crab out of one of our beach molds. As soon as I handed it to him, he ate it! Afterwards, he came in for hot chocolate. I love my boy!

Super Bowl XLIII

For the Super Bowl, there was no big party. We went to Mikes to hang, have dinner, and watch the game. My brother, Brandon, came also. It was nice to see him because I never know how to get in touch with him. Plus, I feel like I hardly ever see my family.

Alex is our "magician in training" so she performed a little magic while we were there. Uncle Brandon with the magic wand.

There's nothing in the bag

Abracadabra!

Alex, Uncle Brandon, and Joey

Hangin with Pappap

Daddy, just chillin

Me and my little bro