Catching Up...again

Wow has it really been a month and a half since I last posted??? Holy camoly. That is bad, very bad. I am not documenting my poor boys' lives very well here...am I? I have had a very stressful work situtation that basically consumed my life for a month--so that took up ANY extra time I ever had during the day. It was great working with the client, just really tough dealing with the other agent. I'm not going to get into here online, but many of you already know about the drama. Anyway, I am thrilled to announce that it's overwith and I'm happy to move forward. I have another listing that just went under contract over the weekend (woo hoo) and I could NOT be happier. And so far, that agent is GREAT to work with. Thank goodness! Ok enough about me...

Ian's birthday is fast approaching and I have been going back and forth trying to get things together for that. I decided on a "fishy" theme (after a ton of deliberation), since Ian reminds me of a fish when he gets excited while lying on the floor on his tummy and sort of "flops" like a fish. It's so funny! I found some cute themed stuff on etsy.com that is super simple and just, well, cute. I always have grand ideas that never actually all get done bc I swear I don't have the time and/or I'm really crappy at making time to do things. I'm also trying to do foods that I can do AHEAD of time instead of running around at the last minute preparing...stay tuned!

Besides that, Jase is just dying for summer and for some outside play time. He also desperately needs friends (big downside of living out so rural like we do). I think I will try to put together a mommy playgroup at the park this summer and do it at least once a week. I love getting out of the house and it's so good for Jase, too. We took him to this "fun center" for a friend's birthday party a few weeks ago. It had a skating rink that you could ride tricycles/scooters on, tons of bouncer houses, a huge climbing gym thing, and gigantic blow up slides! EVERY night since then, when I tuck him into bed, Jase says to me, "Mom, I have to tell you something. Thank you for letting me go to the skating center place." Shut up how cute is that!!??? I gotta take him back there--he had the time of his life, seriously. I need to call somebody and plan to go back there!! Why haven't I done this already? Oh yeah, bc my life has been insane. Jase comes up with the funniest stuff, I swear this kid is a crack up. I need to start writing down his little sayings. He loves to laugh, LOVES to be chased around the house, getting tickled, racing me to the kitchen sink, and getting as much attention as possible from Ian (at all costs, I might add). I am planning on getting him into a nearby preschool 2 days a week (about 2-3 hours each time) in the fall. I think he'll be more than ready by then. I'm excited for him to make friends! And we are so having the coolest bday party for him this fall! With preschool friends!! Yay!

Ian is getting so big and soooo good at getting around things, into things, crawling over objects, pulling himself up to his knees (so cute, he'll do that and play with little toys for a while just kneeling)...he still doesn't do an "official" crawl but then again he kind of does sometimes...but why when there's no need since army crawling has become a pro sport for him! Ha! The only downside is that his clothes get super grubby from all the exposure to the floors (am I admitting fault from having gross floors? Uh, yes.). He still has his 4 teeth and the top 2 still have a little gap in between (hee hee). I bet it'll close up once the other teeth come in. I've been trying to teach him to clap or wave good-bye but so far, not working. He is currently the biggest momma's boy you'll ever see, so if I draw attention to myself in any way he'll come beelinin' just for me. It's kind of endearing, though. Poor Reuben had asked me the other day if Ian even liked him! Ha! Of course he does! I really think it's just his age more than anything else :) Or that I'm just too cool for school! He's been on straight formula since February 1st, so that's been really nice for me.

Nathan & Meredith's Wedding

So Nathan (my bro) and Meredith got hitched! Hooray! I'm so happy for them both! Their son is only one month older than Jase (FUN) and baby #2 is on the way! Congrats y'all! Everything about this wedding was so "them;" I loved it. I'll have to post a few pics of the details so you get to see how cute it was. And get this--it was my mom's neighbor's backyard!!!!! He has the coolest backyard I've ever seen! I'll say that much! I grabbed a quick photo-op with the groom!
How cute is this?? There were quite a few outbuildings, etc, with pictures strung on them. Look how cute the fabric is on that bench! And the little mason jars everywhere with tea lights in them! Darling! I am in love!

This is Hibbin, their 3 yr old boy (my first nephew). Can we say, "adorable?" Yes, very much so. He is showing me the beignets he's about to eat (New Orleans style fried donuts). That was part of their New Orleans/nature-ish theme. I think I have a pic of them being made later on in the post...

This was taken toward the end of the night. Just feeding each other the cake. They were both so nice about it. The cakes were traditional New Orleans cakes called "dorberge." It's yellow sponge cake cut into lots of thin layers, then filled in between with chocolate custard. Tasty! They were able to have a NOLA (new orleans, louisiana) bakery ship 'em up here frozen. Cool.

Ah, yes. Here it is. How cute is this? The servers were all dressed with black aprons. Cooking hot beignets fresh to order!

Saying the vows...and yes, that is MY son throwing rocks into the pond during the thing. I was so embarrassed. It was kind of funny, though. Of course I did make him stop! (after I snapped a picture, LOL)

Jase would not leave this table of "owl" cookies alone! Oh my goodness. And the blackberries. He was too funny "stealing" blackberries during the entire reception.

Gotta get a pic of Reub with the Jasemeister. Eating owl cookies. Shocker.

This little area behind where Jase is standing is what they used for a "photobooth." Such a cute idea! They had a photographer stationed back there who took quirky pics of all of the wedding guests. We won't discuss my family's photobooth picture, because it was THAT bad. I laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes when I first saw it. I was in the WORST mood bc I was so frazzled chasing after Jase and having him not listen to a thing I said. I made a poor effort to be funny, and my face is just absolutely hideous. It is THAT bad. On second thought, maybe I should post the picture so all of you could have a real good laugh. I'll think about it. :) Ah-hem.

Well here we are. Pictured left to right: Nathan, me, Michael. The siblings.

Another detail. The drink table. They got these "Blood Orange" drinks from Costco that were out of this world. In fact, note to self: go to Costco and see if they have any.
Jase waiting for his drink :) And a side note--I bet I know someone who would like this fabric--Sharstin? Hee hee.

More cute things. Jars hanging from trees with birdseed and tea lights. Love.

Another picture of the owl table and cute owl cookies.

You can better see the dorberge cakes here. I love how they are displayed on this old, wooden crate.

Our Summer Fun

Before next year rolls around I figured I better get some summer pics posted on here! I am going to try to cram in as many as I can because it's getting late and I need to get to bed! These may or may not be in order...

Trip to Bear Lake...we met our friends Chris & Kami (and their 2 kids) up at Bear Lake. They reserved a KOA cabin for us. I was definitely wary about this at first, but when I got there it was actually pretty cute! Only downside was community bathrooms. Less than ideal. BUT they were relatively clean and remodeled, so I dealt with it just fine :)

This is the cabin. Cute, right? It had a double bed and a bunk bed inside. Small desk for a computer, free wi-fi, a very LOUD ceiling fan (kind of hot in there during the day but at night it was great), some coat hooks, a garbage can and a broom. Ha ha ha. Oh and a swing on the porch. Ca-ute!
Here's Jase chillaxin' on the beach. He actually fell asleep in this chair (bonus) after a while. Don't ask what happened later. Ok, I'll tell you. It got VERY windy. Long story short, the boys were out on the boat (including Roob) and it was just Kami, her daughter, Jase and I on the shore. I heard Kami yell "Aimster!" and I just knew it. Our BRAND new $80 "EZ up" canopy blew away. OMG. I am sure the sight of me running down the beach after it was pretty hilarious. Needless to say the wind broke the frame in a couple of places. Ah, adventures. Oh, and while the boys were out on the boat, they managed to rip open our tube. So 2 things got ruined at the same time. Wah.
Jase hanging out in Kami's super cool floatie (I want one). Isn't his UV swimsuit so fabulous? Yeah. I hate putting sunblock on him and this helps a lot :)
Had to throw in a pic of the boat. Hee hee. Ok really I wanted you to see how gorgeous the lake is! It's soooo blue (just noticing the picture really doesn't do it justice)! And freezing!
Ah, here's a pic of the EZ up canopy BEFORE it blew to bits...oh, and notice anything strange? Yeah, there are CARS on the beach! WHAT! Only beach I know of that you can actually drive on! Random!
E-boppers chillin' in the bumbo on the double bed. He and I slept here. It was actually pretty comfy. Surprised me.
Jase was totally diggin' the bunk bed. Good thing, too. Because one day I am SURE both he and Ian will have one.
He was so funny on this thing! That's his favorite blanket and "baby" (small bear beanie baby) cuddled up right next to him.
Pic of me and Ian on the boat. We were just pulling into the dock.
Cutie patootles in his beach hoodie. Love it.
Ha ha ha! This face is a crack up. He loves to suck his fingers!