Better Than I Imagined

Where's Arden?

2011-03-31T06:40:00.000-07:00

Arden's still around. She is a sweet, sweet young lady. Look at how beautiful she is:

She is truly an amazing daughter. I am so thankful for her.

Wordless Wednesdays

2011-03-30T06:34:00.000-07:00

Can't We Come to the Party

2011-03-29T18:37:00.001-07:00

There were two guests that really wanted to join in Thomas's birthday party. I'm sure they would have ate all of the cake.

The Birthday Boy

2011-03-29T18:24:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago we celebrated Thomas birthday. I can't believe he's two. Here are a couple of pictures from his birthday party. I can't believe how big he looks in these pictures. He had a great time. He received a huge train for his birthday and loves it. He has learned how to put it together himself. He is a train man. He also loves his Elmo that sings the ABC. He usually plays with him in the middle of the night when he wakes up. Overall, he had a great birthday.

The Children's Libary

2011-03-16T18:04:00.000-07:00

We have a great children's libary here and we took the train with Arden's class and explored. Both kids had a great time.

Catching Up

2011-03-16T18:03:00.001-07:00

I know that I have had to put the blogging aside in order to cover everything that needs to be done at our house. Hopefully, the next few weeks I can get back on a regular schedule and put some more pictures out there.

Thomas had a great second birthday. I forgot my camera. My sister-in-law Lori took the pictures for me and once I get those from her I'll post them.

Thomas is 2!

2011-03-11T03:50:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Thomas. I can't believe you are two. It really does seem like yesterday that you were nestled comfortably in the womb and content to stay.

The past two years have been an adventure. You are expressive, determined and so much fun to be around. You love your cars, tractors and trains. You love books and want my full attention at all times. You have the Wettstone sweet tooth and love your sister so much.

Today two years ago is a day that is burned in my memory as the day my son arrived. Happy Birthday Thomas! I love you.

Hanging out

2011-02-08T18:09:00.000-08:00

Arden the Swimmer

2011-02-04T16:08:00.001-08:00

Arden really enjoyed the water park. She made friends some some of the girls playing in the pool with her. She loved playing with her daddy and her and I had a great time swimming in the pool and crawling on top of the floating snake. At the end of the day she told me she loved the slide and when the water fell from the top of the lifeguard stand.

She's coming down the stairs in this picture. Water is everywhere.
Enjoying the wave pool.

Thomas and the Water Park

2011-02-04T05:55:00.000-08:00

Thomas loved the water. He did not want to stop. He can't swim but wants to so hopefully this summer he'll be swimming away.

His favorite thing was the basketball hoops. Dave had to hold him up and help him case the ball but Thomas enjoyed every minute of it.

The other thing he liked was these lily pads that were attached to the bottom of the pool by a cord and moved. He had to balance himself and walk across them. I had to get in the water and help him. He was so adorable and it was fun to watch those watching him clap for him when he was finished. He thought he was a big deal. I didn't get a picture of the lily pads but I did get some of him playing basketball.

He gets the ball...

He shoots...

He scores!!!

Our New Favorite Place

2011-02-03T05:13:00.000-08:00

The kids have been asking to go swimming all winter and so Dave and I packed up the kids and headed to the Great Wolf Lodge a hotel with an indoor water park. To say we had a great time is an understatement. The air temperature felt colder than 84 degrees but that didn't stop us for enjoying our two days there.

The hotel itself had a lot of great things for the kids. We explored everything and Arden's favorite things about the trip keeps changing. Thomas loved playing basketball in the water and walking across the lily pads. Arden enjoyed the smaller slides and the water that dumped.

It is a trip that we will definitely try and do again. It was a blast.

I am going to break the pictures up over the next few days because we took a lot of pictures.

Don't Cry

2011-02-02T17:11:00.001-08:00

I think Thomas is a little upset that I haven't been updating the blog.

Hopefully, February will be a better month of blogging. We've been busy and have so much to share.

Question of the Week

2011-01-23T06:29:00.000-08:00

When in the world did he get so big?

Wordless Wednesdays

2011-01-18T06:27:00.000-08:00

Great Pictures from the Wedding

2011-01-18T06:20:00.000-08:00

I was able to capture some great pictures from the wedding and I wanted to share them.

Grammy's Wedding

2011-01-17T18:12:00.000-08:00

On 1/1/11 at 11:11 am Dave's mom a.k.a Grammy was re-married. It was such a joyous day. After a time of mourning the loss of Craig she met a man who also lost his wife way too early in life as well. The relationship took off and low and behold we had a wedding.

His name is David (which is a very popular name in our families). We are so thankful that Grammy is happy and has someone to share her life with. We were thankful to be able to share this day with her and wish Grammy and David a long life together.

His First Snowball

2011-01-17T05:27:00.000-08:00

I have a feeling this will be the first of many snowballs.

Question of the Week

2011-01-16T17:35:00.000-08:00

Will Thomas ever quit screaming for his pacifier during his nap?

The Train

2011-01-16T17:21:00.000-08:00

Thomas got a train for Christmas. He loves this train. Loves it. He plays with it all the time and if isn't not in the mood for sharing he will grab all of the cars and yell "MINE".

Arden has to remind him every so often that she likes trains too so he will share with her. Throughout the day they will sit down and just play with the train.

Look At Those Lashes

2011-01-16T17:20:00.001-08:00

Paci Free

2011-01-11T19:24:00.000-08:00

On Saturday Thomas went to sleep without his pacifier and he didn't pick it up all night so I ran with it. Tonight makes night number 4 without it. Last night he had tears in his eyes and his lip was quivering but he stayed strong. He's doing great except naps.

During naps he gets really upset and has a hard time falling asleep. Last night I cut the tip of the pacifier so it doesn't work. Today I handed it to him when he asked for it during his nap. His smile was so sweet that I almost felt guilty, almost. He put it in his mouth and then he took it out and looked at it. He tried it again and he handed it back to me and said "you take it."

He still wasn't happy but after a few tears he took his nap.

Here's to being paci free in 2011!

Question of the Week

2011-01-09T16:24:00.000-08:00

Will we get this much snow tonight?

Wordless Wednesdays

2011-01-05T05:45:00.000-08:00

The Best Christmas Show

2011-01-04T17:36:00.000-08:00

Arden worked really hard practicing her songs for the Christmas program at her school. Her two favorite songs were Joyful, Joyful and Have a Holly Jolly Christmas. She sang every word and did her best. She told me the night before she had a little stage fright but overcame it the next morning.

Overheard

2011-01-04T15:55:00.000-08:00

Thomas: "Momma, Where go Daddy?"

This was his first sentence. Dave was pumping gas in the car and Thomas couldn't find him. So hard to believe he's going to be talking a mile a minute soon.

The Nutcraker

2011-01-04T07:07:00.000-08:00

Arden and I ventured into the world of ballet and saw The Nutcracker this Christmas. We had a good time but it was a little long. I think we would have done better if they would have left out the intermission.

Arden now does ballet around the house. She prefers to dance to Christmas music. She's so much fun.

Here we are before we left for the ballet.

Christmas at the Library

2011-01-03T18:59:00.000-08:00

One of our favorite Christmas activities was Christmas at the Billy Graham Library. We had such a great time. It was a simple celebration with lights, horse drawn carriages and a live nativity.

There was also a talking cow inside the library which was Arden's favorite part of the trip. Actually, this activity might have been our favorite holiday treat.

If you ever have the chance to go to it I would recommend it. We loved it.

Where to Begin?

2011-01-03T18:57:00.001-08:00

It appears that December turned into an unexpected blogging break. We were extremely busy with the holidays. Hopefully, I can catch up with pictures and stories and then start off the new year with our daily happenings.

Merry Christmas!!!

2010-12-26T15:44:00.000-08:00

Question of the Week

2010-12-19T17:34:00.001-08:00

When we slow down so I can find time to blog?

21 Months Old

2010-12-12T13:32:00.000-08:00

Thomas is 21 months old yesterday on the 11th. I can't believe he is as big as he is. His vocabulary took off on the long Thanksgiving weekend. He is talking up a storm and we are understanding more and more every day what he understands.

He loves Choo-Choo's, tractors and balls. He will sit and let you read to him and most of all he loves his sister.

My favorite thing he started doing this month is saying his name. If you ask him his name he'll answer "T-Man". He says it with such pride.

He is such a joy and I am so thankful for this little man.

Overheard

2010-12-08T08:55:00.000-08:00

The other day we were at the grocery store and Arden was in a great mood and singing

"Have a holly, jolly Christmas
It's the best time of the year
I don't know if they'll be snow
But have a cup of cheer.

Oh ho the mistletoe
Hung where you can't see
Somebody waits for you
Kiss her once for me."

I then joined in singing with her and she replied.

"Mom, I didn't know that you knew this song. It's a new one."

Question of the Week

2010-12-05T20:38:00.000-08:00

Is winter necessary?

Wordless Wednesdays

2010-12-02T06:14:00.000-08:00

Our 11th President

2010-11-30T17:34:00.000-08:00

Arden's school took a field trip to the birth place of our 11th President James Polk. The weather was warm and we had a great time. Arden took it all in and will even talk to me about a couple of the things she learned there. Like how the kids put clay between the logs to make the log cabins. She was talking about it this weekend when her and I were building a Lincoln Log house.

While on the tour they saw the house that held a parlor and bedrooms and a separate kitchen house. Then they played with games that were popular during that time period. Arden's favorite was the jump rope. Not surprising since she loves her jump rope.

Thomas had a great time and though he was a 4 year old.

I was really glad that her school chose this location to visit.

Question of the Week

2010-11-28T16:31:00.000-08:00

Why do 4 day weekends go back so fast?

Wordless Wednesdays

2010-11-24T07:35:00.001-08:00

A Few of Her Favorite Things

2010-11-23T05:24:00.001-08:00

Last night Arden and I had a really great conversation. I asked her what makes her feel special and is her response in the order they were given to me.

Candy
Balloons
Parades
Music
Dancing

So if you want to make Arden feel special here's a great place to start.

Happy Birthday Eric

2010-11-22T07:40:00.000-08:00

Sunday was my brother Eric's birthday. He's another year older...he said he's stopped having birthdays but we'll take the time to celebrate him anyway.

Arden is ready to see him so we can have a cake and ice cream. Thomas is ready to see him so he can play The Big Bad Wolf with him.

While we're 100s of miles apart I still can't image my life without him. Thanks Mom and Dad for giving me a brother about 30 years ago or so.

Happy Birthday Eric.

Question of the Week

2010-11-21T19:36:00.000-08:00

Can we please have a warm Thanksgiving?

HAT

2010-11-18T06:59:00.000-08:00

The other day Thomas woke up from his nap pointing to his hat and asking to wear it. I was surprised that he wanted to wear it. He usually does not like things on his head. However, he is starting to wear it.

Most of the time he wears it backwards because he pushes on the bill to put it on and can't figure out how to put it on forward without a little help.

He did take the time to model it for me.

Wordless Wednesdays

2010-11-17T06:20:00.000-08:00

Hide and Seek

2010-11-16T18:56:00.000-08:00

Thomas was so proud of his new hiding place.

The Drum Line Dance

2010-11-15T06:46:00.000-08:00

After the game we went and watched the Marshall Drum Line perform outside of the stadium. I was surprised how much Thomas loved it. He danced and danced around and then laughed and laughed.

Question of the Week

2010-11-14T06:29:00.000-08:00

Why is she growing up so fast?

We are...MARSHALL

2010-11-13T06:33:00.000-08:00

We attended our alma mater's homecoming. Arden loves and I mean loves going on campus. She walks around like she's know exactly where she's going. She asks questions and poses for pictures.

She loves going to the football game. She watches the cheerleaders and wants to know where Marco is at all times. She likes to dance with the band and loves to yell GO! GO! GO!

Thomas played with his tractors and every once and a while would watch the game with intensity and then go back to playing with his cars.

Campus has changed so much since I've been there and I can say the same thing about myself. I've changes a lot since my days there but I have some great memories there and it is always good to go back.

The First Camp Fire

2010-11-12T06:22:00.000-08:00

After working on the stump Dave made a small campfire in the back yard in the fire pit. We roasted marshmallows and enjoyed the warmth of the fire. We could hear his high school band playing at the football game in the background. It was a great night.

Working with Daddy

2010-11-11T06:12:00.000-08:00

Dave's mom had a stump that needed to be removed. Thomas is always intrigued when Dave works around the yard and this day was no exception. Thomas loved just being with his Dad. He sat quietly and watched his daddy work.

Wordless Wednesdays

2010-11-10T06:10:00.000-08:00

Overheard

2010-11-09T18:54:00.000-08:00

Arden: "Mommy, diner tonight is just too predictable."

Trick or Treating

2010-11-09T18:00:00.000-08:00

We were at Dave's mom's for Halloween. They do trick or treating a little different up there. They do not trick or treat on the weekends so we ended up trick or treating 3 days before Halloween.

We went with their cousins Luke and Ella. The kids had a great time and they were treated to a lot of candy. Arden was a good witch. Thomas was fireman, Ella was Cinderella and Luke was Batman. Luke was so sweet because his Batman mask upset Thomas he refused to wear it because he didn't want to scare him.

We had such a great time.

Question of the Week

2010-11-07T05:56:00.000-08:00

Who doesn't love a good snow cone?

You Can Not Make Me Have Fun

2010-11-06T05:53:00.000-07:00

Thomas becomes so serious when he is in a new environment. I was fortunate enough to have Janet visiting us when Arden had the flu. She took Thomas to a neighborhood party. He wasn't sure what to think.

Thomas and the Beach

2010-11-05T05:45:00.000-07:00

Here's another picture that I took from Janet's computer. She got a great picture of Thomas playing on the beach.

Arden and Ella

2010-11-04T05:41:00.000-07:00

Arden and Ella love hanging out together. This weekend when we were at Dave's mom's house I took several pictures off of her computer. This one is back from the summer when Ella came to stay with us for a few days.

Wordless Wednesdays

2010-11-03T05:29:00.000-07:00

The Performer

2010-11-02T17:38:00.000-07:00

I just love this picture of Arden singing with her guitar. She is so full of life.

Rescuing Mickey

2010-11-01T05:35:00.001-07:00

Anytime we go to the Disney Store at the mall Thomas has to rescue all of the Mickey's in the store. He searches through all of the stuffed animals and then starts placing Mickey in his stroller.

Question of the Week

2010-10-31T05:28:00.000-07:00

Is it possible to get too much candy on Halloween?

The Dairy Farm

2010-10-28T06:30:00.000-07:00

Arden's school took a field trip to the Dairy Farm. We only saw two cows, some pigs, chickens, goats and lots of pumpkins.

We had a great day. We took a hay ride on a large tractor. At first, Thomas was upset but after a few minutes he had a great time.

Overheard

2010-10-27T18:15:00.000-07:00

Arden: "Mommy, my tooth hurts. I think it's my sweet tooth."

Wordless Wednesdays

2010-10-27T06:11:00.000-07:00

Thomas' Dedication

2010-10-26T17:48:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we dedicated Thomas at our church. Dave and I pledged to raise Thomas to love and serve God. There was a sermon and then we took our pledge.

My parents and Tim, Laura and Eva came in for the event. It was a special morning and one Dave and I will never forget.

The man of the day.

Dave writing Thomas a letter that will be put away until he is old enough to understand.

Arden wanted to add her special thoughts to the letter.

Praying over Thomas after we said our vows.

Question of the Week

2010-10-24T05:46:00.000-07:00

Arden keeps asking "When can we go back to the pool?"

Caught!

2010-10-23T17:20:00.000-07:00

The other day I was upstairs cleaning and it was a little to quiet downstairs so I had to investigate.

This is what I found.

They decided to empty the shelves. They ended up putting it all back without complaining mainly because Arden had boxed herself in.

Meeting The Newest Cousin

2010-10-23T07:16:00.000-07:00

After the zoo we meet up with our sister-in-law Laura and Eva. Arden loves her new cousin and did a great job holding her. Thomas wanted to hold her too but instead just helped burp her.

Eva is a sweet baby and we are looking forward to many fun memories in the years ahead.

Feeding the Birds

2010-10-22T18:00:00.000-07:00

At the zoo you could purchase nectar to feed the Lorikeets. Dave and Arden went in carrying the nectar. I'm not sure if it was because Dave is 6'4 or that Arden is so sweet but they had about 6 birds flock to them and land on each of them.

Arden did a great job. She was a little shy after the bird landed on her head but over all watched closely as they feed the birds the nectar.

The pictures aren't the best because I was outside of the cage with Thomas but it was probably one of our favorite moments of the trip.

Remodling

2010-10-22T06:27:00.000-07:00

Thomas decided that Arden's dollhouse needed a garage for his tractors.

Funny Man

2010-10-21T18:21:00.000-07:00

We have had so much fun with these glasses that Dave purchased for a dollar.

Out on the Town

2010-10-21T06:17:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when Arden and I decided to go somewhere she runs in her room to get ready. The other day she was willing to take a picture once she was ready to go.

I love how much she loves being a girl.

Horsey

2010-10-20T18:05:00.000-07:00

Thomas loves to play horse. If you bend down for anything he will try to hop on your back. The other night. Dave found this.

Thomas was laughing so hard and Arden was very patient with him. Great times.

Wordless Wednesdays

2010-10-20T05:56:00.000-07:00

The Zoo

2010-10-19T18:34:00.001-07:00

We took the kids to the zoo last weekend and we had a blast. The zoo was fantastic. Thomas was mesmerized by the elephants. They both loved the penguins.

Arden had a great time feeding the birds. One even landed on her head and another on her shoulder. She did great. I don't think I could have been that calm if a bird landed on my head.

She wanted to see crocodiles and a stingray which we did. Thomas took it all in and even though he won't remember it he really enjoyed himself.

Her Friends

2010-10-19T17:58:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of Arden's two friends Emma and Sooccer. I have a hard time keeping these too in line when they show up. They are always into something. Emma's around much more than Sooccer.

Arden asked me to take their picture. They had just finished watching her perform one of her dances.

She's just like me. I also had an imaginary friend. I just never thought to take a picture of mine.

The Stage

2010-10-19T17:26:00.000-07:00

Arden created a stage using a cardboard box. She loves to peform and we had a great time watching her.

Thomas also decided to get in on the action.

Wordless Wednesdays

2010-10-13T06:30:00.000-07:00

Fish Faces

2010-10-11T06:33:00.000-07:00

Arden's tries to make a fish faces but just can't get it right...so she improvises.

Question of the Week

2010-10-10T19:17:00.001-07:00

Have you meet this stranger that shows up to my house every once and a while?

Paddle Boats

2010-10-09T06:20:00.000-07:00

We rented a couple of paddle boats a few weeks ago. Arden would move between our boat and my brother's boat. Thomas well the smooth motion of the boat and the sound of the paddles put Thomas to sleep.

The day was gorgeous and we had a great time.

Missed Us

2010-10-09T06:18:00.001-07:00

Boy, I never imagined taking a blogging break this long. However, the nasty, evil Mr. Influenza showed up at our house last Wednesday and stayed around way too long. Hopefully, over the next couple of days I can catch up on what we've been doing.

Question of the Week

2010-10-03T07:05:00.000-07:00

Can you believe the size of this drink Dave bought?

Wordless Wednesdays

2010-09-29T06:54:00.000-07:00

Little Daddy

2010-09-28T19:09:00.000-07:00

Thomas loves to play like Daddy. Anytime Dave is out of the house or not working Thomas wants to go to his home office and "work".

Trac-tor

2010-09-27T06:58:00.000-07:00

Thomas loves his tractors. My dad found two John Deere tractors with a trailers at a yard sale. Thomas loves them. One set was left at Paw Paw's house and the other one was sent home with Thomas.

He plays with them every day. He knows at all time where the tractor is in the house and if you ask him where's his tractor he'll take your hand and show you exactly where it is. He loves to haul things around.

Question of the Week

2010-09-26T18:53:00.001-07:00

Will there be any time in my schedule to blog this week?

Question of the Week

2010-09-19T05:17:00.000-07:00

Don't they look like they've been up to something?

Eva

2010-09-16T09:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Geneva "Eva" was born to Dave's youngest brother Tim and his wife Laura.

Eva weighed in at a whopping 9 lbs 7 oz and was 21.5 inches long. Mother and baby are doing great.

Arden is so excited to have another girl cousin.

Congratulations Tim and Laura!

Maracas

2010-09-15T05:50:00.000-07:00

Arden has been asking for a pair of maracas all summer long. She finally got a pair and loves them. She marches around the house singing and playing her maracas. Thomas also got a pair and the two of them have a blast making music.

Eric and Lori

2010-09-14T17:45:00.000-07:00

Arden loves hanging out with Eric and Lori. She always is a little shy around Eric but doesn't leave his side when he's around. She loves to go anywhere she can with them.

I just love this picture of the three of them together.

Another Celebration

2010-09-14T05:39:00.000-07:00

Last weekend at my parents we celebrated Arden's birthday again. She loved all of the attention and loved the cake maybe a little more.

Thanks Mom, Dad, Eric and Lori for spoiling her.

Mini Me

2010-09-13T05:23:00.000-07:00

Here's Arden doing her best impersonation of me.

Question of the Week

2010-09-12T17:37:00.000-07:00

What am I going to do with the kids in the afternoons now that the pool is closed?

18 Months

2010-09-11T17:08:00.000-07:00

Can you believe that Thomas is a year and a half today? I can't. It just doesn't seem possible. He is such a busy little boy. Here are a few of his favorite things and a few things that we notice about him.

He loves tractors and balls.

He loves to eat.

He can use sign language but only uses it if he wants a cookie.

He is very intense.

He's learned to gallop.

His favorite phrases are: Get that ball, I'm stuck and Get down.

He will give you a kiss goodnight.

He takes a morning nap but is wide awake the rest of the day.

He always shares his cookies with his sister.

He still loves Mickey Mouse.

I Don't Think So

2010-09-10T06:07:00.000-07:00

You would think that as much as Thomas likes trucks he would like this ride.

But apparently not.

M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E

2010-09-09T17:55:00.000-07:00

Thomas and Arden are a constant source of constant laughter. One of the boxes Grammy gave Arden for her birthday had a Mickey Mouse mask on it. Thomas and Arden both got a kick out of it.

T-Man

2010-09-09T12:51:00.000-07:00

I just love this little guy.

Wordless Wednesdays

2010-09-08T17:48:00.000-07:00

She Loves Ice Cream

2010-09-08T17:46:00.000-07:00

If this cone was real I believe she would have ate it all. She always has room for ice cream.

Wordless Wednesdays

2010-09-08T06:08:00.000-07:00

The Cove

2010-09-02T06:22:00.000-07:00

This year on vacation we stayed at the end of the beach and there was a cove within walking distance.

We took the kids there one afternoon and they really enjoyed it. We went during low tide and there were little pools in the sand with fish in them. Thomas and Arden really enjoyed wading in the water. Across the way you could see undeveloped beaches that you could walk during the low tide and pelicans would fly by and swoop down in the water and grab a fish.

Dave and I saw a fisherman throw a small fish to a seagull and the bird swallowed the fish whole. It was pretty amazing.

We also met a family from Richmond whose children had Dave's roommate from college as a teacher in the local high school. Small world.