Fun Day!

Well...a Friday night post indeed...my hubby is out of town (unknowingly out of town today...I had no idea he wasn't going to be home until Friday night until late Wednesday night...oh man...but that's okay...I'll have a chance to blog and forget about the tornado that came through my home)...so Friday I took a day off and made it a fun day with my neighbor, Amanda, and her two girls...it was nice to have a day to do something fun...we met for lunch....and oh my goodness yummy...have you tried the new Strawberry poppyseed salad with Chicken from the Bread Co.? I think I could eat another one right now it was so good...chicken...mandarin oranges... blueberries... strawberries...of course the green lettuce...pineapple....YUM! The girls got their typical. I order one turkey and cheese and one grilled cheese....and they have 1/2 of each sandwich because you know they always want the other person's so I have learned to split meals with them:)...and it is lovely...except today Hayley pretty much didn't eat a thing! Enjoy some park pictures below...I think they are pretty neat

Some cute pics of Hayley...I love her messy hair...and she just has fun everywhere she goes!...and everywhere her sister and other kiddos are at too:)

Madison was hanging on this...she wanted to walk all the way across...but she just isn't "big" enough she said...but I love how she wanted to try it...I love that about her...
Should I climb this wall?....not quite there yet...but Madison was up for it at our neighborhood one...you can see...

As soon as she saw Macey, Amanda's little baby...well actually just her car seat...she completely freaked out...she was so excited and LOVES, LOVES, LOVES babies! She honestly cannot get enough of Macey when she sees her...it is pretty cute!

Some cute pictures of Zayda and Madison...I love the one of them together...and I got a really good one of Zayda too...Madison would run to something different everytime I tried to snap one of her...so much too do...actually too much with too many people that day:)

We headed to a nearby park afterwards...it is such a neat park...it was fun...but uncomfortably busy today! Last time I went...it wasn't quite so busy so it was nice...but eventually we packed up and headed to the park in our neighborhood...it was easier for the girls to play and us mommies didn't have heart attacks....we had some outside time on the porch when we got back and enjoyed some running in the drive-way, chalk, and ice cream...

A nice day all in all...pool day tomorrow...hopefully...and can't wait!

Blessings from us!

A few cute moments...

Oh just a few cute moments...I wanted to share....

The world from upside down - I love when Hayley does this...she just laughs and says "Hi"

Madison looking at her mini cookbook...I just love this picture...it makes me smile.

This picture was taken to substitute in a frame for another because I didn't want a picture with the date on it inside the frame...and to get the girls looking at the same time was Sooooo much fun...but I love this picture...especially Madison's face and Hayley being so serious...

Now this next picture...I saw a toad taking Cadence out...to me it looked almost a white-brown...not the normal ones I see...maybe I was taking Cadence out too late but I thought it looked like the "granddaddy" of toads outside...kind of cute:) A different post adding this toad but I just thought it was neat!

Blessings from us!

A wonderful place to go...

A shorter post to do...but I entered a drawing in a blog I just adore and love...if you read my blog and I haven't seen your posts lately...I will get to them...it has just been a busy week...tonight I have a date with my blogs when I get back from a little work trip in Illinois...but I wanted to tell you about hers....Lola's. Oh what do I love about Kacey's blog...actually my main reason for sharing...because it is so honest and real...yet she talks about losing some follows about her honesty...but I think it is great...her creations she blogs about are beautiful too...she is great at what she does and has a true passion...she recently made a butterfly craft I just LOVE...so if you can't sleep sometimes like me...you should check out her blog...you could always enter her drawing today too:)

Blessings from me!

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary to the love of my life...my sweetheart...my partner...my friend...my love!

Today Bobby and I have been married 7 years but 14 years ago (we still can't decide if it is techincally 14 or 15...15 in September it will be) we met...my love and we both knew it right then...although at our age it honestly started off with a BIG crush...turned into a GREAT friendship...and a DEEP and STRONG love after that. It is funny because a couple of the people who follow my blog knew us from the beginning...that is just crazy and neat all at the same time:).

As a side note...my pictures are NOT downloading...UGH! But I do have two neat ones I love...

Perhaps this post is shorter than I would like it to be just because of time and as one of my presents...he did take the day off today and made sure he wasn't traveling today...just for me!

There are so many reasons why I love my husband...if you all remember a couple of months ago - I started tags for him...remember when...well I transitioned to the "I love you because" which he will get everyday for a year...so I decided to share "some" of the ones that I have given him thus far...

I love you because...

you love going to church with me and taking the girls too

you don't shave when you are home because you know I love that...that scruffy look:)

you ordered dinner for us one night while you were out of town...sigh of relief...

you are a terrific father to our girls

you surprised me with the bookshelves I had been wanting

you work hard at your job and good at what you do

when I was overtired you helped me get ready one day

you downloaded the "I'm Yours" song and e-mailed it to me

you have gorgeous blue eyes:)

you like to stop at the gas station with me on the weekends to get a soda sometimes...our little treat

you went to my work conference with me

you still take my breath away when I see you...especially when you have been gone

you make me know what love is...(maybe a cliche saying but really true)

you bought me the hibiscus trees that remind me of our honeymoon...it is not just a gift when you do those things because when you travel I can look at them and think of you often

you always forgive me for my mistakes

you supported with nursing the girls for as long as I did

you help me in my business by doing the health fair part of business

you let me hold Maximus the entire time because you knew I couldn't let him go the whole time

you listened to me one day and sent me flowers to cheer me up

you sometimes whisper nice things to me

you went to get us breakfast one weekend day

you bring me coffee in the mornings you are home...I just cannot make it like you...

you married me of anyone

you took me on one of my favorite dates thus far...a day at the wineries

when you are home you take over bathtime with the girls for me

you tell me I am a good mother to our girls

you are the love of my life!

you know what I like better than me with almost everything

you hold my hand at church

you care about your siblings and make a point to stay in touch even though distance in miles separate you

sorry folks...I just have to share this one...I really like summertime when you wear shorts...

you watch shows with me you are not necessarily fond of...

you painted the loft one day, and I didn't even have to ask you

you took off to get our family car fixed before you went out of town

you let me go back to sleep when I didn't feel well one morning

your calming face and smile

you love to snuggle up close with me

you love to do simple things with me like sitting on the front porch and enjoy one another's company and conversation

you walk with me together in what is known as life

you told me you are very much "in love" with me as well as love me deeper than that

you are so comfortable around anyone in my family

you called to check with me on my drive home from Illinois when I was having trouble staying awake

you surprised me with a "gossip" magazine to give me some R&R time...yes I do read those every once in awhile...and the crosswords in them are definitely fun too

you still flirt with me

I miss you when you spend time away doing things with your brother...friends...but I really love to see you come back home excited about what you did and anxious to tell me about it

it is comforting when I get to wake up beside you

you took my hand to see the fireworks from our backyard since I missed them on the actual 4th of July

you remind me of things I forget about...I honestly forget about a lot of things...from my childhood to fun times...I don't know why that is...but you just give me a quick recall to help me remember those details I love to hear

you believe in the power of prayer

you let me use your razor when I need a new one or I forgot mine

when I replace the toilet paper on the roll you get irritated that I put it on "backwards" or "upside down"...I don't even know other than you end up changing it:)

you made our wedding day perfect with you...us writing our own vows...love...and so much fun!

you are always the first person I want to share things with

you tell me countless times to not put "big items" in the trash can...but I still do...and you just change it...or I don't fill it up enough before I change it:)

Those are just a FEW of my favorite things I love about you...I have over 250 more to do until the year is ended. I love Bobby for so many more deeper, sillier, and funnier reasons than even listed...well and more personal too...we are married...but Bobby was the one of the ones who sat by me in high school when I tore both of my ACL's and cried when I missed my "love and passion" at the time...soccer...it took a toll on my confidence and spirit that now I see peaking back out...to be honest I didn't want to exactly share that but this next point is just why I did...but you believed in me to come back better and stronger than before BOTH times...and I did...and you would make frequent trips to see me in college when we missed one another...you stood by my side when I completely broke down about the fertility issues we went through...and when we were told by our first doctor there was nothing they could do...if I couldn't get pregnant we would never have children...well you know more than most people that no one tells me "NEVER" and gets away with it...because we know that with faith...hope...love we can do anything...it never mattered to us how we would have children but we took the path God led us to...we obviously have our family now because we found our doctor who believed us, believed in himself, and had the knowledge and insight to know exactly what was "wrong" with me even in our first consultation...I don't share those things to say all the difficult things I or we have been through...but I share them because Bobby's and I's love is so beautiful, strong, and connected, and we know that we took our vows through everything...the most fun of memories to the ones that are challenging too...I love my husband...his love is why I work hard at what I do...he makes me laugh...smile...and acts silly with me to just be silly...he still tries to tickle me...and laughs when I give him wet willies...we have so much fun together...yet we challenge one another at the same time...I love that about him...

Happy Anniversary my love...the one who is ALWAYS by my side...the one who is my BEST friend...who makes me laugh...and who I share EVERYTHING with! I love you!...And this post out turned out to not be just what I wanted...and not short at all:)

...And to top it off...today is a day full of surprises he says...I've not been surprised before so I am SUPER excited! Can't wait! I'm a very lucky girl today...a morning with my family and an afternoon and evening with my husband...thanks to my parents for watching the girls:)

Love, Martha

Giraffes, Elephants, & Penguins...

I would say a little over a week ago we were invited to go to the zoo during the day on Saturday...we were up for it because I have been wanting to take the girls since spring came around! So excited...our friends Wyndell, Janel, and their little girl, Lacey came with us!

Now it did rain...and it did downpour maybe the 1st 1/2 hour but then it was perfect...well towards the end a little humid...but what can you expect, right...it is July in the midwest!

And...I have been getting fantastic about carrying the camera with me most times...just in case, right? I did have it...but knew my batteries were getting low...I even had some spare ones I bought a couple of weeks ago I keep with the camera in my purse. BUT, since I didn't have my purse of course at the zoo...extra batteries were not with me. I am sure we will be back at the zoo again this season (hopefully) but just a stinker...we got some GREAT photos and Wyndell sent me one of Hayley and Lacey together...but just for us...very low on the number of pictures we usually take...and especially the times the girls REALLY were loving things I didn't get it...a great zoo trip all in all though...actually a fantastic day! You'll see as you view the pictures...

Madison had a really great day! She walked for a lot of the time, rode on Daddy's shoulders...and towards the last 1/2 rode in the stroller. I was so proud of her...she has had a new obsession with lions because that is the stuffed animal she sends with Daddy on his trips...and the first time around...the lion was not in sight...but after everyone but Hayley and I went in the amphibian house...no way for me...I can handle almost anything but

s-n-a-k-e-s...we saw the lion...to be honest the cat exhibit isn't one of our favorites at the zoo...which is a shame because all of us LOVE big cats to see...but the way it is...it is just hard to see them everytime. The picture of Hayley right above is her looking at the giraffes...Madison knows Hayley LOVES her giraffes and was so very excited when she could see them in the distance before we walked up..."Hayley's giraffes!" she exclaimed...so very cute:)

Hayley and Lacey just hanging out together...sharing snacks...and having fun!

Now the biggest disappointment was the monkeys...for reasons I will not blog about...but this is a really cool picture I got...but the only one...and I had to zoom in only at the top of them...no other details than that will I share! The funny part was that Madison knew it was not interesting...thank goodness!

But one of our favorites was the penguin exhibit of course...the one I would have LOVED to have my camera with batteries at! All of the girls loved it! Lacey loved the puffins! (well penguins too - but she got excited about the puffins)! Madison and Daddy kept getting splashed by one - I think 2 times...possibly 3! It was really funny! Hayley kept thinking I would just let her go and jump right in the water too with the penguins! They all were so cute in the penguin house! We got some cute little keepsakes there...and they were greatly priced! Yippee!

When we saw the bird exhibit we came across a bald eagle - Bobby's FAVORITE! So I told Madison..."the bald eagle is Daddy's favorite!" So every bird she saw after or most animals for that matter was "That one is Daddy's favorite!" It was sooo cute:)

At 1:00 before the Campbells had to leave...we all saw the sea lion show...it was so great! I didn't get any pictures during it...but you know how you get the camera to turn on for a second when the batteries are dead? Well...that is what I did to get this picture and the ones of the tortoise and elephant pictures below...just by chance they took before the camera died again! Even though it wasn't during the show - I tried to get a picture of them!

Madison was so thrilled to see a turtle...if you read our turtle post...she has been asking ever since to see BIG ones and BABY ones...well this was a BIG one!
Another one of the girls favorites...Hayley really enjoyed them too. This elephant walked up to the water and we got to see her take a couple of drinks...it was super neat!

And anyone who knows our girls will be dumbfounded by this picture...this really happened. Hayley fell asleep for about an hour left of our zoo trip. We stayed after the Campbells left because we wanted to take them to see the River section and Hayley zonked out! She woke up right as we were leaving ready to go...so it was very cute and UNBELIEVABLE because they are just typically not known for falling asleep wherever or anywhere...usually just in the comfort of their own home. We went into the insect house which we ALL loved...spiders...beetles...scorpians...butterflies...and other neat things.

As we left we made a decision to catch Saturday church...we got home...we had to shower...we were kind of stinky because we got rained on and then sweated...but all of us ready to go in 1/2 no joke with all showers!!! Bobby and I were impressed that we really had the girls and ourselves ready to go in 30 minutes...however, as he came downstairs...he was wearing a red shirt and me in a red casual cotton dress...you know the saying after you have been together for awhile you start dressing, looking, and acting alike? Well...it's true for sure for us! And if it hasn't happened to you yet...it will! Well...when that first starting happening sometimes one of us will change...but after awhile..you just say "Oh well!"

And after church since we were in the area...we dropped by a restaurant with a gorgeous view of Lake St. Louis I had been wanting to take Bobby too - they have different locations...but this really is the BEST one! We sat on the deck...the only ones with the kiddos...it really was a beautiful night...another family came as we were paying so we had the whole dinner to ourselves outside! Can you believe that? And after dinner...well it was ice cream...we really don't have a ton of sweets...although it seems like it with the s'mores post...but ice cream...socializing with our neighbors since all happened to be outside at the same time...and after the girls went to bed...some nice conversation sitting on the bench on our porch...hope your weekend was lovely too:)

Of course I included some ice cream pictures of them and the last is us trying to catch a toad that was the smallest we have ever tried to catch! It was fun and we enjoyed the time with our neighbors too! (Not Madison in the Santa hat...our neighbor's cute daughter)

Blessings from us!

Our life is all about...

Beautiful smiles...
Love it!

Little girls in dresses...

well sometimes...it's okay to be girly sometimes too...

Sisterly love...

Madison teaching her baby sister Ring around the Rosy...

As soon as Madison starts singing it, Hayley will start doing circles by herself:)

Laughter of our girls...

Blessings from all of us!

Laughing...

I don't have any pictures today (but I did take the girls to the pool yesterday by myself which it went pretty well considering the girls are in the stage where one wants one thing and the other another...but I took the plunge and did it myself!)...

but I had to share something that I am just dying laughing about. Yesterday I actually was able to watch a little bit of news in the morning...well I brought the girls their breakfast...and on the TV I saw them talking about (today show) a new commercial by Evian...

have you all seen it?...

I don't know how to upload video and have never been on youtube...

but they gave a 30-second segment to the commercial - it is 60 seconds on youtube...

I laughed so hard...and the girls just looked at me like I was crazy...

so I hit rewind just so I could tape it for Bobby in case he has never seen it...

I had to watch in again...and again...

the 2nd time Hayley started to dance a bit and loves the babies...

Madison started doing the little beat dance to the music...and this morning she asked "Mommy...I would like to see the babies again!"

So of course I had to watch it again...I may have Bobby help me with youtube this weekend to see it in its entirety! But if you haven't watched it yet...you should check it out...I just have never been on youtube so I will wait for Bobby because I know he will love it too if he hasn't seen it yet...but just wanted to share in case you haven't seen it...I am serious folks...it is worth it ,and it is that funny...I think I was almost rolling laughing!

Blessings from all of us!

July 4th Happenings!

July 4th was spent at the Lake with Bobby's family...I just love this picture of Abigail and Madison...it is just so stinkin' sweet to me. All week both girls were talking about seeing each other...it was really cute!

Here is my sweet little niece Katelynn who I got to hold not too long after we got there. It is so neat that the girls are so close in age...it was a blast to see them together...although the rain did make for a tired weekend though. For the first time...Abigial didn't nap by me...I always would look forward to seeing Abby because she will typically find one time during the weekend and cuddle up with me for a rest and nap...but the girls are getting older and it just doesn't happen anymore as often...

When we were at the lake I didn't feel as though I got as many pictures as I usually take...4 kiddos together makes for a busy scene...but I really love the photos that we got of everyone even though it wasn't very many. I am still in love with the picnik editing tool...however, it becomes an addiction when uploading the pictures I must say:)

Abigail and Madison in the picture below...I wasn't able to get one of Hayley and Katelynn together...but they were sweet. Grandma was the only one who got a picture of everyone together at the very end...literally the last 10 minutes we were there...we were all not taking as many as usual...

I just love this picture of Madison...the original was actually a little dark, but I was able to lighten it up a bit and just love it...

Madison on Papa Clark's shoulders...she was so excited about it...

Now this next picture I just love! I was so excited to see the mini cooper...although I wouldn't want it in yellow...definitely white...cannot decide between a blue stripe or black...just something I dream about having as a fun car...don't get me wrong...I am not that much into cars...but I just love the mini's for some reason...maybe from a movie I can watch at any time...The Italian Job...love that movie...but I loved mini's even before then...

This may sound bad, but I cannot even remember which day...they wanted to take the kiddos to something Mikes...a play place at the Ozarks for games and such...here is Papa and Grandma with the girls...
Hayley definitely intrigued by the games and flashy buttons to push:) I love this picture from behind reaching up for that button...
Miss Madison driving Hayley in the car...Hayley's face cracks me up because she really enjoyed it but it just doesn't look like it:)
We actually rode all four of us in the Wagon Ferris Wheel...both girls loved it...Madison waved to everyone and held her hands up saying WOO HOO! Then Hayley did her hands in the air just like at dinner time...very fun to do it all together. Madison wanted to ride in it again...so I took her...Hayley cried as she watched us because she wanted to do it again...that made me feel bad!
I just had to take this picture of Madison...the ticket folder and the tickets had to go in Daddy's back pocket...I love her seriousness...
This picture makes me laugh at Monica...she tried holding the tickets away from her...but I said with that many tickets...you have to make the picture good...do you know how we got that many tickets?...

A very nice couple had kept winning them and decided to give them to some kids that day...and it was our group...it made all of us smile and be thankful of their generosity...
A sweet picture of Daddy and Hayley...
Hayley amazed at some more games...
Hayley rode on the rides with Madison and Abigail...I spent most of my time with Hayley so Madison could run around with Abby and her aunts, uncle, and grandparents...so not as many pictures of her...
A picture of Uncle Tyler, Abby, Daddy, Madison, and Hayley...the girls love their Uncle Tyler...and that is the last of the pictures...
This is the only pool picture I got! Although we were only able to go once because of the rain...but I love it of Melissa and Madison swimming towards one another...

Happy July 4th Everyone! Blessings from us!