Showering Carly

Recently Carly came up from Florida for us to pamper her with gifts in preparation for her new life she would soon begin as Mrs. Brand instead of Miss Hingson. It was so great to see her, and we had a lot of fun. We played some games...here is our winner for the toilet paper bride game. :)

And, (I wasn't in charge of games I probably should mention because she would have killed me for doing this one sober:)) she also had to play the infamous bubble gum game often played at bachelorette parties. This was hilarious to watch.

And, she got lots of neat gifts and recipes. We were so thankful to have so many family and friends come.

Words cannot express how happy I am for her. And, how proud I am of her. Without getting all mushy, let's just say Carly getting married is HUGE! She was one of those young girls that said, "I'm never getting married!" I knew when Mr. Right came along that all would change. I am so thankful and blessed she looks up to me enough to let me be a part of her life and help guide her in the fun (ahem..trying) times of marriage!

She looks so happy in all of these pictures! Stay tuned for pictures from the big day where she was even more gorgeous and happy!

Congratulations you two! We love you so much!

Happy Easter 2010!

Well, Easter was a very long time ago it seems! But, I am just now finishing the blog post for it. Oh, well. We have had a very busy summer! It is flying by!! I have SO much to blog about...but I am taking time instead to enjoy the hot lazy days with my three JPMs and I figure when school starts back I will try to catch up. I *might* be less busy then. Maybe. :)

Easter this year was alot of fun. In fact, as Preston gets older and able to do more things on his own everything gets more fun really. We had an egg hunt at Aunt Dee Dee's with all of the cousins on Paul's side...

The boys got all dressed up! Thank goodness they allow me to still dress them up like this! In fact, Jackson didn't have a tie (I couldn't find last year's!) and I tried to convince him to go without this Easter and he refused. So, I was out searching right before Easter for a tie for him. I know I will miss all these cute clothes when they want to start picking their own stuff and dressing themselves. Lots of kids Jax's age already do...but for some reason I have still managed to keep control. ;)

The Easter Bunny came to visit, and he brought lots of goodies that got us ready for spring and summer! Bubbles, water guns, rocket balloons, play balls, were among the stash!

We dyed eggs...twice! :) With Daddy at home and with Maw Maw, Aunt Malia, John Michael, and Bree, too. As always, this proves to be a favorite activity for our family!

And, even though over half of them appear cracked by the end of the process, you just have to remember perfection is not key with two little boys! It's all about having fun! (Imagine how difficult this can be for an OCD mommy!)

Artistic Dad will never admit it, but he really enjoys coloring eggs!

At Maw Maw's we also cracked a few eggs (ahem, I mean colored a few eggs) and iced sugar cookies!

I love how John Michael is holding his hand here..like whew! This was hard work, but I finally got it done! Adorable!

I love holidays. We have already established that on this blog I think. :) But, I guess I should scratch that saying and say I love family and good times spent with them. Because isn't that typically what we do on holidays? Of course, we also spent alot of time this Easter discussing the true meaning with the boys. I am not sure Preston got it, but I know Jackson does. We planted the seeds last year, but this year it seemed to really click. And, I discovered Resurrection Eggs! I have got to get me some of those! What a neat idea!

Hope you all are having a wonderful summer, and that you had a great Easter this year, too!

Stay tuned! I hope to get some more memories headed your way!

Can't Stop

Every time I log on here to read other people's blogs and see just how behind I am on blogging and then survey the room around me to see the huge mess of scrapbook supplies and stacks of pictures waiting on me as I am very far behind on my scrapbooks, too, I think to myself no more blogging. Catch up on those scrapbooks that are very dear to my heart and very enjoyable to me. And, then I scroll down the blog page and look at how adorable and handsome my boys look on the computer screen (the big JPM included :)) and think to myself...just one more post..just one more post. :)

Celebrating Paul!

Paul likes older women I guess you could say...haha! I turned 31 first in March, and then he followed shortly after exactly a month later in April. I think he had a good birthday, and I know I sure enjoy other people's birthdays way more than mine! I love giving more then receiving. So, I had alot of fun embarassing him, making him feel special, and getting some time away together.
We went to Frontera with some friends and family to celebrate, and wow is he popular! SO many people came!! I know it touched him how many showed up to help him celebrate.

But, you know at the Mitchell household your ACTUAL birthday is just as important as the day you have your "party." Much to Paul's dismay when we met him at Chick-fil-A on his actual birthday to have dinner with him before he flew to Florida for work, I showed up with candles and cupcakes. There are a few things you should know about Paul: 1. He hates people staring. 2. He hates cameras. and 3. He hates people staring. :))

But, hey doesn't he look super cute making a wish!?

There is a story behind this cake. They messed it up and tried to fix it LOL so that is why it is so busy and hectic looking! :) But, it sure tasted yummy. If you can't tell it has a guitar on it. Mmm..I am hungry just looking at it.

And, again remember he hates people staring. Well, this probably isn't the best place to go eat then for his birthday, you think?

But, before we went to Frontera we snuck away for some private celebration time while Maw Maw watched the kids. You'll never believe where! Savannah. Shocker, huh? Well, in case you can't tell there is another fact about Paul..well two actually. He loves Savannah, and he makes the decisions about where we go. :)

This time though was different in that we ate different new places, we had no reservations, no plans, to times to be somewhere or anything structured. And, isn't it funny that this was probably the best time I've had yet. :)

I LOVE this picture of him. I cannot believe I was with him when he celebrated 13 and now 31.

I feel so incredibly blessed to have been able to spend over half a lifetime with my soulmate. I love this man so much! Words on a blog page cannot even begin to describe!!!

So, Happy Birthday to the best daddy and husband I know and the hardest worker I know! :) (It's ok..I know we all think that of our husbands..)

Welcoming Baby Ryan!

A few years ago I joined a playgroup, and then later on another. I am not involved in the first one anymore, but I have made several great friends in the second one. One of them is Jodi, and recently I went to another great friend's house, Shawna, to help shower Jodi with gifts in preparation for baby Ryan coming. She actually just had him last week, and mommy and baby are all doing great. And, so are daddy and big sister!

My mommy friends (left to right): me, Jeannie, Shawna, Katy back row and then front row is Kim and Jodi.

Having two is quite interesting as us mommies of two little ones know. But, I am so happy for Jodi, and I know she will handle it perfectly!

Congratulations to the Yasinski family!

C R A Z Y Day at School!

April Fool's Day was crazy day at school, and I am afraid I had more fun than Jackson did with it. :) It was tons of fun combining his clothes to make his look so silly!

The best part though quite possibly was that he was very proud of how he looked! :)

Preston's Visit to the "Toothbrush Factory!"

My baby had his first dental cleaning appointment recently, and I was worried how he'd do because he is not nearly as independent as Jackson was at this age. He is alot more timid especially if I am not by his side. But, I have had lots of practice by now acting nonchalant to set the tone for him, and he went right on back with the dental assistant at Dentistry for Children. (Time for me to put in a plug for them..I really like them if you are looking for a children's dentist office. I have seen those specials on TV about those offices that scam you and have heard conflicting opinions about this office. Some people have said they told them their kids needed procedures they in fact didn't need?? But, we love them. We've never had a problem, and my kids enjoy going. They are also the same office that Paul went to (different location though.)) Anyway, back to my little Preston...

He got them cleaned and seemed shocked at the end that I was telling the truth when I said it wasn't scary. :) He said, "Mommy! You were right! It didn't hurt at all!"

Of course, he loved being alone just me and him, too, I think. Jax was with Daddy, so he got my undivided attention. I dug out some coins for him to throw into the wishing pond. He loved the waterfall (as does Jax when he goes there.) I can't remember now what he told me his wish was. I tried to explain you aren't supposed to tell! :) They both always blab it. I think this time he told me and it was funny if I remember correctly. (I am sorry..I admit I am very forgetful lately!)

And, I was AMAZED he was part of the no cavity club! He is not the best brusher (neither was Jax) at this age, and I did assist Jax and still do assist Preston. But, I know I probably assist Preston less because now I have two kids I am chasing down in the mornings. Plus, I regrettably must admit I don't make my kids brush their teeth at night at this age. Only in the morning. That's horrible isn't it!? I cannot figure out why except I FORGET! Jax reminds me...the next morning. (Thankfully, they have dental health day at preschool. :)) I need to do better about this. So far for both no cavities. But, I will blame myself if they ever get one. I guess I feel like it is after all baby teeth. :) But, also I will admit I overbrushed as a child (scrubbed rather) and now have dental gum erosion from it. So, I don't want to overdo it either. It can be painful. (Although to REALLY digress they also think my erosion is due to grinding my teeth at night. Do you know how many hundreds of dollars a good night guard costs!?)

I love these pictures of him and the memories of our morning together. Then, I feel lightheaded because I feel so sad he is growing up. I should be excited I know. I remember with my oldest every "new" thing was SO exciting because I'd never done it before. I couldn't wait to take him to the dentist for the 1st time. haha! But, with my second, it's like you know now what it entails..there's no suspense. And, you also know what it means. It means they are growing up. And, fast. I am in dismay that in 2 and 1/2 months for nine hours a week I will be WITHOUT children and NOT be at work. What will I do with myself?? Sure, you look forward to that time..then you get it and you miss them. :)

Gosh, sorry! I have really rambled tonight!! Can you tell I have had very little adult interaction this afternoon? :) Thanks for listening (or reading or whatever!)