Happy 3rd Birthday Kaitlin

For a long time we have been told by Kaitlin that she was going to have a Chuck E. Cheese birthday party! I decided to host a playdate there on her actual birthday and invite some kids from our SAHM's Meetup group. We had a great time and pretty much had the place to our selves that day. Kaitlin got a ton of things from her friends, then had a mini party at home with mom and dad and openened more gifts from us and Nonnie. As you can see from the pics, she's not spoiled, just indulged!

Happy Birthday Mommy

Well my bday has now come and gone. My mom and Jack came down to visit and watch the kids so that Chris and I could go to Busch Gardens for an adult day. We got to actually ride the rides we wanted to go on, together! I got a lot of new DVD's to watch and a new DVD player for upstairs. Now I can watch movies when there's football on! I got lots of other great presents too!

Tennessee 2007

This August we took our 2nd annual trip to Pigeon Forge, TN for the Bartley Family Reunion. We got there late on Thursday and got settled in. Chris was ready for a poker game this night! Friday we got up early and out the door to Dollywood. It was a VERY hot day but the kids had a lot of fun on the rides this year. Ryan went on the newest (and scariest) ride - The Mystery Mine Ride. After Dollywood we went back to the Challet to get cleaned up and then out to dinner at a local Pizzaria with Jack and his kids. Saturday Chris got up and went golfing while the girls got pampered with massages. We went to the pool and then later to the family dinner. Sunday we got up early and left for our long drive home. It usually takes about 8 hours but took us longer because of a huge accident. It was nice to be home!

Scuba Kids

Chris was cleaing the garage and came across Ryan's old life vest. We tried it on Kaity to see if she was ready for it. She would NOT take it off. So Ryan went and got his new one that he wears out on the boat w/ Daddy and they were "scuba kids" for the afternoon. Ryan got out the goggles and there were many fun pictures to take!

Rain Gutter Regatta

Ryan participated in his very first Rain Gutter Regatta. He had fun painting his boat and racing it. They held the race at Sleepy Hole Park. He and a few other pack members were there. He also got to participate in a flag ceremony.

Minnesota 2007

This year unfortunate circumstances brought us to Minnesota. Chris's Grandma Huhtala passed away and we all went out for the services. We stayed with Chris's brother Patrick and his wife Alison. We also got to spend some fun time with Brody. Last year he was only about 2 months old and didn't really notice if we were there or not. This time he was a lot of fun!! Chris and the kids went swimming in Uncle Patrick's pool a few times. Ryan wishes that we had one that big now! We caught up with family at the funeral services. It was nice to see everyone again we just wish it was under different circumstances. We spend some more time w/ Chris's dad Steve and his family before they went back to Iowa. We got together to celebrate his 60th b-day a little early. We also spent a day w/ Chris's mom Jane at the zoo. It was a wonderful afternoon for it - not to hot/humid. After the zoo we met the rest of the Tomascak clan for dinner (those that could make it). Then it was time to go home...we made it back but a little late. Now we are just about recooped and ready for the weekend.

Kaity's Big Girl Bed

We finally took the crib out and put in Kaity's big girl bed. She went back and forth for a few days and finally was ok with the decision. It's just a toddler bed but she loves it. She rolls out of it and we find her asleep on the floor pretty often but hopefully that will get better. Then soon she'll be ready for a "bigger" big girl bed.

Outside Pictures

I've been trying to take some nice outside pictures of the kids lately and some black and whites for a diplay inside. Guess I need a fancy camera that can get them when they are moving - my digital just isn't that fast! There's what I got this day.

Hot Days in the Sun

It has definately become summer very fast here in Suffolk. One week we are cool and in the 70's and the next we are near 100 every day. So we have a pool for the kids to cool off in. They have fun trying not to get each other wet (but it does happen). We have some new pool toys for this year and a bigger pool.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Well, a few days later and Chris gets to open presents again! Now it's for his birthday. We went out to Cold Stone Creamery early that morning and got him an ice cream cake that he's been wanting for a long time. He actually had been wanting one from Dairy Queen but ours doesn't not do cakes! Either way it was still very good. The kids and I also welcomed Daddy home with a some artwork on the driveway. We wrote "Happy Birthday Daddy, Love, Mommy, Ryan and Kaitlin" with a big bunch of balloons. He opened his presents almost as soon as he got home from work b/c the kids just couldn't wait for him to see what they had picked out! We were going to go out but opted for a quiet dinner at home.

Happy Father's Day Daddy!!

Chris was in Atlanta for Father's Day so we had it a few days late. Either way the kids had fun shopping for gifts and seeing daddy open the presents. They gave him a cooler for fishing, a night bobbie and some new baskets for his workshop that go into the peg board.

Busch Gardens, Williamsburg

For Ryan doing so well in school this year Chris bought season passes to Busch Gardens!! We all went for the first time ever. Can't believe I've lived in VA for almost 19 yrs and have never been. It was very nice but hilly! We had a cool overcast day but that's best for me. The less sun the better. The kids had a great time going on all of the rides and playing a few games. We met some friends there so we took turns watching the kids so the adults could go on some rides! We will definately have to go back for a "mommy/daddy" day.