New Job

It has been an exciting week here. We enjoyed having Vanessa and Landon here on Monday and Tuesday. Then Tuesday evening, I had my interview at church. Wednesday morning, we went over Misty's and Bren/Jen had a great time playing with Chaz and baby Cullen. Misty and I were tired and so happy our kids wore each other out so they took good naps. After nap time, I met Jeff and the gym and then went over to church. I got the job; so I am now the nursery coordinator. I am really looking forward to it, it will be exciting to do something new. I start um......immediately so that should be great. Of course, I am still staying home, this is a very part time position :) Jeff is going to watch the NC State game over a friend's house tonight, so I will have some "me" time. What will I do??, well one thing I know that I am not getting on the computer, which is why I am doing this now. I get on the computer for what I think will be 5 minutes and it always turns into much longer...... Hello craiglist, I don't need anything..... Friday night, we are going to the Bulls game (Thanks to Misty for our super tickets and parking pass) and Saturday I have my MOPS mini-retreat and our dinner club at Stephanie's......then Sunday we have a gathering with some of Jeff's friends from work. So a busy weekend ahead and lots to look forward to. I especially am looking forward to Monday, Jeff is off and we have no plans as of yet...... possibly a day at home, we will have to see......My sister is on the babysitting schedule a good bit in September, lots of things coming up. Oh yeah, and dining room conversion is still making progress......

Monkey Joe's

Busy and exciting weekend! Jeff WFH on Friday so we were able to go to the gym together in the morning and enjoy some time together. Brennan, Jenna and I met Brody and his family at the gym for dinner and swimming Friday night. It was a lot of fun. Brody was Brennan's best friend from preschool last year so he was excited to see him! Saturday, Brennan, Jenna and I went to Vanessa's 4th Birthday party at Monkey Joe's. IT was a blast! They guys from work took Jeff golfing for his b-day and he shot a 77! The guys came back here after golf and Jeff grilled burgers and dogs. Then, our friends Stephanie, Si and Hailey came over for swimming and dinner. Jenna and Hailey got a bath together, that was too cute! :) Brennan loved having them over, he beat Mr. Si and Daddy at bowling on the Wii (and they didn't "let" him either) They brought Jeff an ice cream cake and we enjoyed that for dessert! :) Brennan moved up to his 3 year old Sunday School class on Sunday. There were only 2 children in his class, so I think they are combining the 3 year old rooms next week. Vanessa and Landon are with us Monday and Tuesday and we are having lots of fun!

Hopper's House

Yesterday, Aunt CiCi played with the kids at Hoppers House (a bounce house geared mostly for pre-k) while I went to get my hair cut. It was long overdue, I think I was scaring people with my mad layers. I like it now though. The kids loved Hopper's House, Brennan actually made a basketball shot in the hoop they have there. He was super excited and had to tell everyone we saw. (really) The kids took great naps and we met Daddy for dinner, they sang Happy Birthday and he shared his ice cream with the kids. (Because he is the best daddy and husband!) Plus, we are making progress on our dining room/play room transformation which is taking some time. We (ok Jeff) took down the chandelier and put in a ceiling fan and he picked up a table I found on craigslist. I love my husband! :)

pictures from weekend

Wii

We had a wonderful weekend. Granny Bee, Pappy, and Great Granny came for a visit from PA. They also brought home Ryan, which we are happy to have him back in NC. I can't believe he starts his sophomore year in HS next week! We went to the Cultural Arts Festival on Saturday where Brennan was excited to see several of the acts. We all had a fun time. Then we went to Chilis for lunch and Jeff opened his birthday gifts. And the big surprise this year, I got him the Nintendo Wii. It was especially surprisinging for him because I don't like video games and am not a big fan of the tv in general.....SO I was so excited for him to open it! I am happy I was able to get him something HE really wanted in spite of myself. Ironically, I love it! My family loves bowling, so we played Wii bowling all weekend. Brennan rolled a 100 today, it is so much fun for the whole family. SO EXCITED! We went to Davis' birthday party on Sunday after church. They have an awesome neighborhool pool and Brennan was loving the diving board and slide. He loves his friends (more like his cousins) Grayson and Davis. Kind of funny, Sharon's Grandma and my Granny play cards together back in our hometown area in PA. Sharon and I have been friends since I can ever remember. Our families vacationed together to the "Field of Dreams" and Wrigley Field when we were just young teenagers. It is so awesome that we can still be in each other's lives so many miles away and so many years later.
We ended the weekend with a nice dinner at Daniel's in Fuquay. :) Today we rested, cleaned and did some shopping. My next project is converting our formal dining room into a downstairs playroom, that will be keeping me busy the next few weeks. I plan to do "preschool" with Brennan and Vanessa in the new room; I give myself until October 1st to be fully operational. (lol!)
Also, it is OFFICIAL Jenna Grace is walking like a pro!

Littleland Band

Brennan has so enjoyed going to see the Littleland band for the last year or so. He loves music! We took Vanessa and Landon with us on Thursday. Vanessa sang in the microphone during the show. We met our friends Stephanie and Hailey there and we all had a great time. We came back to play at our house and all the children enjoyed singing some more. They even made their own "stages" as they listened to the "Go Fish Guys". Speaking of the Go Fish Guys we are going to see them in Charlotte on October 11th and we will also get to see my friend Jessica from college, so looking forward to that! On Friday, we went to play over Misty's house with Chaz and Cullen. They are such wonderful friends and neighbors. I was able to see Misty's wedding album and I felt like I was there; it was beautiful!

Date night

Catching up a few days here....We had a great Friday, a little swimming, some grilling and we rented the movie Definitely, maybe and I loved it. It was the best "rental" I have seen in quite some time. Plus, I made Brennan a chef's hat so he could play "Japanese Steakhouse Chef". Brennan had the time of his life running through an obstacle course to become a superhero at his friend Colby's party on Saturday afternoon. He is still running around in his cape 3 days later. Our new babysitter Kayleigh came over Saturday night so Jeff and I went out to dinner and had a wonderul date. I love date nights, whether we go out to dinner or stay at home. We try to have them as often as possible, but it has been a long 2 weeks! Now onto Sunday, I am going to be one of the 2-year old Sunday School teachers starting in a few weeks. Vanessa and Landon came over Monday and today this week for the first time. ( I will be their childcare every other Monday/Tuesday) Vanessa is Brennan's age and Landon is a few months younger than Jenna. They are wonderful children and we had a great two days with them. I pulled Brennan out of preschool this year so I LOVE the fact that he has Vanessa to help with socialization. (and to help him realize that the planets do not revolve around him) It really turns out to be such a blessing in so many ways.

Relaxation

A word we can't often experience in our house.........but this week it has been our goal. We have been trying to take it easy, get caught up on laundry and clean to recover from last week. But, we of course still managed to fit in loads of fun! We went to see a puppet show in Holly Springs (Bartlet) with Aunt CiCi and got some new books at the library. Brennan saw a friend from preschool (Brody) at the gym and Jenna went to the gym's childcare center without crying at all! Daddy and Brennan did some weed wacking and made our yard beautiful! We went to the park today with our friends Misty, Chaz, and Cullen. It has been a great week. Brennan and Jenna have been playing a new game where they chase each other around the living room. ( I am putting the picture on here, even though it isn't the best) We are looking forward to some family time this weekend!

Last week

We went to the beach with some of Jeff's family last week. The beach house is right on the beach which makes it so nice when there are little ones! We went to the Hard Rock Cafe and Broadway at the Beach one night and Jeff did some golfing; but for the most part we just enjoyed the beach and the pool. It was a great time for all! Jenna had a birthday cake (her first ice cream cake) and opened some gifts. She has her very own bike now! Brennan stayed the whole week and had a wonderful time with his Grandma, Pop-Pop, Uncle Jeff, Uncle Jim, Aunt Autumn and his baby cousin Luke! I asked Brennan what his favorite part of the trip was, and he said, "the pool and being with my family"! :) Jeff, Jenna and I left Wed evening to head home to then drive to PA on Thursday for Kerrie and Marc's wedding. Jenna had a rough trip so she was one happy girl to get home on Sunday.