This week- Shelley visits, 2-year checkup

My high school buddy, college roommate and maid of honor at my wedding, Shelley- known as "Skrelley" on my blog, lives far away in Arkansas.  I miss her so much and she was kind enough to come stay with us Monday night on her way home from a family visit.  She had all four children by herself and was adding time to her drive, but I was so happy to see her after YEARS!  I had only seen her once last year at her mom's funeral and before that it had been when Tucker was a newborn.

We had a fun supper with Chris and Christy who went to high school youth group with us and then Shana came over for breakfast Tuesday morning.  Shelley's car sounded bad when she went leave so we had to take it to the dealership.  Then she and I got to keep 8 children happy in the strip mall next to the dealership for a few hours.  :)  A fun adventure indeed.  We finally walked over to a Mexican restaurant and Shana met us there- it's great saying to the hostess, "three adults, 8 children".  :)  Here we are walking back afterwards- ha!  Our children had the best time with each other and each have one to pair off with.  And Skrelley had I stayed up past midnight laughing out loud reminiscing.  :)  

On Monday morning Charliebear had his 2-year check up. He's off the charts for height and 95% for weight. That's what happens when you eat three hot dogs at a sitting and sleep like a log. :) They made me strip him down so they could weigh him and then I still ended up waiting over an hour. I texted Marc that I was not able to keep him in my lap and he said, "well, that chair's not gonna push itself!" :)

 

 I find myself taking pictures of him all the time because I wuv his wittle baby face. :)

 

Oh this would have been cute not blurry-

Sunday pics- on baby's birthday :)

Tuck on the ride home from church- he's been sitting like this since he was a baby-









I guess it's okay if the birthday boy wanders off.....  :)







He went and sat on the tree by himself and started saying "keeeeeeys".  :)  We think he meant "cheese".  :)





And Mommy got some good sugar from angelbaby today!









By the way, see those pics behind me and Charlie of Julia and Marc?  We finally got pics of Charlie and Tucker made when we were at the bar convention-

Charlie's 2nd birthday!

Today we celebrated Charlie's 2nd birthday and, just like last year, we went to BB and Poppy's farm for the day!  The theme was Thomas the Tank Engine- it's Charliebear's obsession! :)

The children's table-



Charlie's spot-



The adults' table-





Cupcakes for the children, Yaya's chocolate cake for the grown ups with homemade cookies and cream ice cream!



Time to party!  Our friends, who are Charlie's Godparents, came with their three precious babies-









AND THE PRECIOUS BIRTHDAY BOY!!!











Time to open presents with LOTS of "help"!  :)






A new Annie and Clarabell for Thomas-





This video gives a good idea of all the "help" he was getting.  :)

















Wow- what a loot!



All the children went swimming after the presents, but Charlie just wanted to sit inside and play quietly.  :)






The big kids went swimming for hours and then boating with the daddies.  Here they are resting on the dock-





Of course Frick and Frack are doing their own thing together-



After our friends left we stayed and had a few more adventures.  Daddy took the children on a wagon ride-







And Poppy took Charlie to get chairs from the barn for fishing-







Sissy was in the zone today- she caught two fish!





As soon as she reeled it in she shouted, "I've caught a bass!"  She is is good at knowing species!







After fishing Poppy cooked out steaks and we had potatos grown on their farm and salad with tomatoes grown on their farm!  A fun day to celebrate my angel- we love you Charliebear!