Feeding the Deer = Super funny!

My sister and I took Elliot and Drake to Totten's Pumpkin patch today. Neither of us really needed any pumpkins, but we like to take the boys each year, if nothing else, for the pictures. Last year we went to a pumpkin patch in Hallsville, so this was the first year for both boys to be at Totten's. Drake thought Elliot feeding the deer was hilarious. I really wanted to capture his laugh and suddently remembered that my camera takes videos. I had never used it before, so I was very proud of myself for taking a spur of of the moment video today. Notice Drake's "old man" laugh as Elliot give the deer a bite of pumpkin!

Drake's One Year Pictures

For those of you that know me well...I LOVE pictures! I can't seem to get enough pictures, especially of Drake! Mary Dunaway, Photos2Remember, does a WONDERFUL job of helping me capture Drake, month by month! I've had Drake's pictures taken with Mary since before he was even born! She took my maternity pictures, and all of Drake's pictures there after. On Thursday, Mary ventured to the sticks of Shelbyville to capture Drake's one year pictures. As Mary knows, I put a lot of though into what I want his pictures to look like. I usually had a few ideas each month for her to "create"! Since this was the end of Drake's "baby" pictures, I wanted to do something extremely special but couldn't think of what. It wasn't until about two hours before we were suppose to meet that I had a great idea (at least I thought so!). Drake received a Case IH Petal Tractor for his first birthday from my dad, Papa Tom and Grandma Christi, along with a Case IH wagon from Clint's mom and dad, Grampy and Grammy! I couldn't think of any background that would be better for these pictures other than our own backyard! A few of the pictures we even directed toward Drake's Great-Grandpa and Grandma's house to include the Harvestore. I definitely think these pictures turned out wonderful and will please more than just myself! Thanks so much Mary for the wonderful work you've done in the past year. I will forever have the memories captured of Drake growing up, thanks to you. Words can not express my thanks! Below are a "few" of my favorites! I tried to pick...it was so hard!

Pointing out the bird poop on the cement!

My happy boy!

The old chicken coop behind Mama's house made for a neat scene. These fire truck overalls are what Drake wore to his 1st birthday party!

The very first pictures Mary took of Drake, she made a composite for me with his profile, hands, feet, ear, eye, nose and mouth. The point of this picture was to get part of his profile, but I love his baby blue eyes! This picture truly shows the innocence of a child!

And this one shows how ornery a little boy can be!

Just farmin'!

Showing off my tractor! "Crops are green, tractors are RED!"

Big stuff! Notice the Harvestore in the background!

Not only did he enjoy driving, he also enjoyed sitting in the wagon while I hauled him from corner to corner in our yard!

"You been farmin' long?"

Ah, Pals! Drake and Macy...forever friends!

Brmm, Brmm!

I can even drive one handed!

All dressed up and no where to go!

Happy Father's Day, Papa Tom!

As requested by my sister, I am updating my blog. She told me she needs something different to look at! So...I'm trying to back-track through my massive amounts of pictures to get to some things I never got posted. This was taken on Father's Day! My dad has been blessed with multiple grandchildren in a few short years. Here is Papa Tom with all six of his grandchildren, who are under the age of three! Number 7 is due to arrive October 13th! Thank goodness he built an extra large house to hold all that love!

As you can tell, we weren't even trying to get the kids to smile. Just all six in the picture and halfway looking the same direction was the goal! Hudson wasn't too happy, but he survived!

This one wasn't too bad. From left to right: Elliot (2 1/2 yrs.), Somer (3 yrs.), Papa Tom holding Drake (11 months), Bree (2 months), and Hudson (1 year), and then Bella (21 1/2 months).

Wednesday Watermelon Fun!

Ms. Connie with Parents As Teachers has been hosting "Wednesday Fun" several times a month. I always wanted to go, but didn't ever get the chance because it was always at 10:00 in the morning. When I found out that she was going to continue it through most of the summer, I was super excited and couldn't wait to go. Drake and I missed last week's session because I am trying to "re-do" his nap schedule (take out his morning nap and just have him lay down earlier in the afternoons and sleep longer). Needless to say, this took a little while to get adjusted to. However, my friend Addie Yoder and I decided to make a date for this week's session! I was so glad to get the chance to go and for Drake to meet some other children as well as me to meet some other moms!

Apparently Wednesday Fun starts out with a snack. Since this week's theme was Watermelon, the snack was...of course...Watermelon! Drake tried it but still isn't a huge fan, so he opted for some Cheerios! It's still puzzles me as to why he won't eat Watermelon...that's practically all I lived off of last summer when I was pregnant with him. I guess I already wore him out on it! Aliza was a big girl and ate both watermelon and Cookie Crisp! Drake looks like such a big kid sitting in these little chairs! Way too soon for me!

Hazel was a big kid too and was grinning like crazy on her moms lap. However, when I pointed the camera to her, she played hard to get!

Ms. Connie had a creative craft for the kiddos to complete. I knew that Drake would be a little too young for the craft, but I wanted him to get to experience it too! He did make a few marks on his Watermelon, but was mainly interested in eating the crayons. Like Addie said, good thing they aren't toxic! Aliza shows off her beautiful work!

When I tried to have Drake show off his beautiful work, he was more interested in taking off the magnets. Oh well...better luck next time!

After snack and craft, we all got to go out to the big playground and...PLAY! Ms. Connie said this is the first Wednesday Fun all year that the kids have gotten to go outside. It's either been...um..raining or blistering hot! I never would have guessed! I wasn't too adventurous in getting Drake on the big equipment, so we opted for some scoops, shovels and buckets in the rocks! He only tried to put one rock in his ear and I caught it quick enough. He also only got one rock in his mouth despite numerous attempts! I was a super mom yesterday and on top of my game!

Lastly, a group shot before heading in to read a book. I didn't know all of the moms there but it was nice to meet some new people. I think Drake had a good time, I know I did!

Fun Times with Grampy!

Since we live just right down the road from Clint's mom and dad as well as his Grandma and Grandpa, we get to see family a lot! It's so great, especially since that's the reason we moved back to Shelbyville to begin with...to be closer to family! Grampy was driving by last night and decided to drop by for a second! I let Drake have a break from his stroller (where he was sitting so patiently while I cleaned out my car!) and handed him off to Grampy (Clint's dad). Drake had a grand ole' time "driving" the truck! He also had a fun time getting into everything inside the truck, too! Grampy had to confiscate an ink pen that Drake was trying to suck on!

My camera was a little slow and so this is the first shot I got.

Take two definitely shows how excited Drake was! He kept making motor noises while he turned the steering wheel! Definitely a farm boy?! Too cute!

Uncle Matt's 30th Birthday!

My oldest brother, Matt, turned 30 on May 16th. To celebrate his birthday, we had a wienie roast, fishing and boat rides at the pond by his house on May 17th. Everyone had a really great time, especially the kids! It's so crazy looking back at these pictures and seeing everyone bundled up in jackets, blankets and hoods! That's Missouri weather for you!

The birthday boy hoping for the catch of the day!

Well...I don't think that was exactly what he was hoping for! Somer was certainly there to help take control of the big fish!

What's a birthday without boat rides on the pond? Papa Tom, Grandma Christi, Somer and Elliot take a relaxing ride on the water. Notice Somer and Elliot's life jackets?? It was decided they must wear them while going on a ride...since moments earlier Elliot got too close to the water and took a dip! Luckily Uncle Big was there to fish him out quickly. He kept saying "That water tared (scared) me!"

Who knows what Somer was doing! Probably jumping or hoping around!

Even Bree partook of the events! Well..I think she slept the whole time!

Apparently before Clint, Drake and I arrived, this hot dog Bella is holding became the "community" hot dog. When she picked it up to take a big bite, everyone started laughing hysterically. So...

I thought I better get in on the fun too! However, the grass that was stuck to it didn't appeal to me, so I just pretended to take a bite!

Grandma Dot all bundled up!

A few weeks before, Somer received this Barbie Jeep for her 3rd birthday. They decided to bring it to the pond for the kids to take a spin. Elliot pauses driving to take a quick bite of a graham cracker. Notice Bella holding on to Hudson and Hudson hanging on for dear life?

A mouth full of marshmallow!

Bella was definitely a crazy driver! She kept crashing into the card table and laughed and laughed. Poor Hudson didn't know what he was getting himself into when he climbed in the passenger seat!

Michael and Uncle Big waiting for a bite!

Drake was sleeping in the car for most of the evening but eventually decided to wake up and join the fun! He's all smiles with Grandma Christi snuggling him!

Mother's Day...A Little Late!

I realize Mother's Day was back in May but I'm a lot behind in getting some post done. I'm also EXTREMELY behind in Drake's scrapbook...poor little guy doesn't even have his name in it yet! Anyway, I really liked a few pictures we took on Mother's Day so even though they are late, I thought I'd still share!

Drake and I on Mommy's Day!

Playing with a ball

Clint, Drake and I on Mother's Day. I couldn't imagine my life any differently right now!

Good Morning, Mommy & Daddy!

Each morning while I'm getting ready for school, Clint helps me out by getting Drake out of bed, changing his diaper and getting him dressed for daycare at *Grandma* Barb's. I usually try to go in and greet him as he wakes up as well. Last Thursday (May 21st), I went in to see this! No...Drake didn't stand up on his own. Clint went in to get him up and stood him up to hang on to his crib. I thought it was so cute and made him stand there while I grabbed my camera really quick. I especially love how his name is on the wall in the background. I think Drake looks pretty happy, especially considering this picture was taken at 6:33 a.m.!

Fun at the Yoder's!

We were invited to a spur of the moment BBQ at our friends house on Memorial Day. Joshlin and Addie Yoder invited what started out as a few people over for a "small" get-together! Fourteen kiddos (under the age of 5) later and not near as many adults, the fun began! Luckily it was so nice outside and the kids could just hang out and play. Joshlin and Addie's little girl Aliza had a TON of outside toys for everyone to play with! In my opinion, the kids did really well together, with the exception of two small boys who were constantly fighting over whatever each other had! I'm sure both of their dads were extremely proud that tears were shed over not just a push mower, but a pink push mower at that!

Drake was confined to the walker for a while. After taking his 10 month pictures, he decided he hates grass and will scream anytime you try to put him down. Therefore, we went prepared with a walker and stroller! Hopefully this is just a phase that will pass!

Drake didn't mind the walker too much since he got to get close to this cutie, Lindy (I'm not sure how to spell her name) who is a month or so older than him.

The kids decided to take a break from playing to grab a quick bite to eat. From left to right: Aliza, Mary, Sam, Emme

Gage is also about a month and a half older than Drake. He will turn one this week I believe.

Ahh, the pink lawn mower and John Deere riding toy! Jade and Sawyer couldn't seem to get along too well. Boys will be boys!

Aliza looking out of her play house!

While I was trying to help clean up, Clint was in charge of Drake. As you can see, he had Drake standing up and holding on to the cooler. Drake was a very tired boy by this point.

This was one of my last pictures of the evening. Aliza and Emme got out the sidewalk chalk and decorated the driveway! Beautiful!