The Empire

 At the beginning of this summer, we went to the ranch.  We had not been in a while and it was nice to get away.  We had planned to be out there more but spent the first half of the year going through Nani's house and getting it ready for the estate sale and to sell the house.  Now that that is done, we are planning on spending more time at the Empire.  We would have gone again but soon after this trip we were blessed to find out we are pregnant, and shortly after I began the long first trimester saga of feeling as though I may barf at any minute, all day long, all the time, forever.  I know I shouldn't complain, many people have it way rougher than I, but it is tough chasing a 2 year old ball of energy all day while everything, especially food, makes you barf.

 But back to the Empire.  I was nervous about going.  Its so hard because that place is just SO Baba.  It was truly his castle and all his things are still there.  It looks like he stepped out to check the feeders and may be back at any moment.  This time I spent a lot of time cleaning and getting rid of toiletries that he had there since 1999.  Jay got to take Linc on his first tractor ride.  The neat thing is we both have pictures with our dads on tractors at this age, and now we have one of Linc too.  The picture above is him retreating behind the screen door to watch as dad fires up the engine.  He was scared and excited all at once.

 He loved digging in the dirt and getting dirty, just like I did when I was little.  Nani and Baba bought this place when I was 1 year old... so its neat seeing Linc getting to enjoy it, just like I did.

 Lola Likes it too.  She looks like a feral rat here.  I like it.

 Lincoln is now at the age that he is truly Daddy's little boy.  He wants to be where Daddy is, doing what Daddy is doing, all the time.  I was on the porch and turned my back for a second and he had run half way down the road between the house and barn, because he saw Dad having fun down there without him.

 The Beans, a neighbor at the ranch, gave Baba this bush hog as a thank you for his help.  It is Linc's favorite thing.  We ride around all day, checking the tank, the fence, and looking for deer.

 Sometimes Linc likes to have a little taste of the local dirt.  He is a dirt connoisseur and I think that means he'll grow up to be a geologist!  Doesn't he look busted in this picture?

A great time was had, and hopefully we will be returning soon.  I'm 13 and a half weeks now, and starting to feel human again. I'm going to catch up on summer posts this week.  We found out that we are blessed to be having another bouncing baby boy... I know Linc will love having a little brother to play with.

Happy Birthday Baby Boy!

 We celebrated Linc's birthday last weekend with a barbecue and family and a few friends.  Lincoln loved his balloons and all the attention although I'm not sure he knew what was going on.  Lincoln and Charlotte were waiting for dinner in the picture above.

 Lincoln really loves his uncle Mike, aka The Dude...

 Lolli came into town to help celebrate!

 I made a car cake... I'm not sure it exactly looks like a car but it was close enough.. This was the 2nd one I baked.  I also had to use a bottle and a half to make the icing red.

 Luckily the babies LOVED baby back ribs. 

 "Don't take my rib, mama!"

 Misti, Blake and Nani all came too... Misti is due in November so we gave her a good dose of what is to come!

 Carl and Amber even came  with Thia and new baby Gracie... they are doing great!

 Here is the car again...

 We waited to open gifts after dinner, and it as almost bedtime by then so Mr. Lincoln Johnny was a little less than cooperative.  He did give everyone hugs after opening his presents.  Even Misti and Blake and they got him clothes.

 Rahhhrrrooar!!!

 Uncle Mike and Adrianna gave Linc a shopping cart, grill set, and sandwich set.  He LOVES THEM!

 Here is Uncle Ty and Maylee... she didn't get any ribs.

 Amber and baby Gracie, 2 months old... So precious!

 Linc is really corn-fused... he is wondering, "Why is everyone singing to me?" and "Am I in trouble?"

 Awesome! The cake is for me!!! And he even blew the candle out all by himself.

 He enjoyed the triple chocolate fudge cake with vanilla butter cream icing - yum!!

 Charlotte and Thia also enjoyed it.  Charlotte had 2 pieces and a cookie!

 Cute Scary RED teeth for everyone!!

Poor Maylee!! No ribs AND no cake... next year sweetie!!

We are so blessed to have such a wonderful, happy, sweet, energetic little boy.  We are still celebrating tonight, heading to our first visit to Chuck E Cheese. 

We are also celebrating our next adventure - that is right!  Baby number 2 is on its way and due in January!!

More to come soon....

Begining of Summer

So Lincoln is officially out of Mothers Day Out for the summer, and we are both a little sad about that!  He loved it so much and I know he will have a blast next year too.  I'm excited about the summer too and we have lots of fun things planned including trips to the Zoo, the Children's Museum, the pool and lots of play dates.

Before the school year ended, Linc's sweet teachers, Miss Martha and Miss Monica asked if we could celebrate Linc's birthday before school got out.  Of course I said "yes!" and baked some cupcakes for the occasion.  I also remembered at the last minute that other Moms had sent a goodie bag home for their kids birthdays and didn't want to be the looser mom who didn't get the goods so I skedaddled to Walmart.  We sent bouncy balls, balloons on a string, parachute tigers, and whistles for the kids to drive their mommies bonkers with! Woo Hoo! and You are WELCOME!

 They weren't really sure who I was or why I was taking their picture, but they sure are cute!

Inner Voice of Lincoln Foy, "HOT DOG! I am getting a chocolate cupcake in the middle of the morning and I have no idea why! But its awesome!"

Yeah! I love sharing cupcakes with my ladies.... I mean friends!

We will miss Mommy's Day Out, but the summer will be a blast.  We've already been to the pool 2 days in a row!  More soon...

Pictures Lately

Lincoln has been officially introduced to the slip n slide... it was a BIG hit!

He also really digs spaghetti-o's.  But then again, who doesn't?

I told him he could go out side and he just sat on the back step and looked at trees.  I think he was thinking deeeeeep thoughts.

The former office is now the playroom.  I'll have more pictures later.  I'm not done with it yet but its coming along!

Don't tell me my business Mama!

OHHH! Look at that!

JUMP!

Where is Daddy? I love this picture because you can see his reflection in the glass.

He likes smelling Mommy's flowers.  Each time he sniffs them he says, "yumm!".

 

He likes corn! Now that is 2 veggies, including Avocados! Score!!!

Easter

Before we can talk about Easter, we must discuss Linc's new tool belt. He thinks its groovy, and I agree! I love IKEA!

I used baskets I already had. I'm being frugal! The blue one was for Linc to hunt eggs with and I got out the purple one for his presents. Jay thought they both looked too girly, especially after I added ribbon, but DANG! I can make things pretty for boys too right?!? I didn't add flowers or make the ribbon into a hair bow, right! Sheesh, husband, cut me some slack!

Lincoln woke up to some presents. We got him some cute cutlery and bowls as you can see here. We also got him a Dinosaur activity set, some books and a gardening kit. I had to hide the spade and trowel that came in the bag because they were the real deal, metal and everything, and I knew he would murder someone (probably Lola) if he got ahold of them. So we're going to give those to him later. I didn't give him any candy because right now he doesn't know to miss it, so we're going to capitalize on that.

I have to brag a bit, because I did make some delicious blueberry pancakes for Easter Sunday. I love Bisquick!

My guys are so cute! Here they are, all ready for church. I am the photographer so I don't get in many pictures but that is OK with me!


Mom and Pop were supposed to come for Easter but had to stay in New Braunfels for Pop's work. So sadly it was just us and Nani, but I still had to make deviled eggs!! Actually, this year Jay made them and did a great job. The only negative was that in true Jay fashion, he added a ton of garlic so they were a bit garlicky for my taste, but I still ate about 10 of those little guys.

I set the table all pretty, and Jay called me his little Martha... How sweet! I love these glasses, they were Nani's and she passed them on to me.

After a late lunch, we hid the Easter eggs. Lincoln had hunted at School so I knew he knew what to do. We headed out and he hunted, but we were outside for about 2 days because my curious little guy wanted to stop and open each egg, then show Jay, Nani, and I what was in each one, then put it carefully back together before putting it in the basket. We had about 24 eggs people! It took a while!!

Nani took this picture of us, its funny because we were just glad our heads made it in the picture! Nani has a history of headless photography.

Jay looks really cute in tube socks and driving moccasins, don't you think?

After hunting, we came in to go through the eggs, Nani and Lincoln sat down to do it together. Lincoln loved Easter and is still hunting eggs whenever possible. We are also teaching him that its not just about eggs!

He is Risen!

We ended the day with some Trifle. Shirtless Trifle. Its the only way to eat a Trifle, don't you know?!

We are thankful for our family. We are thankful for our little boy, and that we are together. We are thankful for a savior who gave everything for us, we are truly blessed!