Let the boys be boys

I never grew up with boys or brothers.

Often times the way they act confuse me

Philip's idea of playing with Asher often differs from mine greatly.

Here are two examples...

Tie the child up with his favorite stuffed alligator.

The weight of the alligator forces him to fall over.

A-man laughs and laughs and laughs.

This eggs Philip on and he tightens the grip of the alligator over and over.

I call this torture, they call it fun...

Let the boys be boys...

Looks real safe doesn't it?

Clearly this was the boys genius idea.

Asher can't even stand up unsupported...who thought standing IN the window sill would be something that he could do safely, EVER?

Promise no need to call CPS on us!

"get me out of this crazy place!"

"My daddy swears my calves are going to be huge just like his...he told me this before I was even born after mommy's 3d/4d ultrasound"

I dont have any photos to showcase the ridiculous amount of bruises on Asher's forehead right now. He also has a huge bruise on his left cheek. He has no fear, rarely cries when crashes and typically goes back for more.

Oy vey, Let the boys be boys!

Tushie Tub Time

These are memories worth cherishing...

Photos I will pull back up to show his girlfriends, his future wife and children.

This is rehearsal dinner slideshow worthy.

I love that tushie!

Asher can be such a serious child

...and he can be really sweet too...

...when he wants to cheese it up, he ranks up there with the best of them!...

Lots of mouth open shots because he is ALWAYS talking or screeching...

Eyes to die for. I could stare into them for hours.

As genuinely cute as it could possibly get.

Hey ladies...!

Uhuh that's right, Lady killer!

xoxo, Asher

Family Time

My parents celebrated their 32nd anniversary on July 9th.

To celebrate we all went out to dinner at Big Daddy per my parents requested and treated them to a delicious dinner.

When we all get together things get a little loud, crazy and sometimes nutty.

These pictures don't do it justice.

The men now out number the women in this family. Scary, but my dad is beyond thrilled.

Philip & Rich decided to get a flight of beer.

This was their idea. oy vey!

We ordered dad a liquor float or something like that...

My parents are hilarious after one drink. One drink is all takes folks.

Sissy was snagging some serious Asher time.

Ash was very into his eating and people watching.

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

The next day my mom's best friend Cathy and her husband Lenny came into town

Almost a year ago I posted a prayer request for my mom's best friend Cathy. You can find the blog my mom wrote about her Climb to Recovery in my blog bar to the right of this post "Cathy's Climb". Cathy was in a horrible ATV accident in Cabo San Lucas (the ATV flipped over on top of her and crushed her skull/face) and she has made a miraculous recovery. Although she has many more surgery's ahead of her... she looks amazing. She has such a positive outlook on everything that life has dealt her over the past year and her husband Lenny is right there by her side every step of the way.

Because of the accident she wasn't able to come to my sister's wedding or meet Asher after he was born. She was in a rehab facility during my sister's wedding and we had her on speaker phone throughout the entire ceremony so that she could hear everything that was going on. One thing about Cathy is she NEVER misses an important event in our family's life. She was so upset that she wasnt going to physically be at the wedding so we did everything to make her feel a part of the day.

We were so excited when Cathy and Lenny booked a flight to finally come visit now that she is doing so well! Eliza and Rich were also in town for my parents anniversary and the Michael Buble concert plus it was a weekend we were in town.

Amazing right?

If only you could see what she looked like over 10 months ago right after her accident.

She is a walking miracle! We love you Cathy and Asher does too!

Asher got in some play time with his Uncle Rich over the weekend.

Asher has a sweet spot for Uncle Rich and he could entertain Asher for hours.

I can't wait for Eliza and Rich to have kids because they are going to be a great parenting team. Eliza is so lucky to have him in her life!

We also found out that Asher LOVES my Jack in the Box from when I was a child. Yup its almost 30 years old and still works. He laughed harder than I have ever heard him laugh when my dad played with him and this toy. It was the deep uncontrollable belly kind of laugh. He had us in tears it was so adorable. This boy is such a blessing!

Charleston Trip

Asher's cousin Zachary was born 6 days before him.

How about that for a built in best friend/cousin?

They are going to be best buds for life...at least we tell them they are!

We finally got a chance to make a visit down to Charleston to get the boys together.

It was an absolute blast.

Friday night we got there around 6 pm. Just enough time to cram some dinner down our throats, let the boys get acquainted with each other and to open FIRST birthday presents.

Saturday morning we woke up and decided to lay low and let the boys play at the house. Both boys have almost identical sleeping/napping and eating schedules which makes life SO easy.

They played in there pjs all morning. After their morning naps we packed up the car and headed to the beach. We made a pit stop at Five Guys for some lunch before arriving at the Isle of Palms County Park. IT WAS PACKED. It also happened to be really windy. People around us also decided they wanted to feed the seagulls. It wasn't the best situation but the boys got nice and sandy and we could say we went to the beach :). We snapped a few cute photos before we headed home for their afternoon naps.

Before nap time we tossed the boys into the tub to wash off all of the sand. I really wanted to get the two of them in the tub together. We gave them soap cone heads and let them splash around. This will definitely be a tradition! Too cute!

Our other cousin Paige who is a Sophomore at USC arrived Saturday afternoon to join us for the night. It was quite a special treat to have her there as well.

We were only missing Emily and it would've been complete. We missed ya Em.

Saturday night we all went out to eat at The Boulevard Diner. IT IS DELICIOUS.

Before we headed home we stopped by to visit with one of my best friends from college Erin and her sweet boyfriend Eric. Eric is a baby magnet. Asher was immediately into him and drawn to him. We had an awesome time catching up and hanging out with them. Erin had never met Asher and I had never met Eric. I more than approve of Eric. What a great catch for my girl Erin.

We made it back to our cousins LATE. Way past Asher's bed time. He was such a trooper and never even whined. He went straight to bed.

Sunday morning we all played with the boys before it was time for us to hit the road. We left right at nap time in hopes that Asher would sleep in the car. Nope, not our child. He was exhausted. He fought it as hard as he could...until he couldn't fight it anymore. OUT. Finally! He slept for over an hour in the car which is a HUGE DEAL for this child. He just does not sleep in the car. Too much is going on that he MUST see. He doesnt want to miss a thing. He takes after his momma.

We had an awesome trip and agreed that this will have to occur much more often. We had a blast, the boys had a blast and our cousins are such amazing hostesses! We love them and are so appreciative of them for opening their home to us for such a fun weekend.

Butter Boy

Too cute for commentary.

Snap, Crackle Pop!

The 4th of July has always been one of my most cherished childhood memories. I grew up attending a town parade. We would deck our bikes out with streamers, horns etc.  Each year the fireworks show was better than the past year.  Not sure that was really the case but in my mind it was. So therefore it was. Somehow I still think this way. Although after 20+ firework shows I am sure one somewhere way back when was better than another. Our neighborhood show is one to be quite proud of and give us reason to never leave home on the 4th of July

Last year Asher was not even a month old on the 4th of July. He slept through almost 2 hours of fireworks that were set off right outside of his window. I mean about 200 feet. Literally right outside. So close that our yard and house were covered in debris after the fireworks show. A cleaning crew had to come through our neighborhood to clean the streets. The only difference this year was that Asher stayed awake in complete awe and amazement the entire time. He didn't go to bed till after 10 pm and fireworks were still going off!

We started the night off with a cook out. The McGinnis' came over and we ate like kings and queens feasting on Steak from The Meat House, Corn on the Cob, Cous cous salad, Watermelon and apple pie.

To say Asher loves Watermelon is an understatement. He is obsessed with it.

This one of my most favorite Asher faces. I could just eat it up!

The kids played in Asher's tent outside while we were preparing dinner on the grill. We joined in on the fun and things got awfully silly...

After dinner we set up our chairs on the front lawn to watch the fireworks all around us. Every direction you looked fireworks were lighting up the sky.  Asher could not have been more fascinated by the fireworks. 

Naomi made homemade Chocolate Chip cookies that were amazing. The kids feasted on them (the adults ate a few too) while we prepared for the big show!

Asher loved the cookies so much he wanted to steal Ella's. Aren't they too cute together?

Cookie Monster!

Before the end of the night we lit sparklers and Asher REALLY wanted to hold one. Not such a great idea so instead WE held one together. This is his serious face. He is either laughing and smiling or making the serious face. Just like his daddy. 

Happy 4th of July...We hope your Independence day was filled with bright light!

2010 Mid-Year Update

Back in January I mentioned that 2010 was going to be a year of change for us. 

You can refresh your memory here. 

I can finally say that things are changing....at least in our house!

Change #1
After 3 years we FINALLY refinanced our house. We have tried to refinance 3 times prior to successfully closing on our loan this month. Each time something happened that resulted in an unsuccessful refinance. We were beginning to think we were cursed. Typically the broker screwed something up causing things fell through...or the loan programs changed mid-refi.

Needless to say we DID IT. We can not be more excited! A lower payment and a better loan program makes for a happy home.  Don't ask me how much less our house appraised for than what we bought it for. I might hurl or have a heart attack.

Change #2
I have accepted a new job! After working at home in a telesales/recruiting role for 3 years it was time for me to move into a new role that was fully salaried and a lot less stress. After working in a heavily commissioned sales job for the past 7 years I was completely burnt out. I knew this meant taking a pay cut. I also knew that money didn't bring me any happiness. Through this process I felt truly blessed. Philip and my family supported me 100%. I was fortunate enough to receive TWO job offers the same day. Two completely different jobs. One job was working from home for a small company, one was from an office 3 miles away from our house, large company with a lot of flexibility. After weighing the pros and cons I confidently made my decision. Big Company, office job, flex time, Amazing benefits (they pay 100% for not only me but my ENTIRE FAMILY), salaried and an awesome position. Sign me up! I begin on August 2nd and I could not be more excited....although this will require me to wear more presentable clothes to work (it is a pretty casual work environment) which is going to force me to purchase some things since my size has changed so much since the last time I worked in an office 3 years ago. I will be working for an environmental research organization in the educational services division focusing on geographical information systems training for government accounts ...fancy huh? So pumped. I mean yeah, really excited. I can finally say I already LOVE my new boss.

Change #3
Philip got a Hybrid Bike. My stress was rubbing off on Philip. He needed some kind of physical release and a bike was his Father's Day request. He has been enjoying rides to the grocery store, target and to a nearby lake to go fishing. Next up is the greenway! He is really excited about his bike and getting in some cardio exercise.

Change #4
Philip's car is paid off as I mentioned last month.

Change #5
The blog name and address will be changing in the coming weeks.

If you are interested in following at the new address please email me: reneenay at aol.com or leave a comment by clicking below and I will reach out to you with the new address. I hate to do this but I really feel it is necessary for the long run.

Change #6
Dont get greedy...more to come!