Back in Business.

All is right with the world today. At least Mommy's world. She is wrapping up at work, drinking Starbucks. Finished a nice, shall we say....steamy run, and blogger is up and at 'em again. Doesn't get much better people. Anyway, back to that adorableness you stopped by to see.....

Aunt Rita was in town over the weekend. She brought Jacer a couple of books and read to him before bed.



Saturday, Mommy, Rita, Jace, and Lexa headed to the Quad Cities to check out the American Pickers weekend. That ended up lasting all of 5 minutes. Somehow Daddy had locked the keys in the house thus needing to call a locksmith (ok, maybe it wasn't Daddy that did it but this is Mommy's blog and she is gonna tell it how she remembers). This delayed departure by approximately 1 hour. By the time the crew actually found the American Pickers store another good while had went by. In the end, they missed most of the fun and made a quick run over to the zoo instead.

Which was a good idea in theory.

Mommy's GPS (a.k.a. Aunt Rita) was broken. She couldn't remember if it was left or right or up or down or anything in between. So, a good 30-40 minutes later everyone arrived at the zoo.

It was worth the wait. Jacer and Lexa loved it!

Checking out the giraffes.



Feeding the goats.



Riding the train. What more could a 4-year old boy ask for. Except maybe a ride in Lightning McQueen. Or to spin a web.



It wasn't easy getting this one to sit still. Actually, now that Mommy thinks about it...it never is.



After the zoo Jace and Lexa met up with Nana and Papa. Can you believe that Lexa was so into her food?? Oh you can believe it? Yeah, so can Mommy.



Some nice old man had a tractor pulling a wagon outside the restaurant. He told Jace if he ate all his food he would take him for a ride. Of course Jace didn't eat all of his food but of course he still got a ride. That's just how Mommy rolls.



BEAN!



Oooh, you can just see the mischief in her eyes......Those pig tails just add to the look.



Aunt Rita brought Mommy a lot (and when Mommy says a lot she means a LOT) of stuffed animals to give as prizes to her kids at school. Jace was in hog heaven.



What can Mommy say.....



WATERMELON! Jace was so excited when Mommy brought home this watermelon. You would have thought she bought him new socks or something.



Isn't he sweet?



Little Miss Independent. She would love to help out around the house. Those short legs are always getting in the way. Mommy understands your pain Bean. Mommy understands.



Heading to the pool for the first time.



Ready for summer vaca!!



You probably can't handle any more cuteness for today. Give yourself a rest and check back soon!

Stupid blogger.

Mommy has been trying to post recent pictures and blogger is giving her a hard time. The nerve! Check back tomorrow. Hopefully blogger will be behaving itself better and allow you to see the adorableness in living color.

Grandpa Steve's visit continued.

Grandpa Steve left today after a great visit the past week. He got to bond with Lexa (which is unheard of by some in these parts) and hang with Jacer. He proved to be one of the easiest house guests one could have and everyone was sad to see him go.

Check out some of the fun!

3 generations of boys.



Ready to play!



Sand time with Grandpa. Although it may appear there were 14 people taking pictures as everyone is looking in different directions, it was really only Mommy. She will blame it on the sun being in their eyes. Yeah.



Aw. Mommy's little lady. Well, she's a little lady most of the time. Except when she's eating dirt. Or trying to jump out of the shopping cart. But Mommy digresses. Just look at the picture.



Always on the phone already. Lord help her Mommy and Daddy. Mostly her Daddy.



EAT!



I. Am. Ironman.



Out to eat. Again, only one camera.



Lexa really wasn't as upset as she may look. At times she saves a tear for effect in the future. Probably what she was doing here.




And that would be it. Hope to see Grandpa Steve again sooner rather than later!

Family, Family, Family. And more Family!

Jace and Lexa have been getting some serious family time in lately. Grandpa Steve is in town from Arizona for a little over a week. Tom, Erin, Keegan, and Kona were here all weekend for a wedding. Then Fabulous Aunt Kay was in town visiting Cousin Cory! It has been a full house full o' fun!

They love their cousin Keegan. You can't tell though right?



Jace when he was told he couldn't have 2 cookies. Mommy showed him this picture and he had to cover his mouth because he was trying not to smile at how silly he looked being grumpy.



Ah, a girl and her dinosaurs. Wait. Does that seem strange?



Lil' bean just doing her thing.



This is a girl who takes after her Mama!



She loves her some Kona....



And some babies.....



Lexa and her Grandpa Steve



Jacer and his Grandpa Steve



Hawk Fan!



Do these make him look studious? Possibly if they weren't Mr. Potato Head glasses!



Chef Jace. Specializing in chicken nuggets and chocolate.



Check back soon for more pictures from Grandpa Steve's visit!

Cousin Keegan For the Day!

Aunt Erin and Keegan were in town for a wedding this weekend. Erin was in the wedding and gone most of Saturday so Keegan had the privilege of being overstimulated by Jace and Lexa all. day. long. Mommy may or may not have been a bit overstimulated herself.

Greeting their new cousin.



Grandma came to visit on Sunday and took everyone to a Japanese Steakhouse for Mommy's birthday. It was one where they cook the food at your table and Jace and Lexa were infatuated.



Jace and Lexa gave Mommy this pretty little cake for her birthday. Ain't they sweet??



Lil' Panther



Hanging in their p.j.s



Jace is seriously in love with this little guy.



See what Mommy means.....



Grandma is learning to spread her attention among 3 grandkids now! She seems to be doing quite well!



And that's it for tonight folks!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day....especially to Grandma, Nana, and Grandma Rosie! Mommy's crew made her day extra great and she feels very special!

Saturday night everyone headed to Grandma Rosie's house for a weiner roast. Jace and Lexa wore themselves out running around in the fresh air. Actually, they wore themselves out so much they couldn't fall asleep. Sigh.

Check out the pictures...plus a few bonus ones from earlier in the week!

Run girlfriend!



There were baby kitties and Lexa was IN LOVE!



She got right in their faces and planted several wet ones on 'em.



Silly boy! He loves being outside!



There was plenty of grub and Lexa spent much of the evening gobbling it up. Imagine that.



Hanging by the fire.



Poor Bubba. He had some little growth on his paw that had to be removed. They put him under and did a bunch of fun cleaning stuff with his teeth too. He is back to his old spunky self now and got his cast off on Friday.



Oh Lex! This is her signature smile....big grin with scrunched up nose.



A Mother's Day miracle! Ha! Actually they do this quite often. They seriously like eachother!



Happy girl!



It is as it appears.....Mommy was able to get a slight braid in Bean's hair!!!!



Happy Mom's Day one more time!!

Update.

Mommy has been a little under the weather after getting her wisdom teeth out on Thursday. So needless to say, the recent activity has been limited. Jace did get to attend his preschool open house today. He is so excited to go to preschool next year and was able to meet some of the teachers and tour the school. He is ready to go! Let's just hope the excitement remains in August!

Mommy made Jace AND Lexa pose before going to school. Don't they look thrilled. They love their Mommy.


Sorry about the massive sunlight in the window. Mommy is sadly still on page 2 of her 'Photoshop for Dummies book'. Seriously, it's like 300 pages....almost as daunting as actually learning photoshop.

Mommy's delicate flower? Oh, you don't believe that?



Yeah, you're right. She is as pretty as a flower though.





Jace was so excited to receive a May basket on his door today from Gaige. Has Mommy mentioned how on top of it Gaige's Mommy is?



Just Jacer.



Riding his scooter (quite slowly). Oh what a daredevil...if only you could sense the sarcasm through the world wide web.



Jace requested Mommy take his picture with Bubba.



First REAL ponytail. Mommy is giddy!!