A favorite picture

One of my favorite pictures of Matthew!
His little voice behind the camera,

"ay eese"

Maybe he'll grow up and be like mommy!!!

New wheels and fire

Mimi and Papa Tom had new wheels for the boys! A big wheel for Sam and a motorized jeep for Matthew! The boys had so much fun on the new toys. Unfortunately they did not make the trip back as we ran out of room on the mini. However, we'll hopefully be back for the holidays and be able to play on them again!

And then there was papa Tom's grill lighting show! Sam still talks about Papa's fire that he lights under the deck! Just this now, not kidding, he asked me if we were going to eat dinner with Papa Tom and Mimi. I explained why we can't and he then talked about the fire show under the deck! Some days I just wish I could get in his head and see what is running through his little head!

first parade..

I think the boys are fireworked and paraded out! They had so much fun at all the midwest events. They collected so much candy and crap to fill our van! But it was so much fun...Sam still talks about it. Matthew would have rather sipped on his starbucks all morning long as the firetrucks freaked him out! So, we let him sip on his starbucks. It was a fun morning had by all!

Aunt Heather was in the parade this year! Sam was so excited to see her for the first time on our tour!

Gamo Trudy

The boys always enjoy their time with Gamo Trudy. It's amazing what she can do with them at a whopping 85 years old. It's so cute to see Matthew mimic Sam with her. She loves these little men of mine. Some days I just wish we could pack up the car and go to her house...it would just be a very very long ride.

Batter up!

Playing Baseball at Mimi and Papa Tom's house! They just have the perfect Backyard for the boys!!!! Sam did great as he kept his eye on the ball and hit it hard. Matthew, he tried, but he thought it was some sort of golf game. Poor little guy. After all, he hadn't turned 2 yet.

"mommy, move back..it's going to hit you!"

"hhhmmm..a new club to attack my brother?"

Gamo's new apartment!

Great Grandma Arleen got a new apartment!!! We had to go check it out. While Sam made himself right at home, Matthew screamed because he didn't know where he was. Go figure. But, Gamo had some hidden toys for the boys to play with. Afterall, what gamo doesn't.
BTW: Gamo was formed by Matthew. It was a jumble of Great Grandma Arleen. I think Gamo fits her perfect!!!

Lick it up!

And don't drip any on the ground!!! Oh...I miss custard! But, it's okay. I don't need it.


Well, I guess I really didn't have to worry about dripping custard on the floor because it was so cold out. Check out what we're wearing. It was a chilly stop at
the famous La Dukes custard stand. We had to stop...there was no question.

Sam patiently waiting for his "white ice cream"

Here we all are...well except the camera man Brad

Sam's first lick....

Matthew's first dive in...

Forget the spoon, it's too much work. I'll just ask for a straw!

The Birthday Party

Happy Birthday Matthew!

Happy Birthday Cake!



Matthew also turned 2 while we were back in Wisconsin!!!! He is so proud of himself, and his little schanigans. He is all full of the dickens and is becoming more and more fun these days. His vocabulary is exploding and his mannerisms are hilarious. I see more and more of Sam in him. Matthew also has a very compassionate side of him. He is very determined and strong willed. He is so funny to watch as he gallivants around. He sure exercised his lungs while in Wisconsin and gave grandparents quite beautiful music. He just screams. Nothing more but just lets out these screaching screams. I think I noticed it more while we were back home, but man...he totally threw a few curve balls at us! That's okay Matthew, we still love you and your adorable little personality! I did a photo session with the boys that I am still working on. Stay tuned for more pictures of my little 2 year old!

Dinner with Friends

Before dinner, cleaning out gutters with Papa Stan!

And sweet innocent tired out Sassy Dog!

Thank you Friends for inviting us over to destroy your home. We had a great time playing catch up on our tour-DE-Mequon. It was so nice to play with Hayley's PINK toys. As you can see...Sam had a blast with his new attire. I just had to take a picture!

Playing Catch up with Friends

I know these posts are going to be a wee bit out of order, but I know you'll get over it!
We met up with some friends at Kinderberg Park! In our old hood! This park has a nice little spray ground where the hot sweaty children could cool off! It was a great time. THe kids played and ate snacks. What more do you do at a park?

We had a fun filled afternoon at the park....then we hit Roberts for some good grub. AKA: burgers and custard. Oh how I miss custard. Floridians, you haven't tasted anyting until you've tasted custard. It just melts in your mouth!!!!

Paige and Sam

Poor Matthew complained he was too cold... Just us, the friends, the ones who are always behind the camera! I miss you girls!
And then, we invaded Roberts. Check out our dining quarters? Can I just tell you how loud it was in there? It was a ZOO!!! And I mean that in every which way possible.

Playing Catch up

So, where the heck do I begin????
The end of Swimming Lessons here in Oakleaf. That's where I left off before we left.

So, the last day of swimming lessons was a HUGE hit! Ms. Lindsay took out the big yellow Boat and took the kids around the pool for a ride. It was so cute watching all the cute little expressions the children provided. Sam had NO FEAR of the boat and wanted to go again. Here are some pictures.

Sam, putting on the life vest to be safe while in the current

Waiting his turn!!! (His cute little swim class) Oh yes, he loved it!
Big smiles from my little man!

Sam received his first swim class report card. He passed and Ms. Lindsay had so many nice comments about him!

I know, I know, I know,

It has been forever since I last update our blog! Sorry. It has been crazy around here. BUT, that is no excuse for not documenting our family in their glory. I guess with the lack of sleep with trying to catch up from previous photo sessions, to the beautiful afternoon thunderstorms that ALWAYS wake up my precious Matthew up and I've had numerous failed attempts to get the monster BACK to sleep. AND heaven forbid I even think about doing something other than lay on the floor with him. So, that is my story, and I'm sticking to it!

Okay, so, we made it back from Wisconsin all in one piece. Bradley and I plowed through the night, or shall I say, I, Erin, plowed through the night while I listened to Bradley and my children snoring in the backseat. Brad claims he helped me drive, all of 50 minutes of it until he pulled our mini in a rest stop to sleep. Thanks okay dear, however, just remember, I have that hanging over you head when I want something...like a spa day...right Jessy!!!!
B's comments: I have to add that for some reason Sam thinks I drove the entire time since he thanks me each day for getting him home. Maybe he thinks when I was not driving I was still navigating since Erin had one issue and did not follow the GPS. Opps.. we worked that out and recovered quickly).

The boys are so grateful to be back to their home, their rooms, their 'real' friends (as Sam calls them) but we do know that they miss ya'll back home. Yesterday Sam asked me if we could go to the "Milwaukee Zoo" with Papa and Mimi. Sassy is a permanent table top discussion around here as well. However, we had a great time back on our Tour del WI.

I promise to get some pictures up here soon. I do have tons, imagine that. I will work on posting some tonight and through the rest of the week! No worries...I haven't abandoned my blog!
Don't go far..I have many new and exciting things to report.

First Fireworks night!

Check out our attire! It was so stinkin' cold I couldn't believe it. I think the temps dropped to about 57 and man..I wasn't prepared. As you can see...we whipped out the winter attire and coverd up with a very very warm blanket! Matthew, hated firewords...suprise, suprise..Sam, was in his glory!

The boys waiting for the show...sorry, it's a bit blurry...

Matthew anticipating a great fireworks show...

The beautiful sunset before the fireworks....

Matthew very unsure about the fireworks.....and then...well, I put the camera away because it was time for Matthew to go hide behind the big tree so he couldn't see them, as he shook like a wet dog :)