Movie In The Park

Okay, so I lied in my previous post -- Zachary and I actually had TWO dates this week! Last night we went down to Centennial Park for the movie Shreck III. They actually do stuff like this a lot, but this was our first adventure down there for movie night. We had pizza, popcorn and a lot of fun! We met up with some of the people from work too, so that was a nice twist to everything. (By the way, I started my new job this week -- it's going great!!) Anyway -- not many pics due to it being dark -- but you get the idea! Enjoy!!

Date Night with The Nashville Sounds

"O'er the land of free....and the home of the brave!"

Zachary and I went to the Nashville Sounds game on Tuesday night for our date this week. I was asked to sing the National Anthem -- which also included 4 free tickets and hot dogs! Now who can pass up that opportunity? ;) We had a blast eating (of course), cheering on the team, singing "Take me out to the ball game" and avoiding Ozzie at all costs! Zachary is so afraid of the mascot and can pick him out of the crowd on the other side of the stadium to make sure he isn't anywhere close to us! It's pretty cute actually. Anyway -- chalk it up to another great date with the little man! (Even though the Sounds did lose). We are going back on the 4th for sure -- Zachary has developed a love for one of my favorite things in the world -- FIREWORKS!

Getting ready down on the field...

This was the mom pitch to Ozzie -- stay away from Zachary!

Here We GO!!!

We got there pretty early -- but Zachary numerous questions about everything he saw kept me pretty occupied. (I'm loving the question stage...no really, I am!)

George Plaster from 104.5 FM

Eric Gagne from the Milwaukee Brewers pitched the first inning for the Sounds.

Just more fun shots -- there is nothing like a hot dog at a sports function!

And icees!

We left after the 7th inning stretch -- Zachary got pretty tired...so did Petey!

Getting Ready...

In leau of the upcoming holiday - the 4th of July, I decided to change my blog theme for a few weeks. This holiday has always been one of my favorites, not just for the fireworks but because of what it stands for and who it honors. I have such a deep respect for the men and women who fight every day for our country. And I have a deeper sense of respect and debt to those who have served in the past -- people who I will never meet and never have the privilege to know. If I could fight along side of them, I would. However, my prayers are with them and their families every day. And I praise God that he allowed me to be born in America - such a great country! May we always remember why it is that we are free today. God bless you all.

Date Night

Tonight was date night with the little man. We did one of our favorites: we went to Books-A-Million to play with the train table and then to dinner. We started the BAM trip while I was still in school. We would spend hours there the night before a test...Zachary would play, read, sing, etc while I sat next to him and studied! It was some of the best times during this last semester! We always get Zachary a new book each time we go too. So we have now added ANOTHER Curious George book to our collection! ;) We ate dinner at Logans, another one of Zachary's favorites. I think it is just because he likes the fact that he gets to throw peanut shells on the floor and doesn't get in trouble for it -- either way, it is still a good time. Tune back in for next week -- I am singing at the Sounds game on Tuesday night, so our date night has already been planned! Until then...

I love to hear him try and read -- he will read to Petey for hours!

"Pretend Rain"

It seems to me that every stage that Zachary goes through as he gets older ends up being my favorite. Things seem to change with him every day and so it is amazing to me to watch him learn, grow and become more independent. His new form of independence is now dressing himself. While I let him keep on the clothes that he wears around the house, I still have to intervene some when going out in public -- it's totally cute though. The other afternoon when I was cleaning the kitchen, Zachary came to show me his new outfit, the third one that day mind you -- and in his words, he had to change clothes again because of the "pretend rain" in his room. :) Gotta love kids and the things they can come up with! Anyway - I thought he looked pretty cute, so of course I took a picture!

Another Month of Fun!

Whenever you have a big family, it seems that birthdays and other celebrations can end up pretty close together -- our family seems to jam pack certain months of the year. The month of April has two birthdays, Easter & an anniversary. May was Mother's Day, one birthday & 2 graduations. December has six birthdays and Christmas. (You get the point...)

Well, the month of June is no exception!! Yesterday, we all got together to celebrate Father's Day for my dad and for Nathan. And to celebrate Nathan, Megan and Rachel's birthdays. (It is also Matthew's birthday too, Nathan's twin brother, but he wasn't here.) We had fun as usual and got some great pics, thanks to my son -- the little photographer. Just one thing -- in many of the pics I look a little loopy -- I am not drunk - but during this party had been awake for 24+ hours after working three nights in a row...so, please offer some sort of forgiveness!! ;) Enjoy.

Guests of Honor

Happy Father's Day Dad/Grampa!

Happy Father's Day Nathan/Daddy

Happy 22nd Birthday, Maggie!

Happy 20th Birthday, Ra'Leigh!

Other Guests Included...

Well, Nathan looks a little drunk in this picture too...maybe there was something in the drinks! :)

Grampa & Grammie

Grammie gave Zachary two new sets of pajamas -- obviously, we just HAD to change clothes!!

Now here are my favorite pics -- Zachary was very hung up on getting everyone's funny faces for the camera! We have all decided that daddy's face, not only wins the funniest - but the most HORRIBLE face I have EVER seen in my life!! Just wait...

(Not this one...)

(...or this one...)

Holy Cow! This face reminds me of some of the faces I saw when working on the Trauma Unit!!

And somehow -- this is the only face pic we got of Ashleigh at the party -- get ready sis -- this one is Facebook material for sure!!!!

(We have a war going on -- who can put the most horrible pics of the other on facebook...I'm winning!!)