Day 145

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Will's end-of-school picnic was today. In typical Will fashion, he barely ate because he couldn't wait to get back to playing with his friends. (As a matter of fact, I had little girls walking up to me asking where Will was! Not the first time this has happened!)

Gemma took the opportunity to discover grass for the first time. While I have seen another friend's baby literally cry at his first touch of grass, Gemma is proving herself to be a nature girl. She LOVED it! Who knew grass could entertain for a solid 20 minutes? She only stopped then when put in the confines of the big bad stroller (or strolly, as we call it).

Day 144

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Like Father, Like Daughter

Our little party girl tries to stay up as late as we do. Sometimes she drifts off just a tad earlier.

Tonight irony struck as we realized Gemma and John were sitting in the same position. It's not the first time that has happened with one of us. It's funny to realize where she gets her little quirks.

Day 143

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We have been told that Gemma is the Gerber baby. Ironically the girl who told us this should know...her father was one of the finalists for the Gerber baby back in his day. This case of mistaken identity must be no coincidence since John was also called the Gerber baby when he was little.

There is now a contest in search of the new Gerber baby. I am guessing the next one won't be a look-alike in our diverse world. But for now, do you see the resemblance?

Day 142

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It seems couponing has become a way of life. I am happy to say I came onto the scene towards the beginning of the trend, so I have a pretty good grasp on it, though I can always do better. It all began for us when we brought Will here and I started staying home.

Couponing is my version of hunting...looking for your target and grabbing the great deal. Couponing has been a blessing to our family. (And when not done discerningly...a curse on our waste lines!)

Day 141

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Grandma Apple came for Will's last soccer game. We appreciated her making the long trek. Will was so excited he spent a little too much of the game checking to make sure that she and Mimi and Pawpaw were watching him.

We were sad to see soccer season end. It was extra short thanks to the rain, but we are looking forward to the fall.

Day 140

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The Rhino's soccer season has about come to an end. We arrived for the scrimmage game a little early for our last chance at a soccer photo op. We couldn't let the season end without showing you the biggest Rhino fan of all.

Day 139

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Choices

What do you do when faced with three options??? All are similar in the very basis of what they are, but very different experiences in the end. While I prefer the tang of a green apple, Will loves red, and John enjoys a Golden Delicious.

Tonight I attended a home school informational meeting. I do not now, nor have I ever, planned to home school my children. But we are faced with a dilemma. I will not send Will to the school in our district. The other viable choices, due to the poor test scores of the school in our district, are not the greatest either. It is unlikely to get into a magnet school. The school I would love for him to go to most sits practically across the street and lets practically no one in. So what do we do???

For now, the answer seems pray and hope Will gets into the perfect school for him, though I am not sure what that is. Honestly, God doesn't need my help choosing anyway. So I guess I will do just that...apply for other schools and leave it in God's hands. If he is not accepted to any that might be good for him...home school???

Day 138

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Our messy, messy eater. The first parenting class we ever took said that kids learn by playing with their food, so we try to go with the flow. Gemma has tried acorn squash, peas, green beans, and sweet potatoes. Carrots are next on the list. Our hope is that by trying veggies first, she will acquire a taste for them. If Will thinks they are yucky when we are feeding her, he is instructed to say, "Mmmm. Yummy," which I hear about every time. We are doing our best to teach her to be the healthy one. Unfortunately for her, Will has the "handsome and skinny one" covered. I foresee jealousy issues in the future.

Day 137

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Tuesday night kid's meals are 99cents at Fazoli's. One of my friends shed light on the fact that adults can eat the off the kid's menu for the same price. Even if we get 2 meals for ourselves, we can all eat for around $5.00! I guess you could say we have a Tuesday night tradition--2 if you count $1 scoop night at Baskin Robins. A yummy night out for the whole family!

Day 136

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Another rainy day for the Spring Soccer Season! Yuck! I have heard the fall season is better. I sure hope so!

Day 135

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Say hello to my best friend. I am trying to break off the relationship, but she just keeps calling me!

Day 134

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My Hubby's Pedal Board

Before I met John, I didn't know what a pedal board was. Now I know that it is almost as integral a part of making music as the amp and guitar.

We use to own the same pedal board that was used to create the classic country song, "Trashy Women." (Hum...I like my women just a little on the trashy side. When they wear their clothes too tight and their hair is dyed.)

But when you live with John, nothing that isn't nailed down stays too long...especially musical instruments. I was sad to see the Trashy pedal board go, but this one is also special because John made it from something he found at IKEA, our favorite store. (Incidentally IKEA is one of the words Will is reading.)

I think John's pedal board looks quite good. And sounds good too, thanks to my man of many talents.

Day 133

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Get your game face on!

Finally...a nice night for soccer practice!

Day 132

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I hadn't planned this photo, but I was upstairs and looked out the window to find Will chasing along behind John with his toy lawnmower--the cutest thing ever! I am not convinced Will realizes it's a toy. He wants so much to be like his Daddy, always participating in the things Daddy does. This season that has manifested into "mowing" the grass. He really is a help picking up sticks and rocks to move them out of the way (and use them to build campfire rings).

P.S. Don't worry. John keeps a very watchful eye on Will. No lawnmower incidents!

Day 131

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We celebrated a full year of Awana tonight. The kids got their very own Cubbie Bears for their vests. See Will's in his hands? I wasn't sure he had even gotten one because he was keeping it down and not playing with it as directed. I have a little rule follower on my hands. Also note that he is sitting down, sitting up straight, smiling...also as directed.

I love to watch groups of children perform. You can see how they are all over the place. There is such excitement being part of the group showing off. Bunches of minds in different places. But the one I am focused on is my own sweet little rule follower. What a joy he has brought to my life!

Day 130

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A lot of firsts for Gemma lately...from starting to eat food, to sleeping in her own bed. Now riding in the shopping cart for the first time. She hates her car seat because she can't see what's going on. They say that you can see glimpses of a person's personality at this age that won't ever change. I have a feeling that Gemma will always be right in the thick of things. She won't miss much in life!

Day 129

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My sweet girl is sleeping in her own bed now. This is nap time after her first full night's sleep in her own bed.

Day 128

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Happy Mother's Day! Mine was quite perfect. I awoke to the Mother's Day Elf bringing me a gift bag complete with a 73% cocoa bar, a silver camera charm for my charm bracelet, and a Kindle! We had a yummy waffle breakfast together as a family before church. After church I got to hit the Carter's outlet for 30% off clearance for Gemma and Will. (There's not much I like better than dressing up my little ones.) Then we strolled around Mayfest for the afternoon. Lunch consisted of one of John's friend giving us half off at his yummy pizza booth, which we topped off with funnel cake and later, after walking around in the heat, a cherry Italian ice, which you see in the photo above. As if that wasn't enough food, John later made us the most yummy Mexican we have had in a long time.

I love being a mommy and am happy this year I celebrated as a mother of two. I also missed my mom and grandma a little extra today. Each year as I experience the various stages of my children's lives, I have a new appreciation for all that mothers do. I hope everyone had a very Happy Mother's Day, whether celebrating yourself, your loved ones, or both!

Day 127

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Action shot! Will dances out onto the field. He loooves soccer. He does a great job running with the pack. All in all, he is doing a fantastic job for his first season. We are so proud of him. It makes me wish I had played sports as a kid!

Day 126

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Get your game face on!

Will Man is ready to play again, sporting his Rhino gear for the first really nice (weather-wise) practice we have been to this season. Gearing up for tomorrow's game! Go Rhinos!

Day 125

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Happy Cinco de Mayo! A sombrero was in order, but none could be found. Instead, we have Aldi salsa (a new favorite) on armadillo fabric that will some day be the back of a cowboy/cowgirl quilt for one of my little ones.

We celebrated with a small group game night, complete with chicken tortilla soup (recipe compliments of Aldi chicken stock) and virgin margaritas.

It's always fun to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, but Mexican is good with us any time of the year!

Day 124

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Awana has been a great blessing this year. John and I have an hour almost to ourselves once a week. Gemma usually uses that time to nap while John and I enjoy our mini-date. This was the last week before the awards night...a pizza and PJ party. Thanks Porter Memorial--for giving us a little mid-week blessing, for teaching my child so much about the Bible, and for giving him another male role model. Mr. James rocks!

Day 123

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My sweet husband started Mother's Day early with white tulips and a Peanut Butter Explosion cupcake. Yum!

Day 122

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My little one's official 6 month photo. Love that dress. Doesn't she get sweeter with each passing month??

Day 121

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At 6 months and 2 days, Gemma started eating rice cereal, her first "real" food. She loved it!

Day 120

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Rhinos are #1!

Mimi and Pawpaw not only babysat for yesterday's wedding, but they spend the night and cheered for Will during his first soccer game ever. It must have worked...the Rhinos won! Go Will!

Day 119

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We photographed a Friday wedding in Louisville today. There is something fun and whimsical about a Friday wedding. No matter how many weddings we photograph, they never get old. Each one is unique and has it's own special touches.

Day 118

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Here is our "Office" the last night that Michael Scott showed up to work. Seems like a lot of good-byes the last couple of days. Even our M&M is going to miss him.

Day 117

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Sign compliments of Cane's on Nicholasville Rd. Someone won a free photo shoot from us last year and tipped us with a discount card that included a buy-one-get-one deal at Cane's. Normally we would never pay that much for fast food chicken strips, but with the card, we loved it! John, Gemma, and I would go often while Will was at Awana on Wednesday nights, sort of a mini-date.

This photo was taken on our last mini-date before the card expired. RIP Cane's card. You will be missed.

116/365

116/365

Bike Derby! It was bike day at Will's school and with all the rain, we haven't been able to practice riding. After a few minutes he got the hang of it. Seems he outgrew his old bikes (and helmet!) when were weren't looking. We had hopes of winning a bike at the egg hunt, but no luck there. Maybe a trip to Walmart is in the near future. Or luck at a garage sale??

115/365

115/365

We photographed a wedding today. Definitely the most relaxed wedding we have ever photographed!

This year I am happy to be able to get down on the floor to get those perspective shots that were impossible while I was pregnant.

Congratulations Nikki and Curtis!

114/365

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Little Gemma Easter Duckie and her eggs. Happy First Easter, Baby Girl!

113/365

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The Vineyard "Easter Egg Hunt" aka candy hunt. This year, due to the rain, it was a candy hand-out. But fun was had regardless!

Note the photographer in the background. Will is famous. Everyone wants his picture!

Day 112

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A family of Easter Bunnies. :)