Take Me Out to the Ballgame

I love this picture of Matt, Chase, and Madelyn sitting on the bleachers watching Ryan's play-off game against Chittenango. Unfortunately, the JD baseball team lost by 1 run in the last inning. Although it was a tough way to end the season, we had a great time at the game. The kids had a blast running around the field and watching the baseball players. We had a delicious picnic dinner complete with cupcakes from sweet endings. The weather was gorgeous, and it was the perfect night (except, of course, for the loss)!!!

Mowing with Daddy

Doing some serious mowing with dad...

Deep Belly Laugh

There is nothing more beautiful than seeing your children laugh....especially when the laugh is so pure and genuine.

Happy Mother's Day

Today we celebrated Mother's Day by driving to Cazenovia for a delicious Sunday brunch at the Linklean House. It was great to have the family together...unfortunately, Jackie was in Buffalo, and she was definitely missed.

After brunch, we went home and enjoyed the beautiful day - I remember last Mother's Day there was snow on the ground, so the weather was an obvious improvement.

The boys had a great time running around outside, and I had lots of fun watching them play!

I feel very blessed to have such a wonderful family. Motherhood has been such an incredible journey so far, and it's days like today that remind me of the things that are truly important in life.

Thanks to my incredible family for making the day so special for me. I love you guys!!!!!!

Our Big Adventure

Today, Jenny and I packed Chase and Madelyn in the Murphy's minivan and drove to Rochester to spend the day at the Strong National Museum of play. Don't worry....we didn't let the kids drive (although we were tempted). The picture above was taken in the Sesame Street exhibit. It's a little hard to tell in the picture, but Chase and Madelyn were driving with Cookie Monster and Elmo in the back seat.

I should apologize in advance for the quality of pictures. Jenny and I left our cameras in the car because we didn't want to have to carry them around the museum....big mistake. There were so many precious photo opportunities with the kids, and it was very difficult to capture them with our cell phones.

The kids had a blast and played ALL day long! Chase loved everything, but his favorites were definitely the train exhibit (above) and the Berenstein Bears. In the train exhibit, they had a giant train table...of course, Chase was in heaven...and then the kids got to ride on a mini train. I wish the camera could have captured Chase and Madelyn's faces and they went round and round on the track....they had so much fun!

There were so many fun things for the kids to do and see....we easily could have spent all day at the museum.

...but the kids started getting tired around 2:oo in the afternoon, so we decided it was best to head home. Both kids were asleep within the first 15 minutes or so. It was a very quiet ride home. Thanks to the Madelyn and Jenny for such a fun day. Can't wait to head back this summer!
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FINALLY!

Our camera is finally fixed.... and just in time for the nice weather. We have spent lots of time cooped up in our house over the last few weeks, so it was great to get outside today (and have my camera back to capture some shots of the boys enjoying the weather)

I just love the look on Tyler's face in this picture!!!!

Not so much excitement from Chase....

That's more like it!!!

I promise to post some more pictures soon. Hope everyone enjoyed the beautiful weekend!!!

Sesame Place

I realize that this post is long overdue - I promised a slideshow of our trip to Sesame Place last summer, and it is now March (opps)!!! It seems like so long ago... we have already started planning our trip to Sesame Place for this summer.

The kids had such a blast (and the adults too). There was so much for everyone to see and do - from breakfast with the Sesame Street characters to all of the rides and attractions. While we were there, we went to about 5 different shows (Elmo Rocks was definitely a favorite), and we even got to sit in the front row for a few shows!

The parade was also a highlight! The kids loved watching all of the characters walk by and ride in gigantic Sesame Street floats. It was very impressive. Check out the slideshow of some of the highlights of our trip....

Happy Birthday!

On January 20th, we celebrated Ryan's birthday! We didn't make a big production this year - just had some dinner, cake, and presents with the family. Tyler was very tired, so he didn't stay up for all of the festivities.

As usual, Chase didn't mind being the center of attention.

"Happy Birthday, Daddy....we love ya!!"

Fun in the Sun....Wait, I Mean Snow

It has been a snowy winter in Syracuse, and we have spent most of our days hibernating inside. There have been a few times when we have ventured outside to play in the snow as a family (but those times have been few and far between).

The first time we went out, I set Tyler up in his stroller so he could watch Chase sled down the hill in our backyard (and I could take some pictures).

Of course, Tyler didn't last long in the stroller. After watching Chase go down the hill one time, he wanted in on the action.

Surprise, surprise...Tyler LOVED sledding. His face lit up every time he went down the hill. My favorite picture of the day is the one down below....the expression on Tyler's face was the look he had every time he got to the bottom of the hill....it's like he was saying, "Seriously, that's all you got - let's go faster next time!"

The Polar Express

On Saturday, December 11th, we packed Chase and Madelyn into the Murphy's minivan, and we headed to the North Pole. The kids had a blast on the way to the train station - they were both so excited about the Polar Express...and excited about riding next to each other in the car!

After meeting the conductor and having a quick picture taken, our tickets were called to board the train. Chase was in awe - it was the first time that he got to get close to a real train.

More awe.

I just love the look in Chase's face (actually in his reflection) as we left the train station.

Madelyn and Chase were very lovey-dovey on the train...holding hands, hugging, and giving lots of kisses.

Chase even sat on Madelyn's lap while they were eating their gigantic lollipops.... don't ask me why! The lollipops were a great idea because they kept the kids occupied for a LONG time.

The elves on the train were also great at keeping the kids occupied! Chase especially loved hanging out with Smiley, the elf.


After about a 30 minute train ride, we arrived at the North Pole. The picture below was taken right as the kids spotted Santa Claus for the first time.

I hope you can see the look on Chase's face...it's a little hard to see (and the moment was hard to capture with a camera)...but he was jumping up and down, hand over his mouth, screaming. If you didn't know better, you would have thought he was a 12-year-old girl seeing Justin Beiber in person! It was quite funny and heart-warming all at the same time.

There is nothing better as a parent to see the look of pure joy and excitement on your child's face.

After giving the first gift of Christmas to one lucky boy, Santa boarded the train and spent time with each child. Chase and Madelyn were so excited waiting for their turn to see Santa. Chase told Santa that he wanted Painted Thomas and Annie & Claribel for Christmas. It was a precious conversation!

Before Santa left, he asked Chase what his mommy wanted for Christmas.

Chase's response, "Trains, of course."

We all had a good laugh at that one...

Chase was one happy guy - the trip on the Polar Express combined all of his favorite things... trains, Santa Claus, lollipops, pajamas, and Madelyn.

The guys were pretty happy too....we smuggled a cooler of beers onto the train as well as some delicious subs, chips, and cookies for dinner.

All in all, the trip was a success....the kids AND the adults had a great time.

We are looking forward to going on the Polar Express next year with the whole family - Tyler included.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Chase!

I wanted you more

than you will ever know,
so I sent love to follow wherever you go.

It's high as you wish it. It's quick as an elf.

You'll never outgrow it...it stretches itself.

So climb any mountain....climb up to the sky!
My love will find you. My love can fly!

Make a big splash! Go out on a limb!
My love will find you. My love can swim!

It never gets lots, never fades, never ends...
if you're working...or playing...or sitting with friends.

You can dance 'til you're dizzy...
paint 'til you're blue...
There is no place, not one, that my love can't find you.

And if someday you're lonely or someday you're sad,
or you strike out at baseball,
or you think you've been bad...


Just lift up our face, feel the wind in your hair.
That's me, my sweet baby, my love is right there.

In the green of the grass...in the smell of the sea...
in the clouds floating by...
at the top of a tree...
in the sound crickets make at the end of the day...

"You are loved. You are loved. You are loved," they all say.

My love is so high, and so wide and so deep,
it's always right there,
even when you're asleep.


So hold your head high
and don't be afraid
to march to the front
of your own parade.


If you're still my small babe
or you're all the way grown,
my promise to you is you're never alone.


You are my angel, my darling, my star...
and my love will find you, wherever you are.


You are loved.

- "Wherever You Are my love will find you" by Nancy Tillman