Rachel's 4th Birthday party!

Daddy and Rachel first try out the slide...and like it!

Nick REALLY liked it! :)

Yes, that's Deborah trying it out too!

Papa and Bradley

Nana and Thomas

Daddy's boy

Dear friends and family

Rylee Ann, Raquel and Rachel

Raquel and Rach

WHEEEE!

The candles wouldn't stay lit since it was windy,

so Rachel had to blow out a lighter.

Let's see what else I can make a mess with!

Thomas and Heather

Bradley and Eli enjoying the pool

Baby Carson...Rylee Ann's brother

I LOVE to slide!!!!!!

Look at Elle go!

Bradley was getting into it now!

Opening some great presents!

Elle

Sweet and Tired Rachel opening presents

A serious discussion about fritos or juice...

Pat and Lauren

The celebration is over and oh what fun we had! Rachel was absolutely THRILLED with her slide and started sliding this afternoon around 3:00. Since it was so hot, we had to make it a "water" slide, which was alot of fun! I don't think she stopped until 7:30 and that was only with a quick break for supper and then to open her presents. She was having SO much fun! I guess it was a good choice for birthday entertainment, because Rachel loved it so much and so did her friends. Her buddies, Raquel and Rylee Ann enjoyed the slide too and daddy even gave it a "go". I tried it much later in the evening and took Bradley down with me. He had shown NO interest in going down it earlier in the day and was quite cranky. But, after lunch and a lot of icing from Rachel's cake, he perked up and decided to play on it some. But, he still wouldn't slide until I went with him. Once we started, he was a squealing, laughing, happy mess! He loved the slide too! Elle arrived later and she had a great time sliding with Rachel and Raquel but Carter and Lauren weren't interested in trying it. The little ones, Thomas, Heather, Eli and Bradley had mostly hung out at Bradley's water-wheel table and poured water in and out. We got out the baby pool and they enjoyed that some too. Also, Aunt Erin brought her battery operated bubble blower and ALL the kids loved the bubbles! It's funny how kids of any age love bubbles...such a simple thing! Rachel's birthday cake was so cute...from Sam's...and had an adorable Strawberry Shortcake decoration on it. Rachel got so many nice gifts...lots of great dress-up stuff, like necklaces, a boa, princess shoes, a crown and even some make-up! She also got her very own football, some stuffed animals, a puzzle, a new Barbie bike helmet with knee pads, some Little Mermaid swimming fins, mask and an Ariel doll to float with in the water. She also got some play-doh, coloring books and crayons and several pairs of pajamas! What alot of WONDERFUL presents! We ate hotdogs, chips and, of course, STRAWBERRIES, and even had lots of cotton candy. That was a real treat making our own cotton candy! Our best friends, Jen and Micah came and helped out and so did mom, dad, Joe and Deborah...THANKS for all your help, y'all! The only ones missing were the Lanes...Juju would have had a blast!!!! But, we have many more years to come of super-fun birthdays! We had so much fun and are so tired that we're going to stay home tomorrow and just take it easy!

Mule Plow at the Milligan's

Some people enjoying a hay ride

The mules had done quite a bit of plowing

Papa with his two happy grandkids

Gege and Bradley

Little Stinker

Bradley followed papa and daddy while they were plowing

Nick and Joe plowing together

Joe plowing with his old friend, Joel

We had so many fun things going on today! The first thing was Mule Day at Papa and Gege's house this morning. It is a really neat time when Joe's plow club gets together and they plow the field. It's pretty fun to watch and anyone is welcome to try their hand (and legs and back, etc...) at plowing behind the mules. Lots of older men try it out, but Nick usually gives it a go too. It's quite the workout. More power to these men who plow their fields the old fashioned way...it doesn't look like something I would ever be able to do. It looked like there was a pretty good turnout. Anyway, we went to the plow for a couple of hours and then came home for lunch and a good rest before our busy afternoon.

Preparing for the party

It's been a busy week trying to get ready for boo's party tomorrow. We're so excited and so is she! Nick picked up the slide today and Rachel loved it! She kept saying this is so "awesome". I don't know who she heard say that because it's not one I use very often...I don't think! Anyway, we've been trying to clean and get ready for all of her friends to arrive. It's going to be such a fun day!

I've been reading alot of other blogs this week and found a poem for moms. I thought it was cool and I wanted to share it.

Mothers are special people
God knew that from the start
That's why he created them in His own image and to them gave the biggest heart.
She's able to heal our hurts with only a kiss and hug
She's able to cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner and is never slow as a slug.
Mothers are special people
God knew they'd always be
He created them to do so much that involves you and me.
She has to be a teacher to teach us what we need to know
She has to be a taxi driver to get us where we need to go.
Mothers are special people
God knew His work was complete
When He created someone that could do SOOO much on her own two feet.
She is a Christian on Him she depends
She displays the fruit of the Spirit and a helping hand she is willing to lend.
Mothers are special people
God tells me so each day
For if it weren't for Him I wouldn't be one today.


Anyway, I feel extremely thankful for my mom and how much she has done for me. I've always tried to be like her and to be as selfless and loving with my kids as she has been with me and my siblings. She always set such an awesome example of what a mom is and I love her very much!
I love you, mom! Happy Mother's Day!

I also feel extremely blessed to have an awesome mother in law! I couldn't have asked for one who was more loving, caring and helpful! She raised one heck of a son who I feel very blessed to be married to! Love you, Deb! Happy Mother's Day!

Thankful

Originally written earlier and then unable to post this due to internet problems!!

Today I'm just thankful for the life that God has blessed me with. I may not always like the circumstances that surround me or the endless laundry or the floors that never get cleaned. I may not always like who I am or how I look or what I say. I may not always be who God wants me to be, but I try. I'm so thankful for my precious husband. He is loving, caring, supportive, extremely good looking and my best friend. He takes care of us. He works very hard to provide for us and for me to stay home. I'm so thankful for my precious children. I have recently been reading a blog about a family who had a roller coaster of a ride with their baby's health. I'm just so thankful that we have been able to experience the joys of parenting without the complications of a health issue. I'm thankful to have God, who loves me no matter what, as my Father. It doesn't matter what is going on in the world...God is always in control. He wants to help us get through the trials and tragedies of our lives, but we have to ask him and heed his advice. I hope I can remember all this everyday. God is good and he has blessed me greatly!

Leapin' Lizards & Cute Cousins

Cool...a lizard!!

Rachel thought the lizard would want to try the slide!

Little Lizard Charmer

Cute Cousins

More Cute Cousins

The boys

The girls

This afternoon, we were playing on the playground and Rachel found a lizard. Actually, Bradley found it first, because it was in the playhouse and he was panicking, trying to get out and get away from it. He was pretty funny making his little whimpers as he tried to climb out the window. The lizard was green and tiny, but since Bradley had never seen one before, I'm sure he was very scared and didn't understand what it was. Anyway, Rachel loved this little lizard. She caught him...he was kinda sluggish...and carried him around the playground. She thought he might want to try out her slide and sit at the picnic table. I'm sure the poor lizard was hoping to escape from Rachel as soon as possible, but he hung in there for awhile. I was impressed that Rachel was so "cool" about touching the lizard. She wasn't in the least bit scared of it. Eventually, Bradley ended up touching it too. He even picked it up by the tail and threw him down. Gotta love his gentle way with animals! :)

This evening, Thomas and Heather came over and they played with Rachel and Bradley for a couple of hours. All 4 cousins were ecstatic to see each other (all we needed was Juj). There was alot of hugging and squealing and jumping around. Rachel was the little "mother" teaching Heather and Thomas things and showing them how to play with different toys. She also wanted to hold Heather and wanted Thomas to watch her do every trick she could think of. Bradley enjoyed all the mayhem and jumped when they jumped and couldn't keep his hands off Heather. He was adorable, coming up to her and tickling her feet and kissing her little face. They all had a really good time together. Rachel wanted her and Heather to take a bath together and then the boys to take one together. That was fun watching them interact in the tub. Heather grinned at Rachel and made some big splashes for a little baby girl. Rachel LOVED having her in there. Thomas and Bradley weren't really interested in taking a bath together or at all. They wanted to be out of the tub, playing. So, their bath was quite short. Anyway, it was a fun couple of hours with the cousins!