Directorial Debut

Today is Scott's Directorial Debut at work.  It's been a long 2 month process to get to this day.  But we, the boys and I, know he deserves this opportunity.  So, he is saying good-bye (kinda) to the Australians and hello to the UK and South African teams.  I'm a little sad to see the chance for me to go to Australia leave, but I wouldn't mind a South African safari someday.

With the new job, Scott will be travelling in August to the UK to meet the business and eventually he will make his way to South Africa before the end of the year.  It will be exciting and stressful time for him.  However, we know that all the work (RLF and mentoring program) will pay off.

Congratulations Director!

Life around here

We have been busy having fun these days.  There hasn't been too many big events going on and now that the weather has changed we are taking advantage of being outside.  Gabe is still obsessed with lawnmowers.  He can hear one from a mile away and has to stop everything to watch them.  Needless to say, Scott has an audience every week while mowing.  And when he get to the top of the hill, Gabe will then take his mower and go over the yard in case Scott missed anything. 

So I've decided to just do an iPhone picture dump.

Gabe is too cool for school with his shades on his head

Happy Boy

Making sure Dad didn't miss any spots

enjoying the fresh air

He loves the soccer ball

Gabe playing hockey at Catherine's Birthday

Mathew teaching Gabe how to hit the puck

Bennett starting Crossfit

a little dressed up

The boy and his soccer ball

helping make muffins

Loves being in the high chair to see everything

Not so sure about bananas

Tough day keeping up with the boys at daycare

brotherly love

Watching Chelsea play

Reily's best friend

Movie Night

Scott and I enjoying a day date to Ballpark Village

It's summer!

Feed Me!

Someone got the all clear from the doctor to start eating rice cereal and other step 1 foods!  On Mother's Day we decided to give it a try.  For the last few weeks Bennett has been really reaching for my food.  And we knew he was ready.

On Mother's Day we decided that it was time to treat Bennett to some rice cereal.  He decided that he really didn't like it at all.  He had all the faces to prove it too. 

Rice cereal sucks

Mother's Day 2015

I had a wonderful Mother's Day this year.  It started on Saturday when Scott took the boys for a hour or so and I was able to clean up the house and go shopping for a bit.  Yes, I did clean the house - I find that I'm turning more and more into Danny Tanner.  It's hard being Danny Tanner with 2 little ones, but I make due.  Back to Mother's Day.  I managed to get Bennett some 9 month clothes and a couple frames for the wall in the living room while I was out.  I probably would have found a few more places to go had it not been raining.  When I got back home I was greeted to a couple bouquets of tulips and a Mother's Day balloon. 

On Sunday (Mother's Day), Scott and Gabe (mostly Scott) made me crepes while Gabe, Bennett and I watched Jungle Book. 

This is Gabriel's new favorite movie and Scott and I are quickly learning all the words.  After breakfast we loaded up the car and headed to the gym.  Scott did his Crossfit WOD while the boys and I went for a walk and a trip to the playground.  We even saw a turtle on our walk.  Gabe was mesmerized with it.  We couldn't walk away until it swam away.

After Crossfit and Starbucks run it was back home to chill out for a while.  With it raining we couldn't really do a picnic in the park like I had hoped.  Instead, we had a picnic in the basement while we watched the Cardinals game.

After the game and naps, we hung out at the house. Scott's dad and sister came up for dinner and his mom joined us after her shift at the hospital ended.  It was a great Mother's Day.  I do love these silly boys of mine.

 

 

6 Months!

Wow, it feels like I was just talking about Bennett turning 5 months.  Time is surely flying by now that the weather is nice.  Bennett John shares his half birthday(May 6) with his Papa John's actual birthday!  Happy Birthday Papa John!

Bennett has been busy learning all sorts of new things, sitting on his own is the biggest.  This smiley boy loves to watch his brother play and is still a really happy baby.  Gabe has really started to pay attention to Bennett.  He will help him with his toys, tickle him and still loves to give him hugs and kisses.  Bennett seems to really enjoy any interaction he has with Gabe these day.  B is going to be one tough kid.

My teeth hurt, can I have a Starbucks?

We had Bennett's 6 month appointment and here are his stats:

Head - 43cm (23%)
Weight - 18lbs 10 oz (71%)
Height - 27 inches (84%)

He is a big kid!  He had to get 2 shots in his legs this trip in to the doctor and took them like a champ.  He didn't make a peep with the first one and the second one he cried for all of 10 seconds...like I said champ. 

We love you so much little B.  Happy Half Year!

Go Cards!

Scott and I went to our first Cards game of the season.  We supported Collinsville baseball and bought some discounted tickets to a Monday night Cards/Cubs game.  Scott had a quick phone call with Australia on our drive down to the game.  We hung out in the parking garage till that was done.  Then we did a quick walk through BallPark Village.  Scott had not ventured inside since it opened last year.  It is a great spot for people watching.

We made it to our seats right after the first pitch.  It wasn't a great beginning of the game for the Cards.  They were down 5-0 after the first inning.  Then we had a grand slam in our half of the first.  When we left - in the 4th inning - we were losing 8-4.  Amazingly, we came back to beat the Cubbies. 

We did learn that we will not be sitting in these seats.  I had the left field foul pool as my view for most of the game.  The other half I spent leaning on Scott so I could see the pitcher.  Oh well, it's always fun to go to a game.

Zesty Chicken

I found a new recipe for chicken.  We've been getting bored with my regular chicken meals and desperately needed a change up.  So after some internet searching I found this easy one for the grill.  Here is all you need to make zesty:

1 can of each and 1tsp of Cumin

Mix everything together in 1 bowl

 

The spray a piece of foil, add defrosted chicken breast

Cover chicken in corn, tomatoes, beans mixture

Fold foil up and leave a little room for steam to help cook the chicken.

Put the chicken on the grill for about 18-20 minutes.  Once it's off the grill, open the foil and sprinkle a little shredded cheese on top and serve.

This was so good that Scott and I ate too fast for me to remember to take a picture.  The leftovers were even better.  And shred the chicken to make chicken tacos.

It was a great, easy, fast recipe that we will use again.

Tons of Transportation

We saw tons and tons of transportation vehicles this weekend.  Gabriel was extremely excited and extremely freaked out at the same time.  The cities of Maplewood/Richmond Heights put on a great, free event at the Sunnen Corporation. 

Once we got there the place was pretty busy.  It was filled mostly with little boys excited to drive trucks.  Gabe was excited because he could hear the horns honking and saw a fountain.  I love that it's the little things in life with this kid.  As we got closer he was pretty happy. 

I'm here, but I'm not happy

Although when we told him he could get in any truck he was a little nervous.  Most of the trucks Scott climbed up with him.  But there were a few that took a while to move on from. 

Sup?!

And ending on the cute baby picture