June: The Craziest of Months

For my family, June has always been a pretty busy month. Between my birthday, my sister's birthday, and my grandmother's birthday, there are plenty of parties to go around. When you add in Father's Day, my wedding anniversary, and now Henry's birthday, June has truly become the craziest of months.

Yesterday we went to my mom's house to celebrate three of these major June events: my grandmother's birthday, Father's Day, and the second anniversary of my sister's 29th birthday (if you know what I mean). In the picture above, Henry is reclined on Gigi's lap, and I do believe I have never seen him more relaxed. She has the magic touch.

My mother made some really delicious chocolate cupcakes with cream cheese filling. Aren't they gorgeous?

Nick got to play outside in the pool, and his favorite thing to do was empty the pool one bucketful at a time into the grass. I thought this was a wonderful way for him to expend his energy, so I had Greg buy a similar swimming pool for Nick on the way home. We'll see if he does the same thing at home, and tires himself out.

Everybody wanted a chance to cuddle little Henry, but Nick made sure he got his share of the attention. Something tells me that my oldest son will never let anyone else take the spotlight for long. While we were fussing over the baby, check out what Nick did to get our attention. . .

If nothing else, June in my family will never be boring, because of all the celebrations! Greg and I did plan to have a baby this time of year, so I could avoid taking unpaid maternity leave. Nick was more of a, um surprise, so his November birthday wasn't planned. But I do think summer birthdays are nice because everyone can gather outside.

We have a lot to celebrate this year.  : )

A Father's Day Post

My dad has always been there for me, whether he was cooking dinner, playing games, or working overtime to support us. Without my dad, I don't know how I would have made it through college. He scraped and scrimped to help me pay for classes, and bailed me out every time I drove over a beer bottle and got a flat tire (Yup, it happened more than once!). He's one of the nicest, most jovial people I know, and he'd do anything for a friend. Ten days ago, Greg and I decided to make our new son's middle name Michael, after my father. We hope that Henry Michael will be every bit as kind-hearted as his Grandpa Mike. Here he is with Grandma Patty, holding little Henry on the day he was born.

Nick and Henry are very lucky to have three Grandpas. Happy Father's Day to each of them!

Here are Grandpa Jay and Grandma Linda (Greg's father and stepmother), holding Nick last year when we went out to celebrate Father's Day.

Here is Grandpa Ray (my stepfather), holding both of his grandsons on the day Henry was born.

Of course, I cannot forget Nick and Henry's daddy. He changes diapers, he cleans bottles, he burps, he chases, he snuggles, and he even does laundry. What a wonderful father.  : )

Here is the card I made for Greg this year. I was feeling a bit creative. This is the front. . .





Here's the inside of the card. . .



and this is the back.

Happy Father's Day to all of the dads and grandpas out there! 

Happy Father's Day!

In honor of Father's Day, here is a picture of Nick and his daddy, taken when Nick was only a week old. When I was pregnant with Nick, Greg used to talk to my belly. It's funny, but after Nick was born, he would turn every time he heard Greg's voice. Now, every night when he hears the garage door, Nick runs to the door, shouting, "Dah-Dee!" Nicholas cannot wait to see his favorite guy in the whole world.

Then, here's another picture of Nick with his daddy, taken last month at a wedding when they were both dressed up in their suits. Can you see the resemblance? Greg has always been a hands-on dad, and he wakes up with Nick every day.

Just to show how much my little man takes after his daddy, I scanned in a picture taken in 1975, when Greg was about 18 months old. Then, I have a picture of Nick that my sister took yesterday.

Nicholas is very lucky to have such a good daddy. Happy Father's Day, Greg!