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Today we had a big birthday party at our house for Brandon who turned 5. The kids played on the play set and trampoline and also had some organized games led by Kyle. We grilled out hamburgers and hot dogs and ate cake and ice cream. The kids also decorated water bottles with stickers and took them home as a party gift. We all had a great time! The other child in the picture with his head down is one of Brandon's best friends from preschool.

We were very lucky that our soccer pictures and first scrimmage was delayed due to the anticipated bad weather - that never came! We still hurried to get to the soccer fields after Brandon's 5th birthday party.

Hilary

This is a picture of Brandon and Hilary with a very cute puppy.

Today is our 9 year wedding anniversary!

This is a picture of the three of us on Mother's Day. It was taken at my sister's house.

- Hilary

Hey! If you have been following us you will notice that I've added a new picture to our portfolio (on this page and when you search for us). This is the most recent picture taken of me and Kyle, and I hope to get a good picture of all three of us on Mother's Day when we go to my sister's house.

We are off to pick strawberries this morning! Have a great weekend!

- Hilary

This weekend was very busy for us. Saturday morning we all headed out to Lowe's for the kids project where Kyle and Brandon made a toy sailboat while I roamed the store looking for home improvement ideas. We also went to the park for the annual kids day festival. It is always a lot of fun with food, entertainment and activities for the kids.

Today, Sunday, I got to work in the baby nursery at church. Right when I got there I got to change the outfit of a tiny baby boy. I also got to hold and feed a 13 week old baby girl. Since there are a lot of people taking vacations this time of year and through out the summer I hope to be able to volunteer in there again really soon. I didn't want to leave when it was time to go home.

- Hilary

I had some free time today while Brandon was at preschool so I decided to go to the mall for a while. One of the specialty stores had a sale on all their long sleeve clothing. I couldn't resist the little terry cloth sleeper with the pink tiger paw on it (yes, I'm a Clemson fan). I kept all of Brandon's baby clothes so I'm well stocked on boy clothes but any time I run across really cute little girl clothes at a good price I usually buy them. I have a head start on girl clothes if we adopt a little girl. If we end up adopting a boy then the new little girl clothes will end up being presents for someone else!

- Hilary

I went to visit my parents today. They only live an hour from our house so it is a quick day trip when we get the urge to go. When we got ready to leave, they sent me home with the chest of drawers I used when I was growing up. We put it in the baby's room and I've already filled it with burp cloths, blankets and little baby clothes. I'm looking forward to our baby using a piece of my childhood furniture.

- Hilary

I took Brandon to see the Disney on Ice program tonight. It was great! We weren't planning to go but when I was offered free tickets this morning I could not resist. Brandon loved it and I'm so glad we went. We saw so many kids we knew from preschool and other places. Since we didn't have to pay for the tickets I didn't feel so guilty about paying $12.00 for a snow cone in an Ariel souvenir cup. Yikes!

- Hilary

Today was the annual Easter Egg hunt with my Mom's Club group. Brandon and I had a great time finding Easter eggs, riding on a hay ride, planting a flower, sitting on a horse and feeding the animals. We also got to hold a baby bunny that was only 3 weeks old. They were so cute! It was hilarious watching a bunch of preschool age kids holding baby bunnies and feeding llamas. Brandon would hold his hand out to feed the animals and then jump back and scream when they would eat out of his hands. "Yuck!"

- Hilary

I spent much of the afternoon today preparing my garden area for planting. Brandon started out playing on the swing set but got interested in what I was doing in the garden. He was soon helping me pull out weeds and leaves and then wanted to help me with the water hose. We have a small garden area but I'm planning to get as many vegetables and herbs in the space as possible. I like being able to run outside to cut something to use in preparations for dinner. I'm going to try to grow corn this year. I remember helping in the garden when I was a child and we always grew corn every year. I didn't appreciate it as much then as I do now. I'm glad my parents taught me about growing vegetables and how to tend to a garden.

- Hilary

This morning I went to a baby shower for a friend of mine who is expecting her third child. Another friend of mine brought her four month old little girl who I held practically the entire morning.

I left the baby shower and drove straight to meet Kyle and Brandon at the park for one of Brandon's friend's 4 year old birthday party.

Kyle and I had a great "date night" tonight. We went out to eat at a very nice restaurant downtown and then went to the ballet. It was the story of Beauty and the Beast.

Brandon got to spend his evening with Grandma Dia and her two dogs, Skippy and Scampy.

Today was a busy but great day!

- Hilary

The entire family got together at my parents house today for my belated birthday celebration and to celebrate Valentine's day. We got there early enough in the day that I took my sewing machine with me to get some help on the crib skirt I'm making for the baby's room. I thought it would be extra special if I made some things for the nursery. I've already made a blanket for a little girl and picked out the material for a boy's blanket. That will be my next project. This way I'll have one for either gender.
- Hilary

We just returned from Myrtle Beach where we celebrated my birthday! I couldn't think of any "thing" I wanted for a present but decided I wanted to take a short trip to the beach instead. We left on Saturday morning, shopped at the outlet malls, ate lots of seafood at the buffet and played in the indoor pool and water park at our hotel. We are so fortunate to live only a few hours away from the best beaches on the East coast. We try to visit either Myrtle Beach or Hilton Head every year even if it is only for a short weekend trip.
- Hilary

Today was the day to register for next year's preschool class. I was up very early this morning and standing in line a little after 5 am to be sure we got Brandon in the 3 day program for next year. It was actually fun standing in the parking lot in the dark talking to the other moms and dads that wanted their children in the same program. Brandon was first on the list! When that was over around 8 this morning, my day really got started. Despite being up before the crack of dawn, Brandon and I still managed to play a few board games, go to the indoor play center for an hour and then make it to story time at the library - and that was all before lunch.

- Hilary

While Kyle had his "Guy's night" at our house this weekend - Brandon and I decided to get out of town! We spent Friday night with Nanny and Papa. Saturday we went to the skateboard park to watch my nephew, Scott, show off some of his skills. Brandon adores his cousin and loves to be around him every chance he gets. We also got a chance to stop by my sister and brother in law's house to see their new addition and renovations. With my brother in law's talent, they are always doing something new and exciting to their house. They are quite inspiring.

- Hilary

I had 4 of my friends over Friday night and we had a Guys Game Night, while Hilary took Brandon to see Nanny and Papa. We stayed up until about 5am having fun.

- Kyle

Brandon and I had a blast today at FunZone - a local indoor play center. I'm not sure who gets more exercise when we go there, me or Brandon! We raced through the obstacle course, slid down the 18 foot inflatable double slide, built forts out of plastic blocks and jumped in the bounce house. This is one of our favorite places to play.
- Hilary

We went to the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus this past Thursday night. It was a Bellobration! The headlining clown was really good as were the acts and stunts. Brandon's favorites were the animal acts involving the cats and dogs and the balancing acts on the 25 foot high poles.

Hilary and I liked those acts as well as the Human Cannonball couple that are actually married. She says she has the best job in the world - she gets to set her husband on fire and blast him across an arena!

- Kyle

Well, today was my first day back to work after being off since December 21st. I am an engineer at an R&D center that services a fiber optic plant next door. The plant shuts down the entire last week of the year. Add in unused vacation time and that makes for a nice long break at home.

It is always hard going back after being able to sleep later than usual. I think I yawned about 20 times today. But overall, it is nice to get back to work and the "routine".

- Kyle