Hail,Hail to Ol' Purdue!

Most anyone who knows me, knows that I am a Purdue girl. I can say that from the first day I stepped on to campus I loved it. Even being a 'country bumpkin' I always felt Purdue was home to me. So needless to say, after being away for 10 years it was a great blessing to be able to move back here.
For the past week we have had our old neighbor Emily here with us. The kids totally adore her and we all enjoy having her around for a bit. Each time she comes, it is fun to go to campus or "Pradue" as Jaeden calls it. As a college student you see campus, but you don't really see it until you come back and see it through the eyes of your child and with a college friend. I was able to do both this week. What a beautiful town we live in now!! Boiler Up!
Jaeden and Emily in front of the Beering Fountain.

Jaclyn checking out the fountain with Emily.

Me and Jaeden in front of the Engineering Fountain

The flowers on campus are always gorgeous!

On the Pedestrian Bridge

The Pedestrian Bridge

We crossed the Pedestrian Bridge to watch the trains come through. The kids were a bit caught off guard at first, but loved it.

The fountain in front of the Pedestrian Bridge

Jman running in Tapawingo Park

We wanted to see if we could reach all the way around the tree

No better place to peek-a-boo than a huge tree.

My Little Man is 5!!!!!

While we were in NY Jaeden turned 5!! I cannot even believe that my little man is going to be starting kindergarten in a few weeks. He is so excited to be 5 now, he tells everyone.

This year Jaeden wanted to have a "friend" party with his preschool friends. So he asked for a Beach Party with Sharks. (He absolutely loves sharks). We did beach cupcakes, decorated with tiki masks, shells, star fish, sharks, and palm trees. Jaeden greeted all his friends with a lei as well. We played "Pass the Shark", Pin the Fin on the Shark, had Aloha sack races, and a fish pinata. All the kids had a great time.

Jaeden's actual birthday fell while we were in New York. And once again this year, Kris and Jen did not disappoint with an awesome cake. They gave Jaeden his favorite foods that day too. Pancakes for breakfast and fish for supper. What a day!

When we returned home from vacation we had a family get together as well. We were so blessed that so much of our family was able to make it. We all had a fabulous time catching up with each other. The kids and grown-ups both took their trys at sack races and three-legged races as well as the pinata. What a great day. Thank you to all of our family who helped us celebrate. We love you all very much!!!

Jaeden's 5 year pictures

The "beach" cupcakes

Decorations

Pin the fin on the shark. Jeremy did a great job drawing this one!

Me and my Little Man

Such concentration on hitting the pinata

Jaeden and his loot

Blowing out the cake at Kris and Jen's

Three Legged Race

Sack Races

Jaeden and Jaclyn with Grandma Nana and Papaw Byrd

4 generations!!!!

This is all for me?

Sooo, it has been a while. We took a family vacation to New York and we had a BLAST! Every year we head out to New York to see our best friends Kris and Jen. This year was no different. This year we went from Indiana to Michigan to visit the best neighbors you could ever ask for,then drove through Canada to New York. Yeah, that's a lot of miles! The kids were fantastic. They colored and drew on their Magna Doodles almost the whole time while Jaclyn serenaded us with her version of Jingle Bells anytime the Jeep grew silent. We managed to make it all the way to New York and back with no dvd player at all!
We had an amazing time with Kris and Jen. We took the kids to a farm and picked blueberries, strawberries, and green beans. We hung out, just as old friends should. Then we loaded up in our cars for a road trip to New York City! What fun! I had never been there so I was super excited. We took the kids to the Toys R Us on Times Square and rode the ferris wheel-- in the store! That night we did a Harbor Lights cruise around the Hudson to see the Statue of Liberty. What amazing sight to see. Jaclyn loved "Libery" as she called her. One of Jaeden's favorite things was getting to ride in a taxi. As we were getting out he looked at Jeremy and me and asked " Is this all for me?" We asked what he was talking about and he said the giant toy stores, the boat ride and everything. Then he thanked us for the "best vacation ever"! I love my little man!
Thanks to Kris and Jen, Jeremy and I got to take a little time to enjoy Times Square at night together. It is whole new world at night. Amazing!!
Before we headed home we walked through Central Park and went to FAO Schwartz. What an experience. Jaclyn got to "design" her own Barbie at the Style my Barbie station, right down to the shoes she was wearing. Then you get to see your Barbie walk the catwalk. What an awesome thing for a 3 and 4 year old to see the Barbies they designed come down the catwalk!
We left the City with tons of great memories and greater appreciation for the laid back life we lead now!!
Here are some of the photos from the week. I will post more this week.

Somewhere in Canada.

The Anchor Bar in Buffalo, NY-- Home of the original Buffalo wings

On the ferris wheel in Toys R US

M & Ms world

Waiting to go on the Harbor Lights cruise.

Lady Liberty

A sculpture outside Central Park

Central Park

Shark and Octopus made out of Legos at FAO

High atop FAO

Watching Jaclyn's Barbie on the catwalk.

Jaclyn with her own Barbie

Had to have our picture with the FAO soldier

On Times Square, Jaclyn thought it was loud.

Soccer Mom

I'll admit it, I LOVED being a soccer mom! Jaeden had his last soccer game on Saturday morning. It was so amazing to watch my little guy go from being the little man on the outside of the pack to the one right there in the middle giving it his all. It was Jaeden's first time on a "real team". The first few weeks he was tentative, figuring out how everything worked and what he was supposed to do. But as the season progressed, so did he. I loved being there as he would run to sideline for a water break and a little encouragement. What fun!
I can't wait for Jaeden's fall sport- - Flag Football!!!

Just before the start of his last game.

Jaclyn in all her princess glory (tiara, wand, and all) going to cheer Jaeden on with Daddy.

Right there in the thick of things!

Ready for anything at goalie... Jaeden had a great stop right after this shot.

Jaeden with his trophy

The Green Ducks, I love how they all fit inside the goal

Jaeden and his buddy Drew. You just have to wonder what that sideline talk was all about!

Sweet Slumber

I honestly think one of the most beautiful sights to see is your child sleeping. So peaceful and not a care in the world.
It is so funny how easily each child develops thier own bedtime ritual. Jaeden wants to have his music on, we have to say our prayers, give hugs and kisses and then he reads a book for a minute with his stuffed animals- Rusty and Liey the Lion. Jaclyn wants to make sure all of Jaeden's toys are out of her room, then she wants to say her prayers followed by a hug, a kiss, and high fives as she cuddles in with her little pilllow and quilted book. And I'll admit that most nights when I go back up to thier rooms to check on them I linger a moment and just watch them. Then I thank God for these precious gifts he has blessed me and Jeremy with.

Even in a tent in the pouring rain, peaceful sleep is found.

Jaclyn was super excited that Grandma-Nana brought a kitten camping with us. Or "that-cat" as she called it all weekend.

Jaeden became quite the proficent fisherman while camping. He didn't catch a thing but had a blast with Daddy learning how to cast.