Happy Birthday....

... to my nephew, Ethan Micah Whitmire! Little E was born one year ago...seems like just yesterday. Well, to me anyway. Sarah & Noah might feel like it's been a long year taking care of little buddy every day. Sadly, no recent pics to post, but hopefully we'll have some new ones after his b-day party on Sunday.

Sarah's Bridal Shower

We had Sarah's bridal shower this past Sunday. Everything was great - and some of the guests did dress up in 50's attire - super fun! The "I Love Lucy" theme was a hit and everything came together nicely.

Mom & guests enjoying the gift opening

Sisters 4 life

Last bridal shower for mom to throw ever! Yeah!

Dog's best friends

We have the perfect relationship with our friends, the Jabbours. They have kids, we don't. We get to spend time with them and live vicariously through their child-raising experiences. We have a puppy, they don't. Their kids get to spend time with our puppy and wear each other out, but ultimately Aster goes home with us at the end of the night and the Jabbour boys sleep in their own beds.

The other day, Steph and I went to the park with her two boys and my puppy. The boys got dirty...big surprise! Upon returning to their house, it was bath time for the boys. Jackson, who is almost 4, invited the puppy to share his bath. Sure, why not!

These pictures weren't worthy enough to be posted to Steph's blog, but I couldn't help myself. ; )

Drumroll please.... after pics!

Still not done yet, but Zac has made good progress on the painting. We still have closet doors, bathroom, kitchen & sunroom to paint. But, it's coming together nicely.

Living room & entry (see, no closet door!) With sleepy boys.

Another angle of the living room showing the yellow wall.

Our bedroom

Spare bedroom. The green looks a little bright in this picture, but when we get some stuff on the walls, I think it will simmer down.

Hallway

Check out the before Pics from the April post for a real idea of just how far we've come. : )

Mother's Day Weekend

Mother's Day weekend was fun. We took Aster to the dog park in Stow for the first time. It's an old swimming lake that they fenced in and separated for large/small dogs. He was in doggie heaven, lots of other dogs to play with and balls everywhere! He was too chicken to go into the water, but maybe next time. Oh, and we also found out that he's not the quickest dog in the bunch. He loved to chase a toy fox terrier/beagle but had no chance of keeping up. "Wiggles" just wasn't made for speed. It was quite comical.

On Sunday we had the Frank & Hall families over for a BBQ. With the rainy weather outside, we maxed out our interior seating, but it was fun. A few Hall pics below to share with Sarah, Noah & Ethan in Tulsa.

Grill Mc-Masterson

Blonde Levi

Classic Grandpa bunny-ears

Sleepy boys after a long day of family time

Puppy's first shower

No words needed to describe this situation. Surprisingly he still loves us. ; )

Ode to Spring!

What are you supposed to blog about when you don't have any new information to share, nothing to complain about, and no interesting pictures to post? How about this....thank GOD spring is here! I love when the sun comes up about the same time I'm waking up - and stays up until almost 9 p.m. When everything smells like a mix between growing grass, flowering trees and the first BBQs of the season. ahh..heaven! Or when you can go outside with bare feet and not be cold. And take the pup for a walk (if of course he wishes to walk on the leash that day) without winter hats, gloves & scarves!

I guess I do have a few funny pictures to share from sister Sarah's graduation on Sunday:

Dad listening to the Cavs game while "observing" graduation. : ) Aster the pup - who stole the show!

Aunt Anne who tried to steal the pup!

Classic example of Aster not wishing to walk on the leash.

But how can you be upset with a face like this?!?!