John and Gayle came to visit today, and we played a suspense-filled game of SORRY. It was neck and neck at the end, but John managed to squeak to the finish just before Jan Michael. Brent and Danny had planned to come, but Brent had to work (BOO for Brent's job!) and besides, nephew #2/niece #1 is due any day now, and it seemed better for Danny to stick close to home. [Our bathtub is completely unacceptable for a water birth :) ] So, we'll wait patiently until we can see everyone again. 
I am at war. The enemy is comprised of the thistles and dandelions in our yard. There are about 500 of them, and it's possible that number is a gross under-estimation. Lucky for me, I'm equipped with the WEED HOUND, a contraption which helps to rip them out of the ground. Even so, the eradiction is a daunting task. However, one of the many lessons I've learned the last while involves the value of tenacity and perseverence. So. I WILL NOT BE BEATEN BY A BUNCH OF RATTY WEEDS.
Derek saw the smallest corner of his present sticking out of the grocery bag I was carrying it in, and immediately said, "Book! Book!" The little stinker! I'll have to be more clever about the wrap job next time :)
The black hair clip is a nice touch, don't you think? :)
Multi-tasking!
Lucky me to get kisses from such a cute boy! :)
"I'm twooooo!" says Derek.
PRESENTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Only two, and already he understands the glee of ripping and tearing open his presents!
The grown-ups were having a fine time playing with the presents....
but then graciously decided to let Derek join in :) :) :)
Such a fun, happy day of celebrating Derek's birthday! I have lots of pictures of the little man opening his presents, but for tonight I'll just post the family shots and the blowing-out-the-candles-ceremony. He blew them out twice and said "More," but candle wax was dripping on the cobbler so we had to put an end to the fun :) 
How lucky we were to have an artist who could make an EXACT replica of my outfit that day! And did any of you know that Jan Michael is a linebacker for the Cleveland Browns in his spare time?
And here we are again. The first picture elicited such a happy response, I told Jan Michael I had a responsibility to my viewership and we should take another :) In domestic news, I'm quite enjoying my new job as stay-at-home-wife (Derek, you and I should swap recipes, hahaha). This week, steam cleaning of the carpets. Next week, out come the fall decorations!
My hair is all mussed up because earlier we'd exercised with Roger (who has us do things he does in the army. I don't need to do any more push ups today, thank you). I like this picture because it's of us. In our house. And that's that.
This was waiting for me when I came home Friday night from my very thoughtful friend Jennifer. A lovely surprise for me!
A close-up of her card-making expertise
And here are my feet, mostly because I wanted another picture to post and they were handy subjects :)
Some of things we saw last night were INAPPROPRIATE, such as.....
my neck muscles! GRACIOUS!
Sara is super cute, but I appear to be sporting the "secretary spread" :(
My Monday night with Derek and Sara included fine dining (Derek likes pizza with SHRIMP and PEAS!?), fine music (George T.) and fine fink riding. D & S, I salute you and say "Bi-la ha-ha!"
A happy weekend for me - a date with my dad at the highschool football game, shopping with my mom, riding the steamtrain and having a picnic with my Pearson family, picking blackberries, Sunday morning meeting, more shopping with my mom and dad, and dinner with my parents and sister.
