Taste of Jacksonville

oh dear.

Blogger fail.

I've sorely neglected the ol' bloggity blog this past month or two.  Trust me, it's not from lack of wanting to blog, it just hasn't been in the cards time-wise.

So here's time for catch-up!

The first weekend in June was the annual Taste of Jacksonville celebration - always so much fun!

Father and son:

 

 Enjoying the live music:

 The "HUMUNGOUS TRW-ACTOR!" is always a hit:

 And Cole's favorite part of the day?  Ice cream, of course.  Seriously, this kid has THE BIGGEST sweet tooth - he spent the whole time telling us (we were all sharing one bowl) "DADDY, NO EAT ALL ICE CREAM! MAMA, NO EAT ALL UP! ICE CREAM FOR COLE!"

 

 

Going out with my favorite peeps, so glad we're back to normal routine around here!

my boys

my boys, just hanging out:

 

I love them with all my heart.

our Green Green Garden

One of the things I was especially excited about with our new house was that it had a small raised garden bed already built.

I've always wanted a garden.  When I was growing up in Wisconsin, my parents had a lovely garden and always let me plant something I wanted in it.  It's also incredibly valuable to me for Cole to learn where our food comes from and how to grow things with a hands-on experience.

So this weekend we thought we'd take advantage of the gorgeous weather and plant our "GREEN GREEN GARDEN" as Cole says. 

 

 

 

 
Cole was super excited:

 The watering part was Cole's favorite :)

Here's hoping we have a bountiful harvest by the end of the summer!

My Birthday Boy

My darling son,

Three years ago today, you arrived.

You were the most beautiful baby I've ever seen - perfectly shaped head, with just the right amount of dark hair and delicate features. 

Today, we sang you "Happy Birthday" as you awoke.  We wrestled and read books and played outside and even went out for frozen yogurt.  In short, it was a perfect day - full of love, family, and pure summer joy. 

Cole, words fail me when I try to explain to you how much you mean to us.  You are so kind and thoughtful.  You are incredibly brilliant.  You are quick to smile and laugh.  You so often find sweet little ways to think of and care for others that warms my heart. 

Three years ago today, you made me a mama.  You completed our lives and brought us so much more joy than we ever thought was possible. 

Thank you for being you, my son.  I can't wait to see what the next year has in store for us!

Love, Mama