Mile of Quarters

Last Friday, 10/24, I volunteered at a fundraiser benefiting my work and Our Lady of the Elms school called Mile of Quarters. (it was a partner event) We hold this fundraiser every year but this year we joined with the Elms in hopes of drawing in more kids to the actual event. (it is an event to help fund our children's programs here at work) The event was a huge success and benefited two great places!!

The event was held at Barnes and Noble Bookstore in Fairlawn and this year since it was so close to Halloween we had trick-or-treating throughout the store. After trick-or-treating they had a special guest story reader and Clifford the Big Red Dog. It's always a big hit. Over 200 kids came dressed up in their Halloween costumes and it was absolutely adorable! I was so excited as well because my god daughter, Catelyn, and her family were coming to share in the festivities. (as a side note, Jill, is the admissions director at Our Lady of the Elms High School)

Catelyn was very excited to show off her Halloween costume, as she was Cinderella!! She convinced her Mom that she needed to dress up at Lucifer the Cat and dress Baby Connor up as Gus the Mouse! (she couldn't convince Andy to dress up as a character from the movie)

Here are a few pictures from the evening:

Cinderella

Gus and Lucifer :)

eating a cookie & watching Clifford

she kept calling these her "gums" (they were gummy treats)

showing me the toothbrushes she got (one for her and one for daddy)

I will definitely have more Halloween photos as I plan to join the Lieser's for trick-or-treating up near Jill's dad's house. It should be a good time as I hear the "Fairy Godmother" may attempt to make an appearance and walk around with Cinderella on her trick-or-treat adventures. Look for a post sometime next week!!! Happy Halloween Everyone!!

Major News!!!

I finally felt the baby kick!!! Yay for Baby B!! For a minute there I thought the little one was being extremely ornery by not moving every time Aunt Cassie was around; but finally he/she came out of their shy shell and showed me what they were made of! Man that little booger has some force! It was a special moment! I think that moment is the moment that really puts into perspective that there is a baby in there and this little one is going to grace us with it's presence in just a few short months!

*update- Lisa and Ben had a doctor's appointment yesterday and all is well! They have begun going every two weeks so things are moving quickly! The next post about her will be in two weeks with another picture and doctor appointment update. Her sister-in-law, Rachel, is due in just over 2 weeks so hopefully we will have a post about little Sophie before too long! Good luck!!!

Party Fit For A Princess!!!!

I had hoped to get to this post earlier in the week but thing have been a little on the hectic side. On Saturday 10/11, we gathered to celebrate my god daughter, Catelyn Clare's, 3rd Birthday!

On Monday 10/13, Catelyn officially turned 3 years of age and I couldn't help but think back to the first moment I saw her. Jill was 36 weeks pregnant and I wasn't expecting a phone call from her for another few weeks at the earliest. I was sitting at my desk at work and the phone rang and I didn't recognize the number so I answered and to my astonishment it was Jill. She had already made it clear that she did not want anyone to know when she was in labor so I knew when I got the call it would be after she delievered. :) She was calling from Akron General Hospital and announced to me that she given birth in the wee hours of the morning. I was shocked, excited and more excited to hear what she had. We had all speculated that she was having a boy and when she announced "GIRL" I couldn't believe it. I was so excited to meet this little girl! Of course I ran out on my lunch break as the hospital isn't far from my work. When I arrived they were attempting to feed so I waited and when I was finally able to go in and hold her, I didn't want to put her down. Of course there were other people there who wanted to meet her so I let her go. :) I told them I would be back later in the evening if that was OK and they said "absolutely". I came back and spent probably way too long with this precious girl and my amazing friends who were now parents! Crazy! While I was there, they both asked me to be Catelyn's Godmother! I was so overwhelmed with emotion inside; I knew I would be the proudest Godmother ever! Catelyn has been such a joy in my life these past 3 years and I am so blessed to have her in my life! (i say this often....) She has taught me so much and I know we will always be very close! I look forward to watching her grow over the years and hearing about school, friends, boys, etc. Catelyn, I am so proud of you and I Love You so much! May you never forget the Love that surrounds you each and every day!

Below are a few pictures of Catleyn on her true BIRTH-day, 3 years ago, and then pictures from her party just a few days ago!

Then......

Now.......

princess hat in hand, down the slide we go

another slide

Ben grabbing the princess hat that she sent down before herself

realizing some silly guy was wearing her hat

oh my, you're not a girl nor are you the princess

waiting patiently for her friends to join her for birthday food

MMM, PIZZA!!

Mummy wrap game....Andy & Mike (godfather) were good sports

Mike watching the kids wrap him in TP

who is under all that TP.....you guessed it, Andy

Mike still being worked on

Mike and Andy get together for a picture

Mummies and the kids

trying to scare the kids?!?!

Let's open PRESENTS!!!

Catelyn had some help in opening her gifts....hehe

A cake fit for a Princess....so beautiful

eating the frosting off Cinderella

getting icing off of Mike's nose...he's a silly godfather

no cake for Connor but instead yummy green beans

Ben & Connor (getting in some practice)

Adorable picture of Connor & Lisa

Andy and I back at their house after the party

Carnival of Horrors

So Saturday was Catelyn's 3rd Birthday Party (that will be my next post) and it was such a beautiful day! After her party, I went over to the Lieser's to visit with them and a few other people. Catelyn's Godfather, Mike and his wife Kim, came over and Jill's Mom, husband and little sister were in town visiting for Catelyn's special day.

Jill had mentioned to me earlier in the week that her, Andy, her mom and Jim were going to take Courtney to her first haunted house. They asked me if I wanted to come along. I said "no way"!! I hadn't been to a haunted house since I was in high school and I hated the experience. I couldn't believe they were going to take Courtney to a haunted house as she is only 9 years old. (I guess I lived a sheltered life growing up.....haha)

The babysitter arrived to put Catelyn to bed and watch over her and Connor for a few hours as they all went out. Jill gave Connor a quick bath and I helped. As they gathered things up and started to get ready to leave, Courtney looks at me with those big eyes and asks me if I am going to go with them to the haunted house. I looked back at her and said "no honey, I don't do haunted houses", "I don't like them", "I have to go home", etc. haha! I kept making up excuses and she just wouldn't accept them. She begged and begged and somehow I found myself saying "yes" to this crazy notion of going to haunted houses. I couldn't believe what came out of my mouth! Ugh! I had to do it now!

We took separate cars as I had only planned to go to ONE place and they were talking about going to TWO. :) Their first stop was Blossom Music Center where it played host to the "Carnival of Horrors"!! I saw the sign when we pulled into the place and I screamed! haha! Jill & Andy must have thought I was nuts! Once we got out of the car and headed inside I started to calm down! In the back of my mind I kept telling myself that I had to be the grown up; as I noticed Courtney looking a little bit more scarred as each moment passed. I told her that none of it was real and they couldn't hurt us (I think I was telling myself this as well.....).

There were 3 different things we had to go through; The Freak Show, The Haunted Woods and The Fun House! The first place was by far the scariest! There was so much strobe lighting and darkness and people jumping out in all different directions; some with knives, some with chainsaws, etc. The Woods and the Fun House weren't too bad! I actually had a good time! It was sort of thrilling! lol!

Here are a few pictures after we went through the whole thing! Courtney is one brave 9 year old! She definitely showed me up! Thanks for giving me the courage to go along and have a great time!

That adorable 9 year old, Courtney!!

Courtney and her Dad, Jim

Andy and Jill....ewwww! :)

Much better! :)

Jill & I

Metro Burger & Robots :)

I was blessed with the presence of Jill, Andy, Catelyn and Connor last night! It had been 3 weeks since I had last seen them! That is way too long to go without seeing some of the greatest people in my life! Thank you guys for coming over to visit and for bringing a delicious dinner! I can't believe how much Connor has grown in the past 3 weeks and of course, I am shocked that my little god daughter will be 3 years old next Monday. Time flies!

Here are a few pictures I took last night:

Connor and Eddie getting to know each other! They were so cute, fighting over toys! Eddie enjoyed Connor being down on his level!

Eddie playing with Connor! This is how he plays with his toy duck! hehe!

Catelyn smiling big for the camera!

Starting him young, don't you think? :)

Such a ham

Big boy sitting up all by himself!

In the crawling position! It won't be long!

A great picture of Mom and Connor! (except for the silly cat toy in the background...)

Catelyn pretending she is a robot; putting Eddie's toy on her head! Silly girl!

Thanks for a great visit! FYI, Lisa had a doctor's appointment yesterday, as mentioned in the previous post, and everything is great. She gained a couple more pounds and the baby's heart rate was 148! Go Baby B!!

28 weeks

Lisa is 28 weeks TODAY! She begins seeing the doctor every two weeks starting tomorrow! It's hard to believe but super exciting! Her sister-in-law is just 5 1/2 weeks away from her due date which puts into perspective that Lisa isn't far behind! hehe!

Lisa has been doing well and the baby has been really active (however, I have yet to feel the baby kick). It will happen soon enough, I know! I look forward to hearing all of the stats after her appointment tomorrow. She has definitely popped out a little more and seems to be gaining weight. She is super cute! I know I will be the complete opposite the day I become pregnant. I'll have the big butt, big hips, big stomach, etc. :) Here are pictures I took of her this weekend:


Oh and be excited people because I have my first pictures of the baby to share with you all! Yahoo!!

Here is Baby B at 26 weeks and 2 days:

Little views (the last one is an arm)

On Friday evening I ran out to do a few errands, things that I can't get done during the week with my school requirements. :) I had to return something that I got for my birthday that unfortunately I really wasn't going to be able to use much. So after I returned it, I went about the store looking for something to get in it's place. There are so many things I would like to get for my place but I decided upon getting a new set for my bed. I got a beautiful 12 piece set and I thought I would share it with everyone! (especially for my mom since she is on vacation....)


Thanks to Lisa, Ben, my cousin Kim and her husband Dave who came over on Saturday night to watch the Ohio State vs. Wisconsin game! It was a good time had by all! My cat must of had a good time because he slept most of the day on Sunday! :)