Cute...No Handsome!

Benjamin's latest: If you tell Benjamin that he is cute he will tell you, "no I'm not, I'm handsome. Ada Mae's so cute." How sweet is that?

Happy Birthday Ada!!

Happy Birthday Ada!! It's hard to believe that your one. Actually, it's not that hard to believe because you have accomplished so much in your first year of life that daddy and I think you are a lot older than one. You are a such a sweet, beautiful little girl. We love how you give us "the look" with those big, beautiful blue eyes of yours--you usually win daddy over when you do that. We also love that smile and cute giggle of yours. You are such a wonderful little person with a mind of her own! What a wonderful day for you birthday.

Mommy found this poem that she would like to share with you:

Teddy bears and seas of blue
Smiling in honor of you
An infant, not long ago
Now, one candle is aglow
You are growing up so fast
How quickly a year has passed
You are special, sweet, and wise
A present before our eyes.


For a year, I’ve watched you shine
An angel I can call mine
Sent from Heaven, just for me
Filled with hope and dignity
A blessing, now and always
You brighten all of my days
Precious child, I love you so
More than anyone could know.


Baby’s breath and sun-filled skies
Ladybugs and lullabies
Starry nights and bright moonbeams
Tender hearts and lasting dreams
Each, a gift within your view
During this time, made for you
May only good things come your way
On this, your very first birthday.

© 2007 – Jill Eisnaugle’s Poetry Collection

We love you very much Ada Mae!! You are truly a special blessing from God.

Ada's First Year...

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

We love you so much Honey!!

Check out the size of that thing!

The city park in Hartford recently received some new additions! The new playground equipment is HUGE!! This thing has at least 6 slides and all the climbing area on it that you can imagine. Benjamin has been patiently waiting for it to get done. We visited the "new" city park playground shortly after it was done. I have a nice picture of the playground equipment (notice that my children are nowhere near there) but my son preferred to play on the dirt piles near by. In his defense he was being "Sher Khan". Ada liked to just sit back and take it all in. She enjoyed watching the other kids play and watching Benjamin have fun in the dirt. Hopefully, the weather stays nice so we can come back.

Nature Lover

While at grandma & grandpa's house, Benjamin went outside exploring with his Auntie Carrie & Uncle Matt and they found a little frog. Somehow, they convinced him to hold it. Dave and I cannot believe he held that frog for as long as he did. It even jumped and he still held it! What a brave little boy we have.

Bridal shower crafts

For the bridal shower we asked each guest to provide one of their favorite recipes. We then took these recipes and made a cookbook. Everyone got to make an accordion cookbook. It was fun to see how every one's cookbook turned out and came together! There were some that caught on right away while a few others struggled but I think overall everyone had a great time doing their "arts and crafts" project. I also made a decorated cover for post-it notes that everyone received as shower favors.

This is the cover of the cookbook

This is an example of what one of the cookbooks looked like when finished (the insides)

Here is a post-it note favor

Overall, I think the bridal shower turned out very nice and that everyone had a great time--I know I did.

Steph's bridal shower

Now only have I been busy with work, I was also busy helping plan and put together a bridal shower (with my sister) for my future sister-in-law. The shower was a lot of fun but it also was a lot of work. My sister was in charge of the food while I was in charge of the cake and crafts. We decided to have more appetizer type food than the traditional "meal". The food was good and everyone seemed to like it. My mom was quite concerned that we were not having a "meal" but after much reassurance I think she was happy how things turned out.

Benjamin is providing quality control with the cucumber sandwiches

Here is the "new" member of our family, Stephanie--Craig's soon-to-be wife

The bridal shower cake