Some funny moments with Maddy today

The Perfect Sunday Afternoon...Picking Apples!

What a fun day we've had (adding to the exciting festivities that have totally filled this whole weekend!) After church we headed out to Lynd's Fruit Farm in Pataskala to pick fresh apples right from the tree. The weather was absolutely perfect and we all had a grand ole time. I was hoping the bumpy wagon ride would trigger labor, but no such luck for today. Little baby boy is still very cozy inside I suppose! Well, here are a few photos from our apple pickin' afternoon:

With a little coaching, Madelyn was eager to pick some apples of her own.

I felt a little like Eve plucking a gorgeous apple right from the tree.

Look how well she was eating her apple. She had juice dripping down her chin and was savoring it all. Here she crouched down to get a closer look at a REAL ladybug in the tall grass (Notice her new baby doll taking a nap under the tree in the background. Ha!)

My cute hubby carrying our heavy bags of apples.

Pretty pumpkins. I love the colors of fall here in Ohio.

Family shot on the wagon ride.

We made a stop on our wagon ride to taste a new type of apple called "Pixie Crisp". Now knowing the drill, Maddy picked her apple from the tree and took a big bite! Yum.

As you can see, Madelyn's nap time was upon us. This was at the very end of the wagon ride, and she was just trying to hold out. Needless to day, she quickly conked out on our car ride home. (And I fell sound asleep on the couch once we arrived home!)

What an apple-sweet day.

Our Little Ladybug & Her Birthday Bash

Today was Madelyn big 2nd Birthday Bash and we celebrated here at the Sammons home. It was a Ladybug Party, and it was so fun seeing lots of little toddlers running around with ladybug antennas, coloring ladybug pictures, playing "Stick the Spot on the Ladybug" and just having a good ole time! Our little "ladybug of the day" spent the first 20 minutes of the party running around the house squealing with delight (literally!) She was overjoyed (and overwhelmed?) by seeing all her friends and family arrive at the door. We partied from 11am-1pm and needless to say, our entire family had a wonderful nap time this afternoon. Whew! Thank you to ALL OF YOU WHO CAME. We had so much fun with you today. Madelyn was blessed by loads of amazing gifts and we've been playing with them all day long. I have lots and lots of photos that I'm sorting thru from the party, so I'll try and limit the ones I post to the real "highlights". Hope you enjoy!

Maddy intently listening to the directions for the "Stick the Spot on the Ladybug" game

Caden wanted to try using the blindfold (while the rest of the kids are sticking their spots on the bug!)

Once she saw the blindfold option, she just had to try it too. So funny and cute!

Bird's-eye view of the festivities below.

After being serenaded with the birthday song, she carefully worked on eating her yummy cupcake.

So proud.

So pretty.

Such a show-off!

Madelyn had so many great reactions to her MANY gifts (which we opened in stages).

Here's she's opening a new Elmo DVD. She squealed with delight!!!

Another big hit was the stuffed doggie from Uncle Tim. She ran around on the couch hugging him over and over.

Some really cool blocks from Nana & Papa. These kept her busy all afternoon!

At the end of the day, Maddy, Gary and I snuggled on the couch, and she was so excited to dress her Bitty Baby (last year's b-day gift) with one of the new outfits she got. I thought this was such a sweet moment...Madelyn loving on her little doll.

We hope you had a wonderful day Little Ladybug!

A Weekend of Birthday Celebrations

Yesterday was my mom's 54th Birthday. It was a "Golden" birthday as she was also born in 1954 (sorry to blow your cover mom!) We we all went out to celebrate with a yummy dinner, sweet dessert and some gifts. Then today we celebrated Madelyn's 2nd Birthday with a big party here at the house. Needless to say, it's been a weekend of FUN and exhaustion for this mommy! Here's a few pics from the dinner last night:

Happy Birthday Mom!

Nana has her trusty little helper! Maddy's a pro at opening gifts.

Me and My Mom

I was just cleaning up my desktop here on the computer and came across this sweet photo from Christmas Day (2007) of me and my wonderful momma...and it made me smile. Here I am in the throws of motherhood and it's made me appreciate my own amazing mother more and more each day. I realized this thought...and this photo were worth sharing today. I love you mom!!!

A Glimpse of our New Nursery

We've been diligently working for several weeks to get our guest-bedroom converted into the new nursery. We actually decided to keep it as a guest-bedroom too...because it's always nice to have a bed for all of you to sleep on when you come visit us!! (Or...in this case, maybe a bed for this delirious, nursing mommy to pass out on in the middle of some long nights we have coming up very soon!) We went with the surfing theme and wanted to still highlight the amazing painting my roommate from Madagascar painted for us as a wedding gift. Thanks Aimee!!!! See how beautifully it still fits in his cozy room??! Also, it was a big project to get the closet organized, so I thought I would open the door and show you the clean, fun space inside. There's still a few things to get done (hang the mirror on the wall for one), but it's finally feeling like a room fit for a new baby boy. We can't wait to meet you little one!

Fun with Stickers

We went to Noah Bieser's "Farm" themed 2nd birthday party this afternoon and Madelyn was thrilled to bring home stickers to play with. She had a great time sticking them all over her body...and then all over mine too. She's such a little ham and we have so much fun together every day. Here's a little glimpse into our world once again: