Amanda's Tag...

Ok, so here it goes...

1. Age at next Birthday:

2. Place I would like to visit:

3. My favorite thing:

4. My favorite place:

5. My favorite food:

6. My favorite colors:

7. Where I live:

8. Past pet:

9. Nickname I have had:

10. College Major:

11. First job:

12. Goal for this year:

That was kind of fun. Hope everyone enjoys.

Kurtis' Birthday Party

Yesterday, we had Kurtis' Birthday party. Due to the fact that our place is small, we went to the local bowling alley and had the party there (did not hurt that Jeff spends every Wednesday there in the winter for his bowling league).

The kids each got to bowl one game. I think the highest score was around 60 but they all had fun which is the most important thing. Two of Kurtis' friends from the old babysitter (Theresa) were able to come out to spend some time with Kurtis - he really misses those two (Ryan & Jacob).
Steve & Anny brought Zoltan and Hannah. Hannah loves to cozy up to Joey...

Once all the kids were done bowling, it was time for cake & ice cream. Kurtis decided that he wanted a cake & he wanted to help make it - one of his current lifes ambitions is to be a chef. Here is a picture of the cake that we made together.

You might be wondering what is on the cake. These are Kurtis designs and requests. The two things that look like ghosts are really Backyardigan characters (Tyrone & Uniqua in the "Tale of the Mighty Knights"). You can see that they have shields next to them. I did learn something - if you are going to write on the icing - wait for it to harden some before doing it.



Next it was time for gifts. Kurtis actually walked in on me wrapping his presents yesterday and he thought he was getting a bunk bed but this is what he actually received:

For the budding artist...it is actually two sided, one side is a chaulk board, the other is a dry erase board. Now we just need to get him supplies. Kurtis was upset because he thought that we did not get him what he really wanted - a SpeedRacer hotwheels track set (but I did get it for him, along with some more cars to drive on it). He got Ben 10 figures, Star Wars figures, a baseball glove, and many other great boy toys. He also got a subscription to "ZooBooks" from Mom & Bob in which the first edition came last week.

Kurtis also got a lot of Birthday money that he is now itching to spend. He asked me today if he had to give the money to the cashier at the store. I told him yes - otherwise that is stealling.

Anyway, thanks to all who were able to make it to the party. See you again soon.

Happy 5th Birthday, Big Guy!!!

5 years ago today, Kurtis Robert Gregory came into our lives after 21 hours of labor and a c-section.

This boy is the love of my life. Everyday he says something that just amazes me. I can't believe how smart he is - I know in a couple months when he starts school, the teachers will be amazed as I am.

He is very set in his ways. He will tell me that he does not want to do something for me becuase I did not give him what he wants - but then, he will do it. He is a Superhero to me.

I love you Kurtis and think about you everyday. Have a great birthday, Big Guy!!!

A tribute to a mother who is no longer here...

April 3, 2008 the Gregory family lost their Mom or "Grammy" or "Meme" (Yvonne "Bonnie" Croxall) depending on who you are. Mom was very important to me. She was there to support Jeff & me through all kinds of times - good & bad. She did not judge and loved me because I loved her son. I was one of her adopted daughters since she did not have any hereself.

That made for a very difficult Mother's day. The first one without her. We love you Mom & miss your smiling face. All the Grandkids and Greatgrandkids miss you. Those to come in the future are surely going to miss having you in their lives.

Holding a baby is what mom loved to do. This is how I will always remember her...

Here we go.

Here are the boys. Kurtis & Joey from late last year. As you can see - Joey looks so much like Kurtis it is not even funny.

These two boys are the most precious things in my life. As much as I get upset at the things that Kurtis does (never being quite, always asking for something to eat), I don't know what I would do without them.

Kurtis will be 5 in a week. Kindergarden is coming this fall. What an adventure that will be. Some days he is ready to go to school - others he wants nothing to do with it. Kurtis loves to draw. Everyday he is drawing a new picture of some cartoon character (or movie character). This week - everything is IRONMAN. Next week-???

Joey is growing like a weed. Everything he can get his hands on he is throwing. I wonder if he will be a pitcher or a quarterback??? Maybe he will not even like to play sports. We will have to wait to find out.

Well that is all for now.