Wilmington break away....

I am such a slack blogger so bare with me as I play catch up. I am borrowing Marty's time machine and back dating my posts so that they stay in order. In July we really needed to get out of town. Listing the house and trying to keep it spotless with two kiddos gets quite old.  We headed out to Wilmington for the 4th. We ended up only staying one night in Wilmington and then headed to Holden Beach to visit our friends, the Buckleys, at their house. 

Dear Luke, I am sorry but I will do this to you until you are 40. Don't resist it. It is your fault for being so cute.  Love you- mommy

We did our usual routine. We ate lunch at Dockside, went downtown and got ice cream at Kilwin's, went to Island Passage, Edge of Urge, all my little shops I like. Although I purchased nothing. I just like to gawk. Walked and just enjoyed the day. Then ate at Blue Water...yum yum.  It does seem like our entire day revolved around food. That sounds about right. 

Luke, of course, got Superman ice cream. What else do 4 year olds that can disappear, fly, and swing from buildings eat??

Some old man was rolling around on this sweet fold out bike. This is my new motto...that I follow 67% of the time when I look at this picture or I see that old man. I kid, I kid.

The Sneeker - Take Two

Does this look like the face of someone that would steal? NOOOOO....This angel dressed in her mommy's Easter dress circa 1979.  She would never....well guess again. I am only kidding of course but she did cause quit the scare over the weekend. We had the Charlotte (soon to be Raleigh...whoo hoo) Grandparents in town for Luke's 4th Birthday. It was already a crazy few days because Ella had been sick and I was running around a lot. To make a long story short I could not find my van keys on Friday night after everyone got into town. 

Now I must admit I can be absent minded when a lot is going on and I have MISPLACED my keys before. Not this time, they were LOST! Or so we thought. I spent most of Saturday and all of Sunday tearing my house apart to find these keys. I knew if someone found them that could be dangerous and that it would cost money to replace keys and get the house locks replaced. I prayed, I looked, I prayed, I looked. Erin, being a good sister in law, decided to swing by and help me look. At this point it was driving us both crazy. It is just one of those things that you cannot wrap you head around. Finally, I was standing in the kitchen and asked Miss Ella....Where are Mommy's keys? She looked me in the eyes, walked over to the pantry door, stood on her tippy toes, I opened the door for her and she POINTED TO THE TRASH CAN AND SAID KEYS!!!! How is that for some build up.....

Erin and I looked at each other and just said....No way...she wants some "cheese". Sure enough, that night after exhausting every possible option....we turned to the trash outside. We figured out what bag was from Friday and halfway into the filth I found them.....mace and all! She is a keynapper but she is honest. The moral of the Paul Harvey story is .....always look were you don't want to look first. Don't bring anything valuable to my house unless you put it somewhere at least 4 feet tall. 

Miss Chatterbox

Don't be fooled by Ella's shy demeanor. She is quite the chatterbox at 16 months. Now she has began to form multiple word sentences. Here is an updated list of what Ella likes to talk about these days. 

1. I have poo...poo poo
2. diaper
3. ice - referring to ice cream
4. cheese
5. apple 
6. keys
7. outside..i want go outside
8. shoes
9. socks
10. cute....ceewwwwt
11. pretty
12. banana
13. grape
14. bread
15. bunny rabbit
16. help
17. more
18. open
19. pray
20. I want this
21. please
22. thank you....she is polite
23. this is mine
24. no
25. no luke
26. I want juice
27. read book
28. up 
29. I want sit...sit
30. juice...... "jeeeewwsss"
31. she can count to two.....seriously 1...2...
32. brother
33. cow...moo
34. pig...oink
35. monkey
36. bug
37. cat
38. dog...ruff
39. lion...growl sound
40. butterfly
41. what's that
42. Pop Pop
43. Brooke
44. Erin
45. Sara
46. Ethan....."ephan"
47. Sadie..."shadie"

The list goes on and I will add more as I remember them....mostly for my record of course. She is so cute because her voice sounds so small. She can almost repeat anything you say but does not have comprehension of every word she repeats. So I don't really count the word if she does not understand it. I cannot imagine when she really starts talking. Even more reason to watch every word you say =) 

Happy 4th Birthday Lukey! Ka-Chow!

For Luke's 4th Birthday we celebrated at Jumpin Beans in Cary. We did another joint party with Luke's buddy Collin. We had a wonderful time complete with cake, Chick-fil-a, an Easter egg hunt in the bounce house, and family and friends!!

Aunt Sara made these cute and delicious cupcakes to look like Easter eggs in the grass =) 

We did the Cars theme....oh yeah!

Ella was VERY sick at the party and when she got home. She was very pitiful during the whole party. Luke was hot and sweaty from all of his bouncing!

Another great sign thanks to Will! Ka-Chow

Three times the charm.....

Since I did not have a blog when Luke was younger....let me document the last few birthdays....humor me =) 

Luke had a Thomas the Train themed party...I mean blow out....for his third birthday. We did a combined party with Luke's buddy Collin. He has known Collin since he was a baby so it made since to share their special day! Conductor Luke was handing out boarding passes which I made that had the party itinerary on it. 

Representing Thomas! on the train at Pullen Park~

Luke and Collin making a plan of attack.

I made the train tenders that carried the kids chips.

Sweet birthday sign thanks to Will, Collin's daddy.

Terrific Twos!

For his second birthday I remember Aunt Erin giving him the cool cape with the L. He racked up in toys this year. 

Make a wish Luke Duke.....

We did the Curious George theme and I put little monkeys here and there. We had family and a few friends. Fun was had by all. 

A walk down memory lane.....

This was Luke's first birthday. The theme was Elmo. The crowd was all family and a few friends. Looking back I think Luke looks more like a two year old here. My big boy!

                      I remember Luke's birth like it was yesterday. I remember the smell of new life, how warm he was, that he was the most perfect thing I had ever seen! I remember his large feet and hands. I remember thinking....he is SO big! His chest was so mighty for a little baby. He was a great eater from day one and had a sweet easy going temperment. This was April 11, 2005. He was 9lbs 3 oz. The beginning of our journey with Luke. Thank you God for blessing us beyond what we think or deserve! We are honored to have Luke as our son.

Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt

My friend Jenny had a little Easter egg hunt at her house after preschool. Luke had a great time and quickly reached a sugar coma shortly after. =) 

Buddy Jayse, Nolan, Riley, Riley W., and Luke Duke. 

Nolan shared some of his eggs with Ella. 

Beautiful Riley eating her loot....life is good!

Ella was included in the fun and rolled around with two eggs tightly clinched in her hands the entire time! 

Happy Birthday my Sadie Clare!

The sweetest niece on the planet just turned ONE!! I can hardly believe she is already one. Sadie has such a special place in my heart. Her personality is so spunky and full of fun and wonder. She can always make me smile with her "ducky grin" and those sparkling blue eyes. I look forward to celebrating every birthday with her and watching her grow into a beautiful woman. I was thinking about the role I will play in her life the other day. I know we will share many memories and laughs together!! 

Let the games begin!

Luke started his first sport ever.....Soccer aka le football. Greg used to call them "lawn fairies" right up until Saturday! Luke will be on the team called "Avalanche". Sounds exciting eh?

This is a shot of Luke doing "sit ups" - we now know we need to teach him how to do them. He simply placed his hands on the ground and lifted his bottom up and down. It was HILARIOUS!

This is the Lukester with Coach Darin heading the ball without fear! His buddies Bennett and Ben look on waiting for their turn...

Drills and Exercises..... up .....and under.......

Coach Darin was the perfect balance of tough that is appropriate for a 3-4 year old team. He is really hands on and I can tell by his following that he is admired by many. 

Although this was only his first practice I can see that Beckham....I mean Luke....is really feeling good about his new "sport".  Every time there was a water break he would take a quick sip and RUN back onto the field. He did not want to miss a minute. He followed instructions incredibly. Greg and I are so proud of him. I will be sure to post more pics as the season continues =)