The best medicine is....

....a furry, 4 legged friend!

Our kitty Paulie has been keeping my sick girl company on the couch all morning long! He must know she's sick and needs a little extra cuddling, what a good kitty he is! He is also the only thing that has made her have even the tiniest smile today. I'm hoping with some more cuddling from Paulie, lots of rest, hydration, tylenol and loves from momma my girl will feel better really soon!

My Birthday Boy

So, this past Tuesday, the 11th my 'baby' turned 3! He's not a baby anymore or even a toddler, he is a full fledged preschooler(even though he won't actually start preschool till next fall)! I love him to pieces and can't even describe all the fabulous things he brings to our little family! Thanks for being 'you' Nolan Joseph, I can't imagine what my life would be like without you in it. He does and says the funniest things, I think he might be the class clown someday, but he also has a lovey, super sweet side that I think only little boys have for their mommas! Below are some photos from his birthday party, we kept it small and low key, with just our families and our best buddies! It was perfect, enjoy......

Here's my birthday boy, looking quite serious as he shows off his Whac-A-Mole game! Let me assure you he takes whacking those moles very seriously!

One of Nolan's best buds Carson, wathcing him open up a Buzz Lightyear toy!

Every 3 year old's gotta have an audience when opening up his presents, right?

Here's the cake and cupcakes that I just love, and so did he! I loved making them and was really proud at how well they turned out! If your not a Toy Story fan they are the little aliens from the movies and Buzz on top of a planet!

Here's my little guy making a wish! This is by far my favorite photo of the entire party! There is just something special about a child's birthday wish :)

Cupcakes anyone?
These are our 4 favorite friends.
Alissa in the upper L hand corner, her bro Carson next to her and Avery and Jax on the bottom! I just have to say that Nolan was the only kiddo at the party without blue eyes, look at all those gorgeous baby blues!

And we just had to get a little family shot, one where each of our kids has frosting all over their faces! Gotta love it, I sure do!!!!

3

Happy 3rd Birthday!!!!!

Happy 3rd birthday to my sweet, charming, smart and funny BOY!
I can't believe how fast the last 3 years have flown by SO very fast. I wish I could freeze time and keep him this size forever!

**more birthday pics to come, and I might even blog about the holidays(if I can find the time)

Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas!!!
♥, The Suetta Family

All things Christmas....and an update ;-)

Christmas "stuff" is in full swing around this house. We got our tree cut, up and decorated a little over a week ago. Norah and Nolan (mostly Norah) had an awesome time decorating the tree, and a little one in their room too! We put up our holiday decorations around the house, but we don't have a ton so It'll be an easy clean up :) And, if we get a break in the rain this week Casey is gonna try to put some lights up on the house.
Friday I took the kids to see Santa and get their pictures taken. I'll just say that the pictures turned out way better than the experience. I thought I might just have to walk away because my charming little 2 year old, wasn't being quite so charming. He was actually being down right naughty and defiant :( He shaped up though just in time to get a few good shots! Here is my fave!

Friday night I ran out by myself and got a good chunk of Christmas shopping done, that felt good. And Friday, Saturday and Sunday we baked Christmas cookies :) Saturday evening one of the Dr.'s I work with hosted a Christmas party for all the employees at The Pagoda at Pt. Defiance. Casey and I took the kids and spent a couple of hours mingling with friends, having a yummy dinner and there was even Santa there to visit the kids.
Today had to have been the best day of the weekend for me. Not a thing on the agenda. So, we relaxed, did some house work, played hide-and-go-seek with the kids and I got a little bit more shopping done during nap time! We had yummy homemade baked potato soup for dinner and I got my Christmas cards ordered(better late than never ;)) Here's a sneak peek at the photo we picked for our cards....

*****
Just a really quick update on things non-Christmas. Casey is taking some online courses for real estate appraisal and will be making a career move in the new year :) I have been though a some stressful times at work recently regarding the possibility of a change in hours and/or schedule. I am thankful to say that neither of these things happened and I am keeping my current work hours and days, yay! I do have to say that I am truly saddened for the wonderful people I work with that this was not the case for :( Norah is doing awesome as a kindergartner and just last week got her very 1st report card!!! She's is right on track for where she should be and her teacher couldn't have had nicer comments about her, I'm very proud of my girl! And last but not least my little Nolan. This was a big weekend of potty training for him. He hasn't worn a single pull up since Thursday. I am calling him potty-trained!!! I know there will be "accidents" but something clicked with him and I know he's got it! Also this will be my last week to get in the pool with Nolan at swimming lessons....sigh! I am greatful to not have to get in that cold pool 2x a week but, I am kinda sad that this era is over. I have been in the pool with one of my kiddos 2x a week for the better part of the last 5 years! Maybe it's time to have another one ;)

10 years

Saturday was the 10 year anniversary of my Mom's death. Sometimes it feels like yesterday and sometimes it feels like SO long ago. As I reflected on it over the weekend it's really hard to believe it's been that long and it really makes me sad to think about all the things she's missed and that I have missed out on because she's not here. I do know that she is looking down on me and my family and watching over us. I also know she has made me the mother that I am, because I had the BEST example to follow! I really still think about her every single day.
Several years ago my little sister Sarah got this tattoo in honor of my mom, not only to remember her death but, she also collected angels too. She had over 200 of them! So after wanting the same tattoo for many years, I thought no better time to get it than now. Yesterday was the day, I have these little angel wings and halo in the inside of my left ankle. They are outlined in black, have pale blue and while on the wings and a gold halo. I love them, and I love and miss you Mom!!!!!

Snowy Days

Last week we had some serious snow around here! It was the most I've seen in a really long time, and it stuck around longer than usual too. That was good for me because I was on my long stretch at work and didn't get to play in it with the kids until Wednesday. No worries there was still plenty of snow and me and the kids had a great time.

This was from the first snowy day. Casey took the kids out to play and they had a blast. I love this picture for a few reasons. One, he's just so dang cute. Two, his red, runny nose indicative of cold weather. And, three his ears popping out from under his beanie :)

I love this one too, she looks like a little Eskimo snow princess, and her smile says "I'm happy!"

These next few are from the day I got to go out and play with them. They took turns climbing off this rock and jumping/sliding into the powdery snow below. Who new a rock could be so much fun!

You can really see how much snow we got in this picture....a lot!

More happy faces, the snow made my kids (and me & daddy) happy!

I just really thought this was a cool picture Casey got one of the days. I love how all you can really see is snow and how it is sparkling in the light, so pretty!