Happy Spring

Hello. Feeling guilty here for not blogging for so long. So here are some long awaited pics of our ever changing little dude. We had a great trip to Turkey Run today trailing and eating lunch at the Inn. The only mishap of the day was when Deck got pinched by a crawdad in the creek (well when it pitched him it was actually out of the creek and I was holding it-saying here pet the nice little crawdad!). Bad mom. Kind of like the time he picked up a fuzzy bubble bee and it stung him-probably on the same pointer finger! Things are gearing up for the outdoor DTH farmers' market. If you can believe it there is actually training for Market Masters put on by Purdue Extension-so I will be attending a couple of those in April. MOPs will be winding down-our group is dwindling in size and may not be in existence next year which makes me sad because I know there are many moms out there that we aren't reaching who are pulling their hair out in need of support. But I've met some wonderful woman through MOPs and I've enjoyed using my hospitality gifts to serve this group. Decker and I have been going to a new playgroup once a week where there are some other little guys his age which has been really nice outlet for us (him to play and/or swat (nice way of saying hit) other 2 year olds and me to compare notes with other moms. We are excited to report that we are finally starting to build some great relationships/friendships here in Terre Haute!

Merry Month After Christmas

If you are anything like me sometimes the month after Christmas can be a let down-a slow slogging through the long, cold, gray winter. Well, you need to google the song “Merry Day After Christmas” by Matthew West-I think it’s on his Christmas album. Anyway-it’s got a great reminder for us for the rest of the year. I tried to find the lyrics but I’m not that savvy of a web user I guess. We had lots of fun in November and December. Decker experiencing many new things. Brady and Decker went to their first basketball game alone without mom (mom was working)-go trees. Decker got to go bowling and to the local bounce’n barn for the first time with his cousins. We attempted a gingerbread house and some baking (now Decker likes to add sprinkles to anything-oatmeal, yogurt, and banana bread to name a few)! Decker had his first taste of Red Velvet cake (a Laswell/Hansel tradition) and he loved it. On New Year’s Eve Decker got to stay up late and partake in another Hansel tradition-sparkling cider-he also loved it-bubbles and all!! Enough about the little guy what about us-well, not much new with Brady and I. Brady ran a trail race yesterday (in the ice) and beat his brother in law Kyle and soon to be other brother in law Brad! We are taking Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University Class each Sunday from now to what seems like forever-ha! Brady and I have very different study and reading habits, and thoughts on spending and saving-this ought to be fun guys! Brady is classified as the “nerd” and I’m the “free spirit”….I’ll let you know how it turns out in the spring.

Pumpkins for My Peanut

We've never been big on Halloween festivities but Decker enjoyed some of the delights that go along with...like carving pumpkins (and a squash), eating marshmallows (his favorite candy in addition to m&ms), going on his first hayride, passing out candy to the neighborhood kids, and dressing up as a horsey for music class. This past week Decker learned to jump-once he discovered it he jumped all over the house. Each day he says new words. Two of my favorites are "Candy GG" (to GG Hansel) (he calls his grandmas GG) and "Gracious" (from GG Decker)!! It's pretty funny. He still says "no" to most everything and is also starting to use "me" a lot. I bought a book called "The Happiest Toddler on the Block"-how to eliminate tantrums and raise a patient, respectful and cooperative one to four year old-is this possible-ha!

Birthday Blog

I've been slacking on the blog-again-sorry. Lots to catch up on. The biggest thing-Decker turned 2! The picture of him on the water slide is at his joint birthday party with his cousins. As you can see he loves the water. We are thinking of maybe taking some swimming lessons this winter. I've been busy lately with 3 unexpected projects from A&W, farmers' market and the start of MOPS. I'm ready for the market to wind down so we can relax a little more on the weekend and have more family time. I have a small patch of spinach and lettuce that I covered tonight in case of frost. Also-we planted a couple of pear trees-one of Decks favorite fruits. Someone at the market today gave me a bunch-I may try poached pears? Tonight Decker had his first roasted marshmallow-how fun! It was all over both of us-ha!

Hot Summer Eats

What does a donut wedding cake, ribs from the Brickyard BBQ Fest, local sweet corn and a lemon shake-up from the fair have in common? They're all very very tasty! Hope you are having a great summer!

Geeze I Haven't Blogged In A While!

Sorry everyone...I feel like I haven't updated the blog in forever and that there is so much going on to report in our ordinary lives! Since Disney I have been very busy getting the farmers' market off to a good start. Which so far I haven't received too many complaints-lucky for me the market is not based on my media appearances-ha but the great goods produced and grown by local farmers and artisans! We have about 34 vendors now. My next recruit is a local winery. Please vote for our market in America's Favorite Farmers Market Contest-see link. What next...We got to catch up with friends from Indy at a wedding-reception at the Skyline Club-very chic! We visited Todd at his new crib in Indy. I was away from my baby for two weekends back to back. My college girlfriends and I went to New Harmony for a relaxing time of eating, talking, biking and laughing! Then is was off to the South Bend area for a dear high school buddy's wedding in which I met a professional blogger-"The Queen of Free". Decker is changing and continues to be lots of fun-running, climbing and getting into mischief! He got his first pair of Nike running shoes-watch out!

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The Wait is Over

...for Disney pics! We had a great trip-Decker did wonderful. He loved the all the characters and the public transportation (planes, buses)-ha! Thanks to Grammy Hansel for allowing us this special time with family and fuzzy friends.