The calling....

of the CLAW!!!

Okay, you can totally Laugh Out Loud right now because I definitely am.

It's funny how this little machine filled with the junkiest stuffed animals and toys EVER can provide so much laughter in this house.

Going waaaaay back, I mean BACK....to our college days at good old SIU-C and walks through the "mall" (back before noteworthy stores first made their appearance), Jason used to say that I couldn't pass up a turn on one of those gumball type quarter machines that sit in the middle of the walkways. Every time we'd pass them Jason would quietly chant, "Feed Me.....Feeeed Meee...." knowing that the machine would definitely get fed with any loose change I had. We'd stop, I'd drop in a quarter or two, pop the gumball in my mouth, and we'd laugh pretty much the remainder of our "mall" stroll....it really got to be quite comical...

Well, 15 years later, we still get to laughing at those silly machines and, especially now that we have kids, Jason has been one to succumb to the calling of each and every CLAW machine we walk by. It's funny because all my life I've thought that those machines were rigged to NEVER let anyone win (at least that's what I always told myself as I walked away empty handed), but since meeting Jason and watching him work his magic with those machines, my mind has completely done a 180. I can count on ONE hand the number of times Jason HASN'T won something....he ALWAYS seems to win and the kids ALWAYS get the biggest kick out of it. (Secretly, you must know that Jason and I do too!!!)

The "prizes" usually end up falling apart before the kids get a chance to play with them and I'm usually sewing animal parts back on within the first 2 hours of ownership. Items that have survived always seem to make great "give-a-ways" on our garage sale days and/or find new homes after being donated. It's not too much of a stretch to say that they really aren't worth the dollar or two that ends up in the machine, BUT the laughs, smiles, giggles, and fun we get in return are definitely PRICELESS......

Today, on our first day of Spring Break, we dodged the rain and headed to a pizza/game joint ready to use up Groupon vouchers the kids had gotten back on Valentine's Day.

Needless to say....many laughs and fun times were had around this machine, which is obviously the LARGEST claw machine and Jason's little own slice of heaven.....

And, in case you are wondering, YES, he beat this one as well. I'm not joking about him somehow being able to defy the Claw Machine odds....if only he had done this well on our Vegas trip a while back!!!

Trey also managed to hit the 1,000 ticket jackpot himself....(Which he excitedly traded in at the prize counter for two mini basketballs, two animal buddy punching bags, and four Fun Dips. Two or more of everything = plenty to share with his little sis!!)

Miss Ty had the most fun in the Go Karts and climbing up and down on the game stools. (Of course, Miss Tay "Ooooh-ed and Aaaahhhh-ed," spent the time watching the bright lights, and cruised around in the stroller...which she loves and just happens to suit her cute, little, ONE year-old self quite perfectly!!!)

What a fun, rainy, Spring Break day.....remembering old memories and making new!!!

I continue to be amazed....

by Miss Tylee and her puzzle working' skills lately.
From the time she was one year old, she was IN LOVE with puzzles. I can't count the number of times both Jason and I sat upstairs in her room with her in Ottumwa and did those big pieced Dora the Explorer and Disney Princess puzzles OVER and OVER again. I'm not exaggerating when I say it would be for at least 20 minutes every night and the second she put the last piece in, she'd completely dump it over and start again. It really was the funniest thing....

Well, flash forward about 2 years....The kids and I are at home on a Sunday morning and she mentions that she wants to do a puzzle. I tell her that I'm going to finish folding a load of laundry and then I'll sit down and do one with her. She then proceeds to tell me that she wants to do the puzzle by herself and doesn't need my help. I agree, but figure that I'll have to eventually help her, and grab the puzzle. I hand it to her and, as I head into the laundry room, she heads to the kitchen table.

Before I know it, she has the pieces all turned over, the box propped up in front of her, and is diligently working away. (I have to do at least 10 double-takes and remind myself that she is THREE!)

She was so proud of herself, but not more proud than I was of her... Looks like all those puzzle nights really paid off!!

Way to go, Ty! Here's to many more puzzles throughout the years......

BIRTHDAY GIRL!

It's official....my baby girl is ONE!!! I cannot BELIEVE that Miss Taylen has already been part of our family for 365 days. Time has absolutely FLOWN....it seems like just yesterday I was heading out for a 3 mile walk to bring on the labor and delivery of this little peanut.....amazing how going from contractions to first birthday celebrations can happen in the BLINK OF AN EYE!

We headed down to StL last weekend to see a ton of family. G-father was having his annual St. Patty's Day barbershop sing and Nana and Aaron were up for a visit as well. With everyone heading in the same direction, we decided to "double-dip" in on the mini family reunion and celebrate Tay's big day as well. We were able to cram in 12 hours of car riding, park playing, present opening, cake eating, barbershop listening, puppy petting, and story telling into 48 hours and LOVED every second....

Family is the BEST and there's nothing like a weekend full of love and laughter. It was so great to catch up with everyone and so fun watching my kiddos love on just about everyone...(Taylen did most of her "loving" from my hip...she was such a cute little cling-on!!!)

So, thanks to everyone who made the trip and THANKS, Mom and Dad, Steve, Donna, Grandma Jean, and Grandfather for hosting us, making the visit PERFECT, and creating such special memories for Little Miss Taylen Jae!!!

The Weites posing by Tay's birthday poster.....

Eyeing the perfect spot to start digging in....just a taste at a time....

Reaching for Daddy!!!

She definitely wanted NOTHING to do with her birthday hat....silly girl!

Checking out the peanut gallery :)

What in there?!?!?!

The kiddos hangin' on the swing....getting silly! Guess who?!?! 

Who doesn't love a head first slide?!?

Can I just enjoy the playground, Mom?!?!

Just slidin'....

Trey and Uncle Aaron....LOVE this!

Tay was just chillin' in the swing....checking out all the crazy, playground kiddos!!!

LOVIN' the St. Patty's Day get-up! Who's ready to P-A-R-T-Y?!?!

Ty and Great Grandma Jean...putting on her fun, light up bracelet!

Tay and Aunt Calie....

Grandfather and his crew....GREAT job, guys!!!

The whole clan! What a fun time!

Nana, Maw-Maw Cindy, and the gang!

Enjoying and little corn beef and cabbage....

"It's my party and I'll cry if I want to....."

Big Sis to the RESCUE! Tastes so yummy!!!

Not quite sure what to think....

Perfect....

I still can't believe she's ONE!

Pretty girl...

Pretty Girl x's TWO! (Ty doesn't care that it's supposed to be Tay's present, and Tay doesn't care if Ty has fun with it....hope they always share like this ;)

What a FANTASTIC visit and a PERFECT way to spend a random March weekend!!!

Summer in March.....

Has been an absolute TREAT for us up here in Iowa. We can't get enough of the AWESOME weather and the chance to get out and have fun doing all the little things. And, in the Weite House, SIDEWALK chalk ranks right up there on our favorites list.....

Earlier this evening, Ty, Taylen, and I hit the driveway for a little drawing, hopscotch, and scooter track drawing FUN!

Ty posing for me...

Coloring in another one. She wants me to make the hearts while she's in charge of designing them....

HOPscotch City!

Ty's creation...I still can't believe my 3 year old can color and decorate like this. I seriously think that's better than I can do ;)

Tylee Jean....I had a blast outside in the driveway with you today. I LOVED our cute little conversation and I'm proud of you and your awesome hopscotch moves!!! These little moments are MY FAVE and you definitely have my HEART! I hope we can sidewalk chalk it up FOREVER!!!