Sam's 1st Birthday - Party #1

Sam celebrated his 1st birthday with Pam's side of the family today! He had a great time and was in a pretty good mood the whole time too! (Got the nap and lunch in at the right time!) He actually tried to open his presents, of course he got some help though. He even helped Uncle Jeff put together his new ride on and pull toy from Aunt Becky! Uncle Dan gave him his first taste of a bratwurst and potato chips - he must of liked them because he kept coming back for more! Grandma made him a beautiful blanket with pictures of his family on it. He got some more toys and clothes and gift cards and money to put away for college. He even got his first credit card! He loved his own cake! He wasn't sure what to do at first (I normally don't let him make that big of a mess!). I think that he liked the frosting the most, he ate almost all of that! Later he was eating dinner and Grandma had a piece of cake and he wanted her's too! I thought that the sugar in the cake would keep him up, but he was out like a light at bedtime. I think that he had a great party! Thank you everyone for coming!!! Here is the link to the pictures - warning - there are a lot, I put everyone's on there!

Gatlinburg, TN - 2006

Every year Andy's family has a reunion in Gatlinburg, TN. We love it here - heck we even got married here! We had a rough start to the trip, the ride there Sam lost his whole dinner (while we were driving) and then we got stuck in over a two hour traffic back-up; but we made it! When I looked up the weather before we left it said it would be cold and rainy, but we had just the opposite - sunny and perfectly warm. Jacob had a great time, him and Kelsey dragged papa around from the arcade to the stores and back to the arcade. Sam adjusted somewhat, he really enjoyed all the stroller rides outside and people watching. We did a lot of walking since Sam would take his naps in the stroller, I found parts of Gatlinburg I never knew existed (hey you do anything to keep a crabby toddler asleep - so I just kept on walking!) Andy and I enjoyed spending time with each other and family that we don't get to see very often. We visited the aquarium (something we have been to several times), Jacob loved it as always and Sam just starred at all the fish. We had our annual dinner Saturday night, got the boys their yearly Gatlinburg air brushed t-shirts, Andy and Jacob rode the sky-lift into the mountains and we strolled through all the shops. We didn't get a chance to go up into the mountains like we like to do every year, but maybe next year we will make up for that - Andy wants to try and do a day hike! The car ride home was much better than the way there. Andy, Jacob and our niece Kelsey watched movies and then the kids fell asleep until we got home. There are pics online, most are of the aquarium though! Gatlinburg Website

Picture Day!

Picture is a big deal at the Moran house, well at least for me it is! The boys probably hate it! I pick out outfits weeks (sometimes months) in advance – matching of course and shop studios for the perfect background. That morning the boys are not allowed to wear their “outfits” until five minutes until we walk out the door, for fear a stain will magically appear somehow. And, we also have to make Sam gets a decent nap in before pictures too so he is in a good mood. And after all that planning of course the actual taking of the pictures only take 20-30 minutes! This year I went to My Photographer and I think the pictures turned out awesome. You can check them out yourself online. The password is 1050. Grandparents, aunts and uncles I have your standard pictures ordered and will get them to you soon!

Clip, Clip...

Today Sam got his first hair cut! And he did great! His hair really wasn't long, it was just so uneven everywhere. And last time I tried to cut it I was chasing him all over the house, an hour later, I got a couple snips in! So this time I thought I would leave it to a professional. I put him in the chair, the lady put the "curtain" (I forget what they call those thing) over him. And he just sat there! I think it happened so fast for him he didn't have time to think about what was going on. He didn't like the blowdryer though. You can check out all the pictures here.

Vroom Vroom...

Grandma and Grandpa got Sam this new ride-on four wheeler for Easter. Sam loves it, especially all the different noise it makes! He hasn’t figures out how to get it on it yet, so I have to help him out.
But I am sure in no time he will be zipping around the house in it!

Thank you Great-Grandma & Grandpa – Love Sam!

You can see all the pictures here.

Easter Sunday

What a busy day. I was up at 6:30 to get a head start on the day. Jacob and Sam were up at about 7:30. They found their eggs that the Easter Bunny left them with clues on them on the where abouts of their Easter baskets. We woke up daddy and Jacob started the search. He found Sam's first - it was pretty easy to find - in dad and mom's bathroom under the sink. Sam found the plastic eggs filled with Cheerios (figured it was better then trying to stop him from putting chocolate in his mouth). He opened the eggs and of course Cheerios spilled out all over, but the dog was right there to eat them up. Jacob's was a little harder to find - hey I had to make it harder, he found out about the Easter Bunny, so I figured I would really make him work for it now! But he found his, outside on the back deck (his clue was "it's someplace where there is a light bulb"). Jacob and Sam went through their baskets and within fifteen minutes that was over. Sam was hungry for breakfast and Jacob wanted to play video games. We actually were all ready to leave for church on time and got there 10 minutes early(just as I had planned so we would get a seat). Sam and church do not go together lately and so Andy and I took turns walking around with him. Andy tried to put him in the nursery and it worked... for about 10 minutes until another kid stepped on him (how dare they!). So after church it was back home for a quick lunch for Sam then him and I went off to my grandparents. Spent some time there, Sam got a ride-on four wheeler from his great grandparents and a new toy and book for his grandparents. After dinner there we were on our way to meet up with Andy and Jacob at my brother and sister in laws. By 6:00 Jacob had spent probably five hours playing video games and Sam was a complete wreck. All in all is was a great day, although I don't think Sam had any idea it was his first Easter. You can see more pictures here.

A new flower is born… Lily

Our new niece (cousin for the boys) arrived today! Lily Barbara came early (due date was March 15) after Kim’s doctor decided to induce her Friday afternoon. Lily was born in the morning at 10:44 am. Weighing 6 pounds, 4 ounces and 19 inches long. Welcome to the family Lily! You can see more pictures here.

Up From the Water…

This morning Sam was baptized and brought into the Lord’s family. Aunt Becky (Pam’s sister) is his Godmother and Uncle Matt (Andy’s brother) is his Godfather. Sam did a great job and didn’t even cry! Just looked up at Father Joe, like what is he doing with me? Surprisingly he was in a good mood the whole service – I wasn’t sure how that was going to go since it was right in the middle of his normal lunch time! More pictures (compliments of Dad Geisler) are available here.

Jacob’s 9th Birthday

Wow, I can’t believe Jacob is nine already – last year of a single digit (big thing to turn double digits when you are a kid)! We had Dad and Mom Moran over for dinner and some cake. Jacob got a Playstation Two – something he has been wanting for awhile. You can see all the pictures here.

Christmas 2005

Christmas was pretty much like any other year. Wait, no it wasn't, we have Sam now! Christmas Eve Sam and Pam went to Becky and Jeanette's for dinner and gift giving. Sam really liked the pretty bows the most. He tried to open a few things, but liked them once they were out of the paper. Pam and her family went to the midnight church service like every year. Christmas morning was quiet since Sam is not at the age yet to have any idea of who Santa Claus is. We went to pick up Jacob and then off the Dad and Mom Moran's for dinner and more (lots more - with two kids now) gift giving. Early in the evening we went back home to celebrate with just us four and open the gifts Santa left. Matt and Kim came over later and extended the Christmas day with us. You can see all the Christmas pics here.