Happily Ever After

    One thing kind of neat about the family I married into is that pretty much everyone lives around the St. Louis area. They're involved in each others lives, attend each others events/get together's, and are always up for BBQing or having a party at the local clubhouse. Even though I still don't know many of them very well, I feel like they accept me for who I am and I don't have to try and be someone I'm not around them.
    I often wonder what causes some families to stick together while others hardly visit one another and aren't involved in each others lives. My [immediate] family is the exact opposite of my husbands. I hardly remember seeing my relatives unless it was over a holiday, wedding, or funeral. When I would see them sometimes I felt like I was hugging people I barely knew. I know we're related and all, but when you hardly see each other or know anything about their lives it feels awkward. Like we're not even related. I wish I knew so many of my Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins better. They're people, related to me. Who are they? What are they like? What do they enjoy doing? What are their hobbies? Do they like to dance? Sing?
    I got to see all of my relatives on my Dad's side this past weekend for my cousin Brenda's wedding.  And all of these questions were running through my mind. I wish we had more than one short evening with them. To visit and really find out who they are. Oh, how I wish it could've been a weekend ordeal.
    I also wonder what they think of me. Do they think I'm weird because we never lived around the rest of the relatives? Do they understand why? I have no idea. I don't even understand why myself. So am I judged for decisions that weren't even mine to make? I certainly don't judge them. I eagerly soak up every opportunity and conversation I can to learn more about my relatives. Because I know they're people with a story and interests, just like me.
    Here are some photos from this past weekend. My cousin Brenda married the best person in the world for her, Michael. My first time meeting Michael was just before the wedding; I was chasing Jacob down a hallway of the church. You know what he said to me when I approached him with congratulations? He said, "You must be Katie! And he's Jacob!" He told me how Brenda showed him pictures of relatives and he remembered who we were. What a warm welcoming!

Brenda & Michael Obilade!

August 13, 2011

Grandma Kit-Kat (Cichon)

This is my youngest sister, Julie.

The one with the long hair is my cousin Shawn. We haven't had a chance to get to know each other very well, but he seems like a great guy :)

My Dad with his arm around his brother, Uncle Mike a.k.a. Father of the Bride!

Our sweet Jacob, ready to eat! So proud of him, he's learning how to use a fork already!

Brenda & Michael's gift to everyone was so sweet...

a soundtrack with songs that were played during their wedding 

ceremony & reception.

Sister shot

Me (25), Sharon (22), Julie (17), & Lisa (27)

This is my cousin Doug and his girlfriend Sara.

a.k.a. Brother of the Bride! 

I don't want to point out favorites or anything, but Jacob LOVES hanging out with his Aunt Lisa :)

Cutting of the cake! They are so sweet together. I just loved watching them throughout the evening.

Mom, Sharon, Julie, Lisa, Jacob, Me

Me & my wonderful Grandmother

My cousin Joey & Grandma Cichon

Sister Julie caught the boquet! Hmmm....

This beautiful couple just had their 28th wedding anniversary this summer!

Meet my parents.

Me & my handsome Husband. We just celebrated our 2nd anniversary with a little get-a-way to St. Louis; exploring places we hadn't been to together before. 

My Dad & another Brother, Uncle Bill

My Cousin Mary & Jacob. It was SO nice to see her! I couldn't remember the last time we had seen each other. Wish we could've talked more :)

Brenda & Michael, center stage, doing a dance off!

Cousin Doug & Cousin Emily's boyfriend, Jeff, having a good time.

Cousin Emily & boyfriend Jeff

They know how to have a fun time!

Aunt Lisa dancing with Jacob.

Dad & his Mama :)

Dad, Grandma, & Uncle Bill

Family Picture!

Joey, Mary, Aunt Kathy, & Emily

Family Picture!

Uncle Dan, Aunt Lottie, Frank, Crystal, Mark

My cousin Mark married this beautiful woman, Heidi, just a few weeks ago!

Heidi is so sweet; loved talking with her! I hope they have many happy years to come.

Bothers

Uncle Bill & Uncle Mike

Extended Family Photo

My Aunt Pam (mother of the bride) is on the far left.

This is a photo of her side of the family. 

Brenda & Michael with Brenda's Grandma, my Aunt Pam's mother.

Me & James :)

This is the dress I made!

So glad I got a picture with my Baby! I'm always snapping ones of him, we hardly end up in one together!

Brenda & her Daddy. Uncle Mike must be so proud of her.

Uncle Mike & the beautiful newlyweds.

Is it time already?

    Can't believe Jacob's old enough to really start "teaching" him things. I realize he's been learning & taking things in since the day he was born. But I'm talking about things like shapes, colors, numbers, (like 24) and Jack Bauer.
   Ah, the time does fly.

    In an attempt to start teaching Jacob such things, I embarked on a very FUN project. With many thanks for the idea of the project to my dear friend, Cathy, I must say I think the numbered bean bags turned out quite well :)

Now I just have to wait for Jacob to wake up tomorrow to play with them :)

Citygarden

Citygarden in is in downtown St. Louis. It is filled with beautiful plants, sculptures, and LOTS of water :) This was our first time taking Jacob. He LOVED it :)

Jacob's reaction when he saw all the water we were walking towards.

He just realized when the water hides in the hole it'll pop out when he least expects it to :)

It totally looks like he's jumping! (I won't tell you that he doesn't know how to jump yet :) )

Jacob caught eyes with the cutest 2yr old girl... As this picture was taken, she walked over and gave Jacob a hug! When she walked away, Jacob turned to me & looked confused. 

"Mommy, why did a stranger just walk up and hug me?"

Watchin' the big kids play!

LOVE this one.

Looks like Daddy & Jacob are having a heart to heart conversation :)

a day at the park

I love living in a place where everywhere you turn there's a park or a bike trail! 

Jacob & I went to the John Drost Park with a friend & here are some photos from that day :)

Jacob is 1!

    And before we knew it our little Jacob started to not seem so little any more... The day he turned 11 months (which was also Mother's Day), he started to walk! It was so weird at first, seeing our own little person, walking. One month later, he's practically running everywhere!

    Despite Jacob's inability to communicate verbally yet (at least with words we understand), we are surprised at how many words, and phrases he already does know! If we say, "Where's your milk?" He'll go find his silly cup; the same goes for his pacifier or one of his favorite books. When I say that we're going outside, and start putting on my shoes, he will walk over towards the door to get his shoes! He points to things he wants, or in the direction he wants us to go if we're holding him.

    I really had no idea what it would be like having a 1 year old. There are tough times, like when he's teething, or won't sit down in the bathtub, but overall, I would say it gets more fun by the day :)

   By the way, Jacob has the coolest birthday: 6-8-10!

    Here are some photos from on and around his birthday!

 We live near a small animal zoo/farm!

This was Jacob's first time going. He was super excited

because he could get so much closer to the animals than at the zoo :)

Jacob likes to "push" the stroller. He likes to do the same thing with shopping carts, too.

Except, it doesn't quite work the same way because he likes to hold the bar, so I end up holding

him up around his waist & he smiles at everyone, thinking he's pushing the cart :)

We brought our tripod to the park the day of the animal farm. Because of the sun, this was the best family picture :)

(I didn't delete the rest....)

Jacob talking to the goat! Probably telling him to come closer!

Jacob's 1st birthday party!

After experiencing one, I really think they're overrated. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled our son has lived a full happy, healthy year thus far. However, the 1st birthday party was a little stressful. Maybe it was all the people & noise? Or the fact that Jacob didn't even want to touch his cake? 

...we may be out of town around that time next year.. :)

Jacob & his friend Elijah figuring out how his new golf set works!

Gift from: Grandpa Lord

(I made that dress the day before:) )

My most recent sewing project! But it only took 2 1/2 hours, so I don't know if it qualifies as a "project". Maybe an impulse project; that's really what it was!

I already had the rainbow fabric (previously purchased for $2.75/yd) & I bought the light purple earlier that night for $2.50/yd. I only used 1/2yd of the purple, so that's my new favorite $4 dress! I love when I find a deal like this :)

He figured out one use for the golf set :)

Playing with his friend Abby

Grandpa & Grandma Cichon gave Jacob a HUGE bass! Here Jacob is kissing it :) He'll often drag it around & use it as a pillow :)

Trying out the new cup Grandpa & Grandma Cichon brought Jacob from Florida!

Realizing nothing is in it yet!

Aunt Lisa & Jacob :)

The cake I made for Jacob's party! Oddly enough, it's on an appetizer plate that was used at my baby shower for him :)

Our 2nd Anniversary!

    May 30, 2009. I can't believe it's been 2 years! Where has the time gone? In many ways, the past two years has gone by super fast. But when we stop to think about it, a lot has really happened!


• After only 3 months of marriage, we found out   we were expecting!
• Our child was due on our 1st anniversary!
• James got a new job & we moved twice.
• I started watching a little girl about Jacob's age.


    I'll save other details for when I write Jacob's 1st birthday blog :) so for now, here are some photos from our anniversary trip! My sister Lisa watched Jacob for 4 days & James and I had a mini-vacation! Jacob absolutely loves Lisa. Just the sound of her voice makes him giggle :)

    We stayed at a Hilton in St. Louis. Our itinerary was just to relax, have fun, and go places or do fun things we hadn't done together before :)

And that we did!

 One of our first stops:

Laumeier Sculpture Park

 Ever since I heard of this place I wanted to go!

All of the sculptures were scattered around a large park with 

walking paths throughout it. 

 This was one of my favorites! I don't remember what its

name is, but I liked walking around it and the feeling I got when 

I walked underneath the big cylinders of metal!

 One day we got a tour of the Anheuser-Busch brewery. It was a lot

bigger inside than I had expected! 

 Everything about the landscaping was absolutely beautiful!

There were fountains, flowers, plants everywhere.

 Our tour guide explained the process of making beer; 

which takes a LOT longer

than it does for people to drink it! 

We saw the bottling & canning sites also.

At the end each person could sample 3 flavors of beer

of their choice. 

After sampling many, James & I decided we don't really

care for the taste of beer.

However, the tour was great!

Batman!

Here we are at:
Hurricane Harbor Water Park

 Another stop was Six Flags, St. Louis!

James & I had never been there together and were ready to have fun!

I talked James into going on the Batman roller-coaster as soon as we got there!

Once we had our share of rides, we visited Hurricane Harbor Water Park & got even more sunburnt...

(I still don't know why neither one of us thought to bring along sunscreen)

All said and done, we had a fun, relaxing, adventurous little vacation :-)