Lemonade Day

This past weekend we embarked upon our 2nd Annual Alex's Lemonade Stand, an organization that raises money for Childhood Cancer Research and families.  Shayden spurred this on last year and everyone was eager to continue the tradition this year.

We had a beautiful day and so many wonderful friends, family and neighbors drop by to join in the lemonade drinking and the donating.  We even had multiple friends from afar jump online and give to our virtual stand.  It was a wonderful day and the boys were super pumped to count all the donations at the end and take their jar to the bank (Even the bank teller got excited and donated right on the spot).

All in all it was a huge success with just over $450 raised.  Well done Team Testa!

Note to Sutton:  Sorry we missed you in the picture, you really needed a nap.  We love you and you did work hard scooping that ice.  xoxox

Play Time

It is so much fun watching all three kids start to interact together...granted Sutton is just watching and being entertained, but Shayden and Quinton are happy to be on her main stage.

 

 



Full of Joy

I am full of Joy...

 

for so many reasons but lately just in the peace and contentment God has given me.  I don't know if the birth of Sutton has caused me to turn a corner I didn't see, but she has in fact changed us and caused me to reflect in all these moments at home and taking a step back to care for now 3 little ones.

 

I feel so much joy.  God is good each and every day and if I just stop to take Him in I so quickly realize all He does for me and my little family.

 

We are loved by a large and wonderful extended family and friends.

We have been blessed with a home to live in, food on our table and little ones to fill our days. 

We are in a country where, although frustrating at times, we are allowed and encouraged to love our Lord each and every day in the way we so choose.

We look forward to our future, not dreading the next day or wondering how we can provide for our babies. 

 

In so many words...I have it good, very good.

 

 

 

93 and Fabulous

On Tuesday we celebrated Grandma Lilian's 93rd Birthday!!!  And it was a celebration to remember.  We surprised her at her dance class....yes, that's right, her dance class - which she drove herself to by the way.  And boy was she shocked and excited.  Mom and Dad Testa had a beautiful cake and cards ready for her and her friends and everyone gathered around to sing and celebrate.  

She then topped off the celebration by dancing for an hour and half...the boys and GranDanna joined her for some sweet moves and I think she really enjoyed getting to show off her Great Grand Babies to her friends.

A few pictures to highlight the occasion.

We love you G.G.

The Beautiful Cake

Total Shock when she saw the family at class.

Singing and Blowing out the candles.

Baby Makes Three

We are super pumped and excited to announce the arrival of Baby Testa #3 in October.

While it has taken me some time to post, it is not due to lack of enthusiasm, just busy with two toddlers and life.  We are 22 weeks along and our due date is currently Oct. 17th.  As of right now Baby weighs 1 pound....incredible!  

Shayden took the first baby bump picture...well done buddy!

(14 weeks)

(21 weeks)

As a mom I think I will always cherish the moment we told Shayden and Quinton about the baby.  For some back history, Shayden has been praying for a baby for months...serious praying people.  We are talking at least once a day and many times with passion and conviction.  He has a whole-hearted love for babies and desperately wanted one to make a debut in our family SOON.  I am so thankful and grateful for his precious heart and for the technology that captured that moment in time. (will get from Chris' computer later to share with you).

We had our big ultrasound Tuesday and I held my ground on not finding out the sex, even though Shayden and Daddy were begging from the sidelines.  I have really wanted this pregnancy to contain elements that the others didn't - and that major factor being the surprise in the delivery room when they announce if you have a boy or girl. 

We are moving from a family of 4 to 5 and very excited about all God has blessed us with thus far!  We can't wait to meet you Baby!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Columbus Clippers Ring Your Bell - it was Max's 4th Birthday...and he took us to the ball park - THANK YOU MAX!  ...oh, and Happy Birthday little buddy.

We had a BLAST this past Monday night celebrating with our nephew Max as he turned 4 at the  Huntington Ballpark.  Sam and Jen invited all the siblings and kiddos to overtake the lawn section at the park and enjoy an evening under the night sky.  It was a night to remember.  The kids had so much fun running around, Eli and John caught a ball, it was Dime-A-Dog night and the weather was picture perfect, 80's with a slight breeze and not a cloud in the sky.

And to top it all off, it was both Shayden and Quinton's 1st ball game!

It could go down as one of my favorite memories from this year....so far :)

A few pics to mark the occasion.

(left to right) Gabe, Shayden, Eli and Max

Action Shot - Shayden practicing to catch a ball.  (nice camera work Uncle Luke)

A huge thank you to Rachel who allowed me to borrow her camera.  A rare moment of forgetting mine.  You were a lifesaver!

Charlotte Jane

I am one proud Aunt tonight as I introduce my newest niece, Miss Charlotte Jane.

My brother Sam and SIL Jen welcomed little Charley into their family just 1 week ago and we are smitten.  

Welcome Home Charley!

Zoo day with Daddy

I love Zoo days and I love them even more when Daddy is there to lend a helping hand!  We had a great day last week when Chris was able to slip in some time between appointments to join us at the zoo with our play group.  It was a beautiful fall day and we soaked up the sun, cool breezes and animal encounters.

 

A Downtown Weekend

Well we checked out downtown Columbus this weekend with the boys and I have to say I am impressed.  I feel as though coming back to this city as an adult after living somewhere else has made it more difficult to fall in love but more and more I love what our city is doing.  We hit two places this weekend that are brand new, Columbus Commons and The Scioto Mile and both are great, especially for the kiddos.

Enjoy the pics!

Columbus Commons:

Fridays are all about the kids with free carousel rides, bounce houses, music and bubbles.

Scioto Mile/Bicentennial Park:

Oh yeah..."Look everyone I'm walking".

Miss June

Meet our newest niece, June Olivia.  

It took us a few weeks to meet her as we had some colds to get rid of but she is the cutest and sweetest addition to my brother Luke's family.  Our first few moments with June...

March 2011

This month has not been a grand one so far in the Testa household.  While I wish we were celebrating St. Patty's day in style and romping about in the early spring weather, we have been battling ear infections, pneumonia, stomach bugs, viruses, and the average cold.  Ugh!  I have to say this might go on record as being our worst winter ever due to sickness.  

Quinton has taken the brunt of the hit, most items listed above he has had and we are still battling an infection in his ears that has required 3 different antibiotics (please Lord let it end with this one).

I on the other hand am SO ready to have healthy children and I need a serious house cleansing as I feel that until all has been sanitized and washed with hot water we are still susceptible to enemy germs.  I know I am not alone, the word on the street is that this winter has been tough on lots of folks and the waiting room in my ped's office is a testament to that fact.

I don't want to make it all sound gloomy, on the bright side we are a happy and loved family.  Quinton is pulling up on things now and desperately wants all items out of reach.  He is BUSY the entire time he is awake and has discovered his tongue can make amazing sounds when applied between his lips.  He is still constant smiles even when sick and loves to make Shayden laugh and to laugh with him.  Shayden is always the inquisitive one.  He wants to know about everything and will stick on a subject until he feels he has exhausted all information from me he can.  His knowledge of machines and construction is amazing and he now corrects my limited truck terminology.  We have hit a period of defiance and Shayden wanting to do many things his way.  While he still accepts reality and our instruction well, we have definitely seen our first tantrum this month and now understand exactly how that feels when done in public.  Wow!  I think that about sums up that experience in one word.

So maybe I needed to write this post to see that all in all this month hasn't been so bad after all...and hey, we still have two weeks to go.  So here's to the rest of March being a dream and Chris having a wonderful birthday this weekend.

Cheers!

Daddy's are cool

Because they...

always let you cook with them.

let you come to work and hang out for as long as you like.

make you and your buddy super cool desserts.

think setting up the tent in the family room is as cool as you do.

Chris - you are a super cool dad and we LOVE you!

T.M.A.L.

If you don't have an Aunt Linda then you may not really be able to fully appreciate this post.  But Shayden and Quinton do have an Aunt Linda and she is the Queen of making all little kids dreams come true which is why this post is entitled T.M.A.L = That's My Aunt Linda...this Christmas she surprised Shayden and Quinton with an incredibly awesome Power Wheels.  That's right and its the Smart Car Power Wheels so of course they are also going to learn how to be eco friendly from the start!  :)

Here is Shayden rocking the car on the first decent day we had after Christmas. 

Thanks Aunt Linda - you rock our little guys world and we love it!

Country Time

"Uncle Tom has a farm...eeeiii eeeiii oooo" - was the song of the week last week as we headed out to my brothers farm to spend some time with he and his wife Beth.  It was a perfect fall day and the weather was nice and crisp which made the roaring fire Tom had going picture perfect and also required wood to be fetched...and who do you think was up for a ride in the truck and the manly job of getting wood...that's right, you guessed it, Shayden. 

If you haven't met my brother Tom then I should fill you in on how he mesmerizes children and even more so little boys that love trucks/machines/and all things boy.  So when the offer came to go out in the truck with Tom to get wood Shayden was more than happy to help and was overjoyed when he was allowed to get behind the wheel and drive (his hands only on the wheel) all through the fields, barely dogging the rows of corn.  

Quinton held down the fort inside with Aunt Beth and Chris who slaved over some awesome homemade pizza (a personal quest that Chris is on right now for the perfect homemade pizza for under $10).

We finished the night off with the boys in bed and a four wheel ride through the fields to check out the stars and a fire side chat.  Thanks so much Tom and Beth, we had a great time and can't wait to get back out there for another visit.

Shayden chucking wood off the back of the truck

Quinton holding down the fort (or at least the floor)

Our delicious pizza...well done babe!

Fall Fun on the Farm 2010

Each year my fabulous Uncle Jim and Aunt Rose host "Fall Fun on the Farm" at their property out in Amish country.  I look forward to it every year!  This year Shayden was enamored with the tractor and it took much bribing with food and treats to get him to even leave it for dinner time.  While much of the family couldn't attend this year John, Rachel, Eli, Norah, Papa and my gang had a blast taking in the scenery, hayride, homemade donuts over the fire and getting to catch up with our relatives.  

Mom's Rule

This past weekend was "guys weekend" for Chris and all my brothers.  Each year the guys hit the golf course and have man time for a weekend...totally needed and deserved for all of them.  But those that remain home - well I believe we deserve medals for these weekends.  Which is why I put on my super woman costume and then shacked up with my SIL Rachel to tackle the weekend with another adult.  (My mom didn't raise a fool)
We had such a good time and the weekend flew by.  Eli and Norah were troopers sharing all their toys, crib, etc. and Rachel was a super host.  Activities included, many meals out on the deck, Apple picking, Party with the cousins and sisters, church and a family meal at Grandma and Papa's house.  All in all a wonderful weekend with great memories.


Saturday morning pajama party

The apple orchard

Hay ride and apple picking

Promises and Corn

I am going to attempt to update the blog more frequently now that Quinton is a bit older and I have so much more time on my hands.....HA HA HA!!!  (as I roll my eyes)  In my sarcasm I am kind of serious, Quinton is doing such a good job at being a baby...I am sure you ask yourself 'how hard can that be right?'....well talk to my first son Shayden and see what he says.  As I type, I have 2, yes 2, boys in bed and happy to be there (at least I like to think so).  Quinton has been going to bed so well and now that he is officially out of the bassinet in our room and in his crib flying solo I am getting much more rest. (WOOT WOOT)

On to more important things...we had our first official "Corn Day" at the farm this past week and it was a blast.  My SIL Beth organized an awesome day full of fun and lots of corn.  We ordered 300 ears of corn, that were picked fresh that morning, which we then shucked, cooked, de-cobbed (not sure of technical term here), cooled and then bagged for the winter.  Which means come January when you are itching for some fresh Ohio sweet corn you will have to come calling to one of our homes begging for the bag of gold in our freezers!  Enjoy a few pics - ps. Thanks Beth for such a fun day!

(no babies were harmed in this process...that steam is much further away from his face than it looks, promise)

Wedding Weekend

This past weekend was my oldest brother's wedding and it was amazing! They, Tom and Beth, planned a phenomenal event on their farm that was like a page out of a bridal magazine. While I don't have many shots to share, too busy running around, here are a few shots I managed to capture....enjoy!

Meet Norah

My beautiful niece arrived today early in the morning and it was so exciting to get to greet her. She kept her mommy and daddy guessing as she arrived a full week late!

I can't wait to hang out with you Norah and watch you grow.