Happy Birthday to MEEEEEEEEE!

My parents threw me a little shindig at my dad's place on Saturday, in honor of my 30th Birthday. Some family and friends that live around the Neillsville area attended and then a group of us went out to the bars later in the evening. I think I partied like I was turning 21, however I felt okay the next day! We had a really nice time! My sister even made it back from Jersey again. Its always great having her home. Katie, move back here!!!!!


Katie and I
Back: Katie, cousin Angela, me; Front: my friends Kimmy and Lori
Lori's hubby Jason and Tim
My dad, Tom and Tim
Everyone keeps asking me "how it feels" to be 30. I have to be very honest and say that it doesn't feel one bit different than any other day of the year. I am very happy to be alive, and I am exactly where I thought I would be at this point in my life; married, beautiful child, and a beautiful home. My cousin Bethany didn't live to enjoy her 15th birthday and she loved life and lived it to its fullest. I am LUCKY to have made it to 30, and I only hope that I can hang out around here another 60 years or more...

More pictures from our visit

Trying to fit into Nash's bouncy seat!

Momma was sharing her slushie with me!
Jill and Gage, Sarah and Nash

Visiting the Fosketts

Well, we're back! Gage and I had soooo much fun visiting our friends Sarah, Brad, and baby Nash. Nash is just 3 months old and Gage was so good with him. He tried to give lots of kisses, and was very gentle around him. We took several walks to the local parks, spent a day at the city pool, and visited a very beautiful place called "Rotary Gardens" in Janesville, WI. Gage was EXCELLENT during the days, but we had a couple of rough nights. I think he is teething again, as he has a little bit of a diaper rash and has been super crabby. However, when I laid him down for bed last night, he actually smiled, didn't cry, and slept from 8pm to 8am. I just laid him down for his morning nap and he smiled again! I think he is glad to be back in his own bed and out of the pack n play that he has slept in for the past week.
I am very lucky to have it all so good; a great family, a sweet and lovable little boy, and great friends to go and visit! Life is good!

Taking a little trip...

We are heading to Neillsville this weekend to celebrate my 30th Birthday with my family and some friends, and then Gage and I are heading to Edgerton, WI from Monday-Thursday to spend some time with my friend Sarah, her husband Brad and their new baby boy, Nash. Nash was born on March 30th and I haven't yet met him! I haven't seen Sarah since their visit to Farmington back in September, so we are long over due for some catching up and spending time together.

Have a great week, and we'll post some of our "vacation" pictures when we return. We may not be going to the coast, or overseas, but when you haven't left the vicinity of Wisconsin/Minnesota for well over a year, a drive down to Edgerton, WI counts as a vacation! (Right?!?)

I'll leave you with Gage's 12 month pictures I had taken this week. They turned out really good, and I can't wait to get some hanging on our bare walls!!!

Gage's Special Day-July 5th

July 5th-Gage's Special Day!

We got Gage a new wagon for his 1st birthday and he just loved it! We took him out for a special birthday dinner at a local pizza joint and he ate like a little piglet!

1st Birthday Party Pics

Gage's 1st Birthday party was so much fun! Despite the heat, I think everyone had a nice time, and the kids enjoyed time in the pool and running through the sprinkler. Gage was SPOILED ROTTEN, and he is enjoying all of his new toys! Thank you to everyone that made it out, and thanks to everyone that helped in some way. Especially to my mom who made the adorable monkey cake and helped with the food and clean up; my friend Yvonne who made the cute monkey and banana cupcakes (they were a HIT!); Mike Elliott who helped grill without even being asked! And anyone else I may have forgotten...
Thanks to everyone that was here. We have wonderful family and friends and we are a very blessed family! Love to you all!

More Birthday Pics

Lori, Jodi, Luther, Katie
Dam and Gage
Mommy helping Gage open up his new bubble mower
It's my first remote control car!

Happy 1st Birthday, Gage Thomas!

Favorite Foods: ALL green veggies, pizza, grilled cheese, cheese, grapes, raisins
Words: Daddy, Mama, Hi, Jah (Jazz) Kiki (Kitty)
Favorite Toys: Anything related to water, Little Tikes semi and cars, scooter, DIRT
Currently Mobility Status: WALKING…. everywhere!
Other milestones: Waving bye-bye, Giving kisses, Drinking out of a Sippy cup
Loves: To smile, Bang on pots and pans, his daddy coming home from work, his blankie, to pick on the pets
Dislikes: Diaper changes, empty sippy cups
Mommy’s favorite thing about Gage: His SMILE and when Gage gives me kisses. Melts my heart, that little boy.
Daddy’s favorite thing about Gage: His smile, especially when he’s gotten into something he shouldn’t and he just looks up at you and grins.

Then and Now

It's is amazing how fast a year can fly by.

Then..


One year ago today, almost to the exact moment (7:00 AM), I went to the nursery after only 2 hours of sleep to go and see my new baby. The feeling that I had in my stomach was that of butterflies times 1000. I laid him on my knees and stroked his face.


I think he liked it.


Now...

Jill and Gage
July 4, 2007

The boy who called wolf.....his name was GAGE!

Tim is working from home today, and as I was taking a shower, little Gage man toddled into the bathroom with Tim's work phone in his hand. I yelled to Tim that Gage had his phone, and Tim came into the bathroom to take it away. He looked down and noticed that Gage had hit the emergency button and had called 911. Tim received 3 phone calls from the dispatcher, asking if everything was alright. THEN....(now this is funny) a sheriff's deputy came out to our house!!!! I guess Gage had hit the button earlier than we thought as they had several minutes of "shuffling" noises that they heard, and wanted to be sure that all was okay. I was tempted to let out a blood curdling scream from the bathroom, but realized that the taxpayers were paying for all this bologna and decided I wanted to Tim to stay home today and not spend the day in jail for a false domestic abuse charge!!!! (Oh, that's not even FUNNY!)

Anyhow, the deputy was very nice and went on his merry way without even meeting Gage or I....

At least we know the emergency response is a good one out here in the sticks!!!!! Happy 4th of July!