Love Lies and Motherhood » Holiday

An Ice Cream Tradition…

admin — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:40:49 +0000

There is a Newman tradition that I believe started with Travis when he was a baby…I might have to get my facts straight on that one. Oh and since I just put all of his baby pictures on disk…you’ve got it…here is a baby picture of my hubby!

Travis When He Was a Baby

So…yes, he was an amazingly cute baby and you can see his red hair already! And also, my children look exactly like him…I know this and now you do too!

Back to my story…

I believe Grandpa Newman started a tradition of giving the baby their first taste of ice cream. He was delighted to see the faces of the babies as they discover the wonderful new flavor and texture of this famous desert. What started with Travis continues into the next generation! Brook was given her first taste of ice cream on Thanksgiving of 2005. It was her first turkey day and the first day she learned ice cream is good.

Brook at 4 Months Trying Ice Cream for the First Time

So fast forward to this past Thanksgiving. The tradition has continued and Grandpa Jay gave Blake his very first bite of ice cream.

Blake Having His First Bite of Ice Cream

Both kids liked this tradition, although I think both of them were a little wierded out by the coldness of the dessert. The fact that both of them tried ice cream for the first time on Thanksgiving is completely coincidental. It’s just that this is a family event and since all the family likes to witness this tradition, Thanksgiving seems the appropriate time. We were also able to get a picture of four generations of Newman boys…this is a great shot!

Four Generations of Newman Men

Grandpa Newman couldn’t resist giving Blake a few bites of ice cream also…

I’m not going to wish life away, but I must admit that one day, when it’s Travis’s turn to give the ice cream to the grandchildren, I’ll fondly look back and remember when my babies had their turn…

Gotta love traditions

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Picking Pumpkins…

admin — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:53:39 +0000

This year we chose to try to get out of the heat of Phoenix and go up North to a Pumpkin Farm. I found a couple in Chino Valley which is near Prescott and while it was cooler, it was still not very “Autumn” like. We were going to go to Freeman Farms, which actually is a pumpkin farm, but they were no longer letting you go out into the pumpkin field to pick your own pumpkin and that was the only draw to that farm in my opinion. So, instead we went to the Windmill Farm Pumpkin Festival and we had a blast! They are actually a nursery and event facility, but they do a really nice job transforming their property to a Harvest Festival.

Brook in the Pumpkin Area of Windmill Farms

They had an area where you could buy food and sit and listen to some live music and toss some horseshoes…

The Live Music and Windmill Farms

Brook and Travis Playing Horseshoes

Blake had fun discovering what pumpkins were and understanding the texture of hay…

Blake in the Pumpkin Patch

We tried to get a good family photo in the pumpkin patch, but with two kids, it’s kind of hard…

The Newman's Picking Pumpkins

They had a hay ride, a “train ride” and pony rides…Notice Brook and her cowgirl hat…I tell you she has gone Country

Brook on the "Train" Ride

People Getting Off the Hayride

Brook Riding the Pony

All in all it was a great family day and a great first pumpkin patch experience for Blake. I will admit that the Midwest is a much better place for the Harvest Festivals, but this one was great and it was very rustic, country, cowboy Arizona like.

It was worth the drive and I can see us trying to go even further up North next year…maybe Flagstaff?

Happy Halloween Everyone!

Blake and I at the Pumpkin Festival

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4th Of July 2009

admin — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:51:06 +0000

I really feel for this holiday that the Midwest is the best place to celebrate our Nation’s holiday. It starts with one week before when turning into our neighborhood you see that some mysterious person has place a flag in front of every house in our division. All of a sudden our Nation’s biggest symbol is happily flying in front of every driveway here and it is a beautiful sight. Who are these mysterious people…dunno, could be a community group, could be flag fairies, but what I do know is that it sets the mood for patriotism.

The Newman's In All of Their Red, White and Blue Attire

This is the one holiday where I make the whole family dress in some type of red, white and blue combination. I just love all of us being dressed for the occasion and as silly as this sounds, it makes the holiday feel more holiday-ish.

For the third year in a row we have gone into Lake Bluff, Il, which is this quaint little “Americana” town to watch and be in the 4th of July parade. My father-in-law is the fire chief for the neighboring town Libertyville, and he lets Brook ride in the fire truck in the parade. I’m not going to lie to you when I say I was “really” excited because this year, I got to ride with Brook in the fire truck too!

The "Americana" Look of the Parade

Brook and I in the Fire Truck In The Lake Bluff Parade

I am pretty sure I was way more excited to be in the parade then Brook was. We rode in a 1947 fire truck, which is an original to the Libertyville Fire Department. Brook and I waved to everyone and I encouraged her to shout, “Happy 4th of July,” to the crowd and they loved it…especially the older generation in the crowd. It also was a beautiful route full of restored old homes or beautiful new semi-mansions. People were having parties on their driveways and after the parade we all went to the park which was holding a festival.

Blake with Fire Chief Papa After the Parade

Blake was a little jealous that he didn’t go on the fire truck. I told him not to worry, that he will be able to go next year and he’ll have loads of fun!

Brook with Her Great-Grandpa Rich Walking The "Balance Beams" Together

After the parade and festival we all went home for a well needed nap….and yes, I got both of my kids to nap at the same time which is what I consider my version of heaven now and days! Then we had a barbecue followed of course by the firework show in downtown Libertyville. All in all the 4th of July’s here are perfect and this one was no exception!

Blake and Mommy During Blake's First 4th of July Parade

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