Happy Birthday, Carter!

Sweet "Cardie" turned 3 years old today - where did the years go? He has been excited all day about his "real birthday" being today. When I asked him a few weeks ago what he wanted for his birthday, he said, "I just want balls, even though I already have too many." It has seemed like he's been 3 for a while, though, as he's amazingly smart for his age and is the biggest talker I've ever met! He loves anything to do with sports, but you might catch him carrying a purse from time to time as well (gotta love having older sisters)! We love you, Carter!

Just born

1 year old

2 years old

3 years old

California Trip

For Chris's CME trip this year we decided on Huntington Beach, and could not have been more pleased with our decision. We stayed at the Hyatt right across from the beach (WONDERFUL hotel) for 4 days and had a great time. The weather was PERFECT and I actually needed a jacket part of the time. We brought Gavin with us as he's still "attached" to me, but the older three stayed with my Mom. We played in and walked along the beach, visited Brandon and Mandy and their kids, went up to the mountains, shopped, ate out, and just enjoyed some "peace and quiet". Thanks, Mom and Lauren, SOOO much for watching our kids so that we could get away - I had forgotten how LOUD and wild they can be, but was quickly reminded today! We will definitely be going back to this place again!

 

Gavin was content just to crawl on the beach and collect trash,

 

eat the sand,

 

and just be totally darn cute!

 

Mountains behind Brandon and Mandy's house

 

Oh What Do You Do in the Summertime When All the World is HOT?

You buy a $7 kiddie pool and put it at the bottom of the slide, and watch the kids laugh and totally get along for over an hour! Sometimes it's just too hard to make it to the big pool with all 4, so this is called improvising. Ahhh, the joys of summer!

 

 

 

 

Don't ask me what the little one's are doing in the picture.

 

Visiting Emily

Gavin and I were able to go to Virginia and visit my sister this past week. It was so much fun to have that special time with her and her sweet family, and I loved having the opportunity to bond more with her kids since I only had 1 of mine with me. My wonderful mom and husband held down the fort at home and kept the 3 older kids while we were gone - thanks SO much! I love you , Em, and miss you already!

 

Em and I with her boys (our babies were sleeping at the time)

 

Why crawl when you can "swim"?

Sydney the Cyclist

Sydney has really been wanting to fully learn to ride a 2-wheeler, so Chris has been working with her this week and she's doing SO well! She's always loved riding, and is quite proud of her accomplishment. Here's just a quick movie of her ride after doing it for a 1/2 hour. Go Syd!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all wonderful mother's out there. First of all to my own wonderful mom, who has taught me so much of how to be a mother myself. I have learned so much from her and truly couldn't ask for a better mother. I love spending time with her and never tire of being with her. She is the best friend I could ask for! My kids absolutely adore their Nana and will miss her very much come August. We love you, Mom/Nana!

 

Also, happy Mother's Day to my sweet mother-in-law. I have really been blessed in this department, as I really love being with her. She's so good with our kids and would do anything for them. She's also always made me feel welcome and loved in the family, and is very helpful and thoughtful in all she does. We love you Jana/Grandma!