Wordless Wednesday - Partying at the Barnyard

One Saturday evening in June we headed to a farm for my nephew Wesley's 3rd birthday party. My brother and sister-in-law are always soo creative and sweet to make Wesley's parties an opportunity for the cousins (and adults) to get together! We all had a fun time at the petting farm and getting to see one another!

All lined up... ready to feast!  Goat-eyes really creep me out:/

A newborn kid... so small!

The goat riding the turtle really cracked Nate up!! It was pretty funny:)

And this little guy came up! Nate was pushing him b/c he thought the little one was biting the big one :/

Then he stepped back to try to figure it out!

I asked him what the little goat was doing; but,  Nate just giggled.

No clue:)  But a sweet smile!!

Who knew this beauty was a chicken catcher?? Way to go, Hannah Grace!!

I loved tagging along with these two cousins!! They came up with some silly ideas and had a blast together!

And a cousin pic!!!! The secret to everyone looking at the camera is a dancing & singing adult! Too bad I don't have a picture of that, too!!

Moments to Remember: Wesley's Birthday at the Beach

Can you believe this little guy...

is 1 already???

Since we don't often get to see my brother's little family and to celebrate Wesley's birthday, we ventured to the beach on Friday. While we are consumed with all things "packing"... I have to admit that it was a very refreshing break AND we made many memories with my brother's family and Grammie and Pey:)

It didn't take long for them to be all over in the water:)

Except Nate, he preferred the sand;)

We got in some pool time before the festivities;) Lots of fun memories of Lydia's 1st time swimming under water, making a current, more wrestling with Uncle Brian and Pey's 1st time in a pool in over a year (which he was very excited to be able to do... even let kids "surf" on his back)!!

And then we got to celebrate with Wesley and the many friends and family present;)

While I enjoyed staying at a distance to take pictures AND getting into the pool with everyone... it was warm... yay!! One of my favorite memories of the day was holding my nephew!! He had had a big day (and week on vacation) so I wasn't expecting to get a minute or two with him, I did though as we arranged cars before we had to head home.

My brother plopped him in my arms and he stayed content. So sweet:) He even told someone "no" and shook his head when they held out there arms to take him from mine:) LOL!!! What a sweet age:)

Here's a flashback from last year!

And then another from this weekend:)

Happy 1st Birthday to Wesley!!! And thank you to my brother Brian and sister-in-law Kelly for the fabulous and much needed day at the beach:)

Linking up to Moments to Remember, The Paper Mama's Summer Challenge, Embrace the Camera and



Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Christmas Memories

 As we traveled to the grandparents a couple of days before Christmas, Brian and I shared some of our Christmas memories with the kids. Stuff like playing on a FL beach Christmas Day with my siblings, getting a new bike or going to an aunt's home filled with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

It was interesting how all our memories centered around spending time with family and special presents.

Our Christmas this year was the same;)

It started with a scavenger hunt for Chris, Anna and Lydia to find one of their gifts from us (2 gifts being too big/awkward to wrap). Each had their own hunt around Grammie and Pey's house...

Lydia getting Pey's help with her clues & Pey VERY glad to help:)

Victory;)

And yes, the kids were all dressed up:) After exchanging presents with just our family, we packed up and headed to church with my parents! It was a treat to be back at the church I attended on college breaks! Fun to see some old friends;)

When we got home, the aunts, uncles and cousins began to pour in;)

Remember this "little" guy? here 's a hint

And more gifts before our meal together;)

Uncle Eric& Aunt Tori opening my parents gift (one to each of us) videos of our childhood:)They gave us each Blackmail material;)

Love Hannah Grace's expression:)

It was busy having us all there... but I know we will all look back and we thankful for the times of gathering.

We traveled home Christmas evening and the kids opened the stockings that got left behind;)

Monday morning we headed to the grandparents in the South:)

And you guessed it... more Christmas family moments and presents;)

Sharing the moments via Skype with Uncle Scott & Aunt Bea in Thailand.

oh... so sad it's all over soo quickly!!

I mean relatively speaking... the meals consumed quickly, the family dispersing soon after and the gifts all tucked away in their new places (lol... ok, not yet... but we're getting there) in just a short span of  10 days!

And now we're into a new year!! WOW!

I've got tons more to blog.... a look into our new year!! My new job... yikes!! My not-so-little baby's new month! But I'll just have to leave it unwritten for now...

because for now we're just soo thankful for the Christmas memories we shared this year:)








337. peaceful Christmas preparations
338. Christmas Eve trip to Williamsburg
339. Christmas Eve party with neighbors
340. little arms digging into stockings
341. delicious chocolate treat
342. scavenging for gifts
343. Pey helping with clues
344. worshiping at church Christmas morning
345. a full house
346. little cousins together (cute even with a few mishaps)
347. protection of Grandma
348. homemade,with added germs, biscuits
349. skype-ing gift opening with family abroad
350. a warm lap for napping
351. 2 visits with Gran-Grandma:)

352. simplicity of wooden blocks
353. a full week of vacation with Daddy
354. anticipation of visiting friends

&

355. a New Year.... with many expectations and challenges leading to opportunities to grow in our faith...

if we are willing!

Worth Going Over Water

My husband jokes me for my strange fears. But some are not soo strange.

I don't like needles. I'll get my blood drawn and I"m "ok" with that, but needles... ahh!! I'm not even tempted to get an epidural... I've seen the needle!!

Another is kind of silly. I don't really like bridges that are over water. They're cool to look at and I'm just amazed at the architecture!! But I'd rather NOT drive over them.


During my trip last weekend, we went over many bridges :/ And while I'm always a little nervous, it didn't send as many shivers up my spine. I think part of my fear is having the kids with me if we had an accident on a bridge and having to get them all OUT of their seats in a hurry as our van plummets into the water...



LOL, am I making anyone else a little weary of bridges??

Anyway, usually the reason we're crossing the reliable bridges we have is to visit family or spend time together as a family. So it's always worth it.

And was especially worth it last weekend;)
I LOVED seeing my brother... he reminds me soo much of my dad.


Getting to spend time with Kelly:) She's taken to caring for Wesley soo quickly!

*All the chat time with my mom!!

And seeing and holding Sweet little Wesley:) He's was just precious;)


Coming home was sweet, too:) As I try to keep up with my littlest rascal as he finds the silliest little things to amuse himself;)

Since holding Wesley, thinking about my "silly" fears and honoring a church member who passed away this week (one who has prayed daily for my family)...

This song has been on my heart and mind:)

Lyrics | Bill Gaither lyrics - Because He Lives lyrics

* I needed to "correct" my hours in the car chatting with my mom;) I did have a 7 hour trip one way, but I met my mom 2 hours into the journey. So we really had only 5 hours... plenty of time to have sore throats from all that talking;)Next time we'll plan to turn on the radio for a bit;) LOL!!

The Finger Grip

Baby Wesley holding Grammie's finger....

Just love the generations AND how much a grandmother LOVES their grandbaby;)





plenty more baby Wesley pics to come:)

My 1st Time Overnight Alone

I have a great opportunity to visit with my brother, his fiance and my little nephew this weekend. It's great because

#1 - I can go :)


#2 - My husband has PLENTY of help with Grandma and Granddaddy visiting

#3 - My mom and I get to share the 7 hours of driving ONE WAY

#4 - My father-in-law is preaching for Brian on Sunday:)

#5 - Did I mention that I get to see my little nephew??



While I am very excited about my little "adventure"...

I am nervous. My family is MORE than capable to care for the kids!! And my kids feel very safe in their care. I feel like they can hold down the fort:)

But I've never left them overnight before.... EVER!!
(only remotely close case was when Brian took just Anna down to his parents in January!)

For 7 years and 26 days I have ALWAYS had most of my children in a room next to me!!

I think I'm going to be ok... hopefully!

But I'm seriously going to miss them... and am super glad I'll be home on Sunday afternoon.

Driving-chat time with my mom... time to get to know my brother's new family more.... all perfectly timed when my family is being cared for... seeing my little nephew and maybe just crying over how beautiful he is

PRICELESS!!!