Just keep swimming, just keep swimming...

Last week we had a free night in our schedule and Katie and Addie had a swim meet that was somewhat close to home, so the boys and I decided to make the trip and cheer them on.  It was a typical swim meet...long, hot, long, hot, long, and hot, lol, but we had a good time!  The girls did a great job.  They each swam three events, but we only were didn't make it to the last two.  They had a gap of about 35 events, so I thought it was probably best to load up the boys that had been pretty good, and cut out before my luck ran out!

 Got a good pic of Addie swimming, but completely forgot to take one of Katie!  

Random photos

Just some random photos from the past week...

Mom was needing some photos of beef cattle, so I asked our friends if I could use their's for a mini photo shoot.  Had quite a bit of fun with this group!

Had some more fun taking some photos and messing around with text.  I couldn't get over how the boys took their shoes off that night, in the house.  It couldn't speak any more perfect of their personalities!  Ben - neat and orderly, Kyran - off and running!

I love the start of summer and all the pretty flowers it brings!

Play Ball!

We had an impromptu get together with friends and the kids had a blast!  Our friends had the ultimate baseball field, complete with slip-n-slides and pools and then followed it up with a good soak in the hot tub!  Needless to say, the kiddos were entertained all evening.  Don't worry, the adults had fun too.  Good food, great company, and excellent weather...it was a great way to start off the summer season!

 Michele was such a good sport and helped Kyran hit a "home-run"!

Kyran getting a little more help with his "home-run", lol!

3 Year Photos

Yesterday was such a beautiful day.  It was only about 70 degrees, the sun was shining, and there was very little wind.  So, I packed up Kyran, grabbed my camera and headed down to Shades State Park.  I'm doing a photo shoot there this weekend, and I'd never really looked it over for photo spots.  Since I hadn't taken Kyran's 3 year pics yet, it was the perfect opportunity.  He was a good sport and cooperated as well as can be expected from a little one.  We walked some of the trails, played on the playground, and even went down to the Devil's punch bowl to see the waterfall.  He had a good time and I had fun capturing the moment!  Here are just a few of my favorite pictures of this cute little guy!

 Look at that ornery little face.

He was showing me how strong he was...holding himself up by his arms!

Mother's Day

Mother's Day this year was very low key, which was exactly what we all needed.  We have been running around like crazy these past few weeks, so it was nice to have a day with no agenda.  We headed up to my parents house in the morning to relax and spend the day with family.  We pulled left overs out of the fridge and a frozen pizza out for the kids; it was a perfect lunch.  No fancy table decorations, no fancy food, just paper plates and a hodge podge!  

Of course, this wasn't just any Mother's Day, this was my sister-in-law, Tai's FIRST Mother's Day, and how special it was!  Rose was the center of attention with everyone, and you practically had to fight to get a turn to hold her.  This was the first time Andy and Kyran had gotten to meet her.  Andy was in love and Kyran was just concerned she might try and steal his truck and trailer!  He doesn't quite grasp the concept of newborns, lol!  I realized when I was going through my photos that I didn't get a single one of Kyran.  Probably because he was guarding his toys the entire time, just in case!

 These two couldn't get enough of Baby Rose!

 

In the later afternoon, I headed over to Eric and Tai's to take Rose's newborn pictures while Andy helped Dad and the boys played in the hot tub.  We loaded up to head home around 8:30, and I swear the boys were asleep by 8:31...it was the perfect way to end the day.

Happy Mother's Day to my mother and to all mothers; those who have children to hold in their arms, those who hold memories of their children, and those who long to hold children in the future.  I'd hate to think where we would be without strong, supportive mothers in our lives.  God certainly knew what he was doing when he gave us the love of a mother!

Welcome to the World, Baby Rose

We were so excited to hear that Baby Rose (Roslyn) had entered the world on April 29th!  We had been praying for a healthy baby girl, and when we got the call, we were just elated!  Andy was still on antibiotics for tonsillitis, so he stayed home with Kyran while Ben and I went up for a quick visit.  She is absolutely perfect, and we were both in love the moment we saw her!  She's teeny tiny and has the most dainty features...as Mary Poppins would say, she's Practically Perfect in Every Way!

Welcome, Baby Rose!  This place is full of people that love you and can't wait to watch you grow!

When we came in the room, we didn't see Rose in the crib and we didn't see her with Tai.  However, when we walked over to Eric, we found her tucked in his sweatshirt...snug as a bug, in a rug!

Love at first sight!

Family Work Day

It has been crazy here this past month, which is the reason for the lag in posts.  But, I'll make up for it tonight, I hope.  A few weeks ago, almost all of us met up at my sister's house for a family work day.  Andy was super sick with a fever, and my sister-in-law was running her kiddos to and from practices, but other than that, the rest of the family was there.  Several of Jason's family members came, too, so it was a big crowd.  We worked all day on their siding.  They'd been in the middle of the project for a while and decided that it would be helpful to call in the troops.  The weather was perfect and the company was even better!  The kids had a blast playing together and the adults (though thoroughly worn out and maybe even a bit sunburned) enjoyed the day, too!

 Working hard!

 Matt and Eric sharing some brother bonding time!

 My nephew, Evan, worked his rear off all day long!  He's such a great kid!

 This goofball. and those beautiful blue eyes!

 The whole crew, after lunch, and before they were too tired to stand, lol!

 Evan and Mom were master siding cutters by the end of the day!

 I love this picture.  You're never too old to learn from your dad!

 This storm trooper was hard at work all day long...if his truck and trailer couldn't haul it, then it wasn't worth hauling!

 These two are best buddies and worst enemies...just depends on their mood.  But, they're two of the cutest toddlers I know!