T-ball Ceremony

Luke played t-ball this Spring/Summer and had a blast learning the basics. It was a riot to watch each week. The kids were 4 and 5 years old and had little knowledge of what to do, obviously. However, Luke learned how to hit the ball, run the bases, and stop ground balls. He thought it was pretty great. The pictures are from the trophy ceremony at the end of the season. He loved getting a trophy and keeps it next to his bed on this bookshelf. So cute. 

Happy 4th!!!

Today was a great day. We laid around the pool all day and then had J's parents over for dinner. Low-key and just they way we like it! The pictures aren't very exciting but that's because we were too busy chatting and being entertained by the 3 rascals in these pictures. Happy Independence Day!

 Family picture - take 1. Well, let's try that again since none of the kiddos are looking . . . 

 Take 2 - almost there. 2 looking with 1 smiling . . .

Take 3 - all 3 kids looking and 2 smiling. We'll call it a success.

Phone Dump!

Hello, there! It feels like it's been so long since I've posted anything on the blog! We are having a fantastic summer and it's only June! Yes! I haven't been snapping very many pictures with my big girl camera but I have been taking plenty of pictures with my phone. So it only felt appropriate to share all these fun pictures of our daily adventures on the blog. These pictures are "in the moment" and give a true feel of what it's like to be a mama to these 3 rowdy, playful, sweet, and sometimes unruly babes. I love them.
Looking at all of these pictures makes me realize that we do keep busy. We go to Sonic (maybe too much), Starbucks for cake pops, Luke played t-ball, go to awesome friends to play in the ridiculously fun bounce house and pool, go to the plaza, eat outside, play at the park and in fun tunnels, do puzzles, snuggle, ride ponies, swim, visit with family, draw after hearing our bible story for the day, take our clothes off in bed(ahem, Kate) - moving on, and celebrate 11 fantastic years as husband and wife. Yes, our lives are full. We feel so blessed. Here's to more summer fun and "phone dumps"!

Last day of school!

Today was Luke's last day of pre-school! How has a whole school year already came and went?!? I am a little weepy just thinking about him starting pre-K next year . . . kindergarten will soon follow. NOOOO, it's all going too fast! I'll try to hold it together and get through this post. Ok, moving on. 
Today Luke and I went to school (my amazing MIL stepped in again and watched E&K!). The teachers showed us what a typical day looked like for the kiddos. They went through letters, numbers, colors, a Bible verse, singing, the pledge of allegiance, and snack time. It was so neat to watch Luke with his classmates. He is still shy but he has made huge strides this year. I made sure to thank his teachers for the love, kindness and support they have offered Luke throughout the year. This year was more for the socialization than anything and I have no doubt that it was worth the time and effort. It has been a blessing. Below are pictures from our morning. So fun.

This is a pic I snapped of Luke as he looked at me from across the room. Seriously, how stinkin' cute is that. Love that boy.

Fun in the sun!

I will be happy doing this all summer. We ate breakfast on the deck, followed by water fun, then lunch on the deck . . . and more fun in the yard. The kids are happily sleeping in their beds. They played hard and I loved watching every minute of it. I heart summer.

Last field trip of the school year

Luke's last week of school is next week (how has the time gone so quickly!?!?)! Today was his last field trip of the school year - they definitely saved the best for last - we went to Deanna Rose. So fun. My awesome MIL watched Evan and Kate so it was just Luke and I. I realized on the way out there that this was the first time he and I have done something like this, just the two of us. It was long overdue. I think I get so busy to being a mommy to three little ones at the same time I loose track of them individually. I know that sounds strange, but the boys are so close in age (ok, they all are) that they compete for attention, argue over toys, books, cars, etc...., so it was nice to have Luke all to himself and not have to deal with all of that today. 

Since it was just us we had time to do activities that we normally wouldn't be able to do with all three in tow. He actually was able to do all five activities offered there! The pictures above are of the mining area. He loved it. He sifted through a big bag of stuff and eventually ended up with some really cool stones/rocks that we were able to take home. 

Another first for Luke today was a pony ride! I wasn't sure he would actually go through with it once we got there, but he did! My kids never cease to amaze and surprise me. Just when I think they won't like something or won't be willing to try, they prove me wrong. I love that.

Ok seriously  . . . this was the coolest. I wish we would have had more time. Luke chose the order of the day and saved fishing for last. Well, that only left about 10 minutes to fish since we had to meet his class for lunch. Ugh, we could have spent at least an hour there. He caught a fish (his first!) within 5 minutes of being there, so that was great! Oh my - once he caught the fish I kind-of freaked a little . . . I'm not overly girlie but I'm not into taking the fish off the hook. Luckily there was a nice man next to us that graciously took the fish off the hook for me. Whew.

Me and my sweet guy on the hayride. This picture was taken before 43, yes 43 pre-school aged kids got on. Needless to say it was not a comfortable ride. 

One more thing he got to do was feed the baby goats. We haven't tried doing this since we lived in STL and he tried to feed the goats at Grant's Farm. It was a hot mess back then since the goats attack anyone carrying a bottle. This was the perfect set-up, we stood outside the gate and all the goats came to us = no jumping. Nice. 

It feels like summer today

so what better way to cool off than with a frozen tasty treat. It was Kate's first Popsicle - needless to say, she enjoyed every bite.

Vacation!!!

We headed to Rosemary Beach for another amazing vacation this year. It was our second time staying in RB and it did not disappoint. We had such a fantastic time, yet again. J's mom and dad were both able to be with us this year! We knew our way around this time and were able to rent bikes - absolute MUST. The nightly bike rides after dinner were fantastic. The kids just sat back and relaxed while we peddled along - it felt great after a large delicious meal every night. We did the usual - went to the pools, beach, ate, shopped, relaxed, played, and just enjoyed being with each other and away from the demands of our everyday lives.

After a day and a half in the car Little Miss and the boys were ready to get out and stretch their legs (or run like crazy).

We enjoyed our breakfast every morning on the porch - amazing.

The ocean was absolutely gorgeous. We've been to the Florida panhandle several times over the last 10+ years and it has only looked like this about 1/2 of the time. It was breathtaking.

Even Little Miss thought so

Kate and her papa. She adores him.

An entire week together and this is the only picture we have of all of us together. 

She may adore her papa but she loves her grandma, too.

The many faces of Evan. He was oblivious to me taking these pictures. My friend Carrie let me borrow her "big" lens and I was able to capture these priceless pictures of our precious boy.