The view from our house

We're back!

In case I forgot to mention it, last week we took a family trip to Dauphin Island. It was a much needed vacation, but since we went with other families (and their children), it was a learning experience as well. You can't throw 7 children into the same house and expect them to b on the same schedule....and....sound travels. (Especially the sounds of crying/screaming children). Despite the inherent lack of sleep...fun was had by all.
My boys have sunburns, but us girls were smart enough to protect our skin with ample sunblock....although towards the last few days we were burning through the SPF 50...after 3 applications. That sun was intense! All of us have a lot more blonde in our hair....even B's arm hair bleached out! The beach was amazing! Several times we saw dolphins swimming just a football field away from us. At first we just saw the dorsal fin and got a little freaked out at the thought of swimming with sharks...but it became clear that wasn't the case. They would jump out of the water and play after feeding. The kids got a huge kick out of it!

I will post pics as soon as I get them up and loaded....and get some much needed sleep!

The dog days of summer

For lack of time, and artistic ability right now...I am just posting some fun pics of the kids playing this summer. It's been a scorcher, and will continue to get warmer I am sure. Wait...it's not even officially summer until Saturday. Ugh!

Dig my 'do?

Chaos (times 3!!!)

E loves her Papa!
2 babies are better than 1!

Like our new sandbox???

And patio furniture

Where do I come from???

Who do our children look like? I'm not sure, you be the judge. We only have 1 bad quality pic of Brad as a baby, but I think that E has a strong resemblance to him as a toddler, but has my darker eye color. That hair is definitely not from him. Mommy had the curly flyaway locks. (Still would if she wouldn't spend so much time straightening them with the blow dryer.) We seem to be in agreement that Iz looks like her brother, but has her daddy's crystal blue color of eyes.

Mommy (age 2)

Big brother @ 6 months could be Iz's twin!
Mommy (age 1)

Can definitely see where the kids get their noses...
Daddy, a little older than E is now. She certainly has is mouth.

It's official...

We have a walker....and thus, TWO toddlers. Heaven help us all!

Iz has been toying around with the idea of walking, but it wasn't really until last week that she decided now is the time. It took only 3 days to go from a few steps here and there to walking 85-90% of the time. It may be because mommy has been putting her in shorts since it's been so warm. It's sad to see the baby days fade away, but at the same tie I am so excited about being able to put her in dresses this summer.

Video from this past Saturday. Oh how things have changed...

So long 2nd grade!

Yesterday, J had his last day of school party and awards ceremony. It was bittersweet. Next year he moves across the building to the "big kid" wing, where they have the 3rd, 4th and 5th grade rooms. Big man on campus....not so big next year. But at the same time...it's SUMMER! Party time! Also...I honestly believe that his teacher this year was the best he has had so far in all of his schools. You can tell she is a teacher because she loves what she does...not just for a job.

Can you believe we have a 3rd grader in the house now???

Jacob was voted "Most Creative" by his teacher and classmates!
Mrs. A getting weepy over the kids moving on to "the big kid wing"

Kids writing messages to Mrs. A

11 months....and talking!

Today the baby of our family is 11 months old. It's so very hard to believe that in just 30 days, she will be 1...and well on her way to being a little girl instead of a baby. B and I call her our little "ray of sunshine". She always greets us with a smile and showers us with hugs and kisses. She can be demanding at times to some, but I just try to look at is as a girl who knows what she wants...and wants it NOW!

So...what have I learned in 11 months???

I can say more words than you would expect me to at this age: Ma ma (sounds more like meh meh), da da, baby, thank you, nite nite, bye bye, no, yeah, and many more!

I still love my remotes!

And can stand while I hold both!

I have two teeth. Where are the rest of them? I could sure use them since I will only eat table food now. No more baby food for me!

I can walk across the room, when I want or need to. But I am still faster when I crawl.

I don't nurse anymore. I drink a bottle...and can hold it myself!!!

And best of all....I SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT FINALLY!!!!! YAY ME!

Beat the heat!

Yesterday to beat the above-average temps, we went to a friend's pool for the day and took the girls. Iz had never been swimming before. They were a little apprehensive at first, but by the end of the day both were jumping off the side to someone standing in the pool. NO FEAR!

All aboard the floaties

Hi Daddy!
My first swim!
Wait, I can float on my own.
I think I could get used to this

E contemplating a jump to Auntie Shell

Mom, sunscreen in hair...not such a good look!!!