life is beautiful

summer

round here…

kids, sister, summer

we are getting use to the new normal…

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it’s full of cuddles and kisses and some scream fests in the evening…

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but these faces trump the evening scream fests so….  it’s all good 🙂

jack had his check up with the dentist for that wiggly tooth.   so far things are going okay and we will check back again in another month.  i am so thankful for the good news.  i am also thankful that i survived a dentist trip in the late afternoon with all three babes…

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little miss these weeks are going by fast and i’m loving the new normal 🙂

xxoo

we get by with a little help …

firsts, summer, well checks

granny came to stay with us last week!   she spoiled us all.   she helped us make our first trip to the grocery store and even let mama and daddy have a lunch date 🙂 after anna kate’s first doctor visit.

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anna kate, at two weeks old you weighed in at 7lbs 13 ounces.   you are a great nurser and spit up like crazy, even more so than jack did. {which means a lot}  you had your first vaccine and blood work done..  mama and daddy did not like having to watch you do those things 🙁  we enjoyed a yummy lunch at coopers barbecue afterwards to celebrated daddy’s birthday a little early.

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you got your first piece of mail this week 🙂

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i’m not too sure you were happy that the boys asked about your band-aid…  you had been poked and prodded enough that morning 🙂

thank you so much granny for all of your help!   we enjoyed the visit and the extra helping hands!  {especially making my floors so lively 😉 }   what a treat!

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as always come back soon! we love you!

xxoo

{independence day + family reunion}

celebrations, cousins, summer

fredericksburg style….

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we enjoyed a wonderful weekend with family in our favorite small town.  fourth of july parade, back yard bbq, fireworks and all.

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irish eyes were sure smiling down on us that day.   i know they  had to be so proud to see us gather together with all these new little faces that have made the family grow even more beautiful!

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lots of love and laughter from everyone!  we missed seeing those who couldn’t be there with us  but looking forward to the next time we can all gather together again!   thank you to our wonderful host!   😉   who is up for hosting the next one?!?  a hotel might work best for this clan 🙂

xxoo

mama turns…

celebrations, summer

30 something…

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actually i’ll  be honest, 32 to be exact and i’m totally excited because i thought i was turning 33 already!  so this new year is already off to a great start! 🙂

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the weekend before my birthday we went out to bc to be with family.   we had one more stormy evening blow through but it was a beautiful weekend overall!

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{the weather men}

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these guys were so happy to be together again!   it makes my heart happy to get them together!

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we headed back for the week and celebrated back home as well!   we ate lunch with daddy at his office and then did a little shopping and some park playing.   happy kids makes a happy mama.   so it was a happy birthday indeed!   so beyond excited for this next year ahead.

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thank you to everyone who made my birthday so special!   especially daddy!

i don’t know what i’d do without you!

xxoo

happy summer!!!

firsts, summer

after a horribly rainy end of spring… and memorial day weekend

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this happened!

happy summer!  the sun is here to stay!

{or at least it has for a good while}

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this summer is going to be an exciting one!  little sister will be on her way soon, so for now we are getting a lot done around the house… enjoying lots of playtime and trying to start good habits like going to bed like big boys!

for almost the last 3 years jack, you have had someone lay with you till you fell asleep.   when we moved to the new house the same started happening for you, samuel.   you two were a mess if we were to leave your room while you were awake.   with two parents and two kids it seems like not a big deal, but knowing another little one will need our attention in the evening soon,  as well as us needing the extra sleep… we thought we needed to try a new routine.   we practiced reading two stories and saying prayers in your room and then lights out and hugs and kisses.   if you went to bed on your own you got a happy face for that night. 🙂  if you did it all week, we came up with a simple reward to celebrate!   we have been so proud of you two for trying so hard its almost normal now!   the first week your reward was picking your breakfast for saturday morning.

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jack, you chose chocolate chip pancakes….

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samuel you chose a donut…

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it has been three weeks of success so far and we couldn’t be a more happier family at bedtime!    sometimes i realize we create our own problems and it can easily be fixed if we stay consistent.  daddy and i are so excited that the rewards have been so simple…  choosing breakfast, movie nights, and playing  at the park!

cheers to less drama in the evening!!

xxoo