October 2012

As I start this post - I realize how the blog accidentally took a long break...

This was a hard month for our family. It's not something I've kept a secret but neither is it easy to just bring up in conversation or I knew how to blog about.... We lost our third little baby this month. I was just 10 weeks along when we saw on the ultrasound that our baby had stopped developing. We had some warning signs that things weren't quite right - and I had been praying to be prepared - but it was still heart wrenching. We had already told the boys and some friends and family. Though such a sad time, we felt very surrounded, loved, and supported. My heart breaks for other mommas who have lost babies. No matter how early or later in pregnancy, a baby and family member was lost. We look forward to heaven to meet our sweet baby and rest in the knowledge that our heavenly Father had a reason for gathering him or her in His arms before we met.

We didn't really do a big birthday celebration for Graham because we had celebrated in September. But it is still so fun to look back and acknowledge the milestones and fun things about each year as the boys get older. Graham is just so grown up these days... He's not taking naps anymore but instead takes a rest time. Basically he has to stay in the playroom and play with his toys and watch a movie while J sleeps. (and I get some time alone!) I just love seeing him set up his toys and see what his little imagination creates for his alone time! It's also so sweet when he accidentally falls asleep despite his best efforts. We just love watching him grow up and realize more and more of his own little personality!

Both boys, but especially J, are SUPER into dress up. Boots (matching or not), a hat, and some sort of eye-wear are a must at all times. If you notice in the picture below how J is holding his hook... They love the movie Hook and this is how he recreates Captain Hook's hook with his ruffled sleeve. He holds the hook through his lovey. I just love their little imaginations!

These next two are from their friend Will's 4th Circus birthday party.

 We took many many walks around our neighborhood. The boys were absolutely in love with the crunching leaves under their feet and how the wind swirled them in the streets.

A breakfast bagel date.

 More dress up...

 Thomson and Caleb's (cousins) birthday is October 30. 

We celebrated by going to the pumpkin patch!

I love my brothers!

Sister and her birthday boys. They're the cutest!

The whole family...

The birthday boys. We loved celebrating their 3 years!

July

I like these monthly updates. We might just take this blog in a new direction...

Take a look at the highlights of last month. I'm all caught up!

 You think it was hot?

This was obviously the heat index. But still. Can we say hot?

We closed our blinds and turned off all the lights to keep the AC from running 24 hrs a day. Yuck!

 A sweet nap after swimming one day.

He carries Mr. Pegger (the guy in green) and Pirate Girl (the girl) everywhere.

He actually calls his right hand his "toy hand" refusing to eat or do anything that might get his hand dirty with it. You know, so he can always hold his toys with a clean hand. OCD much?

(and his left hand is his "lovey hand". It always holds his lovey when he's asleep.)

Someone help him.

 Headed to the pool one day. In their matching car seats!

J had outgrown his old one and was super excited to have his own arm rests and cup holders. 

Plus, they love the pool!

 Isn't he the sweetest? His little face just melts me.

 We love pirates.

(he was watching the muppet pirate movie at the time as well...)

 We also love policemen. And the Transportation Museum.

 I babysat Will and Ruby one night and these two were beyond excited for their popcorn and movie night once the littles went down.

Everyone was a little (lot) crazy at bath time/bedtime and when I threatened the big boys with going to bed if they didn't calm down, Will was thrilled. I think they might be close to a sleep over. When did they grow up?!

 Our neighbors got chickens. So we go down there almost every night just to visit them and do some "bocking".  

The boys love it! (and I soooo want chickens...)

 Before my brothers head back to college and my mom starts work again, we all went to dinner together!

There is this new restaurant downtown called Range. They make everything from scratch in their oversized, exposed kitchen. Their own ice cream, ketchup, sauces, hamburger buns.... It is totally our favorite place to eat.

This is their "Sweet Sweet Bacon" boozy milkshake. You read that correctly.
It's a bourbon and salted caramel ice cream shake with caramelized bacon. To die for.

Seriously, stop what you're doing, come visit us, eat here. It will change your life!

 Oh Jackson. You're destined for some pretty sweet hair.

(This is after a morning of sunscreen, swimming and napping.)

 Our partially dressed pirates headed to visit the chickens.

And we can't write about August and not talk about the Olympics.

We watched them every night. I love the Olympics!!!

Mable was truly inspired by the synchronized diving.

Next up - Jackson's birthday in August!  Can you believe he is two?!?

June

Oh June. You were one HOT month. 

 We did enjoy some treats. Donuts with sprinkles are the best!

 Sweet Jackson learned to pray. Melts our hearts.

 These boys love their jorts and boots. Precious.

 A dear friend got married to the love of her life.

So happy to be part of their special day!

 We went to an outdoor concert. This guy loved it.

And loved this chair that's just his size!

 We discovered the Museum of Transportation.

BIG hit with my boys!

 Sweet and fierce Jackson. Love him.

And now for a little trip. Matt and I were able to get away for a weekend. By ourselves!

We left the boys with my parents and high tailed it out of town.

 Can you tell we're excited?

We stayed in the historic Peabody hotel. It was just gorgeous. I love Memphis!

 We met one of my dear friends from college (Hi Nell!) and her husband at one of their favorite lunch places.
The burger and fries rocked my world.

 Then, the unthinkable happened. 

We wandered around in various antique shops. 

Like gypsies. Time had no hold on us.  It was glorious.

We concluded our last evening there on the gorgeous patio of a restaurant downtown.

We had the best time having complete conversations, sharing dreams, watching silly movies, laughing...

Traveling is so good for the soul sometimes.  It was the perfect way to close out June.

And bonus - our boys did GREAT without us! We talked on the phone a few times, but they were having the time of their lives with my family. They even rode a ferry. And threw rocks.

May

I'm so close to being all caught up! 

May was fun. It was busy. We spent a lot of time outside.

 Oh Jackson - you love doing everything that big brother does...

Dressing up is pretty big around here.

 I became an Independent Stylist for Stella & Dot jewelry.

It's so fun sharing such unique jewelry with friends old and new!

 Happy Mother's Day to me!

 We played outside. Every day.

 J loves to see himself on the phone pictures...

 My little chocolate monster. This kid is my child with his love for sweets.

 We watched these baby birds from eggs until they left the nest. So cool!

 G in his "end of school" program. It wasn't so much a program as a group of kids standing on the stage while music played in the background. They refused to sing. 

But they were so darn cute just standing there!

(G is in a mint green striped shirt on the second row just left of the center)

 My littlest. We enjoyed our Monday mornings together.

 A self portrait on one of our zoo trips...

We went like three times a week. No joke.
The hippos are always a hit.