Still Around!

It's been a LONG time since I have posted anything! But we're still here. So much has happened since that last post in February. Most notably, we are getting ready to have another baby! As in, she is due any time now!

The beginning was definitely the hardest of any of my pregnancies, so I kind of went into survival mode for a while. The last part of this pregnancy has actually been pretty good, thankfully! I am starting to get to point of really just wanting her to get here already. This body is tired!

I would really love to get back to posting more, but I won't try to make any promises considering we are adding a newborn within the next week. :) For now I will leave you with an updated pic of each of the kids.

Happy Birthday, Nana!!!

Happy Birthday, Mamaw!!!

A special birthday message for my wonderful mom, aka Mamaw:

Happy Birthday!
We love you and hope you are having a wonderful day!

Mamaw!

KINDERGARTEN!!!

Today is Colby's first day of Kindergarten! I can not believe that he is now a school kid. Where have the last five years gone?!

 Seriously, though, I absolutely could not be more proud of this boy. It was hard to fight back the tears as I dropped him off, but was able to because of the heart-busting love and pride. He was so excited that I was barely able to give him a goodbye hug. He is so smart and kind and such a blessing!

It also helps that we LOVE his new school. There is an amazing sense of community and school pride at a level that I have never experienced. The staff is fabulous, but so are the other parents. We feel like Colby is in the perfect place for him right now. I just know in my heart that he is going to flourish!

The bear marking the Kindergarten hallway

The wall at the entrance to his classroom

Colby with his super sweet teachers

Go get 'em, my amazing boy!


colby

Happy Holidays!

 lkjlkj

Have a wonderful holiday! We'll see you next year!

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So very thankful

 

For so many amazing blessings in my life, I am so very thankful. 

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving day surrounded by all of your blessings.

Hello October

We're still here, just keeping very busy.
We'll try to catch up soon!

First dy of school

I hve to strt out by pologiing. For some reson couple of letters re not working. (The first nd lst letters of the lphbet). So I m trying to post nywy. Here is picture of Colby's first dy of school.


Chloe thought she needed to hve her picture tken too. :)


Hopefully I cn do rel post soon with ll of the letters working.

Wildlife Prairie State Park

Last weekend we were looking for something fun to do as a family and decided to spend the day at a local state park. We love this park because there are many animals to see, kind of like a zoo, but they are in more of a natural habitat. There are long winding trails through the woods, a petting zoo area, playground areas and so much more. Even though the weather has been SO hot and humid, we had a great day!

Petting sheep:

My beautiful butterflies!



While Colby and Chloe played on the playground, Macy and I hung out in the shade. Here she is doing what she does best...drooling and blowing spit bubbles.

We finally decided it was time for lunch. However the food place was so crowded that people were having to wait an hour to order and get their food. So we did what any good parents would do and got ice cream instead.


Colby loved getting his picture taken in all of these kind of things.

Next up was the train ride! Here they are waiting (kind of) patiently for our turn to board.


Finally we stopped at some special activities they had going on that weekend. Inflatable fun, mini-golf and carnival games.


I'm glad we had the chance to go, possibly for the last time. Unfortunately due to lack of funding they will be closing the park. At least we got to enjoy it for a while!

Fourth of July

Fourth of July weekend this year was a little extra special. Not because of amazing fireworks or a wonderful cookout, but because we got Curt back. At the beginning of the month he boarded a plane to California for what was supposed to be a two week business trip... and was gone almost an entire month. We have never been apart that long, and certainly not since any of the kids have been born. It was a very tough month for all of us, but many phone calls and lots of good friends got us through. Thankfully, Curt flew home Friday night just in time for the holiday weekend.


Saturday was spent at a large cookout at a friend's house. This was our first time to make it to their annual party and we had so much fun!

Sunday evening we made our yearly trek down to the riverfront to watch fireworks along the water. The show is truly amazing!







The fireworks are set off from a barge in the middle of river and erupt right over our heads. It is spectacular every year and I always sit there in awe feeling like a little kid. I am always leery that one of the kids will be scared, but so far they have all loved it every year. Macy included. The only thing missing this year was a visit from my parents. Maybe next year!

Gun Control

I know it can be a touchy subject, but if all guns were this stinkin' cute I think everyone would agree they make the world a better place.

Macy's first time playing in the exersaucer

The pirate and the ladybug washing windows.

We know how to have a good time! :)

We love the park!

1, 2, 3...4!!!!

Today my first-born turned 4. It has been an amazing four years with this little guy. I suppose that four years and two sisters later I can't technically call Colby my baby, but he always will be. I am so proud of his smarts, his sweet disposition and his loving nature. He loves music, creating art, cars, movies, traveling, friends, his family and the color red.

We celebrated with Curt's family while we were at the lake and will celebrate with my parents when they come for a visit in a couple of weeks. So today, instead of a party, we spent the day filled with some of his favorites: McDonald's PlayPlace for a long lunch (with a couple of friends), cartoons, playing baseball in the backyard and of course just one more present. For his special birthday dinner he requested mac 'n cheese, hot dogs in a bun, strawberries and Kool-Aid.  When I tucked him into bed tonight I asked him if he had had a good birthday. He said yes and then informed me that he doesn't want to be anything when he grows up because he wouldn't be able to play as much. Glad to see he has his priorities in order! :)

Happy Birthday, Colby!!!

 

The First Last Day

Today was Colby's last day of his first year of preschool. *sigh* He is growing up so fast and I am so proud of my guy. He has loves school, and even though he thought is was "cool" that today was the last day, I know he will miss it.

Colby with Ms. Becky and a few classmates

My growing babes...

Can someone please tell me how my babies have gotten so big?

*sigh*



...

Our new life

Here is a little glimpse into our new life as a family of five...

As I was preparing the pictures for this post, I realized that I never blogged about Macy's birth. Hopefully I will get that done soon!