Vacation post #1

On Saturday morning, Jeff and I left for Vacation.  We have been looking forward to this trip for a while.  I of course planned that I would lay out on the beach for numerous hours a day.  Little did I know that the wind would be blowing 20-25 mph for the first few days.  Let me just say that laying out with sand blowing in your face is only doable for a few hours a day.  Nonetheless, it is so pretty here and I am amazed each day that I go out that I pretty much have the beach to myself.  Let's be honest, how many mother's of two want to go lay out on a crowded beach. 

You can see from this picture that there really is no one else on the beach. 

This Condo is amazing.  This picture is from our living room. 

I am standing on our back deck and took a wide view of the beach.  It is so pretty.  I cant wait till the boys are older because I know they will have so much fun.

Upon our arrival, I took this picture.  I had no idea that we would have this great of a view or beach access.

Here was the first sunset that we were able to catch.  I am sure it will not be the best that we will see but it was still very beautiful. 

I sure do miss our boys but I know that Jeff and I both needed this restful and stressless time.  We are both already feeling much more rested.  Thanks to Bert and Karen for taking their shift with our children.  I know they are having an amazing time. 

Totally random pictures

Awe, I love these kids. I was going through my cell phone and found a few pictures that I wanted to make sure I remembered forever.  You see, I read this blog The Olsen Family.  If you have time, you should check it out.  In this blog, the month writes about her recent loss of her husband and son.  It absolutely breaks my heart to read about what she is going through, but it has reminded me to enjoy each day that I have here on earth with my amazing family. 

Evan and Luke's babysitter sends me pictures from time to time and it makes my heart so happy when I receive them.  Evan looks so happy and precious in this picture.  I just love him so much.

This picture is not very clear but Evan was so cute when I was taking it.  He was having such a great time playing with his brother's toys.

My boys are all smiles for Killion's camera.  They are so handsome and I cant even imagine how amazing they will be as men one day!

Luke loves to cook and he was helping Killion make brownies.  I wonder why the kid doesn't want to eat supper at night, HA!

I ran the other night and while I did so, Jeff took Evan for a little walk around the yard.  He snapped this picture and I just thought Evan looked so adorable.

I tried to record this on video but I can't seem to figure out how to post video.  Anyhow, Luke's Caterpillar plays music.  So, he was playing music, dancing like a wild man, all while driving it off the couch.  He did this so many times.  Poor Evan was wanting to get in on the action and was sitting on his knees shaking back and forth dancing too.  I know one day that these boys will be embarrassed by many of my post and I am certain that Luke will not want this one shown to his future girlfriends, LOL!

Shower

Well I am a little late posting about this but hey I am on vacation so I have a little time to catch up on my blogs! Last weekend, we celebrated the upcoming birth of Madden Arms. I cant hardly wait to meet him but I am most excited to see his sister's face when she is holding him. Scott (Madden's daddy), is one of Jeff's bestfriends. HIs wife Lori and I work together now and have become very good friends too. I love my lunch dates each week with Lori, her mom, and Macenzie.

Here is a picture of Lori, Kathy, and precious Mackenzie.  I just love these three people.  Their hearts are so good and I just enjoy hanging out with them. 

Andrea, Mrs. Judy, and Christie did an amazing job on the shower.  This is Andrea's famous punch. 

Mackenzie received a few cute gifts also.

This big sister makes me a little sad that I wont have a little girl but she sure has fun with my two boys and they love hanging out with her.  She is going to be a little out numbered but she seems as though she can handle hanging and playing football with the boys

There was a ton of food and it was all amazing. 

Lindsay, my BFF, decided that since we don't really have any pictures together we would take a few of ourselves.  It was quite funny because we had a hard time getting one that we were both happy with.  Anyhow, I don't think this ones too bad!!

Birthday party fun

On Saturday we went to Garon's 2nd birthday party. As usual, Steph out did herself. Check this amazing cake out and the handsome two year old. He has grown so much!

Evan is 11 months

Wow how time flies. I cant believe Evan is already 11 months old and I am busy planning his 1st birthday. You are wearing a size 4 diaper. You wear size 12-18 month clothes. The other day, your grandma accidentally put your brother in your clothes and they fit. You weigh about 23 pounds which is crazy because your brother only weighs 30 pounds. Your dad and I love you more and more each day. We are so amazed by the things you can do. When I sing the ABC's, you try to sing along. You can manage to get yourself up on the couch, dishwasher, and even enjoy sitting by yourself in the recliner. You have started walking a little. Each day you get a little braver and take more and more steps. You love to wrestle with your dad and brother. We have started giving you some milk in your formula to get you use to it and you are doing so well.

You have moved to a big boy seat in the car and seem a little bit happier. Overall, you just hate being in anything that pins you down.

You love cars, trucks, trains, and anything with wheels.

Your smile melts my heart. You are such a happy boy!

I had always hoped that I would have children who would be content to lay day in their cribs and fall asleep by themselves and sleep all night. I still wish you would sleep all night (ha, ha) but I love that you need me to hold you and cuddle so that you will fall asleep. You laying on me with my arms around you, is by far my favorite part of being a mom. I am sure that their will be many more favorites as you and your brother grow up but for now, I will love every minute I have holding you. We love you so much Evan and you have completed our family.

Easter

We had another great Easter. Luke woke up Easter morning, looked around out, and said "mom, the Easter Bunny didn't come." OH dear, I forgot to put the baskets out by the backdoor. Well being the clever Easter Bunny that I am, I figured out how to sneak them into Evan's room and place them under the window. I simply explained that the Easter Bunny must have gotten lost. Then we got ready and went to church. Luke loves his Sunday school teachers so much and he is learning so much about God. I am so thankful that even though we pretend the Easter Bunny exists, my children will know and understand the true meaning of Easter.

Luke decided that his brothers Easter Basket looked must better on his head.

Aunt Steph snapping a quick shot of Garon hunting some eggs.

Grady was awesome at hunting eggs. He managed to get the most both times they hunted.

Evan put his brother's basket on his head. He looked so cute.

Both our boys looking so cute.

Wow, we finally got a picture together.

Here is the whole gang and finally, we were able to get a picture without Steph or I being pregnant and or just delivering. I think I will certainly frame this one in our home. We are so lucky to have a great family.

Pa snapping pictures of Grady and looking trying hard to find another egg.

Evan is all smiles because he managed to get an egg too.

FLW

This weekend, I decided to take Luke to the weigh in in Branson. Jeff had been there for several days prior so we were very eager to see him. I decided that Luke would have a great time if his cousin Ethan came along.

After the weigh in, we all went to Red lobster. Luke loves that place and as you can tell by Jeff's face, he was also excited to be there! While at dinner, we received news that Jeff's grandma had fallen and broke her hip. Since then, she has had surgery and is doing so well. She is such a strong 88 year old woman!

Here is a little shot of the stage. Ethan was amazing me by his ability to calculate he winners cater than the leader board could post it.

Luke was so excited to eat! He is a bit of a ham and always wants his picture taken!

Ethan and Luke prepare to head up the Snickers bouncing obsticle course.

Luke was not sure about it at first but he managed to climb the big wall and slide down the gigantic slide.

Ethan was so focused on completing his activity sheet they game him at Red Lobster. I love that kid to pieces. He is so smart!

We had a great day and I realized it is very tough to shop wih two boys! I managed to get everyone something but myself! Oh well, that is just how it goes sometimes.

Terrible 3's

Oh my, the last few weeks have been a bit of a struggle with Luke. He has been going through a tough stage. He has been breaking things, and whinnying about everything. Poor kid has learned How to throw one intense fit!

This is a great example of how not listening to me resulted in Luke breaking my newly discovered cup holder in my car:(

Luke has been refusing to eat at dinner time. The last few nights, he has had to sit at the table for numerous mintues. God bless his heart, he asked me why I was taking his picture and I just told him I wanted to remind him of a time in which he threw a fit not to eat. Lol

He may have been causing trouble at supper but before hand, he was in the yard fishing. He told me that he would catch us some fish and cut them up then we would cook and eat it. Too cute!

Luke and Evans babysitter sent me a few pics! Luke lies the tire swing in their front yard!

Here is another view of Luke trying to work himself into a fit. It was almost funny. He would cry so hard trying to get my attention and then dry it up for a few seconds. I love him so much but I am ready for this fit throwing stage to move on!