New addition

We've got a new addition to our family...

we call him Crabbie.

 We are always on the look-out for good outdoor toys because we love being outside, but it's SO hard to guess what kids will actually enjoy.  I hate to spend lots of money on something and then they not even be interested.  I keep thinking we'll look at garage sales, but if that were to happen, I would need someone else to GO to garage sales for me.  Any takers?

 We've thought about getting a sandbox for a while, but hesitated because of the reason above and just how messy they are.

 We finally broke down and it's been a major hit.  Love me some little sandy feet!

 "Look mom!  I poured sand all over my pants!"  It's the little things that make this guy excited.

Don't get me wrong...it is messy.  We've upped baths to a nightly event because sand gets EVERYWHERE!  Also, I've noticed a lot more sand in the kitchen...in the bathroom...basically every room, magnified by wood floors.  But sometimes the moments of fun outweigh a clean house (not that our house is that clean...we have two walkers that make it their mission to destruct any minute they are awake).  The other big challenge is keeping the sand IN the sandbox.  Sounds simple, but why does it seem way more fun to dump the sand OUT?

My little photogenic boy...always ready for a picture.

 My sweet daughter, who refuses to look at the camera (she just happened to be telling me a story in this picture).

 And my hot husband...who I'm sure would love to know I put his picture on the blog.  Good thing he doesn't check it. :)

Summer trip

Since moving to South Bend, we have been blessed to be able to take at least 2 trips a year back to see family (summer and Christmas).  Since Kev's schedule is pretty flexible, we try to go for around 2 weeks so we can spend a week with each family.  So far we've flown every time, because let's face it, spending 18 hours in the car with 2 kids 2 and under sounds like a nightmare.  Elliott's actually at a better age for flying now...she likes talking about everything, is fairly easily entertained with snacks, coloring, books, or my iphone, and we can reason with her.  Mason, on the other hand, is basically at my least favorite age for flying.  He's almost 18 months, EXTREMELY active (like he constantly wants to walk) and is entertained by things maybe 5 seconds.  Did I mention he has developed a "velociraptor" scream the last month when things don't go his way?  It's very pleasant.

To make matters a little more complicated, we fly out of Chicago which is 2 hours from South Bend, so it makes our long day of travel a little longer.  We left our house at 6:30am (of course running a little late), felt very rushed at the airport, especially since the security line was really long.  When we finally made it to the front of the line to check our IDs with about 30 minutes or less to our flight, we realized they had apparently entered Mason's name as "Nathan" on his boarding pass so they made us go back to the ticket counter.  Talk about a low moment.  Thankfully, we did not miss our flight but the downside is we had to immediately get on the plane (we were intending to let the kids burn off a little energy since they had been sitting in the car for 2 hours), and we had to sit apart.  Mason did okay the first hour, but he screamed with his ear-busting cry for the entire 2nd hour of the flight.  People loved us! :)

However, we did make it in one piece to OKC and the trip home actually went much smoother even though we had 2 layovers (thanks to Benadryl and Aladdin).  Other than the rough flight and a tornado scare while we were there (silly Oklahoma weather), we had an amazing time with both families!  The kids did better than I was anticipating with sleep (maybe because I had low expectations), and the time was SO fun.

In OKC I only got one picture with the camera because it was charging.  The kids loved hanging out with their cousins!  So.much.fun.  We played outside pretty much nonstop.  It was awesome!  I did a much better job taking pictures at my parents' house and we also spent lots of time outdoors. 

 The water table was Mason's favorite.

 The sandbox was so much fun...especially for Levi.  He basically lived in it when he was outside.

We went to a local splash pad.

 And spent some time at the Amarillo zoo.

My parents even bought a bounce house which provided hours of entertainment.

 I'm so thankful I got to spend time with both my sisters!

 And of course I'm always thankful for time with my mom.

Sweet cousins.

They love their Momo.

Such a great Momo and Papa!

We can't wait to visit family again!

16 Month Update

Wow!  How did the month of April pass me by with just one blog post?  So I guess we'll start anew in May!  One of the reasons I haven't written lately is I have been so burdened by a friend from Oklahoma's recent diagnosis with a rare cancer.  Everything I have considered writing seems so trite and shallow compared to the weight of what her and her family are facing.  If you want to follow along with her journey and labor for her in prayer, this is her blog.

I have had a 15 month blog post for this little guy swirling in my mind...except 15 months came and went, and now he is 16 months!  It's really hard to believe that Elliott was just a couple weeks older than Mason is now when he was born!  He still seems like such a baby!  All I can say is I'm thankful to not be delivering another baby this month.

 Mason FINALLY started walking when he was 15 months old.  The little guy took his sweet time!  He LOVES it and I am so thankful.  He still has quite a few spills (especially on uneven ground and when his sister pushes him down), but he is improving by the day.  I love to see him try to "run."

 This is a picture from when he first started walking.  Love the little straight-legged baby walk!  Worst thing about a walking child...I now feel he should probably wear shoes when we go out.  It may not sound like much but it's one more clothing item that has to be found and put on a very squirmy child.

 He has also started saying more words this month.  Yay!  Also slow to develop.  When we saw the pediatrician at his year well baby check-up, we was literally not saying a single word.  Not one.  Now he says mama, dada, more (which he usually screams), uh oh (his favorite), go, and has started mimicking lots of words.  My favorite is when he says "T" (what E calls our dog Truman).

He loves playing outside (which we have finally been able to do lately without heavy coats) and especially likes trying to eat sticks and dirts.  He also has been obsessed lately with washing his hands, water from any spout, splashing, and swinging.  I think he is much more laid back than E was at this age, but he still has strong opinions and is NOT afraid to express them (usually by high pitched screaming).  He is my little picky child and will NOT eat something I put in front of him if he doesn't want it, even if he is hungry, and don't even think about feeding him the same meal twice (unless it's cheese).  His favorite meal time activity is throwing food on the ground.  Also trying to use a fork.

He has been getting his molars which has made for more fussiness, but generally he is such a happy little guy.  He loves his mama which never fails to melt.my.heart.  He always reaches me, finds me in a room, and prefers me to hold him.  I know this won't always be the case but for now it blesses me.  This little guys brings me so much joy...makes me laugh and makes my heart feel light.  I'm so thankful for his life!

 And I had to post a few pics of sweet E.  She also is thrilled at the warm weather and all the outdoor activities that become possible.

Raising children certainly isn't for the faint-hearted, but I'm so thankful God allowed me to become a mama.  Love my sweet babies!

Delayed Easter egg hunt

We decided to have a little Easter egg hunt with our small group, but since several people were busy Easter weekend, we did it the following week.  Besides it being colder than I would have liked as well as windy (stupid wind makes it feel so cold), we all had a really fun time!

Miss E was much better looking for eggs this year.  Until she got tired of it.  I find as a parent, it's really difficult not to point out the eggs that are literally, right in front of their face.  And I'm the one that wants to keep pushing her..."Keep going, there are SO many more eggs to be found."

My two boys.

She was so proud of her finds.

Mason mainly observed this year...and got to play with sister's eggs.

I so love this picture.  They all look so thrilled to be there. :)

The kids and their daddies.  One of those days that things wouldn't have happened without them.  They hid the eggs then went out with the kids to find the eggs while the moms stayed inside to keep warm.  Gotta love "dad jobs."

Sweet things....

I have done such a poor job posting updates lately, and the main reason is we have basically run out of space on my computer to upload pictures. I do realize there are ways to fix this issue, but unfortunately neither Kev or I are very computer savvy. We can also tend to procrastinate on things we don't enjoy. Surely no one else out there does this, right? :) Every weekend, I think, this is it. We're going to deal with it this weekend...but the weekends go so quickly and I do often feel I look back and so little has been accomplished. Such is life, I suppose.

So what have we been up lately?
We've been fighting off stomach bugs by snuggling with daddy.
Dressing like princesses with friends.
Playing together and learning how to walk.
And opening fun packages sent by thoughtful family members.

It's the simple things...

Momo vacation

We have been drowning in a sea of snot and surrounded by some serious grumpiness at our abode.  I forget how terrible it is when your kids are sick...and I'm talking cold sick...until it happens.  Lack of sleep, the indecision on whether or not they need to see the doctor, wiping noses a million times, all the whining and grumpiness.  But the worst...seeing them completely, absolutely miserable but feeling helpless to know what to do.  I'm hoping we're on the tail end of the sickness, although sometimes I think I tell myself that to get through the day.  It makes me realize what a complete wuss I am, when some peoples' kids are dealing with serious health issues.  Thank you God for the blessing of health today.

Prior to getting sick, we got to experience a wonderful week with a favorite in this household...Momo (aka my mom).  We were so thankful she was willing to make the trek from Texas again.  Let the Momo vacation commence...date night for Kev and I, shopping on an almost daily basis, special treats in the evening, Starbucks daily, wonderful, encouraging conversation, and a free babysitter when I'm at work.  My tank is full.

 Kev and I got to see a Broadway show (a special gift from my in-laws).

 Miss E's smile face.  She certainly loves her Momo.

The new glasses were a big hit.  Princess sunglasses. 

 Mason loved his Momo time too.  This has been his favorite activity lately.  Sitting on the closet step...

thinking about walking...

our little stander.

 The closest has been like a secret fort.  So much fun...

 until it's not fun.  Don't let E's innocent face fool you.  I'm fairly certain his tears were caused by her.

 Thankfully they don't usually last long.  Momo tickles the best.

 Waiting in anticipation to see what she will do with the toy.

One of the most difficult things about moving to Indiana was moving away from my family.  We lived only 4 hours away when we were in Oklahoma which was so doable.  Now, we basically have to fly or set aside 2 days for a car trip (gag).  I realized this past week that God has blessed us in the sacrifice of moving.  When we were in Oklahoma, mom would visit fairly often but hardly ever longer than a weekend.  She is not able to visit quite as often now, but now she stays for much longer times (rarely less than a week).  I have been so very blessed by her long visits and the extra time we have to spend together.  Love you mom!