Our Life in Pictures

What have we been up to lately?
I'll show you in pictures!

We've been silly...

We've been creative (and silly)...

We've eaten home grown tomatoes...

We've finished t-ball season...

We've visited with Lala and Grumpy...

We've sold lemonade...

We've celebrated fathers...

We've built a play set in the backyard...
(I use the word "we've" very loosely...I really mean Kenny and his dad!!)

We've been swinging...

We've smiled...

We've laughed...

We've been growing...
Grayson is now 3 1/2 months old. He weighs 13 lbs 12 oz and is 24 inches long. (For those of you keeping record, he's grown 2 lbs 6 oz and 1/2 inch in 6 weeks.)

We've been rocking...

And we've been swimming...

We've been busy!! What have you been doing?

Celebrating Fathers

I'm sad I didn't get to celebrate Father's Day with my dad this year. I guess that's what happens when you grow up and start your own family. I love my dad. I love watching my dad love my kids. I am grateful for the wonderful example he has set for my family...as a businessman, a Christian and a loving husband to my mom. I have learned a lot from my dad and am thankful that God made me his daughter!

Kennan and Pops on Kennan's 5th birthday...

We did get to spend this weekend with my father-in-law, Ken. Grumpy (as the kids call him) and Lala (Kenny's mom) flew out to see us for the weekend. Ken and Kenny put about 14 hours of sweat, cuts and bruises into this fantastic play set for the kids. This is a perfect example of my father-in-law, a selfless man who would spend his weekend doing something like this instead of relaxing in a cool house. Ken is also an amazing cook. We love to go back to visit them and taste some of his delicious meals...another way he shows us his love. Thanks Grumpy! The kids love the play set!!!

Ken and Kenny with the finished play set!

And last, but not least, the father of my children. The love of my life, my main squeeze, my baby daddy. I would not want to go through the journey of parenthood with anyone else. I am thankful for the day we met 11 years ago, for the trials and joys we have experienced together. I love seeing the kid's faces light up when he walks in the room. I am grateful he has a smile on his face when he sees me, even if I still have on my pajamas and no makeup at 5 o'clock in the evening. I am even more grateful when he does the dishes or sweeps up the crumbs I have neglected all day. I love you babe!

Story time with dad...

Another Frugal Novice Giveaway!

My friend Christi over at Frugal Novice is doing another giveaway! This time she is giving away an EatSmart Digital Food Scale. Check it out!

Just for Grins...

Grayson Benjamin, 8 days old

Grayson Benjamin, 3 months and 3 days old

I think it's safe to say he isn't so little anymore!

Time Flies When You're Having Fun!!

Our little man is 3 months old!! Where has the time gone?

At 3 months, I can still say that Grayson is the most laid-back easy going baby. (I thought Kennan was the easiest baby until Grayson came along!)

At 3 months, Grayson loves to talk and laugh. He really found his voice over the last few days while we were at summer camp, where he also had his first swim!

At 3 months, Grayson sleeps from 10pm to 7am. Gotta love a great sleeper (he's been doing this for about 4 weeks so I think we can say it's official!!).

At 3 months, Grayson has pretty good head and neck control. We tried out the Bumbo for the first time tonight and I think it's safe to say he loved it!

At 3 months, Grayson is the chunkiest baby I have had. He actually has rolls on his thighs and upper arms. To most moms this is no big deal, but Kennan and Brayden were both in the 5-10% for their weight. Grayson is in the "normal" range and I love to squeeze those cheeks!

We love you Grayson!!

The Frugal Novice Giveaway

My friend Christi has a blog called The Frugal Novice and she is having a giveaway!! You should check it out! It's all about meal planning and you could win a $25 cift card to the grocery store of your choice!

Summertime!

Signs Summer has arrived...

Mosquito netting around the baby...

A sassy 2 1/2 year old in a cute swimsuit...

Yummy, cold, refreshing popsicles...

Fun laughs in the water...

And just for kicks...this picture demonstrates defiance in it's purest form. I specifically asked Brayden NOT to pour water on my flip flop about 2 minutes before this picture was taken...

It's kind of hard to get mad at that face!

You can thank me later...

This past weekend some sweet friends threw a baby brunch for Grayson and me. It was a wonderful time to celebrate Grayson with friends.

As I was reading cards and opening gifts I came across a gift with a little card that was about the size of a business card. On it was the name of the family who gave the gift. I thought this was the best idea...no need to spend $3 on a card that will most likely get thrown away. Buy these...
and make your own!! Now, this was the brand I bought...any brand will do. But what is so great is that this company has templates online. For free. No downloading. I just made some of my own...
and it was so easy! And fun! Now I just need to be invited to some parties so I can give gifts with my new cards!

Now, go out and give it a try. You can thank me later!

3 Peas in a Pod

The other night we were putting Kennan and Brayden to bed and it was the perfect photo opp!

I called them 3 peas in a pod and they thought that was the funniest thing!

Random Pictures

My 3 cuties...

Uncle Kyle and Grayson
(I think Grayson was telling Uncle Kyle stories about his crazy big brother and sister.)

At the hotel, I told Brayden to color at this little table. And she did.

Grayson and Uncle Chris meeting for the first time!

And, I am pleased to introduce you to Gilligan meets Nightgown Ballerina...
(not to sure what she is pretending to be here).

Okay blog friends. That is 3 posts in one day...comment please! Is anyone still reading this?

The Big 3-0!!

My sweet husband turned the big 3-0 on Monday. We celebrated Sunday night with both sets of families at Saltgrass. Yummy!!

On his actual birthday we had a 6 hour car ride and Preschool graduation, but I think he had a great day anyway!

Happy Birthday to the love of my life! I am thankful that you are my partner through the ups and downs of this life. You are an amazing daddy, a loving husband and a compassionate pastor. Thank you for all you do for our family!

Graduation!!

Over the past few days we have celebrated some pretty important graduations!

Kennan graduated from Preschool on Monday evening.
He didn't smile much...this was the best I could get!

After receiving his diploma...

After the graduation, it is tradition to ring the bell on the playground...
High school graduate Class of 2023, here he comes!!!

Happy family with a preschool graduate!
I can't believe I have a kid old enough for kindergarten!!!

On Saturday, my brother graduated from college. The kids made some posters for him. This one says "We are your BIGGEST fans! We love you!"

Happy Graduate before getting his diploma!

We are so proud of you Kyle! (Wish someone would have told me I was standing in front of Kennan!!!)

2 Months Old!

How could you not LOVE this face??

Grayson Benjamin turned 2 months old on Sunday, May 9.
He is such a joy...an easy and laid back baby! I tell everyone that I think he knows he is #3...he has to be good!!!

We took him to the doctor today for his 2 month check up. He is as healthy as can be! The doctor said to keep doing what we are doing...cause we are doing it right!!!!
He weighs 11 lbs 6 oz and is 23 3/8 inches.

And I think we can say that he officially found his fingers today!!

Fun facts:
Kennan at 2 months: 10 lbs, 23 1/2 inches
Brayden at 2 months: 9 lbs 12 oz, 21 3/4 inches

I think it is safe to say that Grayson is our biggest baby yet!!

Oh, and I got a new camera today. I got a Nikon CoolPix P100. The pictures above were taken with it. I am pretty happy so far!!!

Spending Some Time in the Great Outdoors!

The weather in these parts has been pretty great this week. We have had LOTS of time outdoors...evidence being coughs, snotty noses, sore throats...oh, and the pretty yard and sunburned kids.

Kennan playing soccer...we are still working on it!
(He's on the far right doing a new soccer move...)

Playing the pitcher position in t-ball...

Playing in the backyard!

This is what happens when I ask her to smile...oh the drama!

Sweet baby boy also loves to be outside!

Yummy (and completely unhealthy) cheeto snack...

Last year we planted vegetables and were completely unsuccessful. We are trying container gardening this year. Here we have cucumbers and tomatoes. We also planted squash, red and yellow peppers and strawberries.

These are some the irises I planted last spring. I was so proud that they bloomed this year!!

We also planted some geraniums and dianthus.

Here's to many more summery days, vegetables and strawberries from our garden and no more sunburns!!!