Picking Strawberries (Or Eating Them!)

Last week the boys and I spent some time with my parents while Jeremy was on a staff trip to California. For the first time in awhile, I was able to spend Mother's Day with my Mom. They drove us to church on Sunday, and we enjoyed delicious McDonald's for lunch!=) After naps, the 5 of us headed to a local strawberry patch. The boys had so much fun, and the weather was perfect. I'm surprised Caleb didn't get a belly ache from all the strawberries he ate! On the way home, we stopped at a little icecream shop. It was so refreshing. I'm blessed to have a great Mom and also to be the Mom of two special little boys!

Notice Caleb taking strawberries from Stephen's bucket while he worked so hard to pick them!


Silly strawberry face!


It only got worse!


Stephen was so focused on PICKING good strawberries!


Caleb was focused on EATING good strawberries!


So proud of this "big strawberry!"



The finished product...


And yes, Caleb's still eating!=)

Our Little Soccer Player!

Jeremy and I are headed to Georgia on Wednesday for a Children's Ministry Conference. We won't be back til Saturday, so I thought I'd snag this chance to do a quick blog. I'm excited about spending a few days with Jeremy but will admittedly miss our boys like crazy. We're hardly ever away from them for more than a day or two at a time. I know they'll have as much fun as we will, though, since they're spending the time with their grandparents!

Stephen had picture day at his soccer game yesterday. The kids (in spite of their neon uniforms!) are so cute! Below are some candids I took while we wait for the "expensive ones" to come back!=)

Caleb's First Haircut!

Yep, Caleb is 18 months and has never had a haircut! Of course, I've trimmed up the back some but never actually taken him somewhere. Someone on vacation last week asked us if he was a boy or girl, so Jeremy insisted it was time!=) He did really well, and I admit that my little boy is growing up!


Before Caleb's much needed haircut!


Sitting in the big boy chair (for a brief moment...Mommy had to hold him the rest of the time!)


Caleb's big boy haircut!


Big brother showing him the lollypop rewards!

Happy 4th Birthday Stephen!

The day before we left for vacation was Stephen's 4th birthday! We started out the morning at his soccer game. We ate lunch at Arby's. After lunch, we enjoyed a "mini-fair" in Durham where Stephen rode some rides and played some games. My parents kept the boys at the house while they napped, so Jeremy and I could pick up some last minute party stuff. That evening we had some of Stephen's friends over for a party. We set up the bounce house outside, and it was a hit. We also enjoyed a yummy cake from Coldstone, which is still in our freezer, tempting me to finish it off! It was a great day, and we are so thankful for our litte miracle man! We love you, Stephen!

Warming up with Daddy before the game


The carousel at the fair


Riding the big ferris wheel with Paw-Paw


Our family at Stephen's party


Maw-Maw Hall (Great Grandma!)


Maw-Maw & Paw-Paw


Nana & Paw-Paw


Opening some cool presents


Eating lunch with friends


The bouncehouse

Family Vacation!!!!

We spent last week with my family on vacation in Virginia. The resort, Massanutten, has many fun things on location for families to do. We had a great time! Hope you enjoy the pictures that show some of the exciting things we enjoyed!

Jeremy getting the giggles out of Caleb. I love this picture!


Stephen waiting to play Putt-Putt where he made a hole in one!


Caleb resting after playing forever in the creek outside our condo.


Stephen doing a quick pose before throwing more rocks in the creek.


The boys at the creek.


Jeremy and Caleb enjoying the lazy river at the indoor waterpark.


Stephen coming down one of 3 pretty big waterslides. He started on his bottom and ended up on his belly at the bottom!


Getting some giggles from Caleb at the waterpark!


Caleb got some "big brother pushes" in the baby water swings.


The boys racing at the arcade. Stephen would later play another game, hit the jackpot, and win 1000 tickets! Unbelieveable!


Caleb riding a fake bear while brother rode the go-carts.


Stephen really is in there beside Paw-Paw.


Jeremy and I enjoyed some quiet time on the golf course a couple days. It was beautiful!


Chillin' with Daddy at the playground one morning.


We stopped by Liberty on the way home, and Stephen was excited to get a new LU hat!

Happy Easter!

The boys had their Easter pictures today. I love Portrait Innovations, but I stuck to my guns when discussing what I wanted to buy. Of course, I could have spent lots of money; all the pictures were great! I settled on these 2 poses, though. The one of Stephen is for his 4 year old picture. I love that the boys' birthdays match up so nicely with holidays! Enjoy...and Happy Easter!!!

Our Next Baby!

This morning we bought a new van and later in the morning saw amazing pictures of our newest addition! After much debate and thought, we finally settled on a Nissan Quest which we bought off Craigslist. We used the Dave Ramsey method, and I feel like we got a great deal! Plus, I love the van, and that's a big deal 'cause I'm not really into being a "mini-van Mom." The ultrasound was great, and I kept thinking back to Psalms 139 and God's amazing creation. Thankfully, the baby looks healthy, and we are right at 18 weeks. The technician could easily tell if it was a boy or girl, but we closed our eyes, so we wouldn't know! It was hard, but Jeremy and I have decided to let this baby be a surprise. It makes the due date more exciting (and seem longer away!). Enjoy the glimpses of God's newest, amazing creation in our family!

Little feet


Covering his/her face








Little hand