The sand in my toes.....

The beach, there is nothing like it! The cool breeze, the salty air, the sound of the waves crashing on the shore! This past weekend we took the kids to Galveston to stay with Grammie and Grampie, needless to say they had a blast! Riley was a bit timid at first, very cautious and slow to the water. Once she knew it was safe though, there was no stopping her! She was so full of life, laughing and running! She learned how to make sand pies with Grampie, feed the seagulls, and look for seashells with Grammie. Grammie taught her how to find the most perfect ones and how to wash them off in the ocean so they would be nice and clean! Carson just hung out most of the time, but I think he enjoyed it just as much. He loves to look around and watch everything around him. You could just tell he was soaking it all in! He loved the sand and wanted to eat it! He also laughed when the waves would crash up to him! We got to spend some really great quality time with our family and that is what I loved the most! It was so calm and quiet and peaceful! I can't wait until the kids are old enough to go see Grammie and Grampie at the beach without mommy and daddy and I know Grammie and Grampie look forward to that too!! Thanks for a wonderful weekend! We love you both so very much!

Family Time!

It has been at least 4 weeks since we have been to the lake. We have had birthday parties every weekend, and have not had the chance to get away, so this weekend was extra special for us! We love our little place on the water. When we are there it's as if time stands still....silly I know since it's just about and hour and a half from home. I think for us, it is a way to escape the everyday pressures and just relax. No beds to make, nothing to clean, no yard to mow, you get the idea! Our kids love it (all three of them) wink! It's like they have just stepped into the biggest candy store you can imagine, Riley's little face just lights up when she sees the water.

The weather could not have been more perfect....a little rain and a nice "cool" breeze with a high of about 86! We all went swimming, took a walk, saw some really BIG catfish, and turtles! Riley played in her first rain puddle, and discovered how cool it is to play in the mud! We danced and laughed and sang lots of songs! We ate....oh did we eat....some really great food, and made homemade chocolate ice cream! If you would have told me this is how my life would go, I'd have never believed it. It's too perfect, to grand, to wonderful! I have exceptionally fantastic children and a very special husband who makes me feel like the most important person in the world. I thank God daily for blessing me with this fabulous, love filled life! Like always I snapped a few photos....enjoy!

The Greatest Show on Earth!

William surprised us with tickets to the circus last week, and Riley was so excited when the day finally came and it was time for us to go! We were a bit nervous taking Carson, not knowing if he would be still or if it was just too much for him to handle, but he was incredible, and did great! I truly think he enjoyed all the action and music and lights! Riley sat in daddy's lap and clapped her little hands so hard. It was so cute to watch her look around at everyone else doing it, she wanted to do exactly what they were, she cheered and laughed and even shouted at the acrobats to "be careful" up there! Such a big girl! Carson just sat in my lap and looked around the whole time. I am sure he was soaking it all in, there is so much to see! We did end up heading out about 20 minutes early, but we were so proud that they both made it to the end of the show! They even sat through a 30 minute intermission without so much as a peep! We topped it off with a super cute pic of Riley on a very cute little elephant, and a $15.00 stuffed one that is no bigger than my hand.....(you can't go to the circus and leave without a souvenir)! We had such a great day together and can't wait for our next big adventure :)

Superman!

I am mainly posting this for my BFF....I have been telling her for the past couple of days that Carson has been doing the little tee-pee thing, you know where they do a little mini-push-up, and peek up real high on their toes. Carson has been doing this for the past 2 days, I guess I am just amazed because he is only 5 1/2 months and already doing some really big boy stuff. So tonight he was on the floor playing with Riley like normal, and all of the sudden he just pulls his little knees up and starts rocking....1....2....3 we are counting how long he is on his knees, about 15 seconds later, he plunges forward in a very graceful belly flop! He does this for the rest of the evening with all of us shouting like nutty people "look, look....he's doing it again" Riley is at this point looking at us like....so he's on his knees big deal look at me.....I can talk! Of course you always think that it's a fluke and indeed it could be, but I had to snap a few pics to show her that I am so not making it up and that my son could really possibly be superman (or he's just trying to keep up with his big sister) I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!

My Sweet Love!

Big Girls don't Cry!

I just got done putting the kiddos to bed (W) is at the gym with his trainer tonight because he missed his 6:30 appt. this morning due to Carson's many awakenings last night (we think he is teething). Riley was so not interested in going to bed this evening, maybe because daddy is not here and she had to say night-night over the phone. Carson and I tucked her in and went off to his room to finish his bottle. Riley stood at her door crying and well....I won't sugar coat it....screaming to be let out of her room! After Carson was finished and sound asleep I went back to Riley's room to find her in her bed sniffling away which is a pretty rare thing for her. She always goes to bed pretty easily, some nights she falls right to sleep...others she sits in bed in the dark and flips through pages of books pretending to read. William and I get a kick out of this, and love to peek at her on the monitor! She is so cute! So I go over to her and ask her to stop crying so I can understand her, and for her to use her words and tell me what is wrong. She looks up at me with her big brown eyes and says "mommy.....lay here please" and points to her bed. So here I am laying in her twin bed running my fingers through her freshly shampooed hair. She loves it when I do this! She is still sniffling....but other than the sound machine there is no noise. Quietly she whispers......

"mommy"

"yes Riley"

"my nose is running"

"your nose is running"

"yes"

indeed it is, as she takes the back of her tiny hand and swipes it across her nose....nice

"OK" I say and I get up to get her a Kleenex....we wipe her hand and nose

"good night sweet girl"

"good night mommy"

Where on earth does she come up with this stuff??

I am watching her on the monitor roll around in bed with "baby kate" trying to get in a comfy position, while Carson is already well on his way to dream land! I am soaking in these moments, realizing how quickly life passes us by, I love her sweet little voice, the way she talks and laughs and yes....even cries. I know one day she will be a big girl and won't cry over the little things like her nose running! My precious, precious babies.....I love you both so much!

I guess I should go clean up the living room that looks a mini toys-r-us, and get ready for bed myself. It was a long day, I am ready to go to dream land too!! Good Night!

Gravity

So Friday night William, Mandy, Sammy and I went to John Mayer! The men in our lives are such good sports! I have never been to one of his concerts before, and it was exceptionally grand! He sounds fabulous live, not to mention the fact that he is not too sore on the eyes ;) My sister was also there with some girlfriends from work, so we all sat together on the lawn and swayed to the music. It was so nice once the sun was gone, and we even had a breeze every so often! Mandy and I figured out that we had not been out (the 4 of us) since Link was born....7 1/2 months ago......ummmmm.....not good! We have vowed to make this a more "regular" occasion and not just a "special" one!

The rest of our weekend was so relaxing and cool, we stayed in most of the time, and cruised the mall for a bit on Sat. The kids were great, I love spending time with my family they fill my life with so much JOY! We went to Church on Sunday, and then went to lunch together as a family, we had so much fun! Here are a few fun photos from the night, and of Link and Carson at church in their matching outfits.....we so didn't plan that!! Have a great day!