Two Years!

Today marks the day that I began blogging two years ago! I can't believe it has been that long. I also can't believe that I have blogged so little! I am trying to do better at updating it on a weekly basis and maybe that will happen in year three of this.

Well... let's see what's new. Jacob is now 6 years old! I cannot believe how quickly the last 6 years have gone by. I thank God for every day that I have with my boys. They truly are a daily blessing in our lives. Jacob had a great birthday. We all headed to Putt-Putt where we spent time together on the bumper boats, go-karts and playing golf. I could not believe how much Daniel enjoyed riding in the go-karts. I wish I had a picture of us driving those things around, but of course, Dylan and I were a little busy doing the driving!




Jacob with all of his birthday gifts!


Blowing out his six candles on his strawberry shortcake! My Mom made some of this for the boys the last time we were at her house and he specifically requested it for his birthday dessert.

Our summer vacation is in full swing! The boys and I spent this past week in Midlothian catching up with our friends. We had a blast! The boys really enjoyed spending time with their grandparents and friends. My parents gave Jacob a blow-up pool for his birthday and the boys had a blast playing in it. Well... I should say that Jacob had a blast playing "in" it and Daniel had a blast playing "near" it! He is still not a fan of water. He has never enjoyed being in a pool except for the summer when he was less than one year old. I can understand the fear of a full-size pool, but this pool was just slightly bigger than a bathtub (which he LOVES), but he still wouldn't get in. I'll have to keep working on him.

We got a chance to go to the Metro Richmond Zoo while we were in town with our buddies, The DuBruelers! We were all so excited to see each other and it was great to get to spend the morning together. It was a hot day, but I think we all had fun. Baby Allison did not enjoy the heat, but she sure looked cute in her hat! Of course, I just realized that I don't have a single picture of her - oops! I guess that's what happens when you're not quite old enough to feed the animals. :)


The boys trying to feed the fish.


Hanging out in front of the tigers.






I was so proud of Jacob - this was the first time that we had been at the Zoo that I didn't have to talk him in to feeding the giraffes. He just walked right up and put out his hand.


Daniel and Ethan check out the alligators.

On Monday, we are on the road again. This time, we are off to my sister's to visit them for a week. We're hoping to squeeze in a trip to the DC Zoo, but I'll be happy just to hang out by the pool. :)

Our Summer vacation has started off with a bang. Jacob has strep throat. Again. Yuck! This is the 3rd time since Christmas. The pediatrician said that if he continues to get it, we'll have to go to the ENT for a consult on whether he should have his tonsils removed. I'm praying it doesn't come to that, but on the other hand, it would be nice to say good-bye to strep throat forever!

On the up side, we have finalized all of our travel plans to visit everybody! It's going to be crazy, but we will be on the road to visit everyone over the next three weeks. Basically, we will be traveling during the week and come home for the weekends. The boys and I are excited that we are going to be able to see all of our friends and family.

As for me, I am just counting down the days to the beach! We are going back to Topsail Island in July and I can't wait! Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go get on my treadmill before I can even think about getting into a bathing suit! :)

Our Life in Pictures

It has been a crazy life here the past month or two. It's been full of Easter egg hunting, circus going, furniture moving/shopping, swing set building, trampoline acquiring and assembling, baseball gaming... the list goes on and on.

This is Jacob's last week of Kindergarten. Yikes. He's now going to be a first grader. I think I just sprouted another gray hair just thinking about that. Where has the time gone??? He will be 6 in eleven days. Daniel will be 3 before the end of summer. Whoever said kids keep you young, must not have actually had kids. 'Cause right now, I feel awfully old. :)

Let's see... where to start with what is new. Here are the boys at Easter:


Yeah, I think they're kinda handsome, too. :)

Jacob has been doing baseball since the end of March and he loves it! He's actually pretty good at it, too. He gets better with each game. We're down to our last three games this week. I'm sad that he won't have that to look forward to each week, but I'm glad the season is ending before the 100 degree weather arrives.


Up at bat...


Made it to first base! (He's doing his signature move here - the Jacob thumbs-up!)


Home Run!


My parents with Daniel.


Next, it was time for Daniel's crib to be packed up.


Always willing to help.


Trying out the tools.


Jacob gives Daniel a hand.


Beep! Beep! Coming through!

After that, came the "big boy" bed. (AKA: my brother's old bed!)


Getting ready to climb in!


Look at me in my big boy bed!


All tucked in with Elmo.


And then there was the sweet discovery of an ice cream truck in our neighborhood:








And lastly, testing out the new swing set:


Swings? Check!


Slide? Check!


Monkey bars? Check! Good to go!

Up next in June: Jacob's birthday, trips to Georgia and Midlothian and lots of other fun! Can't wait to share our summer memories with you guys.