Saturday evening

We tried to visit a local park Saturday night, but a soccer team was having their end of season party so it was a little crowded. We decided to hang out near the boats and feed the ducks and fish. It was a beautiful day!

Our weekend

Justin's been working hard building us a shed (so far, no trips to the ER! I think he's setting a personal record!) while also tending to his garden. I'm proud of him too!

male-bonding wearing cool shades and using power tools

Isaiah checking out Justin's garden

from left-to-right: peach tree and blueberry bushes, garlic, zucchini and melons, beans, corn, potatoes, tomatoes. a few things like strawberries didn't work out this year, but we had great lettuce this spring!

Isaiah playing in Paw-Paw's truck. He says he's going to get a green one when he turns four! :)

Even FUNNIER story!!!

While I was typing that last post, Isaiah seemed awefully quiet in my bathroom. This is what I found!

FUNNY STORY!!!

Today we got together with a friend who had borrowed my maternity clothes. When she gave them back to me, Isaiah asked what all the clothes were in the bag. I said that I wore them when my belly was big when he and Gabriel were growing in there. He said, "How did baby get out of there?" He motioned his hands around his belly and added "there's no holes" :) :) :) All I said was that the doctors helped get him out and quickly changed the subject. I don't know about him, but I'm not ready to explain yet!

A day at the park

We found a turtle at the park today! It was so neat!

"help me! i'm surrounded by screaming kids!"

Isaiah and his friend Mia check out the turtle. Isaiah really fot the hang of pumping on the swing today for the first time. He has been watching and studying our neighbor who is a year older and he finally got it today. He leans back when he's going forward and everything! I was almost in tears when i saw him get it, i was so proud. He was too. He's just such a great little guy.

brothers

Fun at City Park

One of those weeks...

So we didn't have a great week. Gabriel had a fever Sunday and Monday. Things seemed better on Tuesday. Then Wedneday we went to his 15 month check up and he had to get 3 shots. That afternoon he broke out in a rash around his face head and neck. I had used a different sunscreen on his face than usual, but just wasn't sure that it wasn't related to his shots since there was just a bit of irritation around the injection site. So, Thursday we were back to the doctors office to find out that it was indeed only a reaction to the sunscreen. All the while, Justin was out of town and Gabe's been having bad nights sleeping because his eye teeth are coming in. Thursday morning when we headed out to the store for Benadryll, I told Isaiah we were getting Gabe some medecine to help him stop itching. He looked at me plainly and said, "Mommy, Jesus can do that." As you can imagine, I stopped dead in my tracks and we both prayed for little Gabe. I wish I could say that in that instant he was miraculously healed, but he was not. I do think that no matter how God choses to heal us, he just wants us to have faith like a child and look to Him first instead of last. I have my three year old to thank for reminding me of that.

brotherly love

Even though we only get one of these moments to every 100 fights, seeing this makes it all worth it!

quite possibly the best picture I've ever taken

it speaks for itself

practice makes perfect!

I decided it was time for Gabe to start learning how to feed himself. We've tried in the past and not much makes it in his mouth which leaves him very hungry! As you can see we have a long way to go but practice makes perfect... right?

Our trip to Emerald Isle

I'm definately loosing my photography skills. I used to be great at getting that perfect shot - the Kodak moment. Now I'm lucky to even remember the camera. I hope you enjoy these shots of my handsome little fellas!

Isaiah and Conner

The sound of the waves put Gabe right to sleep every time!

Me and Alison in all our au-naturale glory!

More from Hilton Head

Grandpa said he'd jump in the pool with Isaiah but Isaiah's smarter than Grandpa thinks! He told Grandpa, "You go first!"

Gabe's best "Puss-in Boots" face (for all you Shrek fans out there :)

cheesy, but one of the few pictures we have of the two of us

the fam

Fun at Hilton Head

Grandma & Budga

Gabe having fun at the awesome park

"Grumpy" at the beach

I think it's naptime! But what a beautiful day!

Some more silly "Isaiah-isms"

I don't have any new pictures because my camera is not working but Isaiah has some very cute sayings lately that I wanted to share:

When he was trying to talk about Grandma and Grandpa he says:
"Grandpa and Grandma and Grandpa and Grandpa" almost like he doesn't know when to stop! It just keeps coming out! It's very cute if you heard it.

We also made up this joke because he loves to say the word "snot":
"What does the snot train say? Ah-choo! Ah-choo!"

When he wants an whole bunch of something, like jellybeans, he says:
"a whole junk of 'em!"

We can't wait to see you next weekend Grandpa and Grandma and Grandpa and Grandma and Grandpa and Grandma and Grandpa and Grandma and Grandpa and Grandma and Grandpa and Grandma and Grandpa and Grandma and Grandpa and Grandma and Grandpa and Grandma and Grandpa and Grandma and Grandpa and Grandma and Grandpa and Grandma !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gabriel's first haircut

No more curls :(

I was sad to see them go.

It's bittersweet to see him go from baby to little boy.

I still love to put him in a onesie and cuddle him.

I can't believe it already been a year.

He was very cooperative as you can see here.

He modeled his new "do" for the camera.

For some reason I don't think it will always be this easy :)

Fun in the sun

who needs pants?

Justin's "Mini-Me" with a hint of Mommy beginning to show

Gabe's really getting good at walking. He's really enjoying this new independence. Although he still spends quite a bit of time on my hip! I have the "man-arms" to show it!

tickle-tickle :)

The birthday boy is 29!!!

I guess one more year of fun before we become real adults!

We had better get our act together!

my handsome hubby :)

Jordan was just thrilled for Justin that he got flip-flops! She carried them around showing everybody the great news! I don't think Justin had the same enthusiasm. I think shoes mean a whole lot more to a little girl :)

Here's Justin trying out Nathan's new skate board. Just looking for a way to go to the emergency room... again.

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Cedar Rock Park

Elliott, Zach, Isaiah & Conner at the waterfall...

with their weapons, of course... just in case there are any "bad guys"!

Gabriel with his big cousin Mychael

Yesterday we took a trip to Cedar Rock Park with three other Moms that we enjoy getting together with each week. This was our first time there, which is a shame because it was only 10 minutes away! What a beautiful place! And I can safely report... there were no "bad guys".

Pumpkin Pancakes

2 c. flour
3 tbsp. packed brown sugar
1 tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 3/4 c. milk
3 eggs, lightly beaten
3/4 c. canned pumpkin
1/4 c. veg. oil (not olive)

1. In a large bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, baking pwder, and salt.
2. In a second bowl, combine milk, eggs, pumpkin and oil.
3. Stir milk mixture into flour mixture until slightly lumpy.
4. Heat lightly greased skillet over medium heat. Pour 1/4 c. batter for each pancake. Makes 16.

(from Better Homes and Gardens - Jan.)

Dirt-Bike Guy

Friday night we went to watch some of our friends kids (5 and 7) who do BMX dirtbike racing. I had no idea that there was a track here in town. It was so neat! They had big jumps and hills and everything! Isaiah was in heaven! Gabriel was pretty interested too! Maybe we'll try to take those training wheels off this summer! :)

Poppy Seed Chicken

6 chicken breasts, diced ( I didn't use this much)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
2 tbsp. dry sherry
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup crushed Ritz crackers ( I used whole wheat Ritz)
1 1/2 tbsp. poppy seeds
1 stick butter, melted

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Place diced chicken breasts in a 13 x 9 baking dish coated in cooking spray.

3. In a bowl, combine the soup, sour cream and sherry. Pour over the chicken. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

4. Mix the poppy seeds and the crushed crackers and sprinkle the mixture over the chicken. Salt and pepper to taste.

5. Drizzle melted butter on top and cover.

6. Bake for 30 - 45 minutes (depending on how much chicken). Take cover off for the last 5 minutes.

7. ENJOY!!! (I served this over rice)(from Allrecipes.com)

What I'm learning...

1 Corinthians 13
paraphrased by Jean Flemming,
"A Mother's Heart"

If I keep my house immaculately clean, and am envied by all for my interior decorating, but do not show love in my family-I'm just another housewife.

If I'm always producing lovely things-sewing, art; if I always look attractive and speak intelligently, but am not loving to my family-I am nothing.

If I'm busy in community affairs, teach Sunday school, and drive in the carpool, but fail to give adequate love to my family-I gain nothing.

Love is kind, though tired and frazzled.

Love doesn't envy another wife-one whose children are "spaced" better, or in school so she has time to pursue her own interests.

Love doesn't try to impress others with my abilities or knowledge as a mother.

Love doesn't scream at the kids.

Love doesn't feel cheated because I didn't get to do what I wanted to do today-sew, read, soak in a hot tub.

Love doesn't lose my temper easily.

Love doesn't assume that my children are being naughty just because their noise level is irritating.

Love doesn't rejoice when other people's children misbehave and make mine look good.

Love is genuinly happy when others are honored by their children.

BE BLESSED TODAY MOTHERS!!! :)

Gabe's Birthday Party

"Happy Birthday"...again!

Nana and her boys

Isaiah's always willing to lend a hand when it comes to opening presents


Mae-Mae and Jonathan putting together Gabe's new riding toy

"wee!"