Fun in the Sun

Wow. I really don't mean to go so many days between blogging! It's the same old song. Just busy :)

This is not blog or picture-worthy, but yesterday my folks and I cut down majorly overgrown landscaping in front of the house. Our house is painted brick and needs to be painted again.

Now with the foliage gone, all of that sticks out like a sore thumb. It's ok though. One thing at a time. Isn't it so funny how you can fix one thing and then it makes everything else around it look terrible?


Today, we went out on my dad's boat for the first time! There is a history that goes along with this boat. He bought it several months ago from a man near where he works. In the process of cleaning it, he found a huge bag of white, powdery substance. We never really knew what it was. We have an idea though. Now it's called the drug-boat :) Again, no pictures because I had my hands full!

I did manage to snap a few pics after we cleaned up and went to lunch. The weather could not have been more beautiful.



Miss Hollin pretty much never wears shoes.

Harper enjoyed sitting outside and trying to get out of his photo being taken.


He held out until just before his french fries arrived. Pa Pa didn't mind helping him out :)


Hollin has known how to roll over from front to back for sometime now. This week, she really mastered rolling from back to front!

Now, I can't get her to stop sleeping on her side or stomach. I think I am going to buy her a crib bumper. I had one in Harper's crib. This time around, I went with my mommy senses and pediatrician and decided not to have one in hers. They just scare me. I did just get an Angel Care monitor, so that will give me more peace of mind.

She has been the sweetest little thing today. I have learned that this baby loves to be on the go. She seems to do much better if we are out and about. I ran errands all morning yesterday and she was so content. What can I say? Baby girl loves to shop.




Later on, my dad hung a few things in Harper's room. I tried to get him to notice. He is such a little man. Could really have cared less about the pictures on the wall.


Tomorrow, we are off to church to celebrate a baby dedication. Maya has a vet appointment and I'm sure I will be doing more things in the house. I know I promised office pictures some time ago. I have not forgotten. You have my word that I will post them tomorrow! :)

Good night,

The big DAY and a weekend in pictures

Friday was hubby's first day on his day shift. To make things even sweeter, he is in our area. Meaning, he can come by and eat lunch with us at home or we can meet him somewhere!

I would love to say that I was able to take advantage of his absence and make our bed, clean up upstairs, etc, but I can't. We have been out and about for days and it's been so much fun!

My parents came down this weekend to go with the babies and I to the Azalea Festival. I took tons of pictures, but here are just a few.

Azalea Belles are a tradition for the festival.


They even have little ones! I secretly think it would be so fun if Hollin ever did something like this :)






Harper had his first cotton candy.


My babies :)




On a completely different note, I tried to re-do a few pictures of Hollin with her Easter dress on a few days ago. Harper was so occupied with playing on his new tractor, I knew there was no way I could pry him from it to pose with her.

She did pretty well, but she is wiggle worm.




She is REALLY into sticking her tongue out these days.


She has become such a ham at bath time too.


We also took a trip to the beach on Sunday. Harper wasn't really into it, but he did end up having a good time :)


Hollin is always up for an adventure. This girl is loud and proud.




We went back to the beach today and I took pictures, but my computer is really being a pain. I think it has a major virus :(

Anyway, I hope everyone had a great weekend!!

Our Easter 2012

Easter this year seemed to creep up on us so fast! We decided to go to our church's Sunrise service at 7am. I had my doubts that we could make it, but we did.

The Lord was looking after us this particular morning because I was able to get both babies dressed in 10 minutes. Harper didn't throw a tantrum and Hollin kept on sleeping during wardrobe change, haha. We didn't wake up until 6 and the service started at 7. Needless to say, we were rushing.

Here is my stinker trying to open candy at 6:20am.


I was in such a rush to get out the door, I had to do Hollin's Easter bucket later in the day.


We arrived at the service just as the choir was singing and it was so awesome to hear the message as the sun was coming up. It was held at Airlie Gardens, in front of an oak tree that is estimated to be over 400 years old.

My parents went with us this year, which was so nice. I have photos of them, but my mom is not a fan of being on my blog haha. So here is a picture of Harper and dad.

And here is little Hollin with her wonky bow. I tried 3 times to make a headband with it, but it just didn't work.

After the service, a few Sunday school friends and I organized a little Easter egg hunt. Most of the photos I took were blurry (seriously, I'm so annoyed with myself. My hubby seems to think it's my vision because he takes the clearest pictures ever.) I borrowed these from my friend's facebook.

Here is Harper hugging her little girl, Eliza. She is not quite 2.

Probably one of my favorite pictures to date.

The moment quickly passed when Harper lost his balance. They both went tumbling and well.....


She was a good sport. And so were her parents. Thankfully.

Harper apparently had to use the restroom, so we left not long after.


I wanted a family Easter photo, but this was the best we could get.


We headed over to my father-in-laws house for a quick brunch. Hollin fell asleep so sweetly in Jimmy's arms. Love these two.


I sort of stopped taking pictures as this point. A week of non-stop going and party planning on top of getting up so early kind of hit me all at once. I ate, socialized and then came home to crash.

Every year at this time, I am humbled by the magnitude of Easter's meaning. It makes everything I piddle with seem so insignificant. It doesn't really matter if my photos are blurry or if we can't get a good family photo. As a mom, I absolutely want to preserve these memories in photos the best I can, but ultimately, it isn't that important. What's important is that we recognize what Jesus did for us and to live for Him each day.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter.

John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. (NIV)

Midweek Confessions

I feel like I am SO behind these days! We have been focusing so much on getting the house ready for Harper's party on Saturday that I still haven't taken Hollin's 5 month pictures. So ashamed.

I'm sitting here watching the pre-One Tree Hill finale show. I can't say that I've been a regular watcher. I've seen episodes every now and then, but I'm still kinda sad. They film in the town where I live :)!

We took our first beach trip today with both babies. It was an uber-FAIL. I didn't have my camera, but it was rough. We've decided that we can't go again unless we have one of these.


I ordered a dress for Hollin to wear for Harper's 3rd birthday and I was SO bummed when the shop owner emailed to say that the fabric is no longer available.
It looked kinda like this :(

At the same time though, it's not a tragedy because we are not John Deere clothes-wearing people haha.

I just picked up the Hunger Games while at Costco today. I never read any of the Twilight books. Not against them or anything, I just thought that Hunger Games may be a little more thought-provoking.

I'm afraid to start reading it for fear that I won't be able to put it down. I may wait until next week when things calm down a little :)

That's all for tonight folks. Tired is the story of my life these days:)

Early Easter Festivities

Yesterday, Harper attended his first preschool Easter Egg hunt!

I really wanted Harper to wear the bowtie he wore on Easter last year, but he just wouldn't have it.

What a handsome little devil.


After listening to them sing a few bunny songs, the hunt was on!




My sweet girl had a great time watching her brother, too. She lights up when she sees him. It's the sweetest thing.


Here is our little ham with the rest of his class.


I'm so thankful for little activities like this. They create so many wonderful memories for the both of us. Now if I can just keep him from fighting other kids over the eggs........

:)

I might be out of my mind

This year, Easter falls on Sunday, April 8th. Harper's 3rd (wow) birthday is April 5th.

Jimmy and I talked it over and decided that we will celebrate his birthday on Saturday, April 7th and then of course Easter (and all corresponding activities) will be the next day.

This year's birthday party theme is..............


John Deere Tractors!

Truth be told, Harper could care less what KIND of tractor he's looking at, but working with the green and yellow should be fun!

Part of me wants to go all out because I feel like my little boy deserves it.

He really deserves it after learning to say, "If you touch my Sissy, I'll beat you up!"

I'm excited to make our new digs all festive. On the flip side, however, I have to be realistic. How much can I really do in one weekend? I know I can squeeze in a lot, so I just might do that. It's all part of the fun I suppose.

I LOVE preparing for this time of year and especially planning my first baby's party.

Let the fun begin!

2011 comes to a close

This year has been full of wonderful things for our family. Hollin is the first thing that comes to mind when I look back on 2011. I was thankful that I was able to blog about my 2nd pregnancy. When I was pregnant with my first, I didn't even know what a blog was!


Words can't describe the joy Hollin has brought into our lives and we are so thankful that God gave us the privelege to be her parents. Today she is two months old! Pics to follow tomorrow.


We've been blessed to watch Harper grow into such a little man, start Preschool and then become a big brother.


We are now about to move into our forever home (as far as I am concerned:) and we are so, SO very thankful for our blessings this year.


Jimmy, Harper, Hollin and I wish all of you a very Happy New Year!




Bring on 2012!