Kayak + Boys = Lots of fun for Daddy

I have been wanting a kayak for years and this past winter I was finally able to purchase one. I decided on a good used one from the local river tours shop. They buy new ones every year and sell the one year old ones for more than half the price. So this past Monday I was finally able to get it in the water. I took the first run around the lake by our house. It was exactly what I thought it would be. The boys were swimming while I went for a quick run by myself and when I returned they were ready and waiting for their turn. I abliged, and we had a great time. We saw ducks, geese, and many fish popping the surface of the water. It was a great experience. So now the boys and daddy have something else they do together to spend some quality time.


As a add on to this post, we went out again this afternoon. Not only did I enjoy this with the boys again, but Jenn and Chloe had fun as well.

Happy birthday, Cody!!

birthday boy, biscuits, and molasses (and yes, there is a candle in his biscuit)

Today, Cody turned 9 years old!! Wow, that makes me feel lots older and if he keeps up like is he going I am going to continue to feel really old (but more on that in a minute). Cody wanted shoes for his birthday, so we headed to Target this past weekend. He picked out some and was very excited. Today, Chloe and I went to school and had lunch with him as well as served cupcakes that we had made last night. We made chocolate cupcakes with blue icing and topped with sour gummy worms in an ice cream cone!! Woo-hoo!! These turned out very well and the kids really enjoyed these. He is having camp week at school so I also went to his room and checked out those happenings. After school, we all met dad at Cracker Barrel and had supper. Cody chose the place and was quite excited to eat fried okra and broccoli:)) Then, we returned home. My baby is not such a baby anymore:(

Now, back to me getting older . . . On Monday, we worked in the yard all day. We had worked and played and rested and worked and played. . . well you get the picture. Cody was climbing a tree and needed to come down. On his way down, he slipped a little and came down with his leg on a little piece sticking out of the tree. We were on the other side of the yard and he yelled he was bleeding. I looked up and realized he was bleeding quite a bit so I took off after him. When I reached him, I knew it was serious so I hollered for Jonathan while I got Cody in the house. He was going crazy and we were having a difficult time calming him down. Finally, we just put him in the truck and they headed to urgent care. Jonathan said once he left, they started talking and he was much calmer. At urgent care, his leg required 12 stitches!! He was quite the trooper and they stopped and got milkshakes before coming home. For now he is fine only not happy that he can't swim, run, and will miss all field day activities:((( So, this is his second set of stitches plus he has broke his wrist 2 different times and he JUST turned 9!!! Is this just the beginning?!?!?

Boys at the lake

More pictures from the lake

You want me to get in there?!?!

Cody tries to help her along.

Ok, I'll try:)

No thanks, I'd rather watch from back here.

Hey, there's sand on my feet!! I must get it off!!

We sure hope Chloe comes around.

We spend lots of our summer time at the lake and pool.

What are we gonna do???

Keegan

One day Keegan will not be happy about this picture, but . . .

The boys rode their bikes to the lake and went swimming. Keegan has no butt so his shorts often fall off. Well after swimming, the shorts would not stay on. So, he's holding the shorts and sporting the bike helmet. Maybe I should submit this to GQ!!

Pictures to go with post below

Another new adventure would be trying out the trampoline with her brothers. Need I say more?!?!

Chloe enjoying a ride to the lake in the wagon.

Hanging out with Cody!

Her calm pose after being sent downhill in the wagon. She travelled well alone and somehow missed the tree. Thank goodness I missed this "fun" time. She doesn't seemed too bothered.

Since we were there, I decided the scenery made a nice picture.

Now, the hard part of trying to get her back up the hill.

Mom had to finally pull her up while they pushed.

ONE MONTH!!

Wow, today makes one whole month since we met Chloe!! It is really hard to believe it has only been a month in some ways and in others it still seems like yesterday. In just a month, all of our lives have changed, BUT, Chloe has had to deal with the biggest changes. Check out some of these "changes":


*She has adjusted to 3 big brothers and as some of you know that is a BIG adjustment.
*She has gone swimming (sort of ) in the lake.
*Chloe has had her first strawberries!!

*She has eaten ice cream, it seems, almost everyday since she has been home.

*She wears pink almost everyday!

*She barely ever beats her head anymore.

*She sleeps in a big girl bed.

*She dumped the bottle in favor of a sippy cup thanks to her friend Isaiah:)

*She attended her first yard sale Saturday.
*Chloe rode in a wagon pushed and pulled by her brothers -- we are very surprised
she came out of that with no scratches.

These are only a few of her new adventures. At just think all of this in a month!! Just imagine what the next year will be like:)

Seriously though, Chloe is such a joy to have. She has such a cute smile and her laugh is contagious. I love to watch her light up when she sees her brothers and how she wants mom when she needs something. When I first get her up in the morning, she cuddles close to me and just lays her head down to snuggle. It is neat to see how she studies her daddy. Even though she doesn't want him to mess with her, she watches everything he does with a big intensity. This has been a wonderful month and we can't wait to see how she continues to grow and change.

Thanks to all those who view and those who not only view, but leave comments. We appreciate all of you and are glad to see people actually enjoying our blog:)

My sister's wedding

This past Saturday my sister was married in Annapolis, Maryland. On Saturday morning, we all had some free time, so all of us plus my dad went and explored around the waterfront. Chloe had an amazing time. She enjoyed looking at the birds and ducks and being free to walk around. Then, we had to head back to get ready. My sister had bought Chloe a dress to wear to the wedding. It was very fancy and she looked soooo cute!! And the boys looked very handsome!

On Sunday, Mother's Day, our church had baby dedication. We dedicated that we would raise Chloe in a God-centered house and to help her know and love Jesus.

And, here are some pictures from our trip to the waterfront as well as our trip with Papa to Burger King. She actually played in the play place including going to the top and sliding down:)) I guess she has got to keep up with the boys -- GOOD LUCK with that!!

New pictures

Kale walking with Chloe outside.

I'm a thinking kind of girl.

I

First ride in the shopping cart

First bath at home

First visit to Chick-Fil-a (although she has become a regular since then).

She played away in the play place with her friends.

Chloe is enjoying riding her bus!

Keegan helping Chloe ride the bus. He LOVES his sister!!

Daddy and Chloe bonding over some ball.

Chloe enjoys playing with balls and since we have soooo many, she's a happy camper.

Chloe adores her biggest brother, Cody. She lights up when she sees him.

All things anew. . .

Well, we are adjusting back to being home and Chloe is adjusting to pretty much everything. Carseat, high chairs, shopping carts, outside, lots and lots of people, and pretty much everything else. She has been a really happy camper this week after being sick over the weekend with a sinus infection.

My dad, Papa, arrived today and we went to Burger King this afternoon for milkshakes. Chloe enjoyed it and then even played in the playland. She went (with help) all the way to the top and slid down the slide. She was smiling from ear to ear. She continues to do very well sleeping and even woke up this morning without crying for me. On the way to taking the boys to school, she happily enjoys her Applejacks and is thrilled when she sees the bag. She starts screaming happily!!

She has made some BIG steps with daddy this week. She played ball with him (as long as I was beside her) and even let him help feed her. Of course it helps that he choose to feed her pudding and I was feeding her applesauce:) She will play with him in the room. So, she is making progress with this and daddy is quite happy since he was able to steal a kiss while she was all happy with him.

All in all she has adjusted much better than we would have expected. It is so much fun watching her experience all the new things in her life. She loves her brothers and lights up when we pick them up from school. The boys in turn will do anything she wants and are enjoying spending time with her. Wow, who knew what adding a special little girl could do to all those involved!!