Love Me Some Lily

This past week while Cole was finishing up his last few days of Mother's day Out Rhonald and I decided to take Lily Kate out on the town.  We began our morning at a local park where she played and ran and walked around forever.  She laughed and laughed and truly enjoyed her time with Mommy and Daddy.  After playing we treated our girl to lunch at Chick Fil A and to some shopping at Target where she picked out a pair of hot pink, glittery flip flops.  Lily is growing up so fast.  We felt so thankful to have a morning to just focus on her and enjoy her sweet personality.

Soccer Silliness



Spring soccer is quickly coming to an end and I wanted to share a few more pictures of sweet Cole at soccer.  He really has enjoyed it and has learned a lot from Coach Thomas but most of all he has had fun.  That has been our main goal with soccer...that he has fun and learns how to be on a team.  While I am not sure the Lime Lions have won a game they have all had a great time running around together.  Can't wait until the Fall to see how much these boys remember of what they have learned.

A Weekend In Paradise

A few weeks ago our friends, the Thompsons, invited us to spend the night at their family lake house.  Um....YES!  It was absolute paradise just an hour from our home.  We have been to the beach but we had never been to "the lake" and we quickly decided that we love the lake.  Like with all of our hearts.  And this is not your ordinary "lake house."  There is so much to do that we could have been busy and happy for days.  The kiddos loved the boat and warmed up to it very quickly.  The lake was still a bit chilly but they managed to swim for a few minutes before getting too cold.  The kids never came inside, never complained and rarely fought which we considered a total success!  After an afternoon on the lake the dad's took the boys fishing while the little girls stayed back and played in the sand area.  I am telling you...total bliss.  It was all such simple fun but it was the best and most exhausting fun ever in the world.  And as I look back at these pictures (I think we took about 250) I am ready to go back.  There were water fights, smore's, indoor tent camping, sand castle building, hammock swinging and SO MUCH laughing!  After some very early wake ups on Sunday morning we went back out on the lake where Lily Kate passed out in Kellie's lap for the most perfect nap ever.  It was so much fun and we were all so sad to have to leave.  Thank you Joe and Kellie, we had such a fantastic time!

Wordless Wednesday

"My Mama!"

I am so very blessed.  God has given us two very beautiful and loving and wonderful children.  I am proud to call them mine.  And I am also proud when I hear Cole tell someone, "Hey! That's my Mama!"  or "I want you to meet my Mama!"  He is just as proudof me as I am of him.  Or when Lily Kate runs to me and throws herself at me for hugs or smiles or to show me something new.  In her own way calling me "Mama!"  I am so thankful to God that he put all of us together...I love being their Mama!

"Roar!"

Sister loves to pretend to "get you" any chance she can get.  The thrill of making someone laugh is one of her favorite things.  And who wouldn't laugh at this cute little thing...she is amazing in every way!

Sleeping Over

Last Friday night Cole had Ben B. come over to spend the night.  This was Cole's first sleepover at our house and he was very excited!  Ben came over shortly after nap time and the 3 kiddos (Lily was never far behind those boys) immediately headed out to play.  Cole was so happy to share in our "routines" with Ben.  I let Cole decide what we would have for dinner and he chose baby back ribs, mashed potatoes, green beans, deviled eggs and rolls.  Um...I thought he would choose pizza but such is life!  The kids ate well, played forever in the bath and then headed up to the playroom where Rhonald had set up a tent for a real camping experience.  Rhonald was so excited about this sleepover that he went all out...spider man flashlights, glow sticks, s'mores cookies, a Bernstein Bears camp out book!  The boys loved it all and were so excited to sleep in the tent!  When we got down to our room we heard this conversation on the monitor: Cole "Goodnight Ben."  Ben "Goodnight Cole. I love you."  Cole "I love you too, Ben."  Ugh! Melt our hearts!!!!  And then quiet...until about 30 minutes later when we heard them talking about being scared in the tent because of all of the shadows and noises.  Poor boys.  I went up and laid with them for a bit, went back down and then we heard the same conversation again.  So....the tent sleepover turned into a sleepover in mom and dad's bed.  They jumped at that chance and were both asleep within 5 minutes!  Love them!  The next day was so fun and filled with lots of play time.  I remember taking Cole to visit Ben in the hospital the day after he was born....how is it possible they are having sleepovers already?!