Growing Babies...

My babies are growing up way too quickly.  Today Marissa turns 21 months old.  She is my true sugar and spice kid.  She is ever-so-sweet, quick to say "tank you" for the littlest things, always willing to "help" out,  she snuggles when she wants to, melts our hearts with "wuv vu" (although still most often followed by the word boots!).  She can count to ten (see video below) and has started using her little potty.   She went pee three times in it on Saturday and twice on Sunday, tonight she pooped in it (oh the things that make Mommies proud!).  She is our precious doll and I cannot even express how much joy she brings to us.

Then there is Nate.  He will be four tomorrow.  Four.  F-O-U-R!  I cannot believe it.  He is such a sweet and silly little boy.  My heart bursts with pride over the little man he has become.  I am so blessed to watch him grow up!  At this time four years ago, I was sitting in the hospital with two of my good friends totally clueless to how much a wee one would change my life.  I am so thankful for the depth he has added; I am such a different person today because of the things he teaches me. 

I sit here tonight with a thankful heart!

I'm In Print

While I realize you only come to this blog to see pics of the world's cutest kids...I am going to break for a second to toot my own horn.  My name is in print. In my first book. Granted it is not super exciting reading material, it is in OT text books, but this is a pretty big deal to me.  In addition, it is with Beatriz (Betty) Abreu, my former boss and mentor. She won one of the largest awards that OTs can win at our national conference last year.  It is an honor to be pulished with her...and it is a little addicting to see my own name in print!  Yay!

And now...back to cute kids....

Sweet Friends

"There is no greater joy than the joy of being surrounded by good friends"

Nate and Julianne in the strawberry fields

'Rissa and Emma (she is such a little love-bug!)

All work and no play.....oh wait, time to be silly and go grab some lunch.  'Rissa and AnnDee

Keaton, 'Rissa, Nater, Landon, and Isaiah =Friends Forever!

We are so thankful for the sweet friends our kids have opportunity to grow with, laugh with, learn from, and be silly with!  It is friends like these that make childhood special!

Joyful kiddos

People always tell me how happy my kids are, how great they get along, and how they seem to share well.  I thought I would share some photographic evidence of how very true that always is:

Ha ha!

But in all honesty, I do usually have some pretty sweet babies.

Carnival

The kids' daycare had their annual carnival.  They had fun eating more than they should, riding ponies, jumping in jump houses, and playing in the petting zoo. 

Back to the Beach House

After visiting Granny, we went back to the beach house to meet up with our cousins!

We did a little more fishing and Daddy caught an eel!

We did some swinging and attempted to do some crabbing (but they really never had a chance to enter the trap as many times as we pulled it out to check on it).

And we had a whole bunch of silly fun!

We love spending time with our family!



Easter Morning

Easter Sunday

Following services at our church, we went to visit Granny (and show off this extreme cuteness).

I cannot get over how cute these two are!

We loved our time with Granny and I was finally able to get pics of the kids loaded up on her power wheelchair.  This is quite often how they ride through the halls at Grannys! 

What fun!

Beach and Beach House - Easter Weekend

To say these two are spoiled by their grandparents is a gross understatement.  We met up with Grandpa and Grandma and some of their friends at a beach house.  The kids LOVED their Easter baskets which were full of all things kids "need" -sidewalk chalk, candy, bubbles, toys, books, etc.

Then Nate got to spend time fishing with Daddy and Grandpa.  Which he had been looking forward to for quite some time.

 Not much was happening in the fishing area so they decided to hit up Grandma's Easter treats instead. 

Then....it happened.  I suppose it is a right of childhood (although I am not sure I ever got that right).  Music began to play and Nate saw a truck with Shrek painted on the side.  He was pretty happy and then Grandpa  informed him it was an ice cream truck...

This face pretty much explains it!

And of course, Grandpa purchased the kids their very first ,out-of-the-truck delicacies. 

Which were thoroughly enjoyed!

I guess the line that the "music truck" is driving by, is over....we will curse Grandpa everytime the kids are disappointed that their mean old parents won't let them get ice cream :)

Of course after such a delight, there really is no better way to clean up than a dip in the Gulf!

Nate was all in, no looking back.  Just splashing and running and having a grand time. 

Marissa, on the other hand, was a little more timid and initially did not want to leave Daddy's side. 

She eventually got down and put her feet in the water. When she finally decided it was OK, she let Bubba take her out a little further. 

Then she fell in love...

Tears were shed as we left the beach that evening.  I think we have two water babies on our hands now.  The exciting thing is both kids' tubes are out so we can get them into swimming lessons this summer!

We headed back to the Beach House, cleaned up, spent some time snuggling with Grandpa, and headed home for the evening.

What a great day!  We are blessed!

My apologies...I am waaaay behind with blogging and will eventually get caught back up.  My computer is not reading my camera card so I have to download pictures elsewhere.  Please forgive me.  April has been a crazy month.  I got a few posted and will finish later.  Much love to all of you!

Anniversary

6 Years

Each balloon represented a year we have been married and each gift represented something significant from that year. 

 It is incredible to think he has put up with me losing my keys, misplacing items, cooking/cleaning infrequently, and still loves me.  I am so blessed to share my life, hopes, dreams, etc. with this man.  Figuring out the gifts was a lot of fun for me, but we both know the greatest gifts we have been given are our children....even if they are a little ornery sometimes! 

We are so so so blessed. 

6 down 54 or so to go!