Birth Family Visit

 

Saturday we drove south a few hours to meet up with Natalie's birth family.  Sadly, we haven't seen them since last summer due to crazy schedules and a new member joining our family!  But we were so glad we could make it work again this summer. 

We had such a good time! This year Natalie was old enough to interact more with the girls, and she loved it.  As you can see from the pictures, she splashed and had a good ol time.  This little splash area was just perfect because she could run around on her own and not have to wear a life jacket. She also didn't have to cling to me the whole time=)

 

 

We enjoyed a beautiful day with some yummy snacks by the pool.  We talked about the many conversations we have both had about our relationship and how others think it's strange or difficult. We laugh at how normal it feels when the Lord has given us all such peace.

 

 

 

We completed our day with a trip to a local custard shop to cool us off. The ice cream quickly became soup on such a hot day so we were scarffing it up fast!  I love Natalie's face in this picture. Silly girl!  I was so glad NJ loosened up for them.  They got to see more of her real personality; not the shy clammed up one!

 

 

 

 

We are so blessed to call them family!  Thanks for a wonderful visit!

VBS

This was Natalie's first year to be an official part of VBS. She was put with a two year old class and I was curious to see how she would do.  She's such a different personality outside of the house. She clams up, turns shy, and hardly says a word. Quite the opposite at home.  I was very proud of her for two big reasons.
1. She didn't have a potty accident at all while there (I bravely put her in panties and no pull-ups)!
2. When given a glass of lemonade for snack time she told her teacher that mommy doesn't let her have that, and asked for water instead! I couldn't believe it. She could have drank that up and I would have never known! **On a side note: we aren't drink nazis or anyting but we are trying to keep her away from juices and other sweet drinks as long as possible so she doesn't end of like her mother and a lover of coke!

Here's her week in pictures.....

She was always in somebody's lap! Daddy showed up one day and surprised her, so he got to sit in on story time.

And Joaquin's first VBS went well too! My friend, Susan got to love on him this year like she did for Natalie a couple year's ago!

 

And for my favorite picture of Natalie at VBS!

Thanks to Lizzie Watson for letting me steal her creation to get NJ's picture. Isn't that frame precious?!

I just love how my daughter's eyes are never looking at the camera! Ugh

 

She couldn't tell me anything about her Bible Story for the week but the girl has not stopped singing that VBS song, Say Yes to VBS! It will never get out of my head=/

 

5 months

Five months has come with a lot of growth for this little man. He started rolling from his back to his tummy, and now he is unstoppable! He won't stay in one spot. I put him on his tummy on his playmat, and he rolls 2 or 3 times until he is nowhere near the mat! It's quite comical to watch.  He is holding himself a little better than he was, but not as strong as I remember Natalie being at this stage.  Joaquin has been much happier in the last couple of weeks and more fun to interact with on a daily basis. He is constantly reaching and grabbing for toys, hair, noses, anything! He drools ALL the time and constantly has something in his mouth. This boy's mouth is so big he can fit the entire paci in it! Seriously. The whole thing.

 

JZ is in need of another haircut.  It's getting big and poofy again, and we can't be having that!  He still doesn't babble or coo much but he does recognize faces well. Daddy came home the other day and Joaquin was just enamored with him. He stared and smiled so big!  I was jealous.

 

I do love this sweet boy's smile. Melts my heart.

 

JZ loves to watch big sister, Natalie. He'll just laugh and smile at her and she thinks it's the coolest thing ever. Love to see their connection.  She'll say, "Momma, look, he's smiling at me!"

 

Well, he looks totally annoyed by her in this picture but it was late, and he was tired!

 

And my favorite part of him growing up (besides the fact that he cries less) is that he can sit in this!

He still needs a little support in the back as you can see from the pillow, but man is it nice to have him in this every now and again. Change of scenery helps wonders! And I don't have to be paranoid at the whole 'flat head' thing when he is in the exersaucer.  Everybody wins!

Can't wait to see what next month brings....

 

 

 

 

 

More Cousin time

Wednesday Ashley was feeling real well so we chilled at the house most of the day. It was blazing hot outside anyway so we were good. The girls and I went on a walk to feed the ducks.

They had a blast!

We did a little swimming that afternoon, but since I had little man and wild woman to keep up with, this is the only photo I got.

The remainder of the evening was spent playing in the tent. For a good hour, Evan and Audrey played and had fun together pretending to be tigers and terrorizing the dogs! Higgins thought it was fun, but I'm pretty sure Murphy was annoyed=)  Natalie occupied herself between her books and her kitchen, and JZ and Ashley were fast asleep. It was so peaceful! I acctually cooked an uninterrupted meal.

 

Thursday:

Before the kids all had to sit for Ashley's haircut, we decided to let them run around outside for a bit. How cute are they?!

 

 

 

 

and the reason we go to Posados......free ice cream!  The kids were thrilled.

 

 

We were sad to see our family go, but so blessed to have spent the week with them making memories (that was for you, mom)!

 

 

 

 

 

Cousin Fun

Last week my sister and her kids came down for an entire week! We were thrilled to have this much time with them.  They came Sunday evening and left on Friday.  I was so excited about the visit that I made an itinerary for the kids (and for me so I wouldn't forget my own plans) so they would know what to expect all week.  Each day we knew what we were having for breakfast and dinner and what activity we would enjoy that day! The kids loved it and referred back to it often during the week.  It was kind of a little puzzle too because they were trying to determine the meaning behind all the pictures.

Monday was spent chilling at the house since we had spent so much time in the car the day before.  We had a little water playtime outside to which Audrey thoroughly enjoyed. I started dragging the slide over to the pool and she was elated. She went down that thing about 10 times in 30 seconds and exclaimed, "We are having so much fun!"  Need I remind you that she was by herself during this time! ha!

 

Tuesday was zoo day. Unfortunately it was slated to be 97 degrees on this day so we got an early start.  We packed snacks, loaded up a wagon and double stroller, slabbed on sunscreen for 4 kids, grabbed a coke for the adults and we were off! We made it to the zoo right as it opened so we parked up front!

I had to snag a good picture while they were all still happy and clean. Notice how everyone is holding onto Natalie!

Evan was such a big helper with both NJ and JZ. I think I need him around all the time!  And Aunt Ashley is always good help=)

 

Riding in style and luxury....

I had another great picture of the girls together, but Natalie was picking her nose. How did I not notice that?!

Once again, not everyone is looking, but we are capturing the moment.  What joy this picture brings to me, seeing my sister's kids with mine!  Something we always dreamed of.

 

 

The kids really wanted to ride the pony at the zoo but of all stinkin days, the ponies apparently rest on Tuesdays!  Good grief! They so graciously and without fits settled on the carousel. Nat freaked out in the nest (the one she really wanted to ride in) so Aunt Ashley stepped in to ride beside her. Nat had a death grip around her neck the whole ride!

Wednesday and Thursday were somewhat uneventful as we got haircuts and played more in the swimming pool (the big one this time).  We ended our week Thursday evening at Posados!

More photos coming.....

 

Slumber Party

   A few weeks ago (yes, I know how far behind I am, and thanks for reminding me Susan!) Natalie had her first slumber party with someone other than cousins.  Some friends of ours needed to travel out of town to be with family so we volunteered to keep the youngest two out of three kiddos. I'm only so good, folks!  That meant 4 kids under the age of 4 for approximately 2 days and nights! Apparently I was feeling brave.  All kidding aside, this is one reason I wanted to be a stay at home mom; to help friends when they needed it most!
    They came over Thursday afternoon and thankfully were all really tired.  All four went down for a nap basically without a fuss and at the same time! I knew it would never happen again so I soaked it up.  When Brian got home and we had all eaten dinner we decided to load up our posse and head out on a walk. How awesome is this?!  We had quite the setup if I do say so myself.

 

Bedtime was somewhat unventful except for the fact that Natalie would not stop talking to Lyla long enough for either to sleep.  I was watching them through the monitor (at 10pm!) when Lyla realized the camera had moved. She immediately hit the deck and didn't move a muscle.  I was cracking up because NJ had no clue why Lyla all of a sudden went still and quiet!  She then proceeded to try and get Lyla's attention back by saying her name over. and over. and over. and over. I finally had to intervene!

The next day was spent in the water so all was well.

You just never can get the kids all looking at you at the same time!

In case you were wondering, I did have a bigger pool! Somehow this one was cooler?!

A swimming day is not complete without snacks!

JZ opted out of this playdate. He sat back and just looked cute for us!