"I don't want to grow up"...

"Because then I have to eat yucky food!" Oh the concerns of childhood. I told Daniel he could stay a boy for a long time before he has to eat more yucky food.

Not too much going on here, we are still waiting to see what the next step is. In the mean time we are enjoying the kids so much. Noah tries to get into any box, or hole, he can fit into.

The kids just playing in the living room...
We got a chance to play with Isaac and Bella this week, and enjoyed a nice watermelon among friend :-)

Another play group, it is very fun to watch girls play together and see what they come up with.

Last week we decided to enjoy dinner at the beach, and it worked out well. It wasn't as hot, the kids got tired out on the ride home, and there were less people there. The only bad part was that I realized Daniel and Rachel can eat their own ice cream cones now...no more sharing with mommy.

I am tempted to go out and find some fresh blueberries, they are so good this time of year and the kids love them...but I probably should dust and pick up the house just a little.

More Travels

I think we are done with our major traveling for the summer. We had a good time in NY with family, Rachel and I got our nails done, for a special treat. Rachel did so well, that should be a regular even for us!

Look how focused she is...

My cousin and her daughter, Hadessa, were with us, both girls enjoyed the pampering.
We also got to enjoy time in the pool. Daniel doesn't stop moving once he enters the pool and is fearless. Rachel, on the other hand, is not too excited about pool time, so we just put our feet in. Noah is in between the extremes.
We got to ride in Buddy's Bus out to lunch with everyone. This is almost the only way to travel with everyone! It was fun, and we got some shoes for Noah. He fit into a size 6/7 Crocs, and can walk around pretty well in them. That is the same size shoe as Rachel.
More fun outdoor time.

We honestly took the opportunity to check out a house that was right down the road, and would be perfect for us if Kevin was able to get a job and it is still available (http://www.weichert.com/32559127/). We also got approved to move on base, into a 3 bedroom place as soon as we decide, but I just feel like we need to wait just a little longer to see which is the right way. The encouraging thing is that there are options! The last bit of news is that upon returning home, we found that one of our hermit crabs had died. It was Rachel's, and I don't think she really cared, but I was encouraged that I could keep a pet like that longer than a year...maybe it is time for a bigger animal? I was going to wait until Noah got a little older, but it is fun to think about.

Should be Packing

Kevin is heading to FL this week for work, so I am heading to NY to spend time with family. I know I can't leave every time he leaves, but while it is summer, and there's a pool and cousins to play with, we'll head out.

For Noah's celebration we went to Build A Bear and got Noah his own bear. Daniel and Rachel have their own, which they got some outfits for, and we had his favorite meal, Mac and Cheese and Hotdogs. He is on whole milk, it feels to good to be fully away from formula. Now I just need to get rid of the diapers, and I am free from that stage of life.
Here the kids are playing with their bears outside. Rachel had a photo shoot for her bear, I am glad I have a digital camera, click away!
The kids just figured how to open up the front window, it made for a cute picture.
We had checkups for all the kids this week and everyone is happy and healthy. The kids being healthy is such a blessing, and I give God the credit for that. And now to get back to packing.

Happy Birthday Noah

An Ode to the Youngest

I had some time with my third little boy
and the words just started to flow
I am very proud as he is walking around
I love him so much, does he know?
He points and discovers
I try not to hover
But he is into everything he can grasp
The breeze plays with his hair
and is he aware
of his joyful belly laugh!
In this moment in time
He is all that's on my mind
Although soon the others will come
This year went so fast
Your not very least, although the last
My sweet boy who loves dancing and having fun!

Myrtle Beach

Kevin has now entered into the 30's and we were able to celebrate with his family down for the week in Myrtle. It was a good trip, I didn't get burned, the kids all had fun, and it was good family time. We also were able to celebrate Father's Day down there, and cover a whole bunch of birthdays and celebrations.

Noah is a beach bum.

Rachel and Aunty Nay
The easiest way for me to get Rachel back out to the beach was to entice her with an italian ice. It matched her bathing suit.
I like this type of play pen.
We were able to go out mini-golfing with Ryan, Kristin, and Renee, and it was a good evening out.

We got back on Saturday and I went to bed around 7... honestly. I think with the full time work the week before, and then a week at the beach, it has been a full past few weeks. VBS has started, and it is a joy to watch both Rachel and Daniel enjoy it. It is fun being a part of it, even though I mess up my lines in the skit, the kids don't seem to mind. The kids are singing all the songs already, and it has only been one night. God has blessed us the last few weeks, and I am very thankful for all the family time, and the things to celebrate. I still feel like we will need to move out of our town house before the summer is over, however, but I am waiting to see how things pan out and what the next step is. And I am doing better at enjoying life in the process.

Whale Watching and Working

Since moving to NE I have wanted to whale watch, and I got the opportunity last weekend when my sister and dad visited. It was amazing. We saw 4 humpback whales two moms and two calfs, and we didn't get sea sick. We also visited the Constitution with the kids in Boston, and at way to much sushi in one sitting!

I love how the boys take care of each other.
Here's everyone looking out into a dry lock, I have a lot of the pictures from the back because I am a little slower. It was nice to have one adult to one kid ratio though. The USS Constitution museum had some great hands on exhibits, if you have the chance to go with the kids you should!
My dad with the boys.
Beau and I on the boat.

I have been working full time this week, and am almost done. It has been a good week of work, but I am glad it is almost over. We are trying to get things ready to leave for Myrtle Beach on Saturday, but it will probably be more last minute, and I think we do work better under pressure.

Noah is walking around all over now, it is fun to watch him toddle and explore. Now time to get the kids ready for bed, and lets see how those Celtics to tonight!

Let June begin!

I have been anticipating June for a while, a month were Kevin is gone to San Diego this week, I am working the full week next week, going to Myrtle Beach after that, and then being involved in VBS the following week, in the mean time fitting in Kevin's 30th birthday, Father's Day, and a visit from my dad, sister and nephew. It is a good busy. I also guess I am apologizing now if I don't take many, or post many, pictures, over the next few weeks, but hopefully we'll capture the highlights.

Noah has been walking a lot, falling down, and then getting back up and trying it again. He enjoys the spotlight, and when he feels sad, he goes to the refrigerator door and plays with toy that plays music, dances a little, and then goes on his merry way. He is really feeling like such a little boy now.

Here are some pictures from the Memorial day parade we went to. It was a good parade, and fun family time.

Daniel had a dentist appointment, and we decided to take Rachel along to to see how she liked it. She did alright, I know she is a little young, but Daniel did very well, and hopefully that will rub off on her.
She was mostly proud of the little toys she got afterward. The dentist said she had a large mouth, and wouldn't need braces for space issues in that large jaw. It is funny to start thinking about braces and things the kids may need in the future. The all so far have a gap in between their front two teeth, but maybe it will even out in the next few years.
I am trying to get my sister to come out a few days earlier, but in the mean time I am trying to pace myself with the kids. I did get one of those iPads, it was a belated Mother's Day (birthday, just because your special day) present, and it has been a good distraction. The scripture verse I have been going back to over the last few weeks is Psalms 27. If you get a chance, read it, and let it encourage you too!