Oh Archie...

So I have quite a few pics from this weekend, but feel these 2 say it all. We had a great weekend: working on yard, throwing Steph a shower, Izy's dedication, family time, and a shower for Jac's teacher. Definitely perfect. I seriously can never get enough of hanging out with my family....esp. when it involves a volleyball, basketball, and kickball game. I felt like I was at recess in elementary school all day long! Izy's dedication was classic though. She threw a fit even before we made it to the front of the church. Then, we were up there she became stiff as a board (Or Archie as we affectionately call her). The expressions in this picture of our pastor and Izy are priceless...
Here is the family after the service. I am so blessed and truly honored to be a mom to these two precious baby girls. I love them dearly and enjoy (most) every second of every day that we spend together. They have taught me so much already without even saying a word!

Easter

Easter was perfect this year...2 trips to church, hanging out with the family, and an Easter egg hunt. Thank you Jesus for blessing me with all of the joys in my life...and for loving me enough to give us a reason to celebrate!

No More Formula!

So, we made it! The number one thing people told me when I was pregnant with a 2nd so close to the first was..."Just make it through the first year and it will get easier!" I believe them. And we made it! We could not have done it without all the encouragement, prayers, advice, free babysitting, and just plain help along the way from all of you. We love and appreciate our friends and family more than we could even begin to express. So, for that we say THANK YOU!!Now, the party! It was one day after we had driven all night home from Florida, but we pulled it off fairly succesfully I would say. It was so fun to have everyone there to celebrate our little love!
Izy loves corn hole...and she can actually throw them through the hole.
Best buds!
Izy loved the cake.

But did not love when we took it away from her.
She got lots of fun presents...

I had to throw this picture in. It was the day after the party and before her birthday. We went shopping with Aunt Ca, Appy, and Ma. Izy needed some accessories...
On the big day we went to the museum. It was super fun to see how much more they both enjoy it everytime we go!


I have learned so much in this 2nd year of parenting and look forward to all that I will learn from my precious Izy...and Jac of course too. I love being a mama! Even if it does make you feel a little crazy sometimes...they are so worth it!

Family Vacation

A few weeks ago Nic, the girls, and I loaded up the car and headed south. Very far south. 1200 miles south to be exact. Our destination was Florida, warmer weather, and some family time. It was awesome...but not the kind of awesome we were expecting. We quickly realized that family vacations are not like the vacations of the past. And for all intensive purposes we will no longer be referring to them as vacations, but instead adventures! To start off, I wanted to share a few things I learned or realized...

1. Izy sleeps awesome in the car, but when awake is not so happy.
2. Jac does not sleep awesome in the car.
3. We will begin calling our family adventures vactions once all of our children are able to wipe and dress themselves.
4. Nic makes a mean grilled cheese.
5. Kids still whine and complain even when they are in Florida.
6. Jac loves the pool, but hates the sand.
7. Izy loves the pool, sand, ocean, and virtually has no fear of anything.
8. It is easier and cheaper and just as fun to eat dinner at the condo and go out for ice cream.
9. I love my children and spending time with them.
10. I love my husband and spending time with him.

That pretty much sums up the trip! One of the nights, we went out to the dock for ice cream...
We clocked lots of hours in the pool. Jac is an awesome swimmer! And Izy just loves the water!


There is nothing like the sunsets in Naples...and sister...and family!

Classic picture. Anyway who has visited my in-laws has there picture taken on these stairs...
We took a day trip to the W. Palm Zoo. It was super nice...



Nic went home early and left the girls and I in the sun for a few more days. This picture show Jac's nervousness about the sand. She would always walk super slow cause she was a little afraid, but she conquered the sand eventually!
Izy on the other hand jumped right in. Even tried to eat it!
We spent a lot of time on the porch...with popsicles!!
It was an awesome trip! I do not even know how to begin to thank Nic's parents for allowing us to stay at their place. What a blessing! These were the days I dreamed of when I was younger and thought of my future family...trips to the beach with lots of sleeping in, eating ice cream, swimming, and exploring. Perfect!

Mama and the Girls Take a Trip

We took a trip. Just the girls and I to Colorado. It was awesome, but honestly I think I lost 5 pounds nervously awaiting the flight there and back. Alone. With 2 toddlers. We left on a Tuesday after nap time. Everything went well until we actually sat down on the plane. I mean, it was fine, but Izy did not want to sit still and Jac did not want to buckle her seatbelt. Good times! Through the course of the 2 1/2 hour plane ride we went through an entire thing of puffs, a fruit cup, chicken nuggets, 2 drinks, a TV show, books, baby dolls, rattles, 2 nuks, and 2 blankets. Oh and a trip to the bathroom just to stretch our legs. Whew! But we made it! While we were there, we spent lots of time hanging out with the family. The first day there we went over to Focus on the Family where there is a really fun play place for the kids. They loved it!


Grandma bought some fun toys to keep us entertained at the house...

My brother had a tournament game while we were there. I made the girls special shirts...since they are his most loyal fans! It was a heart breaker loss in which Ben hurt his knee. No good at all!
Papa tried to take Izy for a ride on the 4 Wheeler. Not a fan!
The day after Ben's game we discovered Izy had an ear infection and I had some sort of illness...probably strep throat. So, needless to say we did not leave the house much after that. We did manage to get in a family trip to the bowling alley. Jac missed her preschool bowling field trip in order to go to Colorado, so we had to "make it up." She was actually somewhat into it and definitely enjoyed it!

Izy even got in on the action...

I felt more prepared to tackle the plane ride home. Well, that is until we woke up at 6 AM to catch our flight and realized after we had arrived at the airport and unloaded everything that we were 4 hours EARLY!! AHH! We made it though...only a small security mishap and a strapping in of the car seat in the wrong seat accident. But Izy slept the whole way after screaming literally blood and murder for 10 minutes (the longest 10 minutes of my life I might add!).
Jac cracked me up the whole plane ride...she could not figure out the head phones. She had to hold them up to her ears in order to listen!
And then she was being a complete cheese ball with her drink...
I think I have officially become a parent though...the joy of my trip is judged by the survival of the transportation there and back. I would do it again though. Mom, Dad, and Ben...you are worth it! I miss you like WHOA and love you so!