Summer Days

So far this summer we have spent a lot of time at the pool, park, play dates with friends or just playing outside in the backyard.  It has been going pretty fast and I can't believe it is almost July already.

Here are a lot of pictures of what we have been up to...

Bennett practicing writing his letters and he is getting pretty good at it!  Looks like we have a lefty :)

Baby pool fun in the back yard

Why not drink from the hose!?

At the zoo and it was Walker's first time there.  Can you tell he was excited?

Jeremy and Bennett checking out animals at the zoo

Me and my babies at the zoo

Playing outside

Park time

He loves to swing!

Playing outside at 7:30 am.  This is what happens when you have an early riser with loads of energy!

Eating breakfast on the patio since Bennett was outside playing

Pool time

About to jump in

Fun day on the lake with friends

So far it has been a really fun summer and we have a lot of fun things coming up.  In July we already have a busy month planned especially since Walker's birthday is on the 19th!  We also have a beach trip booked and I am counting down the days until we go!  Once we get back from the beach Bennett has Open House at his preschool then he starts back to school.  I just got Bennett's preschool registration information for August so it made me realize before I know it summer is going to be over!

11 months old!!!!

I cannot believe that in less than one month my baby is going to be ONE!  Walker has changed a lot in the last month and is growing up so fast.  Here is a run down of what Walker is up to lately...

-He is completely off of baby food, he will pretty much eat whatever we are eating
-Pulling up onto everything and starting to cruise
-He will give kisses on demand and even follow it up with a "muah" sound
-When you say "Hi Walker" he throws both hands in the air and does his own version of waving
-As soon as Jeremy gets home from work the first thing he has to do is pick up Walker or Walker will scream his head off :)
-Tries to keep up with Bennett and gets very frustrated that he can't.  I think as soon as he figures out how to walk he will be the happiest baby!
-Still naps twice a day and sleeps 12 hours at night
-Just got his top two teeth in, so he now has four teeth

Saying "Hi"!!

Precious baby

This is what happened when I tried to sit him down for a picture

All over the place and won't sit still

I love my little Walker so much and it is so much fun seeing his personality really start to come out.  I have a feeling he is going to give me a run for my money during his toddler years!  He is very feisty but so sweet at the same time.  I just love my little boy!  I still can't believe in a few weeks we will be celebrating his birthday.  This has been the fastest year of our lives!

Father's Day

We had a nice weekend celebrating Father's Day.  We spent time at the pool, playing in the backyard, and eating Jeremy's favorite foods.  I am doubly blessed when it comes to Dads.  I have a great dad who I love dearly and I am also married to one of the most amazing dads.  The boys and I are very lucky!!

Bennett wanted to pick out his own gift for Jeremy.  Of course my car loving boy decided Jeremy needed a new toy car.  He thinks everyone wants a toy car for a gift since that is his favorite thing to receive!  I took him to Target to pick out a car and he took forever to pick just the right one for Jeremy. After he picked the car we went over to pick out a treat for Jeremy and got him a big bag of M&Ms. I told Bennett we had to wait to give it to Daddy, but as soon as Jeremy got home from work that day Bennett says "Hey Daddy I got you a new black car and some treats!"  Oh well it is the thought that counts :)

All in all it was a great day celebrating the dads in our life!

10 Months Old!

My sweet little bug is 10 months old!  How in the world is he almost one!  I am starting to think about and plan his birthday party and it just doesn't seem possible.

Walker's personality has really started to come out this past month.  He is so funny and very feisty.  If he wants a toy he will try and get it no matter how difficult is may be for him to get to it and if he can't have it he will let you know he is mad.  He is officially crawling the right way but still prefers his army crawl.  He never stops moving!!!!  He wants to be wherever Bennett is and he gets mad that he can't always keep up.  Poor guy if he could just get up and walk he would.  He is now standing up at toys that he is able to support himself with but he isn't quite pulling up yet, he is only pulling up onto his knees at this point.  Last night he stood on his own for a few seconds and was so proud of himself.

Changing his clothes or diaper is an adventure.  He wants to keep moving so I have to hold him down with one hand while trying to get his diaper and clothes on him with my other hand.  It is like a mini workout!  It is especially tricky when he has a poopy diaper and is trying to squirm away so he can go play.

He is doing great eating real food.  For breakfast he no longer eats any baby food he is now eating banana and pancakes.  He loves feeding himself and trying out new food.  He still gets some baby food at lunch and dinner, but I am trying to give him more food he can feed himself at those meals.  He is growing up so fast!

 Standing up like a big boy!

On the move

Sweet, happy boy

Eating his breakfast like a big boy

Playing with his toy, he looks so big!

Sweet brothers

 I think Walker is going to be my wild, adventurous one!  It should be a great dynamic to see Walker and Bennett grow up together since Bennett is shy and reserved and from what I can tell Walker will be a bit more outgoing.  It is so fun watching him explore and seeing more and more of his personality come out.  Walker is going to keep us on our toes!

Last Day of School

Bennett had his last day of preschool and is out for the summer.  I can't believe how fast this year went by!

First day of school

My shy and timid little guy before starting his first day

On his last day of school

Not as shy and timid!!

I am so thankful for the great year he had!  I am looking forward to a fun summer even though I am a little nervous how I am going to keep Bennett busy and Walker content since he needs a bit more rest then Bennett does.  Bennett is constantly asking when we can go to our pool so I think we will be spending a lot of time up there.  I also signed him back up for the sports class he took last year.  I hope we can stay busy and make the most of our time before August gets here and he is back in preschool again!

End of the Year Party!

Friday is Bennett's last day of school.  On Tuesday his teachers had the class party to celebrate the year.  They asked all the parents to bring in lunch and blankets for the kids so we could have a picnic lunch outside.  Before we headed outside for lunch Bennett's teachers had put together a video with pictures of all the kids from the first day of school till now.  It had pictures of activities they did, parties, and just them playing in class.  It was so sweet and thoughtful of them to put something like that together for us to see.

After the video we went outside to eat and Bennett's teacher came over with their gift to the parents and kids. They made a personalized book for each child in the class and also gave them a Curious George book.  On the front of the personalized book is a picture of Bennett with his teachers and on the inside there is hand print or foot print artwork done for each month and it is done with the theme for that month along with a bible verse.  On another page is a collage of pictures of all of the kids and in the back is a CD with the kids favorite songs they listened to in class.  It made me tear up while I looked through the book and seeing how much the teachers really love all of the kids.  I honestly could go on and on about how much I love his teachers.  I am so sad this school year is over and I wish Bennett could stay with these teachers forever!

His teachers had bubbles, side walk chalk, and popsicles so after we ate all of the kids just ran around and played with each other.  It was a very fun way to end the school year.

Bennett and Kennedy having lunch together

Bennett with his bubbles

Hanging out with popsicles

Taking a little break in the shade

My precious boy!

Best friends!  I love these two!

Running and more running!

I still can't believe school is over and summer is here!  I will miss our routine of going to school 3 days a week, but it will be nice to slow down a bit.  I am thankful that Bennett had such an amazing year and I hope next year is just as good if not better.  

Mother's Day

I had a wonderful Mother's Day!  Actually is was more like an entire weekend.  On Friday night we had our babysitter come over so Jeremy and I could go out alone and have a nice night away.  We had a great time and were able to fit in some time for me to go shopping.  That was Jeremy's gift to me.  I am trying to rebuild my wardrobe after having babies so I told him all I wanted was to go get a few more things.  I think shopping is my favorite kind of gift :)

Saturday the boys gave me their gifts early.  Bennett got me a professional blender so I can make our green smoothies even better.  I think he was more excited about using it for the first time then I was!  The rest of the day Saturday we spent most of the day out together.  On actual Mother's Day we went to church, then Jeremy cooked us all lunch when we got home.  I usually do my grocery shopping on Sundays and Jeremy offered to go for me!  I stayed home and relaxed while the boys napped and Jeremy did the shopping for me.  Then once the boys were in bed for the night Jeremy grilled steaks for us and we enjoyed a quiet dinner alone.  It was such a nice weekend and I loved every second of it!

Me with my babies!

My little cuties!

I am so thankful to have two healthy boys that have allowed me to be a Mom so I can celebrate Mother's Day.  I used to hate Mother's Day.  The last time I celebrated Mother's Day with my own mom was in 1990.  I used to dread the day because it was a reminder of what was missing in my life.  I miss my mom every day but Mother's Day is even that much harder that she isn't here but Bennett and Walker have definitely healed part of my heart and brought me so much joy that I am able to enjoy the day.  I think that is why I now love Mother's Day so much.  I am very lucky to have such a thoughtful and loving husband who goes all out to show his appreciation and two sweet boys who make me feel so loved.  I am very lucky and blessed!