Happy Memorial Day

We are so blessed to live in this country. We have so many rights that others do not have. We owe all of that to those that defend our country. Today is a special day to celebrate that. Thank you to all who have fought, are fighting or will fight for our country. We are blessed because of you.

This morning started off great. Eva and I met Meghan and Julia at Coffee Bean in Newport. They were in town for the weekend visiting family. It was so fun to have a girls morning out. We had a great visit and hope to see them again real soon.

We ran a few errands and then headed home. We got home and Cody and Kevin were getting everything together to head down to the beach. It was a beautiful day. We spent a few hours down on the beach with all of the cousins, aunties, uncles, mimi and poppy.

Building a sand castle with cousins.

Eva was enjoying the beautiful day and her funny cousins.

Surf's up, dude!

Auntie Rochelle is in town for Uncle Kyle's surgery.

After soaking up a few rays we headed home for nap time. Cody and Eva both took a nap and Kevin and I worked on some food for our afternoon BBQ. Kevin was making ribs and hamburgers. I was working on these cute cupcakes that I found online. They looked like the bomb pop popsicle. They tasted really good, but weren't nearly as cute as these ones. Oh well, I didn't get a picture of mine. We had a great afternoon celebrating with our families. God has been so good to us. Here are a few more cute pictures from the fun afternoon.

Uncle Todd and Auntie Mindy

Uncle Ryan and Auntie Amanda

Grampy and Grammy

Poppy and Mimi

Me and Kevin

What cute kids! Eva was taking a nap and missed the photo op.

Overnight Fishing Trip

Well at least that is what it was suppose to be. Cody and Kevin left tonight after dinner and went down to the boat to fish and sleep on the boat. Cody was so excited. He helped pack his backpack and could hardly wait to leave. They got down there and got settled, did a little fishing but didn't stay out long because it was very windy and cold. They went in and watched a movie and got ready for bed. When the movie ended Cody lost it. He was crying for me. I felt bad for Kevin but it kind of made me feel good. He doesn't cry for me very often, he is kind of a daddy's boy. They came home and Cody went to bed quietly without any argument. It turned into a good night.

Infant Massage Class

Today, Eva and I were invited over to Shelly's house for an infant massage class. Shelly had one of Grace's therapist over to teach us some good techniques for massaging babies and kids. It was so fun to see Shelly but also to learn something new. While Eva and I got some special time together. Cody was with his Grammy having special time.

Later that afternoon we went over to Mimi and Poppy's house to visit with Tyler and Auntie Amanda. The boys disappeared and we went out to find them sitting in my parent's golf cart pretending to joy ride. They were so cute. We can only imagine how much trouble these two will get in when they are older.

Fun Filled Day

We have been trying to do less and less TV. We had let it get a little out of control since Eva was born. This morning Cody was watching the end of a show when he turned and looked at me. He said, "Momma, Jake is on next after we play my game." I was so happy to hear him excited to turn the TV off and play a game. We did puzzles this morning. It was a lot of fun. While he was watching cartoons Cody said, "Sister's awake!" She had fallen asleep in my bed this morning after she ate. She was crying when we went into the room. He was so excited to get up and talk to her. He adores her and she thinks he is the greatest thing.

We got ready and headed off to swim lessons. He missed last week so we did a make up today. Eva and I sat just out of view and enjoyed the beautiful day.

We then met Kevin at Super Cuts and got Cody a quick hair cut. Hair cuts are not his favorite, but he did pretty good with a little bribing.

We ate lunch at Baja Fresh and then headed home to enjoy the beautiful weather. We played outside for awhile and went for a walk. The kids rode in the wagon. It is so funny how we have had the wagon for a long time but because it was sitting out it was like a new toy. It was great to go for a nice walk.

Cody did a great job holding on to Eva.

After Cody's nap, he and Kevin went down and went for a paddle in the kayak. Eva and I met them down there a little bit later. It was a beautiful evening so we decided to eat dinner at the Wind n Sea. For us that kind of signaled the beginning of summer. What a great day! I love my family.

Can Slayder and Wes come over to play?

Monday morning Cody looked at me and said, "Can Slayder and Wes come over to play?" I said, "That would be fun!" So I text the girls and it just so happen that they were free to come over today to play. It was so fun to have our three boys playing together. Who would have thought this would happen a few years ago when we all took a trip to the Bahamas together. Leanna was finished having kids, or so she thought. And what are the chance that we would all have boys within a year of each other. They were so cute and did so well together considering that they are between the ages of two and three. We had a great time visiting as well. Eva was a little lonely but I am secretly hoping that the sweet baby in Denise's tummy is a girl. Then Eva will have a little play mate. We will see. This is the only picture I got. Boys are so busy, they don't have time to pose for pictures.

Swim Lessons

My extremely passionate child loves swim lessons until he gets to the edge of the pool. Then he starts to cry and doesn't want to get in the pool. Kevin had to hand him into his teacher because last time he left him on the steps he got out of the pool and ran after Kevin. Today was much better. I spoke with his teacher afterwards and she said he even went under the water. We are making progress.

While Cody had swim lessons, Kevin, Eva and I relaxed by the pool out of Cody's eye sight. Kevin and I enjoyed a glass of wine and discussed our day without much interruption. What a lovely afternoon!

Raising Kids and Eva is Four Months Old

Oh what a blessing and a joy it is to raise children, but boy is it ever challenging. Cody and I had so much fun this morning reading books, playing memory and snuggling. Then we went to the gym and he came back a different child. He had multiple spankings and timeouts before nap time and the fun continued when he woke up. Having a two almost three year old is tough work, but I am so thankful to have God and my husband by my side supporting me.

Today is Eva's four month birthday. I ordered these really cute stickers that I put on her every month and take pictures. She is growing so fast I can hardly believe it. She is getting such a personality and Cody is interacting with her more and more. As much as I don't want her to grow up, I can't wait to see the fun these two will have together.

Just a funny picture of Cody taking care of business. He cracks me up.

I am so very blessed to be the mother of these two adorable children.