Swim Lessons!

Today was the end of a long two weeks of swimming lessons. This is Carson's 3rd year to take lessons at Pelican Bay. Since last year I had a hard time keeping Kerrigan out of the pool, I knew this year would be impossible to keep her on the sidelines with me. I decided to enroll her in the parent child class. I am SO pleased with the way the lessons went this year. Carson has really taken off with his swimming and I bet by the end of the summer he'll be swimming in the deep end by himself. He loves swimming and diving underwater. Kerrigan did great as well. She's a little fish and is very fearless. We had some chilly 75 degree days and she wasn't a big fan but we just got out a little early a couple of days. Carson passed the P3 level and will be on to the "big kid" levels next summer. Kerrigan will be ready for the P1 class next summer when she is 3(will she really be 3 next summer!). Today was the only day I could "legally" take pictures and it was also the play day when they turn on all of the features of the pool.

T-Ball!

Here's the latest t-ball pictures from last night. Special thanks to my friend Melanie for these. Carson's in the Superman hat.

Cousins on a hot summer day!

Digging Potatoes!

The kids had such a great time digging potatoes with Papaw! It was like a treasure hunt! Priceless memories!

Fishing with Papaw!

We made a trip down to Calera on Tues for a couple of days since Kyle is in Nicaragua. We had a great time and Carson was able to do some fishing with his Papaw in the catfish pond. His face is priceless!

It's T-Ball time in Ooooooklahoma!

Right before his very 1st ever "at bat"

Slugger!

Right after he tagged a runner out!

And designated "water girl"

Slightly confused.......but at least he made it to base!

Tagged!

Tall Girl!

Kerrigan has officially mastered the light switch. It's hard to believe our little peanut is tall enough but, she is! Carson was 21 months when he mastered it. Kerrigan is 2 years and one day!

Kerrigan turns 2!

Well, it's now been 2 years since that exciting Monday afternoon when I went for a routine check up at the doctor's office. I was only 37 weeks pregnant and your daddy was all the way in Nicaragua like he is today. It wasn't supposed to happen for at least a couple of more weeks. You had a plan of your own much like you do to this day. Once you have your mind made up, it's pretty tough to convince you otherwise. So, you were on your way and there was no stopping you. Our lives have never been the same. You are such a smiley girl even when you are being ornery. You often laugh at me when you are on the naughty spot after you've nailed your brother with a toy or the remote for no apparent reason. It's pretty tough for me not to just crack up at you. Since your brother has been annoying you for the last 2 years, you have finally figured out how to push his buttons. Just yesterday coming home from Mamaw and Papaw's, you were singing so loudly while Carson was watching a movie and the more he told you to quit the louder you got. You love to sing so much and since Claire's birthday party your song of choice is mostly Happy Birthday. I often will hear you singing "Read your Bible Pray Everyday" or your ABC's. You can count to 10 missing only one or so numbers. You especially can count 1, 2, 3 when you want something that your brother has because you've heard me counting for him to do something. I'm not sure you ever do anything once you get to 3 but, you are convinced if you count, that he'll respond. You think you are a 4 year old like your brother and love to ride bikes on the driveway wearing your flower helmet. You love to do everything just like him. I'm often reminding him to be a good example. On this morning, I sent him to his room to put up his laundry and the two of you came out with you wearing his boxers. You were so proud.You love to be barefoot and play in the dirt but, you are also my girly girl and love to dress up and be a princess. And sometimes dressing up means, as Spiderman.You love to talk on the phone whether for real or pretend, often saying, "okay, bye bye."Your favorite thing to do with daddy is to "dump" aka. jump on the trampoline. You would jump and swing for hours on end. You are becoming a more picky eater since you are in the habit of doing just like your brother. Unlike him, you will eat some fruits and vegetables. You are pretty addicted to your pacifier and have it as well as your "B" (pink blankie) pretty much within arms reach at all times. You drink milk before nap and at bedtime. You are a great sleeper and often sleep from 8pm until 8:30am when I have to wake you up. You nap from 12-2 everyday. I love that you can communicate with us now and tell us what you want or need. You are so verbal and it's so nice. You love animals and being outside. I can often find you outside carrying around Zebra the cat.Surprisingly he just lets you.

Just last weekend, we went swimming for the first time this year and you were a little tentative at first but, once you warmed up you were like a fish.We had to watch you closely at all times because you were jumping in the pool all by yourself.I can't wait to start swimming lessons with you in just a couple of weeks.

You are a girly girl and will often tell us fervently if you see a bug or an ant on the ground. You have no interest at all in touching a fish unlike your cousin Claire. You are much more content to just sit in your Papaw's lap. You are beginning to want to fish nightly like your brother and often catch one.You love to read books and I often find you in your room in your rocking chair reading books to your babies. You love to play with your babies and will pat them and say "shhhh." Rarely do you and your brother play together but, when you do,I love it.

Kerrigan, you are so beautiful. I pray you are always a beautiful on the inside as you are on the outside. I pray that you'll continue to grow and love to learn. I can't wait to see what the years ahead have in store. I love the unsolicited "I wub woo" that I hear daily.

You'll always be my baby.
Love you forever, Mommy

Happy Birthday!

Today is Kerrigan's 2nd birthday. Hard to believe she's already two. I'm tired, Kyle's in Nicaragua so I'll post another time with lots of pictures. Sorry!

And we have a new puppy, Obi. I'll post pictures soon or you can see them on facebook. If you aren't on fb yet, you should be. :)

My talented son!

Are you bored yet?

Are your kids bored yet like mine? I've been having a hard time keeping the TV off already this summer. I'm starting to see couch potatoes in the making. I'm trying to get out at least once every day, which is usually to the gym. But, my kids love it. Wednesday's are usually my days off since I go on Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Friday. This morning, Carson said, "I want to go to the gym TODAY!" It's much easier to go so often since my kids love it. Anyway, we are usually home from the gym by about 11am so, that leaves the rest of the day until daddy gets home for activities. I found a great link I wanted to share with you. Top 10 toys you already have in your home. Also, here are some ideas for places to go for free. We love a great trip to the pet store or library. If it wasn't so far, we would love to take a trip down to Bass Pro Shop. What are your favorite ideas for this summer? How are you going to beat the boredom?

I ♥ Faces

I've been following this fantastic photography blog for just a couple of months. They hold a weekly contest for best photograph in a certain category. This week's theme, Birthdays. Perfect since we just held Kerrigan's party on Saturday.

I was taking some photographs in Kerrigan's handmade shirt and tutu before the party started. She was reluctant since she had just woken up from her nap. She was most comfortable holding her Mimi's hand.

This was the morning of her party. She was so excited to see the presents, she went and laid on top of them. So cute!

2nd Birthday Party!

Since Kyle will be in Nicaragua on Kerrigan's actual birthday, we had her party today. It was a letter "K" Polka Dot Party. I made her shirt and her matching tutu. She loved being a princess! It was a great time with family, food, and fun!

We were so excited that Jay, Kim, and Claire were able to make the trip and even spend the night.
The girls had a great time on the swings!

Letter "K" Polka Dot Cake!

She was a little nervous when everyone was looking at her and singing.

Yum, Italian Cream Cake!

It was pretty hot so, we broke out the swimming pools and slip and slide!

Abby joined in!

and Claire!

and Zach!

Kerrigan was content to stay in the pool and be squirted by Uncle Brian.

Then no visit from Papa is complete without a trip to our pond for fishing.

Carson and his fish!
Immediately after this was taken, the fish flipped off the line and the lure went right into Carson's finger. OUCH!

We even caught "Big Boy." We see this gigantic catfish every night when we feed them and this time he came up and snatched our worm. It was fun to see him up close.

Read Your Bible, Pray Everyday!