Z & Amber's wedding

For Memorial Day we headed to Wake Forest for my brother, Zach's, wedding.  We had a great time celebrating the bride & groom, spending time with family, and kicking off summer!  I didn't take my nice camera, but here are some pictures off of my iPhone and some I swiped off of FB from the photographer!

The big cousins were so happy to get to play together!

The groom's cake (chocolate peanut butter...yum!) was at the rehearsal dinner.

Z, Amber, Tia, and Clark all spoiled Eli with tons of Ninja Turtles gear.  He was in heaven!

Me and my little brother : )

The cutest little ring bearer I've ever seen in my life!

The photographer was one of Caitlin and Zachary's friends from college.  She was so sweet, and her pictures are equally beautiful!

Maddie was serious about her flower girl responsibilities!

First dance

My sweet little Landon boy!

2 of my 3 handsome guys!

Love this picture!  Eli was tickled over the thought of getting to throw bird seed at Z and Amber.

We didn't leave Wake Forest until Monday, so Sunday afternoon the rest of the family slept in, returned tuxes, and then spent Sunday afternoon back at the same park where the wedding was held.  We celebrated Eli, Maddie, and Aidan's birthdays, letting the cousins exchange birthday presents, eating snow cones, playing chase, and listening to a summer concert in the park.  Lots of fun was held, and I wish we had nights like that more often!

Welcome to the family (officially), Amber!

Eli Lately

Eli is growing so quickly.  He keeps us laughing daily.  His little personality is a bright spot in our lives.  I can't believe he's going to be four years old in just a few months.  Here's a few things about Eli that make us smile.

*When Eli gets an idea a little spark comes on his face and he exclaims, "I have a 'dea'!" (idea - I)

*When Landon spits up or has a dirty diaper, Eli runs around yelling, "EMERGENCY!" and grabs a diaper/wipes for us.

*Eli holds and eats his pizza upside down - cheese/toppings on the bottom.

*Eli loves to play baseball in the yard.  Daddy pitches for him, and Mommy has to sit in the yard and yell, "Go Braves, Go Braves, Go!" whenever he gets a hit.

*You know the pledge of allegiance, My Country 'Tis of Thee, pledge to the Christian flag, and more.  You say all of those at chapel each week at school!  We're working on you memorizing Scripture.  You've learned about 5-6 verses so far.

*You don't have a toothbrush.  You have a "brushteeth".

*You LOVE the Ninja Turtles.  Ninja turtle anything is awesome in your book!

*You love to eat "cheereals" for breakfast - a mix between cereal and cheerios.

*Abidell (Abigail) and Mannie (Maddie) are your best friends.

*You are an awesome swimmer.  You still wear your puddle jumper, but are basically self-sufficient in the pool with that on.

*You love to talk on the phone with family.  It's fun having conversations with you! : )

Landon - Three Months Old

Landon boy, didn't I just finish up your 2 month post?  You light up our lives (all three of us).  We all love to hold you.  You're almost never laid down.

Firsts:  Laugh, noticing your hands/fists, nursery at church

News headlines:  Who has time for the news?! : )

Milestones:  You're really noticing your fists a lot.  Your legs are getting very strong.  You like to stand up in our laps.  You smile, coo, and talk to us frequently.  We love listening to those sweet sounds.  We've even gotten a laugh a time or two from you.

Measurements:  Probably right at 12 lbs.  Size 3 mths clothes are getting a little snug, but the size 6 mths are still pretty big.  We just opened our last pack of size 1 diapers.  Once those run out we'll make the switch to size 2.

Like Mommy:  You seem to have issues with allergies.  You're constantly sneezing.  I think we run the humidifier every night.

Like Daddy:  You love to be outside.  It calms you.

Like Eli:  You and Eli both have happy, easy-going dispositions.

Challenges:  Your only challenge is the spit-up!  Some days it's a big issue, and then sometimes we'll go days at a time without worrying about it.  You're a very relaxed and happy baby!  I sense that keeping you cool and shaded all summer maybe a bit of a challenge with all the going and doing big brother likes to do!

Our Days:  It's so nice not to be setting an alarm lately!  You eat for the last time and fall asleep between 9-10 pm, and will usually make it to somewhere between 3-5 am before you need to eat again.  After that you'll sleep until about 8 unless I've got to get you up to go somewhere.  You take a few cat naps in the morning, a good long nap in the afternoon, and another few cat naps before bed.  We're not on a real strict schedule with your feedings due to the reflux/spit-up issues.  Sometimes we're on a steady schedule and you will eat about every 3 or 3.5 hrs, and sometimes you only feed one side at a time and eat more often.  We just roll with it.  It works for us.

Funny/Favorite Moments:  Seeing you smile and trying to get you to laugh!

Nicknames:  Landon boy, Landy-cakes

Upcoming Events:  beach vacation and your 3 month portraits

Landon boy, look how much you've grown!

Eli and Landon at 3 months old:

Wordless Wednesday

The Library

Today we got up and went to the library (anyone else sing that Sesame Street song in their head?  Yeh...me either.)

When I think of summer, I think of trips to the library.  We used to go all the time in the summer.  We always participated in the summer reading program and set goals for how many books we were going to read.  Today was a little like reliving my childhood.  Part of me wished my mom and brother and sister had been there too, like old times sake. : ) (I think I have a problem. ha.)  One thing that excites me about Eli getting older is instilling in him a love for reading.  I hope we share this! : )

Today, Eli (and Wesley, ahem...) each got library cards!  I think one boy found it more exciting than the other...

We spent a good hour there.  In addition to reading a few books,

we also played puzzles and games!

Eli (and Mommy) checked out a stack of books.  We've read through most of them.

We plan on going about once a week this summer.  Free (and air conditioned) entertainment is always a plus in my book (pun intended)!  Today was the perfect way to kick off summer.

Summer Bucket List

Eli and I sat down tonight and made a list of all the things he wanted to do this summer.  He'll be going to school 2 days a week (most weeks), and we have a few family vacations planned, so I want to be intentional with our time.  I know I'll blink and another school year will be beginning.

I was impressed with the list Eli came up with.  He had several "deas" (idea - i).  We plan to start on some of these things this week, so stay tuned! : )

*Go to 'Carolina for Zs wedding. (done! pictures to come)

*Go to Auburn.

*Plan his birthday party.

*Go to the beach.

*See Ginny and Pops.

*Go swimming.

*Go to the library.

*Play lots with Abigail.

*Go bowling with Nana and Puddin'.

*Go to the bookstore.

*Ride on a new bike.

*Make ice cream.

*Go to "sotter" camp.

*Go to the movies ... and get popcorn and a drink!

*Slip n slide.

*Take a helicopter ride.

Mommy plans to throw in a few arts and crafts, and some school work in there too.  I'm looking forward to these next ten weeks at home with all of my boys!

Last Day of K3

I can't believe it's the end of another school year!  K-3 is over.  We won't even go into the fact that there's just one more year until kindergarten.....

(I couldn't choose just one photo...loved them all!)

I can't get over how much this boy has grown (and learned) this year!

Technically, it's not his last day, but it is of the regular school year.  Eli will be going two days a week to a summer camp.

It's been a fantastic year, and I'm so proud of all Eli has learned.  I hope he always loves school as much as he does right now (and has as great of teachers as he does now)!