Busy Bees

We have been busy!!!  And while I could bore you with multiple posts I will just combine some of the events in the last month into one....

Guest Room Re-do:

While our guest room is awesome = large room, great closet, on-suite bath...it was lacking in the up-to-date style sort of way.  So, one of my projects was to redo it before the baby was born.  Here are some before and after shots.  And while I have still have some finishing touches to do it has happily housed at least 10 guests since its completion, including our first international student!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Pimp My Ride:

In August we also said goodbye to the Honda Accord.  The first car I ever purchased!  It was time to move to something larger as 3 car seats DO NOT fit across the back seat of a 4-door vehicle.  So after getting a lovely detail, snapping a few pictures and throwing it on Craigslist...I sold her in just under 4 hours.  It was a bitter-sweet moment as I soared in my victorious sum of cash on our counter and then plummeted back to earth as I realized I had left myself without a vehicle for an unknown amount of time.  With much kindness from friends and family for a week we were soon the proud owners of a Honda Odyssey = Hodssey (what hot moms drive)!  And yes I am lovin' being a "mini-van mom"...these things are just too sweet and way to practical not to rock out for a few years (or more).

Goodbye Una Nocha:

Hello Tortuga:

Heartbeats

There are moments in motherhood that take your breath away and leave a lasting soft spot...a few weeks ago Chris and I had this moment with Shayden.  It was just before bed and he requested a little check up on the baby and Mommy.

Grabbing his doctors kit he proceeded to check our heartbeats and declare all was well.

I was so thankful Chris ran and grabbed the camera (as so many of these moments are only captured in our minds).

Camping 2012

A couple weeks ago marked our 3rd annual camping trip with my siblings.  And yet again, it did not disappoint.  The kids, 15 now between us, were super excited to hit the woods and water for the weekend and the grown ups were happy to oblige.  

All 15 cousins

For a family that never camped growing up (minus one memory of a tent in our backyard) I am pretty proud of the setup we somehow accomplish for the weekend.  We cram 1 camper and 5 tents on two lots and have a blast.


This year we talked Daddy into staying with us overnight (kinda tough to tell your pregnant wife you are going home to bed while she stays with your two sons) - so of course the air mattress was on the top of the packing list for Daddy and he was a great sport the entire weekend.

Chris has the tent setup and air mattress inflated within the first 20 minutes of setting up camp...priorities people!

We have to give proper thanks to Uncle Kathan and Aunt Beth who organize this every year and provide the boat and water fun...and this year was our first as a family to enjoy this aspect.  Quinton was old enough to stay the whole day and WANTED to be on the boat and tube the whole time.  Shayden on the other hand had to be convinced to just try the tube and thankfully loved every minute of it.

Both boys 1st tube ride and 1st boat ride...what a great memory.

All in all it was a wonderful time with my family and memories I will cherish with the boys always.  Thankfully the weather was awesome this year and the air mattress really was nice!  Here is the official family shot in front of the tent...and please be gracious in your judgement of me (sweltering heat and pregnancy don't treat me kindly in the looks department).

Happy 2nd Birthday Quinton

Today marks another year for Quinton!  He is a very proud little two year old, even though half of the time if you ask him if he is two, he says "no".

While he has been sick all week, poor guy, he perked up for a quick visit to the toy store this morning and picked his birthday present out all by himself.  To our joy and  appreciation it was a lovely $5 plastic chainsaw...well done Quinton!

Tomorrow we celebrate with the family and hopefully a happy and healthy little boy.

Quinton, you are a complete joy!  You have the sweetest and also orneriest disposition.  You constantly share with Shayden and are always willing to love on others.  You are the best cuddler in the family and your early morning snuggles are priceless.  We are thoroughly enjoying watching your personality come through as you learn to voice your opinions and desires more and more.  We can't wait to watch you grow and become a big brother.  

All our love!

A few pics to mark the last 2 years...

1 day

6 months

1 year

1.5 years

2 years