More family visits

July seems to have been a month of visitors because we have just had to say goodbye to some more family. Of course their visit went by quick but we had fun and I know Ethan and Gracie enjoyed being spoiled. Eric’s parents and his brother drove up for a week and probably left more exhausted than when they showed up. While they were here we went to the Alamo, San Antonio Zoo, visited the quaint town of New Braunfels and saw more scary movies than I have wanted to see in my lifetime (Thanks, David). However Eric, Ethan and I got to go see Space Chimps. It was Ethan’s first time seeing a movie on the big screen and he was all wide eyed due to the huge screen. He liked the movie and he was so funny laughing at all the funny parts. When the previews started he had his hands over his ears telling me “It is too loud Mom” but I explained that it was supposed to be that loud and he got over it once the movie started. He seemed to enjoy himself and his own special date with us but I am sure the big box of gummy bears was his favorite. It was a great visit and we hope too see them soon. I think we still have more visitors coming this summer but we will just have to wait and see.

Ethan at the zoo

Train ride in New Braunfels with Grandparents and Uncle Dave

Gracie Playing

Ethan, Grandpa Dan and Grandma Teresa at the Alamo Garden

Ethan in Front of the Alamo

Sitting on a canon

Now that Gracie can roll onto her stomach she seems happier to be on her stomach.

Family Vacation to South Padre

My parents, brothers, sisters and all of their kids came up for a family vacation. We all drove down to South Padre Island for a couple days of rest and relaxation. Well, maybe not that much going on seeing how the kids outnumbered the adults but we did have a lot of fun and it was great to catch up. I always feel bad that I can never spend enough time with my niece and nephews due to living far away and that when we do go home it is always around hectic holidays. It was nice to play with them and I know Ethan enjoyed playing with them. We tried explaining that they were his cousins but he just kept calling him friends. We went to Schlitterbahn Waterpark one day and the beach the next day. We also spent one day lounging around in the pool at the place where we were staying at. On the last night after our little ones were all sleeping our parents were kind enough to allow us one night to experience the South Padre night life. It was so nice to hang out with my siblings and we enjoyed "our" time. The next morning my voice was gone from all the laughing and talking we were doing. By the time we all left we were exhausted. Some of us got great tans and some of us got burned. I being the latter no matter how much sunblock I put on :( Eric and I did learn that Ethan is defiantly not afraid of water. He was jumping in the pool, running into the ocean and swimming all over the place. Our daredevil was loving it! I am happy that he loves the water and is not afraid of enjoying it but I have to keep a close eye on him because he will not wait for us. You guys, I had so much fun and hopefully we can do it again sometime soon, especially before all of our little ones grow up.

Grandma Margie and Grandpa Jerry with all of the Grandchildren

Ethan with his cousins under the raining mushroom

Ethan having fun

Gracie in her float

Gracie and I swimming

Ethan and Eric with Jacob and Trevin

Barbecue Duo

Swimming with Dad

He loved the wave crashing in on his feet

This video is of our kids jumping into the pool (Ethan is on the far left)

Swimming in the ocean

4th of July weekend

This weekend was a busy one for us and we still are not going to be slowing down. For the 4^th of July we had a barbecue and invited over some people from Eric’s Squadron and our neighborhood. Ethan had a fun time playing and was even brave enough to do some sparklers. He only tried two and then was done with it. However, he sat on my lap with his hands over his ears while we watched our neighbors light their fireworks. He didn’t want anything to do with it. Then the next day our good friends from high school, the Bolin’s came for a little vacation. Due to the military moving us in different directions it has been 2 ½ years since we have last seen them. Thankfully, we are living much closer now. Both of our families have grown by two kids since then so it was nice to finally meet their little ones. Our kids got along pretty well and the boys have acted like they have always known each other. It made for some really cute moments. Ethan has seen pictures of them on their family blog but now he knows who they are. While they were here we got to take the kids to Sea World. It was a lot of fun and they enjoyed all of the animals. We had a great weekend and visiting with old friends is always really fun. We have one day of rest and then a whole new set of visitors and fun are coming!

All of our kiddos

Ethan and Cody watching a dolphin

Playing in the water

Kayla and Ethan about to watch the VIVA show

Ethan's expression after seeing Shamu

He loved climbing this thing, I was exhausted.

Gracie and her ponytail

Kayla with the twins in their pj's

Here is a video of Ethan Swimming. It was about 3 feet deep which means he couldn't reach the floor but was just loving it.

Kid's Rooms

I was just going to put Gracie's room pics up because this is her first room and Ethan has already had his turn but Ethan kept asking me to take his picture in his room. "Mom, take my picture too!"

Yummy

No one likes a bragger

Lately I have incorporated running into my morning walks. I have never been a runner and would rather do an hour of aerobics than run. However, this is the only way I can work out with the kids and I have noticed a difference in my clothes since I have started working out which helps with the motivation to continue. There are a couple of other ladies who are also pushing their kids around too, so it does help that I am not doing it by myself. Well, Eric who is an avid runner and can basically work out when he chooses decided to join me this Sunday morning. Of course, “Mr. know it all” starts to correct me on my breathing and how I am running, when we get home I covered in sweat, my legs feel like they are going to fall off and I can’t breathe. He says that he didn’t even sweat because he is used to running more than 5 miles at a time. It was at that time I told him he was no longer allowed to come with me and that when he has given birth to two children which totally screws with your body then he can compare us. That is when my loving husband turns and says, “I thought we were both pregnant”. I won’t tell you what I said because it wasn’t nice. Show off!

Gracie's 4 month

Four months have come and gone so fast. We went to her well baby check-up today so here are her stats. She weighs 17 lbs, height is 25.8 inches and her head circumference is 41.2 . She is in the 95th percentile for her height and her weight. She is such a chunk! She was all smiles till she got the shots but that was to be expected. Lately she has still been hungry after her feedings so we will be starting cereal within a couple days. I think she is going to love it but we will see. Besides her getting bigger, she still loves to sit and watch Ethan. I think he just moves so much that it grabs her attention. This morning she was just screaming at him. She would say something and then she would stop for a minute or two then start up again. It was cracking Ethan up. I told him she was telling him to behave. He just gives her kiss, calls her "funny sister" and runs away.

Popsicle

Splashing around

I know that my posts are getting far and few between but I have just been so busy. Eric has already been on a handful of tdy's since we got here but thankfully he has now told me that he isn't going on anymore. However, while he was gone I did have a lot of fun shopping for the house especially since Eric wasn't there to say no to any of it. I always joke that if it isn't for a dollar Eric won't buy it. With two small kids painting and hanging decor is out of question. Therefore, everything is on the floor waiting for Eric to hang them up. The best part is decorating Gracie's room. It is so fun shopping for little girl items. Ethan's room was just pure boy so I think I am living vicariously through her. I was telling Eric I can't wait till she is big enough for a bed because I want one of those big white canopy beds. I have always wanted a princess bed! I still got to paint one of her walls but it all seems to be coming together. Once finished I will post some pictures.

For Father's Day weekend we drove to San Angelo and had a barbecue with some friends out at the lake. Of course, we had a lot of fun but it was a bitter sweet weekend because now that we have moved this close, our friends are pcsing some where else. Ethan had fun swimming and fishing with the boys and we as always enjoy their company. We hope they move somewhere really cool because I know we will be visiting them regardless where. For Father's Day we were driving back but once we got home Ethan surprised his Dad with his gift. Ethan is right around that age where Father's Day and Mother's Day start to really feel special. He had fun showing the card he picked out especially for Dad and showed him where he signed it. After that he kept saying "Happy Father's Day" to Eric over and over. It was cute and I know it made Eric's day! The first video is of the boys splashing each other and the last one is of Gracie laughing and yelling.

Swimming at the pool

Playing on the slip n' slide

Gracie on her stomach

Anyone need a cane?

This week my best friend Tiffany came to visit us while on her way to visit her new niece. We realized while she was here that we have known each other for 10 years which made going to see Sex in the City a perfect girl’s night out. I had fun and it was great to catch up. I am sure after being at our house she will probably pass on kids though! She was thrown into potty training hell. Despite Ethan having difficulty when we were back home due to him being preoccupied with his cousins, once we got home everything went back to normal. He continues to pee in the toilet but that is it. I am lost and don’t know how to fix this. Anyways, Tiffany had to leave us so we meet with her family at Cracker Barrel to do the exchange. I don’t know what got into Ethan during lunch but he was acting out and just wouldn’t listen. Some warnings later he still was being difficult so I took him to the bathroom where he was going to have his time out. We both stand in the corner and he cries for the whole two minutes. When he is done I remind him that if he cannot sit in his chair and eat his food then he and I are going to go sit in the car while everyone has fun. Sounds reasonable right? As soon as I stand up and turn around there is an old woman standing right behind me and says this, “Please don’t be mean to your child, you are hurting him.” Already flustered, two scenarios run through my mind. Grab the cane she is using and run with it to the nearest dumpster or speak my mind. So I decided to do both. Just kidding, but it did cross my mind. I said “Ma’am, it is time out for a two year old, if I wanted to hurt him I would have smacked him around”. Of course she wasn’t too happy with my answer but I doubt we were going to best friends after that. However, I am sure if we were sitting next to her table when he was acting the way we did, I would have gotten the horrible ‘please control your child’ look. It doesn’t matter what you do someone is always going to have an input on how you raise your child. Oh well, I will put that comment with the other ‘Oh know you didn’t’ comments like “Are you a stay at home mom because you couldn’t find a job” and my all time favorite “Why would you want more”.

Family visit

Here our some photos of our last visit back home. It was great to see everyone and I know Ethan enjoyed playing with all of his cousins. It was a busy week visiting with our big family but we made sure to include some down time at White Sands Monument. Ethan had so much fun and loved going down the sand dunes. He is still talking about it and keeps asking when we will be going back to White Sands.

Ethan and Cousin Jacob

Gracie enjoying Ethan's old napping spot

Uncle Dave, Aunt Danielle, Gracie, Ethan and Eric

Ethan and Eric riding down the sand dune

Ethan and Jacob going down the dune

If one goes, so does the other

Gracie and I relaxing

Adorable Gracie

Our little Family

I love this picture because Ethan is going to give her a kiss and you can see the excitement in Gracie's face.

Gracie and Ethan with their Great Grandmother Maria

Here is a Video of Ethan going down the sand dune