Football and Fall

What is it about Fall that's so amazing?  I love it.  I love the cool, brisk air.  For those of you that don't know this about me, I'm a hot natured sister.  I'm down with sweating, but I always love a cool place.  I also love that nestled within Fall is dress-up time for my babies, Thanksgiving and LOTS of birthdays.  Probably 70% of my immediate family have birthdays in Fall and early Winter.  The last few weeks we have done all sorts of things, but two Fall highlights have been a football game and a family outing to Hillridge Farms.  Here goes:

Here he is all dressed up in his uniform.  He looks great!

I'm a sports fan for sure, but I usually don't prefer football.  That's partially changed.  My brother Caleb has started playing middle school football.  We went out to his game a few weeks ago and I was in to it.  Really.  I remember my other bro, Shane, playing in middle school too.  I enjoyed watching him play because I love him.  Now I feel the same about Caleb.  Caden came up to me while we were there and I asked him, "Babe, would you like some water?"  With his eyebrows raised, he turned to me and said, "Mom, I'm watching the game."  Maybe he will play too???  

The Three Stooges.  They laughed and played all day.  Caden adores Mylie and Charlie.

This is one of my favorite pictures from the day.  Two of the best Daddy's I know.  

Hillridge Farms was a blast!!!  A blast!!!  A blast!!!  We are making it a family tradition.  This is our second year of going and I can't wait for next year.  It's in Youngsville, NC if you ever want to check it out.  This year we invited the Kiefers to go along and we all enjoyed one another.  A day of animal feeding, fish feeding, picnic eating, train riding, duck racing, tube sliding, hay riding, pumpkin choosing, corn playing, laughing good time. 

It's Pre-School Time

Isn't he sweet?  Today we concentrated on Red and Animals.  What's Caden's favorite "Red Animal?"  None other than CLIFFORD, the Big Red Dog!

Isn't she beautiful?  We loved playing with Elena today.  She's an incredible little girl. 

This is from last week.  Kind hard to get two 2 yr. olds to smile and be happy at same time:)

One of my friends and I are doing a pre-school co-op.  We swap kids each week on Tuesday mornings and do a little pre-school "home style".  Today was my first day as the "teacher" and it's pretty fun.  Caden loved Elena coming over to our house.  He was pumped about it all morning until she arrived!  Here are a few pictures of the sweet buds.  I'm feeling like this is going to be a wonderful thing for our family.  

Alexa's Dedication

What a great week we've had.  This season of life for me is so fulfilling and fun.  Today was a really special day for us.  We dedicated Alexa at church.  We did this for Caden when he was about 3 months old.  The excitement for this dedication has been building in me for days now.  I feel so thankful that 12 years ago, by God's goodness and grace, my life was changed forever.  He has radically transformed me.  Jason had a similar story around the same time.  Because of that, we dedicated today our little Alexa to the Lord.  My faith is actively believing that both Caden and Alexa will always know and have a personal relationship with Jesus.

What a sweet little angel.  I am in love with that precious face.

Our sweet family who drove the distance to come in support.  We love and appreciate you!

We're Back-Up and Running!!!

My family.

Well, it's been a long time since I last visited this familiar place.  I missed it.  Our routine this summer-travel, travel, travel.  Now that we're home I'm back on my blog and happy about it.  Here's a picture of our family taken just a few weeks ago.  As you can see, our children are growing way too fast.  I cry at least once a week about it.

Excited to update you on our adventures this week...

One of my Favorite Celebrations...Easter

One of my very favorite times of the year is Springtime. Nestled in this time of year is one of my most valued holidays, Easter. It's become so commercialized that I devote myself to focusing on the main point of Jesus and His love and sacrifice while enjoying the celebrations that come along. Because of His love and sacrifice, I can experience this eternal life of knowing God, loving people and looking forward to an amazing future ahead!

The beautiful Tucker family. We love them!

Sleeping beauty. She did this the entire time.

He's the cutest runner. Arms lead the way.

Got it!

Me and my two honey buns.

Our first celebration was the Saturday before Easter at the Tuckers' Easter Egg Hunt. What a blast. I was flying solo because Jason was at Campus Harvest. Caden is such a good boy that he made it very easy on his Mommy. I loved watching him run and hunt for eggs. We did a few practice rounds of Friday. He's such a little man. Thanks guys for the invite! We loved it and loved seeing YOU!

Without Mom, I couldn't have survived this one.

Caden loves Gigi.

Our second celebration was an egg hunt an Jamie Martin's house. Jamie's the woman. She had like 25 or so adults and probably 25 kids at this hunt. Wow! It was a blast for us. I could have never kept up with Caden without Mom though. She ran after him while I carried Alexa and did the photo and video thing. We sure did enjoy having Gigi here. Much needed and valuable time! Love you Mom. Thanks so much for driving here on numerous occasions.

Easter morning.

Here we are Easter morning before church. I love our family and as you can see, Caden loves his "Ayecksa."

Family Fun

Two weeks before Alexa came, we had one of our friends come over and take some pictures of our family of three. We just got some back so we wanted to share them. Now it's time to have her come over again and add the princess!!!

Fun Events

We've been having some fun around here lately. As Caden gets older, I'm realizing more and more how important it is for us to have some sort of engaging activities planned for our week. I try to plan stuff that's fun for him, but I end of having as much fun as he does. He and Alexa bring so much joy to me. Never is there a dull moment. Here are a few recent highlights!

With Alexa still feeding once in the middle of the night I can always use a little extra sleep. On the weekends Jason will get up with the kids and let me sleep a little longer. Thanks babe! When I wake up this is what I often find happening in our living room. Daddy lifting weights and doing his push-ups and Caden doing the same. He thinks he's the man when he does what Daddy does. How cute!

He was intent on catching those bubbles

If you look closely, Alexa even got some bubbles

Last week, it all of a sudden dawned on me that my Mom used to take Shane and I to the library when we were little. I can remember those fun times. So I thought I would check into what our library in Durham had going on for Caden. I texted my friend Tiffany and she said that her, Mylie and Charlie went to "Rhymetime" every Monday at 10:30am. I thought it sounded like fun so we planned on joining them the next day. Caden was pumped. He already walks around at least 4 times a week saying, "play with Mylie and Charlie." Monday morning took some planning with getting both of the littles ready by myself, trying to maintain Alexa's feeding schedule, and trying my best to get there on time. Thankfully, we were successful. Caden got to see other children, dance, listen to stories, repeat rhymes (although he listened mostly) and experience a room full of bubbles. Those dimples were shining the entire 30 minutes of "Rhymetime." He had a blast. We went again this past Monday and now it's his new favorite thing to talk about. "Mommy, go to the library and see Mylie and Charlie."

"Cheese"

"Oh boy." Mom, you've been holding out on me.

Pizza, will you ever get done?

Our masterpiece. Excuse the holes. It looked perfect until I turned my back...

It's Pizza time! Who doesn't love pizza? Because Caden loves it I thought he would have a good time making his own. I know pizza could never be truly healthy, but I made it as healthy as possible. We got some whole wheat pizza dough, sauce and organic pepperonis from Trader Joe's and made ourselves a yummy pizza.

I pulled Caden and his stool close to the countertop, we rolled our sleeves up and began our work of art. We first had to roll out the dough. Caden thought this was hilarious because I made straining noises the entire time I rolled. Then we coated it with sauce. He would dip his finger in the sauce over and over and say, "good sauce." Then came cheese which is hands down his favorite food. He grabbed and crammed that cheese so fast. I could barely get the pizza covered. Next came the pepperonis. Caden's never had those before. I gave him one to try and the rest was history. I begged him to put some on the pizza, but he shoved every one that hit his little paws into his mouth. So funny! So I filled the pizza myself. When I turned my back there would be blank holes that once had pepperonis. We have a pepperoni lover on our hands.

Welcome baby Zeke!

Last Thursday, Charles and Tiffany welcomed their third child, Ezekiel Judah Kiefer. We had the great opportunity to meet him last night. He's cute, so sweet and seems like such a good little guy. Congratulations guys! We are so thrilled for your family. Here's their beautiful family and new addition!

Weekend with Grandaddy and Mema

Mema holding sleeping beauty while reading a book.

Playing with Caden!

This past weekend we spent with Grandaddy, Mema, Great-Grandma, Great-Grandad, Annette and Drew. We had a wonderful time! We spent the nights with Grandaddy and Mema. We all had a lot of fun, especially Caden. He played with toys, read books, talked with Grandaddy's deer and bear on the wall. He would talk, but wouldn't touch.

Thanks guys for a wonderful time. We love you!

Our Week at Gigi's

One of our favorite cousins. Whitlee and Alexa.

Another one of our favorite cousins. Drew and Caden.

Caden, Drew, Great-Grandmama Mac, Aunt Annette (our most wonderful Aunt)

Great-Grandaddy Mac

Gigi and Caden feeding the seagulls bread. We all laughed the entire time.

"Cheese"

On Wednesday we went to the aquarium. We had a great time!

Caden touched a skate.

In awe of all the "fishies"

"Smoodie (smoothie) mustache"

Our daily walks with Caden saying cheese. He's getting really great at taking pictures.

As I sit here and post with Alexa in my arms I am reminded of how important family is. Just 26 short years ago my Mom did the same sort of stuff while holding her baby girl in her arms. Of course she wasn't typing on the computer, but you get my drift.

This week Jason has been out of town in Virginia Beach, VA. Twice per year he goes there to fulfill his lecture hours for his graduate classes. So, Caden, Alexa and myself had the privilege of coming to my Mom's house in Emerald Isle for the week. What a great time we've had and oh how I've enjoyed seeing my Mom.

For Jason and I it's hard sometimes living away from our families. It gets challenging with kids doing it all alone for the most part. Whoever said "it takes a village to raise a child" is speaking nothing but truth. Thanks to God's provision, we have great friends who are willing to help us out and family who doesn't mind driving to see us.

Mothers and daughters can have such a special relationship and I look forward to cultivating the same bond my Mom and I have with Alexa as she grows and matures. What a great example I have to pattern that after. Mom, you have done many great things in life, but most of all, you are a success at being a mother. So much of a success, that myself and many others want to pattern themselves after you. Thanks for a great week and for taking care of us. We love you so very much.

And Jason, we have missed you a ton. Can't wait for my hubby and Caden and Alexa's Daddy to return tomorrow. Here's a quick review of our week.