Laura's been gone

My best friend Laura has been gone for a few weeks now visiting her friends and family. She will be gone for one more week, but at least her husband Ben was able to take some vacation time and join them for this last week. I have been "mourning" the loss of my friend being gone for so long, and my other friends have jokingly asked how I have been coping-so I figured I would show you ;)

Aiden has been missing Ally and James so much that we had to appease him by going to their house to swing on their swings.

I saw all their beautiful tomatoes growing in their garden, and I couldn't help myself...

I had to take some pictures of her gardening...it's one of the things I envy! Aiden really loved this plant and its big leaves :)

Her roses are just gorgeous!

Of course she would be able to take better pictures than I can...but I gave it a shot with my little camera I had with me!

I just decided to relax in the sun and take it all in :) Just being at her house makes me feel closer to her...haha :)

Obviously I'm joking! Of course I miss her :) But we've been keeping super busy that the time is really going by fast. I know the kids and I would have loved it if they were all here for Devin's party yesterday, but I know they're having fun, and we had lots of family and friends come to celebrate with us. And Ben told Micah that we should stop by the house and pick some tomatoes because they will just be bad by the time they get home. So I figured we'd stop by after church and pick some up so I can take them to the baby shower I'm going to today for our friend Rachel. I just thought it would be funny to show Laura how much we're enjoying her yard without them! haha :)
Oh-and by the way, Aiden did not ride the car-we just had him sit in it ;) And we picked up your papers from the driveway and put them in the back under the grill. Oh, and the chair I was sitting in-well the back cracked...I guess I have more weight to lose-lol :) And I'll be happy to replace it if you want! Miss you and can't wait to see you on Saturday!!

Happy 1st Birthday Devin!

It's happened-my baby boy has turned 1! I cannot believe that this day is here already. It truly feels like it was just yesterday I was heading off to the hospital to have him. I think I have been in denial for the past month or so, not wanting to believe that he's really growing up. I have been so excited for him to reach his milestones, not realizing that it means he's getting bigger and older every day. That he's no longer my baby boy-but my toddler boy now! It's crazy!! We have been so blessed to have him join our family. I can't help but look at my family and smile. I have a wonderful life, even with all it's twists and turns. It sure keeps us on our toes-and I wouldn't have it any other way :)
Happy Birthday Devin-I love you so much! Here are some pictures we took tonight, and I'm sure there will be more to come after his party on Saturday.

Singing Happy Birthday :)

Aiden showing Devin how to dig in.

Such a happy birthday boy :)

After much encouragement, he gets a little messy :)

Yum!

Happy Birthday big boy!!

Micah's family sent Devin a present and some balloons-so it was fun getting him to open something on his birthday. We're saving our gifts for Saturday ;)

It's Raining!

We are having a fun summer thunderstorm roll through right now, and the boys were both a little cranky waking up from their naps, so I decided to take them outside to enjoy the rain! I took Devin out for a few minutes, but then put him in the stroller to watch and laugh at the action from the dry garage. Aiden put on his raincoat and boots, and I put my boots on too. Sadly, I think Aiden is outgrowing his coat-but it won't be long before Devin is in it! I had fun being a kid again and jumping in the rain, but I got wet fast, and then chilled since I didn't have a coat on, so I resumed laughing with Devin and snapping some pics.

Aiden showing Devin how to jump-and Devin just loved watching him!

Devin still got a little wet, but was enjoying it, because it was a fairly warm rain.

Splash!

Our new friends

When I joined Facebook, I came across Hollie who had graduated the same year I did in college, and she has 2 boys living in the same city and likes the same sports teams we do. It was totally random, and so I messaged her. Over the past months we have become friends over Facebook, but had never met! Finally a few weeks ago we were able to get together and take the boys bowling. It was so fun to finally meet up, and our kids got along very well :)

Aiden and Noah

Dinnertime!

This was the first time Aiden had ever been bowling-and he loved it!

But of course the boys were having a hard time getting the ball all the way down every time, so they gave us a ramp which was cool!

Aiden and Dylan became fast friends!

Hollie and her husband Mike invited us all over for the 4th of July. Here we have the babies ready to see some fireworks for the first time! Noah cried a little which got Devin started-but it didn't last long for either of them, and they just sat back and tried to take it all in...

The boys enjoying the smaller fireworks before the big show in the back yard :)

So cute!

Noah! :)

Devin! :)

They thought it was too loud...haha!

I'll never get good pics...

The boys are wiped out!

And Devin slept all through the bigger ones...

We finally got the boys in the van and this is what they looked like...poor guys!

And this week we have a big festival going on in town with lots of activities. I just had dropped Micah off at the airport for his trip to Florida thinking that I was going to spend a lonely night at home when Hollie sent me a message asking us to go to the festival with them. We were all really excited to go, and I was happy to have something to take my mind off Micah leaving. All Aiden wanted to eat was icecream-like any other 3 year old-and this look says it all..."MY icecream!" :)

We let the boys play some games

And Aiden had to have the pink ball. So then Dylan had to have a pink ball...I have no idea why he chose pink...I'm not concerned ;)

Although on second thought...he also chose this flower as well that Devin is chewing on...

We had to play the fish game. And Dylan actually got a ball in a bowl! Of course Aiden was a little upset that he didn't "win" too-but the worker was very gracious and gave him a fish too! It was very thoughtful, and so now I have to go and get some fish food tomorrow if it survives the night!

Welcome Nemo to our home

Devin is excited about Nemo too :)

Watching the Helicopter take off with the fish by their sides.

And had to get our picture by the big Army truck :)
We had a great time and already the boys are begging to get together again. It's so great to meet new friends!

Phone

One of Devin's new games he likes to play is "Phone". Even though he doesn't talk when I give him the real one, like when Daddy is on call or the Grandparents call to check in. You know, when it counts :) But it's still cute to watch him put it up to his head-and he just grins. I had to get a few pics..

"Hey-the phone is ringing!"

"I better say 'Hello'"

"You're kidding me!?!"

"Hey Mom-it's for you!"