Celebrating the 4th with friends...

In the words of my dear Dad...it was a weekend they'll write stories about for years to come... (and you'd have to know my Dad for that to be funny!!)

We had an awesome July 4th weekend....hope you all did as well! Our closest friends came up from Houston with their two boys--Chris, Kelly, Tyler and Cole. Usually our visits are limited to a regular weekend, and we try to squeeze in everything we possibly can. We all really enjoyed having a full extra day to spend time having fun as well as relaxing. We hit the new Frisco pool at the rec center and had a blast for a few hours. Justin and I did several laps around the lazy river while he slept peacefully on my stomach with his feet in the water. Shane is finally loving the water this summer like a fish and Travis is still a little "ify" about pools. We also made it out to the Rough Rider game on the night of the 4th. All 5 boys did great at the game. Travis, who doesn't know a stranger, ended up making friends with the family sitting behind us and their two older boys. Shane was really into watching the game; Troy and I hope he takes an interest most in playing baseball. When the game was over, the boys were amazed to be sitting directly under the fireworks. When the first boom hit, I thought for sure they'd all jump out of their shorts, but they didn't flinch. They loved every moment. It was a great rush to see them all so excited. We also made homemade ice cream with this very cool ball that Chris & Kelly brought up. You can get it at REI and it's meant especially to take on camping trips. You roll it around/shake/toss it for about 30 minutes and then you have (quite tasty) soft serve. We made vanilla for the kids and then let them make the grown-up ice cream with Khalua in it!! We had so much fun and the kids thought it was the best ice cream they'd ever had.

We all had a blast and hate to have the weekend(s) come to an end. We're trying not to let so much time pass between visits. We miss you and love you all very much! Next trip's on us, guys! Houston or bust!!!

Better Late Than Never!!!

Yes, some will make fun of me for doing this, but I DON'T SCRAPBOOK!!!!!! So, I've intended on starting our "blog" for some time now, but somehow my days just seem to fill up with preparing meals, making bottles, cleaning, diapers, being the "Cruise Director"...and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

We've had a busy summer finding any and every fun activity to do indoors in efforts to beat the insane heat. We've found every great indoor play place and the folks at Chick-fil-A recognize us as we walk up! Shane and Travis have been wonderful big brothers to Justin and have adjusted better than ever expected. We welcomed Justin into our lives 6 1/2 weeks earlier than anticipated on March 16th of this year. What a CRAZY (and scary) time that was!!! We are blessed beyond earthly measure to have the friends and family God's placed in our lives. We could not have made it and kept our sanity throughout everything (beginning back in February) without you...and you all know who you are!

Justin is gaining weight and growing by leaps and bounds. Though he comes in just under the 5th percentile, we have finally made it onto the "real" baby charts!!! His precious personality is really beginning to shine through and the colic is wearing off (whew!!!). His smile is so warm and he often giggles out loud and the silliness of his big brothers.


Shane is growing so fast!!! He amazes me at how complex his thoughts can be at times. The questions he asks of me blow me away. You can tell he really reflects on a topic for quite some time and prepares his questions. It's difficult to believe he'll be five in October! The years have passed with barrelling speed. I am so grateful to have been able to put my career on hold when I did to spend this time with him before he begins Kindergarten. We've grown so close and he often makes me laugh out loud. His strong-willed spirit still prevails and he's as stubborn as ever (gee, don't have a clue where he gets it??), but I hope it will only benefit him for the long run.



Travis is still just as happy as ever and is such a little charmer. He is our little stinker for sure! It is driven by his intense curiosity for "cause and effect." He wants to know how everything feels, tastes, works, etc. He is also incredibly active! He is almost ALWAYS on the move. He loves to do silly dances, climb, run, or anything that keeps him MOVING!!! The three activities that will slow him down are eating (and those that know Travis know that he'll eat anything as long as it doesn't eat him 1st!), playing with trains or if he's ready to go to sleep (he's like his Mom--he loves his sleep, too!). He is fascinated with trains, especially Thomas. He and Shane can play together for at least an hour or more when building tracks and pushing along trains. The picture of Travis to the right is what happens when he's quiet for too long. He'd shaken Justin's baby powder ALL OVER the guest room!



Troy and I are often still amazed when we step back and look at our life together. It seems like only days ago we were planning our wedding and preparing to buy our first house. On July 7th we celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary. In total, we've been together 10 1/2 years!!! We still have fun together amidst the insanity that work and parenting can bring. If you can't laugh at the day-to-day trials then you can so easily find yourself sinking...or at least that goes for us. Sometimes the stress does get to us, but it's not long before we laugh....or else I think I'd just stand in the middle of the kitchen and cry (which, yes, I've done!!)! As often as possible we make time to do things we've always enjoyed; just playing various card or domino games, hanging out on our porch and just relaxing, playing darts (though there's still controversy over where to hang the dart board in the new house 9 months after moving in!) or working on house projects (which NEVER end!). We're still active members of our church home--St. Philip's Episcopal. I've had to step back and focus more on being a Mom than on volunteering, but God makes no mistakes and places you right where he wants you.


We hope you all are doing well and having a great summer, thus far! Stay safe!

Love in Christ,

Christy