Lauren’s visit to NC with 2 kids (back in May)

I have a lot of catching up to do…

Lauren had a wedding to attend here in NC, so she decided to pack her bag and bring down 2 kids in tow.  She had a great trip down and we got to enjoy her wonderful company for 4 days.  Of course, while she was here she just had to go with the flow and join us for a few of the kids scheduled events.

She got to attend Lawson’s Dance Fest.  Look at sweet, Haywood!

McKenna got to go as well with Bonnie in tow!

Then on Saturday Collins and I took 4 kids when went to Wesley’s soccer game with !! Lauren was leaving for the wedding.

McKenna was so sweet cheering on her cousin Wesley!

The rest of the weekend summed up…

We had picnics.

We painted toes…

We went strawberry picking.

We even had a dance party!!

Oh yes, we had a great time!!! The kids always have so much fun together. 

Lawson did come to one realization…mommy, we can not have any more babies, this is hard work!! A to the men!

Thank you Lauren, McKenna, and Wood for coming to NC and visiting.  We will see you VERY soon.

Meeting Haywood “Wood”

Our first weekend of Spring break we went to VA to see my parents, brother and my sister and her new baby, Wood. He is a perfect little boy!! It is amazing how I can love this little boy so much and I did not even birth him.  It is the same way I feel about McKenna, my sister’s kids are truly just an extension of my family!

Here is the little angel at 2 weeks old! Isn’t he handsome??

Cailyn came over to check him out.  It was hilarious to see her reaction to this new baby.  She is no longer the baby of the family.  She checked him out and then really had nothing else to do with him.

We did find her playing dolls with his bouncy seat once he was out.  They learn so fast!!

Of course, we can not forget out McKenna!  Lawson and McKenna were the BEST playmates. Wow! They just went off in the house and played beautifully together. 

The Kenna Grand Girls!!

Wesley did come over and check out Wood for minute and then he was off playing with McKenna’s toys.  He was too busy to even notice there was a new baby!  Ha! Here are the Kenna Grand Boys…

I love these guys so much!! They are having so much fun and I couldn’t be prouder of Will and Lauren!!

I don’t want to steal Lauren’s thunder but here is another picture of Wood because I feel she isn’t posting enough of him these days.  I mean, it is like she is too busy to post or something. I don’t understand.  (kidding)

A Trip up to VA

The week after Lawson got out of school I decided to take myself and the kids to see my family in VA.  I love visiting my family in VA and I had not been there since last summer!  So I backed out backs and off we went…

3 kids in the backseat, 1 mommy and no DVD player (we are old school).  Believe it or not, the kids were AWESOME!  They played so nicely, had the best time with car games and helped me out with Cailyn when necessary.  We stopped twice on the way up and everyone was great.  Whew!

The kids were thrilled to see McKenna.  They love their cousin!  She was showing them her new potty  (can never start too young!)

Lauren got a new Ipad2 and the kids had a great time playing on that.  Even Cailyn got into the action. 

Wesley just being silly.  He asked me to take his picture (which never happens so I took this picture)

Lawson brought up her American Girl Doll and Nana pulled out Lauren’s AGD, Molly.  Lawson had a great time strolling them around.  So sweet. 

While we were their it was COLD (for June) we did make it to the park.

We set up a picnic with the kids.  That was fun!

Here we all are minus Cailyn (she was asleep in the stroller)

The kids enjoying the fresh air!

McKenna is such a sweet Newt (their nickname for her) she loved giving Cailyn kisses

 

We did go to the pool and the kids had a great time there.

Then Dah surprised us and came home from OH early to spend some time with the kiddos. He took a day off and  Lauren and I decided to take the youngest kids to Target and leave the big kids with Dah.  At that point that is when our trip went a little sour.  Mom and Dad’s dog Butler escaped (thanks to a little boy letting him out) and the dog did not return until the next afternoon when someone returned him. Da*n Dog!!

It truly was the LONGEST night ever.  You can read about it here.  I am not sure if I was more upset about the dog or the fact that we might be THAT family that causes disaster everywhere we go.  I know you know those type of families  They walk into the room and everyone grabs all the breakables out of fear of what havoc they will cause.  I hope we aren’t that family…

I was relieved on our trip home that Butler was safe and sound at home.  All in all we had a great time in VA!! We will be back soon.

Trip Down South

Guess who I went to visit last week???

Lauren and McKenna are currently in SC with her MIL while Will is in training in GA.  So we decided to pay them a visit during the kids’ Spring Break.  Of course, hubby does not get a spring break so that meant “Momma was flying solo.”  The drive is normally about 3 hours and it was about an hour into the trip when Cailyn started wailing that I thought “I might of bitten off more then I can chew, hello, she is only 2.5 months old.”  But we made it down there and I couldn’t of been happier to be there.  I decided a trips length can be lengthen 30 minutes per child and if you decide to eat cabbage the night before add an hour for the one being nursed…ugh!! Lesson learned. 

When we got there we were outside and enjoying the beautiful scenery.  All Wesley wanted to do was go to the lake and see the fish!!

Then Paula let the kids ride and drive Big Red.  Paula was so sweet and took them on many rides and had them digging for rocks as treasure.

The lake is still too cold for swimming so we got out the bucket for water fun.  The kids had a blast!! It doesn’t take much!!

Gotcha!

These pictures crack me up!!

Then after nap McKenna came out to enjoy the fun.  She thought the kids were crazy!

Paula reminded us that she had a princess castle swimming pool so we got out that castle!! Lawson just LOVED IT!

Wesley enjoyed jumping in!! He has no fear!

Look at the two girls!!

Wesley found a Lizard that was talking to him.  So cool!!

The next day we went to a local town called Camden and went out to lunch.  This is how Wesley went out…too cute to say no!

Here we all are 4 kids and 2 adults…  Lauren has the right idea. 

Here is the other side of the table with me…

Lauren and McKenna and me after nursing Cailyn.  I did A LOT of nursing in the car…I am an old pro now!!

While I was traveling in SC,  Lawson was chilling in Paula’s car watching a movie and McKenna tried her best to get her attention! Wesley in my car enjoying the ride…without a tv.

Here are two of my favorite girls!!!

Aunt Lauren with Cailyn on the dock.

Paula and Wesley having a serious conversation!!

Wesley’s favorite time was being near the water.  We were there EARLY almost every morning.

Wes with Ben and the neighbor’s dogs.

Here I am with Cailyn….she enjoyed being near the water too.  Can you tell?

Look at Miss Sunshine!! Enjoying some sand!!

After 3.5 days it was time to come home and get ready for Easter.  The trip ride home was much easier despite the rain and has not discouraged me from traveling again with the children.  It was a great trip and honestly I gave myself a huge pat on the back once we arrived home.  Wow, I really can do anything I put my mind too.  Of course it helps to have help at the end of the line so you are not doing everything by yourself (thanks Lauren.)

We had such a wonderful time with my sister, Paula, and McKenna.  It is always such a relaxing time at the lake.  Thank you again Paula for opening your home to the 4 of us!! Lauren as always you are the best!! I love you ladies!! Hope to see you all soon!!