Cleaning and scrubbing will wait ’till tomorrow, but children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow. So quiet down cobwebs! Dust go to sleep! I’m rocking my baby. Babies don’t keep. – Ruth Hamilton

Sunday, July 27, 2014

32 years and 9 Months of Being Friends






















Since having children, my closest in age cousin, and I have not spent much time together. We used to see each other every summer-mostly at the lake-write letters to each other, and talk on the phone when growing up. We lived in Chicago and then Minnesota and they lived near St. Louis. Our moms made a commitment to keep us close since we didn't have sisters. It was nice to have someone to talk to while growing up and it was the next best thing to having a sister. Once college arrived I was even closer to her-I came to Stephens and my parents moved to st Louis-this lead to me coming home ALL the time. That meant I was usually with my Aunt and Uncle and Abra!

Now we see each other at family events, but we have a lot of cousins to catch up with. This past week, Abra and my Aunt Sharon came to the lake. My mom got to catch up with her sister and Abra and I got to catch up...even if we had an age range of kids that were 6,5,4,3,2,1!!!

The week basically went like this: wake up to coffee, swim, nap and spend the evening on the deck talking to late in the evening!
We also snuck in a shopping trip and I got suckered into buying my kids
Toys even with two of their birthdays a month away! 

My mom got them new puzzles. I didn't realize how much they enjoy them and how good they are for them.
Avery spent two days on hers.

Of course my kids are tired:)
So we decided to talk Mark into joining us down here to have some family time. It was much needed because we missed him a lot!! We saw our first family movie and have just laid around.

33 years is a long time to have someone in your life! My hope is our kids develop these cool relationships with their cousins... even enough to have them as their maid of honor! Thank you Abra and Aunt Sharon!!!!!

Friday, July 18, 2014

Boy Time/New Addition/Golf Camp all in One Week





Avery was gone for a few days so Mark and I took some time with our boys. We loved this time but missed our girl like crazy! We feel blessed with our three munchkins.
We took the boys on a long bike ride and stopped to hike a cliff side. Missouri has beautiful places along the river. The boys dug in the dirt, found sticks and searched for bear.
It was a long hike and Mack did the whole thing!
 
My boys are so loving!
Mark and I are training for separate events so it's always nice to get to workout together!

The next day I had alone time with Lincoln. We went to visit our newest addition!!! Charolette Monroe joined the world and her parents are thrilled. So are the Watsons!! We love that our friends are having the babies now-it's the best to hold a best friend's baby:)



Lincoln was more interested in the iPad, but hopefully when we see her again this weekend they can bond-especially Avery and Mack!

Celine has been my friend for about 13 years. It makes my heart so happy to see her so happy.

Isn't she precious?!? Welcome to our family Charolette we can't wait to spend more time with you!

While Lincoln and I were visiting, Mack went to work with daddy. He had an absolute blast! His face was priceless when he returned. 


Mark dropped Mack off at the park where we played with Cohan and Ireland and other friends. They all worked hard to fight off the mean kids who wouldn't let them through the tunnel!


After our few days at home, we headed back to the lake. Avery is still young so two days was about all she could handle away from mommy. My parents had her and her two cousins because they signed them up for golf camp. I hope the girls realize how lucky they are to have grandparents that spend a week with them letting them have a blast and play golf! Avery got her clubs for her birthday...a little early. She was so excited when Mum and Papa gave them to her 

I got to take them one day and I couldn't get enough of them.

Avery seems to really like it. I can't wait to play with her.

On the last day Mack went along and got to hit the ball. He will join them next year! Avery enjoyed sharing her clubs with him and he was excited to be included.


Our evenings were spent making s'mores, taking boat rides and swimming in the lake until 8:00 at night!








It's going to be really hard to go back to work. These long days have been so good for us. I feel so close to my kids!  This weekend will be spent at home...until next week!

Monday, July 14, 2014

Summer in Full Swing




This summer has been eventful! We haven't been restricted and the kids are getting older.  I have felt more relaxed especially knowing this time is going fast and I will have a 5 year old in a month! There have been times where I'm burnt out being with them everyday, but then I sit back and think about what life was a year ago. They have been playing all summer long...we probably should be working on some things, but what's more educational than maintaining a garden, pickling cucumbers, digging in dirt to fill trucks, socializing with friends, and swimming until they are so tired they take 2 hour naps?
With all that being said below is a look back at our last few weeks:
For the most part they are either not wearing clothes, have pajamas on, or in a swim suit.  Above they are in pajamas/half dressed riding around with our neighbors.

We were wanting to take a trip to visit friends, but then reality steps in that we don't have the means at this time to do it. We were lucky to have friends come to us instead!
My best friend from high school came with her two kids. For the most part they played and we were busy!
We went to the pool and brought them to our favorite park.

Mark took the boys on a ride to pick up all our trees we lost:( (the storms this summer have been intense!)

We had fun sharing our town with them and were so thankful for the time we had!

After we said goodbye to the Troness family:(, we loaded up to head to the lake. There we were greeted by our three cousins, uncle Brent, mum, and papa. Later in the afternoon my cousins and their kids joined us...that led to 8 kids!!

 
I always said my kids would never swim in the lake.  That was during my pregnancies, Mack being really sick and our kids being babies.  Mark and I worried about how deep it is (60 feet off our dock) and how dirty it is.  This year has changed...that is why I always remember to NEVER say NEVER.  They love it!  It makes the days go very fast when you walk down to the dock and they are jumping in.  I have to remember all the years I spent as a child swimming in it and I turned out okay:)

Sometimes 8 kids can be overwhelming but not this weekend.  The kids played together the entire time and the adults were on point getting them all fed.
 
The evenings were quite because they were so tired.  My mom has been collecting prizes for our bingo game and she got it out on Saturday night. The kids loved it- it's a new lake game!



All this fun has put a toll on the boys (even Mark:)). There are days they are super whining and need to sleep more.
We left Avery at the lake for golf camp this week and the boys and I are enjoying a few days at home relaxing and resting before we go back. Next week we get to spend time with my other cousin and aunt!