Aidan's 7th Birthday

Aidan is making a habit of celebrating his birthdays many times over. This year was no different. He was able to celebrate in Florida with his grandparents, aunts, uncle and cousins and then here in Mississippi with our family and then again at a pool party with friends. Of the six birthday parties Aidan has had outdoors, only one has been unaffected by the rain. This year was no different, and we had to take a 45 minute break from the pool, which was the perfect time to do dinner and cupcakes. Totally successful party that our friends in Mississippi are beginning to look forward to each year!

I cannot believe I have a seven year old! Aidan is still our handsome, good-hearted entertainer. He makes friends wherever he goes and is just an all-around easy-going and happy kid.

Yep, that's Christmas wrapping paper. I am my mother's daughter. :-)

After Aidan opened these presents, we pulled out his "new" iPod that I had loaded with a lot of his favorite songs. He was SO excited (he doesn't know that we really gave him Jared's old iPod that he doesn't use anymore). Here's hoping he doesn't start checking this blog anytime soon!

I got this hat for him at the party store. Of course, he thought it was great!

(Also pictured: Anna, who refused to get out of any of the pictures.)

Anna perfecting her "Snow Squint"

Size 7 Pajamas!!! I'm embarrassed to admit how excited he was to get them.

Apparently, I am a little behind on my clothes shopping! :-o

One of the few pictures from his birthday party. It was a party for children and adults,

so instead of taking pictures, we were having fun in the pool!

** Still need to do Aidan's annual interview. **

Fun in the Water

We got so lucky with our three kids and how much they love the water. I absolutely love to be in the pool, ocean, lake - whatever - so I am glad they aren't afraid of the water. Anna could possibly be our most fearless when it comes to swimming. At one birthday party we went to this summer, she was jumping off a four foot high dive with no life vest. Made me crazy nervous, but she loved it!

Summer Fun

Pictures from our many summer adventures...

So glad they got to play on the same team for a year!

Our ride to New York

The only child of ours that cooperated and wore his hearing protection. The jet was LOUD!

Aidan's first time kayaking

Our DD on the boat

Haha - Only kidding, Mom!

In case anyone thought I was vacationing in New York, count the number of children.

Blueberry picking

The boys were competing to see who could find the biggest one. Anna was competing to see how many she could eat.

Catch-up

Wow, am I far behind on this blog! My last post was related to the last day of school, and now we've already started a new year. We did tons of traveling over the summer and got to see so many friends and family members. The kids and I were in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Washington D.C., Texas, Georgia, Alabama and Florida. Not sure I'll do another month-long road trip with the kids again, but we survived, and the kids got to have a lot of great fun. Thanks to all who showed their hospitality by hosting us at their homes.

Kindergarten Graduation

We have our first Kindergarten graduate in the family, and he set the bar quite high. He was the Kindergarten spelling bee champion, and he was a recipient of the Presidential Fitness Award. He was SO excited to get his trophy at the awards ceremony!

The principal doesn't allow the school to have a Kindergarten graduation (why???), so one of the parents rebelled and ordered hats and put up this makeshift sign in the classroom.

Aidan and his teacher, Mrs. Hines

Aidan and his BFF

Mother's Day pictures

Jared's in California for the month of May, so it's me and the kiddos this month. For Mother's Day, the boys told me they would make me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch. So sweet, but I politely declined and offered to take them out to lunch. They were excited to get to pick whatever they wanted!

After church, we headed to our favorite Mexican restaurant (lucky for Mommy, their favorite is my favorite!). I let the boys share a sweet tea, so from that point on, I could do no wrong.

When we got home, I convinced them to pose for a few pictures for me. I'm not a photo genius at all, but I did manage (after a few tries) to set the timer and get one of me with all the kids. I am so lucky to have been blessed with these three beautiful children. I love them all so much, and I just cannot believe how quickly they are growing.

Love my sweet babies!

Our princess that's growing up too fast!

Take 1 of trying to get a good picture of all three of them

Take 2

Take 3 - After this, they all ran away.

Easter pictures

I'm tired of posing for pictures, Mom!