Neighbors

My little Shea with one boot on and one boot off.

Despite the fact that we grow ever-so-anxious to move out of student housing one day, there are many reasons that we'll enjoy being here for another year. At the top of the list are our friends and neighbors, who will also be here another year. Maren has been such a dear friend and playmate to the boys and Shea is just as fond of her little brother, Jonah. What will we do when they're not a few steps away from us?
Shea and Jonah, playing a little duet. I just love the way Shea grabs her boots and shouts, "Outside, Mommy? Play Jonah, now!!!"




A little "Ring Around the Rosie" fun... good for the bigger kids and the littler ones, too!
Love how Jaxon insists on wearing his robe!! :)

Uncle Jonathan

We had a special visit from my youngest brother a few weeks ago and the kids could not get enough of him. He and I took the boys to see their first circus, which they loved. It was sans animals and it was an all-youth troupe, so they've been talking nonstop about joining the circus one day so that they can do fancy tricks, too. I think the highlight, however, was the afternoon that Jonathan took the time to sit and play legos with the boys. Dexter wouldn't let me take apart Jonathan's construction for nearly a week.

Shea, on the other hand, was fascinated with Jonathan's hair... :)
...then moved onto styling her brothers' hair, as well.
Jaxon's (as Anakin) silly grin.
Happy little Dexter
Jonathan, as photographed by one of the boys.
Shea and Dexter
Shea's first piano lesson. :) It was just so adorable watching her try to copy Jonathan.

Sisters' Week-end

Once a year, I get a treasured week-end with my sister. I absolutely adore this time and it always... ALWAYS... goes much too quickly. My dream would be to have her close enough that our visits would be too frequent to justify an annual get-together. Of course, if she was closer, I wouldn't have an excuse to travel to interesting places like the Outer Banks. :)

A major perk to visiting Sarah is getting to spend time with her adorable family. Ollie and Indie were full of cuddles and giggles and never cease to amaze me. Her hubby even indulged our late-night munchies by cooking for us after his long shifts at the restaurant.

Brothers... I watch Ollie and Indie and I watch my own boys and I hope with all my might they appreciate how lucky they are to have each other.

Sarah and Ollie

Sarah and the boys

The boys and me

Sarah and I got a great morning at the beach ALONE. Hands down, the highlight of my trip.

Ollie and me

Indie and his mommy

Ice cream smile

Silly Ollie and Sarah

Ollie and I got a special morning together at a nearby park. It was so fun to watch his little imagination working. I so wish he was close enough to be a playmate to the boys!

Family Snapshots

Before my trip to visit my sister a few weeks ago, we spent the morning taking photos of each other so that I could have something to look at when I was missing the kids and D.R. These still make me giggle.
Jax-left, Dex-right



Dex and Shea


Jax and Mommy
Silly Dex
Jax and Shea
Dex and Shea

On another note, the boys are home again... and it feels tremendous to have the family all together. They had stories and stories galore to tell me and it appears they were spoiled rotten while away, but I'm thankful for grandparents who love their grandchildren so much!

Paint Fest

Dex
Jax
Dex