Our Life This Past Week

Caden Christopher is 2!

I just wanted to take this opportunity to celebrate the little man in my life. Caden turned 2 on Saturday and I can't believe how much he has changed in those 2 years. I love getting to spend everyday with him and am so blessed to be his mama!
I want to document a few things about Caden and who he is at this time in his life.

*He, of course, LOVES balls. No question, no doubt about it, it is a fact- balls are his number one favorite toy! His favorite type of ball is a soccer ball and is getting really good at kicking.
*He loves to watch Toy Story and Bolt. Those are his favorite movies at the moment.
*He would eat chocolate at every meal and milk all day if I let him! He also has a weird love for pickles. :)
*He is scared of some types of balloons and squishy balls. Don't know why- he just is. :)
*He hates it when other kids cry. He will start crying too.
*He recognizes every letter in the alphabet. He points them out on signs all of the time. He also loves numbers and can count to 10 in order. That makes me pretty proud! :)
*He loves to dance.
*If you ask him what color something is he almost always says "purple" right away and then changes when he actually looks at the thing and thinks about it.
*He will on occasion cuddle with me and give me kisses, but it has to be when he decides. ;)
*He is a little fish and loves to be in the water.
*He has started saying, "Mommy, are you ok?" It touches my heart that he is thinking of me...
*He likes to be read to and has even memorized a couple of his books.
*He loves to get dirty outside, but then always wants me to wash his hands if any dirt gets left behind.
*He loves cats and chases our cat, Jack, around all the time. Jack is so patient...
*When he really gets upset about something he says "No Way!" Cracks me up. 

He is just a sweet, energetic, stubborn little boy and I couldn't love him more!
PS- As I am typing this he is walking around my bedroom saying "Oh my" over and over. Hehe. He knows how to put a smile on my face.

Brother & Sister

It is a rare occasion that Caden will get close enough to Avery or sit still long enough for me to take photos. But today he had a fun time laying next to his little sister. I did have to eventually move him because he started getting all worked up and was accidently elbowing Avery in the face. I know I have many years of moments like this- Ah, siblings! :)

My Men :)

HAPPY EASTER

Praising the fact that Christ died for my sins and did not stay dead- HE IS RISEN! Praise God for the promise of life to those who believe!

We had a wonderful day today celebrating Easter. We started out with an early morning service on top of Table Rock, right next to the giant cross over looking the entire city. It was beautiful! Then we had a little family photo shoot at the park. It was our first picture as a family of 4! :) Then we had nap time before we went to my grandma's house to have Easter dinner and a mini egg hunt for Caden. To top everything off, the weather was gorgeous! It was just an all around blessed day!

Sand Dunes= FUN!

We had a wonderful Spring Break together. I am sad that today is the first day back to our "daily grind." Now I am left to counting down the days until Garrett's time off during the summer. :)

On Tuesday we took Caden on a day trip to the sand dunes and swimming at a hot springs. He had a great time! The sand dunes were windy to say the least, but he didn't seem to mind. He loved running around kicking his soccer ball and digging in the sand. His favorite part, though, was when daddy carried him up a little sand hill and ran down with him. He wanted to do that over and over. The hot springs was just that- hot! Garrett and I kept wanting to get out of the water to cool down, but Caden would have none of it! He loved floating around in the water and, of course, throwing the ball in the water. When we were done his cheeks were so red! Anyways, it was a great day for all three of us.

The rest of the time we didn't have too great of weather, so we just relaxed at home and played in the back yard when we could. Wednesday night Garrett and I had a quick dinner date at the Olive Garden and then on Saturday we all went to the park. It was an altogether much needed break! I'm so thankful to have had it!

Here are a few pictures from the Sand Dunes and then one of Avery and me that I took only about an hour ago. :)

2 Months and counting!

Avery is 2 months old today and the time has flown by! Yet at the same time I feel like she has been with me for forever. She is such a precious addition to our family! The first month or so was really chaotic, but {Praise the Lord} things have settled down quite a bit! Avery has started to adjust to life in this world and is a much more peaceful baby than in the beginning. Even though she is still much more "high maintenance" than Caden was at that age. :) Her reflux medicine has really helped her and I can tell that she isn't in pain anymore! She is also starting to sleep much better at night. That has been such a blessing to us, because Caden has never been a good sleeper!

Caden is starting to love on his little sis some. He likes to say "Aw, she's cute." Haha. He makes me laugh.

Avery had her 2 month check up today and she is looking very healthy and normal. She now weighs 9 lbs 15 oz, which is the 27th percentile and she is 21.5 inches long, which is the 15th percentile. So, she isn't very big, but she sure does look chubby! Haha. I keep getting comments about her little rolls and her double chin. Hehe. :)

The last two days have been so nice outside and Caden has basically played in the backyard all day! He loves it! I can't wait for it to get even warmer and for us to get a little kiddie pool for the back. It should be a fun summer!

After today, Garrett is off for a week for spring break! I am so thankful that God provided us with a job where he gets this breaks off! We have a couple of fun things planned. Sunday night we have a couple and their son coming over for dinner, Monday we are hitting the zoo, Tuesday we are taking a day trip with just Caden to the Sand Dunes and Givens Hot Springs, Wednesday Garrett and I are going on a date to eat pizza and listen to live music, and then the rest of the time is just relaxing at home- hopefully. :) It should be a very fun time!

I am just so thankful for the place God has brought me to in my life. I am SO blessed and am enjoying being a mom more than anything! There are definitely rough times and days, but they are quickly forgotten. :)

Here are some pictures from this last week- Enjoy!

Caden would not smile, despite me repeatedly saying 'say cheese.' Avery on the other hand was a very good girl and gave me a big ol smile! Hehe.

Here is Avery at 2 months old.

This is a little scene of when I told Caden to give Avery a kiss. He started out very hesitant and then jumped on her! He is pretty silly.

Here is Caden at the park playing away. :)