Our morning routines

I have really gotten used to our morning routines and have come to look forward to them.  Although most mornings I am tired and can easily become cranky, I secretly love my special time with Isabelle.  At around 6:30am, (that's right... I finally have a child that likes to sleep) I start to hear a little tiny grunt from Isabelle's bed and I peak over the side and this is what I see...

We start the morning off with a little play time of singing (quietly since Daddy is still sleeping) and conversations and then she is ready to eat.
Shortly after Isabelle eats, the boys begin to wake up and the first person that run and find is their little sister.  They love her so much! 

Isabelle is mesmorized with the boys just as much as they are with her.  She lights up when they come into the room.  I am excited to see their relationship grow as they get older.  I am a blessed Mommy!

Ethan's 8th birthday party...

I am just a few weeks late with this post, but things have been a little crazy lately. 
Ethan wanted a football (Seminoles) party at the house so we invited his friends over to help celebrate.  I got a little worried when I kept getting RSVP's even on the actual day of the party and at that point I had already lost count.  So I made a few extra goodie bags to make sure we were covered and then said a little pray for my sanity before the party began.  Our house was packed with screaming kids and parents but Ethan had a blast!  Thankfully, there were only 2 toy casualties and a few cupcake mishaps so I would say that is pretty good! 
Ethan is such a great little man!  He is so smart that at times I feel like I need to go back to school so I understand what he is talking about.  Yeah, and he is only in the 2nd grade... I think I am in trouble.  He loves sports and plays soccer and baseball.  He would love to try a few other sports but we are wondering how to fit it all in.  He has such a tender heart and loves his little brother and sister. 
Lucky us...he has already started with the little sassy attitude.  I thought we had a few more years but I guess kids are starting a little earlier these days.  But overall, he is a big helper and has great manners (well... minus the typical boy stuff).
We are so proud of him and the person he is becoming!  Happy 8th birthday Ethan!!



Isabelle in her own little FSU attire



See... I wasn't kidding about the amount of kids.

                      

Aiden and Ian

Isabelle and Aiden's dedication

This past Sunday, we had Isabelle and Aiden dedicated at church.  We wanted to have Isabelle dedicated before her open heart surgery which is scheduled for September 28th and Aiden wasn't dedicated as a baby (bad Mommy!) so we thought it would be special to combine them both. 

Ethan and Isabelle waiting to go to church (she looks so big in this picture)

This was a good picture of Isabelle (but she is scratching Ethan- which explains his face)

Aiden and Isabelle's certificates and Bibles. 

During church, Ethan was looking through Aiden's bible and asked me if when I was dedicated as a baby, did I get the New or Old Testament?  I explained that they normally give you the New so that is what I got as well.  He replied, the New Testament was around at that time?  Really?!?  How old does he think I am??

*more pics to come... I promise I did get a picture of Aiden as well.

Soccer pictures

Saturday, both boys had their first game of the season.  This was Aiden's first game ever.  He only had one practice so he wasn't too sure what he was supposed to be doing but overall, we were impressed.  He is pretty fast and likes to get right in the middle of the action.  We look forward to watching him learn throughout the season.

Ethan has his soccer pictures this Saturday so I will steal a better shot. Thankfully, the summer is coming to an end and hopefully we will have some cooler temperatures for the upcoming games.  It was a little too hot for Isabelle to cheer on her brothers.

Isabelle's newest hairstyle...

Loving the hair Isabelle!!

I wish we could know what Isabelle is thinking during times like these!  At least I was able to get a good laugh,  Mommy really needed it.

Weekend get-a-way

This past weekend we took a quick trip to Atlanta to see a Braves game.  We left early Saturday morning and made a few extras stops since we were traveling with 5 children.  Once we arrived, we attempted to go to the Aquarium but being a holiday weekend plus the first game of College football, we scratched that idea quickly.  Instead, we took the kids to Imagine It- Children's museum.  The kids had a blast.  We easily spent a few hours of play time before heading out for dinner. 
The kids loved playing with the moon sand.  My kids have learned that this is the only place they will be playing with moon sand.  Don't believe those commercials that moon sand is zero mess and so easy to clean up.  It is currently off limits in our house!

Aiden and Ian making their creations.

Mikayla and Ethan making their masterpiece.  Mikayla made a great flower but they were quick to destroy it.  That is the best part.

                       

Another thing the kids can't do at home... paint on the walls.

After dinner, the ladies minus Mikalya took a trip to Ikea- I love that place!!  Papa and Chad took the kids swimming in the pool and then they had fun jumping on the bed (the kids... not Papa and Chad). 
On Sunday, we spent the day at the Braves field.  It was rainy but we still managed to have a great time. 



See Nana and Isabelle way up in the stands?!?  She wanted to make sure Isabelle didn't get hit by a foul ball during batting practice... but actually, it had started raining so we think Nana didn't want to get her hair wet.  That's our Nana! :)



The Georgia Tech- Buzz was at the game as well.

The kids took a break before the game started to play in the kid's zone.

Ethan went all the way to a Braves game and still found time to play video games.

Mikayla and Ethan dancing - trying to get on camera.

Aiden had to take a quick nap

Ian and Isabelle having a conversation

Isabelle checking out our neighbors

Isabelle's turn for a nap

Papa and Ian discussing the game

Did I mention that I loved Ikea?!?  Well, Stephanie and I had to make one more trip on Sunday night just in case we missed something. 

One last picture of Isabelle just being silly.

More soccer...

On Tuesday, Ethan started soccer practice.  He goes twice a week and we are excited about his team this year.  His coach definitely looks like she knows what she is doing.  She is going to whip these boys into shape. 

Shower time!!

And we don't want to leave Isabelle out...  She has been enjoying watching her brothers run the fields.  She is cheering them on and can't wait for their first game.  Although we already have conflicting schedules the very first game.  Isabelle and I are supposed to be a different fields at the same time.  We are still trying to figure that one out. 

See what happens when Isabelle tries to sneak in a nap.  The boys are such pranksters but she will remember all of this and get them back one day soon!