Trip to Saint Simon Island, GA Aug. 2009

OK. So a month later we took a HUGE family trip to St. Simon Island with E's Moms family. All 16 of us stayed in 1 BIG home. I know what you are thinking, and believe me I thought of it, too. haha But it wasn't as bad as it would seem. The place was 4 stories, AND on a beach. There was this Bay Window couch thinging that we would all want to sit on and that over looked the ocean. Nice reading place, or just relaxing drinking our YUMMY drinks (whatever they were). This is how the place was layed out... you either went into the 1st story (mud room and storage) and road the elevator up (YES! This place had an elevator :)) or walked up the stairs. OR you could be outisde and walk up the stairs to the 2nd storied. Which was were us Cousins slept- we each had a room (Us 4 in 1 queen bed, with a jack & jill bathroom with cousins & sis & bil sharing the 2nd room & 3rd room was the other cousins). And this HUGE room with TV, and big round table for games or just whatever. 3rd story was the kitchen, Family room, and another bedroom. HUGE deck to go outside and eat on which had a nice veiw of the ocean. 4th storied was 2 beautiful rooms. Which 1 room had a tub that over looked the ocean- so cool. And NO(!) I didn't use the tub, but all the other girls did. Then you could keep walking up to be on the rough that over looked everything. Which was so awesome!!!

We hung out at the beach once or twice, Ellie & I took a stroll down it once, E & I took a moon light walk, went to Savannah and ate at Lady & sons (Paula Deans place). Went to Jackyll Island twice (did a tour of the old town and saw the old buildings). The boys went deep sea fishing & E caught a shark, but he didn't keep it. haha wonder why??? Did some driving around, a little shopping, a lot of eating, drove around, did a bunch of nothings. Here are some pictures of that trip.... again not in order....

OH!! We saw Sea Turtles, ate at Steak & Shake, too :)

Trip to Cali July 4th weekend

These pictures are not in order... sorry I had a lot of pic. to choose from and couldn't decide. so I stuck on a lot :) Have fun

The next trip we went on a *feeling*. E came home and said *we are going to Disneyland 4th of July weekend... prepare us for the trip.* I didn't believe him, because we were talking about going late Aug. for Cadens 1st Birthday. When he told me he was serious, I cried... haha YES! I am a girl, and I cry. LOL

So the following weekend we packed up and drove to L.A. We are so blessed to have great friends that let us stay in their 1 bedroom apartment. They gave up their room AND BED so we could stay with them. THANK YOU DAVID & BETHANY!!!! You all rock :) It was sooo much fun getting to hang out with them and just be. Well, be as much as you can with 2 little ones. We drove out Thursday, went to Disneyland on Friday, Saturday we went to the beach which was FREAKIN PACKED (we parked like 2+ miles away), then home for naps, to be all fresh and ready for FIREWORKS!!! In Cali you are able to set off you own, so we all lined up on the street and set off our own. SO COOL!!!! Can't wait to do it this year (2010). Then Sunday morning headed back home.

It was so fun to go to DISNEYLAND with the kids and seeing it through their eyes... more Ellies.

Ellie Road- small world twice, Dumbo w/Daddy, Toad something w/me and it scared her (oops!), Charosal (sp) w/Daddy, Casey Jr. Train w/Daddy, Poor Ride w/Aunt Bethany, and Peter Pan and Buzz Light Year with us all.

E & I road- Thunder Mountain, Indiana Jones, & Splash Mountain

E & Uncle David road- Space Mountain

Aunt Bethany, Uncle David & I road- Snow White ride

We saw a parade and Ellie and me got to dance in it. Which was a lot of fun!!!! She LOVED IT. WE left way before the Fireworks- I think we were all a little tired. U.David & A.Bethany were awesome they got us the Passes and then watch our kids so E & I could ride them. THANK YOU!!!!

The beach was fun, but WAY crowded. Like I said, we had to park like 2 miles away and then walk it. Thankfully I had my double strolled and we packed it full. The ocean was a tad cold that day- due to the wind that made it even colder. So we just played in the sand. We also got to burry Uncle David... which was fun... great times great times.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures

Trip to Prescott, AZ

This was our first of many trips this summer... what a way to start off our summer by taking a drive to Prescott, Arizona. Caden & Ellie both fell asleep in the car so we drove the back way up to Copper Basin Look Out Point. I forgot how beautiful that was. and what a fun drive...

We went to the top of the mountain, took some pictures, drove to town, ate lunch and drove back home. Spent most the day driving, but it was a lot of fun! At least I thought so :) OH!!! See the little squirl??? He was in the middle of the road so our friend took a picture of him (my camera died :() E got out of the car to move it, because he wouldn't move and I didn't want to run him over or hurt him... The squirl almost bit E and ran off. We laughed so hard. Caden was sleeping when we took our family pic. so its just the 3 of us. But check out the background!!!! BEAUTIFUL!!!!! I must say :)

Get on your knees and pray for this little boy

http://www.mycharmingkids.net/

stopping vs. more

ok- so its hard to say its over, we are done and come to grips with it. But I keep thinking to myself that I am done. but there is this little part of me that wants more. I keep thinking of all the fun things we can start doing and planning, some things that I can get and do and I am cool with it. Then I think but what if we have 1 or 2 more... then I start thinking about what if things going really bad for me and my baby, do I really want to go thru that again. Because I don't. 

For those of you that d

on't know. I had Placenta Previa with Caden. God-thankfully I had a great outcome. He was born via c-section 4 weeks early and weighed in at 6ibs & 9oz and was 191/2 inches long. HEALTHY BOY!!!!!!! Lungs, eyes, hearing, everything checked out as if he was on time. (THANK YOU LORD FOR MY HEALTHY BOY!) When I think about it, there are so many emotions that go with being pregnant. My Mom, & sister both had great pregnancies and deliveries, why am I the exception. Bed rest with both Ellie and Caden, odd things with both end of pregnancies. When I think about having another one, I get excited, and think, "OH! another baby. How fun and exciting." and it is. I wouldn't take anything back. But then, the what if's. and I don't think I would be able to handle another what if pregnancy. People tell me t

o wait a couple more years and then try (1st off there is no try, its do for E & I). But then I say *STARTING OVER* ummm, no thank you. Am I crazy or something... hahaha 

so... yes, I told E that I think I am done last night. First time I have admitted it out loud, and now I am saying it on here. 

I believe I am done. 

Is it hard for everyone to say that? If I say it, then I have to mean it, and if I mean it, then I have to do it and if I do it, then there is NOO going back. and thats the hard part about it. 

Growing up I always wanted a BIG family- 11 kids. Well, 11 kids was out of the question, so I said 7, but then thought, 4 would be great- nice even number. Now 2- really?!!?! so yes, I think 2 is great. I like my small family and E likes kn

owing we are done. So IF I still feel this way by the beginning of 2010 it is off to the clinic for me :) 

ok- so here are a couple pic. of my lovely kids :)

Happy ending right!!!

Ellie & Eric swimming and shooting me & papa Steve with water... 

Caden being Caden

Smiling with his tongue hanging out :)

I love these girls

Kinley, Mileigh, & Ellie at Mileighs 2nd Birthday Party!! Aren't they the cutest things ever... I sure do think so. I mean, just look at those smiles... makes me smile right back at them. (I also can't help but say, "one of these is not like the other." talking about Ellie being blonde and the others not so much..)

(Close-up)

Mommies Day!!

This is what I received from my kids!!! Don't be jealous you all.... Its the CD of Lady Gaga...

I must say, I do love it. I sing the song, Poker Face all the time. So now, I can sing it in the car instead of Veggie Tales. heehee Not to worry, we still listen to Tales 99% of the time. :) (and yes, I did get more then just the CD.. we went shopping :) need I say more... 

I always looked forward to Mothers Day and celebrating my Mom. But it wasn't until I became a Mom, that I really knew and understood the meaning of *MOM* Ellie was only 4 months old, for my *REAL* Mothers Day (We celebrated it when I was pregnant. We just found out a few days before Mothers Day we were expecting her.). The things that my Mom did, does and continues to do, just amazes me. My Mom Rocks. 

I will say though, I am pretty lucky to have 3 special Moms in my life. 

First- my Mom, Sue. She has been there for me & my family for soo many things. She has been one of my rocks. When I was on bed rest with both kids, she was there for me taking care of me, my house and Ellie. She took me to endless Dr. appointments when I was pregnant with Ellie, she stayed with me while I was in labor with Ellie, and with Caden was by my side when I needed that extra hope. She has been my (other) confidant, my house cleaner, my baby sitter, my therapist, my cook, my BEST FRIEND, MY MOMMY!!! Even though, I don't think you, Mom, read this, I LOVE YOU!! MOST OF ALL!!!

Second- my MIL, Jeanie. As like my Mom, she has been there of my family. She too has helped out in ways when we needed her. She has been a blessing to me. My MIL, has been an awesome friend; someone to laugh with about the stories of E, and a great Mom to me and a Grammy to my kids. Our kids are blessed by her and love her very much. I am very thankful for her, and all that she has done for me, for E, and my kids. Thank you, Jeanie! And even though, I don't think you will be reading this, I LOVE YOU! 

Third-my step-MIL, Renee. Even though she is a step Mom, there really is no step mom about her. She has been great to me, Eric and our kids. Sometimes you hear those crazy stories about the step-mom. Well, sorry you wont be hearing any of those. We truly have been blessed by her and her love for our family- we are very lucky to have her. She has been a great Grammie Na' to Ellie and Caden and they love her dearly. She has also been a great friend, and Mom to me and has helped me out in numerous ways. Thank you, Renee for all that you have done for me, E, and my kids. And a Thank you for reading my blog unlike the other 2... hahaha  j/k   I LOVE YOU!!!

And to ALL the other Mommies out there, I hope you were truly blessed by your husbands, your kids, and families on OUR DAY! 

HAPPY MOTHER's Day!!!