July??

I haven't posted in a while because nothing much has really been going on. I don't really know what we did in July, and I can't believe it is already August!! Thomas has gotten 8 teeth in the past 2 months. He actually hasn't been too cranky considering. He is talking so much now saying just about anything we say. He loves Roscoe. He adores Matthew and really watches/mimics his every move. He always wants to know where his daddy is. He loves playing with the dinosaurs and making them roar. Overall he is such a happy little toddler. He is starting to throw fits though. Sometimes I don't even think he knows why he is crying. He can make statements now such as "Lets go, there it is, whats that, i want my daddy/mommy" Matthew is becoming so much more mature. He still has his tantrums, but seems to understand things better now. We talk all day long about anything and everything. He is very curious and likes to know what is going on. He still LOVES dinosaurs. When he plays with them, he makes them talk to each other now. I love listening to what he is making them say...usually stuff like "Hey dinosaur, do you want to play with me? Are you feeling ok? You gotta take a nap. You have to go to time out"...Not sure where he is picking all this up ;) His new thing is staying in his pjs when we are at home. If we go somewhere, we have to put his pjs back on when we get home. He is a very sweet big brother. He always makes sure Thomas has something to play with. He does still take things away from him, but overall looks out for his brother. I have noticed that the boys get jealous of each other and compete with each other for our attention now. When I am holding one, the other "needs" to be held. If I try to hold them both, they start pushing each other and try to see who can wrap their arms around me the tightest. While it is very flattering, it also can get out of hand. They usually act that way more to me than anyone else. I guess since I am the one they are with all the time. We are having to discipline them now more than ever especially Matthew. It has been very challenging. I have been reading parenting books. I do recommend "Bringing Up Boys " by Dr. James Dobson with Focus on the Family to anyone who has boys. It started out scaring me, but ended up being a good eye opening book about boys and the challenges of raising them into good, christian men. Now I am reading another one of his books "The Strong Willed Child" I will let you know how that one is when I am done. Hopefully I will get some guidance on how to raise these precious boys in a christian manner ;)

June

June was a super busy month for us. We did a lot of traveling this month, but have had a blast! Paul's parents have been so nice to watch the boys so much for us this month. I do think the boys enjoyed time with Nana and Pawpaw, Nana and Pawpaw enjoyed time time with the boys, and Paul and I enjoyed not having to cater to our kids for a few days- win win for everyone :) Thanks Nana and PawPaw, we love and appreciate you! Paul had a work conference at the Grand Resort in Alabama. I was able to go for a night without kids. I really enjoyed hanging out at the adult pool reading my book and not having to chase kids around!! Paul and I also celebrated our 5th anniversary in Colorado this year. We stayed in the Beaver Creek/Vail area and had a blast! I love going out west in the summer. It is absolutely beautiful, and you can't beat the weather! I even went hiking! I was also able to go meet some girlfriends from college in Gulf Shores for a few nights. Then we took a trip with Paul's sister's family and his parents to the beach. The weather was rainy the first day, but we were able to go to the beach, pool, and get ice cream. The boys had a blast, and we enjoyed our visit with everyone. The boys are so much fun these days. Thomas' personality is really coming out now which is very similar to Matthews. He loves to dance, is usually smiling and happy, loves shoes, cuddling, being chased, going places, balls, his brother, and talking (basically copies everything you say). Matthew is such a big brother to him. He is always loving on him, taking his toys, telling him what to do, etc. He is also starting to following directions much better. Yay! He can sit in big church now with me (you can hear Thomas yelling in the cry room). He went to Vacation Bible School at St. Mary's and made it all week by himself. I was so proud of him! He was unsure the first day, but I think he really enjoyed going. I also took Matthew to the Waterpark the other day, and he had a blast! We celebrated July 4th at the Yacht Club last night. The boys swam, went down water slides, ate cotton candy and ice cream, and we even lasted for the fireworks at 8:45. We didn't get home until 10, but the boys were troopers and really enjoyed it. We have had a great summer and have been very spoiled. I am looking forward to just hanging out around Gulfport during July!

Our Resort. We hiked up a trail by the resort. I was of course scared that bears would get me so we didn't go too far. It was beautiful. My favorite part was sitting on the balcony with coffee or wine enjoying the views!

Rocky Mountain National Park. We rented a car and drove through the first day we were there. The elevation got to me that day considering we flew from New Orleans to 12,000 + feet above sea level in one day. I let Paul get out and take all the pictures because I was scared of the wild animals. LOL

The Waterfall at the top of Hanging Lake Trail. Gorgeous.

Hanging Lake Trail which we hiked. It was a little over 2 miles, but very steep. Notice the sign says " Caution: Trail is difficult". It was fun though.

Colorado river between the canyons.

Just an idea of what our trip was like ;) Matthew and Whitt wrestling.

All four kiddos in the tub! Thanks Eric for bathing them all.

The Williston Family on the beach.

Whitt, Matthew, and Pawpaw playing in the waves.

The kids enjoying ice cream

Out on the balcony.

At the explorium playing with the puzzles. Matthew's newest favorite.

Playing on the boat with the fish.

Payson and Matthew loving on each other. Yes, the both have red hair...too cute.

Playing in all the balls

Memphis

We went to Memphis this past weekend and met our friends, the Glass family. We went to the zoo and saw the dinosaur exhibit, rode the camels, and got to see all the animals. Matthew's favorite was the pandas. He now curls up in my lap and says he's a "cute, baby panda". We went to the Mud Island River Park where there was a replica of the Mississippi River that you could walk though, and we rode paddle boats. We went to the Children's Museum, Botanic Gardens-My Big Backyard, Shelby Farms/Park. We got to eat at all our favorite restaurants Movie and a Pizza, BBQ shop, El Porton, Half Shell, Hueys. We had so much fun. Matthew and Thomas got to play with James (He was born same day as Matthew )while we got to visit with our friends, Kim and Randall, when we weren't chasing kids. We had a great time!

James and Thomas at the Museum

Matthew and I riding the camel at the zoo.

Shelby Farms Park

Matthew and Thomas in the "nest" swing at the park

Matthew and James searching for dinosaur bones at the zoo.

Mud Island River Park

Matthew jumping across the Mississippi River.

Matthew climbing the rock wall at the park. (He is fearless!)

Matthew driving the Firetruck at the museum.

Matthew climbing up the big caged in thing at the museum...did I mention he was fearless

Botanic Gardens-My Big Backyard. Lots of cool stuff there, but my camera died so didn't get any pictures.

Matthew and James at the museum.

Matthew and Thomas on the cot at the hotel watching movie and having a snack.

15 months

I can't believe Thomas is 15 months now. He is getting so big and acting so much more like a little boy these days. He is literally running all around and has recently started talking up a storm. (most of it we can't understand, but he is definately having a conversation) He has finally started getting more teeth. We haven't gotten any teeth since he was 9 months. We had his check up the other day, and it went great! He weighed 21 lbs and 13 ozs. (14%) and was 30 and 1/3 in tall (28%). He is very similar to what Matthew was at his age. Believe it or not, Matthew was a little bigger. His personality is really starting to come out. He has a temper, just like his brother. He will stiffen up his back and scream when he is mad. He and Matthew battle over the toys on a daily basis, only Thomas is starting to fend for himself now. (watch out Matthew!)He is a picky eater just like Matthew. Paul and I just knew he was going to be the more laid back one and good eater...he has proven us wrong on both. I honestly think he is observing Matthew too much. LOL. He is so sweet and loves to cuddle and give kisses. He is mimicking very well, starting to repeat more words, climbing on EVERYTHING, loves to go places. Most of the time he ends up in the stroller simply because I can't keep up with a 2 yr old and 1 yr old. They are usually going in different directions. I can't wait until Matthew is a little more mature and can stay where I tell him too. As for Matthew, he has definately hit the terrible two stage. One moment he is as sweet as can be, the next he is kicking and screaming. We are working on controlling ourselves though. Matthew still loves animals. He talks about them all the time. He also loves plants, leaves, and trees. He likes dancing and singing these days, is completely potty trained (still has accidents from time to time though), wants to do everything himself, enjoys having books read to him, OBSESSED with his blanket (which was our decorative living room blanket)It goes everywhere with us. He loves going to the pool and to eat at the Yacht Club. Completely a mommy's boy. He wants to be wherever I am and sit in my lap, ride in my car, etc..He loves his daddy too, no doubt, but definatly a mommy's boy right now. Paul and I are truly blessed!!!

Day Out With Thomas

My friend and I took Matthew and her little boy to Alabama for a Day Out With Thomas. We were all going to go as a family, but there was 100% chance of rain so we decided to leave the dads at home with the little ones. (I think Sara and I were more excited about it anyways) Luckily the rain held off and it ended up being perfect. It was overcast, but never rained and wasn't too hot. Matthew and Jackson had a blast. There was a playground, reptiles, train tables, model trains, and of course our train ride on Thomas. We had a great time!

Couponing

I learned how to coupon in the fall and did it for a little while and did pretty good with it. I haven't really tried lately with it simply because of time. Usually I am rushing in and out with two boys or trying to hurry and get back home for Paul. Not to mention having no time to look through the circulars and my coupons before I go. Usually my trips are spur of the moment because either Paul is home, or the boys are being good. I have also found that Winn-Dixie usually marks up their prices anyways. Their B1G1 Free are usually equivalent to 2 of the same items at Wal-Mart regular price. So I have been doing most of my shopping at Wal-Mart lately anyways. (Plus it is a one stop shop) However, I got some good coupons in the mail from Winn-Dixie so I put my couponing skills back to work. The total before my card and coupons was $97.00, after card and coupons was $44.00, saving $53.00! And I got $10 off $40 coupon for next purchase. I was excited since I haven't done it in a while. I always come home and make Paul guess how much it was. He guessed $46.00. LOL. We have coupons for each week of this month so I may try it again next week;)

West Point

We went to West Point this past weekend for Tucker's 1st birthday! The boys had a blast, and we enjoyed seeing everyone. We even managed to sneak away to Starkville for a little while, which we always enjoy.

Tucker and Thomas

Birthday Boy. He loved his cake!

Matthew and Ava Greear jumping on the couch. Yes, I was watching and allowed it. Matthew only fell twice. haha. They were having a blast.

Playing outside.

Enjoying the food. Pretty chaotic for me trying to feed a 2 yr old and 1 yr old at the same time.

Typical big brother. Run Thomas Run! We took the boys to MSU campus and let them tour it and run around. Made Paul and I miss Starkville. Definately need to go more.

We found Bully!