Recent Pictures

We went to the zoo last month with friends, and I never posted the pictures that I took. The kids have really loved the zoo the last few times we've been. This time it was warm enough to play in the water at the children's zoo!!

Watching the little penguins swim around

Checking out the elephants

The cheetah was lounging right next to the window, so the kids got to see him up close! 

Ella and Lucy

We bought the kids a pool for the backyard (complete with a tiny water slide!), and they had a blast playing in it for the first time. I happen to be gone the whole day, but Eric said they played in it literally all day long. Couldn't get enough!

I love this picture because it captures Carter doing something I see him do at least 20 times a day.... He is always standing behind her and stroking and rubbing her hair. Just a show of love for his baby sis, and I love that it's caught on camera here! 

Ella sat at the table for lunch one day last week, so I had to snap a few pics. She looks like such a big girl! And she was totally hamming it up for the camera. 

 I love that she lifted up her plate to check out her placemat.... she loves pointing out each "pincess" :)

That's all I have for now. Off tomorrow morning to enjoy 7 glorious days on the beach in Cabo! I'll sure miss my babies, but you KNOW I'm looking forward to this vacation, as is Eric!! 

Playing Dress Up

It's been quite a busy few weeks here at our house filled with swim lessons, Mother's Day celebrations, the last day of school, hosting a baby shower for my friend Emily, and Memorial Day weekend. Not much time left to remember to blog about it all!! So, I thought I'd stop by and take a minute to post a cute video of Ella getting into my jewelry and playing dress up.... one of her favorite things to do lately!





And here are a couple of pictures from Emily's baby shower this weekend. Baby Charlotte will be here before we know it!

The hostesses and the guest of honor

Me, Alissa, April & Emily

We're currently getting ready for our week-long trip to Cabo!! SOOOOO excited! But I have lots of other recent pictures that I'll try to remember to post here to the blog before we leave on Saturday.

Mother's Day Weekend

Mother's Day for me started on Tuesday the 7th when I went to Carter's school for his class' Mother's Day Tea. We had a lovely breakfast, were each given special gifts, and the kids recited Psalm 139 as a group for us. It was adorable! Priceless time with my boy! 

The gifts he gave me. 

Necklace with his picture inside, paper corsage, and the Mommy survey. 

Then Eric took the day off on Friday so we could all spend the whole day together. We started out with swim lessons that morning (see previous post), had an early lunch, and then headed to Jump Street for some fun jumping on the trampolines! The kids were worn out by 2pm when we got home.... both took great naps!! We headed to one of our favorite Italian restaurants for dinner, then home to play. My Mother's Day gift was some new chairs for the front porch that I've been wanting, and it was the perfect evening to sit outside and enjoy them! 

Sidewalk chalk

Pretty girl!

Writing his name....

Admiring his work

Ella enjoying my new chairs! 

Treating the landscaping wall as her own personal balance beam. Future gymnast? 

And a few posed shots of me and my babies. :)

LOVE!

On Mother's Day morning, Eric cooked a super yummy breakfast for me that we all enjoyed. Then Eric kept the kids occupied while relaxed for a bit and got my workout in. Carter came and brought me this card that Daddy helped him make.... how cute is this? So precious. 

 

He explained to me what everything was.... the "T" was for Texas Rangers, our dog Stormie is eating her dog food down below, two pink hearts, and the small face is Ella and the big face is me. And of course, he signed Ella's name for her.

Then signed his own name on the back, and put the year. Love it! 

After a relaxed morning at home, we headed to church (where Ella did MUCH better in the nursery, thank goodness!), then came home for a quick lunch before heading over to my parent's to do Mother's Day with the whole family. 

Ella swinging out back. 

 She'd be happy to stay in this swing all day long. 

 Love this!

 Enjoying the beautiful weather with my girl. 

 As the men were all inside cooking! ;)

 Carter always loves to play with all the fun toys at Nana's

 After a yummy meal done completely by the guys (and cleaned up, too!), Carter enjoyed some watermelon outside with his Great Grandma. 

 Handsome.

And last but not least, I was able to get the final shot  for our 4 generations picture! 

Ella's Great Granny Mary holding all her girls. 

I'm getting an 11x14 made for my Mom as her Mother's Day gift... can't wait to see the big final product! 

 

Swim Lessons

The kids started swim lessons with Coach Stephanie this week. Carter is in a "big kid" class, and Ella gets in with Momma! Eric came with us on Friday, and I was able to stay dry and snap pics!

 

Carter picked right up where he left off at the end of last summer, and I was glad to see that. I was afraid he'd forget all he learned and lose progress, but he did great!!

 

 

 

Look at that cute little ruffle butt!

 Snacking, watching Carter, and patiently waiting her turn!

 His favorite part.... diving to the bottom for the toys. :)

 Ella's turn!! She loves every minute of her lessons, as you can tell in these pictures! She goes under water briefly, kicks her feet, blows bubbles, grabs the wall and walks along it with her hands, and floats on her back, all with a smile!

 Getting ready to go under....

 ..... big girl!

 Carter gave me some silly faces while we watched Ella.

Excited for lots of swimming to come this summer!