Salt Springs Reunion

A few weekends ago we had our annual "Salt Springs Reunion". This is an annual getting together of my mom's side of the family (my aunts, uncles and cousins) and although we call it "salt springs" we actually stay on Lake Kerr, across the street from the Spring and usually just hang out at the lake and pool the whole time. We had a good time again this year and Henry enjoyed some more pool time and visiting with all of his little cousins. 

not so sure about this thing!

Steven, cooking us some delicious BBQ!

Now he's overseeing while his brother and my dad do the dirty work of chopping it up..

Cousin Faye and Essie, possibly with some newly painted nails :)

My brother and I, discussing something very important I'm sure.

Addy and her daddy

This is a very dangerous thing to do with our baby who constantly spits up!

Henry and Papa

The family, eating and celebrating Uncle George's 75th Bday. There were 50 of us!

Our 4th of July weekend with Friends

This story begins about 5 years ago when two girls desperately in need of friends met in Sunday School.. Chad and I were getting ready to move to our new house and this girl I had just met offered to come help me pack. Angela showed up at the door with a bag of gumballs and two ice cold diet cokes. Seriously? God must have planned this friendship!!  We had so much fun over the next four years and thankfully our husbands even seem to get along, if nothing else so they could laugh and shake their heads at their spastic wives. As fate would have it (yeah, right.. we all know it was God's perfect plan) we both found out we were pregnant within 4 days of each other.. and then two weeks later they moved to Kansas!! We were both so bummed to be saying good bye as we forged this new chapter in our lives, but there's nothing like a life growing inside of you to keep friends close and give you something to talk about, right?! Their twins, Sam and Avery, were born 11 days after Henry. And, would you believe, they brought them, at 5 months, to come visit us! What a blessing!! I have to say it was actually less chaotic than I imagined, having 4 adults and 3 babies in our humble little house for a weekend, but it was so much fun!!

Sweet Avery

Surprised Sam

Scrabble!

Tyler's parents were nice enough to come help with all the "extra baggage"

Happy Father's Day!

I certainly feel blessed with the family God has given me. I really enjoyed my childhood and still love spending time with our family, especially as it continues to grow. Thanks, dad, for being such a wonderful example, for loving me well, and for all you've sacrificed for your family.
This Father's Day was extra special, because I also got to celebrate Chad in his new role of "Father". As I have said before, I really had a hard time picturing my dear husband as a daddy. He's just never been the "baby loving" type. But, oh what a difference it makes when it's your own baby! He has been so sweet with Henry. I love seeing them snuggling together. I just love it. And I guess that's why every time I see it, I seem to grab the camera...

Henry's first bottle 

looks like a very serious converation

Henry's first trip to the Olive Garden- family date night 

Easter 2011

Happy Father's Day, I love you!

Henry picked out a new camera for his dad for Father's Day,
so there should be lots more pictures to come!

In my mind I'm going to Carolina... (plus other random events this month)

  Ok, we actually went to SC, not just sang about it, but I do love that song and always have it playing in my head as we are driving to my favorite state. We went to Columbia to celebrate Eli's first birthday, he is planned to be Henry's BFF, so it's about time we let the two fellas meet! Henry did great on the ride up there, but I think on the way back he was way over being in his car seat. We had to stop and do some outlet mall shopping to give him a break ;).

Here's one reason why I think SC is so cool..

In case you can't tell, this is the pretty brick entrance to SC from I-95. Classy.

We had a great visit with friends and enjoyed celebrating the big "1" with Eli. Eli's mom, Pam,  and I have been friends since high school and it's fun now to get together with our little families. You should make a mental note of Eli Hester, one day he's going to be a rockstar. His first word was guitar, and he got himself a real one for his birthday.

How sweet!

"Henry, you don't seem to have any teeth?"

We also got to see my friend, Natalie, while we were there, she's about to have her FOUTH baby. It was a little "busy" during that visit, so unfortunately we didn't get any pictures.

We went to Henry's 4 month check up last week. He weighed in at 14 lb, 3 oz, 37th percentile. Dr. Carter seemed pleased with his overall health and he was very brave getting all his shots. 

Henry's starting to explore new ways to play, he's seems to like the jumperoo and is holding himself up better in the bumbo seat these days. My favorite new thing is his belly laughing, once you get him going it's adorable to hear him laugh! He regularly rolls from his belly to back, but hasn't gone the other way yet. He coos/"talks" all the time, especially in response to someone, as if he's really trying to communicate. I was wanting to wait as long as possible to start him on solid foods, but he seems to be showing signs that maybe he'll be ready sooner than 6 months. He's also chewing on everything he can find and drooling everywhere, so maybe he's working on some teeth. Last night he actually slept 12 hours, but usually it's somewhere between 7 and 10. He is still amazingly happy most of the time, we feel very blessed!!!

I knew that Med/Surg book would come in handy one day!

With Meme and cousins at the Watermelon Parade