Total Randomness

Some random pics, in no particular order:

Got to spend my time last weekend with some of my favorite girls!

Tabatha, Shawna, and Deanna

Jennie, me, and Tabatha

We decided to have a picnic in the "man cave" a few days this week for lunch - the kids loved it, and for the first time EVER, Harry ate from a plate and didn't dump all of his food off. :) 

Classic Harry - laying all over Eden:

And classic Eden, playing with Morgan (check out that smile from Morg!):

Sharing a snack:

The kids decided they needed a little piano practice this week:

(don't miss Eden's tutu in the shot above, she was really dressed up for this performance)

We take a walk almost everyday, as long as the weather cooperates, and this was the first time I let Harry out of his stroller. He took off running, so glad to be free! Unfortunately, he took two tumbles, busting his nose the first time and chipping his front tooth the second. 

Eden loves to draw, but she has to wait til Harry is napping so he doesn't snatch her markers:

Yippee-ki-yay I got a new camera this week! On a walk with my neighbor I mentioned that I was on the lookout for a new digital camera. She told me there was one on sale at Kohls, and after checking out the flyers I realized I could get this Vivitar model for $18 with all the coupons I had!

The first picture taken with my new camera: 

My Shmoopy. <3

We broke out the Christmas music this week! Not for Jason, since he insists on waiting until after Thanksgiving, but the kids and I decided it was high time to bring it out. Here is a video of the dancing that ensued with the first CD (Eden hits her mouth on the desk right at the end, so excuse the abrupt cut off):

And now some random tidbits:

1. Harry is FINALLY saying words again! Although he began speaking around a year old, he all of a sudden stopped and had not said anything but mumbo jumbo for a long time. Now he is saying a few things regularly, including yes, yay, I did it, and hi. It is adorable! 

2. Eden is going through a little teenager phase, talking back and not being as obedient as we would like. I know it is just a normal stage, but some days I wonder what happened to my sweet Edie and where she learned to talk so rudely! 

3. My car is on the fritz. Something is wrong with the temperature gauge (or something of that sort) and I can't go for more than two miles without all sorts of beeping and lights going off. It also won't let me go over 40-45 miles per hour at that point so I have to pull over and let the engine cool off. Please pray that this is a fast, inexpensive fix! We have been hanging around at home for the last week or so since we can't go very far. :) 

4. We have lots of fun things coming up, including Thanksgiving, Christmas tree hunting, Eden's birthday party, the Nutcracker, holiday dinners with family, and of course our trip up to New England for Christmas. It will be busy but I can't wait for all of the fun to be had!

Labor Day Beach Trip

Over Labor Day weekend, we were able to go to the beach with Jason's sister Joanna, and our very dear friends, Glenn and Rebecca and their daughter Holley. Holley has been watching our kids since Eden was a newborn, and she is our favorite babysitter! 

(sorry this is so fuzzy, it was so hot that my camera fogged up on a few shots) 

I need to just take a minute and say what a blessing this family has been to ours. Glenn and Rebecca have gone over and beyond to help us with anything and everything we have needed. We have known them for about 7 or 8 years and they have always been so generous to us! On top of that, their daughter Holley has been wonderful for our kids - they love her! She is just like her parents, having such a giving spirit. We are so grateful to have this family in our lives and we love them dearly! 

Harry and Eden got lots of love on our beach trip, being passed from one lap to the next:

And don't forget their doting Auntie Jo was there too, just in case they didn't have enough attention! Here she is walking down to the beach with Eden:

Not surprisingly, the kids had a great time in the sand and water:

(this is one of my favorites!)

After getting some good play time in, some birds decided to crash our party:

(I love that Holley is chasing Harry in this picture)

(this is one of my favorites too; Eden is chasing a little tiny bird wanting to catch it so badly!)

(Harry was getting a little tuckered out)

(walking back with Holley)

Sorry there are no shots of Jason at the beach, he didn't end up going with us the day I took my camera. But we weren't beach bums the whole time, there was lots of game playing, shopping, and eating involved too. 

Since we had our favorite babysitter with us, all of the adults were able to go out for dinner one night:

Glenn and Rebecca

Jason and Joanna

Me and Jason

We had such a wonderful time! There was a ton of laughter and many memories made. The Lord also provided some stellar deals at the outlets for the kids' fall wardrobes. We are so grateful to our grandparents for letting us use the beach house to get some much needed rest. :) 

Sunset Beach 2012

I committed the ultimate crime for mommies/bloggers: I went on vacation without my camera. :( I know, hold the gasps. Thankfully, my Dad is the "pop-arazzi" and I stole all the pics he had! So here you go with a Sunset Beach collage, courtesy of Pop:

Before we left for the beach, my parents stopped by our place for a day or two. Dad babysat the kiddos while Mom, Sarabeth, and I went on a few errands. He somehow managed to get all the grandkids (minus our newest, sweet Charlotte) in one shot:

I think Harry totally enjoyed time with Dad - he was quite attached to him!

Mom and Dad also brought along a little gift for the kiddos - a battery-operated jeep! Eden is a little unsure about the jerky movement when she first hits the gas, but I have no doubt this will be a favorite toy. 

We were able to go out to dinner the night before we left to celebrate Sarabeth's birthday - we ate at J.Pepper's in Kville - for all of you locals, I HIGHLY recommend it! Pop and Harry were hanging out on the patio before our food came:

Finally, we were off to the beach. It was filled with lots of fun and good times with the fam. My brother's wife, Caty, talked her parents into joining us this year and they were a happy addition. Here is Caty's mom (Cindy) with my Mom and Grammy, walking on the beach:

Sunday morning church service on the beach (Mom, Cindy, Caty, Pete):

Throwing the football (Dad and Pete):

One of many walks on the beach (Kellan and Mom):

Eden LOVED the water - I was so proud of her courage! She jumped the waves like a pro and had a great time in the water and sand:

Harry did great too, although I think the sand may have been his favorite:

We also had a lot of wonderful food, and ate out at Ella's Seafood one night. Jason and Harry waiting on our food:

Unfortunately, Jason and I had to miss the trip to Joe's Crab Shack, but I heard my Dad narrowly escaped a shark attack:

Eden with her Aunt Sarabeth waiting for dinner one night:

Some of the boys after visiting the shooting range (Grumps, Peter, Dad, and Caty's dad, Mike):

There was hang out time too, just relaxing at the beach houses:

The girls went shopping and the boys went shooting:

And of course, Dad got a little goofy when we went out for ice cream:

We had a wonderful time, as always! We were proud of the kids since they were out of their routines and still managed to behave pretty well. The time with family is so special and we are blessed to have been able to go. Can't wait for next year! :)