We are alive...

BARELY!!!!

I have been so busy lately that, sadly, this blog has been the last thing on my mind. Not to mention that many pictures haven't been taken or fun times been had.

The biggest thing on our agenda at the moment is packing. I am proud to report that most of it is done. We close on our new house on August 5th but won't move in until the 17th. Beginning on the 8th we are having floors ripped up, wood installed, painters, cleaners, etc. etc. coming to the house to get it ready for us to make it our home. We are so excited and so ready for it to be here.

The worst part will be moving away from the best neighbors we could have ever asked for. We have had the privilege of watching both Mason and Lauren come home from the hospital, we were Mason's first babysitters and we have had many, many hours of playing outside that will so badly be missed. I was devastated the other day when I realized that I won't get to see Mason off to his first day of kindergarten next month. Oh how I love the Browns. What a wonderful family and great friends. Even with our move, our friendship will never end.

Once we close on the new house, Garrett will start moving some things over like the garage and attic items. I will be focused on the kitchen. I want it totally done before the movers step foot in our house. It is the one room that takes the longest to get right (especially for those of us that are slightly OCD) so I want it done so I can focus my attention on everything else come moving day.

Here are some pictures of our study full of boxes. We are putting all packed boxes in there so the boys can't get to them. There are also some in our room.

Garrett had to give up his space in the garage so he could empty the attic. As you can see we have a huge attic at this house, not so much at the new one. Since we know that we are only having ONE baby this time, we will be giving our second set of everything to a very good family friend who will start watching her granddaughter in a couple of weeks. We are also going to go through all the baby toys and get rid of some.

For any of you with baby boys or expecting a boy or know someone who is expecting a boy: I have tons and tons of clothes that will not be making the move with us. I already have a friend going through them to get what she wants. Anyone who wants to come and get what they want is more than welcome. PLEASE!!! It breaks my heart to be getting rid of the boys' precious, tiny clothes already, but with Kathryn on the way we just don't have any reason to hold on to them.

Last week we took some time out to go and see the new Winnie-the-Pooh movie. I have always hated Winnie, but I really wanted to see this movie. Had there not been so many previews and a short little cartoon prior to the movie starting, the boys would have made it. However, since there was all of those 'time-wasters' we didn't quite finish the movie. I was getting way too stressed and the boys were getting too loud, so we excused ourselves. We won't be going back to the movies for a long while, especially not without Garrett.

Here we are at our first movie experience. My right leg is propped up holding down Jack's chair since he wasn't quite heavy enough. Blake had the right idea and sat on the front of the chair.

Jack was so happy to be there...at first.

Not a great picture of Blake. He wouldn't take his eyes off the screen long enough to have his picture taken. I just had to include this shot to document that he was actually there. :)

Last Friday we had to have a door repair man out (per the idiot inspector) to come and fix our door that we didn't know was 'malfunctioning.' The boys were mesmerized by this man and all of his power tools. They immediately ran to the playroom, got their tools and decided to help. It was really cute.

Yesterday we took another break and went swimming with Mary, Georgia and all the kiddos. Since Macie is obsessed with princesses, she declared that the boys were Prince Eric from The Little Mermaid. Here is Jack with his 'crown' on and Macie's sunglasses. The look on his face is priceless.

Blake loved wearing Macie's glasses also. Even though they are purple, he looks pretty darn cute.

Finally, we actually remembered to take a picture during my 18th week. We totally forgot during week 16. I am now, of course, in week 19. Better late than never people. :) I go in next Thursday, the 4th, for my 20 week appointment. We should be able to get definite confirmation that our baby girl is in fact a girl.

Here I am at 18 weeks with the boys. I finally feel like I am not as big now as I was at the same point in my last pregnancy. Close, but I'm bigger below. Even if you disagree, please don't feel obligated to share that with me. :)

Livin the life

Yesterday while I was at my doctor's appointment my dad watched the boys for me. I came home to a new trick. The boys discovered that they could put their little chairs up on the leather chair and sit like kings. This was a hit and they took turns all day.

Here is Jack, quite proud of himself. Notice the Thomas the Train house shoes. These were given to the boys at Christmas time and were a little too big. Jack discovered them earlier this week and has lived in them everyday. We have to call them our 'house shoes' and all of our other shoes are our 'bye bye shoes,' otherwise he wants to wear the Thomas shoes out. That is not going to happen. You can imagine the fits thrown this week.

Is there any better way to watch Mickey? I think this is my new favorite picture!

Blake is also quite proud of his newest accomplishment.

As if Mickey wasn't already his most favorite time of day, this is just icing on the cake.

4th of July

We spent the majority of our long weekend at home relaxing and hanging out as a family. On the 4th, we headed up to the lake to swim and spend time in the HOT weather.

Sadly, due to the horrible drought we are in, we cannot take out the boat because the water is too low.

Here is a picture of the lake in front of our bulk head. The water usually comes up to the bulk head and is about 18 inches deep. As you can see, we now have beach front property.

Here is another view. You can see the boat raised in the boat house. There is mud under the boat, no water. :(

I have been quite sad that my boys are not the fish that I was hoping they would be. I thought that by this summer the boys would be jumping off the sides of the pool into our arms, boy was I wrong. At the beginning of the summer, the boys were mostly in tears the entire time they were around water. It was quite annoying. We have taken the approach of letting them get comfortable instead of forcing them in. This approach has worked.

They are still not fans of open water, but they will play on the steps and are as happy as can be. As long as they are happy, I'm happy.

Jack loved climbing up to the spa and filling his cup full of water and then dumping it on himself or his brother.

Just give these boys a cup and some water and they are happy campers.

Blake was so proud of himself for standing on the second step and not just he first. Baby steps here people. :)

Sweet boy.

My little hillbilly with his missing tooth. :) So cute though!

Lunch time!

Jack found Garrett's hat and wouldn't take it off. The boys also got a kick out of kissing the turtle.

This too is a major step. Jack is sitting on the float and being pushed between my dad and Garrett. A major hurdle has been jumped.

Right before we left the boys climbed in the spa and had a blast throwing balls to my dad and Garrett and they would throw them back. In this picture there are 3 balls in the air.

We had a great holiday weekend and we hope that all of you did too!