Daddy's boy...and a trip to the creek

this little man LOVES his daddy. So do the other two - but I mean this one really LOVEs his daddy. Unless it is bedtime or he is not feeling well - he prefers dad over mom. Honestly....it almost makes me jealous!

The creek is always such a great adventure. Crawdads...minnows...bugs...and water to wade in. What more could a kid want? These three will be out of control next time we go...this time they were all a bit "unsure"....but next time - watch out - they will be in the water immediately and I won't be able to talk them into coming home.

Ava is our true adventurer. She is not scared of any bugs or living creatures and gets as close to them to inspect them as possible. Yesterday we had to kneel down in to look at a dead firefly on the van bumper...two times (once in the Walgreens parking lot and once at the dr office). Ayden is the best rock thrower....but I kept envisioning a trip to the ER as sometimes the aim was just off...and sister was always very close by. Alec had to be held most of the time or he would have been totally in the creek...no holds barred.

We are so hoping that we are nearing the end of the summer colds that have enveloped our household since our trip to bring Alec home. Right now both he and Ava are struggling with sinus infections. We won't know what to do when all three of them are well. Ayden is so TOUGH...he gets everything they do - but nothing lasts and he is back to his excellent self in record time. He has a VERY strong immune system.

Tomorrow we head to the lake to celebrate the life of a special "Aunt"....Marilyn passed away earlier this year and tomorrow we will honor her by celebrating her life with family and friends. She would have loved meeting our 3 new little people....

Erin is in Dallas enjoying the weekend with a friend and Monday she heads back to North Carolina to spend a relaxing week with Mr. Aaron!!! (and this time he doesn't have to shuttle back to base every night - he is on a week long leave!)

Sam & Ali are doing good....baby is fine...causing Ali a bit of discomfort...but otherwise OK. They are busy working and becoming a family. We are very proud of them!

Well - again....the house is quiet and I am going to take this opportunity (since it could be brief) to get some sleep!

Love and blessings to all!!! Kim

Picnics

Picnics are just fun....especially when the weather is perfect and you have three little kids who are experiencing everything as a brand new experience. It is so fun to see them try new things...face painting....balloon hats made by clowns.....big bounce house....and a fun playground that was very 2-3 year old friendly. We only lost Alec once...he has no fear of anything...and just wants to be part of everything!

I am back to work full time and Alec seems to be doing well at pre-school with his siblings. It is certainly nice to have them all in one place.....and they don't want to go home....so I think they are having a good time! He is just a pretty easy going little kid - if he gets "mean" he is tired....and then after a nap....wakes up his happy little self again. He seems to be getting over his cold too - which is very nice for all of us. Ava is struggling with it now and I may end up taking her to the Dr. tomorrow...so we don't have a rough weekend.

Well - I am off to bed....no noise from the little people bedrooms so I am taking advantage of that and sleeping while they sleep! Kim

Van People

Yes - we are van people....

We had a van once - years ago when Erin and Sam were little. Daddy was never impressed and swore he would not own another.....but things have changed...carseats are required and we must admit....so have vans!
Ayden LOVES it cause he gets to sit by "girl" Erin when she comes to visit. And she makes riding in the back so much fun.....and mom doesn't have to throw things at him...like gum or french fries. He is a long way from the front seat...so we have gotten pretty good at the toss and catch routine!

Everyone has a DVD player.....air conditioning.....lots of cargo room(which is of course much needed due to the fact that we need two strollers - one double and one single)

Room to sleep...without touching each other.

Room for 2 extra passengers....if they don't mind "squeezing" a bit.

so.....we do make the best of it....

whether we like it or not.

(I still miss my Lexus) I think I looked much cuter in it.

The "Moto"

Moto's (Motorcycles) or in this case a 4-wheeler....are a BIG deal in Haiti. Ayden LOVES moto's and could not believe his eyes when Daddy showed him that he had just bought a moto for him to ride!!! Serious discussion was had about safety and not going too fast

(Ayden lecturing Daddy....)And when the lecture was over and the bike helmets sized up and in place....the smiles burst out!

Ava was still a bit skeptical....but willing to give it a shot.Alec thought he should be the first one on....as usual...completely fearless.

Ayden had a smile on his face that went from ear to ear the entire ride.

Ava didn't smile. But didn't hate it either.

Alec could have ridden forever.

And this photo on the moto (one of my very favorites by the way) gives you a tiny bit of insight into what our household is like 99.9% of the time....

Sam & Ali's house

Ok - I have had a hard time getting this post to "post" - I wanted to show before and after pictures - but for some reason - they just are not wanting to work...and I am exhausted so I give up!

this is the bathroom "quick" redo... very HGTV - paint and more paint.

Korbyn's room....so cute....(and this was not a cute room when we started - but with some more paint and a very good idea from Ali's dad to use chair rail - it turned out very nice.)

we especially like the dining room...the paint color looks amazing with the wood trim. This house is one of the few remaining in our little town with original trim and lighting. Very cool.

And we got it all done....(and thank you to everyone who pitched in!)....

Just in time for the BABY SHOWER!!!!

Ava had a grand time at the "girl party". We had a very fun time - and Korbyn will be one well-dressed child!

Funny? We thought so!

Saturday fun.

Thank you big sister and auntie....cause you knew that the best gifts in the world come from the Dollar Store....fake teeth (kept them busy for an hour or more) "flarp" (still the first thing we have to do when we get home from school), glow sticks, Grow Capsules "soft expanding foam wildlife" and a whoopie cushion. (pretty funny when Grandpa "blows out" the whoopie cushion "showing" the kids how to use it!)

And then our friend Tristan (and his family!) came to play...showing us all his amazing physical feats...each performed with much precision.

such a cutie!

And Daddy's lap (and heart) is full....