Catching Up!

We had a great trip to Kentucky for Meggie's wedding. Hanging out down by the river and just being with family was the perfect kind of vacation. Megan's wedding was beautiful and a lot of fun. She was one of the prettiest brides I have ever seen. We are so happy for you and Brent! We enjoyed seeing everyone so much and being there makes us realize just how much we miss all of you when we are apart. I feel so blessed to belong to a HUGE family. Ben had a blast this trip. He was able to hang out with the men and the big guys this time. He got to spend a lot of time on the river riding on a jet ski and a boat. He loved riding the four wheelers and playing in the dirt. It is a little boy's paradise! Whitney enjoyed all the attention from everyone! I was so happy that they were all able to finally meet her. Thank you Donna and Dale for letting us stay in your beautiful home and to Ruthie for coming down everyday to see us and the rest of our family for taking time out of your week to come and spend time with us! We love you !

Now it's time to play Catch up! Enjoy the pictures!

Whitney's first cereal......HATED IT!
Sweet potatoes were interesting at first........... After a few minutes she loved them!
Big brother sitting with our big girl! She looks so big sitting up.
Happy girl playing with her blocks!

Whitney's first 4th of July. She loved the fireworks!
Our little firecrackers!
Hanging out with good friends!
The next generation of good friends! (Ben with Leighton and Lexi.)

Jeff and Ben hanging out with some of the cousins.
Whitney enjoyed Kentucky so much! She had tons of attention and everyone loved on her! I am so happy she finally got to meet our family!
Hanging out with the Big Guys in the Camper! Ben LOVES his cousins so much and they are so good with him.
Little snackers!
Whitney enjoyed spending time with her Great Aunt Ruthie, Great Aunt Donna and her Omi!

Whitney and Jake are just one month apart! I am glad they will have each other to grow up with! They were too cute!

Cousin Brett was such a great helper with Whitney! Whitney fell in love with her!

The Cousins!

Whitney playing with the Twins!!!! They are the most beautiful babies I have ever seen! Thank you so much Ashley for coming to visit with us! You will never know how much it meant! You are family and so special to me! I love you! You are an AWESOME Mom!!!
Home from the Big Wedding! The kids were wide awake at Midnight!
They had a blast!
Whitney and Jake playing!

Megan and Brent at their new home opening gifts the morning after!
Whitney and Jeff enjoying a ride. The weather was so gorgeous!
Playing on the farm!
Enjoying the river!

Ben playing pirate adventure on the dock.
Children in the corn!
Beautiful view!
Cousin Jenny and Curt are the best! We love you so much and enjoyed getting to spend the weekend with you. We look forward to hearing all about North Carolina and your journey together!

Opa, Omi and Whitney enjoying the cook out!
Ben found a place to play MONSTER JAM!
Jeff, Whitney and Uncle Tommy enjoying the fire.
Good friends and family relaxing!
This is the life!

Having lunch at Doe Run Inn with Ruthie and Donna!
It is so peaceful and beautiful there!
Ben had a blast with his Aunts!
Aunt Donna helped him check out some bugs and the water.
He was up to no good! I knew what he was thinking!

Whitney loved the sounds and the sights too!
Family photo behind the Inn.

I told you Ben was up to no good! He ended up in the water with Aunt Ruthie! Or knowing Ruthie it might have been her idea!!!
Watching Ben reminded me of when I was little playing there too! It is such a special place.

Ben exploring everything.
Ruthie and Ben heading down ButterMilk Falls Road.
Ben climbing in the Falls!
It was freezing, but Ben was having a blast! It was such a special day that we shared with two very special people!

One night Ben wanted to make us all dinner. He made a pizza from scratch all by himself. It was delicious!
Whitney having a bath.

Silly Girl!

Whitney and Opa at The Shades of Green Hotel. Unfortuntely our family lost two good friends in May and June. Jim McCrindle and Sara Murphy (or Murph as many of us called her) both passed away suddenly. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and our hearts go out to all who knew and loved them both. We feel very blessed to have had them in our lives. They will both be missed greatly!
Opa and Whtiney having a chat.
Whitney loves it when Opa plays pony! She just laughs and smiles!
Opa put Whitney to sleep! It is not an easy thing to do! Opa was so proud!
Opa is so much fun to be with!

We went to Go Diego Live Concert in June. It was a lot of fun for the kids!
Ben having a play date with some friends!
Whitney loves the water! She is such a little splasher.
Bathing Beauty!

Lexi, KC and Ben having fun under the water!
Omi and Opa on the River Walk! I thought this was such a cute picture I wanted to share!
Ben and Leighton playing in her pool!
Whitney hanging out!
Ben and Leighton being silly!

Ben, Whitter and Jeff playing in the pirate fort mommy built. We had a great adventure and a yummy pirate picnic.
Ben loves Play-Doh. He creates all kinds of cool creatures.
Whit having some tummy time.
Good Morning angel!

One morning Ben and I were playing on the back porch when we heard a strange scratching noise. Ben slowly peeked out the side of our screen and gasped! A huge smile then appeared on his face. "Mom it's a Turtle!" I peered down next to our screen and saw a Gopher Tortoise digging a hole. I was surprised and excited because they are an endangered species. I could tell that it was making a nest and how close we were to this rare process. The three of us sat there in awe watching her every move amazed.
She began by carefully digging a path to her giant hole in the ground. after she completed the path she turned around and headed back to the top of the path then stopped in the dead center. Then she started to prepare her nest. Her little legs worked and worked to move the damp dirt. Then staying on the same path each trip, she would drag the dirt out of her hole with her front legs. Then she would shift and sling the dirt into a pile with her back legs. The entire process lasted a couple of hours. We were exhausted for her.
She worked hard and laid 12 eggs. It was one of the coolest things to watch. Ben loved every minute of it. They were the size of ping pong balls. When she was done, she tossed the dirt back over the eggs. Then she pressed her body down on the nest to smooth it out. It was such an incredible experience to share with the kids. Our little babies should arrive sometime in late August. We keep an eye on them and check on our tortiose everyday. Once they lay their eggs they stay in their burrows close to the nest. She comes out into the sun often so we get a chance to see her. We hope the eggs surrive.
Ben and his Potty Chart. They day has finally come where we don't need to bribe him anymore! We are offically potty trained!
Whitney isn't a big fan of the flash.

Good Morning big brother!
All dressed up in a dress from Great Aunt Ruthie.
Our little sweetie!

St. Mary's Annual Carnival in Rockledge was a lot of fun. Ben enjoyed riding all the rides.