Last week was Westen's spring break from his school so we did a few fun activities. Tuesday we had a play date with our friends from MOPS (which I didn't take pictures of) and Wednesday we headed to the zoo with Westen's bestie from preschool - Graham J.!  (Side note, there's 2 Grahams in his class so there's Graham J and Graham W, but Westen really thinks Graham J is his name:).  The boys had great fun, but I must say - it was just one of those days for me...you know the ones I'm talking about...the ones when you feel like you should've just stayed home.  We made one quick stop on our way to the zoo - Starbucks for my ever coveted green tea.  Somewhere between there and the zoo, my precious Baron lost his shoe...

I searched the car and even called Starbucks, but to no avail.  So that's how the day started.  About a half hour into the day, I felt the aching in my back that had been going on all week, only to realize I forgot to take my motrin before I left the house - perfect for a day filled with walking and chasing toddlers.  Shoot!  Anyway, first up was the train ride, so here's Westen and his buddy - Graham J.

Next up was the carousel.  I think this was Baron's favorite part of the day.  He kind of created a chant for the next half hour that went something like, "Haurse, Naaaay, Haurse, Haurse, Naaaay, Naaaay." He loved it!

Next we were off to see some animals.  This zoo is pretty small, so I didn't visually document this aspect of our trip, but here are the big boys checking something out...

Next, for a little break to burn some energy we headed to the playground.  And yes, my little Baron just played in his socks since he was minus one vanishing-shoe!  Don't judge, people!

This is when things got chaotic again.  Graham was getting a little hungry and it was sprinkling just barely.  We decided to head over to see the lone camel that had a net covering.  It was closest to where we were, there was a place to set up lunch, and we thought we could let the boys fuel up for more fun while it sprinkled a little.  I had no sooner set up the boys lunch on their paper plates when the downpour started!  The net covering was not so helpful.  I mean rain coming down seriously hard!  The entire lunch got soaked as well as all of us.  It took me what seemed like forever to get it packed back up while my boys screamed!  Yeah, it was a fun few minutes.  We found shelter elsewhere which at this point was really irrelevant since we were all soaked and waited it out.  You can see how wet we got here...look at Westen's hair...

And here's Baron, so not to be left out.  He wanted to ride this terribly, but I think he was a little weirded out by the odd looking gorilla...

I'll spare you any more details of this day, but we headed home shortly after that.  Westen had fun because he got to be with his buddy and everything's an adventure for Baron.  I'm sure I'm the only one who was glad the trip came to an end:)  The next day we were invited to Westen's friend Rhett's grandma's and grandpa's beach house to spend the day on the beach!  Sweet!  And it was a perfect beach day!

Rhett's daddy dug out a giant hole to sculpt a gator...

But the kids were really more into the hole than anything...

That's Rhett and Kohen playing with the boys.  It was a beautiful day and although Storm and I spent the time on the beach going to and from the water to fill buckets, help toddlers jump the waves, rinse hands off, what have you - it seemed easier this year to be there with the kids.  No baby carriers, no bottles, no naps needed on the beach.  So we stayed busy chasing after 4 busy toddlers, but there was no fussing and everyone was happy!  It made me look forward to the summer even more!

Did you notice the, as usual, mean face??  That kid is a piece of work!  Afterwards, we headed to the house for lunch, a dance party, and cookies...

It was such a fun day (better than the day before).  Over the weekend we were supposed to take the boat out, but had some problems with that which will hopefully be fixed soon, so instead Austin and I cleaned out the garage.  It was a totally productive Saturday which I love!  I really should've taken before and after pics.  Anyway, as great as the view of the beach from the pictures above were - here's the view we've been seeing from our house lately...

This is the new norm for Baron's backside.  He's CONSTANTLY got his hands down the back of his diaper which he eventually pulls down - and before you ask the answer is yes (even when I really don't want him to have them down there).  And yes, he's wearing a tshirt, diaper, and rain boots.  You don't walk around your house like that??  Hmmm...maybe we're weird:)  These are battles I choose not to fight when we're at home playing.  Little characters these guys are:)

Have a great rest of your week!

So 2 weekends ago we went to the DeLand Christmas Parade with our friends.  Here's Westen and his buddy Rhett...

And here's Baron and Westen...

This is the 2nd year we've gone to this parade and we love it.  It's a great parade but we also get to enjoy our time with our friends.  I think Austin and I enjoy it as much as the kids.  They got lots of candy, see lots of lights, animals, Nativities, and more.  Westen can sit through these things no problem at this point but Baron on the other hand...

...although he did good for about the first 45 minutes, he started wondering into the parade for the last hour or so.  Eventually, Austin took both boys back behind us to a little grassy area where they ran around and played.  Thanks Kaz's for another great time;)

Okay, so more catching up today.  Aside from the fact that my sweet baby turned one, we headed up to KY to attend a friend of our family's wedding (Congrats Jeremy and Billie Jo!).  This was kind of an extended trip since we won't be making the trip for holidays this year.  I can't remember the last time I went home in October - the perfect time to be there in my opinion.  More than anything I think I miss Fall the most down here in our Sunshine State.  The first week of our trip the weather was perfect - 60s and 70s.  One of my favorite things we did with the kids while we were visiting this trip was taking them to a petting farm.  I love this picture of the boys!

Austin, myself, the boys, Mamaw, Uncle Ryan, Aunt Na Na, and Cousins Hailey, Ellie, and Josie went on a Saturday afternoon to Daniel's Petting Farm...

First, we all got a cup of feed to set off feeding the animals which included a donkey, llama, mini goats, and more. Everyone enjoyed this part of the adventure.  Here's Westen feeding a tiny little goat.  He seemed so big to me doing this by himself.

And who would've ever thought Uncle Ryan (who at points of his past has been terrified of animals) would be letting this little goat eat right out of his hand???  Way to go Ryan!

And here's Ellie, who apparently loves llamas, getting to feed one...

Westen showed no fear feeding this big donkey either...

And Hailey feeding the miniature goat.  They were so stinkin' cute!

And here's just a few more pictures during the time that we fed and looked at animals...

After feeding the animals we decided to feed ourselves and wait for the next hayride to begin.  The hayride was such a nice little scenic ride around the farm and then a stop in the pumpkin patch.  

Here are a couple pictures that capture the view there.  I seriously miss being able to walk outside whenever I want and see this.  I think I would've stopped and smelled the roses, if you will, when I was younger if I knew that someday I would live without Autumn!

Next was our stop at the pumpkin patch where Baron scratched his eye up and Westen peed in a nearby field.  Yep, that's right...I mean he is only 2 still, so during our stop, Austin discreetly took him over to a field (look beyond Josie in her solo pic) to pee because we didn't think he could wait to make it back from the hayride.  Hehe!

I think those pictures of Josie turned out so cute.  She wanted a picture by herself right there and after I took them I thought she'd had a good idea.  Anyway, after the pumpkin patch where Westen did get a pumpkin...

Thanks Mamaw!  We took a few more pictures.  You may be asking why so many pictures of this one day and the answer is because I didn't do a great job throughout the whole trip but I did remember this day and they turned out good, so that's what you get:)

I really can't believe how big my nieces are getting.  They all looked older to me this trip.  The time is going by too quickly!  Moving on... that was our adventure to the petting farm!  I think I enjoyed it as much as the kids.

Now, since the kids are in bed while I'm doing this, there's nothing I want to watch on tv, and I'm feeling good, I'll continue on:)  Guess who Baron finally got to meet???

Uncle Daniel!!!  Since he'd been overseas since Baron was born and this was our first time up since he'd been back, Baron finally got to meet his uncle whom many people thinks Baron looks like!  And yeah...he recently got a new Harley!

But when we got back from the petting farm that day it wasn't Uncle Daniel who was missing on that Harley but someone else...

Yeah... that's my dad cruising down the road on a Harley!  Too funny!!!  And of course, my hubby had to get in on that action too...

And mom didn't ride it but she makes a good lookin' biker chick doesn't she??

Back to Daniel!  I was so happy to see him after more than a year of not and most of that time praying for his safe return!  I'm so thankful to God that he has been deployed like 5 or 6 times and come home safe each time.  Our family is so proud of him and what he does and I was grateful that he made the 5 hour trip up that weekend to see me and my boys and be there for Baron's birthday party!  What an awesome uncle!

Yes, we look alike and would even more if he'd ever smile for a picture:)  I still feel good, so how about some more.  That night was the wedding and this is the only shot I really captured of the bride and groom...

The ceremony itself was beautiful and very spiritual.  Perfect!  After the traditional wedding formalities, it was time to hit the dance floor and guess who was just itchin' to get out there...

Ryan Day was so excited to get out there and dance.  And as you can see, right behind him was Westen.  These two tore up the dance floor all night.  I have so many pictures but here are the highlights...

Yeah...Westen dances like his Daddy:)  But seriously...we had a near meltdown during dinner where Baron was fussing and Westen wanted to go home.  Thankfully, a little trip outside with Daddy for some fresh air was all the boys needed.  Westen seriously danced the rest of the night.  He was acting a fool!  And as much as Ryan was loving it, he eventually had to take a break:)  While they were dancing, look at these lovebirds!

Aren't my mom and dad cute??  And here's my mom with the groom's mom - Debbie Wood.  She's what I'd like to call a family favorite:)  Our whole family adores this lady!

And here she is again unknowingly with my crazy husband!

There's just something wrong with that picture isn't there?? And here is me and my baby...

We had a great time at the wedding and are so happy for Jeremy and Billie Jo!  Although I don't have a ton of other pictures to share from our trip, I'll share a few of the rest that I have (might as well wrap up the whole trip at this point, don't ya think?).  Here's Baron in his jammies he got from Nana for his birthday...

And Westen got the same ones...

Waiting for someone to play ball with him...

We did get to visit a few friends while home (but I didn't take pictures).  It was great to see Kendra, Mamaw and Papaw Hocker, all the Hockers for that matter, and these cute kids, Corbin and Sadie, and their mom (a friend from high school)...

And this is just a cute picture of Baron running around in the yard.  He was probably running after Papaw and Westen on the lawn mower...

We weren't sure how Baron would do on the lawn mower the first time, especially because he's such a momma's boy and doesn't let too many people hold him for too long when I'm around, but I must say both my boys love this equally.  Baron started reaching for Papaw everyday after his rides and Westen asked for one almost daily (although it rained the last few days so he couldn't).

Baron loved it so much that he'd cry and turn away from me or Mamaw when we tried to take him off.  Here's that...

Too funny! On one of those rainy days, Mom and I took the boys to the mall and let them play on the cool playground there and the boys got new outfits too.  Another one of those rainy days, Aunt Na Na (Julie) came over to play with the boys that morning and then mom watched the boys while Julie and I went to lunch together.  I can't remember the last time we did that.  Thank you Mom and thank you Julie for taking off.  It was such a nice time for me.  And here's Westen and Na Na that day...

Overall, we had such a nice trip and enjoyed our time with our family and friends while we were there.  I got to eat some of my favorite foods too which is always a treat (there's no better bakery than Emerson's:)  The boys love it and get spoiled with attention while we're there.  They adore their cousins which reminds me of one other thing.  Westen got to have a sleepover with Aunt Na Na and his cousins Hailey, Ellie, and Josie one night and he thought he was so big.  He could've cared less about being away from Mommy and Daddy.  And while I didn't get pictures of my other 2 nieces McKayla and Hannah we did get to see them too.  I really only got to see McKayla at Baron's party and she's turning into such a pretty girl as a 7th grader.  And we saw Hannah every morning since she catches her school bus from Mom's house.  Her and Westen were cartoon buddies:)  I wish I could've spent more time with both of them.  The good-bye was bittersweet because I don't know when we'll be going back up. It's always easier when I do know.  We can't wait to see you all again and thanks for an awesome time!  Love you all!

Hope you had a Happy 4th of July weekend!  We certainly did!  We spent some time at the beach on Monday before the fireworks celebration that night.  Austin and I were laughing this weekend as we remembered when Westen was Baron's current age, we'd take him to the beach and put sand toys all around him and he'd sit in one spot and never move. I mean for over an hour he'd sit in the same place and just play.  Baron on the other hand...

Let's just say we couldn't take our eyes off him for a minute.  He'd head straight for the water!!  He was so cute!  And as Westen would go wash his hands off in the sand every little bit...

Baron would get himself covered in it and couldn't be happier.  It's so funny how different they are!  I suppose it'd be boring otherwise:)

Here's Austin with our friend, Mr. Tim, who invited us to go with him and his wife that day!  Thanks for the invite, guys!  We had so much fun!

After a beautiful day at the beach, we headed home for some much needed naps...especially since we planned to see the local fireworks that night that didn't start until 9:30pm.  I wasn't sure if the boys would make it. Before we left, Westen and Daddy lit a couple sparklers.  Of course, Westen burnt his finger and had to get a bandaid.

We got to the park for the fireworks about 730 or 8pm, so we had lots of time before the actual event.  There was  alive band playing and our own live entertainment from Mr. Westen.  You know I usually can't get him to stop for a picture but this night, he was so wired (I don't know how - Austin and I were exhausted), but he was all, "Mommy, take a picture of me running."  "Mommy, take a picture of my bandaid." "Mommy, take a picture of my ball."  He danced and played so hard before the fireworks ever began:) 

Here's my patriotic boys...

You may remember Westen's first kiss from last summer with the ever so adorable Addison.  Well guess who we got to see Monday...

Isn't she sooo cute??  Well, we didn't try for a reenactment of last year's kiss, but we did get a cute picture.  And they played well together:)  And wouldn't you know Miss Addy has a little sister too...

That's Baron and Baby Ella.  We just can't help ourselves but to take these pictures!

Yeah - Westen was hamming it up that night:)  And while Westen and Daddy watched the fireworks - and declared every color they saw...

Baron played with the stroller and climbed all over all of us - clearly not that impressed:)

Such a fun day!  And thanks to all our men and women in uniform who keep and have kept this country free!

So, I'm finally getting around to posting the last part of our trip to KY which was a baby shower.  My mom, sister, and I hosted this shower for our sweet friend, Krystie Daniels, who is expecting a girl in a mere 4 weeks!  Here I am with the mom-to-be!

I have known Krystie for my entire life.  It seemed crazy when we shared each others' wedding days, but now to be celebrating motherhood together is even more surreal.  We've come a long way since our Double Trouble days, Krys.  When the guests arrived, they saw this upon entering.

Baby Jael to greet them.  Baby blocks were everywhere...

And we made them by the way.  A closer look at the cake.

We had 8 blocks left and decided to go with Baby Mama which we thought was too funny!

And the diaper cake, made mostly by my sister, but Mom and I helped:)

Here was our spread.  It was a dessert shower... can ya tell??  Can you say delicious??

Here's my cake pops.  This is the first time I've made them for a group and had to try to get them to look nice.  They tasted great, especially the green carrot cake ones.  I think I could use some improvement on presentation, though:(

And here was our gift - the hamper filled with sweet tiny baby items all clothespinned to a clothesline.  I loved this idea...

And some more pictures from gift opening.

I can speak for Mom and Julie when I say, we really enjoyed putting this shower together for Krystie.  We all love her so much and can't wait to meet Baby Jael!  Congratulations Krystie and Jason and hang in there, girl!