4th of July

We celebrated the 4th at the Buzzard's lakehouse this year. It has become an annual tradition (click here), and we LOVE it! To be surrounded by family, watch fireworks reflecting over the lake, and hear our little ones giggle over smores, what more could you ask for? That same weekend, my older sister Melissa, her husband and 4 (soon to be 5!) kids came up for a few days to my parents house. We enjoyed swimming at the pool, playing outside and taking all the kids to the 3-D showing of Toy Story 3. What a wonderful weekend, surrounded by the ones we love. It was a great way to remember and appreciate the freedom that we take for granted, but are allowed each day!

                                            4th of July Celebration at Apple Valley

Sparklers!

Fun with Cousins!

                                             Ooey Gooey, Finger Lickin' Good S'mores!

                                                             Snuggled up for the Big Show!

I love this one. . . I am quite certain Bubba does not love the choke hold!

Waiting patiently for the show!

Watching the show with my sweet boy.  It doesn't get better than this!

                                         Fun (after the 4th) at the Lakehouse. . .  .

Hangin' on the dock after a good nights sleep

Riding the Wave Runner with Daddy. . .

                                                                and Grandma!

                                                              Bubba's First Boat Ride!

Two seconds after this picture was taken. . .

She was out cold in Grandma's arms!

and Bubba was asleep in Daddy's arms!

Playing with Grandpa on the dock after his big boat ride!

Still out cold following the boat ride!

Enjoying lunch on the dock before heading back home to see the Limburg's!

Hanging with the Limburgs at Nana and Grandpa's!

Cuddle time with the cousins!

too bad these kids don't like each other. . .

Teaching Caleb how to keep his form while doing a manly push up

Getting words of wisdom from great grandma, Monty

Reminding Uncle David and Aunt Melissa how great babies are (number 5 is due this fall!)

learning all about electronics from cousin Michael. 

Swimming with the cousins

Watching Toy Story 3 in 3-D!

**if you look closely, Kenzie is actually asleep....didn't make it past the previews!

Happy (belated) 4th Everyone!

Half Birthdays. . .

So, I am a little embarrassed (and a bit proud) to admit than when Jeremy and I were dating, very early on, I told a little fib. It was a teeny, weeny, tiny, white lie. But, I don't regret it one, single bit because it has served me well over the years.

You see, I told Jeremy that 1/2 birthdays were a big deal in my family. When you were 6 months away from your bday, you celebrated with cake, ice cream and of course presents. He went along with it for a few years and then found out one night over dinner with my parents, that this was indeed not true at all. We had never celebrated half birthdays growning up. But, we should have! I mean, can you really blame a girl for trying? I mean, who doesn't want cake, ice cream and presents just for fun?

Well, as a result, we have made it a tradition of ours to celebrate each others half birthdays. This year, my parents finally came around to the idea and ordered a cold stone creamery cake and had us over for dinner. It's about time, folks! Now if I could just get my siblings and in-laws to participate! :)





...and a FULL, birthday wish, to Kathy, aka Grandma Buzzard today! I am so lucky to have such a wonderful second mother and grandmother to my kids! We love you bunches! Hope your day is extra special!

The first 6 months. . .

. . . too bad this kid is such a grouch, I mean seriously!

We love you Caleb! You are such a joy! Happy 1/2 bday, buddy!

Caleb, 6 months

I can't believe my baby boy is halfway through the first year of his life. He is such a joy and it's hard to imagine our life without him. Here are some stats and fun facts about our sweet little "bubba."

*At 6 months, Caleb weighed in at a healthy 19 pounds even (75th percentile), and measured 27 inches long (50-75th percentile).

*We've had some set backs with eating this month. Not sure if he has outgrown the dosage of his reflux meds or he is teething, but he only eats half of what he normally eats.

*He takes 2 naps, a morning and afternoon nap, each lasting about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

*He is asleep for the night after his 8:30/9:00 bottle. Jeremy feeds him right before he goes to bed for the night, usually around 11:30. We experimented with skipping this feeding, but after a few nights of waking up around 3:30, we quickly decided he wasn't quite ready to go for the long haul. One day. . .

*He is starting to sit up longer and with better balance.

*He is almost crawling....no joke! He scoots backwards through a room, and also rolls from one end of the room to the next. He can get on all 4's and rock back and forth. Sometimes the momentum of rocking springs him forward and he squeals with delight.

*He LOVES jarred food! There is nothing he does not like, in fact he is now eating cereal. What the poor boy really wants is table food. He grabs and eyeballs everything we eat.

*He adores his big sister and she adores him. He lights up when she enters the room. If he is really fussy and I am trying to cook dinner or back up the diaper bag, I have Kenzie go over and sing him a song or play peek-a-boo with him. His tears turn to squeals of delight. It is the sweetest thing ever!




I know I'm bias, but seriously, how cute is this face?


Best buddies





Yep, he is standing on all 4's!


Rolling....you never can tell where this wild man may end up!



Speaking of rolling, this is his favorite way to roll....with bottle in mouth!




Tummy Time...he is only on his back these days when he sleeps. If you attempt to put him on his back, he flops over in half a nanosecond.





Curious about everything. So much so that this day lily ended up in his mouth!


How Mommy gets ready in the morning!



Talking to his homeboys

Can anyone help this kid set up a facebook account already?


Party in Sissy's bed



This is what I really think of Mommy's photo shoots!

On the move

Well, it's official! Our house is on the market. On a wonderful date night out, Jeremy shared with me that he thought we should put our house on the market. I was shocked since we hadn't even discussed the possiblility of moving anytime soon, but always trust him when it comes to finances and planning for our future. We bought this house with the intention to live here for 5-7 years and then move. We have been here 6 years now and LOVE our house, LOVE our neighbors, but are in need of storage and square footage. Our street alone has had houses fly off the market in as little as 5 days. In fact, our next door neighbor's put their house on the market 3 weeks ago and it's already in contract. The interest rates are great, and it is definitely a buyers market. Hopefully we will have the same luck and will have the right buyers walk through at the right time!

So, anyone want to buy this adorable 4 bedroom home? :)