Happy Birthday Mark!!

It would've been great if I could've done this earlier this morning but let's say I've been a bit of a procrastinator. The kids and I went just this morning to get Mark's presents.... then we went to eat lunch with him. After their naps we ran to the store to get a cake mix. Not so prepared, huh? But I think he still had a good birthday anyway. Happy 34th, Mark!!!

Thomas!!!

Riding the airplanes. Maryn looks a little scared but she really enjoyed it.


Riding the little train



Parker and Sir Topham Hatt


The boys


The girls... Maryn was a little scared of the whistle.


A couple of weeks ago we ventured to Boone, NC to go to Tweetsie Railroad to A Day Out with Thomas. Last year we went on a Saturday along with everyone else with young children in the state of North Carolina and probably a few hundred from South Carolina thrown in too. And it was HOT. So this year we decided that with me being 8 months pregnant it might be better for Mark to take a day off work and go on a Wednesday. Since Thomas is only there for one week our days were limited but we managed to work it out.

The trip started off a little rough. We left the house around 8 and had a couple of stops to make on the way out of town, the last being Brueggers bagels. Maryn was in the back eating her bagel and started choking a little. After having Parker who has a very sensitive gag reflex I wasn't too worried but she ended up throwing up. Yuck. So then we had to make a stop at Target to buy her something to wear... we did make it to our scheduled time to ride Thomas, thankfully. We had a great time riding the rides and doing all of the Thomas related activities and the kids had a blast which is what it's all about!

Our Anniversary

Nine years ago today. NINE. That's a lot!! But they have been really great. I am sure everyone was a little nervous when I got married so young (21!!! barely even legal), but Mark and I are and were so happy. God has blessed me with a wonderful husband and father to my children. Mark has had to put up with a lot from me which all started when I forgot to look up front at him while I was walking down the aisle! Oops!! I was too busy looking to see who all had come. But there he was waiting for me at the end. Just like Mark, always there for me. I couldn't ask for anything more (ok, maybe a little more cleaning around the house... ) I love you, babe.

He sent me these beautiful flowers yesterday (yesterday because he knew I would get suspicious today and wonder if I would get something not because he forgot which day).

Isle of Palms (take 2)

Well, it's been awhile (obviously I started this post awhile ago since the date at the top says May and today is June 10!). Since my last post (yes, forever ago I know) my mom, Robert and Josh visited, I have been to Auburn, Tweetsie Railroad to see Thomas and to Atlanta all while very pregnant. It has been a crazy month but we have some wonderful memories.

To see pictures about the Auburn trip check out Sarah's blog. Her sister, mom and I gave her a surprise shower for Luke. I cannot tell you how nervous I was that she would be mad at me because she hates surprises but she wasn't! We had so much fun at the shower and spending the weekend with her and Ford (Joseph was out of town). My two favorite parts of the weekend were 1. When Maryn and I got to Sarah's parents house we went to the backyard where Ford was swinging with Crawdaddy (Sarah's dad). He got sooo excited to see us. He was practically jumping out of the swing. What every aunt wants to see!! and 2. when Sarah got to the shower she looked at Maryn and I and just started crying. She was so happy to see us. It was perfect.

Back to the beach... here are some pictures of the kids playing in the sand. Seems like forever ago.




You couldn't get too attached to your sand castle with these two around.








This picture may be too dark but Parker's expression is priceless. He was having so much fun!

These next few could stand to be cropped but hey, you're just lucky to have them posted! :)





Just the girls

Hopefully I can get a post done soon with pictures from our visit to Thomas and the Georgia Aquarium. Things are starting to slow down to get ready for baby Pizza. My due date is one month from tomorrow which is hard to believe. More soon...

Isle of Palms (take 1)

Mark and Parker snuggling on the beach. I think Parker's going through a growth spurt as he frequently complained about his legs hurting. We need to add bulk not length but my dad said he was the same way as a boy as was Joseph- all height without much muscle or fat.


Dede and Maryn


What a gorgeous family! And it fits the pregnant women's requirements of no legs in pictures.


My Hollywood baby reading her People magazine with her shades on (babysitter Susan holding her).


Ford and Joseph. Ford LOVED the beach. He has an amazing attention span- lots better than Parker- and would sit just shoveling sand into a bucket. What a cutie!


Waking up early with the babies. Ford was always the first one up with Maryn not too far behind. Maryn loves to snuggle with her Aunt Sarah.


All of the kids loved playing in Papa and Dede's shower.


Maryn loved the beach and didn't mind getting sand ALL over her. I found it in her ears one afternoon.

I have about ten more pictures to post but its getting late. Hope this holds you (Andrea!!) until I can get more :)

The Party

The three cousins


Parker blowing out his candles


Parker and Ford enjoying their Curious George cupcakes


Cole and Maryn


Didn't Sarah do a great job on the cupcakes? I told her she needs to quit doing calligraphy and decorate cupcakes as a side job. She said she'd just be fat.


Mark, Parker and Maryn in the bounce house


The bounce house- almost as big as our house! Parker jumped in it from the moment Mark and Joseph inflated it until they took it down around 8 that night. He did come out for meals and a nap. And occasionally to play with his new toys. My friend Andrea was very concerned about how much energy he was using since the child cannot spare any calories!


Ford coloring

That's all for now since I know at least most of the family really just wants pictures...

Parker's 3rd Birthday

The birthday boy


After naps Parker and I decorated cupcakes and then we all ate them and opened presents. In addition to the cleaning trolley he got a shed and construction trains for his Thomas set and a coffee maker from Maryn.


Maryn enjoying her cupcake




The infamous cleaning trolley. Parker was up at 6:30 and after we sang Happy Birthday to him the first thing he asked about was where his cleaning trolley was. Can you imagine what a disappointment it would've been to him had we not gotten it? After we put together he wanted the kitchen light turned on so he could see to clean. This was all by about 7am.

More later...