Halloween 2009

Dawson as a boxer!

Logan as Luke Skywalker X-Wing Pilot

The boys LOVE Halloween because it involves two of their favorite things...dressing up and candy! Logan said that he wanted to go to a million houses trick-or-treating this year. They had so much fun going trick-or-treating through our neighborhood. By the end of the night their pumpkins were so full that Dawson said it was too heavy to hold. Needless to say, they have enough candy to last a LONG time!

Derick's Birthday

Family Picture - check out that belly!

Birthday Daddy!

Family at Epcot

Derick's 37th Birthday!

On Sunday, we went spent the day at Epcot. We had fun riding rides, seeing the characters and visiting the different countries. The boys got passports and got a stamp for every country they visited. They thought that was cool! Then on Monday, we had a family birthday celebration at the house which included Derick's favorite meal, cake and a pinata. The boys can't wait for the next birthday!

The baby is a...

BOY! Well, after weeks of anticipation, we found out that we are having a boy. They checked out everything from head to toe and he looks healthy which is a blessing! I am a little sad that I will never get that little girl I always thought about having, but still feel very happy about the little miracle boy in my tummy!

Red Dragons - Soccer

Logan just scored his first goal!

Logan is playing on the "Red Dragons" soccer team this fall. He absolutely LOVES it! It is 4 on 4 with no goalie which helps the kids learn more skills verses being so competitive. He's had two games so far and scored two goals in each game. It's fun to watch him have so much fun playing a sport!

Dawson swimming

Dawson learned how to swim this week without his life vest. The first day he would swim back and forth from the steps in the shallow end. By the second day, he was jumping in the deep end and swimming from one side of the pool to the next. I can't believe that he is actually swimming at 3 years old! We call him our little fish!

Logan's Soccer Camp

Coach Jamie and Logan

Playing a Cowboy and Indian game

Logan in action!

Julianna "flirting" with Logan

Logan had a blast at his soccer camp. He would wake up every morning, put his soccer outfit on, then wake us up because he was ready to go! He had so much enthusiasm and determination on the field. The coach said Logan's footwork was "excellent" and he was a great, natural defender! He is eager to begin fall soccer which starts next week.

Granny's Visit

We had such a good visit with Granny while she was visiting.  The boys loved playing on the beach and showing her how they "surf".  We went to our first tidepool at Sebastian Inlet which was really cool as well.

13 week ultrasound

Side view of baby's face and part of chest.  The blurry part on chest is the heart and the baby's hand is showing.

Because I am a "high-risk pregnancy", I have ultrasounds every 6 weeks.  I actually love this fact because it gives me more glimpses of my little one!  I got to see the babies 2 arms, 2 legs, spine, facial structure, stomach, and heart.  The baby was moving and doing flips the entire time.  It was fascinating getting to watch this for 45 minutes. 

Sailing

Captain Logan

Captain Dawson

Katie and Josh

We went sailing during Josh and Katie's visit on a 24 ft. sailboat.  We saw a manatee and a few dolphins.  The boys, Derick, Josh, Logan and Dawson, all got to steer the boat.  The sailing adventure made Derick realize how much he loves sailing and so he has begun his hunt for a sailboat.  Maybe one day soon...

Pregnant

People always say not to get rid of your baby items until you are 100% sure that you aren't going to have any more children. Derick and I thought we were at that point and gave away all of our baby items. Well, needless to say, we aren't done yet...we are expecting our third child on February 1, 2010. We were very surprised by the news, but also excited about this new life! I am at the "all day sickness stage" and am looking forward to the next stage. I still have blood pressure issues which puts me at a "high-risk" pregnancy so I ask for your prayers during this pregnancy.
Logan and Dawson are very excited about having a baby sister or brother. Logan says that he will help out in every way possible, except changing stinky diapers! Too cute! Dawson is excited about being a big brother for the first time.

Part 2 Batesville Trip - visiting with the Wilhelm's

Logan and Logan - best buds!

Logan, Olivia, Logan and Dawson

Bonfire time!

Out on Greers Ferry Lake

Logan sliding into the water.

While on our Batesville trip we were able to visit with our dear friends, the Wilhelm's.  Granny Sandy let us use her cabin and we had a blast.  It was great to spend time with them and relax.  Derick and Steve were able to "make fire" even though it had rained all day.

Batesville Trip

Dawson's 1st time flying!

Grandma Jenkins and Logan

Aunt Laura reading a nighttime story to Logan.

Grandma Williams and Dawson

Aunt Debbie, Logan and cousin Zach

We took a trip to Batesville to visit relatives and had a wonderful time.  The boys loved flying, visiting, and seeing deer on the farm. 

Mother's Day

Logan wrote Happy Mother's Day for me at the beach.

Mommy and Logan

Mommy and Dawson

I had such a wonderful Mother's Day weekend.  The boys gave me beautiful flowers, hand-made cards and numerous hugs/kisses.  We spent both Saturday and Sunday enjoying the beach making sand castles and finding baby clams.  We even saw a live starfish!  I am so thankful that God has given me the wonderful gift of Motherhood!

Dawson's 3rd Birthday

I'm 3 years old!

Check out that face after cake!

Daddy and the birthday boy.

Mommy and the birthday boy.

Dawson decided that he wanted a Star Wars theme party for his birthday just like older brother had for his birthday.  He enjoyed the cake, pinata, opening presents, and going to Disney World.  He smiled ear to ear every time we would sing happy birthday to him.  When people called him and said happy birthday, he would reply happy birthday to you too!  It was so cute.  He loved every minute of his birthday weekend!

Double Flip

Logan is becoming such a little fish in the water.  Each day he is learning more and more about all the cool things that can be done in the water.  It reminds me of my childhood days of swimming!

Momma don't fold my clothes!

Lately, I've been having the boys help me with duties around the house (cleaning, dishes, laundry).  Usually, I have the boys put their underwear and socks up while we are doing the laundry, but yesterday, Logan wanted to learn how to fold his clothes.  He watched as I folded a shirt and very meticulously folded a shirt the same way.  I praised him, of course, and he wanted to fold more!  He didn't want me to fold any of his clothes and proceeded to fold all of his clothes and put them in the proper drawers.  He was so proud of himself!  I told him that we each dirty our own clothes and that means that we each should clean and put away our own clothes.  I know that his excitement about folding his own clothes won't last forever, but I hope that I can instill these types of lessons early like this that will help show him that we all have responsibilities in our life.

Best Day Ever!

Logan's new saying is "this is the best day ever", whether we are going on a bike ride, playing a fun game, swimming in the pool, or just other normal activities during the day.  I think it's wonderful how excited and happy children are about life, and I am starting to strive for this myself.  It makes me think of the song "Today is the Day" by Lincoln Brewster that says:

"Today is the day You have made, I will rejoice and be glad in it, And I won`t worry about tomorrow, I`m trusting in what You say, Today is the day!"

Easter

"Happy Easter! Jesus is Alive!" This is what Dawson learned in his Sunday school class on Easter and went around all day saying this to everyone he saw which included people at church, lunch, neighbors, and the beach. It was so adorable and heart-warming to see my two year old telling others why Easter is so special!