Wyatt's 5th

On Wyatt's birthday I got off of work early and we headed over to the Frow's to a PARTY!!! Well, none of us are huge party-ers, we played outside and ate dinner...... It was fun though.

We had also been itching to try out the bike trailer as part of the decision process to see if we wanted to get one, instead of another bike seat. We took turns riding all of the kids around and it was actually easier than I thought it would be.

Mama strapping in the boys.

Here, we go!

Despite Eli's face they enjoyed the trip and got along well. Emmett was borrowing Claire's helmet, hence the pink.

Wyatt's Mater cake.

We got him some legos and a few trinkets.

Father and son enjoying presents and cards.

Wyatt got a bike from his parents and loved it.

The two ride their bikes in circles on the patio, I find it highly amusing!! Since Wyatt got a bigger bike Claire now has the little one.

Bug Box Fun

Weeks ago Andrea bought some "Dollar Spot" bug nets as decorations for Emmett's Birthday party. Both boys love playing with them and when Grandma Mutti caught a butterfly it inspired us to actually use them :-) Recently, I was at Walmart and bought a heavier duty net and bug box and we have had fun with them.

Lunch on the porch.

This caterpillar was hanging out on the porch so he got put into the box! I think it is a Fritillary of some sort.

Eli studying the insects.

A Spring Azure butterfly with a Lady Bug in the background.

Posed just like his shirt!!! This was not staged.

A Little Wood-Satyr butterfly and Lady Bug.

After lunch we walked down to a creek to see what else we could find.

Eli and I looking for life.

We found some, the boys loved it.

We got some crayfish, stone flies, a tadpole and some water strider's.

Emmett checking out the catch.

Cool snails on the bridge at the stream.

Kayaking Falls Reservoir

Our first kayak trip as a foursome was so great we had to get out again!! This time we launched from a very cool launch tucked away just north of Badin and on Falls Reservoir. Falls Reservoir is the next lake up from Tillery (held back by the dam seen in the "Fall Mountain Hike" post). It is a small lake but completely undeveloped with the Uwharrie National Forest on the eastern bank. Eli was very excited to go out but Emmett was a bit fussy. We launched and shortly thereafter Emmett needed consoling so Dada had to tow Mama and Emmett. We paddled across the lake to a beach we saw on Uwharrie NF and had a picnic and explored a little. On the way back we paddled to the dam and then back to the launch. Emmett was so tuckered out Andrea was able to just turn him around and lay him on her legs and out he went. Eli actually fell asleep sitting-up in my lap as we paddled back from the dam. A couple of times I was not sure if he was asleep or not and would ask him a question then he would wake up and ask where we were or mumble something incoherent... it was hysterical!!! The lake was awesome and the trip was a blast; we will definitely explore some more!

Eli ready to go!!!

Mama and Emmett getting ready... and keeping Eli waiting.

Eli loves picnics. On most picnics, be they on the front porch or lake front, Eli will say (usually more than once) "I love picnics! This is the best picnic ever!"

The beach where we landed.

View of our picnic site. National Forests are not parks, so there was a decent amount of litter and multiple fire pits but we still had fun.

Dung beetle near the picnic site. We also found some Honey Suckle in bloom and Eli tried it for the first time!!

Life jacket diaper change, you can tell he is tired.

Sacked out for the ride back.

Arriving back at the launch. Eli got into the water and enjoyed splashing around.

Here he is without a shirt because right before this picture was taken he was splashing and playing around a little too exuberantly and he face planted right into the water. He came up gasping, proclaiming how cold the water was and with two skinned up knees (not too bad)... obviously it didn't keep him down too long!

Emmett Pics & Video

These are some fun pics of Emmett in his crib on the last day of April. There is also a fun video of him playing the instruments which he loves to do. Usually his recorder playing is more spirited, but maybe he was camera shy.

Nap time's over.

What??

HA!

hmm.....

Easter at the Frow's

These are some pictures of family time on Easter at the Renfrow's house.

Grandma Mutti and Grandpa Vati with their grand kids.

Baby Paige

The kids and Easter baskets from Grandma Mutti and Grandpa Vati.

Grandma Mutti dying eggs with the kiddos. Claire and Wyatt are very photogenic, they get it from their Mama :-).

Paige and her bonnet.

More Easter baskets, these were from the Frow's!! The kids had a blast and enjoyed all the goodies.

Easter 2011

Easter weekend I was working (surprise) so we had an Easter egg hunt in the house before I went into work. Then Andrea and the boys went to be with the fam' at the Renfrow's house. Emmett was napping during the hunt so he did not partake. Grandma Gwinn had given the boys fun matching outfits and they wore them together and looked super cute!

Eli looking for eggs.

He is a pretty observant little guy.

Mama helping to count the eggs.

I found another one!

YUM!

Super cute brothers!

Aww!!!

This video is of Eli enjoying his candy, it is very cute. There is more to this video with Eli and his candy, as well as him recalling where he found all of his eggs.

Emmett at 11 Months

These pics are from Emmett's 11 month birthday!! It is crazy how fast he is growing!!!

Having fun in the swing!

Nose crinklin' smile!

Both boys in their blue & green soccer outfits.

We are so blessed!