Nice Rack... and Kayak Trip

We LOVE REI, for those who didn't know... This year we used our dividend to "purchase" a rack for the van and then waited until the anniversary sale to get a kayak stacker (one of only two times a year they go on sale) with tax return money. It makes the van look super cool. Last year I really scratched up the top while loading the kayaks on a blanket.... that won't happen again!!!

After setting up the van we headed out to the lake. This time we kayaked on Tillery, down the park shoreline to the "Big Rocks" and had a super awesome picnic. After lunch we paddled back to the sandbar and played in the water before returning home for nap time. This was our first kayak trip with Eli being potty trained and we came home with some funny pee and poo stories that I won't share here. Let's just say we are VERY proud of him and he is an excellent outdoors man ;-) !!!

The super cool adventure mobile!!

Our landing spot.

Part of the view from our picnic.

Picnic on the rocks.

Yummy Yummy.

The four of us, our boats and the lake.

Another Visitor...

On Friday, June 10, I came home on my lunch break and watched the boys while Andrea went into the garden to pick some veggies.... A few minutes later she comes into the house out of breath, shaking, and obviously upset. "Didn't you hear me calling your name!?!?", "No" I said.... apparently while reaching for a zucchini she literally put her hand down within a few inches of a rattlesnake before she saw what it was. All I can say is, glad it wasn't me!!

It was amazing how well he camouflaged in!

Needless to say we stayed out of the garden for a week or so and now we always go in with a rake looking under all leaves before we step :-)

Hiking

With some birthday money for Emmett and as part of our gift to him we got another hiking backpack!!! It is awesome! Very comfy and lots of pockets! We really like both packs and the boys really like riding in them too!

Mama and Emmett on the first time out.

We made our own little loop and ended up near the pool for a cold snack. Eli fell asleep before we got to the pool and missed out on the treat....

Mama and Emmett sharing the frozen goodness!

Play Time and Cute Pics

These are just some fun pics of play time around the house in late May and early June.

The Emmster playing in the kitchen.
Not walking yet but he's pulling up and cruising along furniture all the time.

Watching a video in a tent. They are sitting on the
very fun Dr Seuss quilt my mom made.

Bath time!

Is there something on my face?

"Hi"

Watching the Kiddo's

These are just some random pics from watching the kids.

Eli napped in our bed because room sharing
did not work... he looks so big!

Claire tucked into one little corner...

Wyatt has outgrown the naps!

Baby Paige in the Bumbo.

I love this pic! It is a classic pose for most everyone!

Finally a video of Paige cracking up!! Apparently this was her first big laughing spell. Auntie Ree apparently knows how to tickle her.

Bunny Boo-Boo-Boo

For part of Memorial Day weekend we watched the two older Renfrow kids while their parents and Paige went to a conference. On their first day with us we spotted our local baby rabbit, affectionately called Bunny Boo-Boo-Boo. We saw him/her many times but I think this is the only time we got pics. It was very fun for all to see a baby rabbit!!!

Bunny hanging out in the yard.

A close up of the super cute baby bunny.

The kids checking out Bunny Boo-Boo-Boo.

SO FUN!!!

Disc Golf

The day after Emmett's party we went to play disc golf with Auntie Jill, she had never played before. Albemarle has some very nice courses. We were able to pull the boys in the wagon from hole to hole. We played 9 holes before the boys got too restless and then had a picnic at the park and headed home.

Auntie Jill and Emmett getting ready to play.

Pulling the boys to the next hole.

Eli chillin' in the wagon.

Emmett chillin' in the wagon.

Emmett's 1st Birthday Party

Emmett's 1st Birthday was a Bug-Tastic good time! Andrea did a great job of decorating and we had lots of family and a couple of friends that came all the way to Albemarle to celebrate! We had so much fun, and are so grateful for their love! There are a lot of pics, but hey it was a big day!!!

....they were making personal Bumble Bee pinata's!!! There is a long somewhat comical and painful story behind these, but they turned out GREAT!!!

The rest of the swarm. Each Bee had some Bug Bites (fun graham cracker snacks shaped like bugs that we found at the last minute that fit the theme perfectly!!!), a rice crispy treat, and lollipops.

Very colorful and fun caterpillar cupcake cake made by Andrea with leaves from Eli's 1st b-day party!

Fun decorations and yummy snacks!

Grandma Gwinn brought a three pack of water guns for the boys. They were a big hit at the party. The three cousins played HARD in the water. You can see they are a little wet, we should have started them in their swim suits.... oops.

Beautiful Mama and the Birthday Boy, Emmett.

While collecting bugs for decorations Doc found a turtle! Not 100% with the theme but we had to hold on to it for the day.

Emmett "attacking" his pinata, with a little help.

Eli going after his.

Claire trying to get into her pinata after she got it down.
The pinata's were stronger then we thought!

Wyatt showing off the final result!

This is a video of the three kiddo's and their pinata's. It was very fun watching them play with the Bee's, especially at their different levels of coordination and athleticism!

Cake time, oh my!!!

Still unsure of that candle....

His first cake tasting... I think he liked it!

Two hands....

I love this pic! Really getting into the swing of it!

Wyatt's cupcake is gone and he is on to a lollipop, Eli's icing is gone and Clarie is just getting started.

The aftermath... Emmett is not a fan of bibs as you can see!

Present time, it was a group affair.

The three water kids! They ran and ran and ran!!!
You can see that they look a little hot!

Andrea also made goodie bags for the kids with bug magnifying glasses, bug books and bug stickers. This was the only bag to survive long enough for us to take a pic.

Most of our time was spent on the porch.

Tom spent a long time reading to all three kids and making them crack up!!!

Jill, Meg and Mutti hanging out on the steps.

The awesome Garri!!

Auntie Alison playing in the yard with Paige and Emmett.