Monday, April 26, 2010

Mommy's First Mate

Ok, so the title is corny, but he wore a shirt today with that saying and it's pretty much true because we are practically attached at the hip . . . and I don't mind at all! We snuggle, we play, I carry him around when we are in and out with the big boys, and he crawls around following me when I'm not holding him :) He's been so lovey the last few days and it has made me putty in his hands!!! Love my baby boy!
He's just a couple days shy of 7 Months old and he had juice for the first time.
(When I say "juice" I mean two drops of juice in a cup of water, hmm yummy)
He wasn't so sure about it at first, but he ended up really liking it.
Look at that big boy drinking from his cup, if only I you could hear the sucking and slurping that went along with this picture. The entire cup was gone in no time!

There he is, my first mate

Blake & Bryce were outside playing and he took his position near the front door to watch


This was a few days ago, but had to include it because for one he looks so big and two so I could tell you that he is trying so hard to "walk". I put it in quotation marks because it means he turns and looks at another piece of furniture, thinks he can just go on over there, lets go and falls on his face. He has no fear!
He has also started mimicking everything. Blake & Bryce think it's hilarious when he copies them, especially when they cough because he sticks out his tongue and makes a pathetic cough sound . . . almost as if he is making fun of them!

My Mom on stampTV

My Photos - stampTV

Hands, Head and Heart: Guest Designer Sue Van DeVusse

Hands, Head and Heart: Guest Designer Sue Van DeVusse
Corrected link for post about my M0m :)

Saturday, April 24, 2010

My Mom

I'm so proud of my Mom! Her name is Sue VanDeVusse and she is not only a super Mom, fun grandma, great golfer, energetic EMT, but also a very talented designer. She makes greeting cards, gift boxes, marble coasters, heart shaped memory boxes, wall letters, and the list goes on! Her cards have been published in an online magazine and most recently she is featured on a Designer blog! Check it out: http://melaniemuenchinger.blogspot.com/
There is also a link in this post to my Mom's blog :)
Way to go Mom, you do great work and I'm so happy you are being recognized for your masterpieces!!!
Love you

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Soccer Season

This year we decided to sign both Blake & Bryce up for AYSO, this is their first organized sport experience! Blake started practice a few weeks ago, but today was his first game. Bryce also started today as the 4 year old program consists of an instructional clinical followed by a scrimmage every Saturday. It was soooo terribly cold to be outside playing soccer, but the boys were bundled and didn't mind it one bit. Tim & I on the other hand froze our hineys off sitting on the side lines while it SNOWED!
Bryce the Soccer Stud
I was sad I had to miss Bryce's game, I stayed home with Max during his nap time, but Tim & Blake were there cheering him on. They said he did a GREAT job!
Next up was Blake's game. Thanks to our best friends wanting some Max time, Tim & I were both able to be at the game (we love you, Woolmans).
Blake was an ANIMAL out there! It was so exciting to see our boy stealing, defending, and scoring! He was really into the game and definitely has an appetite for competition.

Blake's team won 8 to 3 and Blake was proud he scored 3 goals.

Way to go Blakey!
By the way, this was my official debut as a Soccer Mom and I would like to think I handled myself well . . . but the athlete in me came out and I was coaching him during his breaks, cheering, and yelling. YUP, I'm that Mom. How can I take it down a notch? I got a taste of the game and the adrenaline started pumping . . . oh, man, I'm gonna really embarrass my boys in the next coming years .

Cousin Quinn

All three boys just love their cousin Quinn to pieces (and so do Uncle Tim & Aunt Rachie). Quinn is a great big cousin to Max . . . I just wish Max was a good little cousin to Quinn. Max likes to pull his hair and poke him in the eye, but Quinn is a good sport!
A loving moment
then Max quickly turns on him with a thumb in the eye.
Notice the sheer joy on Max's face, so sorry Quinn

but Quinn still loves him and ends the encounter with a kiss
xo

Alex wins them over

Our friend and neighbor Alex & her family went on a cruise for Spring Break. Alex brought back cool wood beaded necklaces and fun bracelets for Blake & Bryce . . . so sweet of her!
They LOVED them wanted to pose showing off their gifts.



Alex showing off her cool hair wrap
Thanks, Alex! The boys are so lucky to have you as a friend :)

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Max @ 6 Months

Our Max is a busy boy at 6 Months! He is crawling alllll over the place, pulling himself up to stand by everything he can get his hands on, eating like a champ, making us smile with his gut busting laughs and sweet little giggles, and growing much too fast if you ask me. He is such a happy baby . . . as long as he gets his naps and his food :) He weighs 18.5 pounds and is 29 inches long, which puts him in the 75th percentile for weight and off the chart for height. He's wearing some 6-9 mo. clothing, but mostly 12 Months for the length.

6 Month Pics by Parkplace Photography











Love you baby boy, you make our lives better than we ever could have imagined!

Thursday, April 8, 2010

There's NO Stoppin him

Mr. Max has been crawling all over the place and trying to get into everything lately. Guess my water glass on the ottoman was too much temptation for him . . . he really wanted it and was determined to do anything to get it!
First he became one with the ottoman during a moment of meditation
Next, he said a prayer . . . come on now can he get an "AMEN" Then, he gave it all he's got

and BAM he did it!

He even tried drinking out of it like a BIG boy!

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

The Kelpy Clan

I love facebook for many reasons, but especially last week because it helped facilitate a bit of a family reunion!! I update my facebook status maybe once or twice a month and last week I wrote, "On our way to Virginia" and I am so glad I did because Katja saw it and we quickly realized we were going to be a mere 5-10 minutes away from where Katja, her husband Matt, and their two kids Colin and Katherine live! Katja and her family were kind enough to invite us over and put together an Egg hunt for the kids. They also took us to a nearby park where the kids had soooooo much fun.
Katherine was enjoying the treats inside the egg more than the actual hunt ;)
Blake & Bryce were a little excited and loaded their baskets til the were busting at the seams

Sweet Katherine

Bryce & Colin became fast friends


Cute Colin


The Kelpy Clan: Katherine, Matt, Katja, and Colin
We had never even met Colin & Katherine prior to this visit, but thanks to Katja's blog and our blog we keep in touch and feel like we are a part of each other's lives. We were so happy to finally meet the adorable smiling faces we see on the computer . . . they are even cuter and sweeter in person (hard to imagine, I know)! It was wonderful to spend time with all of you, what a bonus to our vacation! Thank you Kelpy Family!!!!

Virginia Vacation

Thank you to my brother Allen for hosting us at his place in northern Virginia. We spent 5 days with him and he was kind enough to let us take over his bachelor pad and turn it into a 5 ring family circus ;) We spent time in Washington D.C. taking in all the sights, museums, and Arlington National Cemetery . . WOW what a humbling experience.
Here is the ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers called "Changing of the Guards".
Blake LOVED seeing real soldiers and was impressed with ceremony; however, Max slept and Bryce was hot, hungry, and annoyed (typical).
We loved the sunny 80 degree weather everyday, it is so beautiful in Virginia right now with everything in bloom. Here we are taking a break under a Cherry Blossom tree in Arlington Cemetery.

Since the weather was so nice we spent as much time outdoors as possible. We found a cute little park that we had all to ourselves where we enjoyed a picnic lunch and playtime on Easter.
Bryce likes to strut his stuff

Max was intrigued by grass

The boys on Easter


Just another day with coordinating shirt . . ahhhahahahaha

Blake striking a pose on Allen's balcony

We had a lot of fun in the Discovery Room at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History



Uncle Al & Bryce with the Capitol in the background


The view of the golf course from Allen's balcony

We had a fun family vacation and are already missing the Virginia sunshine.
Thanks again, Allen!!