Cousin Craziness

This weekend we got to hang out with our 3 nieces and 1 nephew - a.k.a Lincoln's cousins! We had lots of fun and there was ALWAYS action going on with this crew which consists of the following ages - 10 months, 13 months, 2 years, 3 years and 4 years.

One of the main attractions was Papa and Gigi's bounce house.

Look at this sweet face. She fits right in and you would never know she was there!
Lincoln and Story playing in the kitchen with the utensils


This children all love their lovies!


We played outside a little bit...

Loved on Papa a little bit...

Played with Uncle Cory a little bit....

And just looked cute A WHOLE LOT!

Sunday afternoon we loaded up and headed to the community center indoor pool for a little swim. Tilly needed a little time to take it all in but soon she was in the pool with the rest of them!

And then we attempted a group picture. As you can see it was quite the adventure with this crew! Ha. I love all of these sweet faces to PIECES!!

THE chair.

When my brother and I were growing up my grandparents had a certain chair that I vividly remember at their house. It was a carmel-colored leather rocking chair with wooden arms. I always enjoyed sitting in it and rocking it back and forth. And it was the chair that was always the backdrop for pictures. Its fun to think that once my brother and I could both fit in it at the same time!

When my grandparents moved into a nursing home THE chair was entrusted to my care -- probably around 2004. I felt honored that I was given the privilege to take care of the chair on behalf of my family. It was in my room during grad school and then moved to the living room of mine and Cory's duplex when we first got married. THE chair even made the trek 3 hours north when Cory and I moved 3.5 years ago. Through all of its travels the chair has begun to show its wear and tear. In order for us to transform Lincoln's room we had to move out the rocking chair we bought when he was born. Thus, THE chair had to leave in order to make room. My parents took it back with them after a visit in January. I wanted to be sure and capture a picture of Lincoln in THE chair before it left our home.

If chairs could talk then I know this one would have wonderful things to say which knowing my grandparents it would include sayings from my grandmother like "Why don't you kids go outside and play" or stories that started like "When David was little one time we went and picked him up from school b/c he was sick and..." or "Cari was so glad we picked her up from school b/c she wouldn't have to take a nap but she was asleep in the backseat before we got home." It would chat about the hours of laughter it witnessed and the pitter-patter of little feet that it enjoyed watching. Above all though, I know THE chair would talk about the amount of scripture that was read and prayed in its midst and the hymns that filled the air around it over the many years that my grandparents possessed it. Its definitely more than a chair to me; it represents my Christian heritage.

Visiting the Party of Six

On September 17th we took off into the blue sky to visit my brother, SIL, one nephew and three nieces. They live in Atlanta {or pretty close} and since we are 11+ hours away we are not able to get there often. So this was quite the treat to go to their house for a visit. But I must confess that our trip definitely had a two-fold purpose. The Hogs and the Dawgs were playing each other on Saturday and the "boys" {Cory, my brother and my nephew} would be attending.

Now let me set the scene for you on the weekend in general -- 5 children 4 years of age and under with 4 adults -- we were outnumbered. Ha! The weekend was full of excitement, children running around, babies getting their diapers changed, naptimes (their children napping better than mine, ha!), lots of baths, feeding baby food and lots of playtime. Needless to say that I am sad about the number of pictures that I did not take! It was just not like me but I was soaking up every minute of the action.


My youngest niece, Story, is 4 months old. She is one day shy of 3 months younger than Lincoln. Neither of them were on the move {yet! Lincoln is now army crawling everywhere} so they were definitely the easiest to catch in a picture together. Here they are playing "together" or as "together" as a 4 month old and 7 month old can.

The sweet babies all dressed up after church and they are holding hands!

And I, of course, had to get a picture with the 2 babies.

Sweet, sweet Tilly and me.

Tilly helping "Court" give Lincoln his bath. She LOVES LOVES Cory! Wherever Cory was she was not too far behind him. And whenever she would fall or get upset she would go to Cory first. She already knows where she is going to get the most sympathy!

I am so so so sad that I did not attempt a picture with all five babies, umm...I mean 2 babies, one very active toddler and 2 mature children (they will always ALL be babies to me!). There was just WAY too much going on. I promise myself that next time I will attempt it even if the whole thing is a bust! I didn't even get a picture of Carter and Summer! That is just not like me!

But I did get this picture and I L.O.V.E it! It is definitely a framer and probably one of my favorite pics of all time. Lincoln and my brother David at the airport as he was dropping us off.

We had such a fabulous time! They were AMAZING host and hostesses with yummy food, a comfy bed and constant entertainment from 4 sweet and precious kiddos. I am thankful for a sister-in-law who is also a dear friend and a great resource when it comes to mommy advice. I picked her brain some and know I will be asking her lots more questions in the future. And I always love to go to my brother's church and hear him preach. I couldn't help but think of his first sermon at PPBC and how far he has come. He is clear communicator that teaches with clarity and a passion for the Word of God. It makes me proud! I love my family.

{In case you haven't noticed.}