Children are God's way of giving a Mommy job security!

Monday, July 16, 2012

Porch Pool Fun


The boys have been trying to stay cool in this Texas summer heat, so we have a slide and kiddie pool on our front porch.  They love flying down the slide -- feet first or head first -- and splashing in the pool!  It has been hours of entertainment (and I can stay in the shade -- so BONUS!)!











 My sweet big boy

Serious Daniel

And silly Seth!



Friday, July 13, 2012

Expressions of Seth


My sweet littlest man -- 
Seth Vaughan!
He's 2 now!!!
He's full of energy and excitement!
He loves to smile and laugh!
 He has many different expressions and is highly animated!
He's such a ham from the camera!
 He is a busy boy -- rarely sitting still long enough for good pictures!
He's adventurous and tries anything he sees his brother doing!
His smile is contagious!
  He can sometimes be a little serious!
 He thinks he is much older than just 2!
 He's so much fun to play with and talk to!
 He's 2 -- "1, 2" he says!!!
 He gives great hugs and kisses!
 He's my happy little guy!
He's growing a little too fast for my liking!

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Date Night!


Robert and I went out for a date night -- our church does "Date Your Mate" with inexpensive childcare a few times a year, so we usually try to take advantage of it and get a kid-free evening!  And since it is close to our 9th anniversary (coming up on the 19th), we got to celebrate a little early with dinner at BJs -- yummy deep dish pizza followed by a delicious pizzookie dessert!  It's been a fun and fabulous (almost) 9 years with the man I love, and God has truly blessed us beyond measure!!!  


(Baby Abby growing ~35.5 wks now!)

A family picture!!!  I love my husband, and our sweet boys!

Friday, July 6, 2012

Seth's 2!!!!!


My sweet little Seth Vaughan is 2!!!!  I cannot believe that it has already been 2 years since we welcomed this sweet little guy into our arms and family! (You can check out his birth pics here: http://aflyonourwalls.blogspot.com/2010/07/family-of-5.html )  
What a fun addition and a true blessing he has been!   

Some facts about Seth:
He is adventurous and curious, and almost always happy!  
On one hand, it seems like he is such a big boy -- he tries to do and say everything that his big brothers do!  
He runs after and keeps up with his big brothers most of the time, and they love their little brother!
He is tough and willing to try almost anything!  
He still lets me rock him and sing before bedtime every night, so I still think of him as my little boy!  
He loves to sing and knows the words to MANY songs!  
He loves to be outside playing, and doesn't mind getting dirty and a little scraped up.  
He is a little fearless fish in the water, and loves to swim!  
He lets you know when he is tired and still takes great naps!  
He is a little ham and knows how to make people around him laugh!
He loves to pray -- he yells out "I'm gonna pray" before meals and at bedtime!
He really loves books and puzzles right now, and I often find him in the playroom just sitting by himself "reading" or putting puzzles together.
He knows his ABCs and can count to 12 or so by himself.
He is potty training and most days are accident-free!
He knows most of his basic shapes, colors, animals, objects.
He has a sweet spirit and a smile that lights up any room!
He gives the best big hugs and kisses!
He's got a mind of his own and isn't afraid to let anyone know!
He's our 3rd little boy, but has his own special look and his own fun personality!
We love our little Seth and are so excited to celebrate his 2nd birthday!!!


One last picture right before bedtime of Seth as a 1 year old!  
(Luke told me the next morning -- "he doesn't look any different, just the same as last night!")
 July 6th, 2012: 2nd birthday breakfast muffins (he called them cupcakes!)  Yum!


Cupcakes with chocolate icing after naptime -- after singing Happy Birthday 

FaceTime with Nana and Pops

Yummy chocolate!!!!


 I just love that sweet face!!!

 Awe -- brothers!!!  We took Seth to a little water park in Killeen for some swimming fun, and then went to a pool party with friends from Robert's work.  These guys are little fish and just love the water!!!
 Saying twooooooooooooooooo!
 Giving the birthday boy big kisses!

 Seth and Mommy!

We thank God for Seth and love this little guy so much!!!

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Family Fun Night


We enjoyed a fun evening out on the lake!  It was a "quiet" night in the midst of a very busy week of festivities, parties, events, etc.  The boys had a great time throwing rocks, and getting their feet wet.  Then we went out on the lake to cruise around a bit before stopping at a "crappie hole" to fish for a while.  It was very pleasant out -- not too hot, thankfully, but the fish weren't really biting much... mostly nibbles, and bait-robbers, and only 1 or 2 reeled in.  The boys had fun petting and holding 1 crappie before throwing him back.  A fun time of free family entertainment!

 Seth found a good rock to throw
 Daniel stopping briefly for a picture

 "Most Amazing Brother Ever" shirt!

Daniel's turn to hold the fish
 The boys making a hand-off

 Luke wanted a picture with the fish too

 Luke fishing -- trying to reel in another one
 Seth watching the fishing and asking for snacks every 5 minutes or so!
 Luke took this one of me and Daniel and Seth with Daddy driving.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

4th of July Fun


Since living in central Texas for several years now, we have tried to make some fun family traditions -- one of them has been going to the Belton 4th of July Parade.  It is lots of fun and the boy love it!  Despite the fact that it is usually ridiculously HOT, we have a great time and usually see lots of friends too!
We had my family in town visiting, so they came along with us.

The boys getting ready for the parade to start.
 Seth with Nana
 Seth with Pops
 Seth getting a better view!
 Daniel trying to cool off with the squirt-bottle fan
 The boys (along with friends) waving to the parade
 Our gang -- Pops, Luke & Nana, Aunt Jen, Daniel and me, and Seth

 Nana, Pops and the boys!
It was lots of fun!