The Knot is Tied!

This weekend, we traveled to the ATL to celebrate my little brother's wedding weekend! We were fortunate enough to have my wonderful mother-in-law go with us so that we could participate in the many wedding festivities and know the children were in good hands when they couldn't be there with us.

As soon as we checked in, our children were pretty happy! Carter received a kids' club backpack with several fun things; his favorite of which was a rubber ducky.

Callen was pretty excited with the set up that they had for her.
Before too long, we were headed off to the rehearsal dinner to enjoy a wonderful meal, lots of reminiscing and even more laughs.

The bride- and groom-to-be

Us at the rehearsal dinner

The Lovoy family at the rehearsal dinner

I would like to call your attention to the smile on my brother's face in the picture above. I am pretty sure that I never saw his face without it ALL. WEEKEND. He was so happy! Just what you want for your brother on his wedding day/weekend!

The actual wedding day started out for us with a trip to the Georgia Aquar.ium. From there, we headed to a wonderful wedding day brunch and then back to our hotel for naps and getting ready for the wedding.

Nick and I went by ourselves to the actual wedding, which was absolutely beautiful. Then, we picked up the kiddos and Debbie and headed to the reception.

ready to go to the reception and celebrate Uncle Steve and Aunt Emily's wedding!

so excited to see Aunt Emily

Giving Uncle Steve some love

Beautiful Couple during their first dance

Now, this next picture requires some lead-in. Carter was really excited about going to the reception, and I had told him that he would be able to have a piece of the wedding cake. Well, the cake was the first thing that you saw when you walked in, so of course it was on his mind the whole time he was there. Unfortunately, he and Callen were tired before Steve and Emily cut the cake, so they went back to the hotel; Carter not having had his piece of cake and being terribly upset about it. So, after they cut the cake, my dad helped me secure a piece to bring home to Carter. The picture below is of him enjoying his long-awaited piece of Em and Steve's yummy cake!

Congratulations to Aunt Emily & Uncle Steve! Lots of wishes for a lifetime of happiness!

Happy Third Birthday, Carter!

This little fella is 3!!!

It seems like forever ago and yet just like yesterday that we were welcoming Carter into this world.
He is, as is Callen, such a joy in our lives! At three, he is very independent, funny, smart, imaginative, and quite the talker. Carter is very tender-hearted. He really loves to love on people and becomes concerned when someone {usually Callen or one of us} appears to be hurt or upset. He loves just about any sport and really enjoys music as well.

He keeps us on our toes, keeps us laughing, and keeps us honing our parenting skills! :)

Our cup runneth over.

Happy Birthday, Buddy Boy!

Happy First Birthday, Callen!

It hardly seems possible that Callen is ONE!

One year ago, we were staring down at this little face just wondering what life would be like as a family of four.

Now, we couldn't be imagine our family without her! And, while some of the days, weeks, and months have seemed to drag by; in aggregate, the time seems to have gone by in the blink of an eye!

At one, Callen is BUSY, determined, sassy, a momma's girl, and one heck of an eater!! She still hasn't mastered walking, but she is starting to stand up on her own a bit, so I imagine that she'll get there in her own time {which appears to be how she rolls}. Callen absolutely adores her big brother. She watches him, wants to be where he is, doing what he is doing. Most of the time he suffers through it well, and he makes me so proud when he willingly {and unprompted} shares with her and loves on her.

We are incredibly blessed!

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl!

A Birthday Party for Two

Sunday afternoon, we invited our family over to celebrate Carter's 3rd and Callen's 1st birthday. It was a beautiful day, and we had so much fun celebrating with everyone.

It is always a treat to get to play with cousins!

Callen was having some serious conversations with her grandmothers.

We all enjoyed a fabulous meal! Nick smoked two boston butts, so we dined on yummy barbeque!

Then, it was time to sing "Happy Birthday" and blow out the candles.

Callen wasn't really sure about her cake.

She thought she'd offer Big Pat some and see if there were any adult takers.

Owen was perfectly happy that Callen wasn't interested in her cake. He was amazed that we were letting him grab a few tastes without reproach!

Then, Carter and Callen opened a few presents.

I am guessing that since Carter has slept with his for the past two nights, that he likes them.

Judging from Callen's affection for her toys, she would have liked to have had them in her crib had she had any say in the matter.

It was a wonderful party for our {almost} 1- and 3-year-olds, and we appreciate our families celebrating with us!

Not a fan

Well, I think we've found it.

Do you see it?

Here?

That's it. Squash. In the floor. Thrown off of her tray. I think she's trying to tell us something.

Yes, we've found it--the one thing she won't eat {so far}!

Practice Walking

Callen has a new {to her} toy that she is enjoying these days. Her push toy! She is learning to take steps and steer her way around. She isn't quite a pro yet, but she's pretty mobile. It drives her brother nuts!

He's never too far behind her {if he isn't trying to take it away from her, that is}. He is in for it when she does start walking.

Or, perhaps more accurately, we're in for it.

Playset Complete

This is one excited little boy!

Daddy worked all day {in addition to the work with Uncle Steve from last weekend and with some help towards the end from Uncle David} to finish this early birthday present in the backyard.

Carter couldn't get on it fast enough! He was thrilled to see that it was finished, as he has been asking if his slide is ready for the past three weeks!

Trying it out.

I am sure before too long, Callen will be out there having a ball on it also.

Thanks to Daddy, Uncle Steve and Uncle David for assembling a great playset for Carter & Callen!

Swim Lesson update

Carter has been doing really great at swim lessons. This is the second week, and he's been doing three nights a week. Usually, Nick takes him, but after he was showing off his skills on Monday night, Nick suggested that I go to the next lesson to see how much he has progressed.

I must admit that I was a little worried as we waited for Coach Cal to finish his lesson before us, because Carter was whining that he didn't want to go over to the edge of the pool. However, when Coach Cal said, "You ready, buddy?" Carter went straight over to the pool and jumped in.

Then he showed off his ability to swim from the wall to Coach Cal, from Coach Cal to the wall, to bounce from the bottom of the pool, up to take a breath and then swim to the side, and then his ability to jump into the water from the side, take a breath and swim back to the side.

I was impressed.

Below are some pictures that I took {with my phone, so they aren't great} that show off some of the skills he's been learning.



We are very proud of the progress he's made and look forward to continuing to work on his swimming skills!

We're Still Here

Given that I never post anymore, I am quite certain that the few readers I had have abandoned me. I can't really do anything but apologize. We have been busy with just plain old life lately, and I have been wiped out in the evenings which has kept my posting to a minimum.

I have grand intentions to do better, but I've had those before, too...maybe you'll be kind enough to stick around and see if I actually can turn my intentions into reality.

By way of beginning {again}, here are some of the things that have been going on around here lately:

Uncle Steve helped Nick begin to put together a playset that we got Carter & Callen for their birthdays.

Callen, watching from the doorway, wasn't really sure they knew what they were doing.

Turns out, they were on the right track...they just didn't have enough time and it was too stinkin' hot to finish construction all in one day.

And, on Tuesday, August 10, this little cutie joined the family! Leo Thompson Willis, who is Uncle Christopher and Tina's little boy! We can't wait to meet him this weekend!! {picture stolen shamelessly from my SIL's FB page}

Bear with me...more to come including an update on swim lessons!

Swim Lessons

Sunday afternoon, Carter had his first swim lesson. He talked about his swim lessons all. week. long. and was SOOOO looking forward to it.

Coach Cal helped him get his goggles adjusted so that they could get started.

Reaching for the wall
Having a serious conversation with Coach Cal

I didn't get a ton of pictures because I was trying to stay out of the way. I thought, because he loves the pool so much and is so comfortable in the water, that it would be smooth sailing. Not exactly. He did fairly well, but also fell apart towards the end of the lesson. Cal said that it is probably because he associates the pool with fun/playtime and doesn't want to take "instruction" while he is in the pool.

Oh, well...we are not giving in. It is time for our little lover-of-the-pool to learn to swim. He was back in action tonight at his second swim lesson; though, he was not nearly as excited about this lesson as he was his first. I guess he knew what he was in for this time!

Although not over enthusiastic about the lesson, he was thrilled by the "ink" Coach Cal dispenses following his lesson. I was instructed, "Don't wash it off, Mommy."

Yes, sir.