Check out Whitney's website, Sweet Wally Photography, for information and to see more of her awesome work! Thank you Whitney!!!
June 19, 2016
Maternity Pictures
A few weeks ago, about 33 weeks along, we met an old sorority sister at a farm in Paducah for our maternity pictures. When I set out searching for a photographer for this pregnancy I was looking for something different than what we had with my other two. I absolutely love my pictures from when I was pregnant with Keagan and then with Finley, and each of those sessions were unique in their own right, but more staged and with props. This time I was going for something very simple, and was looking for a photographer who could capture me in my very-pregnant glory along with my family in a natural state (i.e. boys who do not sit still, smile, or look at the camera often at all). Keagan is getting better with pictures but I worried how Finn would be and something I have tried really hard to do during this pregnancy is not stress about the little things. So I wanted our pictures to be no-stress. And Whitney delivered. It was an easy-going fun session, the boys had a good time, and the pictures turned out phenomenal. And it was fun to catch up with an old college friend. I couldn't be more happy and I cannot wait to hang these on our walls! (see link to her site at the bottom)
Check out Whitney's website, Sweet Wally Photography, for information and to see more of her awesome work! Thank you Whitney!!!
Check out Whitney's website, Sweet Wally Photography, for information and to see more of her awesome work! Thank you Whitney!!!
June 16, 2016
Swimming Pool Fiasco
I don't even think it is technically summer, but the temps here in Kentucky say otherwise. About a week after we returned from Texas, the boys convinced me to get them a little swimming pool. Honestly, it didn't take too much convincing because I knew I would also beach myself in it (but I didn't tell them that. I used this to my advantage...you parents out there know what I mean!). But what I had in mind for my boys (and what we had room for) and what I purchased and got myself roped into were two VERY different things.
My plans were to find a blow-up pool that was deep enough and big enough for the boys to toodle around in. They try and swim in the bathtub so I knew that criteria would be easy to meet. I also didn't want to spend a bunch of money, because unfortunately kiddie pools don't really last through more than one season, no matter how much patchwork you do! SO off to Walmart I went, boys in tow...because, you know, I enjoy making important decisions while corralling little boys and fielding 1,002 unrelated questions. While in the aisle, I mainly only looked at pool size/depth and price. The one we ended up getting was the "biggest bang for my buck," coming in at $48 and nearly 3 feet deep, 10 feet across. I had actually done some online reviews of this pool, and they weren't the greatest, but considering my above criteria and the fact that much smaller pools were going for just a little less I went for it. I loaded the heavy box into my cart, the kids went nuts (though Finn flipped because he thought it would be a HUGE pool and wouldn't be able to swim, then the thought it was a TINY pool and said I couldn't get in there with him because I would take up all the room. I cannot figure him out), and I picked up some goggles and pool rings and toys. Then home we went.
When I opened the box I was met with TWO booklets of instructions - both in English and both important. Instructions for a pool?!! Then I pulled out the pool. It was HUGE. I didn't really know where to put it. When I envisioned a blow-up pool I was thinking we'd drain it and refill it as we used it. Um, this was looking to be a permanent summer structure in our back yard. Josh was a little irritated, he didn't want it on the grass because it would kill the grass (I got that) and so I had to put it on the porch. As I got part way through the instructions, they told me to hook up the pump. Um...pump?! Do I have to?! Don't get me wrong, I saw the pump when I purchased, but I thought it was optional. Not really. SO I hooked it up. This simple summer project was taking HOURS. I went ahead and let the boys get in at one point because they were running around in swimsuits begging to go swimming. Patience is not their virtue. (they come by that honest)
I'd say the boys were pretty happy with the pool. It took about 4 hours to fill that sucker up. We went inside to eat supper then went back out to the pool, which still wasn't full. As I watched them play and laid down some ground rules (realizing this was, indeed, going to be a permanent structure in our yard this summer), I patted myself on the back. I am a pretty darn good mom. Ha. I got my kids a "real" swimming pool. (go with me here. it has a pump) I still didn't realize how "real" this pool was until later that night...
After the boys were dried off and the sun had gone down, I was reviewing the instruction booklet for how/when to turn the pump on and I realized that this pool requires chemicals. What the what?!!!??? So I made plans to hit up Walmart for said chemicals and really thought it was going to be an easy process. Wrong. First I had to find the darn pool chemical aisle, it wasn't where I found the pool which would be all too easy and smart. When I was directed to where I needed to go I rounded the corner and my eyes got super wide. So.Many.Options and So.Expensive. I started looking at my list (I brought the instruction books!) and looking at the prices. The chemicals were going to cost MORE than the stupid pool. Face palm. I was getting sweaty, just wanted to go home and drain the pool and bring it back. BUT the first paper I encountered when I opened the pool box was a yellow-alert paper that said to not return it to the store it was purchased. I should've known. The only saving grace in this whole debacle is I didn't bring the boys this time. I felt like my eyes were glazing over as I walked from one end of the aisle to the other, looking up and down, but not sure what I needed. I finally called my Mom in a mild panic, and had her walk me through what I needed right now, and what I could wait on. (Thanks MOM!!!!!!!!) I walked out a slight bit more confident and ready to tackle this chemistry experiment in the form of a pool.
The funny thing is as I was getting ready to check out with my basket of pool chemicals and a pool net, I saw three young women joyfully pushing a cart containing the same pool. They were clearly anticipating fun, lazy summer days tanning in the backyard and talking about their fingernails and boyfriends then hopping into this pool to cool off briefly. I had half a mind to stop them, show them my basket, and tell them to turn around and put it back. But I didn't...learning lessons are good for us all. And I didn't want to be the "old" lady that told them this wasn't what they thought it was.
With all this said we have enjoyed this little pool. The boys have played in it some and while they were visiting with Josh's parents for the weekend, Josh and I got a chance to enjoy it. It isn't huge, but it is refreshing. And the size is perfect for two little boys. Maybe we will try and take care of this pool so it will be around next year!
My plans were to find a blow-up pool that was deep enough and big enough for the boys to toodle around in. They try and swim in the bathtub so I knew that criteria would be easy to meet. I also didn't want to spend a bunch of money, because unfortunately kiddie pools don't really last through more than one season, no matter how much patchwork you do! SO off to Walmart I went, boys in tow...because, you know, I enjoy making important decisions while corralling little boys and fielding 1,002 unrelated questions. While in the aisle, I mainly only looked at pool size/depth and price. The one we ended up getting was the "biggest bang for my buck," coming in at $48 and nearly 3 feet deep, 10 feet across. I had actually done some online reviews of this pool, and they weren't the greatest, but considering my above criteria and the fact that much smaller pools were going for just a little less I went for it. I loaded the heavy box into my cart, the kids went nuts (though Finn flipped because he thought it would be a HUGE pool and wouldn't be able to swim, then the thought it was a TINY pool and said I couldn't get in there with him because I would take up all the room. I cannot figure him out), and I picked up some goggles and pool rings and toys. Then home we went.
When I opened the box I was met with TWO booklets of instructions - both in English and both important. Instructions for a pool?!! Then I pulled out the pool. It was HUGE. I didn't really know where to put it. When I envisioned a blow-up pool I was thinking we'd drain it and refill it as we used it. Um, this was looking to be a permanent summer structure in our back yard. Josh was a little irritated, he didn't want it on the grass because it would kill the grass (I got that) and so I had to put it on the porch. As I got part way through the instructions, they told me to hook up the pump. Um...pump?! Do I have to?! Don't get me wrong, I saw the pump when I purchased, but I thought it was optional. Not really. SO I hooked it up. This simple summer project was taking HOURS. I went ahead and let the boys get in at one point because they were running around in swimsuits begging to go swimming. Patience is not their virtue. (they come by that honest)
I'd say the boys were pretty happy with the pool. It took about 4 hours to fill that sucker up. We went inside to eat supper then went back out to the pool, which still wasn't full. As I watched them play and laid down some ground rules (realizing this was, indeed, going to be a permanent structure in our yard this summer), I patted myself on the back. I am a pretty darn good mom. Ha. I got my kids a "real" swimming pool. (go with me here. it has a pump) I still didn't realize how "real" this pool was until later that night...
After the boys were dried off and the sun had gone down, I was reviewing the instruction booklet for how/when to turn the pump on and I realized that this pool requires chemicals. What the what?!!!??? So I made plans to hit up Walmart for said chemicals and really thought it was going to be an easy process. Wrong. First I had to find the darn pool chemical aisle, it wasn't where I found the pool which would be all too easy and smart. When I was directed to where I needed to go I rounded the corner and my eyes got super wide. So.Many.Options and So.Expensive. I started looking at my list (I brought the instruction books!) and looking at the prices. The chemicals were going to cost MORE than the stupid pool. Face palm. I was getting sweaty, just wanted to go home and drain the pool and bring it back. BUT the first paper I encountered when I opened the pool box was a yellow-alert paper that said to not return it to the store it was purchased. I should've known. The only saving grace in this whole debacle is I didn't bring the boys this time. I felt like my eyes were glazing over as I walked from one end of the aisle to the other, looking up and down, but not sure what I needed. I finally called my Mom in a mild panic, and had her walk me through what I needed right now, and what I could wait on. (Thanks MOM!!!!!!!!) I walked out a slight bit more confident and ready to tackle this chemistry experiment in the form of a pool.
The funny thing is as I was getting ready to check out with my basket of pool chemicals and a pool net, I saw three young women joyfully pushing a cart containing the same pool. They were clearly anticipating fun, lazy summer days tanning in the backyard and talking about their fingernails and boyfriends then hopping into this pool to cool off briefly. I had half a mind to stop them, show them my basket, and tell them to turn around and put it back. But I didn't...learning lessons are good for us all. And I didn't want to be the "old" lady that told them this wasn't what they thought it was.
With all this said we have enjoyed this little pool. The boys have played in it some and while they were visiting with Josh's parents for the weekend, Josh and I got a chance to enjoy it. It isn't huge, but it is refreshing. And the size is perfect for two little boys. Maybe we will try and take care of this pool so it will be around next year!
June 14, 2016
Memories in the Making, Texas style
As the boys get older, the memories that are being made with both sets of their grandparents are starting to "stick." Finn and Keagan seem to have a wonderful memory this summer of the fun activities from last year. Sometimes I have to go back in my memory bank (or ask Josh!) to remember it for myself. So as they reminisced about the fun things they did last year when we visited Grandma and Grandpa's house in Texas, it was fun to make new memories for them this trip.
Before we arrived in Texas, Finn told us that Grandpa was going to take him flying this time. All of our other recent trips down to Texas have been around important events and if we weren't busy with those the weather wasn't conducive to taking the boys flying.
This year, Uncle Wesley made it happen for these boys. And they were beyond excited!!! They've flown on commercial planes several times, but not yet in a private plane. Keagan thinks it's pretty cool, but Finn actually tells us he wants to be a pilot when he grows up, "like Uncle Wesley." He flies his hand like a plane sometimes, and is obsessed when he sees a jet trail in the sky. My brother took Josh and the boys up for a little flight and I took pictures, of course. :)
The boys standing by the plane before their flight:
And they're off! Can you see them waving in the backseat?
These boys. They are pretty sure their Uncle Wesley hung the moon. I love that even though Wes doesn't get to see them that often he makes sure to engage and teach them, and be present with them when he does. (this pic is after the flight...look how Keagan has his arm around Wes. He thinks his Uncle is super cool)
One thing the boys always remember from visiting Grandma and Grandpa is going swimming! This was Keagan's first time in the pool this season so I wasn't sure how much he retained from last year. This child is a fish...he actually got in the pool in his traveling clothes (with supervision, of course!) before we even got the van unpacked the night we arrived! He was beyond excited to go swimming! Finn, on the other hand, refused to get in the entire trip. I don't know that he even played on the steps. He just didn't care to get in, but was content to play around the pool and shoot Keagan (and passing planes) with the water gun!
I had to BEG to get a pic with Finn. And then I got a super cute photo-bomb with goggles!
If there is one thing I have been craving since I have been hugely pregnant it has been a margarita. Especially now that it is summer. So, Mom made me a virgin margarita to enjoy by the pool! It was refreshing...but there is nothing like a real one! I will just have to wait a bit... but until then, Cheers!
Finn wanted to be right next to Aunt Hannah during their cornhole game!
Since all the "kids" were "home" we decided to take some pictures on our last night. It is very rare that everyone (including Josh!) is all together. I love these pictures...and the outtakes are pretty good, too!
The three "kids" all home and together. We aren't in order of age. I am the oldest (34) then Wesley (25), then Hannah (19). I don't remember exactly what had us laughing, but I am fairly certain at one point Hannah was saying Wesley was the "perfect child" and he replied that he was the only "punctual" one after all... since he was the only one that arrived on his due date. I am pretty sure Hannah was late, and I was like 3 weeks late (yikes!). Anyways, whatever was said was funny and we all got a good laugh.
The whole fam-damily! :)
Josh and I joke with the boys during pictures by saying "Don't say NOODLES!" and they always say it!! I believe this came about when we got some school pictures back and they were PERFECT and SMILING TOGETHER. We asked what did the photographer say to them to get such great pictures, and they told us that he said "don't say noodles." Not sure if that works...as you can see below!
This is what happens when I tell everyone to stay where they are so I can adjust my settings since it was getting darker out...check out Hannah. Hahaha!
LOVE THIS ONE!
I was trying to get a picture of Mom and Dad....
Much better!
After the "photo session" Grandpa got out some styrofoam gliders. So much fun and lots of laughter as these planes "flew" all over the place and even kept landing in the pool!
So many, many fun memories were made during this trip. The boys had so much fun and were really so well-behaved. I love to reminisce about my memories from visiting my grandparents homes, and certain smells still trigger those memories that I had as a kid. There is nothing sweeter to me than seeing my kids make memories with my parents and Josh's parents. We have some seriously lucky little boys to be so loved!
The next day we loaded up the care and headed home. Josh and I were both scared to death to get back in the car with Finley, but we stopped at a Buc-ee's gas station (if you are unfamiliar and ever in Texas, stop at one...it's like an amusement park gas station!) and let Finn pick out some snacks (including this insane lollipop that he actually had eyed several days before and asked for before we got out of the car on our way home). He really didn't start whining at all until the very end of the 12-hour trip...and by then we were all whining!
Before we arrived in Texas, Finn told us that Grandpa was going to take him flying this time. All of our other recent trips down to Texas have been around important events and if we weren't busy with those the weather wasn't conducive to taking the boys flying.
This year, Uncle Wesley made it happen for these boys. And they were beyond excited!!! They've flown on commercial planes several times, but not yet in a private plane. Keagan thinks it's pretty cool, but Finn actually tells us he wants to be a pilot when he grows up, "like Uncle Wesley." He flies his hand like a plane sometimes, and is obsessed when he sees a jet trail in the sky. My brother took Josh and the boys up for a little flight and I took pictures, of course. :)
The boys standing by the plane before their flight:
And they're off! Can you see them waving in the backseat?
These boys. They are pretty sure their Uncle Wesley hung the moon. I love that even though Wes doesn't get to see them that often he makes sure to engage and teach them, and be present with them when he does. (this pic is after the flight...look how Keagan has his arm around Wes. He thinks his Uncle is super cool)
One thing the boys always remember from visiting Grandma and Grandpa is going swimming! This was Keagan's first time in the pool this season so I wasn't sure how much he retained from last year. This child is a fish...he actually got in the pool in his traveling clothes (with supervision, of course!) before we even got the van unpacked the night we arrived! He was beyond excited to go swimming! Finn, on the other hand, refused to get in the entire trip. I don't know that he even played on the steps. He just didn't care to get in, but was content to play around the pool and shoot Keagan (and passing planes) with the water gun!
I had to BEG to get a pic with Finn. And then I got a super cute photo-bomb with goggles!
If there is one thing I have been craving since I have been hugely pregnant it has been a margarita. Especially now that it is summer. So, Mom made me a virgin margarita to enjoy by the pool! It was refreshing...but there is nothing like a real one! I will just have to wait a bit... but until then, Cheers!
Finn wanted to be right next to Aunt Hannah during their cornhole game!
Since all the "kids" were "home" we decided to take some pictures on our last night. It is very rare that everyone (including Josh!) is all together. I love these pictures...and the outtakes are pretty good, too!
The three "kids" all home and together. We aren't in order of age. I am the oldest (34) then Wesley (25), then Hannah (19). I don't remember exactly what had us laughing, but I am fairly certain at one point Hannah was saying Wesley was the "perfect child" and he replied that he was the only "punctual" one after all... since he was the only one that arrived on his due date. I am pretty sure Hannah was late, and I was like 3 weeks late (yikes!). Anyways, whatever was said was funny and we all got a good laugh.
The whole fam-damily! :)
Josh and I joke with the boys during pictures by saying "Don't say NOODLES!" and they always say it!! I believe this came about when we got some school pictures back and they were PERFECT and SMILING TOGETHER. We asked what did the photographer say to them to get such great pictures, and they told us that he said "don't say noodles." Not sure if that works...as you can see below!
This is what happens when I tell everyone to stay where they are so I can adjust my settings since it was getting darker out...check out Hannah. Hahaha!
LOVE THIS ONE!
I was trying to get a picture of Mom and Dad....
Much better!
After the "photo session" Grandpa got out some styrofoam gliders. So much fun and lots of laughter as these planes "flew" all over the place and even kept landing in the pool!
So many, many fun memories were made during this trip. The boys had so much fun and were really so well-behaved. I love to reminisce about my memories from visiting my grandparents homes, and certain smells still trigger those memories that I had as a kid. There is nothing sweeter to me than seeing my kids make memories with my parents and Josh's parents. We have some seriously lucky little boys to be so loved!
The next day we loaded up the care and headed home. Josh and I were both scared to death to get back in the car with Finley, but we stopped at a Buc-ee's gas station (if you are unfamiliar and ever in Texas, stop at one...it's like an amusement park gas station!) and let Finn pick out some snacks (including this insane lollipop that he actually had eyed several days before and asked for before we got out of the car on our way home). He really didn't start whining at all until the very end of the 12-hour trip...and by then we were all whining!
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