We'll miss you Melece!!!

One of the young women from church is moving away....boohoo!!! She has been a wonderful addition to our small youth group. She is lively and fun and always in the mood for a hug. We will really miss you Melece!!! Here is a quilt I made for her as a going away gift. One of the other girls, Michelle, helped with the idea of the quilt. I really like the fabric...nothing says "I'm 16!" like hot pink polka dots and zebra stripes! There are a few more fun pictures below too :)

Why you do me like that Wal-Mart??

ARRGGHHH...You make me sooo mad Wal-Mart!!! I just got off of work at 11pm tonight and thought I would do some nice stress free, no kids shopping at Wal-Mart. I thought I would get a few things and maybe even try on some capris. Every mom knows how impossible it is to try on clothes when the kids are with you. I found 5 really cute pairs that I wanted to try on. So, I went over to the fitting rooms and there were 3 employees there putting clothes away. I asked to try on the clothes and they said that the fitting rooms close at 11pm! Since when do the fitting rooms close BEFORE the store closes...and it was barely after 11 anyways! I almost dropped my pants right there and tried them on!!! Now I have to somehow find time to go back there without the kids...or venture out to try on clothes WITH them...AND find the 5 cute pairs in my size that I wanted to try on tonight! I was so annoyed!!! And then I tried to do the rest of my shopping and could barely get around all the crap they were stocking. I really think that this may be the most GHETTO Wal-Mart in the WORLD!!

It makes me sick

We have TERMITES...and it just makes me sick! Right before leaving for the park today Carson was standing at the door and said "look at all the grasshoppers!". Once I looked over at the door I saw a ton of little bugs with wings. Luckily Dan was home today and so he came over and we started noticing them all over from the door to the window and even up the curtains! ARRGGHHH!!! While I was at the park, Dan had the Terminex guy come out and give us an estimate. It looks like he will be back tomorrow to take care of our termite issue. What a pain! This is definitely not how we want to spend our money...oh well! We did have a great time at the park!

What a great big brother!

Carson really is a great big brother. He has never once tried to hurt Brynlee and rarely ever gets jealous. Now that Bryn is getting a little older, it is so fun to see them interact with each other. This past weekend, they both woke up from their naps (they sleep in the same room) and were just laughing hysterically! We could tell Carson was doing something to make her laugh, b/c he would laugh and then Bryn would laugh right after him. Dan and I went upstairs to peak and see what they were doing. When we got up there we saw Carson jumping on his bed and playing peek-a-boo with Bryn. She was just laying in her crib and cracking up. It was soooo cute! I hope they will remain good friends forever!

Yeah for cute pictures!

We had a great time with my parents in town this past week. They were here for a whole week and it was so fun! My dad had business meetings, so during the day my mom and I just hung out with the kids. I wish they lived closer so we could do that more often. When my dad was done with meetings, he would come home and take some pictures (he's a photographer). I usually have no patience for getting pictures of my kids, but this time was so much better than ever before! Carson was a little challenging, but my dad was still able to get some good pictures of him around our neighborhood. We also did a few family pictures...and then there was Bryn! Just take a look...she was soooo fun! She is getting so smiley lately and so it was easy to get her to smile for the camera. I don't ever remember having such a hard time finding "THE photo"...there are sooo many good ones! She was such a ham! I'm so excited about the fun pictures of the kids...thanks dad, you're great! Mom and dad, we loved having you here, come back anytime!!

Check out my Slide Show!

I'm very blessed

So I've been complaining way too much lately. I thought I had good reason, but when I went to write my "complaining post", I just couldn't do it. I started it by writing the title "I'm sick of being sick" b/c we have had all sickness (strep, ear infection, pink eye, etc) in our house in the last 2 months. Every time someone seams to be getting better, we all get sick again...arghh! Which has made for many long nights, especially last night when I woke up 10 times to help the kiddos. Poor little Carson with his pink eye would wake up saying "My eyes...I can't see, my eyes!!!". It was so dramatic and sad. BUT, all that said, I really shouldn't be complaining. Both kiddos are on medications and hopefully are on the road to recovery. I'm just glad that they have these minor problems and not something more serious. For the most part they are healthy kids that sleep really well. They are a lot of fun and make me smile every day. I also have an awesome husband who is so hard working and always willing to help (well, he usually helps without me even asking...what a guy!) So, there you have it...I am very blessed!!

On another note, my parents are coming tomorrow...I can't wait! I'm really excited for them to come, the last time I saw them was at Thanksgiving. That's not super long ago, but when you have kids that keep growing and changing it's so fun for them to see them. I'm really excited for them to see how funny and smart Carson is and how adorable Bryn is (if I do say so myself). They'll be here tomorrow...yippee!!

And on an even other note...we went to Wegmans last night. We needed to go shopping, so why not drive an hour to go to the world's BEST grocery store ever? We of course had dinner there, which was especially yummy. Then did some shopping and bought our favorite cookies (Berger cookies baby!) and way too much bulk candy. It was a great trip...and well worth the drive :)

the funny things they say...

Kids say the cutest things! Last year on the 4th of July Carson kept calling the fireworks, "Fire Pops". Since then whenever he says "fire pops", I kindly remind him that they are actually called fireWORKS. So, this week he saw some fireworks on a show he was watching and said "look mommy, working pops!". What a sweet, confused boy he is!

What's been going on...

The National Epilepsy Walk

Last Saturday I participated in the 2nd annual National Epilepsy Walk that took place on the National Mall in down town DC. 5 other friends joined me and together we made up "Team Claire-Bear". The team name is after my niece, who has epilepsy, and who I dedicated this walk to. We arose bright and early to take the metro and get down there by 8am. The walk was only about 2 miles, but it was so fun to be part of a big walk and walking with such fun friends! We even got to see some of the gorgeous cherry blossom trees and some fun kites flying for the kite festival. It was a great walk....GO TEAM CLAIRE-BEAR!!!

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Bryn is already 6 months!

I know I say this all the time....but I can't believe my baby girl is 6 months already! Where did the time go? She is sooo cute (if I do say so myself) and is getting more fun every day. She is still a bit "high maintenance", but she has definitely improved her social skills. She use to scream with just a glance from a stranger, but now she is usual content with being held by anyone. She is also very willing to look at you with her sparkly blue eyes and give you a big smile...i love it! I've still only seen her roll over once, but I know she can do it! She is also getting a little better sitting up on her own. She can't totally do it, but she's getting there. She has been sleeping great, except for last night b/c of her stuffy nose. She is also more interactive and likes to watch her crazy big brother. She is also growing like a weed...at her 6 month check up she was 19lb and 27 1/2"....needless to say she's been wearing anything from 6m to 18m clothes!

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Carson Sings!

Carson has been singing more and more lately. He can do his ABC's pretty good and also sing just about all the words to "I am a Child of God". He always sings so quietly, but it's really cute. He is also working on his dance moves and currently loves to dance to Michael Jackson. He is a typical 2 year old...a pain some of the time, but an absolute joy the other times. He makes me laugh every day, so I'll keep him!

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Ken and Roxie came to town!

My oldest brother Ken and his wife Roxie and their 4m old baby, Jake came to visit this past weekend. They were only here for a short visit, but it was a lot of fun. It was really fun to see their new baby boy....he sure is cute! Jake and Bryn liked to talk "baby talk" to each other and reach for each others hands...or face...while laying on the floor. Carson fell in love with Ken and Roxie. He would play with them all the time and when he woke up each morning would ask if they were still here. Too bad we don't live closer! We had a good time catching up, talking about our kids, seeing the cherry blossoms, and playing name that tune....thanks for coming, come again soon guys!!!!