The Beach

Another awesome year at the beach with Mom and Dad and the rest of the gang. You can tell the 7 kids are getting older b/c there are fewer tears and less spats. I'm going to list a few highlights and memories for this post.

1 Singing praise and worship songs while Kevin kicking it on the guitar

2 Doughnuts every night..thanks Dad for the extra 5 pounds

3 The Pool, aweseome temperature and so much time spent with the kiddos learning to swim

4 River getting comfortable going under water and jumping off the edge of the pool

5 Mason sitting in the baby chair on the beach people watching

6 Professional pictures on the beach with the 7 kids

7 Dinner nights

8 Showers outside

9 Hauling our "house" to the beach everyday

10 Go-cart riding- River loving it.

11 Abby and Logan's Birthday celebration-more junk food

12 Kids pushing baby doll strollers, parents taking strollers away

13 Psychiatrist once again...

14 Many Many More...

We are so blessed to have our entire family healthy and able to spend the week together. The weather could not have been any better in Nagshead! Just beautiful.

River's Heart

It amazes how sensitive and empathetic River can be. The other day an SPCA commercial came on and the animals looked so sad in their cages. I looked over at River, who was crying. He said, it makes me so sad mommy to see the dogs in the cage..please don't let me see that commercial again. Tonight he walked in on me reading a friend's blog. I was starting to cry reading the post and he saw my tears, immediately tears starting running down his cheeks. I'm sad mommy because you are crying...he said and gave me a huge hug. Ohh River, these are happy tears I explained to him. Gotta love that boy's heart! He has the kindest soul. Thank you Jesus.

A few of River's latest sayings at 4...

River, I grew up here in Round Hill with GaGa and Poppa when I was a little girl. "Where was Mason and I mommy?" God had not made you yet. "Well, where did Mason and I grow up?"

We were in the car the other day and the song playing said "you paid the sacrifice." I asked River, what does that mean....he answered right away, "it means Jesus died on the cross for us."

"Been berry up there"..."Been berry hopa up there." A line from a movie that he changed and says all the time.

The phone..."the phone is not ringing..." Riv's change to the song...everything is "not".

"Mommy, can we go back to the submarine?" You mean the marina? "Yes, the submarina."

"Hey look, Daddy's bottom is the same age as my bottom..."

"Getty up horse..whoo hoo."

"Speed wreck."

1st Time Camping with Kiddos

So, Logan and I decided last weekend to go camping at the last minute at the mountain property. We borrowed Kevin's tent, picked up some hotdogs and smores ingredients and headed to the property. The boys were in love once we set up the tent by the creek. (no water though). We set up Mason's pack and play and Logan even took 2 mattresses out the the trailer so that we would be "glamping" it up. We decided to stay in the tent to give River the full "camp out" experience, even though the trailer is there as a back up. Good thing. Chris came with the boys and River was so thrilled. Then, Kevin brought the whole family. We cooked hotdogs over the campfire Logan made and then tons of marshmellows. I think Mason ate 3 hotdogs himself. Marley pooped in Chris' hands. (You'll have to ask the whole story sometime) The 3 boys pretty much killed a box turtle. Then the rain came about 830. We all headed to the single wide trailer and all decided to sleep there instead of the tent due to the rain. The kids were in heaven even with the bugs, rain, heat and dirt. They only care about being together. A lesson I hope I never forget. What a great memory. Did I mention 11 people and 3 dogs in a single wide. Logan worked to get Chris a working fan so that Chris could get 3 hours of sleep on the sofa. All the kids slept together, or they started out that way. I woke up in the middle of the night to Chris telling me River was crying for us to get him. So River slept with Logan and I the rest of the night and kicked Logan all night. All in all, I'm proud of the brothers for making it happen last minute. There will be more.

River's 4th birthday

You are four now big boy and I remember bringing you home from the hospital like it was yesterday. Such a great, happy baby. Doah smelled you and licked your head and you two have been the bested friends since. You continue to take naps, started Montessori school in January and have done awesome, did your first lesson today on the "a" box, just learned how to write your name, still full of energy, love to jump on the trampoline and ride the gator, would be naked all the time if you were allowed too, chew juicy fruit gum like it's no body's business, give the biggest hugs and say so many "Daddy, Mommy...." yes, riv, ..."i love you", love books, playing and laughing and running with Mason, playing games such as dominos, matching, i spy, word games in the car, enjoy any candy and ice cream, still call the basement, "dasement", wine or cry when mommy asks you to go to the bathroom, take showers with Daddy and baths with Mason, run or hide from the camera when anyone wants your picture, cry easily, ride your big bike (my motorcycle) on the road, park , and porch, struggle most nights to eat a good dinner unless Mommy and Daddy are helping you, take care of Mason, make your own snack and pour your own drinks, and always light up when I mention any member of your family or extended family. Did I mention, your crack us up. You are funny, oh so lovable, and love living life. Daddy and I are just so glad that God blessed us with you, our River bug, boo, Riv, Buddy!

You wanted a "race car" themed birthday party. We tie dyed t-shirts, beat a race car pinata, had races in the back yard, made homemade strawberry ice cream, had a scavenger hunt, played baseball, opened presents, enjoyed pancakes, bacon, sausage, and fruit (upon your request) and cupcakes. You loved every minute of it and even began to cry when you looked around at all of your family singing "happy birthday to you"..just so full of emotion. I continue to love your heart, River!

Marley, Mimi, and Kelly's Birthdays

Who says you need to wear clothing outside to eat lunch?