22 Months

I can't believe in 2 months we will have a two year old. Yikes! I will confess that today at Target I saw a birthday candle in the shape of a number two and I actually teared up. I cannot believe how big our little guy is getting and how fast the time is slipping by.  This past month was a whirlwind with two big trips to NC for weddings.  We also are in the midst of the intense summer heat here in LA so we have been trying to get creative with indoor things to do.  Here are just a few memories from this past month! 

We have discovered a new love of painting, with brushes and with fingers

If anyone has a young toddler you need to try this: it kept him busy for 30 minutes- long enough for me to cook dinner! We started off by dying rice different colors with food coloring. Then I gave him a couple of measuring spoons, cups, and a funnel.  He had a blast pouring and scooping! (yes it was a mess but it was totally worth the 30 minutes of peace) 

On the first Tuesday of every month you can get admission to Sci-Port Discovery Center for only $3.  We met some friends and had a fun time, and we plan on doing it each month this summer.  

One afternoon while Ryan was in charge they worked on T-ball skills and then went to the splash park afterwards to cool off and swing. 

We had an end-of-the year pool party for the residents and staff in Texas.  JT got to feed a goat! 

Of course we spent a good amount of time this past month at the airport, on the airplane (8 flights) and at the grandparents' houses. 

Hanging out at the Holland's

 James is still obsessed with trucks, cars, trains, and planes. Pop got him this really big truck to play with. 

Crazy boy loves to be silly and keeps us entertained with his idea of "humor". 

Had to include this memory- skyping with Daddy! Poor Daddy has been left a lot this past month, but we sure are thankful for technology so we can keep up with him. 

It has been a great month but I have to admit I'm thankful not to be traveling for a few weeks and having a sense of normalcy again!  James you have been such a trooper this month with all of our traveling, time changes, schedule changes, and your mom being busy with different commitments.  Your dad and I are so proud of you for going with the flow! (at least for the most part).  

Happy Father's Day!

Father's Day was celebrated over the course of several days in our household this year.  JT and I were going to be in NC on the actual holiday weekend so we decided to celebrate with Ryan the weekend before we left.  

A couple of weeks before Jennifer and I decided to take the kids to Arts on Fire.  I think about 5 minutes after getting started we realized we might have bitten off more than we could chew! :)  James started off okay but his attention span quickly dwindled and I realized he definitely wasn't going to be finishing the required three coats of paint. Oh well! It was still a fun way to spend an afternoon.  

Working on his airplane 

Decorating the coffee mug for Daddy 

I love this picture of Taylor, Reece, and Jen working hard on their plate.  It turned out  so cute! 

James couldn't wait to give his dad his present. You could tell he was pretty proud of himself for making the presents. The funny thing is James had talked about painting with Taylor multiple times since we went that day but fortunately Ryan didn't figure it out. 

Ryan thought the airplane was pretty awesome too. 

Later James assisted Ryan with breakfast in bed, lol. 

While I was picking up the house I noticed these shoes- I love the little reminders of our family that  are left out. 

Finished product- it was definitely 100 percent made by James! 

On the actual Father's Day I was sad not to be spending it with Ryan but I was excited to get to be with my dad.   We started off the day by going to church together.  JT is not a fan of the nursery there for some reason, but he actually made it through the service which was a vast improvement over Easter. 

Later that afternoon David drove in from Wilmington to celebrate with us.  I have an awesome brother.  He drove 2 hours both ways just to come for dinner since he had to work the day before and the day after.  

Giving Pappy his present. Anyone see James? 

James had a blast with Uncle David on this trip!

Hurray for self-timer pictures! 

Even though we didn't get to spend the actual day with Ryan's dad we did get to visit later in the week.  I"m pretty blessed to have such great men in my life and for James to have such awesome role models in his family. 

Working on JT's swing on our last trip to NC 

Strolling by the golf course

Of course I had to leave a little something for Ryan on the real holiday so he got to open a little gift along with his card while we skyped.  I have become a big fan of the photo cards. 

I always say it but I will say it again. One of the things that attracted me most to Ryan was knowing that he would be an amazing dad and seeing so many of the traits that I admire about my dad in him.  So thankful for him, my own dad, and father-in-law! 

6 Years and Counting!

I cannot believe it's been six years since we got married.  We have officially been married as long as we dated- crazy! I remember feeling like we dated forever, (probably because we were so ready to get married) but I feel like marriage has gone by fast.  Every year I think back to our wedding day and it always makes me a little sad because we had SO much fun getting married and part of me wishes I could go relive it again. (then I'm around my friends who are getting married now and I'm so thankful to have all the stress behind me, haha!)   Our whole wedding weekend was an incredibly special and fun time for us.  Not to mention two days after getting married we headed to a little piece of paradise, Anguilla!  I wouldn't mind heading there right now... :) 

Hanging out on our honeymoon. And no, I don't normally wear my hair in pigtails but it was very windy that day and it was the only way to tame my hair!!!

Needless to say celebrating this year was a little big different since little man was a part of all of it.  We decided since JT had been talking about donuts every day that we would all go to Krispy Kreme before church.  I have to admit that I am pretty particular about what James eats.  I just really want him to like healthy food so with the exception of ice cream that poor kid has not had a lot of sweets in his life time. Even goldfish are considered an exciting treat around here.  But...I'm finally loosening up a little bit and he definitely enjoyed his donut.  (and I am sure that by the time we have three or four kids I will not care at all what they eat, that's just something your first kid gets to deal with. Lol) 

That night we decided to all go out to get some Mexican food.  Long story short, James was awful so I ate the dinner alone while Ryan walked him around.  Not exactly a romantic anniversary dinner- oh well! Maybe next year we can get a babysitter. 

Of course when we got home we had to take our annual picture.  This helps me remember how many years it's been. I can truly say that I consider it an honor to be married to Ryan and I am incredibly thankful for the blessing of our marriage.  I hope and pray we will have many anniversaries to come! 

6 years!

Congratulations Drs. Clement!

I'm not sure exactly how you write this but I was thrilled to get to be a part of Drs. Carter and Meredith Clement's wedding!  That is a mouthful!  Meredith is one of the few people that I can honestly say I have been friends with since I was born.  Our moms were pregnant together, we have pictures of our dad's holding us at just a few weeks old, I can see her family's house from my house, we have taken family trips together, etc. etc.  Our families are more "family" than just friends and I was so excited for this special weekend. 

We started the festivities off with a bridesmaids' luncheon full of yummy food.  It was also fun to get to meet the other ladies in the wedding. 

Some of the bridesmaids and the mother of the bride. 

My sweet mom 

The beautiful bride 

That night after the rehearsal we had dinner and an after party. It was kind of funny for me because Carter is from New Orleans so I felt like there was a merging of both of my lives, especially when I walked into the rehearsal dinner and saw all the fleur de lis! 

High school friends- how has it been 10 years? 

All of my neighborhood moms: Brenda, Mom, Judy, and Jorja. 

The most talented wedding photographer ever!

The happy couple 

The next day was the big day and we started it off with a pre-wedding picnic.  

Little man decided to be a big mess! 

Playing with William 

We tried so hard to get a decent picture but the boys weren't really into it

Before I knew it it was time to be at the church.  

Okay, I might as well include it in the blog since I'm sure it will never be forgotten.  In the middle of the wedding in front of half of the town I almost passed out.  I have no idea why but it definitely rates as one of my most embarrassing but also hilarious moments in life. Praise the Lord Mr. Edwards caught me and I got to sit between him and Judy for the rest of the wedding, and then I jumped back into line for the end.  It actually was pretty funny and I can't wait to see if it made the video.  However I am praying that I don't have a repeat occurrence in a couple of weeks at Shannon's wedding. One fainting spell is enough! 

Greer did such a great job with my hair- so glad we they came from Wilmington. 

Hitting the dance floor with David 

Congrats Meredith and Carter!!!!