Summer: North Carolina

I am so behind on blogging!! Since school started up, I 've been missing all the fun we had together with no school all summer.  Something about having all my kids home with me under my roof makes me feel happy.  We took a road trip up to the mountains in N.C. The kids LOVE it there.  This time Trisha and her family came, which made it even better! We had a blast at the July 4th celebration!

 

 We broke out the kiddie pool in the driveway, and had a blast!!

                                                                    Cousins

 We hiked the waterfall at Mini Haha, and did pony rides.  I was a nervous wreck at the waterfall, but it was such a good time.  Only a few falls....

       The kids favorite part of North Carolina, feeding the deer.  This one came up soo close while Carson was bringing out the corn.  The kids also loved watching the bats at night, taking walks, and Cole is still talking about Uncle Dave and the "works" (fireworks he kept setting off). 

Miss Brielle was a major trooper in the car and throughout the entire trip.  She's got quite  a few miles on her now! It was an awesome family vacation, full of all the simple things that make life wonderful.

Back to School!!!

School started yesterday, I can't believe the summer flew by so fast!

Carson started 1st Grade! Such a big kid.  He said he was a little nervous, but once we got to school he was great. He came home after school so excited to get to have an agenda!  Such a big kid.  I still can't believe I have a first grader!!

Poor Cole was devestated all morning.  Anything Carson and Brynnli did to get ready for school he did.  He got dressed and insisted on matching his brother.  He ate the same thing for breakfast, and even brushed his teeth with Carson.  When it came time to leave he ran and found his backpack and said, "me!me!"

 Brynnli started pre-Kindergarten, which is free the year before Kinergarten in Florida.  She was sooooo excited to start school.  Not scared one bit, and when we dropped her off she never looked back.  I caved in and let Cole come with me to take her to school, he insisted on bringing his backpack and when Brynnli's new teacher showed her the hook to hang her backpack up, he followed along and hung his up too.  When I picked Brynnli up from school she looked a little upset, so I asked her what was wrong and she said, "I never got to go on the bus!" They go on a field trip once a  month on the bus, and I guess she thought they went everyday.  She's too funny.

Cole was so devestated I let him do whatever he wanted (within reason) during Brielle's nap with me.  We played in the hose and jumped on our trampoline.  Love this kid.  He's so fun.  But he really missed his brother and sister!!!

Cole's 2nd Birthday

Our little Cole turned two yesterday.  He's the best.  We spent the whole day laughing.  He's so hilarious.  Rick brought home a chocolate birthday donut for Cole.  He loved it.  He's obsessed with lawnmowers. So I bought him a toy weed whacker online.  We opened it and he loved it.  Until an hour later when it died.  Cole was devestated, so we drove over to Toys R Us and found another one.  We went to Chic-fil-A for lunch and spent the rest of the day having fun.  We played, swam, Cole helped daddy mow the lawn, and had cake. 

 Cute capes made by Grandma Christensen

 Cole stats: 27 Lbs, 36 in

                      Favorite food: Pizza, cheese, peaches

Favorite toy: lawnmowers

Cole is so happy.  He loves sleeping and asks to go to bed when he's tired. So different from the other kids. He loves playing with the other two kids.  He loves holding Brielle.  He is tough, and sweet at the same time.  He loves to swim, and is really good at it with his floaties on.  He also really loves to dance. 

Words: He says lots of words, especially, "mamower", and loves his "night night" (paci) at bedtime.  He also LOVES his grandpas and his daddy. 

When we kept telling Cole it was his birthday today, he kept blowing like he was blowing out his candles.  He was too cute singing happy "day" "day" to himself too.  He is really such a joy.  Love that kid.

Goodbyes

Our best friends of 7 years moved away this week.  We met when we were both pregnant with our first babies.  We've done almost everything together since then.  They really are like family to us.  We had a fun last few weeks of hanging out before they left.  We had a swim party, went to the zoo, visited Rick at the fire station, went to see the Gator Boys at Holiday Park, and got free ice cream!!! We miss you Wernlis, come visit soon!!

Six weeks

Can't believe that this little sweetie is six weeks old!! She's such a happy girl.  I can't believe how fast the time is flying by, I want her to stay little like this longer. 

Schools Out for the Summer!!

Finally! I always thought before my kids were in school that I would love having one kid less at home everyday, but I was wrong, I miss them when they're gone and can't wait to have them here to hangout with this summer. 

We LOVED Brynnli's preschool this year.  She was taught by a some friends from church out of their home.  After some moveouts, etc, the class ended up two girls and three boys.  As girly as Brynnli is, you'd think that she'd be bummed that more girls weren't in her class, but she has loved hanging with the boys.  So proud of how much she grewup this year and for all she learned.  I'm going to miss her so much next year when she has pre-school every morning.  Last day of school Brynn's teachers had a "Carnival" since they're from Brazil.  The kids dressed up in costume and put on a show, and then we went to ChicFila to celebrate. 

 Carson's class had an end of the year program.  It was super cute.  They sang songs, and did cute dances.  We were so impressed at all Carson learned this year.  He can sing all the presidents and states and learned how to read.  So proud of him. 

Carson's teacher, Mrs. Kelso. He loves her.  He burst through the door crying the last day of school.  He's told me at least three times since then how much he'll miss her.  So cute.  So thankful for her for making him feel special this year. 

To celebrate end of school and summer, last night we had movie night with popcorn, cookies, and candy.  It was so fun.  I feel like the kids are getting old enough that we actually get to have fun with them, instead of just telling them what to do.  I love our little family.  Brielle slept in the swing the entire night, which helped the event be a success.  Can't wait for many more nights like this one. 

Brielle's Blessing

We blessed Brielle at church and were so excited to have lots of family and friends there to celebrate.

 Our best friends the Wernlis came down.  We've been friends almost seven years and have gone from just the four of us to having eight kids between us! A lot has changed!!

Brielle looked beautiful and was a very well behaved girl as always.  What a little sweetheart she is, we're so blessed to have her in our family.