Cousins

It is so fun watching our kids grow up with other kids in our family. I am an only child and Dustin has one sister with a baby on the way, so our boys don't have any first cousins to play with (yet!). But they (and we) are blessed to have cousins ourselves who have kids (or in Dustin's case, his mom's cousin's kid's kids - say that three times fast!).

It's all girls for the family of cousins who live nearby. We've run into them out in town, and we've been able to make their parties and vice versa. We recently attended the oldest girl's 4th birthday party, and our kids had a blast playing together.

 



We were coming home from Southern's religion class last night, and we were talking about the closing prayer. We were remembering what all Southern prayed for to thank God in class and started adding some more. Out of the blue, Southern added these girls' names to our prayer list. So sweet.

It's all boys on my side of the family! Here are the five great grandsons on our recent family trip to the beach. The older three especially had fun with each other, and Remington will be right there with them next year I'm sure. Give the baby a couple years and he'll be in the mix as well :)

 



But no matter their age, they are COUSINS, and Southern knows cousins = playmates. He gets so excited to hear about upcoming visits with cousins. I get excited to see them interact, and I love how they are growing up with each other.

Religious Education Classes

Southern starts his Religious Education classes this week! I'm so excited. He is as well. He loved attending bible school this past summer and has been asking to go back. Now he will be able to go to "school" once a week from now until Easter. Yay!

The church really encourages parents to be involved, and I'm excited about that too. There are four "family days" throughout the year in which the parents and siblings participate as well, be it in the classroom or at church.

His grade level will be using the "Stories of God" program. The classes are an hour and 15 minutes long, so of course there will be "potty breaks" and "playground breaks" during class. He'll be able to meet some new friends. He's going to love it!

The Big 3-0

My husband is turning 30 this weekend. He says it's no big deal - he still feels young...

 

 

 

Here's to the next 30 years!

Christmas Wishlists

I know - it's just September - but I've already started on the kids' wishlists. I have finished my Christmas shopping for them and Dustin already. I just have a few more things to go, and I'll be finished with everyone actually. I like to do my Christmas shopping throughout the year when we have a little extra money here and there and/or when I find something good on sale.

And just in case you want to start early too, here are some ideas. There is nothing that I can think of that they "need" other than consumables like diapers, wipes, food, etc. So there is nothing on these lists that they cannot live without. Don't feel like you have to shop exclusively from them. It is great if you do, but if nothing else, they will give you an idea of sizes and likes.

Here is the link to Southern's list - http://amzn.com/w/HYOJX1UZZF6V

He has been dying for a camera of his own, so that is one thing on his list that would be important. He only has two towels that are big enough and not the baby size, so that's also something he could use as well as some more pj's (size 6 or larger) and a robe that fits him. And the Columbia fishing shirt would get a lot of use.

Here is the link to Remington's list - http://amzn.com/w/2JUD1VE29NUSC

Of course the matching fishing shirt would be adorable. Remington is very into little figures right now. He loves playing trains with Southern too. Some more forks and insulated cups with straws would be great as well as a couple more waterproof bibs. But again, this list is full of lots of good stuff to give you ideas :)

I can't wait for the holiday season!!

Schlitterbahn

 

The boys enjoyed their first trip to Schlitterbahn yesterday! See the short video clip below:

 

 

We made it a family affair when we ran into cousins Paige, Kate, and Brooke in the parking lot! It was a fun surprise to see them, and we were able to spend most of our time together. We stayed mainly in the toddler play area for the first half of our time there. We ate our packed lunch. Then we did a ride around the "Turbulent River". The younger girls, Remington, Jordan, and I then played in the shallow water on the "beach" while Jordan's mom Cathy took Paige and Southern on a pirate ride. They were able to do it by themselves. She would stand at the entrance and watch them go up the stairs. Then she would run around to the bottom of the slide and be there when they came down. They loved it and would have stayed there all day.

 

Then it was time for the cousins to go home. We stayed another hour or so, riding the river 3 more times. Southern was in a life jacket and was swimming on his own. I was holding onto Remington who was nodding off in his tube. It would have been a perfect nap time if we hadn't gotten sprayed with water so much. It kept waking him up. So we gathered our things, changed into dry clothes, and made our way back home. What fun!

Twins almost 3 decades apart

15 Months Old

We went in for Remington's 15 month doctor's appointment this week. With these two guys, everything's an adventure.

 

 

The appointment went well. Remington was right on target for most things. The only thing he was "behind" on was teeth. He still only has 6. But Dr S said this was an advantage - "more time in the factory putting on more coats" was how he put it. It also means that he will be "late" on adult teeth, and that's what's most important. It's an advantage. Yay!

He checked out well. He weighed 25 lbs 4 oz and was 32.5 inches tall. He has 2 shots and didn't cry for either. The nurse administering them said it was her first in all her years of nursing that a baby didn't cry. She said she's seen them not cry with the first shot, but never with both. Our little brave guy :) He did have some serious thumb sucking right afterwards though.

 

 

 

 

Both boys acted really nicely during the visit. Dr S is a stickler for manners, and he complimented Southern on acting like a gentleman during the visit. And, of course, being in the dinosaur room was a hit!