Random Summer Pics

We've decided to take a moment to post some random pics we've taken over the last few months. It feels like we haven't had a chance to catch our breath lately, with so much going on. A crazy school semester and even crazier tenants in our house have made this a very stressful and busy month. We apologize for our tardiness in posting, and hope to catch up soon. Until then, enjoy!

What's a summer without good bubbles?

This is Aaron right after a LONG nap. He just looked so cute, even though he was grumpy, that I just had to catch the moment.

Here is how we entertain ourselves...

Earlier this summer, Pauls parents came for a visit. Needless to say, I think we wore them out! ("Hey Gwampa, wake up!")

Family Fun

Our most recent adventures have been with Paul Family.
This is a picture of a baseball game that we went to. With the Dodgers vs. the Brewers. While the atmosphere of the game was good, as well as the company, the weather was pretty cold, making for great snuggling. We love spending time together.

The beach is always a good excursion to go on, and even more so by seeing wildlife. This is a baby sealion that we saw on the beach, it seemed to be sick or lost, because it didn't seem do much besides sit there, I guess they could say the same thing about us, we just sit on the beach as well not doing a whole lot, but it sure is fun and relaxing.

This was Aarons first time at the ocean, and he loved it. One big sand box with water close by, what better way to get dirty!

Paul's parents love playing with the boys at the beach, and the boys love spending time with them. Being buried in the sand is something everyone needs to experience some time. This was one of Logan's times.

A Traumatic Week

Our sweet Aaron gave us quite a scare this week. When I went to check in on him at the end of naptime on Tuesday, I found him having trouble breathing and completely limp. He couldn't even support his own head or lift a single finger. Needless to say, I was absolutely freaked out! I called 911 and told them the situation and they sent an ambulance over immediately. A minute before the ambulance arrived, my visiting teachers arrived for their scheduled appointment that I had forgotten about in my panic. On finding me frantic about Aaron, they quickly offered a prayer, and told me they would watch Logan while I took Aaron to the hospital. It was my own miracle having them there when I needed help so badly! So the ambulance arrived and whisked us off to the children's hospital in DC, sirens blaring. At this point, Aaron was completely out of it and wasn't aware of anything around him. When we arrived at the hospital, there was a room full of emergency staff ready to take care of him. It turns out he had a seizure due to a high fever, and we have had to watch him carefully to be sure it doesn't happen again. They think he has a viral infection that caused the fever, but we are still waiting for the results of some of the tests. He is doing better now, but keep our little guy in your prayers.

Memorial Day

We are several weeks behind in our blog, so this is our update. Several weeks ago was Memorial Day, and we thought it would be nice to go to Arlington National Cemetary to remember those who have fallen while fighting in defense of our great nation. Every Memorial Day the Old Guard places flags in front of all of the tombstones in the cemetary. It is an amazing site.

We also had tickets to the speach given by President Bush given at the ampitheater next to the tomb of the unknown soldier. It was very stirring to listen to the Army Band play for several hours before the speach, then we had the opportunity to listen to the President, and to see him fairly closely. His remarks were very inspiring and made us think of the many great blessings that we enjoy living in this free nation where we are able to worship, act, think, speak, and persue the desires of our hearts. Gratitude is the best word to describe the feelings we felt while listening and contemplating the message and music that was presented.

God Bless America!

Monticello

This week we thought it time for another adventure! Our escapades took us to the Thomas

Jefferson estate, Monticello. Isn't the house beautiful! It was enormous for the time period, as you could fit the average 1700's home in the front foyer. By today's standards, it was actually surprisingly small. The photos make it look larger than it is. It was still impressive though!

Here is the graveyard and memorial to Thomas Jefferson.

The gardens were extensive, as seen below. This picture captures only a fraction. Multiply it by about 20 to get the true scope.

Here is a sweet picture of Aaron and his daddy.

The house is surrounded by flowers which were in full bloom during our visit. How accommodating of them!

The flowers were breathtaking!

Aaron and his toothy smile! What a little trooper, and a ham!

Logan was not quite so happy. We knew our visit was over when the melt-downs started. Poor kid. Time to go home. But what a neat experience!

Air Show

Rebecca had school this last weekend, so the rest of us had a boys day out. Yea! What better thing to go do than go and see than an air show. The day didn't start out real great in as soon as we stepped off the bus at the show, a jet passed by really close and naturally made a lot of noise. Logan then started to cry and said "I want to go home." Off the bus less than two minutes and he is ready to go home. Aaron and I needed to convince him to stay, so we started to look around at all of the neat vehicles. Climbing aboard and learning about these airplanes, helicopters, and other military vehicles finally loosened Logan up. Aaron was pretty calm through the whole thing.

The boys now know that this is a tank and it makes big holes in things.

This is a stryker, or also known as a green ambulance to younger crowd.

"Airplane go real fast," and "airplane real loud," is Logans explaination of the F-16.

The Blue Angels were really amazing. There were many different flying groups and stunt planes that put on performances. They also had the Golden Knights, or the Army parchute team jump and put on a performance with smoke streaming behind them. A day of pure testosterone, nothing wrong with that; even after a little bit of a rocky start.

Logan's 3rd Birthday

On Monday we celebrated Logan's 3rd birthday. He has been looking forward to this day ALL YEAR. Every day he would tell me "my birthday is on May, May twelf." Especially after we celebrated Aaron's first birthday, Logan could hardly contain his excitement for his birthday. Well, after much anticipation, and a few temper tantrums, here are the pics from Logan's big day.

He got a case of Star Wars Mr. Potato heads...

His favorite is Darth Vader. He even imitates the creepy breathing!

Of course, we have to include birthday cake pictures. You'd hope by this birthday we could have taught him more gentleman-like manners, but no such luck. The fork was a wasted effort.
And Aaron likes to copy big brother...

He also got a lefty golf club, gummies (yum) and finger puppets from grandparents. (Thank you!) It was a fun day, if you discount all of the naughty little things boys do when they are overly excited (like snitching four birthday cupcakes when mommy was taking a shower. At least he shared with Aaron, right? Does that count for something? :-) ).

Happy Birthday Logan! We love you so much!

Happy Mother's Day!

This post is dedicated to our mothers out there whom we love very much. We want you to know how much more we have come to appreciate your efforts and patience now that we are parents too!

The top 10 things we've learned about motherhood...

1. A mother's work is never done.

2. A mother never stops worrying about her children, no matter how old they are.

3. ALL mothers are working mothers

4. Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs, since the payment is pure love.

5. It kills you to see your children grow up, but I guess it would kill you quicker if they didn't.

6. We never know the love of a mother until we become mothers ourselves

7. Every day of our lives we make deposits into the memory banks of our children.

8. When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.

9. Sweater, n.: garment worn by child when its mother is feeling chilly.

And..........drum roll.........

10. Mothers are:

Multi-tasking

Outstanding

Tender (tired)

Heaven on earth

Encouraging

Reliable

Grandma Wheeler

Thank you for listening to me through my ramblings and rough days!


I love the memories I have of our outings and activities together. I will keep them forever!


I am a better person because of the love you have shown me throughout my life.

I love you mom!

Grandma Rose

I love you Gran'ma Rose!

We love your squeezes, and your visits.


I love you mom, thank you for all that you have done for me. You are the greatest.

Today's blog: Smiles and Sleepers

Smiles...

This is what I have the pleasure of seeing every day!

Sleeping...
Unfortunately, the boys have been sick for the last two weeks. It was so sad to watch Aaron crawl to a pile of blankets and snuggle himself in. He just laid there for a while looking miserable until he finally fell asleep.

Logan did the same, crawling in my bed and dozing away. As a mother of two VERY active little boys, this was extremely unnatural behavior to witness. Needless to say, I got to spend the last two weeks snuggling my sick little boys. You couldn't hear me complaining, though. :-)

Now everyone is healthy at last, just in time for Aaron to get a bloody nose. *sigh*

What's a mother to do... poor kid.

Robins

When we first arrived at our apartment here, we discovered a birds nest on our back porch lamp. We have been delighted twice now to find it occupied by little robin families.

The other day I found these three eggs in it, although a 4th egg followed shortly.

Here are the brand new baby robins, fresh out of the egg! It is amazing to watch the parents swoop in to feed the babies. The tiny robins stretch their necks up as far as they will go and cheep furiously for the rights to the first worm.

Speaking of wildlife, we found this guy while washing our car. He was sleeping contentedly when our little Logan decided to investigate. Luckily I saw what was going on and grabbed hold of Logan, or I don't know who would have gotten the bigger surprise, Logan or the possum.