The Hales Come for a Visit!

Kenden showing Talan how to use the VERY SLOW 4 Wheeler!


On Saturday, our good friends from Mechanicsville, Virginia, Justin, Jenny and Talan Hale came for a visit! Justin and Jeff grew up together and Justin was even in our wedding many moons ago, and it was so nice to get to see them and catch up. Talan is only 6 months younger than Kenden and they had a ball playing together outside in the heat! It was so humid and hot here on Saturday, but both boys were determined to stay outside and make us adults suffer and sweat! We took them to the park after naptime and the highlight of Talan's day was getting to ride in a different car, while the highlight of Kenden's day was not riding in a carseat on the way there (Oh, don't get your panties in a bunch, the park is right around the corner, 30 seconds away from our house)....Kenden thought he was so cool riding in the 3rd row with mommy! Talan said, "Dat was FUN!"

That night, our sitter Brianna came over and the 4 of us went to a wonderful dinner at my favorite place, One Fish, Two Fish! YUM-O!

Thanks so much for a fun visit Justin, Jenny and Talan and we hope to see you all here again really soon!

"Kenden-isms"

Conversation in the car tonight on the way home from the gym...
Kenden: "Mommy?"
Me: "Yes Kenden?"
K: "Mommy, will you pese drive fast!?"
Me: "I can't drive any faster Kenden; the policeman will give mommy a ticket."
K: "Where's da po-ese man mommy?"

Conversation AFTER Kenden got in trouble in the car upon arriving home from the gym...
K: "Don't pop my hand!!" (while crying)
Me: "Don't kick at me when I am trying to get you out of the car."
K: (to his blankie) "Blankie, I'm sorry, but I'm MAD!"

Conversation after bath tonight...
K: "Mommy, what's your first name?"
Me: "You tell me, what is my first name?"
K: "Am-mer"
Me: "Right!"
K: "What's Grammie's first name?"
Me: "Do you remember what it is?"
K: "Pam!"
Me: "Right! What about Papa?"
K: (thinking hard, but not able to come up with anything) "Papa's lazy and Grammie's crazy!" (His father taught him that!)

Happy 8th Anniversary Amber and Jeff!

Hard to believe 8 years have passed since Jeff and I got married (and we've been together for 11 years total!), but here we are on our 8th anniversary. I jokingly tell Jeff all the time that I am the only thing he hasn't traded in for a new model! It has been a great 8 years and I am looking forward to many more for sure!

Happy Memorial Day 2008! A Day at the Beach...

Playing With Mommy in the Sand....


...And in the Water!

Boy, this Stuff is COLD!!

Your Turn to get in that COLD Water Dada!

You know, I have to say that today was one of those days that I couldn't help but think to myself that life couldn't get any better. Aside from the fact that we were blessed with this beautiful weather and we live 10 minutes from the beach, we were also blessed to be born American~blessed to be free and to be protected by troops who fight daily for our freedom to live the way we do! A special shout-out and thank you to our Troops, state-side and abroad...

Jeff and I decided to take Kenden to the beach for the first time this summer, and boy, we couldn't have asked for a better day. Sunny, breezy, and about 83 degrees. AND, Kenden LOVED the beach for the first time ever. The first 2 summers were torture taking him the beach. He was really too little the first summer (8-9 months) and whined the whole time, then last summer, he whined the whole time because he HATED the sand. This year, totally different story...he didn't want to leave! It was great. He and I sat in the sand, dug holes, made sandcastles (that Kenden liked to crush) and we even played in the super COLD water! Jeff let Kenden get pummeled a few times, but Kenden took it in stride, getting a sip of juice to wash away the nasty saltwater taste, and a wipe off of the face, and he was back at it again! When we got home, he said, "Mommy, I had so much fun at da beach!" I have to say, I agree!

Happy Birthday Dear Daddy, Kelly, and Sammy! Dinner with the Jennings!

"Uh, Kenden, do you think you could hook me up with some of those Goldfish?"

See, Kaz doubles as a good place to sit and eat...

A Boy and His Dog...

ATTACK of the Large, Slobbery Dogs!!

Sunday evening, the Jennings joined us for dinner and birthday cake to celebrate Kelly and Sam's birthdays (in May) and Jeff's birthday (coming up in the next week, June 4th). I have to say that this was probably the most successful dinner we've all had, where we ALL got to sit down at the table TOGETHER and eat, rather than 2 adults at a time, while the other 2 adults watched the kids!! It was a great time. The boys had a blast playing outside in the backyard with the dogs, rocks, and other "boy" stuff, while we adults got to talk, cook the dinner, and eat shrimp! Jeff and I were most amazed at our "fraidy-dog" Kaz, who was not afraid at all! He ran around, played with the boys, and didn't seem fazed at all that Kelly and Sam were in the backyard. I guess his anti-anxiety meds are working! Yes, he really is on meds...long story. Anyway, Kelly, Sam and Blake, thanks for a great time, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you both!

The Jennings, Kelly, Sam, and "Baby" Blake (that is what Kenden calls Blake, even though Blake isn't really a "baby" anymore!)

Mommy, Daddy and Kenden

Kelly with Blake!

Mommy and Kenden!

Happy 3rd Birthday Lucas!

Going Down the Swirly Slide at the Park!

Watching Lucas Open his Presents!




What a busy weekend we had this Memorial Day weekend! On Saturday, Jeff and I took Kenden to the Virginia Aquarium in the morning. Then on Sunday at 11, Kenden and I went to our friend Lucas Gordon's 3rd Birthday Party at City View Park! It was a gorgeous day, perfect outside party weather, and Kenden had a ball playing at the park, singing the birthday song to Lucas, eating icing off Lucas's Curious George cake, and watching Lucas open his presents. I was amazed to see Kenden scoot right up to Lucas, and just watch him open each present. He never tried to help, just watched, but he totally enjoyed looking at everything Lucas received. So hard to believe that Lucas is 3 now! Happy 3rd Birthday Lucas and we wish you many more to come!

If You're Happy and You Know It....

Today, Kenden was in his bed for naptime but was still not asleep yet. He has a habit of getting in bed for nap, then taking a poo and not being able to fall asleep (who would!?). After 30 minutes of being in there and not sleeping, I decided to go in and check on him. As I came down the hall, I could hear that he was singing and clapping his hands. When I walked in, he was singing "When you're happy and you know it clap you hands!" It was so sweet. I started to sing with him, and he said, "Do da 'HOORAY' part mama!" So we did If You're Happy and You Know it Shout HOORAY! I just love that kid...so adorable....