Woodard/Hogan Beach Trip- year TWO

Okay…I can’t believe I am this behind posting about our beach trip.  This year was totally different than last year in that it was soooo much easier than last year.  Last year, we had a 6 month old, 1 yr old, two 2 yr olds, and a 3 yr old.  This year, in case you can’t add a year, we had a 1 yr old, an almost 2 yr old, two 3 year olds, and a 4 year old.  MAJOR difference.  I will not go as far as to say that it was EASY because it never is with children.  In fact, I wish I had a dollar for every time that Matt had to take Campbell out to our suburban to spank him so that he didn’t cry after the spanking and wake the other kids.  We definitely had some behavior issues (at least the woodards did…I wont speak for the hogans).  It was fun to see the kids starting to interact more each year.  We did NOT have the security guards come check on us this year…we did have a few squabbles over beach toys and inside toys but nothing too major.  Amy and I even got to go lay out and visit a couple of days which was SOOOOO nice to have adult girl talk time.  Again, just like last year, our favorite thing about the trip, was putting the kids in bed and going out to the balcony to eat cookies/dessert and visit until late.  Im telling you it is just the BEST!  We LOVE going with the Hogans…they get us and all of our quirks and deal with our children being…children.  Really, just typing this makes me wish it was next year and we were on the trip again.

Our traveling was wonderful.  We stopped quickly for gas once and lunch and that’s it.  WONDERFUL!

As soon as we got there, the men unloaded the cars while we wrangled the kids…you can tell we were doing a great job since they were immediately into cabinets.  HA!  

The men and Trigger left to get groceries while amy and I tried to get the pack and plays put up and monitors set up…sound machines…night lights…etc. etc. etc.Nolan and Hallie LOVE Matt…and matt loves them…and no, he isn’t hurting them…he is tickling them and they were laughing!!We laughed because Matt was kind of our rule setter.  He did a great job of trying to keep us from having complete meltdowns OR alarms go off in the elevator like last year…below is the boys with their “hands by their side while riding the elevator”Day one of the beach.We went to Cobalt to eat one night..LOVE it.

We had the kids eating at one table while the adults were at the other table.  We cooked breakfast (of cinnamon rolls, eggs, pancakes, or other easy things).   We usually at sandwiches for lunch and went out to eat at night.  Gabe turned 30 while we were down there!  We had cupcakes to celebrate.  This was dessert and fun on the balcony at night.Another beach day…These pictures turned out funny…I think the guys had a blast creating them.  The Hogans bought our kids pottery barn beach towels so they all had matching towels.  I wish we couldve gotten a better picture but you know, not always the easiest to get five to cooperate.  We decided to do something different for pictures this year.  We went to a different location.  It is a place that a real photographer took us when we had professional pics made a few years back.  It had some great things…like there was no one around and no condos or chairs in the back ground.  However, we had sand and water covering us and had to get back in our vehicles.  We did get some pretty good pictures.  Besides the sand in my car, it was a successful trip in that we got a few good shots…and the kids had FUN.  We just kind of let them play instead of making them pose the entire time.  I didn’t get any of my three like I wouldve liked but OH WELL. 

I have recently taught myself how to curl my hair…I know that sounds stupid because how hard can it be, right?  Anyway, I like to curl my hair to give it a little volume.  I can’t do it every day because it takes too long.  Anyway, I asked amy if she wanted me to curl her hair…look how cute it turned out…BTW, she has the exact same texture as my hair. FINE!  I sent this picture to my dad and he said, “yall look like sisters”.  I guess I am the WAY older sister, right, amy?  We both took some shots of each others family….I think I might have taken a 1000 of the hogans because I am not checked out on amys camera.  Oops!  Oh and we got some back end shots of us walking away.  OH MY WORD…make me want to VOMIT!  White pants and back end shots are never a good combo…unless you are a size 2 or maybe 4 but obviously I am NEITHER of those. 

We literally took a few shots and within minutes my boys were soaking wet up to their arm pits.  SUCH typical boys!

The woodard/hogan crew!Larkin---she is ALWAYS into something!I had the girls with me when I was trying to get ready one night…the girls loved playing in my make up. 

We tried to go to the zoo one evening.  We had the kids all hyped up about it.  Got there at 430 and guess what?  They close at 4.  Why didn’t we think of that?  The kids were beyond sad…like I think I had tears from one of mine.  So, we took them to the Track.  This is the first time that we have taken ours.  DEFINITELY worth it.  They had a blast!Gabe took Campbell one time…I sat out with the girls and Amy had Nolan.  So fun. 

The next morning, we took the kids to the zoo as soon as they opened and then went to the beach afterwards (which is why boys have on swimsuits).Campbell was cackling laughing at the animals eating out of his hands.  Campbell wanted a stuffed kangaroo.  He kept calling it his “candy-roo” .  The boys slept together this year. They did pretty good.  Campbell did get in trouble a few nights and had to go visit the suburban.  Poor little guy.As I said, it wasn’t an EASY trip…we still had lots of crying.  BUT, way better than last year!!!!Love miss hallie!!!The last night, we chose to stay in and feed the pkids whatever we had left in the fridge.  They watched a movie and ate their supper on the floor.  They loved it.  The guys picked up supper after kids were in bed.  It was a very relaxed end to our trip. 

The kids learned quickly of the picture ritual as we were leaving the condo.  Campbell was really into this photo session.  This was our last picture before we left.And this is how we all felt when we got home.  HA!

Another great beach trip…I can’t wait to go back with the Hogans next year!!!!!

Trigger- Trinity

We had such a great two years at Trinity’s preschool program.  We were so blessed to have Lisa as Trigger’s teacher both years.  She taught Trigger in the 3 year class and then moved up to the 4 year old class which was great for us because we LOVE her.  Trigger really grew this year…academically, socially, and physically.  He couldve started Cedar Creek prek but we chose to hold him back and send him to Trinity’s 4s.  It was such a great decision.  Since I taught at Cedar Creek prek, I know what is required of the children and what they learn, he wouldve been okay had he gone but I feel like he wouldve constantly been playing catch up.  The light bulbs  switched on this year  and he is fully ready for CC prek for this coming up year. 

Trinity preschool had an end of the year program in the middle of May.   It was an Eric Carle theme and turned out so cute.  Trigger has gotten so much better at being on stage but you can still tell that he is scared…his tongue sticks out quite a  bit….it’s his sign of being nervous. 

Trigger and Sam…He LOVES playing with Sam.  It is kind of neat because Sam’s mom and I were friends all growing up and our moms were friends.Sam, John Parker, Alex, Trigger, and George…they are missing a couple of other boys that had already left.  The four on the left will be at Cedar Creek PreK this year…all of them will be five starting prek.Trigger and Catherine Williams (who will also be at cc and her mom and I have been friends for a LONG time and still are friends)Georgia and Trigger…this is Trigger’s LOVE.  I don’t think he would let anything happen to precious Georgia…he tells her how beautiful she is and compliments what she has on.  So sweet!  She will also be at Cedar Creek prek next year…and her momma went to cedar creek with me and was best friends with my sister.  SMALL WORLD!

It was a great year.  We are going to miss Trinity so much…more importantly, we are going to miss Mrs. Lisa.  Not that we wont see her…Campbell will be in the three yr old preschool there next year AND Mrs. Lisa’s husband Chris and Matt are business partners…you have to be careful and make sure you put BUSINESS…otherwise, you get looks when you say two men are “partners”.  HA!!!!

Tball 2013

We signed Trigger up for tball this year.  He was super excited….and so was I!  Matt signed up to help coach this year.  Our coach was jason Walsworth, who just happens to be on staff at our church.  I was so glad.  I knew he would be encouraging which is what I wanted for Trigger’s first experience with baseball.  We had one practice before we started games.  They had six games…it was pretty hectic because half of the games were at 7pm which is NOT when we are usually out and about.  Poor larkin…she was a trooper!  Trigger had a GREAT time.

His team’s name was Bricks 4 Kids.

Trigger’s first practice

Triggers first gameTball is really more about the gatorade and snacks…campbell learned that quickly and he wasn’t even on the team!Brother and sister required some action to keep them from losing it!Yep….she wore a white bubble to the ball field.my cousin kims children came to one of the games. Trigger was super excited!!The boy: Campbell, Trigger, Josiah, and Andrewjason was gone for one of the games so Matt was in charge.  He no one to help him on the field so guess who got nominated….poppy and papaw!

It really was such a fun season.  I cant wait until fall ball!

im sure you will see more tball pics once I upload them to my computer….speaking of computers….my sweet husband got me a new laptop for my bday and I LOVE it!!!!! He’s the best!

Rodeo the Rat

When Trigger’s class finished the alphabet, they had an alphabet party.  Mrs. Lisa asked the children to dress up like their favorite alphabet character.  Trigger chose to be “rodeo the rat”.  I took a few pictures with my phone…this is the only picture I took with my camera and it turned out dark. :( 

Trigger loves Georgia Dugdale.  He also was in love with his costume.  ha!

Random

sigh….why can’t I get my life together?  or more importantly, why can’t I get my blog together?  ha.  I am on a mission once again.  I will get caught up…hope you can bare with me.  Here are some random shots from…are you sitting down…APRIL!  yep..that’s right.  that’s how far behind I am.  the first few pictures prove that it is next to impossible to get all three of my children to look at a camera!  I made their shirts/dresses during my sewing distraction during tax season.  I do LOVE how they turned out!

Larkin is definitely our wild child.  She is a baby through and through.  Day one of riding campbell’s old four wheeler, she was standing up driving it. 

She saw her daddy drive up on the real four wheeler…she LOVES her “da-deeeee”Im not sure what ts look is all about.And, just a little bike riding…