The Long Kid Drive is Done!

It's still hard to believe, but we are officially homeless...in search of a backyard for Mackay...and Beckett (when he can talk and tell us that he wants one too!). Yesterday we drove from Virginia to Kentucky to visit with my parents. It should have been a 9-hour day, but with kids it took 12! Luckily Andrea and the boys are flying to Texas from here, so we won't have to put them (or us!) through another long car trip.


Mackay and Beckett...after 3 hours.


Mackay at a lookout during our drive...Beckett was nursing.

Moving is Fun

Wouldn't it be nice if we could move all of our stuff without packing anything? Mackay and Beckett have been troopers...that said, this was our first real move with kids. When we moved in, Mackay was just a baby. Needless to say, we underestimated how long it would take to pack with kids around.


I wonder what Mackay was thinking through all of this...did he realize getting a backyard would be so disruptive?

Another Sweet Beachtrip

We and several friends of ours rented a beach house in the Outer Banks, NC. We were just blocks from the beach and had a pool in our backyard. And if that wasn't cool enough, a friend Blaine and I got to go riding together most mornings. Now if that's not a perfect vacation, I don't know what is--beach, pool, bike, and great friends!

Beckett took the the beach with ease. He didn't seem to mind having sand all over his body. Mackay loved the sand too, but didn't seem to enjoy the ocean much. He did at least try it once when we first got there, but the oncoming wave I think scared him a bit and it didn't help that the water was freezing. No worriez, it was a great time anyway!

And to top it off, we got to celebrate Mackay's birthday while we were there. Hard to believe he's already three!

Double the Trouble

Beckett started crawling about a week or so ago...and now it's double the trouble (Mackay sometimes like to abet his brother in his misdeeds). Beckett loves to take out as many DVDs as we will let him...plugs are another favorite. And he seems to take to rejection well. No matter how many times we try to direct him away from something he's not supposed to get into, he seems to always want to come back for more. And to think, it won't be that much longer until he is walking!!!

A Backyard When I Get Bigger?

Andrea ran her first half marathon with several of her girlfriends in Charlottesville, Virginia. It was a beautiful course in the foothills of the Shenandoah Mountains--not to embarase her, but she rocked it!

A few of us families rented a little house so the kids could all play together. It had a nice little back yard where the kids could run around and race each other. The Wednesday after we got home, Mackay and Andrea were reading books when he said, "Hey Mommy! Maybe when I get bigger and bigger, we can have a back yard." I think it's safe to say that he enjoyed himself. It's also safe to say that we are starting to grow out of our little two-bedroom condo...as much as we love this place!

Beckett's First Bike Ride

I took Beckett on his first bike ride with Mackay. We rode down the trail by our house to a nearby marina where we could watch the airplane take off and land. Beckett did great on the way out, but it wasn't as much fun coming back...nonetheless, not bad for his first time and being cramped together with his bigger brother.


Mackay looks at least a little excited. Beckett on the other hand...stares of trepidation?

Egg Hunts Are Fun

Another Easter and another fun Easter egg hunt! I can't remember where Andrea and Beckett were for this egg hunt held at our church.

Nothin' Like Bath Time!

Mackay and Beckett love taking baths together. Often times Mackay will fight taking a bath, but once he sees that Beckett is going to take one he is usually excited to join in the fun. After they are both in the water and the bath starts to fill up, Mackay will splash with his hands getting the water in both of their faces and Becket and he will laugh and laugh. One thing I have realized watching Beckett is that you definitely have to be tough to be the younger brother. Mackay does all kinds of things to him (usually not trying to be mean)--like crawling over him or hugging him super tight or tickling him on his face--and Beckett usually takes it in stride, closing his eyes when necessary, but rarely crying. In fact, most of the time he just laughs. As a parent, it is fun to see your two sons bonding at such a young age.

After they are done bathing, we wrap them in towels and change them while they lie on Mackay's bed together. Sometimes Beckett will cry (usually when he is extra tired), but once we put Mackay on the bed next to him, he will smile and laugh as they share smiles. Ahh the memories...some day I will probably look back on these days as the "good old days"! Thanks for making it fun boys!

Playing at the Park

We're glad that spring is finally here so the boys (and we) can enjoy playing outside at the park. As you can see, they both enjoy the swings.

And as you can see, Beckett is one "chunky monkey," as Andrea loves to call him. I think he is currently something like 24 pounds (at seven months mind you!). If this trend continues, Mackay and Beckett should be one dangerous duo when they go to school.

That said, Mackay has yet to exhibit any "fighter" tendencies. If you ask me, he is more of a lover than a fighter. Takes after his pop no doubt! :)

Grandma Visits

Grandma (my mom) stopped by for a quick visit and was able to bond with the boys. We are certainly glad that our boys know their grandparents (well, at least Mackay does, but we suspect that Beckett knows more than he lets on to!). It was a pretty laid back trip, but enjoyable nonetheless. Grandma watched the boys while we painted our bedroom again--this time from blue to "celery."

We always love having family and friends visit...if only we had a guest room!