Beckett's First Birthday

Wow, it's hard to believe Beckett is already one year old! Was it really a year ago when he was born?! He certainly weighs enough to be one. It's time for him to start walking on his own so we don't have to carry him all the time (he's getting close and can take a few steps, but isn't quite there yet)!

We had a much quieter birthday celebration than we did for Mackay's first birthday. Of course it's not because we love him less. Given that we are still in transition--looking for a backyard--we weren't in a good position to throw a party this go around. That said, we had a good time celebrating his birthday with Andrea's family. On Saturday (his actual birthday), we took the boys shopping and then went to dinner at Maggiano's--the boys actually fell asleep on the way to the restaurant (see picture). By the time we got home, Beckett was asleep, so we did presents and cake on Sunday. Two days of fun for the price of one!

Mackay enjoyed helping his little brother celebrate by blowing out candles and opening presents. It's almost like a birthday for Mackay with all the new toys to play with!

Love the Dirt...and Water

Andrea's parents just built a new house and their grass isn't in yet. There back yard was like a huge sand box (or maybe a dirt box) for the boys to play in. The boys can't seem to get enough of playing in the dirt. Add a little water to the dirt and it's extra fun. Mud is always better than dry dirt!








After they got themselves (and their clothes) completely dirty, we decided to bathe them outside in huge buckets of water. Needless to say, they loved it! In addition to getting the dirt off, it's a great way to keep cool in the summer heat.

The Boys First Rodeo

...and mine too! After our trip to the lake with Andrea's family, we headed up to a small town in North Texas for some family reunion and wedding festivities. The first night we were there, we went to a Rodeo. It was something else. It's the first time I've seen wild cow milking--several cowboys try to rope a wild cow and hold her down while one of them proceeds to get enough milk out of her that it will drip from a bottle when he show it to the judge. In my opinion, it was way more exciting than the bull riding!


Mackay riding his first pony at the rodeo.


Beckett too!


We stayed at a bed and breakfast the same night as the rodeo. It was an amazing place with some sweet old stuff in it. One of the rooms, pictured above, had a jungle theme. Mackay looks a bit out of it in the picture, but he's hanging in there. I do feel bad for the boys, however. We need to settle down soon!

A Fun Visit With My Sisters

We had a great visit with my two sisters and their families...and my parents for a day and a half. Andrea and the boys flew to Texas to where my sisters live on Friday morning, while my parents and I drove the short 13-hour drive and arrived that night. They were great troopers! Thanks mom and dad!

While visiting my sisters, we went to the largest gym I have ever been to (i.e. like Gold's Gym, but much, much bigger!). It was akin to a resort. The pools were sweet! It's true what they say. Everything is BIGGER in Texas! The visit was relatively short at my sisters' houses, but it was great to see them and all of their kids. It will definitely be nice living closer to them...and seeing them more often.

This afternoon after church we drove down to Andrea's family vacation at a nearby lake. It's pretty sweet, but the rain has put a bit of a damper on our boating activities as the lake is closed to boating (turns out all the rain flooded some people's sewage systems!).


Beckett with his cousin, Austin.

Boys First Real Boat Ride

We took Mackay and Beckett on their first real boat ride while we were visiting my parents. The life jackets didn't fit the best, at least Beckett's didn't (he's a thick dude!). We had a great time chillin' on their new boat...the city they live in actually had fireworks on the 3rd and 4th of July so we went the day before the 4th to beat the crowds (and the rain as it turned out). It was my first time watching fireworks on a boat...definitely makes for a great view.

On his way to the airport with Beckett and Andrea (they flew to TX!), Mackay asked my dad, "Next time I come to your house, we can go on your boat?" Mackay definitely thought the boat was "cool"--his words.

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!