Happy Birthday Caleb

Our little boy has turned two! Caleb is a delight to be around. He has a very sweet personality, a contagious laugh, and is still very snuggly. He is extremely talkative and can communicate to us about everything he thinks and needs. He continues to love reading books and playing with cars and trucks. One of his favorite outings is going to B&N and playing with their train set. We love the way he throws his head back when he laughs really hard and how he seems to go about his little life with contentment and happiness. We love kissing his pudgy little eye pillows that are already filling up with little freckles. We love you little bubba and hope you had a fun time celebrating!

On Caleb's actual birthday last Wednesday, we celebrated with Jeremy's sister and friend with dinner and cake at our house.We found this little used garage on Craigslist. He now has somewhere to drive a park all his cars. He loves it! He also got a little motorcycle (like grandpas) and is constantly clutching it in his little hand.

Over the weekend, we had a lunch and swimming party with my family up in Plano.Ella helped him open up his presents.
Swimming with Grandpa Martin.

Chocolate Milk

Recently, I have splurged and bought Promiseland chocolate milk. Every once and a while, I get a chocolate milk craving and I will usually just buy Borden. Jeremy likes chocolate milk also, but he will usually mix chocolate syrup and milk and thinks that is just great...but, not for me. I decided to try the "best". And, I was not disappointed! I noticed though the last time I bought it, I only got one glass...I think Jeremy now thinks it's the best also!

The reason for my story... The kids and I went for a short grocery trip this afternoon. Ella has recently been wanting to push her own cart in the grocery store and "buy" her own groceries. I have been letting her do this when I didn't have a lot to get. So, today she pushed her own cart and I put a few things in her cart including the Promiseland chocolate milk. When we got the the checkout, I began unloading my cart and Ella did the same with hers. I did not think anything of it until I heard her struggling and saying "This is heavy mommy...". I look over and she is trying to lug the thick glass bottle of chocolate milk onto the counter. I hear myself let out a loud moan as I lunge for her, knowing what was about to happen...and it does...Ella drops the glass bottle to the floor. But, much to my amazement, it does not break. No idea how there was not chocolate milk everywhere, but I am very thankful. Thank you Promiseland for apparantly making your glass bottles kid-proof! :) Maybe for you reader, this will put you over the edge to spend the extra money.

The Beach

We were recently invited to spend a few days at a beach house on Mustang Island by a couple in our small group bible study. Most of the other families from our small group were able to go also. It was a nice time to spend with everyone and we were thankful to have the opportunity for Ella and Caleb experience the beach for the first time!
First time for the kids to see the beach and into the water.

Caleb sticking his toes in.Exploring in the sand.Working hard.Fun with friends.
We also got to take the kids to the aquarium in Corpus. They really liked it. They got to see so many different animals that they have only seen in books and pictures.They were very hot, tired and out of steam by the end of the morning at the aquarium. As you can see, "Charlie" is having a hard time taking pictures as we left.

Thanks McClartys and our friends for a great time!

Our 4th

Our 4th of July was spent at Grandpa Jim and Grandee's house along with my sister and brother and their families and my stepbrother and his family. Lots of us!My dad, brother and sister
Zach & ChelsiChelsi & Cade
Shay
Cory & Stephanie
Sean & Emily, Miela and Chloe

Ella and Caleb enjoyed riding on the boat...Caleb definitely more than Ella. Caleb wanted a turn to drive the boat with Grandpa. Caleb looks very intense about his job.A neighborhood parade went by and the kids got lots of candy. Although, Ella got pelted hard with one and it made her cry.We went to an air show in the neighborhood - a 2 1/2 hr air show with BT bombers, etc.... I was very hot, but it was pretty great to see those type of planes fly so close by. Fireworks did not start until closer to 10, so we had very sleepy, hot, tired kiddos, but they did really well. Grandpa Jim & Grandee

Thanks for letting us come visit and spend the 4th with you!

Our summer so far (Part 2)

Here are a few more things we have been doing over the summer.

Lots of playing....this was before it got too hot!
Carnival in our neighborhood - Ella the policewoman
Out for snowcones with the dogDress-up and yummy summer treats
Jeremy and I went on a vacation just the two of us and Ella and Caleb spent the week with grandparents (my mom). They did wonderfully and we had a great time. Check out our vacation pictures to the right. Caleb looks like he wants to go back to grandma's.Grandpa Greg (Jeremy's dad) came to visit right after we got back. They kids had a great time with him.We went for ice cream just recently and for some reason, the kids wanted to dress up - Caleb as a postman and Ella a firewoman. We had a coupon for free kids cones. They each got their own one. Unfortunately, Caleb laid awake in his bed that night until 11pm...too much sugar!

A few other things.....