Douthat Camping Trip

This weekend was probably what Jon would consider Monumental. We made the 1st camping trip in the new Westafalia. If you didn't know, Jon found this gem about 2 months ago and sold the VW 73 Bus.
We've had this trip planned for what seems like a year, maybe 6 months to visit with Jon's crew, see some of my family and enjoy the outdoors.
As my dear friend Judy said, I started with really low expectations (I mean that in the nicest way) and it was a fabulous weekend. The weather was the perfect temperature, with no rain or humidity and the kids were thoroughly entertained every step of the way. Friday we made do without a nap, and explored the campground, hiked by the creek and finished the day by making smores... Sat. we visited the playground, went fishing and had a great dinner with the extended family.
Charlie loved sleeping in his new batcave and spent his 'free' time adding to his caterpillar family and building out their habitats which were our dinner centerpiece.
Matt & Will loved throwing rocks in the water, pushing their trucks around and fishing too.

Will & Charlie checking out something, just not sure what.

Matt & Will throwing rocks

The new Westy  ~ batcave is in the pop up in the top.

Will checking out the jumbo marshmellows

I drank coffee, a half a cup, but needed something to get moving. A coffee and a diet coke actually... who knows what the world is coming to...

Jon, Linda & Charlie. Please notice the caterpillar condominium front center. This was much entertainment to all.

Thought we'd try and get a group shot with Ken & Linda. But yet, there is always one kid that is trying to escape.

Matt & Will. This picture says twin synergy to me. How about you?

Matt

Will

The falls

Will & Matt fishing with Jon

Jon

Charlie

Matt really had the lucky touch. I would take him if you want to catch something. He was at the rod all 3 times a fish was reeled in.

Charlie with "his" catch - Brown or Brook Trout.

The extended crew: Paige, Joe, Ginger, Daisy, Earl, Sally, Will, Jon. Front seated: Linda, Charlie, Alice, Matt & Ken

Getting Ready for Another Niece!

Saturday we decided we needed to have a little precelebration in honor of Laura and Baby Girl #2. It was a fun day to get together and celebrate!

this pictures speaks to me

When things look normal enough in my life, there is still usually someone bouncing off something in the background.

tempers

I will say I am about at a breaking point with one of my children. He is so cute and adorable when he smiles at you, and he loves to cuddle and give kisses. But........
He is giving a run on having the best temper (I should probably say at this point in time he wins). I think he gets frustrated because he can not communicate what he wants. Really sometimes, even though he is not communicating with words, I know what he wants and when I say no, get the same reaction... These reactions range from knocking over a chair, to throwing a toy, to throwing another toy, hitting something or ripping up the doormat and throwing it in another room. The lip tucks in and the cheeks poke out. Screaming is also common.
It takes all that I have to be rational in these moments, and I have to say I don't think I keep it all together that well,  under these conditions. I think the hardest part so far of parenting is trying to stay rational when everyone around you is acting irrational.
Today I met with the county health services department for an intake appointment. No, I am not giving anyone up for adoption. Rather, requesting speech evaluation services for the twins. Hopefully this will get us on track. It seemed to get us going with Charlie when he was about the same age.

Pray for us. We all want to make it out of the terrible 2's alive.

have you seen this Cinderella & Royal Wedding comparison?... on Twitpic

have you seen this Cinderella & Royal Wedding comparison?... on Twitpic
I just think this is hilarious.

Mother's Day

We headed back out to Chesterfield Berry Farm for our 2nd annual tradition of strawberry picking. The morning started a little rough (picture kids crying, tired mommy) but once we got on the road, all was fine. The weather looked a little questionable which was in our favor, since it didn't start so crowded. We were practically the 1st ones there. The kids loved feeding the animals, jumping in the bouncy tent and picking and eating strawberries. We had a nice BBQ picnic lunch and headed home for a nap and more Mother's Day celebrating.

Linda & Ken joined us this year. Matt & Linda looking at bunnies.

Matt inside the bouncy tent

Ready for picking!

Ken and Matt

Will & me

umm good

yes, I'll sneak one in too - Will

Bike a Thon

Charlie's school has a really cool event, a Bike A Thon. It was a great day for the kids and raised money for S.C.A.N. (stop child abuse now). He liked getting to ride his bike, but it is definitely funny to watch how the kids are all at different levels and interests. You can see this often -but on bikes, was doubly accentuated. Charlie probably tends to take more after me - laid back, "it's not a race" and taking his time around the course. Then there are some others, especially the kids with older siblings that are racing around the track and zipping by without training wheels. I enjoyed my morning volunteering, as I think Charlie did. A police officer also came to talk about safety, and showed his cars. Us moms commented that it was hopefully the only time they see a backseat of a policecar!

photo technology

Over the past few weeks, I have been trying to work on 'tagging' our pictures. You can not believe how long it takes to take some 100,000 pictures (no, I do not think I am exaggerating). And this one came up this afternoon for me to tag - our girl Greta.
It is hard for me to believe she left this world almost 2 months ago on March 30th. Jon and I were just saying this weekend, how much we missed her. When I come down the stairs in the morning at 5:30 and the downstairs is empty or when we finish the peanut butter jar or see a frisbee or another smiling dog - all these things make me think of her.
Greta was the most loving, patient and beautiful dog. I know a part of my heart went with her across the Rainbow Bridge.

Beaching it on Spring Break

Will

Digging holes

Matt

Matt

Will

Matt

Cousins

Hatteras

Watching kite surfers

Kite surfing in Hatteras

Watching the kite surfers

Catching up on pictures from the past month. It's been hectic, what can I say.

The BIG 5 - Charlie's Birthday

Charlie's 1st Glove

It is so hard to believe it has been 5 years since Charlie entered our world! This year we took things a bit easy and celebrated at the beach with cousins!