Counting our Blessings

I wanted to do a quick post to let everyone know about the new button that I added to our blog called "Praying for Stellan." I found out about this sweet baby from my cousin Ansley. It is unbelievable what he and his family have gone through with his sickness. Although I don't know the family personally, I feel like I do just from reading about their experiences. If you check it out, you will see the number of people that follow their lives keeping tabs on Stellan. Just have a box of Kleenex ready and consider adding the button to join the hundreds of people praying for him. It really makes me appreciate having two very healthy children and admire the parents of the children I know who have to deal with other sickeness and life-altering conditions.

Back to School Already?

I cannot believe that Matt and I are about to have to head back to school. Summer has been so busy and gone so fast. Natalie turned 5 months old this past Saturday. We are very excited about our new babysitter that both Drew and Natalie will go to this year. Not a lot to update about the family...just enjoy some of our favorite pictures from the past few weeks!

So pretty!

Natalie loves her thumb!

What a good lookin' family!

Drew is showing off his "muscles."

Home Sweet Home

An exhausting vacation season is officially over! We returned yesterday from our trip to Gulf Shores. As much as we love the beach and being with our family, traveling with two little ones is so stressful- especially when one is a 4-month old that is grouchy most of the time! We had a lot of fun and made great new memories with everyone. Drew got much braver in the pool and was jumping in, going underwater, and kicking his way across the pool (wearing water wings, of course). This is the same kid that usually doesn't leave the steps of the pool. We are so proud of him!

Our Bathing Beauty!

Drew contemplating the next step in proper sand castle construction.

Early in the week before we all got fried (except Natalie)!

The view of the Intracoastal Waterway from our back deck.

Summertime, and the livin' is....crazy!

Whoever claims that summer is a time to rest and relax is out of their mind! We have been on the go so much over the past few weeks that we can't keep track of what day it is! Some of our activities have included: visiting the Yellow River Game Ranch with the Beckmans, swimming in our backyard kiddie pool and at the Woods of Parkview pool, staying at Nana's house while she was on her cruise, visiting the Royal Family, celebrating Mommy's birthday, and heading north to visit family in Newburgh and Chicago.

We have another trip planned for July 4-11; we will be going to Gulf Shores with the Stewart family. Hopefully the drive will not send Natalie into a frenzie again. After two of the longest 7-hour car rides ever, we have determined that there is nothing we can do to keep our little princess happy in the car. She just screams and makes herself sick doing so. Mommy and Natalie booked a flight home from Chicago and sent the boys back home via Newburgh in the car. Fortunately, Natalie was wonderful on the plane! Whew! Enjoy some pics from our busy summer!

A deer's favorite meal...graham crackers.

This deer wanted to check out Natalie's ride.

He has no idea what he is in for if she wakes up!

Drew having a blast at the splash park in Indiana.

The girls chillin' at the splash park.

Ready for Summer!

Okay, so things have been a little busy- hence the 6-week blog neglect! We are busier than ever. Unfortunately, we're the only people in the universe still in school this week. Friday is our last day with students- HOORAY! Not that I can complain too much since I have only been back to work for 2 weeks. We are looking forward to our Evansville/Chicago trip with the Hauert family in June and the Gulf Shores trip with the Stewart family in July!

As always, Drew continues to entertain us with his extended vocabulary. This morning, Daddy explained why spiders spin webs and Drew exclaimed, "That's amazing!" Natalie is (knock on wood) finally settling into a schedule. She has slept 9 hours the past two nights. We hope it sticks! She is 3-months old today!

Here are some pictures from everything we have been up to lately.

Mommy and Drew on the Stone Mountain train celebrating Zachary's 2nd birthday.

Natalie with "soon-to-be" Aunt Emily at the Gwinnett Braves game.

Drew being an awesome big brother!

Is there a sweeter face?

Bulldogs and Bunnies

This past weekend we took the opportunity to go spend time with our friends Jason, Andrea, David and Wesley. Drew and David had a great time playing cars and trains. We want to thank our friends for the hospitality. On Saturday we went the Royal Family and Goodrow Gang and the Beckman Bulletins to the G-Day game at the University of Georgia. It was cool to see the Bulldogs playing the Bulldogs!

Going to the G-Day game was also a learning experience. We learned that Drew is not ready for his first full Georgia game. Sadly, he could care less about the play on the field. He did, however, make it his mission for the day to distract Daddy from watching the game.

On Sunday, before mass, we had breakfast and Easter baskets with Matt's side of the family. The boy cousins and the girl cousins dressed alike and had a blast searching for Easter eggs.

After mass we headed further North to Cumming, GA to spend the rest of Easter Sunday with Christy's extended family. The food was great and the Easter egg hunt was gold mine of candy and coins for Drew.

Overall the family that Bleeds Red and Black had a great weekend with family and friends.

Busy Baby Girl

It is 2:30 in the morning.....do you know where your kids are? I do...my newborn is usually in my arms!!! That's right- sleep deprivation is at an all-time high at our house. :)

We had a busy week because Mommy does not like to be cooped-up in the house all day. The Beckmans came to visit last weekend and made us dinner (thanks a ton!). We had a visit from Aunt Liz on Tuesday and took Natalie's first shopping trip! Natalie also had her first bath early this week; I'll let the pictures speak for themselves! Then, Natalie and I went to Dallas to visit the Sims on Thursday. What a busy week for a 3-week old baby!

As I write this, my thoughts are with my two family members who are currently serving our country. My brother serves in the Navy on the USS San Juan submarine and left this morning but only for a week-long excursion. He will have gradually longer trips over the next few months. My Aunt Marcia serves in the Army and left this morning for Iraq. She is scheduled to be there for a year. Please keep my family members and all that selflessly serve our country in your prayers.

GeGe and Papa must be so proud!

"A Princess should not be treated this way!"- Natalie

"This is more like it...safe in Daddy's arms!"- Natalie