catching up . . . bit by bit . . .

so, last week, we headed to one of our very favorite places . . . CHAR-LA-STIN!

(sidenote:  1)  Tiny John Lennon’s glasses are prescription.  Amazing, I know.  and 2) sister took a good ole nap in the car and then had a 60 minute bout of E-I-E-I-O obession-induced hysteria around 10pm.  It was ugly, but she screamingly E-I-E-I-O’d herself to sleep and never looked back . . . )

some of the littles slept on the way there . . .

 

and some did not (can you see the crazy in his eyes?)

but, we made it, and we crashed at Un-tle’s house

And then we hit un an Easter carnival, with a pony we had to ride but that left us simultaneously frozen in terror!

And, we reminded Daddy that this is a working-vacation . . .

and, finally, we all slept

Shortly thereafter, we hit the beach!

(have I ever mentioned how much I love having my babes on the beach?  oh, how I love it!)

Day 1 was action-packed and ended with a first date for Anna and handsome Gainsey-boy where they did what most loves do, they fed each other.  Meanwhile, the four parents tried to have a semblance of a conversation while dodging spilled drinks, sleep-deprived mania-melt-downs, and three 3 year olds and an almost 5 year old boy who were smashed between the grown-ups in a booth . . . it was wild, but, it was fun and we’d do it again in a heart-beat!

the next day was Easter, and we had a great celebration . . . He has Risen, Indeed! 

(“Uncle” Laura took this picture and it may be one of my very favorites of all time.  OH MY HEART!)

I eventually put my phone down and forgot to charge my camera, so the next few days were a blur . . . but, one of the highlights was driving the trucks at Publix.  It’s the little things, people.

sampling some shades

And, in honor of our last day, I pulled out the ole camera phone once again.  It was a GORGEOUS day.  Something about being at the beach and watching these little ones play while relaxing in the sand is just so perfect to me.  Oh, I LOVE IT.

Our days at the beach were quite busy . . . or, rather, the little ones were quite busy.  I was not busy, and I loved that!

there were naps on the beach (GLORIOUS!) and meals on the beach

then sissy threw a hissy about her hat

and tried to run away . . . (another of my all-time favorite pictures)

but, we got her back . . . and we packed up all of our gear into the car just in time for another snooze . . .

Upon arriving home, we were extremely efficient and completely unpacked our car, only to re-zip suitcases and re-load the car the next morning to show our house!  I drove our car around with 4 (unpacked) suitcases in it for 48 hours because we had three showings!  Exciting.  So, today, I decided we needed to get some things done.  And, we gave Annabug a “baff”

and, my assistants “helped” me unpack . . . or, not.

then the detective set up this scene while I was upstairs . . . (I love how this boy’s mind works!)

Naps were had by all (hooray!) at Sugie’s, and when this boy woke up, I couldn’t believe my eyes . . . he is so big and his hair is curly . . . and he is mine.  How did my baby get so very big?

And, this one, she has started to give “EEEEEs,” or squeezes . . . and they are snuggly and long, strong squeezes, and OH I LOVE IT!

more to come, more to come . . . but for now, nighty night!

 

 

in case you were wondering . . .

We’ve been busy . . .

working . . .  (she opened the laptop herself and I found her like this!  when I turned on my computer, it was literally talking to me.  I have no idea what she did, but I have never seen anything like it!)

stealing mommy’s water bottle (note the guilty look on her face!)

checking out the stores for spring and summer gear . . . (while we thought these were very funny, we decided we may have better luck keeping a smaller pair on the tiny nose of the strong-wiled sister)

and, building important buildings, like this fancy cardboard parking garage . . . why build with clothes on?  clothes are so over-rated!

nighty night from our buns to yours!

quickly . . .

I am one tired mama, but I have got to post a few pictures from the weekend of these rascals . . .

AnnaBug’s BFF, Miss Ash, came to keep our littles for a bit, and she snapped this sweet shot:

Saturday was a great day around here, so the boys and their Daddy took to the road.  I love the way H & W are looking at Hatch in this—so sweet!

Anna is into giving kisses . . . Woo’ Woo’ is one happy recipient, can you tell?

Who says you can’t wear a smocked dress and your brother’s bike helmet while riding in the wago’?

Sunday held an Easter Egg Hunt and lunch at church, and it was SO much fun!  William literally gasped when he opened one of his eggs and seven jelly beans fell out!  It was so fun!

Mr. P joined us for the festivities.  After the egg hunt, he and Hudson drove the train to Costco.  Exciting times! ha!

And, our littlest bunny had a great ole time!  (Isn’t her outfit adorable?  All of their outfits are hand-me-downs from Auntie Brookie!  I love it!)

Getting in some time on Uncle J’s phone . . .

Happy Holy Week to you . . .

flashing back . . .

all of the warm weather has made us want to be outside more and more!  since we are trying to sell our house, we have had showings on the weekends and haven’t been able to do as much in the yard as we normally would do . . . but, the weather has reminded us of the fun we had last year in the backyard!  One rainy weekend, we went to my parents’ house and dug up some plants to transfer to our yard.  And, of course, we put our tiny helpers to work with us!  It was a cold, rainy day, so we just bundled up the boys and headed out while sister napped . . .

 

planting some bulbs with the mama (please notice all of our hair in these pictures—hilarious!)

  

We had a great time doing “team work”!

Check out this little squirt!

They found a bug!  Oh, the excitement!

After a while, Cheeks joined us . . .

 

Fun, fun, fun!

A few days later we started on our veggie garden and our garden for the boys.  They loved helping Daddy build it!

um, heyyyyyyyyyyy flower child!

Daddy’s big assistant

Working hard . . .

Sister was having a good ole time, too!

  

Hey there, muscles!

And, the finished product . . . well, almost finished . . .

  

We ended our fun with some al fresco dining!

whoopsie!

And, we continued our work by checking out the worms!  William wasn’t so sure about them . . .

   

But, Hudsey was a fan . . .

fascinated . . .

{I adore this one!}

And, finding a slug with Daddy!

Sweet little rascals!

Happy Spring!  May your days be filled with things that bring happiness—you know . . .  sunshine, slugs, and wormies!