Batter Up!

This year's t-ball season is well underway. Chris and Josh are once again coaching the team. This year we decided that we would let Luke try his hand at the game. We let him play on Jake's league even though he is a year and half younger than the rest of the players. Luke has amazing form and has not had to hit off the tee yet. Jake is a natural and always seems a step ahead.

Jake following his brother to home plate

Luke ready for a grounder.


Jake waiting for his chance at the ball.



Batter Up!


My little sluggers!

Watch Out Olive Garden!

To say that Jake is a picky eater is a vast understatement. He could live off of chocolate chip muffins, steak, and deer meat. This past week I have witnessed him turn down birthday cake, homemade cookies, and doughnuts, which has me wondering if he was switched at birth. According to him, "I'm just not big on_______(you fill in the blank with any food)." However recently we have been able to add another favorite food to his small list. FETTUCCINE! He is asking for it for every meal (even breakfast).

Today, the boys and I ventured to mall were we met up with our friend Kim. She was attempting for the second time to get her two year old sons pictures taken. (We have all been there and can sympathize.) The boys were there to distract and make David laugh. It was a success and she got some great pictures. We went to Olive Garden to celebrate and reward the kids (and us). Needless to say, Jake was in heaven.

Jake was so full he laid back in his chair and closed his eyes for a few moments.

Luke and David were more interested in toys than eating.

Some Fun in the Sun

Wednesday evening we headed out for the annual trip to Holiday World. It is tradition for Chris's mom to take all the grandchildren (if they are potty trained) on this fun filled trip. My parents own property close to Patoka Lake that we stay at during our trip.

The boys stopped just long enough for us to snap this picture.Our Future Pilot?



Jake and Brooke on their favorite ride. I love their expressions.



The boys and their cousins. We love all of our nieces, but we were reminded how blessed we are to have only boys. I forgot the drama there is with girls.

The water park is always a hit.

The whole gang!

Luke was so tired that night. He made it to the bed, just not in it.

The next day we took the boat out for some more fun. The whole gang at the swimming hole.

Luke catching a little rest. All three of the young ones fell asleep on the boat.

My Boys!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUKE

We celebrated Luke's birthday with family and friends on Saturday with a party at our house. Just thought I would share a few pictures.The birthday boy with his spider man decorations.

His Spiderman birthday cake. I wish I could take credit for this, but his daddy ordered this for him from a very sweet lady in Shelbyville.

Erica, Jake, Ethan, Gracie, and Jazlyn.

Eating cake with Kylie.

Luke literally fell asleep outside on Saturday evening while we still had guests. He didn't wake up until the next morning. He immediately put his Wolverine outfit on that he received as a gift and wore it most of the day on Sunday. I had to bargain with him about not wearing it to church. While discussing with him that he probably shouldn't wear it to church, he said, "But God wants kids to have fun" How do you argue with that!

More Birthdays!

Our niece, Brooke, celebrates her birthday two days after Luke. So after church on Sunday we headed to Greenwood to help her celebrate.

Brooke with her sisters, Katie, Cora, and Bailey.

Brooke's sisters also celebrate summer birthdays. This year I opted to do something a little different. Instead of buying each girl a different present, Chris and I along with his Dad and step mom purchased a Wii for the girls to share. Our ears were ringing after all the squealing when they opened it.


Our niece, Grace Kathryn, has a birthday the day after Luke. She came for some play time and we sang Happy Birthday to her.

After leaving Brooke's party, we headed back to Franklin to Gracie's birthday party. Our little princess on her new princess bike.



We also had a surprise birthday party on Friday night for a good friend. Yes, that is four birthday parties in one weekend. But that is just our crazy life.



FYI: I often dread the time between Mother's Day and Father's Day. Between these two holidays we now have 8 family birthdays (not to mention 2 good friends birthdays). Throw in camping Memorial Day weekend, graduations, t-ball....and by Father's Day we are stressed, crazy, exhausted, and broke.

Our Super Hero is 4!

Lucas Andrew turned 4 years old today. Jake and I sang to him as soon as he woke up. Then he immediately darted to the kitchen and looked around. He then looked at me and said "Where da heck is my spiderman birfday cake?" I hadn't really planned on making a cake today, since we still had some from Chris's birthday and we will be having his party on Saturday. However, after that comment we were soon off to the store.
Luke helping to make his chocolate cake.


The best part, licking the beaters!

The finished product. He insisted on decorating it himself.
After making his cake, Uncle Ryan and Amanda took the boys to see Up. Which received rave reviews from our little Siskle and Ebert. We then came home and our good friends (Ryan and Kim) and of course, Uncle Josh, helped us celebrate with cake and a few presents.

I was going to list my top 4 favorite memories of Luke, but I had a hard time narrowing it down to just 4. So here are mine and Chris's 10 favorite Luke moments.

In no particular order...


1. From the moment he was born, he let us know he was going to be different than Jake. It took me two days to have Jake. I was dilated to 2cm at 8:00 in the morning with Luke and was holding him in my arms at 8:55. I don't think he has slowed down since.


2. His toothless smile. We thought he would never get teeth, finally at 16 months one poked through.


3. Playing Peek-A-Boo at 6 months old and belly laughing.


4. He use to like to walk around and lift up his shirt to show off his belly. We would then say to him "Luke put the belly away". It was one of his favorite games to play.


5. Superhero Pajamas


6. Dancing to the Wiggles


7. His first sentence was "I don't wike you" We should have known then we were in for it.


8. His Riley Hospital scare. He had a very rare blood condition that started to make his kidneys and heart fail at just 15 months old. This was an experience that changes you as a person and parent. Shortly after we came home, Chris and I promised that we would never be sad to see our children grow up. Instead we would be thankful that we were able to enjoy every minute. We still thank about and pray for the parents who take their kids there, but never get to bring them home or celebrate another birthday with them. We also thank God for Luke's strong will and determination as we know that is part of the reason he is still with us.


9. His favorite line last summer, "I'm a stud, just like my dad."


10 Our living room is often more like a WWE ring, but then our little wrestler still loves to cuddle up next you in the morning.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Chris turned 32 on Friday and we spent the day as a family. (zoo, lunch, swimming…) His younger brother, Matt, also has a birthday in June. My sister-in-law and I decided to celebrate together this year as to avoid putting one more thing on our calendars. On Sunday, we had 30+ family and friends at our home. Corn hole, water slides, playground, basketball, swimming (thanks to Ryan and Kim), hot tub, good food and conversation filled our day.

Kylie was a little timid at first, but learned to like it if she didn't have to climb the stairs.

Luke braving the slide. (He spent most of the day changing his clothes.)

Jake opted to "bounce" down instead of sliding.

Gracie's Turn!

Waiting our turn. Easier said than done...

Katie Bug and Mamaw Lennis

Corn hole tournament. Shawn and John were the disputable champs.

Ryan (my brother) and his girlfriend, Amanda, stuck around to well into the evening. We really enjoyed this rare treat. Luke has a big crush on Amanda and when he wasn't changing clothes he was following her.

A Day at the Zoo

Today we were able to spend a great family day at the zoo. Chris was actually able to go with us and the weather was perfect. This is the first trip we have taken that a stroller/wagon was not required. Just another sad sign that I don't have babies any more:( The boys were really excited about seeing the Kumono Dragons for the first time and after exercising much patience Jake was able to pet the sharks again. As always, the baboons were a major hit. I would swear my boys were part monkey.

The high light of the trip was feeding the gazelles. They walked right up to the fence and the boys were able to feed them small branches of leaves.

Cowboy Up!

Jake recently "graduated" from kindergarten. His teacher did a cowboy themed program. Jake was so excited about this that he even made me go out and buy him "real" cowboy boots. Needless to say, I now have two full time cowboys in my house. Luke has a great imagination and uses his green frog rain boots as his cowboy boots. They have even taken to using a jump rope to "lasso" each other.

Good Bye Greenwood High School

Last Friday night my sisters (Amy and Lacy) my mom and dad all watched the baby of our family graduate from high school. Our hearts were exploding with pride as Ryan graduated with honors and we are very excited for his future at Rose-Hulman. I think this is very bitter sweet for my parents. They have now watched all four of us cross that same stage to recieve our high school diplomas. After 34 years of raising kids you would think they would be ready for an "empty nest", but any of you who know my mom knows that at just the thought of an empty nest brings her to tears. Congrats Ryan! We are so proud of you!

Big Boy Beds

Just a few days ago the boys got their long awaited bunk beds. I have been fighting the idea for well over a year. For those of you who don't know, Jake broke his leg when he was just four years old from jumping off our bed. So the thought of having a bed that was five feet off the ground was not settling well with me. However, my Aunt Jenny called about a month ago letting me know she was thinking about getting rid of this set and it was a deal we couldn't pass up on. The boys have been camped out on the top bunk for the last two days. They both sleep in the top bunk and last night was the first time Chris and I didn't wake up with a visitor in our bed.