While daddy's away...

It seems like whenever Brian goes on long trips, the boys decide to do all sorts of new things while he is away. They seem to change so much! I hate for Brian to miss anything that goes on in the boys lives! Brian was gone for 9 days to Russia. While he was gone Levi went mobile! Hes not exactly crawling yet, but he has his own way of getting to wherever and whatever he wants! And Levi started really babbling. He was saying "mamamama" all week and " bububububu" (which is what im sure he will be calling brody). Now i know he doesnt really associate those "words" with Brody and I. He never once uttered the sound "dadadada" all week long. BUT this morning when Levi saw Brian for the first time in 9 days, the first thing out of his mouth was "dadadada". COINCIDENCE? probably....but how sweet is that for a daddy to hear after hes been gone for 9 days and when i had been telling him all about Levi saying "mama" all week:)

Easter '11

Brian was in Russia this year for Easter. The boys and I pretty much spent the whole week at my parents house. Saturday we took the boys to the Rolesville Easter Egg Hunt with the Daniels:) Brody and Logan had a blast! They met the easter bunny, played on the infatables, climbed in a fire truck, and of course got lots of candy:) I Love this picture of Sara and I with all of our boys:) Sara and I went to highschool together and roomed together our first year at Liberty.....and look at where we are now! We have 4 of the sweetest boys!





We spent Easter Sunday at my parents church and I was able to get some of the CUTEST pictures of them after church!

Our Stay-at-home Vacation

Brody's Aunt Kystal (Brian's sister) Uncle Tim, and cousins Harrison and Joslyn live in D.C and offered for Brody to come spend a few days with them! We met them halfway at Brians parents house in Richmond and they took Brody from there back to D.C. Brian's mom asked if she could have Levi for a few days too. So Brian and I were going to be without the boys for a few days and decided to take advantage of it! Brian decided to take Monday and Tuesday off of work so we could spend some time just the 2 of us. We left the boys in Richmond sunday morning and went straight to Lynchburg to visit our new niece Emmersyn! We stayed their for a few hours and then headed back home. Monday morning we slept late, went out to breakfast and then took the horses on a 4 hour trail ride. Brian and I love riding together....its time where we can just talk and enjoy each others company, surrounded by nature:) We get each other's undivided attention without any distractions. Then that night we went out to dinner and came home for a movie. Tuesday morning we slept late and went out for breakfast again:) We spent alot of the day just getting some things done around the house and then went out for one last dinner date before going to pick up the boys. It was such a relaxing weekend! Its been quite a while since Brian and I have spent a few hours together...much less 3 days! It was a PERFECT weekend!

Emmersyn Kate McKoy

I am an aunt to the most perfect little niece....Emmersyn Kate! She was born on Saturday April 9th at 11:18 a.m.. She is 6 lbs 7 oz of PURE SWEETNESS! We were dropping off the boys in virginia for the weekend anyway, so it worked out perfectly for Brian and I to go to Lynchburg and spend some time with her in the hospital without the boys. Of course when we got home and i told Brody that Emme had been born and we went to see her, he wasnt exactly happy that we left him out! I showed him a bunch of pictures of her and he said " Mommy, why is she sad? Is it because she didnt get to see me?" LOL. He loves his newest little cousin already:) Here are some pictures of little miss Emme....

Reunion

When Brian and I started leading a small group at northwake, we had been married for 3 years and did not have our boys yet:) God blessed us with an amazing group of newly married couples! We quickly became best friends and formed some of the deepest friendships we have ever had. We all got to see each others first children be born and then everyone started moving away:( Jenn and Kevin moved to work at a church in Camden, SC. Gary and Natalie moved to work at a church in Auburn, AL and Cole and Lorren moved to Greenville, SC when Cole got a job with Michelin. We have gotten to see each other a few times since everyone moved, but all of us have added new babies to our families in the past year and it was time for a much needed reunion! Jenn's family owns a farm near Spartanburg, SC...so we all met there for a long weekend! Its about halfway for us and the Snuffins, so it is the perfect place to meet! There were 8 adults and 9 kids (all ages 3 and under!) It was wild and crazy, but it was such a PERFECTLY FUN weekend! The older kids spent alot of time outside with the daddies flying kites, fishing, and hiking! While the mommies spent lots of time snuggling all the cute babies and having lots of time to catch up! I cannot say enough how special these people are to me. They have remained my best and closest friends even though hundreds of miles separate us. They love my boys like they are their own, and i love their kids like they are mine! God has truly blessed us with friendships that will last a lifetime. Here are some pictures of the BEAUTIFUL CHAOS of having 9 kids in the same house! I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!!










For memories sake here are the ages of the kids:)
Kate-3 yrs 7 months
Brody- 3 years 4 months
Savannah- 3 years
Andrew- 3 years
Graham-2 years 2 months
Hailey-14 months
Hollis-8 months
Levi-6 months
Owen-5 months

Weekend in Richmond

Went went to Richmond last weekend for the first time since christmas. We had such a fun weekend with Brian's family! Brian took half of the day off on Friday so we could get out of town early. It was a gorgeous 80 degree day, so Brody had a great evening playing outside with his cousins! On saturday we went to the Richmond Metro Zoo with Meme, Poppy, Uncle Adam, Aunt Tracy, and the cousins:) Brody had a great time running around, seeing all of the animals, and feeding the Giraffes! And Levi snoozed away in the stroller!




On sunday we had the privilege of dedicating Levi at the church where Brian's dad pastors. We dedicated Brody there too when he was around this age. We love our boys and are committed to raising them in a home centered around Christ! And where they grow up knowing that their parents love the Lord and want that for them too one day. Levi looked pretty cute i must say:)




On our way home from VA, the SWEETEST thing happened. Brody loves having Levi right next to him in the car. He is constantly talking to him and entertaining him. It was the boys naptime, so i told Brody he couldnt talk to Levi or play with him. Brody said "well can i just hold his hand?" so i told him as long as he sat still and was quiet he could hold Levi's hand while they went to sleep. They fell asleep holding hands and stayed that way, the entire trip. SO SWEET!

Levi's Big Week

This week has been a huge week for little Levi! He has started doing so many new things. Last weekend he rolled over from back to tummy for the first time...and now he is rolling all over the place! Which also means we now have a tummy sleeper:) Then on Tuesday our little guy started sitting up by himself! Why does that make them seem so grown up?! Hes been having so much fun! Its like hes in a whole new world now....sitting up and playing with toys. Brody loves it too...i think he now sees Levi as a playmate:)