Playing Catch-Up

Hello! Yet again it's been awhile since I last posted! Not only has it been crazy around here but I got a little burned out on writing on the blog. We have also been consumed with our house remodel and in turn has unfortunately left little to no time to say much. But I'm back and I will try to post more often. I have a lot to catch you up on so I'm just going to dive in.

Here's what we've been up to in the past month:

* Aubrey's soccer season ended with their team going to the finals and finishing 2nd place. This picture is of Aubrey at her soccer awards party. By the time we arrived to the party, we thought the swimming part would be over so we didn't even bother bringing her suite. Boy were we wrong and she was so disappointed she didn't have her swim suite. Instead...all the girls were still swimming the night away so she borrowed some shorts and kept her undershirt on and partook in the festivities anyways. She had so much fun! And we were really happy to hear that she'll have the same coach again for the fall season.

* Aubrey had her first piano recital. She played two pieces as a duet with her piano teacher. She did really well and we're so proud of her! During the whole recital, Jocelyn did better than I expected. She sat on John and I's lap the entire hour and listened to the music. I think John had to take her out in the hall just once but that's still better than it could have been! We left our camera at home so if it wasn't for our Bishop taking photos, we wouldn't have what you see here. We got lucky.

{Aubrey playing her 2 songs along with her piano teacher}

{Aubrey (far left) standing with the other piano students for the Spring Recital}

{Jocelyn sitting pretty with Mommy during big Sis's Recital}

* John has started playing softball with a bunch of buddies from work. Their league is through the military on base. Besides getting poked in the shins pretty bad from another team player's cleats, he's enjoying it.

{John being silly with Jocelyn while waiting in the dugout. Look at those EYES!!}

{My two cuties playing on the slide together}

* John, Jocelyn and I went down with Aubrey's 2nd grade class to the Richmond Children's Science Museum just before the end of the school year. John had some time off of work and we thought it would be really fun to hang out with Aubrey and her class for the day. Glad we did but BOY WERE THEY A WILD BUNCH! :)

* Jocelyn has grown to love many things-one of which is to color. If she has paper and crayons, she'll be happy as a clam for a good long while. Of course once the crayons go crashing to the floor and the coloring book goes flying, we know it's time for her to move on to another activity. :) Other things she has been enjoying are: trying a few new foods (ketchup included), pushing things around in a laundry basket, watching Sesame Street, playing ball, eating popsicles, blowing bubbles, going on walks, pointing out tractors and motorcycles as we pass by (who knows why the fascination, but it's there!), playing at the park is still an all time favorite, being goofy, and just loving life. She also has been making small strides to using the "big girl potty." Just one week ago she told us that she had to go pee so we ran her to the bathroom where she instead when poop. We were just as proud of her as she was...she REALLY wanted that M&M for a reward! So my little baby is becoming quite the big girl. Don't have much time to be sad about that truth though as we have another baby on the way. It would be nice to have only one child in diapers instead of two but I'm not pushing it. As most children achieve this milestone, I know she'll get there eventually.

* Our family took a trip about a month ago to DC after dropping a friend at the airport. We really want to see as much as we can while we live out here. We chose to go to the Smithsonian's Museum of Natural History. The place was huge and had so much to see. Lots of animals and insects and a dinosaur exhibit. Even with being there for a few hours we didn't get to see everything but we had a lot of fun and go to the car JUST before a big lightning and thunderstorm came through the city. I wasn't too happy that I didn't get a lot of photos on this trip because the lights in the Museum threw off the lighting of the camera (flash or no flash, it didn't matter) so I took a few and called it a day. Oh well. That's how it goes. But seriously...haven't we all seen bears and dragonflies before?

{The girls and I out front of the EPA building. We parked in their underground parking lot because it was cheap but we had to have the car inspected and show proper picture I.D. before we could even park. I guess we felt important that they cared so much. And the look on Jocelyn's face here is just priceless. She's not a happy camper that she doesn't get to walk the busy streets of D.C. But can you blame me?? I think not!}

{I snapped this picture of the Washington Monument while we waited to cross the street. Maybe another time we'll see it a little closer. HaHa}

* And we can't forget the celebration of Father's Day. (I'm leaving out Mother's Day because other than me being sick, I can't remember much. Funny how that works but anyways.) We surprised John with an early gift to show the girls and I's appreciation for him and bought him a grill. The look on his face was priceless. I was finally able to surprise him without any speculation. Without a fence in the backyard I was very reluctant to buy a really NICE grill in the event that it would get stolen off our back patio but don't let that little bit of information fool you. He's in heaven with the grill we got him and he tries to find any chance in the world to use it. John took this semester of school off to focus more on the kitchen remodel so the grill was also a reward for his hard work. "Thanks babe for all that you do for our family. We love you!"

{Our family enjoying a quick BBQ out back. And yes, you see that correctly-we were using a box as a table that day. First we have to tackle the kitchen remodel THEN hopefully we can tackle the backyard. If you look real closely...that's Jocelyn sipping my Rootbeer as I got up to take this picture. What a stinker!! And you better believe that it showed itself all over her shirt too! LOL}

* And well, I suppose I shouldn't leave myself out of this update. Although I don't really have much to say other than I am just staying busy with the girls-especially with Aubrey now out of school for the summer, cleaning, trying to stay fit while pregnant with regular walks and cardio, story time at the library, reading on my spare time (it happens on occasion), and yada yada yada. I'm now in my 15th week of pregnancy (2nd Trimester-YAY) and doing great. Haven't been TOO sick with this pregnancy so I'm extremely grateful. The major problem I have is that not a lot of food agrees with me and not a whole lot sounds good. Including chicken or any meat for that matter. I was very sick with both of the girls for 5 months straight so who knows! It could be a boy. I honestly don't care either way. John and I just want a healthy baby. But-we will be having the ultrasound sometime early August so if/when we find out-you can be sure that you'll find out not too long after we do. I hate this photo but it's the only current one taken of me pregnant (2 weeks ago). Mind you...it had been a very long day that day (like what day isn't LOL) and I was tired and heading to bed.

{Me pregnant with baby #3 at 13 weeks. 27 more weeks to go!}

This entry has gotten a tad bit long but I feel better knowing that I've caught up for the most part on how things have been going for us. We're heading out to the NW for vacation in a few weeks but I will write about more going on here soon, including our kitchen remodel that's almost done (pictures included). Until then...take care and hope you're enjoying the summer!