Saturday Fun Part 2

Part of the reason we got together this weekend was there were 5 birthdays in July. Isn't that crazy?! :)  So we had a little party together and Zachy wore his 1 year birthday t-shirt.

 Papa threw the ball with the boys with back-up helpers (the two boys who didn't have a glove).

 Getting hugs from Aunt Melissa

8 of the 10 grandchildren

Aren't they so cute?!

Fun with Family

We had the opportunity to hang out with my family that lives in the south this weekend. We left work early on Friday but due to crazy traffic, we got there later than we wanted. Saturday started with breakfast at Bojangle's and then after a quick errand for school supplies (it was tax-free weekend), we went swimming!

Here's the youngest cousin that we got to meet for the first time.

Friday Flashback

It's hard to believe that this was over 3 months ago, but since we're heading to see family today, it's appropriate to "flashback" to.

The weekend of April 15-17, 2016, we drove up to Cana, Virginia, to hang out with the Vernon crew. We got to do lots of fun stuff - like see Emma practice softball, go to the park, play outside, and just hang out together. It was a great time, although Zachy struggled with teething a bunch.

Skipping rocks

The cousins!

Sneaky Snake Shenanigans

The boys were playing together while we were getting the last things ready before work  Sneaky Snake showed up!

At first, Nathan thought I was taking a picture, but then he went back to playing with Sneaky Snake! Sssssssssss!

We made it!

I posted this collage to my timeline as a proud moment for our family.  We made it!  It wasn't easy but we perservered and even were able to help three different families by donating milk. This little peanut has grown and we are amazed at God's handiwork!

Sweet Sunday Hugs

July 10, 2016

Although I didn't get any pictures today, it has been a day of hugs.  Nathan has hugged each of us multiple times. It's pretty cute to see the boys hugging which reminded me of this picture which was from a couple Sundays ago.

Poor Zachy has been struggling with his molars coming in and has been having a rough time. Hopefully this will finish up soon.  Poor thing.

Sensational Saturday

We had the opportunity to visit the new library addition at the library in Mount Juliet (the town next to ours). Nathan has enjoyed their train table, and we haven't checked books out in a l-o-o-ong time. We picked out several books and a couple movies. Isn't the painting cool?

Nathan loves to have books read to him and we've really enjoyed the Dolly Parton Imagination program. Getting a new book every month has built our book stash!

[Nathan insisted that I take his picture!]

Flashback Friday

We're flashing back to March and some fun pictures of the family.

 First is Zach's monthly picture.  He was home with me because he had a fever.  We never did figure out what was wrong with him. In any case, we had a good day together with lots of snuggles. 3/9/16

 This one and the next are some pictures we snapped in the backyard on a particularly beautiful evening after work. 3/15/16

Nathan went through a stage for a few weeks that he wanted to wear Daddy's hat when we went out. The boys were hanging out while we did the last couple of things before heading out the door. 3/18/16

It's My Birthday!

Here we are at the last birthday for our little family! Nathan has been counting down to his birthday again for months and now his is the next.

 I think that this birthday will be one to remember as my co-workers decided for a gift they would make a week's worth of meals. WOW! How amazing is that?!

 Since I was a loser and fell off the face of the earth for a few months, we missed Barry's birthday in April. Here's the boys with him and the birthday sign.  Doesn't he look so happy to be celebrating?!

Cheesecake Yum!

My co-worker has a birthday today so I decided to make her favorite dessert for it.

 Nathan helped me a bunch with making the crust, using the rolling pin to crush up the graham crackers and walnuts.

It came out pretty good, don't you think?

(the brown crumbles are part of the crust)

She was super excited about the cheesecake and loved the decorations we put up at her desk. It was fun! Everybody thought it tasted great.

Two for Tuesday

This is the usual hangout spot for Zach when we're trying to get the last minute things done in the morning. He will stand by the chair and play with toys or just watch what's going on. He'll hangout here in the evening as well when we're getting dinner prepared.  It's an all-around happening spot! :)

I caught this video when we were driving on Saturday, July 2. It was neat to catch what he was doing in the mirror as well as hear all the talking. He can be quite the chatterbox!

Practicing Walking

Zachy started his day getting some practicing in. He walked back and forth down the hall pushing the walker and keeping up with his brother.

What a cutie pie! :)

Bob the Builder

Are you looking for some help on that next household project? There's a new man on the job! :)

I wished that I had gotten the picture with the rainbow suspenders that came along with this set, but they were too big and not fitting correctly.  Then we had to borrow a belt of Momma's to hold the tool belt thing up.

Bob the Builder (not Nathan the Builder) joined us all day in our activities.  He ate lunch at Chick-fil-A with us, ran errands, and played at home. He's fixed a few things and pounded the walls a few times, but mostly has measured a bunch of different things.

I think this was worth the $3 we spent, don't you?!

Papa & Nana's Visit

We were so glad that Papa and Nana could come and visit us last weekend.  Nana has been sick as a result of a brown recluse bite and had just been cleared by her doctor on Thursday before coming last Saturday. She was still trying to get her strength back, but she's doing much better.

After church, Nathan decided he didn't want to wear his shorts, but since Zachy was sleeping, he put on his pj bottoms and then decided he'd like to wear his shirt too.  He often asks if he can wear his pjs all day but they haven't been doing that at daycare and there isn't an opportunity otherwise. So, we got lovely pictures with Nana & Papa in his pjs. Silly boy.

A New Animal

Zach the Zebra

Despite the 4 shots and toe prick, our little guy is doing pretty good.  Thankfully, he hasn't had a reaction yet to vaccinations and we're so glad.

Here's a picture we took recently at the zoo. A different kind of animal, right?!

One Year Stats

We had the opportunity to have Zach's one year pictures taken by a family friend at a local park. Didn't he do a great job?! (Kevin Masch)

Daddy's rocker came in handy again! :)

We snuck in monkey for these birthday shots!

Zachy loves to stand and did so great holding on the edge of the rocker.

12 Month Stats

20 pounds 13 ounces (barely 1 pound more)

28.75 inches (up almost 2 inches)

Since June was such a rough month for Zachy, he hasn't quite rebounded to the 21+ pounds he was on June 6, but since his growth curve is still in the 50th percentile, the doctor said he was doing okay.  Hopefully he'll continue to have a good appetite like he's had this week.

I know you're not supposed to compare, but after taking the lead on Nathan at the 9 month check-up, he's fallen way behind at 1.  Nathan was 22 pounds and 31 1/2 inches tall.

Officially 12 Months Old

It was time for the official monthly picture with monkey. Of course it's challenging since Zach is so mobile and wants to put everything in his mouth.

It's hard to believe that we made it. At first you just can hardly think you're going to make it a day, let alone a week, month, a year. I feel like we lost some time when Barry was out of commission and we were trying to survive each day. But, there is no denying that God brought us through. Zach is such a great baby and we can only wonder what God's got in store for him.

Fun Party Shots

Our friend Lora's husband used to be a wedding photographer and we reaped the benefits of his skills! Check out these great pictures.