Memorial Day: Family Gathering

We had a lot of fun catching up and visiting with family, though everyone wasn't here, we missed those who couldn't make it! The kiddos had a blast playing together. With a five year old, two three year olds and two one year olds, it was all hands on deck at times...but they had fun and many memories were made! They did everything from jumping off the bunkbed ladder onto the blowup mattress to shooting each other with the nerf gun, playing chase up and down and all around and then when it got real quiet we'd wonder-- "where are the big boys?" and we found that Peyton was reading to Aiden and Lawson--how cute is that?! They really are great kids!

On Saturday Dad and Adam played golf, Lindsey and I took the kids to the McWane Center, while Mom and Aunt Debbi went Antique shopping and had lunch. We'd considered going to the zoo, but with 90 degree heat, we decided inside and air conditioned would be best for us and all the kids!

They really had fun at the Dinosaur Exhibit, getting to be a Palentologist digging for dinosaur bones, experiencing the wind tunnel in the Weather area, the Acquarium where they got to touch Hammer Head sharks and Sting Ray as well as getting to see all different types of fish and turtles...they really enjoyed it all!








We cooked out, and if I must say so myself, it was all very tastey! We enjoyed a good ole American barbecue with burgers, hotdogs, baked beans, potato salad (that was delicious, follow the link for the "world's best" recipe), homemade salsa and chips, and it wouldn't have been a Memorial Day cookout without some sliced watermelon. I made fruit skewers of large marshmellows, blue berries and strawberries then used floral foam covered in a cute Red, White and Blue star napkin to display it all. Then for dessert I served Strawberry Trifle (which was delightfully light yet yummy, you must try it!)





After our dinner coma the boys rough housed and wrestled, doing what boys do best! Then we played a few rounds of Hedbanz and that was pretty cute to watch! They loved the game.



This morning after the Nashville crew loaded up to head back home, we took the kids and let them ride bikes and play at a nearby park...they had a blast!







We were glad to have had a chance to catch up and visit, while remembering and praying for those who've fought for our freedoms so that we can enjoy a nice relaxing weekend with family! I am grateful for men like Warren McLellan (my great Uncle) who served many years with the US Navy and fought in World War II; for Warren "Dub" Head (Adam's grandfather) who served in the US Army with the 3rd Infantry Division and also fought in World War II; and I'm very proud of Adam (my husband) who served four and a half years as a Medical Service Officer with the 3rd Infantry Division as well, and spent a year deployed in Iraq. I am so thankful for men like these, who sacrificed the comforts of home and all things familiar to serve and fight for all the marvelous freedoms that I enjoy today...freedom to love and serve God as I choose, the ability to speak freely, to live freely and to enjoy all the benefits of being an American citizen..."Thank You" for your choices and sacrifices, I am forever grateful for what all these men and others who've gone before them have done!

Hope you have had a memorable Memorial Day Weekend!

Ava Jane - Almost 24 weeks

Today I got to see sweet little Ava Jane again...here's her little profile!


Though she didn't cooperate very good this time either. I did tell the Tech that since I had three boys I wanted to check again for "girl parts"...and sure as the world that little stinker kept those legs crossed, like any good girl should do, almost the entire time. I rolled from side to side and sat up and the Tech moved that wand all over the place! From the tiny peek that Ava Jane gave us, the Tech said she saw "labia"...I couldn't see anything real clearly, so I'm glad she knows what she's talking about and looking for! She did say that in 19 years she's only been wrong one time and it was due to mixed genitalia (that sounds terrible) but I guess it does happen.

Anyway, everything looked great. I had only gained 4 lbs up until this appointment so when I weighed in with almost 10 lbs gained in the last 4 weeks I almost died, but I think I'll blame it on the fact that we just got home from vacation! So at almost 24 weeks, 14 lbs isn't too bad, right? It does make me cringe and say "YIKES"! So here's my belly bump so far!


Dr. McKenzie did say that since all my kiddos were so close together that I'd most likely begin having very strong Braxton Hicks and that I'd probably have at least one unscheduled trip to the doctors office or hospital to check for preterm labor. I did go into preterm labor at 36 weeks with Lawson and was on bed rest for 2 weeks before he actually came. Guess we'll see when this little stinker wants to make her debut!

I do have to say I was shocked when he said this next appointment will be your last 4 week check, after that we'll begin doing every 2 weeks until 36 weeks when we'll start every week visits...CRAZY, how can I be this far along already...this pregnancy is literally flying by!

Beautiful Beach...Fabulous Family!

We had the most wonderful vacation with Adam's family, we were so busy making precious memories that I'm just now catching up on our time together...it was everything a vacation should be...restful, invigorating, relaxing, fun times, edifying conversations and happy memories made! Here's where we stayed at Navarre Beach, it was fabulous...we enjoyed our views, the very cozy hammock and all the bike riding...





Cousins, Emerson and JoJo, got into lots of things together...and they enjoyed being laid back in their highchairs eating handfuls of just about anything!


Adam and I got to enjoy a Date Night out in Destin and we had such fun just sitting at a nice quiet dinner enjoying our crab legs and fresh fish as the beautiful big boats came into the harbor. It's nice to have an uninterrupted conversation, thanks Poppy and Grammy for babysitting our little peeps!


We enjoyed more great beach time...





Poppy and Peyton flew a kite together...


The pool was really fun too...



I've never actually gone out at dusk to look for crabs...the kids thought this was so much fun...there were tons of little white crabs crawling all over the place, here's our first catch in the bottom of the bucket...



Here's the view at dusk and my sweet Mother in Law and Me...


It wouldn't be a Head Family trip without some visit to the ER or walk-in clinic...Lawson who struggles with chronic ear infections got yet another one on vacation and was running fever off and on for a few days but after his antibiotics kicked in he was more himself...and poor Jojo got a fever virus too, but we made the most of our time and the kiddos were troopers!

We did go into Pensacola for a fun dinner out at Flounders...it was very tastey!




What a marvelous trip we had...we so enjoyed our time there and were not ready to get back into reality...Thank you Lord for the blessing of time to relax and enjoy Your creation, You are so good to us!!

Mother's Day in Paradise!

This has to be the best Mother's Day present ever! I woke up to a beautiful beach scene, turqouise waters and a nice ocean breeze...it has been so wonderful! We are here with Adam's family and enjoying relaxation and time together, it's been great! All the Dad's made breakfast, which was very tastey!

After getting all the beach equipment set up (the canopies, beach chairs, blow up pool/slide for the kids and all the other fun beach things) we enjoyed several blissful hours soaking up the beautiful weather which was NOT in the forcast, I think they said it was a 50-60% chance of rain today (we were geared up for several rounds of Scattergories and Banana Grams) but the sun came out and surprised us all day long, it was so much fun!







Emerson and JoJo's first experience with the ocean was pure delight. Emerson loved standing in the water and having it splash up on him...he cackled and insisted to stand there for quite some time. They also enjoyed their blowup pool in the shade of the canopy, which I must say is a must when you have little people tagging along!

The red flags were out so there were huge waves...Peyton loved being in the water and being pushed back to shore...a couple times he did do some face plants in the sand which was not fun...but it didn't keep him from going in again! Lawson on the other hand was not interested at all in getting in the water, I think the waves were intimidating for him...he was much more comfortable playing in the sand with Uncle Johnny or kicking a beach ball.

Uncle Johnny got buried in the sand, Lawson loved helping to dig the hole but even better, was getting to cover Uncle Johnny in all that sand!


After lunch and naptimes we got to enjoy the nice pool outside our house, the kids loved it, though it did take Lawson a while to get back in the swing of the pool...he had a kung fu grip on Poppy and Adam, whichever was holding him!


It's been fun so far...what will the rest of the week hold?!! Pure fun I'm sure!

Pictures of the Boys

We went home for a very quick visit so my Mom, Sister and I took the boys out to Wildwood to see if we could get any good pictures. Mom had her camera too and Aunt Whitney helped us chase the kids around, keep them out of the pond and helped make them smile for the cameras! Here's what we got...I think they turned out pretty good for amateurs!

Emerson...








Lawson...




Peyton...






I couldn't get a good group shot of all three, so I'll just have to keep trying! Individuals (in motion or simply by themselves) is much easier for me! Aren't they pretty cute though?!!