Baby #4

We are so excited to share that we are having another baby. This one will arrive in early October. The kids talk about it all the time and Piper made the big announcement to her class today. Asher adamantly does not want another sister, and Piper feels the opposite way. 

Volcanos

Lately Asher has been talking a lot about volcanos. He really wants to see one erupt. He is also busy planning his next trip. The current plan he has developed is to save money to go to Australia and see volcanos there. I'm guessing it's going to take quite a few lemonade stands for that to happen.

 A few weeks ago we decided to make our own little volcano. I thought it was pretty cool, but they weren't that impressed.

Notice Piper in the princess dress. If we don't have anywhere to go she immediately starts dressing up.

Orlando

Last year Asher got some money for his birthday. When I asked him what he wanted to do with it he replied "I want to go on an airplane". He makes about a thousand totally unrealistic requests a day (when I turn three thousand can I go to the moon?). I am in such a habit of saying no I have to catch myself sometimes. I made a deal with Asher. I told him he would need to save his money and earn a lot more to take a trip with me. Over the next few months he managed to save a total of about $130. He had a very successful lemonade stand (we live in a great neighborhood). Nate agreed that my Christmas gift could be the trip with him.

Last week we hopped on a plane and headed down to Orlando. We stayed at a resort that had a lot of things to do.

 On our first morning we rented bikes and cruised around the place.

 We played mini-golf a couple of times. Asher refuses to hold to club correctly, but he manages to do quite well.

 Shuffle board was a bit harder for him.

On our second day we headed to Magic Kingdom.

 Asher purchased a sword almost immediately and carried it on every ride.

 One of his favorite rides was the car. I hope the way he drove that car isn't telling of his future as a driver.

 Back at the resort he had a blast swimming.

We got to the airport pretty early and ate breakfast there. Looking back the decision to let him have an entire bottle of gatorade wasn't the best idea. 

We had so much fun together. I'm so glad we got to go on a trip just the two of us.

Why I've Been Missing

Oh Dexter. You are almost two and while I love you so much it hurts, you are driving me crazy. You are a climber. Dexty you are also so stubborn and motivated to get what you want. When I tell you you can't have a snack you find something to climb up on and open the cabinet doors. And yes, I have found him going to town on the box of cheerios he manages to get out.

 After your snack you push your toy around and throw everything on the counters onto the floor. Sometimes you color on the stuff when you are done.

 You also love climbing into the sink. I have learned not to put any knives in the sink anymore.

These pictures were taken within a five minute span. You can imagine what he does with the rest of his time.

Myrtle Beach

This weekend Leah and I took the kids to Myrtle Beach. It had the potential to go so many directions, but it was really fun. The kids were crazy, of course. We spent most of the mornings in the indoor pool. Dexter was the hardest kid. He would sit on the steps and get out and run around the pool. I had to stay within a foot of him at all times. 

We hit the beach in the afternoons and it was great. 

 Overall Dexty did much better than I expected. He was pretty calm, except the ride home. We hit the beach before we left and he got a lot of sand in his diaper and got a bad rash. You can imagine how fun a screaming Dex was in the car.

 Piper is pretty independent these days. She is quite content doing things on her on and plays by herself a lot.

 The entire weekend Asher was determined to find a sand dollar. He was convinced he could buy a lot with it. He never did find one.

Bennett is such a character. He cracks me up so much.

 These two. I love them. They are spunky and smart and a handful. Our kids all got along so well and never got tired of each other. I hope they will be lifelong friends.

 This was as close of a family shot as I could get.

I'm so glad we went away together.

Jockey's Ridge in the Winter Time

Sorry for the lack of blogging lately. It's due to a combination of factors. I've been tutoring a lot more lately and my brain has officially turned into mush as a result of my children.

Last weekend we had some great weather and we heading to the OBX for the day. Jockey's Ridge is the perfect place for them right now, especially Dexter. He is so busy and into everything. A giant sandbox was just what he needed. 

 Asher loved climbing up the dunes over and over. He also enjoyed rolling down and turning into a sand monster.

 Dex is into throwing things. Especially sand.

 Pipes and I sat at the top and had some deep discussions, mainly about her next Birthday party.

 It wasn't that cold, she just felt that the hat completed her outfit.

All these climbing kids had a great day.

Fun with old friends.

While we were up in Pennsylvania we took the kids into the city again to visit an old friend of mine from high school. We have been friends for a long time, but rarely get to see each other. The kids had a blast. Before we left I wanted to get a picture of them all together. I had high hopes of them all sitting in a row on the couch, perhaps holding hands. Instead we got these pictures. 

 Piper had no interest in doing anything except lay on the arm.

 Simeon was quite a character.

They are a crazy bunch.