June pictures

Cam around 11 months and Grey around 23 months . . . contemplating future careers in medicine?

Gotta get the giggles out . . .

More Nags Head Pictures . . .

Nags Head really was a total blast - it's always so great to get the cousins together! So many memorable times . . . Currituck Lighthouse, the wild horses (driving on the beach), shopping at the boardwalk in Duck, beach time, family time, movie time, our night out to eat, crab night by Uncle Connor, etc . . .

Pics at Currituck . . . up in the lighthouse . . .

Note the relationship between Grey's feet and the sand . . . he tried to preserve this fragile relationship as much as he could . . . (and it didn't help when "E" dumped sand on him!)

Cam did not share Grey's reluctance about the sand . . .

Finally, a way to enjoy the beach without the sand getting in the way!

So, a few side notes about this unique trip . . . I think if we had just brought an ER doc with us, we would have been fine. The vaca started with Strep throat, vomiting, a 104 fever, and a trip to the urgent care. Middle of the week entailed a horrible back spasm, rendering the victim completely unable to move - for a day (and this included getting out of bed to the bathroom) - followed by several visits to the chiropractor. Also, a fall down the stairs & huge egg-sized lump on the head, as well as the most horrendous cold endured by all the males and grandma for over a month! Seriously, it knocked Matt and the kids out for several weeks. Oh, and Grey had projectile vomiting toward the end of the trip.

Like I said, a memorable trip . . . but getting to spend time with our family made it all worth it!

the Novelty

just getting started with a post about our Nag's Head trip . . . I will come back and post more!

It's amazing how many brain cells I feel I have lost in this whole "having kids" experience. It feels a little like being brain washed on some days. (and I didn't preserve any brain cells by going on vacation either!)

But on the other hand, I seem to be using new parts of my brain that I didn't even know existed. I don't have any memories from when I was 1 or 2 yrs old. But I feel like I am reliving those years. Everything my kids experience, I am experiencing too. I can't even explain the identification you have with your children. Their perspective becomes your perspective. Their frustration, hurt, joy, amazement, excitement becomes yours. It's like a whole other world that you step into. It's like . . . a bigger picture.

Why does life seem so exciting when you're two? I think . . . it's the novelty. Why are new things fun and exciting? Doesn't it always seem like the first time you experience something, it is extra memorable? extra stimulating? intriguing? beguiling? And, even though I'm not the one experiencing everything for the first time, my kids are. I think I get even more joy from experiencing life through them then I do on my own! (if that even makes sense) The best analogy I can make (and this analogy doesn't even do justice to my thoughts) is when you are watching your favorite movie with your best friend whose never seen the movie before.

Why did mom always say that if we lived at the beach, it just wouldn't be special anymore? that we wouldn't want to vacation there anymore?

it's the mystery of the novelty of things . . .

a Southern Easter in the Pines

Not just on Easter, but everyday it is easy to forget what happened on that Easter Sunday so many centuries ago . . . the resurrection of Christ. We forget . . . He did it for us! because He loved us. Without this gift, we would have no hope. Pastor Mike reminded us on Easter morning that it is personal.

We hope your Easter was a personal reminder of Christ's love for you as well. God Bless!

Bathtime with Boo-Boo

The very first thing Cam does when he gets in the bathtub is to take a nose dive for these little rubber balls (many times ending up with a face full of water, coughing and sputtering). In the mouth they go, as he proceeds to frantically suck on them . . . interesting . . .

Of course, it's a different story when Grey and Cam are both in the tub, battling it out for the rubber balls . . .

Both in search (no doubt) of the balls . . .

"Boo-boo" is my nickname for Cam, mainly because he is an accident (hence the term "boo-boo") looking to happen. He is truly impulsive. There are no moments of hesitation, no stopping to ponder the possible consequences of his actions. He just nose-dives right into whatever it is he's doing . . . head first off the couch, up (or down) the stairs, ripping toys out of Grey's hands (truly a boo-boo waiting to happen), pulling the cords of lamps (hence pulling the lamp off the table), etc, etc . . .

Very unlike his big brother, who models cautious, thoughtful behavior (and I'm being completely serious).

It is truly a full-time job, just making sure "Boo-boo" doesn't end up with a boo-boo. But, I wouldn't trade my Boo-boo for the world . . .

Thank goodness for the beautiful weekends we've had recently. It's been great to get the kids outside and burn off a little energy. Hopefully more nice weather will continue our way (unlike this weekend, rainy and freezing cold)!

All you need is one large box . . .

. . . for hours of fun! Just don't ask either one to share it with the other one - apparently there is only room for one . . .

Grey's "I-don't-like-to-share" face . . . (we're working on it!)