Hey Look, My Real Camera!

 After several weeks away, the boys and I decided it would be a good weekend to visit The Farm. It was the first weekend of crisp, cool weather and there is no better place than there to enjoy it. 

we have a full time walker now!

We left Friday afternoon after to school for the trip and first thing Saturday morning, the boys got to work doing all the things they do. 

 Bennett found these ovies in Wells' closet (he refused to wear them last year) and didn't take them off all weekend. 

It was actually a lot cooler out than I packed for, but luckily Marme was already knitting some winter hats.

Lately, I have succumbed to the convenience of my iphone over using my DSLR, but this weekend I was definitely re-inspired to capture those little moments in a big way 

(and please excuse the watermark situation, I didn't change the preset in lightroom and I am too lazy to go re-export the pictures with my normal watermark). 

 My Oma was out there this weekend too and by Saturday afternoon, we had Wells looking at her and saying "Ohhhhhhhhh-MA" which of course had her completely tickled. 

 Joan had just enough pumpkins to make a patch for 3 boys (and an Uncle Tommy and a Chelsie), and Fritz of course had to make his own version of a hayride. 

I wish I knew what the secret was...

 Uncle Tommy and Bennett matched all day. B loved it.

Great-Grandpa Ray and Zigfried keeping a careful watch over everyone.

 And later that night, we spent some time in the rocks and playing baseball before having dinner and watching the Auburn game.

Sunday morning, I left early to head back to DC for a photoshoot while Tommy and Chelsie were going to bring the kids back in for me a few hours later when they came back in. Apparently, my boys convinced them that 'Lunchtime' was actually 5pm Sunday night. So not only did I get  my shoot done and half the pictures edited already, but I went to the commissary alone, cleaned the whole house and made a big pot of chili for everyone (and some friends!) for dinner.  We wrapped up a great weekend with our friend Shawn, her baby girl and 3 boys, Tommy, Chelsie, me and the boys for dinner and basement sports. 

And then all my boys slept for 12 hours last night. 

Can you blame them?

Thanks for a wonderful weekend Marme, Papa, Oma, Grandma, G-pa Ray, Tommy and Chelsie!

A Weekend At Home

For the first weekend in what seems like forever, the boys and I hung out at home. Of course, we still did about 329480928342 things because that is how we roll, but it was really nice to just be around the house. 

Friday we met some friends at the Splash Park in the afternoon and then ordered pizza (first one since Kev deployed- Self five!) and rented The Lego Movie. Sadly, we turned that one off within the first 30 minutes- it was just a little too intense for my sensitive boys. 

So we settled for some Curious George and called it an early night. 

Saturday morning we did a little more work on the boys' new room

 and then Nana and Pop came over for the afternoon.

He's going to be 1 next month...

 Deb and I were off to my almost sister in law's bridal shower while Scott held down the fort with all 3 boys (brave man). 

Caitlin and friends

After a lovely and fun shower, we headed back home and Nana and Pop treated us to Chinese and took over bathtime and dish-doing for me which was an amazing break. 

Sunday, the boys and I were up early so made it to 9am Mass and the pancake breakfast afterwards. Because of travel, we hadn't been to Mass in a few weeks and it was so refreshing to be there. 

Afterwards, we came home and I mowed the lawn while the big boys played in the mud and Wells napped then later that afternoon, Cate and Alysa came over to hang out and for dinner.

 (I also re-made my risotto so I can do a post for all who asked the the recipe last week!)

A few games of front yard baseball (thanks to some new toys from Uncle Pete and Aunt Lori!), it was bath and bed for some worn out boys. 

It was busy, but such a nice weekend. 

What We Did

Happy Monday friends. 

Hope everyone had a great weekend- it was another fast and furious one for us. 

After coming down from our awesome vacation high, Kev was back to work Friday, the boys were back to school and I was back to trying to put the house in order. 

We had a low key Friday night and then spent all day Saturday down at my in laws. My sister in law and her family came up for the day and we had a birthday party to celebrate 4 sweet cousins (Brooks- May 4, Cullen-May 13, Owen- May 16, Bennett-June 5)

We had a fun filled day playing with the new lacrosse sticks from Nana and Pop

and hanging out down by the lake

Kev, his younger brother Mike and his dad

and playing slip n slide baseball- couresty of Uncle Mike

My mother in law made a huge seafood feast for dinner and we had a wonderful day spending time with family. We left around 8:30 and everyone (including Kev and me) was sound asleep by 9:30.

I'm not a huge Mother's Day person, but I do love an excuse to get dressed up and drink champagne, so Sunday that's exactly what we did. We had a lazy morning, followed by Mass at 10:30.

 Luckily, the boys were pooped from the day before so after lunch all 3 took long naps while Kev and I relaxed outside and talked (with champagne, of course) for a few hours.

 Then it was a little backyard fun, plus a trip out to the playground and for ice cream.

 Our regular Sunday Chinese for dinner, a movie with the boys, and another weekend was in the books. 

Now, it is time to mentally prepare myself for having a 5 year old tomorrow!

****

PS- I know I have been terrible about commenting lately- I am trying to get through all my emails this week, so be sure to leave a comment so I can stop by your blog too! And thank you, as always for your support and taking the time to leave some love. It really does mean a lot to me!

The Perfect Kind Of Weekend

Guess what we did Saturday?

N-O-T-H-I-N-G

The real kind of nothing. 

We didn't clean. We didn't cook. We didn't see anyone except for our boys and each other. 

We played outside. We rode bikes. We went for ice cream. Kev and I sat out back in the sunshine with a beer while the boys napped. We ordered in dinner. 

It was one of those wonderfully simple, perfect kind of days. One where I just soaked in every ounce of blessings that my family gives me and enjoyed every second without an agenda.

Look at Mommy and smile!
Fail.

My litter photographer hard at work

Baby's first ice cream

Not sure why the chicken wing, but always nice to get in the picture

 Sunday was Mass and lunch, followed by Kev taking off to travel for work this week. Luckily, my friends Cate and John came to the rescue with pizza and cookies for dinner so I wouldn't have to worry about cooking and snuggled (and got beat at lacrosse) with some boys. You guys are the best!

Hope your weekend was just as wonderful

*Linked up with Mommy Moments

Happy Birthday to Kev

Today, a certain man of mine celebrates 33 amazing years of life.

On Saturday, we decided to have a 'few' friends over for some appetizers and beers and as these things go, a 'few' turned into 'a whole lot' and it was truly show cased just how much Kev is loved. We even had some friends West Point drive all the way down just to surprise him.

 We had friends from the neighborhood we grew up in, from Monterey, from West Point, from high school, Kev's parents, my brothers and their ladies...a very wide spectrum of people there to celebrate with us.

 The best part was the full on lacrosse game happening in the basement. Somehow, all of our friends have boys (there were 11 boys and one little girl there!) and Jojo put his helmet on and braved the elements. 

 Demin was all the rage for the ladies

We ended up staying up way too late but had a such a great time hanging out with our family and friends. Thank you to everyone who spent their Saturday with us! We love you all!

Sunday morning we headed to church then into National Harbor for lunch with Kev's parents.

 Afterwards, Tyler, Dena and kids came back over to spend some more time with us before they hit the road back to NY and in a few months back to the West Coast. Thanks so much for coming down guys- what a special surprise!

For the rest of the day, we lounged in the backyard sun until it was time to call it a night for everyone.

Tonight, we will sing and celebrate as our little family and thank God that he gifted us with Kev's life. 

Happy birthday my darling. 

You are the absolute best and your boys and I love you so very much.