After 10 months since our last visit to Charlotte, North Carolina, we packed up literally everything but the kitchen sink, and headed South for 21 days from January 2-23rd!!! In case any of you are wondering how Bruce could be gone for so long from work, his company gives fathers 1 month of PAID infant care leave!
This is a picture of Baylor just starting to stand in his Jumparoo New Years Day, as I was packing our luggage. He is just about 1 week shy of 4 months.
Picture of all the boys just after arriving to my sister's house. From L-R her son Harrison age 6 yrs. 6 mos, Bennett age 5 yrs. 2 mos, Baylor almost 4 months, Sterling almost 4 yrs., and Brayden 3 yrs. 3 mos. We had a wonderful time with 5 boys in the house and only made one trip for stitches :o). Details below:
Bennett recently learned how to swing himself on the big swing. He gives the credit to his pre-school teachers that work with him each day at school. They have a swing set just outside their classroom and usually begin the day playing outside. Bennett has spent lots of time mastering the art of swinging.
Bennett on the playground equipment at the park by my sister's house.
Brayden climbing in the tunnels. It was a very cold day and the boys were itching to get outside. Bruce and I said we would take the big boys to the park to get some energy out and my sister Robin stayed back at the house and watched Baylor.
Sterling and those big beautiful blue eyes.
Harrison taking a break to pose for "Aunt B"
Harrison found this ball at the park and the boys were having fun. With 4 little boys you can be sure there is some fun to be had!!!
Brayden on the swing, he loves to go as high as the sky! If you push him slowly he will demand to go faster and faster.
A gorgeous shot of Sterling just before the accident. Bruce was pushing Brayden on the swing and had reminded Sterling to watch out for the swing. Big brother Harrison kicked the ball up under the swing and Sterling instinctively ran up under the swing before Bruce could stop him. The swing came back and popped him just outside his left eye. Needless to say our fun was over at the park and Bruce, Robin, and Sterling were off to Urgent Care and Sterling got 4 stitches. That put our photo shoot of the boys on hold the next day since he had a black eye and stitches.
On Saturday January 5th Baylor met his Grandaddy Johnson for the first time. Needless to say this boy had Grandaddy wrapped around his little finger.
Baylor with Grandma McKinstry waving Hi!
Story time with Auntie Robin, if you enlarge the picture you may be able to see Sterlings black eye. (Ouch)
On Sunday January 6th, Baylor met Great Grandma Snodgrass for the first time. (my moms, mom) She had been saying ever since he was born that she wanted to hold him so bad. On a side note, Baylor looks so much like my moms baby picture. Sometimes I feel like it's my mom looking at me, pretty cool God's handiwork.
Sterling outside at Grandma Ruth's house, gathering items to make a tree house.
Harrison throwing leaves. We realized this was the first time our boys had ever played in leaves. They had a great time experiencing the rustling and cruntching of natures beauty.
Bennett reading some books outside in the leaves and Harrison gathering big sticks to make a tree house.
Mommy and Baylor getting some fresh air!
Bennett reading to Brayden at Grandma's
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On Monday January 7th we took Baylor to our old pediatrician Dr. Glen Holladay because he was having some feeding issues. He had been having diarrhea for close to 2 weeks, and Dr. Holladay felt it was an intolerance to formula. I tried breast feeding and was successful for close to 4 months, but after 6 clogged milk ducts and more milk blisters than I can count, that I had to pop myself, I switched to formula. He switched him to Similac Alimentum $$$$ and he has done beautifully. I hope to switch him to regular formula soon. We go on Tuesday for a recheck and hopefully can start rice cereal. Anyway after the appointment we went for a play group with my great friends Joy Cabrie and her twins Lori and Lindsay, and my friend Kara Huntley and her kids Kalyn and Noah. Kalyn is 7 weeks younger than Bennett and Noah is 7 days younger than Brayden. I guess she was not ready to be pregnant with me for #3, but her sister had a baby right after I had Baylor! I forgot my camera that day, but we had a great time with all the kiddos! Hopefully we can all get together sooner than 10 months the next time :o).
On Tuesday January 8th we went to Monkey Joes to play with some of our friends from our old church Christ Lutheran. This is Bennett with one of his best friends Alexa. Their birthdays are 2 weeks apart, and they have been friends since age 3 months where we met at Little Lambs music class. Alexa and Bennett have a very special relationship and no matter the miles between us, they still love each other very much and pick right up where they left off each time they see one another. She says Bennett is her prince and that one day they will get married :o). I really would not be surprised if it happened.
Alexa's mommy Lindsey and her son Lucas age 2yrs. 10 mos. , Brayden and Lucas had a fabulous time playing together. Alexa had told Lucas before we arrived that she was playing with Bennett and that his friend would be Brayden :o).
All the kids minus Brayden, Lucas, and baby Kaitlyn
From L-R Andrew and Hayden Stiene, Camille and Ben English, Jackson and Samuel Hartig, Emma and Abby Brincefield(they have a baby sister Kaitlyn born just before Baylor) Their mom Dana and I have been pregnant at the same time each time and all our kids are within weeks or days of one another. That's all for me Dana :o), Alexa Karger, Bennett, and Baylor.
Brayden coming off the big slide.
Lucas palying a game of pound the shark.
We sure had a great time and really enjoy getting the kids together when we go back for a visit and see how they have grow. We can't wait to see you all again soon.
Baylor and Grandaddy Johnson. After staying with my sister for 10 days we gathered our things and went to stay with my dad and Martha for 6 days.
Saturday January 12th we went to Joy and Danny Cabrie's house for BBQ, baked beans, homemade slaw, banana pudding, sweet tea, and great company with the Cabrie’s, Huntley’s', and our family. We had a great time and the kids of course had lots of fun playing with one another. The boys brought their Wii and it was fun watching all the kids together.
Our family
The Cabrie's: Danny, Joy, Lori(purple shirt), and Lindsay(white shirt)
Huntley's: David, Kalyn, Kara, and Noah
Back at grandad's and Martha's for some fun with Martha. She is so good with the kids and they love her games!!!
One happy little BOY!!!
Mommy's little ham :o) I love those rolls and boy does he have a lot. He was weighed at the dr's on 1/7 and was 15lbs. and 15 oz. My baby is getting soooo big.
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We also had a play date with our friends from our old neighborhood on Tuesday January 15th. Once again I forgot my camera :o(. We got together with Erin and her kids Charlie, Andrew, and baby Luke(each of her boys are within days or weeks of our boys), Kristin and her boys Colin, Ryan, and Chase, and Beth and her girls Virginia, Elizabeth, and Macy. We loved our old neighborhood and miss our old neighbors dearly. Thanks for hosting a fun play group Erin.
On Friday January 18th we gathered our things and went to stay with Bruce's parents until we left on the 23rd. My friend Karen who recently moved from AZ to Davidson, NC came to visit with her newest son Kore. She had Kore exactly 2 weeks before I had Baylor. They both are about the same weight, but Baylor's head is in the 90% and Kore's is like 25%. They are such little cuties. Karen and Kyle are going to be Baylor's sponsors when we baptize him 2/17, and Karen and Kore are coming for a visit 2/15-19 so she can be here for Baylor's baptism. Yeah I can't wait!!!
The boys and my brother Danny. They have so much fun with Uncle Danny.
Sterling celebrated his 4th b-day while we were there. It also happened to snow for the second time that day! From L-R Brayden, Aunt Robin and Devin, Harrison, Sterling, Baylor with Grandad, and Bennett. Bruce walking by in the background.
He had a cowboy and Indian theme party and I think the highlight of the party next to the snow, was the piñata.
Baylor having tummy time, this was taken after we returned home, but I just thought it was a cute picture. He is about 4 1/2 mos.
More cutie Baylor, he is such a happy baby!!!
We finally made it to get the pictures of the boys together on January 22nd, the day before we left.
This is the one we chose of all the 5 boys together. I was very pleased with how well it turned out.
Brothers Harrison and Sterling
Our boys Bennett, Brayden, and Baylor
Harrison
Sterling
Bennett
Brayden
Baylor
Thanks for hanging in with me for this post, I took me several days to get this one together, hopefully I'll not have one that big for a while. :o)
We sure enjoyed our time back home, and had our fill of Southern BBQ and sweet tea, but it has been nice to return to our normal daily routine. We love and miss each of you, our family and friends and hope to be with you all again real soon!!!
Bennett practicing his Kata just before the tournament began.
Bennett talking to the judges giving them his name, dojo, Sensei, style, and Kata he is to perform and asking for permission to begin.
Bennett performing Kihon Kata #5
Receiving their awards for their Katas
Bennett in fighting stance just before sparring. Look at his focus :o).
It came down to Bennett and Carson another boy from his dojo in the final round. This is a picture of Bennett and Carson sparring. (Bennett in the yellow belt)
The score was 2-3 with Carson placing 1st and Bennett 2nd for the State of Arizona!!! Way to go boys, you guys did an awesome job!
Bennett and Carson posing for a photo just after receiving their trophies.
