Please accept my apologies for not blogging the past two weeks. We have lots of fun things to share!
After returning from St. Augustine, we took it easy for a day, and then went into high gear getting ready for almost the whole family to come for CJ's dedication/birthday celebration. We had lots of fun last weekend with everyone, and I promise, if you keep reading through this long post...it will be worth it!
My mom, Scott's mom and dad, Scott's brother Bud, his wife Balenda and Kayley, Lexi, and Jayden (3 of thier 6 kids!) all came on Friday. CJ had lots of fun playing with Kayley and Lexi. If you can't see it, you should click on this picture because Kayley has chalk on her nose from where CJ drew on her-so cute! He loved playing in the dive way with them. I have loved looking at their pictures even after they left...
He loved Kayley reading to him...
And had lots of fun playing ball with Lexi...
Then on Saturday morning, we went to a flea market. It was super sketchy. Lesson learned. After lunch we headed to Flat Rock Park. It is right by our house, and we love to play there. I wish, wish, wish I had a video of Scott sliding down this rock. It was HILAROUS! If you don't try to slow yourself down, you will keep sliding and smash into a rock wall...so watching a grown man, who is very dense (if you haven't heard his tirade on this, don't get him started!), try to control his slide was priceless. He was in prime position to catch Kayley...
And then they both caught Lexi...
The girls, Scott and Bud had lots of fun. They stayed for about 2 hours after the rest of us left with the babies.
Jayden had a blast. He just splashed and splashed his little feet in the water. And he would smile soooo big.
CJ on the other hand needed some convincing. The water was a little cold and the rocks were slippery so he couldn't get his footing.
As long as he was in daddy's arms, he was OK though...
The rest of the day was spent visiting and eating. We all turned in early because we were meeting back at our house at 9:00 the next morning for CJ's dedication at church. My dad finally made in in early Sunday morning about 1 am! It was great to see them all Sunday morning. The Krispy Kreme doughnuts weren't bad either! (thanks dad!)
Here's our cute little family before the service. CJ is in another Gran-original. He looked precious.
All the kids who were dedicated received a storybook bible. CJ loves looking at the pictures, and I can't wait to read to him more.
When we got home, CJ crashed, and while he was sleeping, we set up to party. Kayley, Lexi, Papa and Gran were on streamer duty, Granddad took care of the balloons, and Nanny and Gran took care of CJ once he got up before we were ready to start eating. All we had to wait on was Uncle Richard, Aunt Krista, Natalie and Nathan to get in from Tennessee. Once they got there, the festivities began...
I think the most fun part of the weekend came early in the party. CJ opened a very special present from his mom and dad...
Why is Bobbie hugging me and Lexi grinning?
Why is everyone smiling and are little girls gasping?
Why do both my parents have wide open mouths?
Because this is what mom and dad got CJ! If you can't read his shirt, it says "Big Brother To Be." That's right boys and girls...I'm pregnant again! Don't worry, we had to try for years for the first one, but CJ will be 19 months (just barely) when #2 is born. We are so very excited!
Since CJ was in the present opening groove...we continued onward. He got so many fun things and has loved playing with his new big boy toys.
Then it was finally time for big people to eat. Since we were all preoccupied with eating, CJ took a moment to chill out. He's not used to all the craziness, and I think the baby announcement and all the attention while he opened presents got him a little overwhelmed. For some reason, he loves this rug. We bought it for Connor to sit on while she guards the neighborhood from the garbage men and mail men, but CJ has claimed it as his "alone spot." And the poor little guy needed a little alone time! He was happy as a clam all by himself...
Then it was time for more craziness. Granddad held CJ while we all sang happy birthday.
And he got his very own special cupcake. I wish I had a picture of all the cupcakes Kayley and Lexi decorated, but the disappeared fast!
CJ made fast work of his cupcake as well!
"All done," he said.
We had a great weekend and were so blessed to have family there to celebrate it with us.
And we have anther piece of fun news...Scott will be home for CJ's actual first birthday on June 1st! His deployment orders said he would leave "on or about the 10th of May" so we expected him to be gone over a week ago. This changed to the 19th of May and just this week changed to after Memorial Day weekend! We feel so blessed with this extra time.
