Eli's First Field Trip and Hailey's Big Day

I know that is a long title but if I don't put all this in a post right now then it likely won't happen for a little while since we are having Hailey's party tomorrow. :)

On Thursday, Eli's class took a trip to the Botanica Gardens here in Wichita. Eli had no idea what a "field trip" was, but on the way there he just kept telling us over and over how excited he was. I think he loved having both Marc and me to himself for a few hours (although when we first left he commented that we had forgotten Hailey. Ha!). Eli is such a sweet boy, and we are SO thankful for the wonderful childcare we have had access to over the past two years. I could probably write an entire post on the benefits we have seen with having Eli around other children his age daily over the past two years, but I just don't have the time. :)

Anyone in our family could tell you who Eli's best friend is. James is talked about quite frequently around our house and it breaks our heart that their friendship is coming to an end in two months. They have been together from Eli's very first day at the CDC when he was 10 weeks old until now. They are both full of energy and we had so much fun watching them on the field trip.

 All the kids were trying to get a peek at a butterfly.

 Eli and Cody playing some tunes.

Ms. Francie and Ms. Angela wanted to get a group picture of the kids....this was quite a task and I still didn't get a picture with all the kids and only Ms. Angela made it in this picture. That is the very hungry caterpillar behind them which was so cute.

What a fun day!

Our other big event is that at 11:50 this morning Hailey turned one. How is that even possible??? Wasn't she just inside my tummy??? She is such a delight and brings so much joy into our home. We are thankful for the privilege we have been given to raise her. We are looking forward to celebrating this little one this weekend with our family and friends!

Fall and Football Fun

Marc really wanted to make it to a Razorback game this season so we were excited that it worked out this past weekend (and my dad found us all tickets!). We headed to Arkansas to spend a few days with my family. The kids traveled so well and Eli even went 4 1/2 hours on the way there without needing to stop to go to the bathroom. He has been doing so great toilet training. I am thankful this has been a fairly easy milestone for us!

On Saturday morning, we decided to go to an area a little outside of Rogers where they have some Fall things to do. There was a petting zoo, a pumpkin patch, a corn maze, and a cow train ride. The weather was just beautiful!

The cow train was NOT a comfortable ride for adults. I now understand why adults ride for free with their kids. No one in their right mind would pay money for that. Ha! Hailey rode in Marc's car and Eli was in mine. We were miserable but put on nice big smiles for the kids because they were laughing and having a great time.

Eli loved feeding the goats some hay.

Time to pick out a pumpkin!

Hailey kept trying to pick our pumpkin up. :)

After the kids woke up from their nap we got them settled in with a babysitter and then Marc and I headed out to Fayetteville for the football game. Arkansas played Auburn and the final score was something like 38-14. Now that I no longer go to competing SEC schools (Ole Miss AND Vandy), I can call the hogs without too much guilt. Woooooo pig souie! Eli even learned how to call the Hogs this weekend.

 We didn't have a chance to get the kids in their game day attire on Saturday so we had a little photo time on Sunday before we left to head back to Wichita. I LOVE that Eli understands how to cheese it up for the camera now. :) My mom found these outfits at TJ Maxx and they loooked adorable on Eli and Hailey!

 This is what Hailey thinks of the Hogs. Ha! Just kidding mom and dad.

 I guess I was the only one who knew which camera to look at.... Take 1.

Take 2

 Take 3

Have a great week everyone!

Nana's Visit

My mom came into town this past weekend to see us and the kids. She went to the San Diego zoo recently on a trip to California and bought the kids a few things that she wanted to bring them. They got some new t-shirts and books. Our kids just LOVE reading books so we always enjoy getting some new ones to throw into our bedtime reading rotation.

This was also the first weekend in over a month that we were home AND Marc had zero call nights. It was awesome. We both felt like the weekend lasted forever which is always a great feeling to have.

On Friday morning we took the kids to the park. The weather has been just perfect lately and we had lots of fun watching them play. Hailey is doing much better walking in shoes so she had a good time as well exploring the playground.

Playing peek-a-boo with Nana

Hailey may be a mama's girl, but Marc is making every attempt to change her mind. :)

Eli loves sliding down head first.

After naps on Friday afternoon we took the kids to the mall to do some Fall shopping with Nana. I think kids' areas in stores are just brilliant. Eli and Hailey were very entertained while we shopped.

One of our finds for the day were these cute shoes. I put them on her yesterday with some leggings and Marc said she looked like she should have been in a Jane Fonda workout video. Ha!

It was a great weekend spent with Nana, and the kids love their new Fall clothes and shoes. :)

A Week in Pictures

I have an odd assortment right now of pictures so I thought I would throw them all into a random post of our week's events so far. Monday night we took the kids to Riverside park to play for a little while after dinner. We took the wagon with us and they loved being pulled around near the fountain by their daddy. He would get them just close enough to touch the water which Eli thought was so fun. :)

Hailey has become Miss Independent. She fusses at me if I try to help her walk. :)

Eli loves singing to this CD while standing on Hailey's toy box. He stomps his feet and claps his hands. He is such a joyful little boy.

Meal times can be a bit stressful for me as I usually get home from work around 5:15 and then quickly try to get dinner ready and on everyone's plates by 6. I actually come home over lunch on most days to do some prep work and get a head start for the meal. Eli and Hailey don't always like what we are having (which I am learning to be ok with) so it makes me so happy on nights when they clean their plates. Tonight, was a good night and the pictures show it.

Mmmm, mashed potatoes.

Eli took a little coaxing, but as soon as I told him he would be big and strong like daddy if he ate his meat he started gobbling it up. :)

 Show me some muscles!

I love these pictures. They remind me of God's goodness to me even though life has felt a little crazy lately. The only explanation I have is that I got a brief, six week taste of being a stay-at-home mom over the summer and ever since I haven't been able to kick it back into full-time working mom gear. Whew! There are MANY with burdens that FAR outweigh mine, but I feel like God is reminding me during this time to still be joyful. To not be so exhausted mentally and physically that I am unable to spend quality time with Him and shine the goodness He has put in my life to those around me. He is also continually teaching me that I have way too much Martha in me and I need to be more like Mary... sitting at His feet (Luke 10:38). My "Martha"ness gives me a headache most days. :) Well, those are my thoughts tonight. Time to rest up for tomorrow!

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lack wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." James 1:2-4