4th of July, 2013

This fourth of July was a blessing because it rained in the morning and then cleared up early enough for all the festivities. We headed out in the morning to see the Pinehurst parade that they do every year. Cold Stone is always there passing out free ice cream so the boys love that at 10 in the morning. 

 

The boys loves seeing all the horses. 

With all the crowds we really didn't have a great view of all the festivities.  Thank goodness for that ice cream again that occupied them. Oh and all the dogs they got to pet! They now tell everyone we are going to get an American Bulldog because that is what Daddy has told (brainwashed) them.  I’m still standing my ground with no dog in the house but I think my days are numbered as they have all banned together against me. 

Easty Bubbas all grown up from last 4th to this 4th.

Against there wishes they posed for a picture.  It was all part of my plan getting those flags.

Their facial expressions are so funny! Silly boys.

God Bless America and the freedom and wild hearts of these boys.

~ Last year’s group shot~

After the flag flying craziness we walked through the car show and farmers market they had set up.  I bought some peaches to test them but I have yet to have a delicious peach this summer from all the places I have tried them.

In the evening, Bradley, Gavin and I left Daddy and Easton at home to sleep and do some work.  Brad had looming deadlines and it is just too late for Easton.  He would have loved them but we didn’t get home until 11:30 so it was a good call.

 

We met up with some of our military friends and the kids had a blast playing and waiting. 

   

Gavin was gasping in awe of the fireworks and screeching with excitement.  I would say this was his first year to really get into them so much as he is getting older and almost 4.

Me and Ducky.  We all love this lady and her rocking shirt tonight.

A New Year ~ 2013

It has been pretty uneventful in the Woodward house so far this twenty -thirteen. Pretty much the only news to report is we have all been sick and are trying to get better.  Brad and I are both on antibiotics for a nasty upper respiratory infection.  Pretty much a bad cold.  The boys after I was thinking they were in the clear came down with the stomach bug that I got on Christmas day.  It happened over a week later though and it also happened the exact night before Bradley was supposed to return to school from his 17 day break.  So, with the weekend included we got to have him home for 4 more joyful days.  Making that 21 days with all three boys!! Mommy is ready to pull her hair out so I am glad tomorrow, Monday, starts a new week of school and productivity for us! Here is a few pictures of what we have been doing since New Years.

New Years day we spent with friends in Southern Pines.  I did the cupid shuffle in the cold and we missed the “pine cone” drop at 8 pm! Laugh now!! There was no countdown from 10 so literally if you blinked you missed it. 

We have done a lot of laying around…

 

We went to Fun Gym and the boys both climbed the rock wall for the first time. 

 

We have been watching lots of Football together.

Playing…….

And going to the park…..

Racing Daddy on the slide is so much fun!

The boys love to watch Brad punt the soccer ball or football really high up into the sky and then chase it and catch it all to have him do it all over again.  They think it is the coolest that he can get the ball that high in the air.  Well, there is a funny story this time.  Gavin, being the social creature he is went up to another couple at the park with their two boys and said “my Dad kick the ball way up high….” anyways he is talking a mile a minute to this couple and demonstrating and he went to show a kick and kicked his own legs clear out from under him and landed on his back.   He got up and said “whoa!” and giggled at himself and then ran away.  The couple any myself were busting out laughing!! He is a trip I tell ya, A trip!!

Remember God loves you this New Year as he always has! Look for how he shows you and count it as that instead of brushing it off.

I am excited for the possibilities this new year brings as I take the steps and aim for change to happen with God to lead the way and help me when life is tough.  We all know the tough stuff doesn’t fade but the good part is that God doesn’t either as long as we don’t let him. He’s got my back in 2013 just like he did in 2012!! Thank you Lord!

Our Christmas 2012

This Christmas was a blessing in spite of me being sick.  I got sick and came down with a nasty stomach bug literally 15 minutes before the boys woke up to see that Santa had arrived.  Thankfully since then I have been the only one that received that gift.  My mom was visiting as I mentioned before so she took all the pictures while Daddy got down on the ground with the boys and helped with everything.  I just sat in a haze and watched.  At one point I even threw up in a small trash can while opening my stocking from Brad. The boys knew something was up, even Easton, and pretty much stayed away.  It is the cutest thing though because along with his brothers, Easton was saying “you okaaayy mommy?” Here is the madness and memories that ensued….

 

Santa was here!

We did something new this year.  I did three gifts each.  It goes with the symbolism of baby Jesus getting three gifts from the wise men.  Some people take it further and with those three gifts you get one “gold” gift, the big item they are longing for; one “myrrh” gift, which is for their body, such as clothing; and one “frankincense” gift, for their spiritual growth. I don’t know if I will do it like that every year since normally in their stocking I try to put a spiritual gift like my mom always did when we were growing up.  Also, Gavin and Easton needed nothing clothing related at all this year.  I am sure as they get older and like the styles of clothes/shoes maybe I can do this. Also, I told them that this was Santa who brings the three gifts tradition so I did actually have one extra gift from mommy and daddy for each of them.  Santa can’t get all the credit!! 

I has gotten this for Gavin and then swapped and gave it to Easton.  Brad and I were laughing because it kind of looks like him!

He loves his horned dragon and gave him kisses!

Bradley asked Santa for 4 jets.  He specifically told me he wanted two and he wanted to give one each to share with his brothers.  That just melted my heart.  He was already giving before he even received.  Sure enough, he opened that pack of jets and gave one each to his brothers. It was exactly what he wanted.  Santa isn't cruel though so in knowing this would happen they all got lots of little jets in their stockings.

Imaginext T-Rex Dinosaur.

Blocks.  He loves his Trio set of blocks that click together so we thought we would try something new. 

Excited about a toothbrush!

Best Buds.

Grammy got Gavin Goldilocks and the three bears.  Have I mentioned this is his favorite?  I have to recite it for nap and bed.  Twice daily!!

 

The place was trashed!!

Grammy got Bradley and Gavin both Power Rangers costumes and swords which are a hit of course!

Grammy got the annual Christmas morning picture if front of the tree instead of Mommy and Daddy this year.  There was no way I was taking a picture!!

 

I spent the remainder of the day in the bathroom and bed.  The boys played with all there toys and jumped on the trampoline.  Brad made Chicken and Dumplings from scratch for all of us as our Christmas dinner.  My mom had to get on the road that afternoon to be back for work the next day.  It was a great Christmas for the boys!! They may have rather liked it that it was a complete free for all and Mommy wasn’t around to stop anything.