Summer update and recap!

Well as you can see I have not been updating here. Mainly because I was upset about my photos not posting. As it turns out I have exceeded the allotted Photo uploads thru blogger. Bummer! But I can still upload to my gallery but that does mean that you will have to click the link to see the photos.

On another note, we have had a FABULOUS FAST summer! THose of you who know us well know that we are always on the go and this summer you would think we were striving for some sort of record. Looking at the calendar we nearly traveled every other week. WE love it although I have discovered that awesome feeling I used to have when packing for Hank and I to go on a vacation has dwindled to a somewhat dreadful feeling of where to begin packing for all 6 of us! Not just the clothes but the toddler toys and baby gear galore! Twin babies is just a crazy mess of gear x2. And although I sigh, it is only a sigh of being overwhelmed for a few days and then an enormous sigh of joy that we are able to go! We are truly blessed and our families have been so supportive and inviting! Thank you all for your love and kindness! And for putting up for the crowd we bring when visiting you all!

We have had so much excitement this year. We moved to a new house. LOVE iT! It is just perfect for us and quite the kid house! Gabi and Kennedy did morning summer camp at Trinity. Gabi also went to the YMCA for gymnastics and swimming! She loved it! And it gave me the courage to send her to Pre-school this year! WE stayed in Orlando for our usual trip with the Fields. WE also got to enjoy Jaden(newest cousin), CHristy & Benny's company. We went to a waterpark nearly everyday thanks to Rob for our passes! The kids are amazingly brave and go on every water ride they are tall enough for! Gabi has been swimming on her own for a few years as you know, but Kennedy has now joined her and easily swims the length of the pooL! I am most amazed at the length of time he can hold his breath! Wow KK!
We have also visited my Parents in Tampa quite a bit and the kids always love it there since my parents have a playroom and a bedroom set up for them. Plus, they get to swim everyday too!

Gabi turned 4 in June and celebrated with breakfast at Peach Valley Cafe with Sandra ,with whom she shares a birthday, some friends at the pool, and at Chuck E Cheese with Our family and Grandma & Poppy and Christy & Jaden, Grandma Jewell! SHe had a blast and smiled so much!

Hank and I celebrated 5 years of awesome and excited marriage! Love you honey!

Kennedy's turned 3 this summer! Unfortunately, he was complaining about his leg hurting where he had some ant bites and then he started dripping orange goo out of his ear. Lovely, huh?!?!?! Double ear infection and an infected leg. Poor Baby boy..I mean Big Boy!

Piper & Phoebe turned ONE on the 7th of July! What a milestone! I truly do not think Hank and I have ever been so tired! And yes, I finally quit nursing them! What an accomplishment! I breathe a sigh of relief and sadness that they are growing up! Is it just me or does time fly faster the more kids you have??? My awesome hubby bought ME a present for the girls birthday!!! A new mini laptop! Oh Yeah! I think every Mom should get a present from their hubby when your kids turn 1. Sounds like a new trend...husbands get shopping ...an easy way to make your wives happy!

We also traveled to KNoxville to visit Michele, RIck, Izabella & Lexi. Their house and neighborhood is so welcoming and fun! 3 floors and wonderful decor by Rick! WE went to the largest Bounce house place I have ever seen! The kids were thrilled!!

Hank's Dad came to visit and we really enjoyed that time spent with him! The guys even managed a "guys day", while i took Gabi and the twins to Maddy's(our friend)birthday party! Next time we hope Barb can join us.

Jennifer, Grace & Connor also visited us at our new house! Cousins are so much fun!!!

FInally, Hank and I went to Las Vegas for a week! What a wonderful breather for us both! He and I spent the first day and a half together and then nhe was off to a conference, Black Hat and DEFCON. My sister,Patti and cousin, AManda, joined me for the remainder of the week, celebrating their 30th and 21st birthdays. WE had so much fun seeing the hotels, shows and dancing until the wee hours of the morning every night! WE certainly missed the kids but were thrilled to be able to have some time not changing 10-20 diapers a day and not having to cut up for for 4 kids several times a day. the things we appreciate just crack me up!!!!

Now we are back home and thankfully the kids were all thrilled to see us! unlike last year when Hank and I returned from a trip and Kennedy just stared at me for an hour.

Gabi has started preschool at Queen of Peace Academy and loves it! Kennedy seems to be enjoying his role as the big brother and has really started playing with Piper and Phoebe. P & P are both crawling now and Piper stands up at everything she can. They have finally reached the 16 pound mark! Hooray!! We are going to have them evaluated by Early steps OT, SPeech to make sure they are not falling behind in any areas and won't have any trouble catching up! THey are both saying "hi" and kind of wave....sometimes..

In closing, I will leave you with a few funny things the kids are saying and doing.

Gabi and Kennedy were pretending to be in a car and so KK was the driver and Gabi was in the back so I told them to go to the store and come back and get me...Gabi said, " We are not going to the store, I am going to get Married. Kennedy is driving me to get my beautiful dress."

They have both started truly cleaning their rooms and playroom and do it quite well!

This summer Gabi told someone that she was from Kansas! Kansas??? Seriously Gabi is a dreamer!! Goofball! To which my friend Misty said, "What!? Can't you see she is Dorothy? All she needs is Toto... ; ) see you soon in Munchkinland!"

One Night,Gabi & Kennedy were wrestling with Hank. They piled on his back and made a sandwich.. Gabi told Kennedy he was the sandwich and Daddy was the lettuce, Gabi said she was the relish! so funny!

Gabi told me, Mommy, you forgot to take your "spikey's" off" today.= translation= Mommy you did not shave your legs and you are poking and scratching me! love that toddler speak!

Gabi(3) said to me..."Mommy, I think I am a little nervous without my white kitty in my bedroom." (She understands the word nervous???)

Gabi
1. is sleep walking and talking which freaks Hank out!
2. Wants to wear a dress EVERYDAY and plays dress up constantly!
3. Wants to eat cereal at every meal but doesn't get to.

Kennedy
1. Does Handstands and his hero is Sportucus of the show Lazy Town
2. favorite thing to say " kucamunga cow tail" (annoying but kind of funny)
3. is so quiet sometimes you don't even realize he is with you , or you are wondering "where did that kid go" and you notice he is right next to you