{JUST THE FOUR OF US...}

I was NOT looking forward to this day. The day when I tried to take a family photo with all four of us! 

The husbands mom is super awesome at following directions and having a TON of patience when I am trying to get a few quick photos that I REFUSE to attempt with just my sanity and a tripod. So, we walked a few blocks from the house and prayed for the best...

this photo is my absolute FAV. Mainly due to the fact that the big lil's feet are off the ground, the new lil's left shoe went M.I.A, and I smiled super big to hide the fact that I was totally already over it and sucking it up for the sake of memories...

the big lil' insisted on having a little more than a few animal crackers and totally made them a prop in the shoot for sure...ahhhh well...

I was seriously blown away by how much alike they look in this one...

the two of us with our Kendall Bear :)...

have no words for this one...just love it, that's all!!!

I had to chase the big lil' down and poke my head in for a pic...shame I tell ya!

a bit dazed and confused....weren't we all :)

While I'm sure I experienced some version of a heart palpation, I will say that it was worth it...

XoXo,

Syreena

{CHRISTMAS IN CAROLINA & A 30/30...}

And, this is the one when we road tripped it to Carolina to knock another one off of my 30 before 30!!! Number 22 on the list, visit my mommy with the boys.

CHECK PLEASE!

Normally we spend Thanksgiving with my side of the family and Christmas at home with the husband's. But, this year (well, last year...lol) we thought it would be great to switch it up a bit and visit my mommy for Christmas to let her get in on the festivities that were Kendy's First Christmas. 

We started the trip off with a big change for my baby boys that I like to call "the upgrade". The big lil' moved it on up to a booster seat and the new lil' went from a carrier car seat to a front facer for big boys. (The tears might start flowing right now just thinking about it!) 

Here's the big lil'...

and then the new lil'...

Front facers, DVD players, sippys, snacks, extra pillows....ummmmm, yes please!

I'll spare you the details of the trip in that I think road trips with under two year olds for any amount of time exceeding fifteen minutes is an overkill. Just know, we broke the trip up by stopping in Virginia to visit the bestie for a few hours and then made it to Charlotte by early morning while the lil's caught some ZZZZzzzz's. And, we were greeted by this....

My mommy even had a couple of gifts ready for the boys to hold them over till Christmas Day. She's a genius! Kept them occupied and distracted from the rest of the gifts under the tree...

my goWageous mommy and my first baby boy (***insert serious love for the photo here***)...

Me and my mommy...

As soon as we arrived in Charlotte the lil's caught something kinda nasty and we spent a major amount of time giving them treatments every 4 hours which is why the big lil' looks a bit pooped in this pic...

We snagged a walker from the store which kept the new lil' occupied and happy with his small servings of Cherrio goodness...

My grandfather and his wife were in for the holiday and brought along this train set which we spent Christmas Eve setting up to surprise the big lil' with Christmas morning...

and this super cute carousel... we were so excited to see the look on the lil's faces when they feasted their eyes on these babies...

We tripped it to one of my favs, Hobby Lobby, and picked up this super cute apron for me to wear Christmas Day. Please ignore the short leggings and high socks... there was a lot going on...lol.

I got this photo to prove that I am NOT the only adult in the world who sits Indian style!!! Just a note to my husband...I get it from my momma...

and here is the big lil' trying to get his grammy to get off of the phone and focus on the matter at hand...

let's get this box open baby!!!

Uncle Jay, facilitating project open gifts and get excited. One of my greatest family memories was of my brother and I opening gifts on Christmas Day. We barely even cared what the gifts were. It was all about the excitement and being grateful that we were thought of and loved.

back to the main attraction...A little Thomas & Friends...

The new lil' and his Christmas Jammies...

I love my lil's...

sidenote...this isn't the best picture (on my part), but the moment is priceless!!! My baby and his grammy...

And, now it was on to making some Christmas quiche...

I wish I had taking a TON more pics. But, with the kids, thier treatments, cooking all day etc. I missed a lot!!!! I didn't even manage to get one pic of my Grandpa Jo & his wife. Makes me sad but I can't catch'em all, right? The day after Christmas we tripped it over the the raceway to drive through the light show with the lil's...

Grammy was our driver for the night while I tried to grab pictures and keep the lil's super excited...

Christmas in Carolina was pretty awesome. I ate way too much. The kids got wayyyy too many toys. The time with family was priceless and if it hadn't been for the boys being under the weather, we would have done soooo much more. I am just now recovering from my lack of sleep. But, I would do it all over again if I had to. 

Mommy, thank you so much for making Christmas so awesome for my lil' men. But, next time, our new rule of thumb is...you come to the kids...LoL (at least until they are 13 and up) :)

XoXo,

Syreena

{A LITTLE POOL FUN: OH THOSE SUMMER DAYS...}

The pool is closed. And, sadness lives here. Apparently, after the Hurricane and the stretches of cool weather coming our way it is more trouble to keep it open than not. And, since I haven't lifted a finger to aid in the cleaning and maintenance of our good ole' pool my vote is not being considered in this matter. Bummer. But at least I have memories of all the fun that we had this summer with ole' blue. Gotta love photos for that reason alone! Please excuse the new lil'. Drooling is his thing as of late...

and the big lil' is TOTALLY not interested in the photo opportunity. All he keeps saying is...Outside...in da pooo... (so demanding)

a little too much of a close up for my liking but a memory none-the-less...

so cute...eventhou I'm bias...

God must have felt bad at my sad attempts to get just one photo with both of my boys...yes...Jesus loves me...

the big lil's attempt to carry his Kendall-Bear over to the pool...

this is enough mommy....pool time already...

so the new lil' and I took the opportunity for just one more photo...

now into the pool...

kinda messed up the order here but tossing these pics in for good measure...

now back to the right order of things...

the Mother-In-Love is our personal photographer....an unpaid position, but appreciated non-the-less...

a little shade from the sun.... apparently brown folks burn too (learn something new errrday I guess)...

Oh geez... I'm gonna miss these summer days...outside...in da poooo....

Do your kids like the pool? I think I am going to have serious water babies... they love it, could spend all day in it...

XoXo,

Syreena

{HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY}

I LOVE a great holiday! A reason to celebrate, reminisce and have fun with the fam is always welcomed in my book. So we invited the family, drew up a quick menu, got the grill rolling, broke out a few decorations and decided to have some fun. 

Just thought I'd share a lil...

the apples were originally supposed to be candied and I figured I would offer them up minus the candy to have a healtier snacking option. Let's just say that they were all still accounted for when the day was all said and done (so sad) LoL...

my dessert table was a hit...

the two specialty drinks on the menu were strawberry iced tea and blueberry lemonade... but with everything else to get in order the blueberry lemonade was all that we got around to making...I think it was a hit :!

a little fun for the little guys...and the big kids too...

it seems that I have a sister that aiint too bad at face painting, although I strongly suggest she stick to her day job :)

The boys God-sister stopped in for some fun...

my how they grow so fast... it seems like just a short while ago they were babies...

we had a hot dog bar...

and the bbq looked a little something like this...

clearly, my big lil was in the pool ALL DAY...

having fun with the cousins seems to be what it's all about...

while my new lil spent a lil quality time with his Great-Grandmother...

I LOVE the holidays!!! Happy Fourth of July everyone

XoXo,

Syreena