Naylor riding his bike sans training wheels

This was a spur of the moment try and just a quick video of him going.  He did really great and we're working on no training wheels all the time, although he likes them on so he can "go faster".  :)

This is the outfit he picked for the day too - his fashion statements are unparalleled.

Saturday Parade

We've made a family tradition of the downtown Raleigh St. Patrick's Day parade - this was our 3rd year attending!  We are always joined by our good friends the Swaringens and Blaine's sister Ashley and her family (she and Brian graduated high school together).  This year, we even got the Hughes family to come out for just a little play time as well.  The weather was awesome and the kids loved it as usual.  I'm glad we have so many family friendly things to do in our area - so grateful!!

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Sleeping Beauties...

Walked in to check on the girls the other night and found this...

I was a bit surprised because it got quiet faster than usual, so I expected them to both be in their beds, but instead found them all snuggled up with their horses!

Have you ever tried to photograph 3 kids and have them all look at the same time?

I've found at the ages of 4, 3 and practically 2, it's nearly impossible.  I was attempting to get a picture of all three kids to send with our Valentine's to some of our family... please enjoy the next 30 photos that were taken in about a 8 minute time frame prior to leaving for the circus.  Please note, this is the SECOND photo shoot - I also attempted yesterday after school as well - what a joke!  Please also note, that I'm attempting to get a picture of all three kids looking at the camera at the same time while smiling, obviously poorly done, but that's what I was trying to do...

Circus Night!

For the past two years, Brian and I have taken the kids to the circus and continued the tradition again this year.  They were *SO* excited this year because 1) it was the circus and 2) this year's circus theme was DRAGONS - say what?!?!!  They are all into dragons lately and love to watch the How to Train your Dragon show and movie - they kept asking if Toothless was going to be at the circus.

After school we had mandatory naps since I knew they'd be up later than usual for the show.  We then loaded up, grabbed some Bojangles and popped by Brian's office to eat and grab him to go.  We got there early enough to go down on the floor and see some stuff up close (and ran into our friends the Markham family).

Once the show was about to start, Naylor started freaking out because he wanted a lighted twirly gig (that was $22!!) and I was able to play that off on Brian having all the money and he'd gone with Lalon to fetch popcorn... then he spotted the snow cones and I don't care if they were giving them away, we WERE NOT having snow cones - I was not mentally prepared for that sticky, messy sugar high.  He calmed down shortly and was distracted by the popcorn and show starting and then we all had a fun time.  I can't believe the lady in front of me didn't turn around and kick my ass though, as Whitley Ann (who sat on my lap the entire time) continued to kick her in the back of the head repeatedly.  I mean like 8 times at least.

Everyone was in the groove after intermission and the remainder of the show was smooth sailing.  We had gotten an awesome parking spot, so we scooted out quickly and were home in no time.  The kids are all tucked into bed and Brian and I aren't far behind.  What a fun time out - I see this tradition in our future for a few more years.

I couldn't take my "good" camera in so I just used my phone since my old point and shoot is so slow - excuse the picture quality!

Lalon showing off her blue teeth / tongue from the cotton candy.

Whitley Ann was in HEAVEN with the horses - I think she may be a veterinarian or cowgirl - she has a small horse obsession.

Naylor sad over his lack of lighted whirly gig and snow cone - fret not, he survived AND had a good time without them.

I would love to have a Great Dane - I felt like this random dog in the opening parade was a sign. Then when we got home and watched a quick show, there was one on that show (randomly, not regularly there) and I told Brian it was DEFINITELY a sign!

shoving in the sugar!

Happy Birthday Pa!

Today is my Daddy's birthday, the young fifty-something that he is!  We loaded up and made a day trip to SamCo on Saturday to spend time with the family and have a little pizza party for Daddy.  The kids sure do love going to the farm, as do I, but I love seeing them there, just running and interested in all it has to offer from the plants to equipment to animals.  We have fun cousins there too!  :)  After a full afternoon of play, we had a pizza party with cupcakes and ice cream and then a little later, hit the road back home.  A fun day with the family, no doubt.  I told the kids that today was actually Pa's birthday though and that we'd make his favorite prize snack after school - peanut butter crackers with a marshmallow on top, popped in the oven and browned up right.  They thought that was the best thing and timing worked out that we were able to FaceTime with Pa, Annie and Uncle Robert to sing Happy Birthday to Pa and blow the candles out on his cracker "cake".  Pa told the kids to save one for him and Lalon promised that we would.  They were eating dinner, so we kept it short and got back to our snacks before they got too cold!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PA - We LOVE You!!

The kids got a quick ride around the farm with Pa Pa!

Sweet Ella sharing her pacifier with Uncle Robert

and now sharing her pig

Brian took all the kids out to fly a kite - perfect weather for it!

Anna is a kite flying rock star!

on Pa's birthday after our FaceTime, enjoying Pa's favorite snack

I believe Ava James and Lalon must have spent the day doing their hair... who's in charge of these girls?!?!

Pa post pizza party!

the Birthday Guy!

Lalon's super excited for cake and ice cream!