Labor Day Weekend

I'm not sure what happens to all of my time, but before you know it, the pictures are stacked up and there's no blog update for a month. If it's this bad now, I dread to think how bad it's going to be once Braedyn starts into soccer and other extracurricular activities next year.

**shudders at the thought of my baby being old enough to play soccer**

Prior to Labor Day, my SIL and her 3 girls came to visit for the weekend. I got my butt kicked with 5 kids in the house, and I swear that I never stopped moving all weekend. It was so exhausting (in a good way), but not as exhausting as Ben's time in the pool with the girls. If I remember correctly, I think he avoided going in the pool the next day to avoid the ambush. =)~

One of the best things about the visit was that I got to experience the wonder that is the iPad. Can I just say "WOW"!! I was originally pushing for a Kindle, but after seeing the iPad, there is just no comparison. So I'm currently in the process of trying to convince Ben of how extremely happy I would be if an iPad magically landed on my lap for my birthday. Wish me luck... I'll need it!

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For the week of Labor Day, Ben's brother and SIL and their two girls were down for vacation. Braedyn got another trip to the Magic Kingdom, which he thoroughly enjoyed. He's finally at the age where he really gets it, he knows the rides, he enjoys the rides, and he remembers things from one visit to the next. I love it!

I waited a long three-and-a-half years to get this child to stand in line and pose with the characters. The long wait was so worth it!

Braedyn's favorite ride, hands down, is Pirates of the Caribbean. We go on this ride multiple times each visit, and he never tires of it. During his last trip, he got his pirate hat, and during this trip, he got the pirate sword. He loves to pretend sword fight, and I must admit that he is quite good at it. But you know what they say... it's all fun in games until he pokes Chase in the face, which is the inevitable.

We all spent the weekend at my inlaws. It was fun to have all the kids together, and the boys always have fun at Grammy and Pop Pop's. Especially now that they have learned to love the ocean! During this weekend, there was a hurricane way out in the Atlantic, which created some large waves. Here is a picture of Ben and Braedyn bracing for the waves.

After about 15 minutes, Chase finally got brave enough to venture into the ocean. Considering the fact that he LOVES all things water, you can imagine how much fun he had getting water in his bucket and dumping it out. Over and Over and Over again. And then over again one more time. The only upside to it was that it allowed for lots of picture taking.

And just for kicks, here is another fabulous attempt at a family picture. Call me crazy, but I think these family pics are getting better, or umm, more comical.

When we're at Grammy's, Braedyn sleeps on an air mattress, which doubles as his trampoline. He had just seen Toy Story 3 for the second time, which prompted him to show us his best Buzz Lightyear impression.

The similarities between him and Buzz are nothing short of amazing, don't you think? I mean, aside from the Elmo pajamas and uncoordinated air movements.

And now, for the most cutest, most fabulous pictures you will ever see. My BIL & SIL's youngest girl, Lucy, is almost 6 months. Chase instantly had a major infatuation with Lucy, one that would rival my infatuation with french fries... which let's face it, is pretty intense! Here are the two cutie-patooties...

Is it just me or does it look like that the two of them are actally having a conversation with each other!

Chase learned pretty quickly that he could make Lucy smile and laugh, so he kept climbing up on the couch next to her to get a reaction.

And this has to be the most adorable thing ever! This is the stuff that Hallmark cards are made out of. So insanely cute!!

Let's all say it together now, "Awwwww". You should know that it usually takes Chase quite awhile to warm up to other people, kids and adults. One of the few exceptions to this would be Lucy, as you can tell.