LEGOLAND
For the boys 6th birthday we took an adventure down to Legoland for the day. The boys are super into Legos right now so we figured this would be the perfect time! We brought along the cousins for some added craziness to our fun day! (We brought along their parents too because I'm crazy but not crazy enough to take SIX kids to a theme park with no back up!) We literaly pulled into the parking lot as the park was opening and drove out of the parking lot as the place was closing. It was a full, hot, fun day - the boys LOVED it!
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My Babies are SIX!!
I am in total disbelief that the twins are 6 years old!! They made me a mommy 6 years ago and I absolutely can not imagine my life without them both!!
Mason - I can't believe you're six! You are so funny and the best storyteller I know! You have such a sweet heart and are always looking out fro everyone around you (especially your brothers). I love being your mommy and can't wait to see you grow up and see what God has in store for you! (But slow down ok??!!) I love you so much Happy Birthday! Jace - I can't believe you are six! You are an awesome artist and a great leader! I love how much you love dogs and how you are passionate about what ever you are doing! I can't wait to see what God has in store for you but slow down on the growing up thing! I love you, Happy Birthday! |
Winter Fun 2016
Easton - My Superhero!
Orthopedic Surgery, January 2016
Easton had bilateral tibial derotation osteotomies - Dr. Loveless was able to go in and correct the twist of his lower leg which will eventually allow him to take steps with his feet facing forward instead of toward each other.
This boy has been such a trooper - he has bounced right back and is already, 7 days post surgery his normal, fiesty self again!! His casts are slowing him down a little - but he has figured out how to get around!! He just needs a little help to get up onto and off of the couch. Here are some pictures of the journey so far....It has been an adventure but he is my hero for sure!! |
Christmas 2015
December Fun
Fall Fun - 2015
The fall was so fun - 2 kindergarteners, 1 crazy 2 year old learning to walk with his crutches, an air show, a corn maze, lots of friends, cousins and smores!! Can't get much better than that!!
Thanks to Danita Brooks for the AMAZING picture!! :) She is able to catch my family absolutely perfectly and I am so glad that Dara accidentally found you all those years ago!! xo Enjoy the Fall pictures! Christmas pictures to come soon (and by soon I don't mean tonight....Tonight it's bed time!) |
First Day of Kindergarten - 8/24/2015
Staycation - August 2015
What a super fun week we had! Thanks to Grandma and Papa Dogan for all the memories! Check out the blog for the full report but here are some spectacular pictures for your visual pleasure :)
(I swear Daddy did join us for the last few days of staycation but unfortunately, he didn't make it in any of the pictures) :( |
VPK Graduation
Has It Seriously Been 5 Months Since I Posted Any Pictures??.....Oops!!
January - May 2015
Christmas 2014
How blessed are we??!! We got to celebrate Christmas not once, not twice but THREE times all with different portions of our family!! Lots of family, lots of cousins, lots of presents, lots of food, lots of laughing and LOTS of noise!! This year wasn't quite what I had planned (see the blog) but different turned out to be pretty special too!! These boys....oh how they make this mommy smile!! How did I get so lucky??
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Halloween - 2014
Two Fireman and Their Dalmatian
Halloween - so much fun this year!! The day actually started with my little man having an MRI (no fun - more details in the blog) but ended with a yummy cookout and a neighborhood take-over by the cul-de-sac! The kids had a blast and came home with more candy than we needed to consume in our lifetime! Make sure to note the pretty spectacular fire truck that daddy made to carry the tired firemen after all that walking!!
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Fall Fun 2014
Because even surgery is a reason to take pictures!!!!
FIRST DAY OF VPK
9/2/14
Clearwater Stay-Cation
The boys and I went on a 5 day adventure in Clearwater....I feel comfortable calling it a 5 day adventure because I seriously think we did so many different adventures in 5 days that they all seemed to run together into one :) I came home totally exhausted and ready for a vacation to recover from my vacation!! We had a blast and Grandma spoiled us rotten!!
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SUMMER FUN!!
Lots of fun to be had in this album!! Lots of time this summer spent in the water! Forgot in the blog that we picked blueberries with our good friends Dara and Caroline and then enjoyed a free Krispy Kreme for National Donut Day!! It's been a busy but fabulous summer with lots of great family time and good memories!! Wouldn't change a thing!!
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Camping at Fort Wilderness - Memorial Day Weekend 2014
We had a crazy fun, HOT, busy weekend at Fort Wilderness with my parents and Heather and Alex. Thank goodness for air conditioned pop up campers - makes sleeping while camping almost enjoyable.
Indiana Road Trip
Yep, we are crazy!! Took the three kids on a long weekend 14 hour road trip! We had a blast! Lots of memories, two very handsome ring bearers and a few adventures along the way (including a stop at Vanderbilt).
Easton's 1st Birthday Mustache Bash
I can't believe that he's one!! We had a blast celebrating, taking crazy pictures, eating some delicious food, opening presents and of course eating CAKE!! We were so blessed that so many friends and family came to celebrate with us and spoil our big boy rotten!!
Easter Fun
We got to celebrate Easter with both my family and Stephen's family. It was a busy weekend but we had a lot of fun! There were lots of eggs, lots of Easter Bunny treasures and more candy than ANY of us needed!! The boys got to go to the "big kid" class at Grandma and Papa's church too which they informed me was because they were such big boys!
The Adventures of Easton and His Hollow Leg!!
To say that this boy can eat is an understatement!! I remember the boys loving meal time but I am not kidding when I say that this youngest of the Diehl boys eats as much as the twins....WHO ARE FOUR!! I have yet to find something that this boy wont eat and he's just so dang cute when he's eating!! So, here is a whole folder of adorable pictures of this boy stuffing his face (yes I might be a tad biased) and I will just add to it as this boy stuffs his face with other delicious food :)
They Cannot Possibly Be FOUR!!
I cannot even believe that I am writing about my baby boys forth birthday!! That just cannot be possible!! We kept things pretty simple this year. We had a "party" at Chuck-e-Cheese in Clearwater where I am pretty confident that the adults had more fun than the birthday boys. I think in total we used over 100 tokens between Stephen and I, Papa 'Dogan, Grandma 'Dogan, Aunt Heather and even my 82 year old grandmother!! They boys got to play with a few too :) Then we celebrated again up in Jacksonville with the Diehl clan with some homemade pizza (at the boys request), cupcakes and presents. Their actual birthday was sort of a bust this year....Mason was sick (poor baby), the boys were horribly behaved and mommy worked 11 hours and had a HORRIBLE day at work so I was thankful that we had two fun celebrations to make up for the crummy actual birthday (real life!!).
Happy Butt Day!!
Well....Bottom Day in our house since the 4 year olds will be quick to tell you that we don't say "butt"!! So, for those of you that aren't following me, January 22th was the day Easton's butt was born for the first time - as in it was the one year anniversary of his surgery in Nashville. We celebrated with Honey "Buns" of course - which as you will see Easton was a BIG fan of!! I am pretty confident that he would have inhaled that entire thing if we had let him!! It's pretty crazy to think that we were in Nashville a WHOLE year ago. We've come a long way - spent 4 months in bed (thank God that's over), had a healthy baby boy and are now on our way to a world with a one year old!! It was fun to celebrate and sort of silly to sing to Easton's tush....I have a feeling that it will be a day that gets celebrated around this house for years to come....I mean hey, I'm up to celebrate just about anything that involves a sweet treat :)
Christmas 2013
What a month December was!! We were moving at mock 9 speed from the first through the 31st!! Christmas this year was so much fun! The boys really GOT it this year!! They were excited to tell Santa what they wanted, they had a blast looking for our elf Elliot every morning (and lots of laughs over the trouble he seemed to get into every night) and they loved opening presents!! We also enjoyed a birthday party for Jesus and three, count them....THREE different Christmas celebrations!
First we celebrated with the Diehls, then we headed down to Clearwater and celebrated with the Swigarts (my mom's side of the family) and ended out the celebrations with the Cadogan clan (dad's side). I tried to pick out just the best gems....but we might have gone a little picture crazy this month :)
First we celebrated with the Diehls, then we headed down to Clearwater and celebrated with the Swigarts (my mom's side of the family) and ended out the celebrations with the Cadogan clan (dad's side). I tried to pick out just the best gems....but we might have gone a little picture crazy this month :)
Some Randomness
(that didn't fit into any other category)
Lots of fun times around the Diehl house -
We went to the zoo with our good friends the Cambell's, enjoyed some Thanksgiving Day crafts and just had some general random fun and growing over the last few weeks - enjoy :)
We went to the zoo with our good friends the Cambell's, enjoyed some Thanksgiving Day crafts and just had some general random fun and growing over the last few weeks - enjoy :)
Camping with the 'Dogans
We went camping with my family for the weekend out at O'leno State Park. It is a beautiful park and it was a fun weekend even with a little rain. We had some rain on Friday afternoon but it cleared up enough for us to cook dinner. Saturday was beautiful, we went for a hike, a bike ride and the boys enjoyed some good old fashioned time in the dirt. Jesus decided the plants needed a little more watering Saturday evening - but it didn't ruin our steak dinner and then again most of the night Saturday night. We stayed dry in the camper but the rest of the clan got a little wet in the tent :( We all survived and overall had a good (just not real dry) weekend!
Easton's Baby Dedication
We were given the opportunity to dedicate Easton in front of our whole church family. It's our way of standing up in front of God and our real and church family and saying that we are going to bring Easton up to love Jesus and asking them to pray for us on our journey. It was a good day - everyone did great but by the time it was all over EVERYONE was tired so pictures were a little challenging. Grandma and Grandpa Diehl were there but we don't have any picture evidence :( and the pictures that we got with the Cadogan's may or may not have involved some bribery......
Fun Fall Festivities!!
I love fall - so much fun stuff to do!! We painted pumpkins, visited the pumpkin patch, carved a pumpkin and then went trick-or-treating.....Here are some gems from all of our fun!
Connors A-Maize-ing Acres
Annual tradition for the Diehl family is to head out to Connors and spend the day at the farm with our good friends the Campbell's. We enjoyed a very hot day on the farm that included lots of fun like - a hay ride, petting zoo, cow train, baby pigs, huge slide, playground, corn pool and a snow cone. There was some yuck too including attack by fire ants, miserable heat, tired and at times cranky boys and of course 4 million of our closest. As we do every year, after about a hour we looked at each other and asked why we do this EVER YEAR.....all just part of the tradition I guess!! Oh the things we do for our kids!!
Some Random Goodies
June - September 2013
Easton is growing up TOO fast!! The twins keep me laughing a good portion of the time! We celebrated Alex and I's birthday's. We went to a children's museum with Uncle Ben, Aunt Jennie and Gracelynn. We've been busy and having lots of fun!! Enjoy the randomness from the last several months!
Easton's First Try at Solids
Easton is getting far too big too fast!! I can't believe he is already big enough to be enjoying baby food!! These are some pictures of his first go at rice cereal. Now he's loving pears, peaches, sweet potatoes, avocado, apples and squash!!
Daytona Driving Experience
Dad and Stephen finally went and used their gift cards for the Daytona Driving Experience. They got to drive 8 laps around the Daytona International Speedway. Both of them said they had a whole new appreciation for the level of fitness of the drivers. After only 8 laps their legs were shaking!! They had a great time - here are just a few of the photo highlights!
July 4th Weekend
We spent the weekend in Clearwater again with my mom and dad. We had all kinds of fun - check out the blog for all the details!! Enjoy the pictures :)
Adventures in Clearwater
After a week in Crescent Beach we decided we hadn't had enough fun so we loaded up the car and headed straight down to Clearwater to surprise Papa for his birthday. We got to celebrate Father's Day as well! Daddy had to come back home for work but the boys and I stayed for a few days to enjoy some more fun including a trip to the Florida Aquarium, more time in the pool and a impromptu family get together that allowed Easton to meet all his aunts and uncles.
Beach Condo with the Diehls
We got to spend a week down in Crescent Beach with the Diehl clan. It was a fun week full of time at the beach and pool, lots of good food, great family time and a TON of chaos!! With 6 kids aged 3 and under what else can you expect!! The cousins all have so much fun together and use big kids really enjoy each others company as well!! It was a fun week and lots of fun memories were made!!
Some Random Gems For Your
Viewing Pleasure
We have had some fun over the last few weeks that is for sure!! Swimming, a trip to the zoo, Feel the Wheels where the boys got to explore all kinds of vehicles, even some quality time with their cousin Gracelynn - and then there is Easton, who has done a lot of sleeping! Bless his heart I feel like every picture I have of him he is sleeping....and often it's in the carseat - taken while we are on some adventure with the big boys!! He is learning to be flexible and he better learn to love adventures because man his brothers sure do love them!! It's been a fun month - enjoy some of my favorite moments :)
Introducing Easton James
Our family grew by 2 feet officially on May 2nd at 2:22 pm when we welcomed Easton James into the world. He weighed 6 pounds and 11 oz and stole mommy and daddy's heart the moment we saw him. He has had quite a journey already with prenatal correction of his spina bifida defect when mommy was only 22 weeks pregnant but he is such a little fighter and showed all the doctors in the NICU at Wolfson Children's Hospital that the Big Man upstairs is on his side. He is such a blessing already and has two older brothers that are totally in love!!
Celebrating Baby Easton
I have some pretty awesome friends who threw me a fabulous, absolutely adorable low key baby shower to celebrate this little guy. We ate some yummy brunch food, played a few silly shower games and opened some presents - I am so blessed!!
Thanks you girls!! It was absolutely perfect!!
Thanks you girls!! It was absolutely perfect!!
Random Big Boy Fun
These are some random adventures in the life of our crazy three year olds....They are busy boys and daddy has done a great job keeping them busy while mommy was on bed rest. Enjoy the random fun!!
Easter 2013
The boys loved every bit of Easter this year - from meeting the Easter bunny, dying Easter eggs and going on egg hunts. Lucky for them - we got to do it all twice!! They had a blast and it was so fun to watch them get so excited over such little things - like a few pennies in an Easter egg!!
First Fishing Trip
Daddy and Papa 'Dogan took the boys to the store for a very big boy purchase - their very own fishing poles!! Then it was off to the lake at the park to try to catch some dinner. They didn't actually get any bites - and Papa said all they really wanted to do was reel in the line but they had fun either way!!
Big Boy Beds
Since baby brother will soon be here it was time to finally move the boys over to their twin beds!! Grandma and Papa 'Dogan got them the frames for Christmas and Santa brought them the bedding - mommy and daddy just hadn't gotten around to painting their room. So this weekend Papa and daddy got busy and finally got a coat of paint on their walls and the big boy beds were officially moved in. The boys love them!! They have done great - and so far Jace has only fallen out once :)
Our Monsters are three!!
How can that be??
I cannot believe that the boys are actually three years old - that cannot be possible!! Oh how they have grown into two adorable, hysterical, feisty, precious, smart boys!! They make our world crazy and fun, stressful and fulfilled all at the same time!! The boys were finally old enough this year to make some of their birthday wishes known. At their request, we had Green Eggs and Ham for dinner. (I cannot make this stuff up!!) When I asked what they wanted to eat for dinner on their birthday (assuming it would be McDonalds or Red Elephant) they both said with enthusiasm that they wanted Green Eggs and Ham. They also agreed with the "cake" for the evening stating they wanted a cookie cake (which I still haven't totally figured out because I don't know where they have even even heard of a cookie cake!). That's what we did on the actual birthday - celebrating with Grandma and Grandpa Diehl, Uncle Tony and our neighbors Ben, Anna and their daughter Grace.
This past weekend the celebration continued with a Monster themed birthday party. We had Tacos for dinner (one of the boys favorites), chocolate cupcakes, a bounce house (borrowed from a friend! Thank you Smiths), a monster bean bag toss and all the kids even got their very own monster to take home! A good time was had by all and the boys got LOTS of treasures (apparently they are loved quite a bit!!)
Thanks to everyone who came and made their day so special!!
This past weekend the celebration continued with a Monster themed birthday party. We had Tacos for dinner (one of the boys favorites), chocolate cupcakes, a bounce house (borrowed from a friend! Thank you Smiths), a monster bean bag toss and all the kids even got their very own monster to take home! A good time was had by all and the boys got LOTS of treasures (apparently they are loved quite a bit!!)
Thanks to everyone who came and made their day so special!!
Indoor S'mores!!
Daddy used some positive reinforcement techniques (sounds better than bribery) in hopes the boys would take a nap - promising a S'more making adventure when they woke up. It's amazing what these boys can do when they are motivated....I swear they were asleep before Stephen could even get downstairs!! Unfortunately Father Winter had visited while they were sleeping....I honestly think the outside temperature dropped 20 degrees and the wind picked up big time in the 2 hours they were asleep. Daddy keep up his side of the deal - S'mores were eaten...they were just made inside this time :)
Christmas 2012
Oh my - even Christmas isn't just a day around this place!! We are so blessed!! Christmas felt like it went on for a week!! We got to celebrate Christmas with my mom's side of the family here at our house, with the Diehls over at Stephen's parents house and then we took a trip down to Clearwater to celebrate with dad's side of the family!! I was ready for a vacation when it was all done!! Lots of fun was had and lots of memories made!! God it good!
Pre-Christmas Fun
Christmas sure isn't just a day - it's a whole season!! So here are some pictures from all the fun pre-Christmas stuff we did. Santa, Christmas trees, Christmas cookies, trips to St. Augustine with the cousins - Lots of fun and lots of memories!!
Disney (again) :)
The boys and I took Daddy to Disney for his birthday (what every 31 year old man wants to do on his birthday!!) We ended up there the same weekend as good friends - Dara (a co-worker of mine) and Caroline (one of the boys besties) We had a great day! The weather was beautiful, the boys were SO good and we literally were at Disney from the time it opened until they kicked us out!! I think Stephen really enjoyed his birthday celebration :)
Thanksgiving 2012
Thanksgiving this year was spent here in Jacksonville with Stephen's family. We spent the day enjoying some good quality family time. So glad that we got to spend some time not only with Grandma and Grandpa Diehl but also with the Harvey's - which we don't get to see nearly enough!! Thank you Teresa for some great pictures - since this mommy forgot her camera :(
Random Gems from the Fall 2012
Here are some goodies for your viewing pleasure that just didn't fit any where else.
Enjoy :)
Enjoy :)
DC to NYC
Mom treated Heather to a girls-only long weekend. We spent a few days in DC (with the best tour guide the city has) and then headed up for a few great days in the big city!! Heather got us East and West Wing White House tours (yeah - we know people) and took us to a few of her favorite spots to eat. Then, in NYC we saw the Rockettes, Mary Poppins on Broadway, did some shopping, went on a food tour through Greenwich Village and saw Kelly and Michael live. We had a wonderful few days, beautiful weather and memories that will last forever!! Thanks mom for a great few days :)
Halloween 2012
The boys dressed up as puppies this year - ADORABLE!! We kept it simple and just trick or treated in our neighborhood - which I was pretty disappointed in! There were only a handful of houses that had porch lights on :( Hoping next year with more houses in the neighborhood we will have more houses to visit. The kids weren't disappointed though - they had a blast. After 1 or 2 houses they had it down and were going up to the door all by them selves. They didn't seem to grasp that you took whatever candy was given to you...instead wanting to pick out several pieces from the bowl of their choosing!! Can't believe we didn't get a picture of Stephen and I with the boys!! (Parent fail!) - Oh well, maybe next year!
Camping at O'Leno State Park
10/2012
Sticking with tradition we planned a fall camping trip with some of our closest friends! We almost had to cancel it as a tropical storm tried to ruin our plans - visiting Daytona the day we were supposed to check in. Thankfully, with some quick thinking and internet research we found the gem called O'Leno State Park. It was PERFECT!! Quiet, nice, big campsites and just perfect for us!! We headed out Friday morning and came back Sunday. It was the first time Stephen and I got to use the new pop-up camper we bought - which we LOVED! (Can't believe I didn't get a picture of it!!) We spent the weekend eating, playing the dirt, hiking, playing in the dirt, and even carved pumpkins. We had a blast - and I can't wait to do it again!!
Conner's A-Maize-ing Acres
October 13, 2012
Every year we have headed up north for a day of fun at the farm. Conner's is out in the boonies - but it's always a place for a great and exhausting day. There is hay to climb on, a petting zoo, hay rides, corn pools, a playground, yummy food, a cow train, a pumpkin patch and lots of other perfect fall day on the farm activities. We went with our friends the Campbell's who have a daughter Caroline who is one of the boy's best friends - the three of them have a blast together!! It was a good day - and we were all ready for a nap by the time we got home!!
PS - Mason was in DESPERATE need of a haircut - so yes, I am aware that his hair is totally in his eyes in EVERY picture :)
PS - Mason was in DESPERATE need of a haircut - so yes, I am aware that his hair is totally in his eyes in EVERY picture :)
Sea World
September 2012
Thanks to my awesome birthday present from Stephen (swimming with the Dolphins at Discovery Cove) we got free passes to Sea World as well - and since the boys are still free Stephen and I figured this was a perfect opportunity to go visit Shamu! It had been years since Stephen and I had been there so it was a new adventure for all of us! We had a wonderful day - the kids did awesome and really enjoyed all the sea life :) The dolphins and Shamu were definitely their favorite followed closely by the dog and cat show (totally random I know - but it is HYSTERICAL)
Random Summer Fun 2012
Here are some random gems for your enjoyment :)
Swigart Get Together
August 2012
This summer my mom's entire family got together for a weekend of relaxing and good old family togetherness. We celebrated a few birthdays and anniversaries while we were at it :) The boys had a blast playing with aunts, uncles and cousins that they don't get to see near often enough and Stephen and I enjoyed some much needed time off as parents - that's what happens when Grandma, Papa, Grammy and multiple Aunts are around :)
Kristin's 30th Birthday
The big 3-0 has come and gone. It was a little harder than I expected it to be!! Stephen surprised me with a dinner out with friends at one of my favorites - Olive Garden. Then everyone came back to the house to enjoy some yummy cupcakes and presents!! It was a perfect day :)
Family Freedom Blast
July 3rd, 2012
Every July Christ's Church puts on an awesome 4th of July event (usually the Sunday before - hence the 3rd). The boys had a blast this year - until the fireworks started that is!! They got to explore a firetruck, jump in the bounce houses, slide down a HUGE slide, eat ice cream and spend the entire evening outside on a perfect sweltering Florida summer night!! It was so much fun - maybe next year the boys will enjoy the fireworks like their momma does....oh well!!
Diehl Family Vacation - St. Augustine Beach
June 2012
Every year the Diehl's rent a condo on the beach and the whole family enjoys some much needed time in the sunshine! The cousins love getting to spend some quality time together and the madness that ensues is exhausting and totally entertaining at the same time. This year we changed it up a little spending only part of the week at the beach condo and the rest of the time back at home base in Jacksonville enjoying some fun around town like the zoo!! Fun was had by all :)
First Trip to Disney
May 2012
We got to spend 3 days in sunny Orlando at Mickey's Castle. It was the boys first trip and one that I know I will never forget! Watching the boys fall in love with Mickey, Minnie, Pluto etc was so precious. They had a blast, the weather was perfect and they were so well behaved!! I'm planning to write a blog with more details of our adventures but for now...check out the pictures :)
Camping at Hannah Park
A perfect weekend with perfect weather and enough dirt to go around - I think the boys actually thought they were in heaven :) It was so much fun I can't wait until we can go again!!
Randomness For Your Viewing Pleasure
January - April 2012
Lots of fun to be had at this house over the last few months...A few visits down south, some time in the kitchen, a trip to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and LOTS of fun on several various playgrounds!! :)
Easter 2012
The Easter Bunny came to visit the boys this year - they were so stinking cute Sunday morning as they bounded down the stairs to see the treasures that had been left for them!! After church and a fabulous meal at Cracker Barrel, we spent the day with our good friends Dara and Caroline again. All of the traditional Easter activities were completed....We colored Easter eggs, went on an Easter Egg hunt and played so hard outside that we didn't even realize it was 4:30...Needless to say, the boys didn't get a nap due to all the fun that was going on so an early bed time it was....FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!!
Easter Party with Emma
To say that we are blessed in the area of childcare would be a dramatic understatement!! Stephen and I have been so blessed by Emilee, our dear friend, being the one who is home each day with out kids that we regularly say we wish we were rich because she deserves a killer raise!! Emilee (known to the boys as Emma) has always gone above and beyond with the boys - making each day special. When she asked if we minded if she had an Easter party with the kids, of course we said no. I was thinking maybe a simple Easter egg hunt in the back yard....Little did I know that this party would involve not only an Easter egg hunt but also face painting, adorable homemade bunny ears, a painting project, and pizza and cupcakes for lunch!! I was bummed to be missing it at work!! The kids had a blast and Emilee got some great pictures that I just had to share!! We love you Emma!!
Egg-Stravaganza
Dara, one of my co-workers invited us to join her and her daughter at their churches Easter Party. Caroline is only 2 months older than the boys and the three of them have been playing together since before they were even really old enough to play (I think their first date was St. Patty's day 2010 - which would have made the boys about a month old)!! The boys have fun with Caroline anytime but throw in bounce houses, Easter egg hunts, coloring Easter eggs, a picnic and a teddy bear parade and you have a fun filled day for sure!! Thanks for the invite Dara and Caroline!! :)
Mason & Jace are 2!!
Hard to believe that the boys are already 2 years old!! Mickey Mouse came to help celebrate the big day along with lots of friends and family!! We were thrilled that the weather held up for us so we got to spend some time outside with the bounce house, the sandbox, the playground, a brand new present from Aunt Heather and all sorts of other outside goodies!! It was a great day!
February 19th 2012 (the boys actual birthday)
On the actual day, we celebrated with dinner at one of our favorites - RED ELEPHANT (a pizza and grill here in town - YUMMY!!) Grandma and Grandpa Diehl got to come with us and then came back to the house, along with Uncle Tony and Ben and Anna for presents and cupcakes. It was a fun day :)
Camping at Anastasia State Park
10/21/2011
We headed down to St. Augustine and spent the weekend at Anastasia State Park for our annual camping weekend. It was a great weekend with great friends, good food, better fellowship and more dirt than any boy could dream of!! The kiddos did great and had so much fun I think that Stephen and I might actually be crazy enough to do it again!!
We headed down to St. Augustine and spent the weekend at Anastasia State Park for our annual camping weekend. It was a great weekend with great friends, good food, better fellowship and more dirt than any boy could dream of!! The kiddos did great and had so much fun I think that Stephen and I might actually be crazy enough to do it again!!
Conner's A-Maize-ing Acres
10/1/2011
My parents and grandma came up for the weekend so we decided to have a little fun!! We went up to Conner's and spent the day on the farm. The boys had a blast this year - much more active than last year!! We went through the corn maze, pet some animals, went on a hay ride, even visited the pumpkin patch! It was so much fun and the boys really enjoyed getting to hang with Grandma, Papa and Grammy!!
My parents and grandma came up for the weekend so we decided to have a little fun!! We went up to Conner's and spent the day on the farm. The boys had a blast this year - much more active than last year!! We went through the corn maze, pet some animals, went on a hay ride, even visited the pumpkin patch! It was so much fun and the boys really enjoyed getting to hang with Grandma, Papa and Grammy!!
Fall Fun
(Randomness from September and October 2011)
We've played on the playground, played cars in the kitchen, gone on the potty and become quite fond of the huge teddy bears the Grandma and Grandpa Diehl bought us for Christmas last year - all in all, it was a fun 2 months!!
Labor Day Weekend 2011
We got to go spend the long weekend in Clearwater with the whole family to celebrate Grammy's 80th Birthday. We had so much fun - including a super fun trip to IKEA, Lots of great food, a trip to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and hours in the pool!!
Summer Fun 2011
We've had a great summer! The kids are growing up so fast and getting more and more fun every day. Enjoy couple of my favorite pictures from the last few months :)
St. Augustine Beach Condo
June 3-5 2011
We got to go spend some time with the entire Diehl clan at a condo down in St. Augustine again this summer!! The kids had a blast with their cousins and it was a lot of fun for us "big" kids to catch up too!! Plus, we got to enjoy the beach, the pool and lots of great food!!
For Your Enjoyment
Random Fun From April and May :)
These boys of ours are getting more and more fun each day!! Their personalities are really beginning to develop and it is so much fun to watch them learn and explore!! Here is just a few highlights of our adventures from the last few months!!
Outside Fun
As soon as the weather started getting warmer we started spending more time in the back yard - between the playground, a water table, a swimming pool and table and chairs that are a perfect fit for the boys, it has become one of our favorite hang out spots!!
Easter 2011
We spent Easter this year in Clearwater with Grandma and Papa. Even Aunt Heather got to come down all the way from Washington DC to hang out for the weekend!! We had lots of Easter fun including an Easter egg hunt, coloring eggs and of course a visit from the Easter bunny!!
Happy Birthday!
We celebrated the boys first birthday on Saturday (for those keeping track...you haven't lost your mind - their actual birthday is this coming Saturday, the 19th) It was a sock monkey bash...We had so much fun and enjoyed each and every person there! Check out all the details on the blog :)
Our New Playground
For Christmas, Grandma and Papa bought the boys a playground set - a huge one that they will get to grow into over the next several years!! They decided that since they both loved to swing so much, they needed a way to swing in their own back yard - and of course they needed a playground with all the bells and whistles!!
It is a beautiful set and I can't wait to see it all put together. Stephen and dad, along with all my uncles and cousins worked on it all Christmas weekend (so far a total of about 22 hours) and there is still a TON to do!!
In reading reviews of the playground itself - the fastest that it has EVER been put together - during a competition, by 2 experienced construction guys was 19 hours!!
Thank you grandma and papa - this will be years of fun for all of us!!
(check back for updates as Stephen works on getting it finished over the next few weekends)
It is a beautiful set and I can't wait to see it all put together. Stephen and dad, along with all my uncles and cousins worked on it all Christmas weekend (so far a total of about 22 hours) and there is still a TON to do!!
In reading reviews of the playground itself - the fastest that it has EVER been put together - during a competition, by 2 experienced construction guys was 19 hours!!
Thank you grandma and papa - this will be years of fun for all of us!!
(check back for updates as Stephen works on getting it finished over the next few weekends)
Our First Christmas
Here are a handful of our favorite pictures from the festivities in December!
(More Diehl pictures to come - as soon as one of my fabulous sisters-in-law send me their pictures :) No pressure guys!!)
(More Diehl pictures to come - as soon as one of my fabulous sisters-in-law send me their pictures :) No pressure guys!!)
Our First Halloween
Jace - "Is it just me, or have we been wearing this outfit all weekend...?"
Mason - "Dude, stop talking. They are trying to take our picture..."
Jace - "Dude, stop talking..... I'll show you Dude...."
Both - "can we have candy now......?"
Mason - "Dude, stop talking. They are trying to take our picture..."
Jace - "Dude, stop talking..... I'll show you Dude...."
Both - "can we have candy now......?"
Fall Fun
The last two days have been full of fall fun!! Yesterday we went to a pumpkin patch at a church down the street for some great picture opportunities. Today - we took a drive up to a huge farm with a corn maze and other fun stuff with some of my co-workers. It is a place that they will really love in a few years but for this year - there were of course lots more picture opportunities! Enjoy
The Meyers visit Jacksonville
We were so excited that Amy (my college roommate) decided to get brave, load up the kids and come join us in the craziness which is our lives! We had so much fun over the few days they were here - A trip to the zoo, several trips to the playground and lots of laughing, snacks and dancing of course :)
Yes - I totally have more pictures of her kids than mine - older kids were just so much fun to take pictures of :) Enjoy the new set of precious faces!!
Yes - I totally have more pictures of her kids than mine - older kids were just so much fun to take pictures of :) Enjoy the new set of precious faces!!
Stay-cation in Clearwater
Aunt Heather was able to get some time off so we packed up the car and spent a long weekend hanging out and spending some quality time with the whole family.
St. Augustine Beach Condo with the Diehls
Sarah and Demetri came down from Maryland and Ben and Jennie came up from Tampa - We all spent some time at a great condo on the beach in St. Augustine! It was the boys first trip to the beach and some more quality time at the pool :)
First 4th of July
The church put on a fabulous Family Freedom Blast - which I now the kids will appreciate much more when they are a little older - but for this year, they got to test out their big boy stroller and hang out with Aunt Kim and Uncle Adan along with enjoying their first fireworks show
Playing at the Park
Stehen and I took the boys to the park yesterday to get out of the house. We used the big boy stroller and had our first adventure at the playground with the swings....I'm sure I'm biased but they are pretty stinking cute!!
We have a video too - which is adorable - but Stephen has to figure out how to put it up on here :)
We have a video too - which is adorable - but Stephen has to figure out how to put it up on here :)
Swimming in the Big Kid Pool
We went to visit Grandma and Papa Cadogan this past weekend and the kids had their first experience with a big pool - They did pretty well and we got some adorable pictures! I'm seeing lots of fun times in the pool in our future for sure!
Photo Shoot By Grandma Diehl
Grandma Diehl got ahold of the camera....Watch out - flash bulbs were flying all over the place....but she got some GREAT shots!!
Afternoon at the Pool
We went swimming for the first time today (5/28/10)! Grandma and Papa Cadogan bought us a pool for the yard and so we got out our swim trunks and sunglasses and headed outside for some fun in the sun :)
We weren't real sure about it at the beginning but eventually decided that maybe it wasn't so bad :)
We weren't real sure about it at the beginning but eventually decided that maybe it wasn't so bad :)
Baby Dedication - Christ's Church 5/9/2010
Stephen and I got to dedicate Mason and Jace on Sunday at Christ's Church - which was also my first mothers day. There were a total of 43 babies dedicated on Sunday - it was just a way for us as parents to pledge to bring our little ones up to love the Lord and for our church body to pledge to pray for us and support us as we raise our children. It was a special weekend - and I was so glad and felt so blessed that both sets of grandparents could be there - along with great grandma!!
Easter 2010
The boys celebrated their first Easter with a weekend full of meeting all of their aunts, uncles, cousins and grandma's down in Clearwater - It was a great weekend filled with family and lots of great food (and of course some really cute pictures as a result)
Just click the picture for more adorable Easter pics :)
Just click the picture for more adorable Easter pics :)
Previously on... "Where are we now...?"
---Mason--"Mommy and Daddy are going through web site withdrawal, and decided to make some changes to the web site."
---Jace--"Are we not on the site anymore...???"
---Mason--"We are, but they changed how you get to our pictures..."
---Jace--"So what do people need to do to view our pictures...?"
---Mason--"Click the picture to the left and enjoy..."
---Jace--"Enjoy what, ...?
---Mason--"Our pictures..."
---Jace--"Are we not on the site anymore...???"
---Mason--"We are, but they changed how you get to our pictures..."
---Jace--"So what do people need to do to view our pictures...?"
---Mason--"Click the picture to the left and enjoy..."
---Jace--"Enjoy what, ...?
---Mason--"Our pictures..."
Baby Showers
I don't even know where to begin to thank all of our wonderful friends and family that have spoiled us totally rotten throughout this entire pregnancy. These boys have no idea how many people love them already!! We were thrown several baby showers and at each one spoiled beyond our wildest dreams!! To all of you who helped plan or came and helped celebrate our growing family....we thank you from the bottom of our hearts and can't wait for you to introduce you to our new additions!!
Nursery Pictures
It has been quite a process that has taken place over several weekends but I think we might finally have finished the nursery - at least for now. Mommy has one more project that she is going to work on - but since it involves the little ones names it wont be going up on the walls until after the boys make their appearance! :)
The House Is Becoming a Home!!
After 8 months of living with friends and family, after short-sales and potential houses, Kristin and I FINALLY have a place to call HOME. Construction on our NEW house is now complete, and with the help of some great friends and family, we are all moved in and in the process of setting up home. Take a look at the pictures and follow the "moving in experience."
The Growing Belly
Alright everyone - here you go!! Everyone has been asking for the infamous belly pictures so here are a few! :) I have some more that my camera decided to eat that fall between the 12 week and 19 week pictures which is sort of when the belly started to pop - Stephen is going to try to rescue them so if he is successful I will certainly add them!
Enjoy :)
Enjoy :)
Keep up with the progress of our NEW house...
Here are some picture that show our house from the ground up. We will add pictures as the construction continues.
Pictures from our 9/21/09 Ultra Sound...
Here are some pictures from our Dr.'s appt. Monday. ENJOY!!!!
Our Newest Addition
I wrote a little Blog about our new addition to the family :) Short version of the story - Stephen and I decided with the upcoming large addition to our family we decided it was time to add a vehicle with third row seating to our f
American Idol Concert - 7/28/09
I spent the evening living many teenager's dream - at the AMERICAN IDOL CONCERT!! My good friend Kim and I packed up my car and headed down to Tampa for the night. We enjoyed an amazing 3 hour concert where all of the Top 10 from this seasons American Idol sang several songs and then decided to wait around and get some autographs. It was a lot of fun - make fun of me if you wish - I know you are just jealous :)
Diehl July Weekend
The Pouli and Tampa based Diehl's came up for a long weekend which included a baby shower for Sarah, Stephen and I sharing our big announcement with the family and of course the photo shoot which is a part of every Diehl family get together. We always have a good time and a lot of laughs together. The silly monkey blanket is what we used to tell Stephen's parents that we were expecting - long story :)