This is for you Teri

For anyone that doesn't get this picture, check out my sister-in-laws (Teri Esplin) blog. The post dated April 15th, 2008 will explain these pictures. Let's just say that it happens in Ogden, Utah too.

Mother Goose Live

Over the last couple of months, Quincy has loved to listen to nursery rhymes as she's getting ready to go to bed. She totally took me by surprise a few weeks ago when she started reciting them to me. I finally got her to say a couple of them for me on the camera. She was watching Alvin and the Chipmunks at the same time, so she was a little distracted and wouldn't look at me, but at least I got a few of them recorded. Too stinkin' cute. (Turn off the music at the bottom by clicking on the pause button.)

Yeah for the Marriotts!

I just had to give a little shout out and a huge congrats to my sister, Alayna, and her husband, Tim. They found out yesterday that they're having a baby GIRL! I am so absolutely thrilled for them. They've had a rough year trying to get this baby here. Two miscarriages later, they're getting their wish. She's due the first part of October, so there's still plenty of time to go buy dresses, shoes, bracelets, and headbands that mothers of girls just can't refuse.

Alayna's the best mom ever. She's such an example to me of how to be a good mom. She's constantly playing with Dawson. I honestly don't know how she get's all of her other stuff done. Dawson's a smart little thing, and I know a lot of it is because she spends so much time with him teaching and playing with him. She's one of the most talented people I know! Check out her blog (link on the right is 'Marriott Family').

We're so excited for you, Alayna and Tim. We can't wait to meet this bundle of pink!

Back to the grind

Well, we're home and back to real life of fighting kids, laundry, and chauffeuring. We had such a great time in Hilton Head, South Carolina. There was good friends, good food, good relaxation, and good scenery. Max travelled amazingly well, which made the trip that much better. For those of you that don't know about Hilton Head, it's a golfer's paradise. There are around 40 golf courses in the near vicinity. The reason we travelled out there was because the guys scored some Master's (major golf tournament) tickets on e-bay. The Master's is played in Augusta, Georgia, but because it's so crazy right there during the tournament, we stayed in H.H., and the guys made the drive down. We were able to tour the area of Hilton Head, as well as drive to Savannah, Georgia, and Beaufort, South Carolina. In Beaufort, we took a carriage ride through the town and heard the history of the pre-civil war homes and community. What an amazing history these towns have!

The beach home we rented was incredible. It had five bedrooms, each with a private bathroom, plus a kitchen, living room, ect. We had a private pool and jacuzzi, and the best part: we were about 100 yards from the beach! The water was still cool (plus the weather wasn't super cooperative), but we were able to walk or ride our bikes down there every day.

The guys had a blast at the Master's. They were able to watch Tiger at a few holes, as well as Phil Mickelson and Trevor Immelman (the guy that ended up winning the tourney)and about everyone else. They said the course was absolutely amazing. Nate had left the camera with me that day, so I'll post pictures of the course as soon as we get copies from the others.

The only mishap we had during the trip was our cancelled flight on the way there. We were on the plane in Atlanta to fly into H.H., when the pilot decided it was too foggy to land in H.H. (we think he was just too tired). We ended up renting a car and making the five hour drive, arriving in H.H. at 3:00 a.m.. Because of the cancelled flight, our luggage didn't get to us until early evening the next day (well, except for our friend Brad's. His didn't come for three days, but that's a whole other story!).

We're so grateful for our parents' help with the kids while we were gone. We're so glad that the kids adore both sets of grandparents. We were starting to wonder if the kids even wanted us to come home because no one would ever talk to us when we'd call. We finally had to tell them that they wouldn't get a surprise unless they got on the phone.

As I said at the first of the post, now we're back to real life. The relaxing week geared me up to be a mom again. That doesn't mean I'm not counting down until the next vacation.

I know we're kind of crazy, but we saw an alligator on the side of a golf course, so we made Nate stop driving so that we could get a picture. We got about 20 feet from it. We later found out how fast they can run! Not too bright of us.

This is the crew on the right. Nate, me and Max, Katherine and Todd Seamons, Brad and Tressa Seamons, and Amy and Mike Barrick.

On the beach the first day. Notice our lovely Delta shirts provided for us by the airline since we didn't have any luggage.

Mr. Sun, where are you?

Who is ready for summer? This is what Q has been prancing around in all afternoon:

Summer cannot come quick enough! We had more snow last night and we are done with it! Lucky for Nate and myself, we are heading to South Carolina this week with some friends to go see the Master's Golf Tournament (well, the guys are doing the golf thing, the gals are shopping!). Forecast: high 70's. Knowing there is sun in my near future is helping me get through these next few cold days.

Five-Months

Today is Max's five-month "birthday," so it's time to post the monthly ball picture (Each month on the 25th I take his picture next to a big stuffed baseball. It's fun to see how much he's grown and changed from month to month.). The kids always make fun of me for calling it a "birthday," but I think each month brings new milestones and new excitement. Max is growing like crazy and is nearing the 18 pound mark. Treyson weighed less than that at one-year, so this is crazy for me to have such a big baby. He doesn't look way chubby, but he's a solid one. He loves his brothers and sister. The crazy things that they do that we find absolutely annoying, he totally laughs at. He's not rolling over yet, and really can't stand "tummy time," so I don't think it will be happening anytime soon. As I've said before, he loves his thumb, his whole fist, or anything else that he can get into his mouth. I'm so grateful that he's a happy, content baby. I love this little man!

This picture just shows how giant he is! Treyson is such a good help with him, but doesn't last long holding him!

Max's first visit from the Easter Bunny. Yea for baby food! By the way, he could care less about sweet potatoes, but who can blame him?

Easter Fun

We had such a great Easter weekend! We were able to spend three days in sunny St. George. It's amazing what a little sunshine can do for my mood. Treyson played in a baseball tournament in St. George and Mesquite and it was so nice to be able to just sit and soak up the sun. (Ok, let me correct myself...I did a lot of chasing after Quincy and standing bouncing Max, so I didn't just sit and soak it all in, but I was at least in the sun!) Nate was at "meetings" in Denver, that just happened to take place at the arena that some March Madness games were being played, so he missed the first three games. Lucky for me, my dad and mom were there with me and were complete lifesavers! I'm so grateful for their help and just as grateful that my kids adore them! Trey's team did great, going 3-1 in regular play, which advanced them to the semi-finals. They lost their semis game, but were thrilled to make it that far.

The kids picked this hat out for Max when we were in Boston last summer. They were so excited that it finally fit him!

You've got to teach them young, right?

Saturday after the game we were able to do a fun easter egg hunt and picnic with all of the Cowan fam. Grandpa and Grandma completely spoil these kids. You would think that it was Chrismas! All of the cousins get along so well and love spending time together. I love that even though they're all getting older, they still hug each other goodbye. Too cute. I'm so grateful for my two brothers, my sister, and each of their spouses. I couldn't ask for a better family! We had a great time just hanging out and catching up. I wish we all lived closer, because I truly love the time we spend together.

All of the Cowan cousins. Don't my parents have the cutest grandkids ever? I love Q's cheeser in this picture.