Happy

My sweet and super happy baby boy...
Talking to Momma...

Looking more like his Daddy everyday...

We were talking with Ella the other night about her and Cade being such big buddies. She said, "Yeah, we are. We're tight!!" Haha! What a goofy girl!

Hope it lasts!!

Well, something miraculous happened yesterday: Ella, on her own accord, went #2 on the potty! I was shocked and excited and wasn't sure I would ever see the day. This whole potty training thing was been really difficult for us. We know it's partly developmental, but, in Ella's case, I think it's partly a control thing, too. Anyways, I am thrilled that she decided to go and sure hope we have reached a milestone!
We took her to the "big ice cream cone" as a special treat last night....
Yum!!

More sprinkles, please!!

Taking a ride on the pony, "Thunder"...

We told her if she keeps it up, we can go back. Hopefully, it's enough of an incentive. Keep your fingers crossed!!

"Shower the people you love with love..."

We spent the weekend with family and threw a baby shower for Chad and April on Sunday. We are so thrilled to be getting another niece to spoil and can't wait to see Chad and April bring home their little girl. They are going to be such awesome parents!! Things were a little crazy traveling and cooking, but it turned out so great and we had so much fun! (Special thanks to Mamaw and Papaw for babysitting Saturday night so we could get things ready!! That meant so much!)

The excited Parents-to-be...
Our big helpers...

The cake turned out so cute!!
So did the table decorations...

The glowing Mommy... You look so beautiful!

Can you guess how big the New Mommy's belly is?!!

Of course, Ella helped with the gifts and wanted all the toys for herself... :)
A few of the Freeman women...

April and our new cousin, Owen...

Carla and Carson...

There was no shortage of people to keep Cade entertained... I love that they're both smiling so big here!

April, Baby Laila, and me...

We love you all so much and can't wait to meet our new niece!!

Because...

My hubby is such a sweetheart. Look what I got yesterday! I love them!!
Ella loves them, too...
I told her that Daddy had these flowers delivered especially for her, so she thinks she is pretty big stuff. :)
Thanks, Baby! I love you!!

Our days

It's been a slower, more peaceful week around here, which is always welcome. We have a super busy weekend coming up, so I've enjoyed the lazy days. We've spent our time playing games, reading books, and entertaining each other. Ella has been such a good big sister this week. I really think she's starting to think of Cade as her buddy and not just her baby brother. She always wants to sit by him at meals, take baths together, fall asleep together- she tries to include him in everything, and he, in return, is crazy about her! It's so sweet.
Showing Cade how the jumper works. I have a feeling he's going to love it just as much as she did.

Cracking up at Sissy's silly antics...

She seriously makes him laugh more than anyone else! Funny girl!

Reading before nap...

Wiped out from playing...

Precious. He sleeps just like Ella used to...

Happy Birthday, Carson!!

We were so excited to be in town for Carson's birthday party Wednesday night. We loved hanging out with family and watching the little ones swim and have so much fun. They would swim and swim, then go jump in the hot tub when they got too cold. Pretty nice set-up!!
Uncle Jason teaching Cade all about building a deck... :)

I had to include this one. Just look at that sweet, little expression when the wind was blowing on his face!

The birthday boy so excited about his huge, new tractor!! He is so much fun and so hilarious!

Happy 2nd birthday, Little Man!!

Grammy and Pappaw's

We hung out at Grammy and Pappaw's house during the day while Daddy was in class. We did all sorts of fun things and even got to spend the day with Carson on Thursday. We spent lots of time outside, enjoying the "country air". Even Ella noticed a difference in smells and the way things look in the country. She kept saying, "Mommy, see all the corn? Smell the grass? I love that smell!" :)
Walking in the park with Grammy...
Me and my best girl...

Funny all the things you can get away with at Grammy's that don't fly at home!

Another one of the sweet ones I love!!

Mamaw and Papaw's

Chris lucked out Monday and got into a class for work that was being held in New Albany starting Tuesday, so we made a spur of the moment trip home this week. We spent some good time with both our families and loved every minute! It made us wish even more that we lived closer and could get together every week!
The kids love getting spoiled at Mamaw's house (according to Ella, it's Mamaw's house and Papaw just so happens to live there. haha!). Payton was there, too, so the kiddos got in some play time together. Here's a sweet one of Mamaw and Cade (notice all the drool. I can't help but wonder if he's not starting to teethe already)...
Papaw and Payton. This one is titled, "Huh?!" :)

Reading some books before bed. I just love pictures like this! So sweet!!

King's Island

Sunday we went to King's Island. It was our first time this summer, and we had so much fun, like always! Ella was so excited to be there and got to ride some things she wasn't tall enough for last summer. We managed to pick the hottest day of the summer, I think, and it was a little hard on Cade. It made us realize not getting season passes this summer was probably a good choice, even though we have regretted it a few times. There is just no way I could take both kids by myself the way I took Ella last year. Maybe next year we'll think about it again.

Look who came to greet us as soon as we walked in (Ella wouldn't get anywhere close to her though! haha!)...
Aww, kind of got me that this year we have a little foursome in front of the fountains... :)

Ella's favorite ride was the Swiper cars. She probably rode them 5 or 6 times and screamed the whole way every time!!
The Giggle Coaster, which scared her last year, was another one she loved this year. I think Chris is even enjoying himself here!

The Backyardigan swings...

Jared and Katie were tons of fun to have around and were so much help with the kids. Thanks, guys!

Ella just loved being there and kept giving us hugs. :)

Sad to say, but I only rode two rides that weren't in kiddyland. I was so excited to ride Delirium with Katie, but once I got on there, I was scared to death! I used to love roller-coasters and thrill rides, but all I could think while I was hundreds of feet in the air was 'If I fall out of this ride, my kids won't have a mom'. I know, it's kind of silly, but I guess that's how motherhood changes you and always makes you think about how something will affect your kids. Either that or I am getting old! Anyways, we had a great time and have promised Ella we will take her another time or two before the season ends. We love watching her have so much fun!!

Dave & Busters

It has been so busy, but lots of fun around our house this week. Jared and Katie came up to spend this past weekend with us. We ended up at Dave & Buster's Saturday night and had a blast. If you've never been, it's kind of like Chuck E Cheese for grown-ups. It's a really fun time!!
Can you guess who was in charge the whole time?! Ha!
We played lots of games...

Cade couldn't stand all the excitement, so he decided to take a nap. It was SO noisy in there, but I guess that's where the phrase "sleep like a baby..." comes from...

Ella had enough tickets for some candy and a red dragon! Yea!!