Note

Sawyer ran into the kitchen tonight wearing a big smile on his face and carrying this note which he handed to me. Sawyer obviously didn't come up with this idea; Jackson has been asking all evening if we can host a USA Baseball player this summer.

Happy Birthday "2" Sawyer

Today we celebrated Sawyer's second birthday and if you are reading this, there's a good chance that you were at the party, or at least knew about it.  The morning started off crazy when a little before 7:30, the doorbell rings.  The entire White house, minus Cali, was sleeping up until that point, which is an uncommon occurrence.  The supervisor of the "crap project" (Cary is putting in a force main in front of our house) was notifying us that we wouldn't be able to use our driveway for several hours.  I could hear the man talking and I immediately started thinking about calling and emailing my sisters, in-laws, and cousin so that they wouldn't try to drive over.  This was a big inconvenience to me mostly because it wasn't what I had planned.  They told us that it would be closed at 10 AM, right about the time the party would be starting.  I rushed all morning because I knew that I must get to the dollar store to buy balloons at 9:00.  Well guess what?  It started raining and at that moment, I realized that my driveway was already closed at 9 AM!  Plan B- use mom's car or call Laura.  Before I could even call Laura, she calls and tells me that she was already out and had time to pick up balloons.  Whew!  Really, it was smooth sailing from then on and the party was enjoyable. The kids seemed to have fun and I enjoyed visiting with family.  And I don't think that the kids minded the free entertainment in the driveway one bit! 

Sawyer was one happy boy today.  He loved all of the gifts, more than I realized.  I have pictures of him playing with everything that he received today.  There are sad things about the passing of time and babies growing up but moments like today are ones that overfill my fill heart with joy.

The free party entertainment

The balloons made it to the party after all!

New wheels from Papa and Grandma

Cole and Addi on the horse

Davis and Jackson

Baby Reece and adoring cousins

I ordered a cake from Whole Foods on Friday.  It was a last minute decision but a good one, in my opinion:-)

Cousin Bennett

What are these guys up to?

Granny and Reece

Everyone but Addison and Andrew included

Blowing out the candle

Reece, Leah & Derek

Daddy and Grandma

Everyone with their parties favors made by The Monogram-Ista 

Small glitch in the operation of the Spiderman sprinkler

Looking at the book from the Fox family

Admiring the guitar from Aunt Holly

Bulldozers!!!!

Content and entertaining himself.  Wow! 

Playing with Papa

Waiting for Papa to spray them

Grannddaddy looking at his new Father's Day album.  We were all together to watch him open it. 

Me with my oldest baby

June Happenings

What a great month it has been already!  Jackson played in his first tournament with the West Raleigh 10 U Blue.  We all got to enjoy a weekend at Myrtle Beach.  It really was a lot of fun and we got to hang out with great kids and great families.  Winning the tournament was just an added bonus:-) Once the weekend was over, Sawyer and I drove to Carolina Beach to meet up with Granddaddy and most of the cousins, while Jackson and Webb hitched a ride back to Raleigh, with people we know of course.  Laura and the girls met us on Monday and we spent a few days there together. I can't say that the trip was totally relaxing but the kids had fun and Laura and I napped when the kids did. 

Jackson had an art class all of last week.  He took a beginning wheel class.  I'm hoping that now our pottery wheel will see some action.  And maybe he'll teach his mother a thing or two. 

Today, there is a tournament in Rocky Mount.  Sawyer and I are staying home so that I can clean and he can nap.  Oh yes, how could I forget to mention all of the cleaning that lies ahead of me!  We are in the midst of a kitchen remodeling project.  Last week, the cabinet doors were removed and the cabinets were sanded and painted.  I have so many boxes everywhere.  We spent a few days cleaning out the cabinets and now, I get to spend a few days putting some things back again.  It wouldn't be so hard but anyone who has a toddler knows that you just don't have the luxury of working for hours straight.  It'll get done, sooner or later and most likely the later. 

We are gearing up for Sawyer's second birthday.  It's hard to believe that it's almost here.  Today, we are heading out to cousin Davis' birthday party.  Let the days of celebrating fathers and birthdays begin!

Jackson's art this week

This picture is deceiving.  You can't see all of the mess that's really there. 

Enjoying muffins together

Jackson at bat

Andrew and Sawyer

Cole and Sawyer cutting up

This fish really was interacting with the kids. I've never seen anything like it. 

Kind of makes us want a pet fish

Cole, Andrew, and Addison

Fishing

Sawyer's favorite toy right now.

Being silly but what's new? 

The kids love relay races on the beach

Racing

Goodbye!