Titan's 3

For those of you who have never had the pleasure of being around Titan, you're missing out!

He is an absolute delight. He is three going on ten. Nothing will stop this boy from joining in with everything his big siblings are doing. This past year has only magnified that as he's become bigger and conquered more things. As we go through our day, I have to remind myself that he is only three. I often times expect the same from him as my older three and he rarely disappoints.

Titan is SO hilarious. He regularly takes words and makes them his own, usually by adding "o" to the end of things. He has incredible manors, I almost never have to remind him to say please or thank you and is the king of "you're welcome Mom!" 

Titan still wins over anyone he encounters with his sweet, smiling, little Danny self. He is bold and brave as long as Dan or I are around but still gets weary when not by our side. He is happiest in the middle of our crazy family!

Titan has been found lately stealing his siblings two wheeled scooter and LOVES when we put the training wheels on Rex' bike and he bikes around. He also delights in saying that it's "his bike" just to get a reaction out of his big brother.

Friends regularly say, "I forget that he is almost/just three." He has a way of just fitting in with the older kids.

He is willing to play just about anything with his siblings. He's tremendous at Barbies and Ninja Turtles.

Titan continues to embrace the roll of big brother. He calls Jett, "diaper boy" or just "diaper" when he's frustrated with him. "MOM, diaper boy is on me!" He makes us laugh all the time!

He raids Quinn and Rex' closet almost every day except for Sunday mornings when I pick out their clothes. He wears their basketball shorts and shirts all the time.

I am blown away at how this little man has changed our lives over the last three years.

We could not be more thankful to the Lord for our little Titan. I'm delighted to call this little boy mine. Happy 3rd Birthday! I love you Ty!

Addicted to Water Part II

There is nothing better than a hose on a hot summer day.

And getting to spray your brothers with the hose makes it even better.

Between the hose, filling our little pool, and the significant increase in baths once the summer hits, our water bill definitely goes up once its hot out. It's totally worth all the smiles though!

These children delight in being soaked from head to toe and Jett has followed in their footsteps. He gladly climbs into any bucket, jumps into any puddle and delights in running through the hose.

We have used our pool pass a ton this summer and every time I think they learn to do something new in the pool. Titan has mastered swimming with his face under water which has been very exciting for him! If we are at home we usually end up soaked in our clothes!

I love all these little smiles.

On this day Myla enjoyed holding all the power in her hands! There's nothing better than squirting your brothers with the hose!

All my sweet big boys!

We had to dump out all our sand in our sandbox (it was really, really smelly). We cleaned it and then made it into a little pool for the afternoon!

We are making the most of life outside. It is definitely our favorite thing to spend morning till night running around outdoors. So many more pictures to come. I can't get enough of their smiles!

Addicted to Water Part 1

We are addicted to water.

Ok, let me clarify a little more, we are addicted to water in the summer, when it's HOT!

Big pools, little pools, lakes, hoses, squirt guns, water balloons, any form of water, WE LOVE IT!

In case you're wondering, Dan is wearing girls sunglasses! No shame, he forgot his!

This summer has kept us on our toes with all the rain and the cooler days but we have made the most of the sunshine and not much can keep us from splashing around. I'm sad because I heard that next week is supposed to be in the low 70s. What is happening?

 

Although Jett is still very much a baby, I feel like for the first time in six years our lives are not controlled by naps. If there is something going on he is quite content to be awake and in the mix. He even partied with a great attitude till after 11pm for the 4th. Amazing!

Jett's personality is overflowing out of him. He is quite the crazy kid in our house and keeps us all constantly in giggles. It's amazing how even at such a young age they understand so much. I feel like almost every day he learns something new. He copies the big kids in everything they do. He's a blast to be around.

 

Mr. Titan can persevere through the day if there's lots going on. It's when you slow down that this boy crashes. He's such a trooper and refuses to be left out of anything. 

 

Loving the beautiful weather. Loving the our family time. Can't get enough of our Wee little Rudes!

Tball

 Quinton Daniel smiled the entire Tball season. (you may have to zoom in to see the smile as he runs!!)

 I delight in watching him run the bases, catch the balls and do it all with such joy.

He is one determined little boy when it comes to sports. He is adamant about trying any sport he comes across. We bought a skateboard at a garage sale for $1. It is pink and purple. If you think those colors would keep him from trying it you would be kidding yourself A friend gave us pink and black roller blades for Myla. They just so happen to fit Quinn and you will regularly find him practicing around the driveway. Nothing will stop this boy learning and mastering something new. I love that about him. I love watching him show me new tricks on his scooter, bike or roller blades, I love playing catch with him, kicking the ball around the yard. There is no stopping this boy.

 We had a great season playing with old and new friends.

Quinn enjoyed being on the same team as his friend Mason and getting to play his friend Harrison's team.

It was fun seeing the progress throughout the season. I had even more fun peeking at the next field over, the ten year old boys. They were amazing. They can throw and hit so hard, so fast. Dan told me to get ready to have my mind blown if our boys decide to continue to play baseball.

They moved to coach pitch after a couple of games and Quinn excelled at that. They would give the kids a couple of chances to hit the ball being pitched and then would move them to the T if they didn't hit it. Q hit every time the ball was pitched except for once in the last six games. I am one proud momma!

 And I will leave you with this picture.

I am so thankful that he lives life with such joy. It is contagious in our house and to others that he is around. I hope that as he grows older and continues to play sports that the smiles only get bigger. My heart delights in seeing my children smile!

The Abells

My wonderful Grammy passed away in May. She lived a full and feisty 95 years. I have so many wonderful memories with her and my Papa in them. Her funeral was a wonderful celebration of her life and a perfect way to bring the entire Abell family together. All her children, their spouses, her grandchildren and great grandchildren were there. 

My kids and I enjoyed a day at my sisters in Madison before heading to Chicago. It was quite a party at Aunt Kelly's house! Five adults and six children. My children loved the excitement of having a big sleepover at Aunt Kelly's.   

Almost all the Abell cousins together. Everyone's all grown up! 

 

All of my Aunts and Uncles.

My wonderful family (minus the most handsome guy).

My kids were troopers. There was tons of driving, lots of new people and places, lots of being quiet. They were amazing for the four and a half hours to Madison, the two and a half hours to Chicago and the five and a half hours home.  They made my job of traveling alone easy and I am truly grateful for that! We taught Quinn how to change the DVDs and set the big kids up with a snack bag to hand out to everyone. It worked like a charm! 

    

 

Nana and baby Jacob.

My momma and all her siblings.

Despite all the craziness of the trip we were able to enjoy the FREE (take note Des Moines) zoo in Madison. We have been a couple of times before and always enjoy it. This time was no different.

There is a very fun play area for the kids to climb and explore. Running, jumping and climbing combined with animals, you can't beat that with my kids!

Sweet Aunt Kelly

Despite the sad circumstances surrounding our trip we enjoyed being able to see so many of our favorite people and to celebrate the life of a wonderful woman all together.