Bubbles Always Bring Smiles

We were recently given a bubble gun, so we loaded it up and the fun began. Cat was all squeals and the boys loved that they could shoot and something came out. I think bubbles are the best toy ever - let's be honest I liked them too. They also ate cookies just before so their faces look awesome.

Life is Good

I must say we have been enjoying ourselves in Florida. The beaches are beautiful and so close that there is no excuse not to go! The kids LOVE it.

The boys watching Daddy and

I am sure they will be trying it in no time.

So HOT!!

Dax loves the ocean and likes to play

as long as he is being held so he feels safe.

Caleb and Catalina are our daring, no fear children.
It is hard to keep Cat away from the water even for a minute.
Caleb is addicted to the boogy board and loves to ride the waves.

Dave's parents came out for a weekend.

We celebrated his dad's birthday and Dave's.

This is the first fire in our firepit.

FYI:

Fires are not as much fun when it is blazing hot outside.

Quick Review

Here is a quick update of a few of the things our family has been up to during 2011. Our kids have grown a ton and they are so much fun.

Strawberry Pickin' at Gross Farms in NC.

We go every year and have a blast.

The Trampoline

We loved our trampoline! We spent a lot of time on it. The boys jumped on it all the time and played fort under it when it was too hot to jump. We couldn't take it in our move...we will miss the trampoline!

Caleb's school did a parade. His class was Mrs. Fowler's Flock so they dressed up like ducklings.

Catalina loves playgrounds! She gets to climb and feel like a big girl.

Daxton gets more brave all the time. His muscles are getting so big.

Caleb played soccer for 3 weeks before we moved. He loved practice but was kind of overwhelmed by the games and the excited parents.

Caleb had a Superman 5th birthday. We had tons of kids, candy, games and food. He got a bunch of awesome gifts and had a ton of great last memories as we moved a couple days after.

We love our new house but the kids had a hard time letting go of the trampoline.

Dave built an awesome club house for them to have all of their adventures in.

We all helped even though Dave was the master mind and the muscle.

The boys loved watching us make the cement.

We worked on it well into the night for a few nights.

Final pics are yet to come since we have not taken them yet.

All the grandparents pitched in to make sure the club house has awesome accessories:

slide, climbing rocks, picnic table, steering wheel, spy scope, and more.

Thank you!

All in all we are happy. Having fun owning our first home. And glad to be together!

Summer at the Beaches...

We had a great Summer! Dave was home. We went to the beach enough times that we can enter Fall without "summertime - should have done that" regrets. We went to the Beaches in North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida. We also had a trip to Utah so we will show pics of that too. Caleb learned how to skim board and boogie board, which he is quite good at for his age. Dax learned how to knock sandcastles down and when to not knock sandcastles down. Catalina learned that she loves to chew sand. I learned that I love the beach more and Dave taught us most of the above. We love our family!

Wrightsville Beach in Early Summer

My Dad and Penny came to visit

Utah - Up the canyon from Dave's house

Grandma and Caty Sue

What I like to call "My American Dream"

We stopped in Savannah and this is what they wanted

He got the red sucker

She has never been happier than with sand in her mouth!

We met up with Dave's friends in Myrtle Beach and had a blast.

We have not spent a Summer together for a long time.

It was nice to just hang out and be a family.

Like I said: I love US!

Annual Strawberry Pickin'

I do love North Carolina when it is berry pickin' time! There is nothing like fresh picked strawberry everything; ice cream, lemonade, pie, shortcake, bread, and the list goes on. We get a little spoiled. Our freezer is stocked full, which should last us about a month or two when Dave gets home. This is the first year that Dave has been able to pick strawberries and let me tell ya he did good for a rookie.

Easter

We hid the boys' Easter baskets for the first time this year. We pretty much just had to tell them where they were but they were super excited to look. Next year they will be ready and will understand the game better I hope. Just so you know it gets harder every year. The last time my mom hid my basket (I was 24) I had to all but ask her where it was. It is a tricky sport.

The boys got tons of candy and bunnies from Grandma Sue.

I made the Superman Capes.

They are so cute!

Here is our new family picture.

You might be thinking that we should have

had a professional help us,

but this kinda captures us how we are.

Our kidd-o's

Catalina - Inside and Out

Our baby girl is finally here! Here is a picture of me prego so you all can see exactly how huge I got, which explains how huge she was...

4 days before delivery

Catalina Susan Kimsey

I went into labor at 2 o'clock in the morning. My contractions were never consistant but we went to the hospital because I was dialated to a 4 on my visit two weeks before. In the one hour of laboring in triage, I was dialted to 8 cm. We were quickly admitted and rushed to a room so the baby wouldn't be born in the hallway. To my luck, she did not come out too fast so I was able to get an epidural. I labored/slept (thanks epidural) for the next four hours until she was absolutely ready to come out. Three pushes and the next thing we know...we have a green alien. She pooped in utero so she was covered in green slime. Needless to say she was still absolutley adorable. She was taken immediately by a nurse to ensure that her lungs were healthy due to the myconium - she was fine and has a great set of lungs. She sleeps great, eats great and has been an amazing gift. Her final measurements were:

9lbs 11oz and 21 inches long.

Mommy has a BABY GIRL!!

Think she'll ever have a boyfriend?

She was a big baby - yet she is still so small.

Welcome to our crazy, fun, loud and loving home Cati Sue