These past 2 months have probably been the craziest our little family has ever gone through! Thankfully, the madness has been caused primarily by positive events--namely the selling of our house, the purchasing of a new house, and Tommy's 4th birthday! I've been meaning to update the blog as I went, but it seems time keeps getting away from me. The longer I waited, the more things there were to tell (and, the more I'm sure to have forgotten). I can't possibly write everything that we've done over these last 2 months, and I definitely regret the funny stories that will now never be captured for later. The best way I can think to do it is to give you a few bullet points of the main items, and then provide a few captions for the SLEW of pictures to follow :)
We're moving out of our current house and into our new one at the end of April (so don't expect another post until May!!)--we are hoping to send out a "moving" announcement with our new address shortly after we move, but we are moving into the Mill Ridge subdivision in Fuquay :)
The boys have been INCREDIBLE during this busy time! They love playing with each other, and not a day goes by where we all don't laugh at something funny that they said or have done. Tommy is doing wonderful in preschool, and Ethan is really talking up a storm lately--they're at a really fun age!
As you can imagine, we've been incredibly busy between initial house showings, finally selling the house, looking for new houses, and finally purchasing--not to mention all of the paperwork and prep work that goes into moving. I just have to say that my Mom has been an absolute SAINT during the past 2 months. I bet she's watched the boys over 20 times in that time span, and I know we've all eaten dinner over there at least 6 times. Thank you for always being so generous with your time <3
A special thanks to Amy Humphrey and Laura Hinson for all of their help with Tommy's birthday party this year. Whereas I usually do things over a span of weeks, I had to do everything in less than 3 days this time--without the 2 of them, there is NO WAY I could've pulled it off the way I wanted it!
The boys are excited about moving into "the new house", especially because of the HUGE backyard--finally--woooohooooo!! We're also *planning* on having them share a room at the new house, so they've been talking quite a bit about that as well! As far as Davey and I are concerned, we just can't wait for our family to be settled! We plan for this house to become our home for at least the next 20 years! We can't wait to have all of our friends and family over as soon as we can <3
Finally, instead of reading however many books I said I wanted to read at the beginning of the year, I've decided to read the most important book of all, and it's been the best decision I've made all year! I am reading "The Narrated Bible in Chronological Order" by F. LaGuard Smith, and it has been fantastic. I'm nearing the end of King David's reign right now, and I think I should be finished with the entire thing by late summer.
So, that concludes the written recap of the past 2 months--now for the fun part--pictures, broken into 3 parts for your viewing pleasure!!
Part 1: Family Fun!
Classic Ethan turtle-face :)
Tommy still loves a good swing!
I love this silhouetted picture of the boys looking out the window <3
Tommy was so happy to get his first Halloween costume back from his buddy, Caleb.
Too bad it doesn't quite fit as well as it used to!!
My handsome boys <3
Tommy thinking he's actually trapped....
and, then he realizes he can pretend to be a lion at the zoo :)
My big boy
The boys playing together :)
Haha...he's not actually trying to spank him right here!
My little handsome devil ;)
Peek-a-boo down the slide!
Doing a little dot art
Ethan made a "red bird"
And, here's Tommy's peacock!
Easter Sunday--Thanks to Goggi and Papa Bill for watching them so we could clear out the garage!
What a little model he is--striking that look with glasses in hand!
CHEESE!!
Right before leaving for church on Easter :)
Part 2: Fun with Grandma & Granddaddy!
The boys have been doing a different art project every Wednesday night with Grandma!
They think they're so special in their art aprons that Grandma gave them :)
As you can see, they love art time with Gma!
Tommy & Ethan's water colors from 1 week...
and, here's another week....wish I had all of their art from the past 2 months!
A little birthday celebration at Grandma's house!
Ethan was excited to get a chance at the candle this time too :)
They both loved blowing out their candles!
A new bat bag and bat from Uncle NoNo and Aunt LoLo!
A new glove from Grandma and Granddaddy!
And, some yard tools to help Granddaddy in the yard--Tommy's response, "OH BOY!"
helping Granddaddy fill up the bird feeder :)
Tommy hanging it back up for the birdies!
The boys were so proud of their Easter window art!
Okay, look at the contrast between Tommy and Ethan's faces--classic!!
Tommy loves being silly at Grandma's (and Ethan loves the fridge toys!)
Easter art project--homemade Easter baskets!!
Apparently my Mom had green and blue grass for them to chose between, and Tommy looked at her like she was crazy and said, "Grass is green, not blue!"
Ethan rocking the dorkus-malorkus look that we've grown to love!
Tommy is pretty pleased with his efforts :)
Tommy holding Easter baskets to give to Goggi and Papa the following weekend!
More Easter art :)
Easter at the Hayes house a little early :)
The boys loved their sports eggs!
The hit of the basket, however, may have been the oatmeal creme pies from Granddaddy!
My big guy swinging his new baseball bat at Hit & Run!
Go State!
okay seriously, how cute is he?!
We had a picnic with Grandma and Granddaddy one day for lunch--J&S pizza on Granddaddy--woohoo!!
not sure Ethan quite has his grip down yet :)
My happy, sweet boys <3
Tommy standing underneath his namesake's picture at NC State!
The boys first trip to Hwy 55!!
Mmmm...fries!
Everyone taking a sip out of their straws--the boys had a blast!
Tommy and Grandma are 2 peas in a pod!
Grandma was so proud of how well-behaved her sweet boys were :)
One final stop at the new house!
The boys love it--Tommy asks if we can move in and play outside in the backyard every day...literally :)
Part 3: The Grand Finale--Tommy's 4th Birthday!!
ASSEMBLE THE MINIONS!!
I hate his eyes weren't open, but you get the drift :)
Minion #2 with Daddy <3
Kids table--"Minions Assemble Here!"
Tommy joking around with Granddaddy :)
Inside the minion boxes were: Vector's shrink-ray, play foam, and Minion goggles!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOMMY!!
Tommy's pretty excited upon his first look at things!
The Space Launcher game--never really turned into a game because the nerf guns we bought shot little foam arrows about 100 miles per hour!
Ethan hugging his little buddy :)
The Cake--Gru's rocket ship "blasting off" with fire cupcakes (homemade stand made by Amy Humphrey!)
These little guys were Tommy's favorite!
"Oooooohhh Stuffed Crust"
You can never go wrong with girl scout cookies :)
"that's what I'm talking 'boutttttttttt!!"
Minions made by Laura Hinson--thank you so much!!
Party favors!
"Wii are so happy you could make it!"
Tommy and Great Grandmother checking out his sweet new ride from Goggi and Papa Bill!
Caleb is my biggest party food fan--yayy!!
Ethan had to be removed from the party table as he was just walking around and around stealing whatever food he liked from the other kids' plate--SMH!!
The Carter twins--adorable as usual!
Little Riley Danaher's first birthday party--eeep!!
Riley's proud GiGi :)
A very happy Aunt Donna!
Thanks for coming Mrs. Emily with daughters Cate and Ellie!
Katelyn's big sister, Ivy, REALLY liked Tommy's new bike :)
Tommy getting some new swim gear from Aunt Becky!
It was a madhouse of toddlers, but that's what it's all about!!
Tommy loved his new bike helmet, but I'm afraid he won't be able to use it while actually riding his bike! Those Catchings' have big noggins!!
Caleb and the other kids were more than happy to help Tommy :)
Ethan trying to sneak a peak at the new wheels!
Tommy loves his new fireman outfit!
Did I mention that Ivy liked the bike?!
Tommy and his little girlfriend Reagan :)
Haha, I almost forgot this happened...check out the next couple of photos!
Why does this feel like one of those weird lessons from Willy Wonka...
Don't lean over to far into your present, or you might fall in!
Here's a pretty solid look at the yarmulke helmet--OY!! :)
Granny and Papa watching Tommy eating his "minion cupcake"
Mmmmmmmmmmmm!
Tommy actually ate a real cupcake this year too!
Tommy loved everyone singing Happy Birthday to him!
I got to help my big guy blow out the #4--here's to many many more!!
I will leave you with this video of everyone singing to Tommy--his face is just priceless, such sweet memories!!
