Merry Cruisemas!

We enjoyed a fun-filled  Christmas on a cruise! We were grateful to have Scott's Dad and his wife Rusty, my Mom and Scott's sister Mackenzie along for the fun. (We try to travel with more adults than children these days!) We could not have survived without them! We enjoyed so many fun adventures and the boys are already asking when we can go back again. The adults have still not quite gotten their land legs back or recovered from the buffet meals ;) We may have to wait a few years! 

The boys loved the climbing wall on board.

Our gorgeous cabana for the day on Royal Caribbeans private island, Labadee

We spent a day at a really beautiful resort in Jamaica with this amazing waterpark for the kids.

Her first dip in tropical waters!

Life doesn't get any better than this.....

The whole gang.... 

Look who is 4!

This party was sweet and simple. He wanted ice cream cake and that was it! Bennett has grown leaps and bounds this year. He became a big brother and has become the most happy, helpful, and content child. He  adores his baby sister and takes his job of watching for 'choking hazards' very seriously. He is her fierce protector and constant playmate. He enjoys keeping up with the big brothers too and can't wait to join them in elementary school soon. We adore this kid. 

Our little pumpkins first Halloween!

Kiawah Island

Our summer ended with a fabulous trip to Kiawah Island for my sisters wedding. It was non-stop fun with family and a beautiful wedding! 

Happy boy at the beach...

Grant spent hours in the surf waiting for the perfect wave...

A beach wedding isn't complete without their name in the sand ;)

This boy loved the beach... 

My Mom rented a fabulous beach house so we could enjoy family/cousin time together. There was never a dull moment! 

The princess... ready for the ceremony.

Trying to get a shot with the nieces and nephews. Comical! 

Is that not precious!? My niece was the sweetest little flower girl. 

The view! They couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day. 

My photos don't do the event justice... but here is a quick one I snapped of one of the tables. You can barely see the moss table numbers and crystals hanging from the candles. When the sun set and dinner began everything was sparkling and it was so romantic and beautiful. 

Family shot on the Ocean Course at Kiawah. I love my boys in bow ties! 

Danced the night away.... 

This kid had a few too many Shirley Temples! 

The happy couple.... we were so thrilled to be part of their beautiful wedding weekend. 

A baptism, a birthday, and a blessing....

In May Nate turned 8 and chose to be baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was a very special event. Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and cousins joined in the fun. We also took the opportunity with everyone gathered to bless our sweet Caroline. What a wonderful and memorable day for us all. We felt so blessed.

The requested Kit Kat birthday cake! 8 is great!

Our handsome 8 year old on his baptism day

The family gathered at church

Nate and his Dad right before his baptism. 

Our sweet angel on her blessing day. 

Blessing bloomers. A girl changes everything ;)

The invitation for his baptism. 

Sweet Caroline

Our sweet little girl is finally here! We are all completely in love with her! {And boy am I behind on my blog.}

Caroline Brooke Snow

Born fashionably late (8 days to be exact) on March 30th.

Weighed in at 8lbs 1ounce and was 21 1/2 inches long.

After trying very hard to go into labor on my own (i.e. walking around the entire North Carolina zoo, jumping curbs in my neighborhood, running up and down stairs, having my membranes stripped twice, lots of Thai food etc...) I finally relented and let them induce me on day 8.

The doctor schedule me for a 5 a.m. induction! I told the doctor that the only think I get up early for is Black Friday sales. She laughed. But I was dead serious. I really started to wonder if I shouldn't wait a few more days. I would much rather have a baby in the late afternoon or evening! Who wants to be exhausted when a new baby arrives?? But, I decided it was time (and my children were DYING that she hadn't come yet!) and my sweet Mother was in town to help, so I got up early and went in. I was barely awake when we checked in. We were directed to a waiting room where we then waited, and waited, and waited and waited!!!! It wasn't until about 9am that they started inducing me!! ( I was really irked...could have had a few more hours of shut eye!! I will never be able to get those hours back. I think about them every sleepless night with the baby ;))

Labor went quickly after that and once my Doctor was available they broke my water and little Caroline arrived! She had a thick head of black hair (just like Nate) and was constantly sticking her little tongue out at us! It was adorable. (And isn't that hat cute? I found it in a boutique... a girlie delivery room hat! Could you die?? She of course had to have it.)

The boys were so excited to meet her. They cried when they had to leave us each night at the hospital. It was so wonderful to bring her home and all be together, finally.

A little girl has brought such a sweet spirit to our home and the color PINK is pretty fun to have around!! I admit, I am having a little too much fun dressing and accessorizing this little princess!