Baby Miles...pink or blue?

We spent Memorial Day evening at our friends Brad & Leslie's house for their "Gender-Reveal Party". This was our first baby gender party, and I felt kind-of old and out of touch when I realized this was not something that people did way back when we had kids-ha! :) That was probably just the first of many things that will remind me I'm not in the BABY season of life any more." (And much to my surprise, it didn't really make me sad?!)

So it was a really fun time. Brad and Leslie had chips, salsa and cheese-dip for appetizers and they made delicious fajitas for dinner. We ate outside while the kids played in the back yard--swinging, playing ball, blowing bubbles and jumping in the jump house. Memorial Day also seems to mark the beginning of summer in my mind, so this was a great way to start the new season.

Rhett & Crosby working on the bubble machine.

I wish I would have taken a picture of Rhett swinging in the baby swing with two year old Avery pushing him!

It was hot, and the kids loved the lemonade with fun umbrella straws.

The first thing C wanted to play with when he arrived:

C jumping

And finally, the moment we'd all been waiting for...the big announcement! Brad and Leslie did not know either. They had their ultrasound appointment last Friday and had the technician seal the gender news in an envelope to give to the bakery. The bakery then made a gender-neutral cake on the outside, but inside it contained pink or blue filling that would be seen when they cut into the first piece...

It's a.................

BOY!!!!

(I had my camera zoomed in too much and cut off their heads in all the excitement.) I think they were a little shocked. They have a little girl that's Crosby's age, so they're used to seeing pink! This next picture cracks me up because while the exciting moment/hugging was still going on, you can see Rhett moving into position to get a piece of cake, plate in hand! :)

They also had not looked at their ultra-sound photos yet, which was probably good because the way HE was sitting it would have ruined the surprise for sure. Leslie is saying, "Well, yes, it's definitely a boy!"

The growing Miles Family--aren't they cute!

Congratulations! We can't wait to meet your new family member.

I told Leslie that, in my (biased) opinion, it is a wonderful blessing to get to experience having both boy(s) and girl! I'm sure thankful it's that way at our house!

Garner boys and girl enjoying their cake with blue filling.

Memorial Day 2011: Thankful for Freedom, Family and Friends!

Toad Suck Park

After church today we made last-minute plans with my parents and sister/kids to meet at Toad Suck Park in Conway. Mom and Dad were missing all the grandkids, and we didn't have plans for the evening, so it worked out great. Micaela suggested this park and drove out there ahead of time to make sure it wasn't too busy due to the holiday weekend. It's located on the Arkansas River and has lots of big, beautiful shade trees. It was such a nice place to play.

Alexee was happy to see Granddad.

Someone had the wonderful idea to bring water guns for all the kids (sorry!). They were soaked within a few minutes, and they did their best to soak all the adults too. Since no one had dry clothes, we decided to get a to-go order and eat at the park instead of going to a restaurant for dinner. That was more fun anyway!

Jaiden

Crosby took a break from water to play soccer

Granddad, Jeryn, Alexee and Rhett filling up with water.

Jeryn & Crosby

I like this picture! Run, Mo!

We tried to get a picture of all five of them...Ha! That never works!

Look at Crosby & Rhett! :)

Boys!

Mo & Granddad hopped in for this photo. Rhett balanced a water gun on his head.

The Pirate Ship

Mic picked up Brick Oven pizzas and salads for dinner.

And she also brought Kung Fu Panda cupcakes for Jeryn's birthday--he will be four on Tuesday. Happy Birthday, Jeryn...We love you!
Rhett asked me yesterday if I see my cousins very much. I told him that I didn't get to spend much time with them now, but when we were growing up we were together all the time. I was lucky to have lots of cousins and to live close to them, so we were good friends. Rhett says that Jaiden is his best friend, and he told me that he thought he might move near her when he grows up so he can spend more time with her. You can see Jeryn and Alexee playing by the tree in the background. Thankful for the opportunity to get together today!
Alexee and Jeryn said they were pretending to be Mo & Granddad. Alexee told Dad, "Pretend you're old, Granddad, like this." (walking with a stick). :) Dad said, "Well, I don't even have to pretend!" ha!

Mo & her two granddaughters

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

THANK YOU to those who have served/are serving our country!

We are grateful for the freedoms we enjoy.

Field Day

Last Friday Rhett had field day at school. Crosby stayed with Lane while Alexee and I went to to the school for a little while. I felt bad about our timing--we got there just as R's class was finishing lunch and going out to recess. I'd packed Alexee's lunch thinking the class would be eating outside and she could eat with them. They ate inside, and we missed it. Then they had an extended recess (45 minutes) on the playground, so all that time we were just hanging out on the playground instead of watching the field day activities.

At recess Rhett took Alexee's hand and told her to come play chase with him and his friends. :)

Alexee was getting tired and grouchy (it was nap time) when R's class finally went back to the afternoon competitions, so we just stayed for one--the balloon toss. Rhett and Connor were partners and were next to last to get eliminated for dropping their balloon.

Shaking hands

balloon toss--he and Connor did great!

Rhett still has NINE days of school left, thanks to all that snow we got in February. He's counting down the days until summer break, and we have a busy, fun June planned!

I Hope The Beast Doesn't Steal My Peppermints

(I forgot to take the camera...took just a few dark pictures with my phone.)

Lane and I had a special afternoon with Alexee on Thursday. We had tickets to see Beauty and The Beast. At first she cried and didn't want to go because she was scared to see the Beast, but she got over it. Before the show we took her out for lunch. She ordered pink lemonade, a grilled cheese sandwich with chips and a pickle, and she ate my cherry jello salad. As we were leaving she picked up three mints from the dish by the door. She ate one immediately and said she was saving the other two for her brothers. :) She talked non-stop on the drive downtown. She was coming up with all sorts of silly scenarios about the Beast. Lane and I thought she was probably still a little nervous and was trying to lighten her own mood by making jokes. She said, "I hope the Beast doesn't come out and try to steal my peppermints". We told her she had nothing to worry about because the Beast was just a person dressed up and he would stay on the stage the whole time. She did fine once we got inside. She sat on Lane's lap for a while, but then she forgot about being scared and just enjoyed watching the show. She sat between us and held our hands--it was sweet. :)

On the steps of the music hall.

She liked the pretty rose on the stage.

She asked me early on when Belle would be wearing her big, fluffy yellow dress. She was excited to see her wearing it when they danced at the end. This was her favorite part of course!

As we were walking back to the car she said, "Thank you for taking me. I really enjoyed it." She sounded so grown up! Lane and I really liked the show too. We had seen it a long time ago before Rhett was born, and it was just as good as I remembered!

Lane's parents were at the house keeping the boys. (Thank you, B & RM!) They stayed for dinner and played with the kids a while longer. It was a fun day!