Family pictures November 2013

 Family pictures each year are a HUGE deal to me since I don't have many pictures of my childhood. Our friend Sara who is an incredible photographer offered to take our family pictures at Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro. We woke up at 4:30 to get everyone ready and at the beach by 6am to catch the sunrise. The kids were great, I think they were too tired to act up. Axel is our first picture. Love the spikey hair and mischievous smile;)

 Austin is a natural model. He is such a wonderful big brother and helped all of the kids cooperate.

 Axel smiling again:)

 Sara caught this beautiful sunrise!

 Axel and Austin;)

 Mommy and Carolyne. She was so happy once she had her baby doll. Sara got another picture of Carolyne crying-there was not one happy bone in her body and once we gave her the baby doll, the smiles came out!

 Little Miss Carolyne who is almost 1 in this picture. Love having a girl!

 Here's the family. Cannot get enough of this picture!

 This was before Carolyne got her little baby doll:)

 It was easier to get all of their feet looking at the camera instead of their cute faces.

 I love this picture of everyone looking at baby sis. It's hard to believe her name is Carolyne since we all call her "baby Carolyne"

 So typical of these guys to be silly together!

 Another shot of the sun coming up at 6am! Well worth feeling tired for this beauty!

Axel and daddy sharing a sweet moment.

Austin's birthday turning 5!

 We ordered Austin some new cowboy boots for his birthday since he has been consistently asking for about 2 years since he outgrew his old pair. While we were at the pirate show for his birthday the package arrived on our front porch. He got the boots shortly before going to bed. He was so excited about them, he wore them to bed and Axel wore his boots to bed too!

 Heather, Austin's incredible BM sent a wonderful birthday package for ALL of the kids. She and Matt had just gone to Boston and bought the boys Boston Red Sox hats. They look so freaking cute in these!

 Here are the boys in their new cowboy hats with their boots loving life!

 Carolyne is ready for the Pirate Show. Jenny and Daryl came with us to Buena Park and this was such a fun family night!

 Another picture with those cute hats on! That is Quin's wife in the background. They lived in California for a couple of months and came out to have cake for Austin's birthday.

Uncle Daryl, Aunt Jenny, mom, dad, Carolyne, Austin and Axel ready to cheer for our pirate! Dad was screaming so loud that our pirate came by to say how much he loved hearing dad cheer for him! We bought the boys light up swords at the show and you slept with them for several nights.

Moved out of student housing

 The boys were so happy to have a place to call home on our own! It was an incredible year of family support staying with us in Little Rock before we moved, helping us move, etc. and living with family and feeling their support, love, and encouragement. There is something to be said for having your own space. Our family had not been alone in six months.

 While unpacking we found this ridiculously cute bow from Shannon Fox and put it on baby Carolyne. How cute is she?!

Since we had lived on our own for a week, Tom agreed to take in 2 Chinese students for two weeks. These boys were only 14 years old. I'm sure they thought we were super boring. We were beyond exhausted. Luckily they just liked to go to their rooms at night and watch movies and play games on their iPads.

Daddy got a job in San Pedro, CA!

 Daddy got a job in San Pedro, CA and we have been so happy to be back in an area that feels like "home". Tom spent 8 hours a day at the library looking for a job. The stresses of unemployment mixed with a newborn are feelings we hope to never experience again! Aunt Jenny and Uncle Daryl are the most incredible people. They let us live with them for free until Tom found work. Our kids still ask about them often. It was a special time to strengthen family bonds. I don't know how we would have made it through this last year with all of the emotional and financial support of family! Tom is really happy to be working for a Catholic University. We lived in student housing in July 2013 while we found a place to live. Next door to us was a family that relocated from Texas and the mother works with Tom. They have a special needs son, Kevin who is 11 years old and he played well with the boys.

 I had some Pinterest moments trying to keep the kids busy. They really loved drawing Angry Birds in chalk and filling up red and white water balloons that we drew a face on and smashed on the green pigs. Perfect for a hot summer day!

 Axel is blowing bubbles in a bowl. We did this several times. Put dish soap with a little bit of water in a bowl and gave the boys a straw. They loved this!

 Carolyne hanging out in her highchair!

 Easter Sunday, Aunt Tera took a picture of us. I feel so behind on this blog and I refuse to quit so these pictures are a little random!

Kevin and Austin blowing their bowl bubbles;)

Axel's birthday 2013

 Axel turned three and his cousins pulled through with an amazing birthday party! Aunt Jenny made a cake which he loved and Laura planned an amazing pirate party for the family! Joey and Emilee are the "bad pirates" haha!

 He is really excited to be three!

 Laura with Austin and Axel!

 Axel blowing out his candle with mommy close by.

 Awesome pirate ship Laura and her friend Lynn created for the scavenger hunt to find some "booty"!

Amazing Aunt Jenny with Axel and his cake!