Summer catch up

To say that we have been busy this summer would be an understatement. I feel like I have barely been able to catch my breath between all the trips and activities we've had going on, and I certainly haven't had time to keep up to date with the blog (see..in order to blog, that would require me being home for more than 2-3 days at a time). But as our fun summer comes to a close, I decided I better come up for air from the giant pile of consignment 'stuff' to provide a much needed (and much requested) update of our lives. :)
Even though this has been one of the most crazy and busy summers, it really has been a fun one. Baby #3 has given me quite a run for my money. The first trimester was pretty rough, with me feeling sick 24 hours a day and SO tired. But now that we're in the 2nd trimester (currently 18 weeks) things are looking up. I even started to feel this little bean move for the first time this past week :) I am so excited about this sweet little baby and feel so bonded and connected to it already...I can't wait (and can hardly believe it) to be a family of 5!
Brad has been gone most of the summer on interviews. He will finish his surgery residency and graduate next June...then it will be off for a 2 year fellowship in trauma/critical care. So he has been interviewing for fellowships all over, and we will find out in October where this journey will take us next. While I am excited about this next adventure for our family, and thrilled that this just puts us one step closer to being 'done'...I can't begin to explain how sad it makes me to think of leaving Macon. This really is our home. I never thought in a million years that I would say that about Macon, GA, but it's true. I am so thankful for the wonderful friends and memories we have made here...and I just have to believe that God has more in store for us down the road...just in a different place...for a while, anyway ;)

We did make it to the beach 3 times this summer, which was great! The first trip was with my family, but minus Brad. It also was at the very beginning of my pregnancy. So me as a single parent + a very fussy teething Luke + a tired and sick feeling Mommy = no pictures from that trip :) The second time we went with our dear friends, The Kitchells. I have lots of footage from that trip, but plan to make a slideshow...so I just grabbed 2 of my favorites. I love this one because little Kate had NO desire to get in the picture...but we managed to get her in anyway ;) The kiddos
Our 3rd beach trip was for 9 days and was just our family and my parents. It was wonderful! We finally got a chance to visit The Alligator Farm...something we've been wanting to do for a while. It was a really neat place, and the boys loved it.

I have never seen so many crocs and gators in my life...

They loved riding around in their little safari jeep

Gross.

I have also never been so hot in my life. Can you tell that we all look a little sweaty?The boys had the best time together, and could have stayed playing on the beach all day long.
My mom bought all the grandkids outfits when we went to Hawaii...so we had to get a picture while we were at the beach. Don't they make cute little Hawaiian boys? We have also been spending a lot of time this summer at the pool where we have a membership. The boys love it, and especially love the waterslide.
So that's a little of our summer in a whirlwind. The boys both start school next week, so hopefully I will have a little more free time to stay updated. I will try to be better, but I can't make any promises.