My boys!

I love watching Drew get to cuddle and play with our boys and I love seeing the boys play really well together.  Often times I feel like my life is chaos trying to take care of Alden and Anders who are both boatloads of energy.  However, I wouldn't trade my life for anything and I cherish the memories that we are making together.  These are some photos I took that remind me why I love being a mom and how grateful I am for a wonderful husband.

It is rare to see my boys all resting and calm at the same time, but it does happen and I love those moments.  I love seeing my boys all cuddled together and enjoying precious time together.

Anders absolutely LOVES his blanket.  He is so attached to his blanket and will drag it all over the house.  He has recently taken to chewing on it, I am guessing for comfort.  I think it is a little funny but kind-of adorable at the same time.

He is such a sweet little boy who takes after his mom and grandpa and loves his blankets.

Even if he isn't chewing on it he still drags it everywhere and holds it close.

 We don't get to go to the park a lot here, because it is so hot, but occasionally we will get out early enough and go.  I love watching Anders walk around and explore as he figures out how to do things on his own.

 Alden is getting so much more adventurous and independent on the playground.  I love watching him grow and learn new things. 

 These brothers love to play together and it is so fun to watch.  I love the smiles and laughs that I get to see when they play together!

 Anders always wants to be near his brother and loves watching him try different things.

There is a small patio attached to the apartment and Alden was really excited to find a lizard out there one day. 

Alden loved watching the lizard! 

 Anders loves sitting on his little tricycle on the patio...I just wish we had more room for him to play.

 Alden really misses having more area to ride his bike.  But, he is still happy for any chance that he gets to ride.  I love that the boys are happy with whatever time they get outside with their bikes, even if it is minimal.

 Anders loves the water park and loves playing in the water!

 Anders really wants to be a big boy so that he can play with the water squirters with his brother.  

I love my boys so much!  Both Alden and Anders are so full of energy and joy that they can't help but make me smile.  I love seeing them enjoy spending time together and I love seeing how much Alden loves his brother and how much Anders wants to follow his brother.  Drew always makes me smile and he always makes my days better.  I couldn't ask for a better family.

Pedal Boats at Sesqui

On Saturday some friends invited us to go to Sesquicentennial State Park and go use the pedal boats on the little lake there.  Alden was so excited to get to go in a boat and he ended up having an awesome time.  Drew and I really enjoyed it but we found it a little harder to use the pedal boat because Anders had to be on one of our laps which made it hard to pedal.  This meant that Drew ended up doing most of the pedaling and got a really good workout on the lake.  Anders and I enjoyed being on the water but I could only pedal with one leg because Anders was sitting on the other.

After about 40 min on the lake I had to go back on shore with Anders because he wanted a bottle and a nap but Drew and Alden had fun pedaling around the lake for awhile longer.  Alden even tried to actually pedal, even though his legs were a little short.  It was really pretty out there and it felt very peaceful when we were on the water.  I am very glad that our friends invited us to go with them.  I am so grateful to the friends who have accepted me here and invited me to participate in activities.  Those friends have made the move to South Carolina so much better than it would have been otherwise.

Alden enjoyed walking around the lake a little to see some of the ducks and geese while we waited for our friends.

Drew was trying to teach Anders how to say "duck" but the closest he got was "uh."

I love that Alden loves animals so much and is so happy to just watch them.

Out on the water and enjoying the calm and pretty views.

We all loved being on the water (even though Anders does not look happy in this picture I promise he liked it).

We pedaled over to the edge of the lake where there was this nice little bridge.

I really love being places where I can feel alone and it can be quiet and peaceful.

There were tons of lily pads that were really fun to see.

Alden and Drew had fun pedaling around the lake even after Anders and I got off.

Anders was so tired he fell asleep within 15 min of getting off of the boat. 

We all had a lot of fun and were really glad that we went and did this.  I love any family outing that we can plan and when we get to do things with friends too it can be tons of fun.  Alden has already asked when he can get on a boat again so I am sure that we will need to try to take him again this summer.

Lake Murray

The boys and I had a lot of fun going to Lake Murray with some friends last week.  We took a picnic lunch and sand toys and played on the beach there for a few hours.  Alden loved playing the sand and splashing around in the water with his friends.  Anders had a great time playing in the sand and really enjoyed playing and splashing in the water.

It was a very hot day, so I was really glad that we were somewhere with water and a little bit of shade.  The water was more warm than cold but it still felt good and helped combat the feeling of over heating.  The lake was nice with plenty of fish to see, but I think that I liked the beach more than the lake.  It was a great, sandy beach that the kids loved playing on.

The boys enjoyed their picnic lunch while we rested a little in the shade.

Cute little boy enjoying his snack

Anders and one of our friends enjoying playing in the sand together.

Alden filling the wheelbarrow with sand while Anders watched closely.

This was Anders attitude most of the day.  He wanted to go out further in the water.

Alden filling up his bucket with water.

Anders loved playing the sand and he really liked throwing and moving the sand around with this rake.

Alden enjoyed getting water to help his friend so they could build things with the sand.

Anders loved playing in the water.

Anders had no fear and was happy to walk around in the lake.  The water was actually really warm and there were little fish swimming around everywhere.

Both boys had a great time at the lake and I am glad that we went somewhere new!