It's the end of July already??

Man, where did time go?? We leave for vacation this weekend. Yay!!! Can't wait to get away for awhile. Heading to CT, and then to the Pines.

The boys are doing great. Drew starts preschool in September, and is so excited about this idea. Ben is almost 14 months. Walking, running, speaking what seems to be Japanese (because it surely isn't English). He'll eat just about anything I give him, which is soooo awesome. Drew is super picky, so it's a nice change to have Ben eating everything in sight. The boys share a room now and it's helped get them both sleeping pretty much through the night. 3 1/2 years later, we are finally sleeping again!!! Woohoo!!!

Aaron's big news is that he bought a Harley last week. Pics at www.ludwignet.com/harley That's all this wife has to say about that...

Happy Birthday Benjamin!!!!

Our Ben turns 1 today!!

He's been walking for a couple weeks now, and loves to say "Wow Wow!" as he goes along. He eats pretty much anything in sight (which is a blessing and not so much all in one...like, when I really want to eat my dinner and he wants everything off my plate!). We have his checkup on Monday, so I'll post his latest stats then.

We had his party at Kurt & Jody's last Sunday. He was so dainty about eating his cake! Here's a few recent pics of our birthday boy and his big brother too!

Wow, it's been awhile!!

Just realized it's been a month since I posted. It's been a loooonnnngggg month! Ben had strep not once, but TWICE! And when he finished those antibiotics, he got a double ear infection. He's doing MUCH better now. It's great to finally have my happy, giggly baby back.

Drew is on to bigger and better things as well. He finally potty trained this past week. Took one day for #1, then a few days later he had #2 down too! A glorious day in our house now that there is only one kid in diapers. Woohoo!!!!!

Nicole and Allyssa came for a visit mid-April. We had so much fun, despite Ben starting up his second round of strep. We got to do some shopping, went to House of Bounce, and the zoo in DC.

Looking forward to Mother's Day this year. Aaron won't be working, and I'll get to spend a great day with my 3 favorite guys.

And for my mom, I hope you have a great birthday and Mother's Day all in one!! I'm really happy Nicole and Allyssa will be coming to spend it with you. We miss you!

Happy Easter!!!

I've update the picture of our family at the bottom to the picture from before church today.

We had an awesome Easter day. Emily and Lou came this morning to go to church with us, then we had a great dinner together. Naps all around after too, ful bellies!! We bundled up the kids and sent Drew on an egg hunt in the yard. Hard to believe it's April in VA given how COLD it was today! Brr....

Last week Monday we went to the zoo in DC. It was 80 degrees, sunny, and beautiful. The kids had so much fun. On Tuesday, it was another 80 degree day. We went out for ice cream, worked in the yard, and played with Drew's new Slip n Slide! He won it at an egg hunt our church held the Saturday before.

No further update on our van. Last we heard it would still be another week or 2. It's driving me nuts to not have our van back, but I guess if I want it really fixed right, I'll need to be patient.

Here's a few more recent pics of the boys.

At the zoo Monday

Peeps!

Bundled up to hunt eggs



Brotherly love

Before church

Ben and I were spared

We both have colds, and Ben got strep throat. Otherwise, no flu here. Yay! I can deal with colds.

It's just crazy in this house. I'm hoping by the end of the week we'll all be doing well so we can get back to normal life. It's been 2 weeks since we have been to playgroup or Bible study or even Sunday service, so Drew's getting antsy. He really enjoys going there to see friends, and has been begging me all day. Maybe if Ben and I are up to it on Thursday we can go in the morning for Bible study.

We went "area shopping" today. Man, it can really get a bit..umm...redneck around here! We drove about 20 minutes south and it was an enlightening experience. Sure wish we could afford the area we are in currently but it is WAY overpriced.

My least favorite part of the season...

Influenza.

So far, Aaron and Drew for sure have it. Aaron had it last week, Drew is still fighting it (on his 4th day of fever from it), and now it appears that Ben has it. We're just praying I avoid it because who's happy when mommy is sick? No one!!! But, I'm achy and tired. I'm hoping if the pediatrician will give Ben Tamiflu, they'll prescribe it for me too.

Aaron spoils me

He really does. I'm getting a Dyson!! Woohoo!!!!

Now, how pitiful does that make me? Am I a "housewife" or what? I'm actually super excited about a vacuum!