The Sweetest Thing

I got this text from Chloe's teacher today:

Today, the kids had to write about someone that tries very hard...

honored that she thought of Blake & I!!

Here is the picture: 

Love that sweet girl!

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On Tuesdays, Chloe has dance from 530-7.  I use this time to usually run errands...and I generally have Carter with me.  I cherish this time with him because its one on one and I get to soak in all his sweetness!  This past Tuesday, we ventured to Walmart.  He wanted to sit in the big part of the cart.  By the end of our shopping trip, he had groceries piled all around.  He would say "Momma, I build a tower!"  Except he has no concept that you can't stack cans on top of the bread.  Oh well...he was happy so I was happy!  I snapped a few pictures of him in the cart....so cute!

 

{eating Cheez-Its...we always have an opened box of something while we shop...helps keep him somewhat still}

{Carter surrounded by all the groceries...so funny}

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Monday night, Chandler came over to play...the kids had a blast!  I love watching them together.  They ran and ran and ran, ate a healthy dinner of chicken nuggets ;), and finished off the night with a Popsicle   

Sweet Cousin Time

Family Bowling Night

Chloe has been asking pretty frequently lately to go Bowling...we have been putting it off and putting it off...well, we finally gave in on Friday night.  Thankfully when we got there...it was EMPTY!  We were worried about fighting a crowd, but apparently they don't get busy until 9pm or so...with small kiddos, we are definitely not out that late anymore {at least when the kids are in tow}! 

{who knew they made bowling shoes this tiny!!}

The kids had a blast!

The Pinnacle is so high-tech...when Blake & I would bowl, the bumpers would go down and when the kids were up, the bumpers would pop up.  I remember when we were kids--we played with those big, pillow type bumpers!  My how times have changed.

Chloe was a natural...she did the granny style bowling but that proved the most effective for her!

Carter, on the other hand, was all over the place {in a good way}!

He was SO EXCITED!

When it was his turn, Blake or I would take the ball to the lane for him, have him crouch down and put his hands on the ball, and roll!  We, of course, would have to reach out every time and give it a good push so it would actually make it down the lane, but he didn't care.  He was SO proud of himself!

For your viewing pleasure ;)

Afterwards, we have a yummy dinner at El Comal. 

By the end of dinner, both kids were laying down at the table so I would say this activity was a big success!

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I got this picture via text today: 

It is such a pretty day today...so glad that Chloe goes to a school with such flexibility. 

Nice day out? Take lunch outside!!!

10k

On Saturday April 13th, I participated in my very first 10k run {the Moosic City Purity Dairy Dash}.  I truly thought I had already done a race like this before but quickly realized I had only done an 8k...so, the 6.2 miles seemed a bit intimidating...oh, I also barely "trained" for this...I did run a few times the week prior to, but I never got up to the full 6 miles.  Going into this I was a bit defeated...before this race, I had only EVER ran 6 full miles ONE time!  To say I was nervous was an understatement!

Well, to my disbelief, I actually finished the race super strong...6.3 miles in 1:02!!!

I couldn't believe it!  I ran the ENTIRE TIME!!!!  I only stopped for about 10 seconds every 2 miles to gulp down water before starting back up again.

Side bar--when I finished the race, I was so excited to see Brittnye, Casey, and Maribeth standing there waiting for me.  There were 2 clocks running at the finish line.  My eyes immediately went to the clock on the right which read 1:33...well, my thought at that time was "well, at least I did it...who cares about the time.." A bit later {after talking with Brittnye}, I realized that clock had been running since the 5k started a whole 30 minutes before the 10k began.  So...not only was I so proud that I actually finished and ran the whole thing, I averaged right under a 10 minute mile!  That is HUGE for me with this kind of distance!!

It certainly gave me the itch to do a 1/2 marathon!  We will see....

Also, I have a fun post scheduled about our 1st time bowling as a family...but, until then...here is a picture of the kids snuggled up watching Team Umizoomi together :)

Chloe is waving because the photo was snapped for Grandy & Jenks!

Wedding Weekend

Well, we are finally home and settled from our last weekend trip for a while.  Sad that this weekend is over, but I am looking forward to some normalcy in our routine.  So, we were headed out to Connecticut for my cousin Emma's wedding on Thursday...I took advantage of Chloe being on Spring Break and took a 1/2 day on Wednesday.  We ran a few errands and ended up at the mall because she needed new shoes to wear in the wedding.  We ate ice cream and she some how talked me into letting her do this moon bouncy thing.  Not sure...but she sure did love it!  As far as Chloe was concerned it was the best $7 we could spend!

Thursday bright & early, we headed to Connecticut {after dropping our boy off at Cindy's house}.  Chloe  has been so incredibly excited for this trip.  She adores my Aunt Liz and she was busting at the seams to get up there and see everyone!   

American Girl & Starbucks...what more do you need? 

Thursday night was the rehearsal...sadly, we missed the actual rehearsal, but we were able to make it to the dinner / party afterwards...I was able to visit with so many people that I have known for 20 years...it was just such a wonderful night full of great conversation...and food, of course!  Emma gave Chloe her flower girl present that night as well.  It's a sweet heart locket with her initials engraved in it...so precious!  Chloe is so proud of it...she didn't even want to take it off last night when she got in the bathtub!

Friday was the actual wedding.  So we got ready and headed to my Aunt's house for some girly pampering.  It was such a relaxed atmosphere...I just remember on my wedding day running around like a crazy person!  Chloe was able to get her hair done along with Emma & my Aunt!

She looked gorgeous!

As time got a bit closer, everyone got dressed!   I took advantage and snapped a few pictures of Chloe outside!  She looked darling in her flower girl dress and her curls!

Wedding Time!

Chloe got to ride in a limo with Emma, my Uncle Bob, and the Maid of Honor, Breanna.  I don't think she has ever been in one before...so I'm glad she had that fun experience.  The photographer showed us a few snapshots from the limo...she scored a beautiful moment between Chloe & Emma in the limo.  A framer for sure!

Here are a few snapshots from the actual wedding...it was so tastefully done and incredibly elegant...I expected nothing less from my Aunt Lizzie {she has amazing taste}!!

Going clockwise:

Emma & Chloe at the reception // Evan, Chloe, and my cousin, Eddie //  Chloe & Aunt Liz // Chloe being introduced with the wedding party // extended family: my cousin Connor, cousin Maddie, my Aunt Katie and her daughter Charlotte, and sweet Chloe

We had the best time at the wedding...lots of good food, drinks & dancing!

Congratulations Emma & Adam!  So thankful we could be there to celebrate and Chloe could be apart of such a huge happening in your lives!

Saturday morning, we had a brunch to go to at Liz's Mother's house.  It was so relaxed...everything about being in Connecticut is great--the atmosphere is so chilled and loving.  I always love being there! 

The rest of the weekend was spent eating, drinking, and laughing.  Sunday morning we were all sad to leave...especially Chloe.  She cried for quite a while on the airplane.  I love that she loves being with my family...I have so many fond memories of them from my childhood...I'm glad she is able to now make her own memories too!

While we were at my Aunt's house, I noticed this photo of my cousin Connor.  I couldn't help but notice that he resembles Carter SO MUCH!  I always thought Carter was a Jenkins through and through, but I now see he got a bit of the Gallegos genes too!  The resemblance is uncanny!

Finally, while we were away, Carter stayed with my Mom & Jenks.  Well, I got several photos from Jenks on Sunday about their happenings.  I guess Carter woke up Sunday morning and requested they eat at Cracker Barrel...and so they did! 

Clockwise: 

Carter sitting at the table with the caution sign after he dropped his cup of OJ // Carter showing off his new helicopter that Jenks bought him // Carter waiting patiently for the table...he always goes directly to the toys and lines these cars up...EVERY.SINGLE.TIME

All in all, a great weekend!! But we sure were excited to get home and see our boy!

Happy Monday!

An Amazing Easter Weekend

There really isn't any other way to describe this weekend except--Amazing.  It's been a long time since I have felt like we have been able to have good quality family time...but thankfully, on Easter, we were able to accomplish it! 

On Friday, we had dinner with our favorite family, the Reigle's!!  

We ate dinner and just hung out.  The kids ran wild...but that is what kids do!

Saturday, we headed to the Park with the Bowles' family...it was kind of dreary, but the kids had a great time. Afterwards, we ran home, ate some pizza with the Reigle's, and then headed on to Grace Community  Church's Glow in the Dark Easter Egg Hunt.  Sadly, it was pouring rain so they had to move the event inside...it was a bit of a tight squeeze for all those kids and 6,000 eggs, but we all made the best of it!  Chloe successfully captured 4 eggs!  Carter...he wasn't so lucky!

{The best I could get at the Glow in the Dark Hunt}

 

{Chloe was all smiles...Carter was happy waving from far away!}

Saturday night, the Easter bunny visited the Jenkins house!  I was so excited for the kids to see their treats!  Chloe left this note for the Easter Bunny...she said "I will mess you, but thank-you!"  She has such a sweet and sensitive soul!

Easter Sunday, we got up bright and early so the kids could check out their treats!  I had to work the door for the 9:00 service at Church, so we headed out early for service!  Afterwards, we had lunch with Jenks, KK & Chandler...we quickly fell into a food coma!  A large nap {well, for Carter & I} happened not too long after we ate!  For dinner, we headed to my Mom's house for another yummy {and large} meal!

My 2 precious angels...

I love them more than words can express!  Grateful & extremely lucky to be their Momma!

Brotherly & Sisterly Love!

{we missed you Grandy}

I know he is mine...but I truly feel blessed to be this boy's Momma.  He is so incredibly  sweet...and rotten...but I wouldn't change him a bit.  I could just eat him up...especially with his little bow tie on!

The sun finally decided to peak its head out late in the afternoon.  I stuffed 75 eggs...so we decided to go ahead with the Easter egg hunt for the kids.  I'm so thankful that we did!  Carter didn't quite grasp the concept in the beginning, but he quickly learned what he needed to do after shadowing Chloe for a minute or 2!

I have to say, this was one of the best weekends we have had as a family in a long time...I'm so thankful for my little family!  I'm so thankful for Blake and my 2 precious babies!  I couldn't be more blessed!!  

Happy Easter!

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."