The Big City!

This blog is long overdue!! I was having a few picture/computer issues. 

We took 'kind of' a last minute trip to New York City!! Soon to be Uncle Austin was going to ask Aunt Casey to marry him and he asked for all of the family to come and be a part of the big moment!  Colt's parents helped make it possible for Colt, the boys and I to come!  Taking the kids to NY was a lot of fun, but it is a lot of work and gear! We are very thankful that we were there to celebrate - it was a great trip!! We had lots of great food, went to 3 museums, a BBQ festival, a park, shopping and met my NY family for dinner one night!

I did a lot of research before we left about the "gear" we should take for the boys and I must say - we used it all! I was very nervous about the boys and how they would do off schedule - and I am so proud to say they did great! We had a few moments of course ;) but overall, they were really good! 

It was so fun being a part of Casey's big surprise and we had a great time with both families! We are so excited for Casey and Austin and the start of this new journey! Casey is going to be a beautiful bride!!!

Side story: When we told Parker we were going to New York to see Aunt Casey he said "The big city!?!" He knew exactly where we were going because of a book Aunt Casey made for him before he was born. The book is so amazing - she could sell it as a kids book. She took Big Toe all over NY and so of course we had to bring the book and big toe with us! Click here to see book.  

There is so much more I want to write but I am just going to narrate through this crazy amount of pictures!! I am sorry for all of the pictures :)

   

At the BHM Airport 

We were in the last row of the plane - so boys were able to move back and forth

We made it! 

Times Square with Big Toe

"Spider-Man picked me up and then I washed my hands"

Some of these characters are not so clean...  

Toys R Us - awesome! 

Parker and Aunt Molly riding ferris wheel 

At the M&M store, we let Parker pull the lever - 21$ later  - Oh My! 

 

Shake Shack lunch in Times Square 

Yummy!!

Ergocarrier - was a great recommendation from Courtney!  

Dinner at Carmine's with my family who lives in NY!

It was the best dinner and best time! 

Cousins - Trenton and Tessa 

Aunt Molly and Beckett - It rained A LOT!

Pawpaw and Parker waiting on the subway

My favorite Pic! 

Children's Museum of Manhattan! The boys loved it!  

The Byrom's rented an apartment that we all stayed in - this is Austin telling us the plan right before he proposed!!

A few little gifts from everyone for the couple! 

From us: Wedding planning book, ring cleaner, finger nail polish and ring pops :)

Molly and Haley - catching the big moment! 

She said "YES"!

Surprise! 

The next day we went to the Transit Museum 

Cute pic :)

Save the date! 

Both families - minus Molly

My Handsome Guys! 

Popsicles! 

Beckett and Pawpaw 

Cute engaged lady! 

Sweet Molly!

Siblings late night out! 

Girls doing a little shopping! 

Aunt Casey, Big Toe and Parker! 

New York Pizza! 

Park Fun

(Saw a ton of rats?! Boys thought it was great...)

Museum of Natural History

Big Al Made it! 

Taking the Subway to Brooklyn 

Family 

Beach in May!

We have been so busy lately and have had to take a few unexpected trips.  However, a while ago, we had planned a beach trip - so we decided that we should still go!  Colt and I thought it was important to have a few days with just us and our guys - we needed some good quality time!  We are very thankful to Colt's parents for letting us stay at their home!

My mom and sisters met us there mid-week and it was great having them there! (the boys loved it too!)  I wish you all could have seen Parker running and yelling "Mimi" on the beach as he hugged her neck when he saw her for the first time! Too sweet!

This trip was a little different than our last few beach trips - we actually got to enjoy the beach for more than an hour :) the boys loved playing in the sand and running down the beach! They are growing up - I am happy, proud and sad all at the same time! We spent lots of time in the pool too! We did not really eat out or go anywhere except for one night - we took the boys and my sisters to the Track to ride some rides - we took separate cars because I knew the boys would not last long... I was SO wrong! Parker LOVED it - he was riding rides all by himself and "driving" the "race car to win the championship"! We were all so excited to see him enjoying himself so much! Beckett was totally content soaking it all in - he finally said yes to a teacup ride he did all by himself too and loved it! I had no idea these boys would like rides!

Here is an overload of pictures for my family :)

 Impossible to get them both looking at the camera :) 

Love Love Love Love 

 My loves 

 Parker looking for shells 

 I love these guys SO much!!

My Sweet Grandaddy Raymond

My sweet grandaddy Raymond has been pretty sick and in and out of the hospital for about a month now. I got a phone call last Thursday afternoon that I needed to come see him. So, I booked a flight that night to fly out the next afternoon. I cannot put into words what I was feeling - I was pretty much an emotional mess. I wanted to get to him, but leaving the boys was so hard... especially, when Parker and Beckett where both hugging me and not letting me put either one of them down. Parker was saying "I want you MomMom, don't leave me." I cannot tell you how many times I cried that day. 

When I arrived it was so good to see my family but I wish it was for different reasons. Seeing my grandaddy was really hard at first. He is one of the strongest men I know, and he has been more than just my grandaddy!

When I first arrived, I thought I was not going to be able to handle it.  I felt bad because I felt like I kept making everyone else cry.  But, after everyone left and he woke up, we just talked and talked. He is up all night - and he does not like to be alone and is nervous.  That was so heartbreaking to me - so I was right there with him . Physically, he was not well, but mentally he was so sharp!  The next day, he really perked up and had a great day! I left Sunday morning - I really did not want to leave. The only thing that made me come home was my three sweet blessings from God waiting for me.

My family and their friends are taking such sweet care of him. I am so thankful! I wanted to take pictures of how sweet and selfless everyone is - pure love. 

Monday he went back to the hospital - I would like to ask you all to keep my grandaddy Raymond in your prayers! I want to write so much more - this blog is just not enough. I love him so much!! 

Grandmother Bonnie and Grandmother Raymond 

(Last Summer)