First Father's Day...

Even though things have definitely changed over the past 6 years I am so so happy we have kept the summer "camping" tradition alive with the LaBelle's, Snyder's, and Cole's! Things sure have changed over the years and the trip is not quite what it used to be. With 4 babes now in the mix things are just a tad more chaotic. The days are earlier and longer and the nights are nearly as late but I don't think any of us would change a thing; except the amount of stuff children need when you go away for a weekend.  

I found Jim's tweet about packing for the lake very fitting.

 

This year for our "McLaSnydole Camping" we were blessed to again be able to stay at Bobby's Grandparents home on Priest Lake. The trip also coincided with Father's Day which was a great way to celebrate Jim and the rest of these fabulous fathers. As always we had a great time; we could not ask for better friends. Our lives are infinitely better because of the company we keep :)

 

 



Family shot on the boat

The boys and babies!

these are 4 of the best father's I have ever had the pleasure to be around and it was so nice to celebrate them

Jack is tucked in there tight, sleeping on Daddy's chest

 

Jack loves his Auntie Megan

Sleeping is the thing to do at the lake

 

never happier than when he's at the lake

daddy snuggles

 

the whole crew... Every year we get a little bit bigger. Pretty soon we wont be able to fit in one photo 

 

 

we love the lake!

 

jack rocked this pink life jacket and loved every second on the boat.

 

god bless the inventor of hands free baby carriers. While I loved every second at the lake the wine helped this mommy get thru it.

 

Happy Father's Day Jim!

I couldn't ask for a better partner to figure out this whole new phase with. And thank you for making me a Mom. My life is now complete with the two of you.

 

 

 

One month...

At one month old Jack is really starting to smile when people interact with him.

He is sleeping in his own room, in his rock n' play, at night

He is sleeping for two hour stretches pretty much all day long. At night we can sometimes squeeze a 3 or 3 1/2 hr stretch in if we are lucky.

He is NOT happy from about 4-8pm. I am crossing my fingers it is not colic, but I fear the worst.

We are breastfeeding and he can not get enough. I swear this kid would live on the boob if I let him.

 Jack is still using newborn diapers and wearing newborn clothes (which are still big on him)

He LOVES laying on moms chest to fall asleep and he loves to be burped and have his back rubbed.

He also loves when Dad carries him like a football and swings him around. When he is screaming this is the best way to get him to sleep.

Baths are one of Jack's favorite things. And mom and dads too. They make the crying stop for the few minutes he is in the water. Maybe we will have the next Michael Phelps on our hands ;)

 

on 5/22/13 Jack was:

19.8 inches long (10%)

8 lbs (33%)

15 inch head circumfrence (92%)

Jack has had lots and lots of visitors and he loves them all! We are blessed to have so many kind, generous, thoughtful and loving friends and family who have helped us with food and clothes and lots and lots of cuddles :) I think Jack will be quite the social butterfly when he grows up...just like his parents.

 

such a flirty flirt with his blue steel look

 

 look at those skinny little legs

 

the smile that makes it all worth it!

 

Even though he cries (A lot) and sleeps very little we are so in love with this little guy. He truly is our little miracle and a special gift from God. We prayed and prayed and tried and tried to get pregnant so even when we are walking around like zombies we know there is nothing better than having Jack here with us. He is definitely worth the wait and the answer to all of our prayers.

roadtrippin...

About a month after Jack was born we went on our first road trip to Seattle. My mom got all of us kids tickets to the US men's national soccer team qualifier against Panama and we just couldn't pass up the chance to see them play.

 

Unfortunately Jim still had school so he missed it; Terry was able to ride with us and help with Jack along the way.

 

Here's Jack all ready to go

 

As you can see Uncle Terry was a big help :)

 

We drove over the morning of the game and stopped at Sheila's beforehand to hang out with all the kids. Here are all 4 cousins together

 

Anne Marie is just 3 days younger than Jack. It will be great fun watching these two together.

 

Here's grandma with all 4 of her grand kids.

She sure does have her hands full

 

 

I was not too sure how Jack would do at such a loud game so he got to spend some quality time with his Auntie Katie while mom went to the game. Here he is loaded up headed to her house

 

 

At the game watching the warm ups



President Obama sent a message to the team and fans

 

 

SCARF'S UP!

 

Both teams taking the pitch

The Sounder Soccer Fans are intense and so fun to watch a game with

our seats were fantastic!

Seriously such an awesome event to attend! 

It was a quick trip but well worth it and we all had a great time.

 

 

here we are on the way home. Jack struggled a little bit more on the way home so Uncle Terry moved back and kept him company.

 

He really is the best uncle around :)

 

Here we are all loaded up to head back home

 

Baby Announcements...

We had some professional newborn pics taken about 10 days after jack was born. Here is the announcement they did for us

 

on a related note if you have picture needs, contact Twin View Photography. They are seriously great, and very reasonably priced! We loved them and are already using them again :)

Babies and BBQ's...

About two weeks after Jack's birth the perfect storm of friends took place and it was glorious!

Almost all of my girlfriends (plus kids) happened to be in town as did almost all of Jim's friends; so what better thing to do than throw a BBQ.

 

Why would that be a problem two weeks after giving birth? Actually it was pretty easy, all my friends provided all the food, everyone brought their own beer so all I really had to do was provide the location. Unfortunately I failed miserably at taking pictures and the only ones I could steal were of the girls...but the boys were also there and made for an even better party :)

We are definitely blessed in the friend department!

 

 

I swear Harper is half the size of Auntie Stone

 Cooper with his Aunties Megan and Fuller

 All the babes!

Harper, Sienna, Cooper, and baby Jack

 things are a bit more chaotic when we all get together now...

 Fuller and Cooper, Megan and Harper

it takes a lot of cameras to get a good shot of four infants :)