May Oh My

As you can tell so far, May has been a fun, busy month for us. But there is still more to report. Mother's Day was more than just celebrating Mothers around here. Mark also blessed Janie and Harrison, and McKenna was baptized. Mark's mission companion, Wesley Walsman, flew in from DC for the weekend to be here with us. Mark's brother and sister and their families were able to be here as well. Mark gave two beautiful blessings to our babies during sacrament. They were both really good and didn't make a peep. Although, I have been told that Harrison was a little rumbly down south. Oh well! Anyway, after church was McKenna's baptism. Lora Leigh spoke about baptism and Grandma Susie spoke about the Holy Ghost. They both gave fantastic talks that really brought the spirit. But our Primary President is the one who got the tears flowing. She gave such a special, simple message to McKenna and I think it touched everyone's hearts. And I can't fail to mention that Mark forgot his white shirt and pants that day. All they had at the church was an outfit either skin-tight, or one that was the biggest size they make. Well he opted for the larger one, and we all got a good chuckle at how it fit him! After church, we went to my in-laws house for a steak dinner. It was great. The whole day was wonderful and we couldn't have asked for better!

Happy #8

May 4th was McKenna's 8th birthday. She was lucky enough to have both sets of grandparents here to celebrate it with her. Scooby-Doo was the theme for the second year in a row. She chose to have tacos for dinner, and wanted a Scooby-Doo cake. Mom and I sure had some MAJOR stress with that cake. Nothing, I mean nothing, turned out right on that cake. But mom improvised and I thought it turned out great! McKenna loved it, so that was all that really mattered. I can't believe she is 8, but at the same time, it seems like she has been in our lives forever. She is such a great helper and does whatever I ask her to. She is at the top of her class at school. McKenna has such a tender heart and cares for everything and everyone around her. She is a phenomenal big sister and can always get Joseph to calm down when Mark and I can't. Put McKenna in a crowd and she is silent as a mouse, but get her home and you can't get her to stop talking! She always asks questions and wants to know more. Learning comes natural for her. She loves to be outside and can swing a wicked bat. (I have got to get her enrolled in softball this fall). I must admit, she was an awful baby! But she has turned into a wonderful little lady and I love her more and more every day. Happy Birthday McKenna. We love you!!!

Visit

My parents came into to town from April 30th to May 12 for a visit. They hadn't been here in a year and a half, and we were so glad to have them come! They were able to be here and see the twins for the first time, for McKenna's 8th birthday and baptism, the babies' blessings, and Mother's day. They were so helpful while they were here. Dad did a million little projects around our house that desperately needed attention. Mom and I shopped a lot, but did manage to get a birthday party put together and Mom made Janie's blessing dress (more to come about that later). We visited Spring and Callawassie Islands which were absolutely beautiful! As requestsed of Dad by Dale Murphy, we went to Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House. It is a family-style restaurant that is only open 5 days a week from 11:00-2:00. It's famous and the line to get in is about 30 minutes long or so. They seat you around a table that holds 10 people and just have all the food on the table in bowls. You serve it just like you were sitting at the dinner table with your family. The bowls didn't match, the chairs didn't match, it was a tiny place, they make you clear your own plate, and the food was freakin' awesome! We met Mark's parents there, took the twins, Joseph, and Kaitlyn and had a blast! The menu? All southern food. Fried chicken, barbecue, okra, collard greens, rutabagas, mashed potatoes, beef stew, butter beans, pickled beets, macaroni & cheese, candied yams and more. Awesome awesome awesome!

Mother's Day was a fantastic day. All of Mark's family, except Cindy, were able to be in town, and my parents of course, and Mark blessed the twins during sacrament. They were beautiful blessings! Then immediately after church, Mark baptized McKenna. (I will post pictures of those events later). After the baptism, we all went to the Lowther's house for a steak Mother's Day dinner! Mom decided to go relax in the hammock and got attacked by 6 kids. I think she still hd fun though!

We had such a great time with them. Dad taught Joseph how to yell "touchdown" with his arms up in the air and to say "yes" with the appropriate action as well. He was biting everyone's ears as usual and torturing the kids with his shaving-cream face. You all know the one I am talking about--where he comes and tries to get a kiss from someone right before he shaves! We played some pretty intense games of Scrabble almost every night. Mark and I didn't do too terrible for two amateurs pitted against two pros--or at least that's what we keep telling ourselves. Mom and dad helped me feed the babies, cook lunch and dinner, clean up around the house and so much more. I was completely spoiled and I loved it! Thanks for all you did while you were here. It is much appreciated. Love you tons Mom and Dad! You're the best!

Mom holding the twins for the first time

Dad and Mom each with a baby

Pappy tickling Joseph
I love their faces in this picture!

Mom trying out the hammock. It wasn't as relaxing as she hoped!

A house on the exclusive Callawassie Island. If you want to know
whose house it is, you'll have to ask mom.

Visiting the tabby ruins on Spring Island. This used to be a plantation home.

Mom feeding Janie

What Happened?

I have no idea what happened to March and April. They have flown by so quickly!. I can hardly believe that my babies are 5 weeks old already! They may still look small to most people, but to Mark and I, they are getting huge! And they are getting loud. They sure will wail now when they are hungry. It used to be just a little squeak, but they have learned how to get attention around this noisy house.

On another where-has-the-time-gone note, McKenna turned in her first science project yesterday and went to her first Achievement Night at church! She had a blast and can't wait to go next time. This is a really good thing for her because she has not enjoyed school much this year, so at least now she has something to look forward to. She is very excited about her birthday and that Grandma and Pappy Veach will be here. Can't wait to see you guys!

Easter was fun for us and I took the babies to church for the first time. That was quite an adventure and I am sure Mark got a good laugh watching me from the stand wrangle 6 kids. Especially one that was yelling to sit with his dad and tried to make a break for it! But Mark was nice enough to everyone to cancel all extra meetings that Sunday and we headed to his parents house after church for Easter dinner and an Easter Egg hunt. The kids had a blast hunting eggs, and despite the man-eating gnats, the weather was beautiful! Mark requested a true southern meal and that's what we got. We had bbq chicken, a macaroni and cheese, rudabagas, green beans, okra, squash, and strawberry jello salad. Doesn't get much more southern than that! Mark was in heaven. We also attempted to take a family picture and got a few decent ones. We just can't seem to get everyone to smile at once. Oh well--I am just glad we were all in the same picture!

Happy Birthday Joseph

Joseph--2 days old
Joseph 2 years old

This past week was a lot of fun for our family! Last Tuesday, my niece Michelle and her kids came down from Virginia to visit us. We had a great time eating pizza (thanks Becky) and just chatting. Unfortunately, all the pictures we took are on Michelle's camera, so I don't have any to post. Then on Friday, Mark kept Joseph, Janie and Harrison while the rest of us went shopping with Grandma Susie. We had fun and got lots of new clothes for the kids for summer and found Easter outfits too! Nothing beats shopping! Saturday was Joseph's 2nd birthday. We actually celebrated it on Sunday because of the Priesthood Session of conference on Saturday. He had a great birthday, but didn't want to open anything else after he opened his bubble lawnmower. But he eventually did and loved everything he got! I can hardly believe he is 2 already. Happy birthday Joseph!

While the men were at conference on Saturday, I took the kids and went to visit my mother-in-law. We actually went to Walmart, and that was the babies' first time in a store. They really didn't get to see anything as they were covered the whole time we were there! Mark and I really enjoyed watching General Conference this past weekend and always feel so uplifted and inspired when it is over. We are really looking forward to Easter this weekend. My kids are on Spring Break right now, but unfortunately the weather is really yucky at the moment. Hopefully it will warm up soon.

Here are a few pictures from the past week. Janie loved her bath--Harrison, not so much.

Gotta Love Charlie

Ok, so when I am bored, youtube ends up being my best friend. Mark and I have watched many a random video on youtube. Here is our latest find, and seeing how we live in Georgia, we find it appropriate. This dude rocks on the fiddle. By the way, if anyone knows the difference between a fiddle and a violin, I would love to know!