Kings Mountain to Charlotte in a weekend

All summer they have been talking about it and the weekend finally came... Carowinds. We headed to Kings Mountain to stay with LJ and Heather along with a whole bunch of other Siaks & Cannons for the weekend. Saturday morning everyone went to Carowinds except for Luke and I, we headed to Rachels for the day. The kids had such a blast. Ella gave me a play by play of every roller coaster she rode with hand motions and loved spending time in the water park with Granny and Barry. Noah loved riding the rides with his daddy and cousins. We all celebrated the August birthdays with the best country cookin place on earth - Cracker barrel.

Rachel, the kids, and I ran an errand and when we got back I left Luke in his car seat for a minute. Beau crawled over and he and Luke smiled back and forth at each other. It was precious. I can't wait to watch their friendship grow as they get bigger!

The kids are already talking about going back to Carowinds next summer...

First Day of Second Grade

Oh Noah. You are so precious. How in the world are you old enough to be in second grade? (Better yet - how am I old enough to have a second grader?) The first day of school crept up on us. This morning Noah waltzed into my room at 7:05 completely dressed with his backpack on. Yesterday afternoon we went to meet the teacher. Noah's teacher loves to do plays and does several a year (perfect teacher for our son). He looked around the room, tried out his desk, and got really excited about coming back the next morning. I am thankful that God has given him a wonderful teacher again this year, and that we are able to have such a great school to send him to. My prayer is that he will be an example to others, to radiate Christs love, and to learn above and beyond what is required.

I cried.

You're welcome.

Long story short: We are watching Lost again, and since I've seen it I half watch it/half play on the computer. My sister got me into pinterest (which is so amazingly addicting). Out of curiosity I typed in "Lost" and somewhere on the page I found this picture. I showed it to Matt. I laughed until my belly shook and tears were coming out of my eyes. Matt did his signature laugh and woke up Luke. Ahhhmazing.

One last hurrah

I love that Noah still uses his imagination!

Umm... I need some bangs.

Inside the bubble.

Tomorrow Noah starts the second grade. I know he is going to have so much fun. He is the best, quickest, learner I've ever seen. But to be honest I've gotten used to having him around the house this summer, and I don't want to see him go back to school! For our last free day before school started, we headed to Kid Senses with Eli, Sylvie, and Jen. The kids had a so much fun using their imaginations.

Walk-A-Roo

Luke has a new trick. He's discovered how to walk in his jump-a-roo. Not jump. Just walk. If he could just figure out how to lift both legs he could have a whole world of new fun in that thing!

BP isn't just an oil company

I had to go in for my BP check today. I (and some people who develop preecclampsia) tend to have an elevated blood pressure after the baby is delivered. With Ella I was on blood pressure medicines for 6 months post partum. Today my pressure was at 118/74, so I got the go ahead to be weaned off the meds. I'm excited to be off of them so soon!

Umm... No Thanks.

This week Luke had his four month check up. He weighed in at 15 pounds. I forgot to ask exactly how long he is, but he is 25% for length, and 50% for weight for his age. By far, our biggest baby (Ella weighed 15 pounds at her 6 month check up). The doctor told us sometime between now and before he turns six months old, to start him on cereal. Out of curiosity, I thought I would try to give Luke some tonight. He did not keep one speck of food in his mouth and maintained a "what in the world is this?" look on his face the whole time. I gave up after about one minute. We have plenty of time to work on it...

Shark Obsession.

My kids love sharks. It started when Noah started asking last year to be able to watch Jaws for his seventh birthday. After much debate, and much persistance on his part, we decided to let Matt watch it with him. And so the obsession began. Ella caught on to it.

Currently, I think we own every book out there for kids that is about sharks. The kids got Shark themed Easter baskets and are regularly seen sporting one of their shark temporary tattoos. They have stuffed sharks, plastic sharks, and regularly act out shark attacks between "Jaws" and the plastic "Free Willy." We've watched almost every shark documentary. And Ella's favorite movie is Soul Surfer.

When we found out Matt was going to get to go deep sea fishing while we were on vacation, the kids just knew Matt would catch a shark. AND HE DID!!! He caught a two foot Atlantic Shark. I'm waiting for a blown up version of this picture to arrive in the mail and will frame it for the kids room. Just one more reason their daddy is their hero!

Scoggins Beach Trip!!

Luke loved his first experience in the ocean!

Chillaxin'

I heard all week "that is a Siak baby." He looks just like his daddy!

I could eat his face for a snack. It is so adorable!

We love our Noah!

Sweet Beau on the beach!
Precious.

The Buhler babies.

Silly Nana!

I love this guy!

One of the funniest duo's I've ever met.

This was supposed to be goofy... but isn't she pretty!

Ella, as Alan Jackson. Courtesy of Uncle Will.

My quick picture, of the photographers picture on the beach.
Ripley's Aquarium with the whole gang!

Oh, JohnMark. I love him for so many reasons.
#87: being the sneaky creepy guy in photos.

Papa and Beau!

He wore that fanny pack everywhere. And rocked it.

Ella body-boarded with Nana.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Noah. It was our first glance at the ocean. He was so excited to be at the beach he put his head in his hands and laughed.

My spunky girl didn't feel like posing, and I love her face in this picture anyway!

The first walk to the beach of the week!

Bekah took this one of Luke, shopping with the ladies. He could be an add for the outlets.

We all went out on Monday night. The hottest night of our trip. But the heat didn't keep away the fun we had!

Noah's Baptism... The Video

Baptism on the beach

This morning Noah was baptized by my dad on the beach. After a short devotional in the house, a hymn on the beach, dad and Noah went in the ocean and took the next step in his Christian faith. I was such a proud mama, and thankful that my dad was the one who got to baptize him.

4 Months Old

Oh, sweet Luke. Four months have passed so quickly! Luke is such a sweet baby. He loves to talk and stand (with help). He's not into rolling over, although he's done it in his sleep. He loves to eat and watch his siblings play. He has really become content in the last month. He's a snuggler. The joy he brings to this family is immeasurable!

What do you do when it's stifling hot outside?

Eat Popsicles!!!

The highlight of my week.

Yes we are going to play in the sand. We're going to laugh until my belly and dad's belly bounces like Santa Claus. We're going to visit the fishes at the aquarium. Swim until we are prune-y. Sneak HannahBeth "real" sugar food. Eat until we bust. Play games. Have a water balloon fight with mom... All thing I can't wait to experience.

But the highlight of my week? Watching my Noah be baptized by my father. I was 8 when he baptized me. Now he gets to do the same for my son.

Noah asked Jesus into his heart last Christmas Eve. Since then I have watched the seeds of faith blossom in his heart. I am so excited to have my father be the one to usher in this next step in his Christian walk.