brock family...blessed

Girls Vs. Boy

2012-01-14T22:00:00.002-05:00

I remember when we were pregnant for Molly and we didn't know if she was a girl or a boy...tanner kept saying that the only reason he was pulling for a boy was so Jesse wouldn't be sandwiched between two girls! Well, that's exactly what happened. And not only is he stuck in between these two girls but he is stuck between these two girly girls that LOVE playing with dolls and make up and princesses!
Its not so bad though! In fact there are some days or moments where their differences are almost unnoticeable! Those times when Annie convinces him to play babies with her and she is his "mommy." or those times when they play tag in the backyard and just run around like kids for hours (or minutes).
However, more and more I am starting to see the huge differences in girls and boys! Annie is such a mommy to her younger siblings. Jesse is such a typical big brother and little brother...frustrating his sisters to no end! Annie could play with her baby dolls dressed up as Belle or Cinderella all day, where as Jesse carries a nerf gun around with him at all times. Annie is so dramatic and Jesse is so active! Annie is so independent and Jesse is such a momma's boy! I love seeing these differences and watching my girls and boy grow!
Now Tanner is glad that MOlly ended up being a girl! Him and Jesse do "boy" things together like fishing and Tanner always says that he doesn't know if he could handle two boys out there! ;-) God knew what he was doing when he "sandwiched" Jesse in between his two sisters...and he looks ok with it!

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012

2012-01-03T14:42:00.003-05:00

Last night Tanner asked me what the best part of 2011 was! I had to think about this for awhile...the past 3 out of 4 years have been easy b/c I always said it was when one of our kids was born. This year there was no baby born in the Brock family. But there are three amazing kids that are growing and learning so much daily! So my answer to him is...
1. watching Annie learn to read and develop a love of books. This brings tears to my eyes!

2. watching Jesse turn from this little toddler into a full on boy. His love of all things boy...fishing, nerf guns, baseball, lizards, aggrivating his sisters to no end...I love him!

3. watching all of Molly's "firsts." This year she learned to walk, talk, color, feed herself and just grow into her hillarious personality!

Of course, I said all of these things after first saying that the best part of 2011 was going to see Kenny Chesney and Zack Brown! ;-)

We did so much in 2011 including going to Mardi Gras, going to NOrth Carolina twice and spending a week with just the 5 of us in Panama City! It was a great year!

And now onto 2012!!!

After spending a week at home, with Tanner home and not being in our normal routine, I have to say that I was ready for today...ready to get back into our routine...ready to really start 2012! I feel like our kids do better when they know what to expect and when I have things planned! When Tanner is home we spend too much time watching tv and just being lazy. (This is NOT Tanner's fault...its just what we do. We sit around and sip coffee in the morning before any of us get moving). I also don't take care of my chores the way that I do when Tanner is at work. I did 6 loads...yes 6, of laundry yesterday and still have three more to do today b/c I kept putting it off when he was home! Oh well, just being together was so nice!

My resolutions for this year are:
1. Plan ahead...I am such a procrastinator.
2. Do at least one creative thing a week...whether it is something for the house or scrapbooking or whatever! Pinterest helps with this so much! I have enough pins to do something creative each day for the whole year! ;-)
3. Be more organized! I say this every year and still I feel like everything is a mess! Idealy I would love to organize one thing...whether it is a room, a drawer, a closet etc each week. I probably won't stick to that though!
4. Be in the moment with my kids. Sometimes when we are playing I am sitting there thinking of the 20 zillion other things that need to get done instead of just realizing that playing with them is really the only thing that is important!
As I write this Annie is sitting next to me with a book waiting for me to read with her! ;-)

Happy 2012!
PS...I need to start blogging again so I can remember all the little moments that are happening right now!

And so it begins...

2011-09-14T20:14:00.005-04:00

We have recently started our first days of homeschool...yes...homeschool!

I have had a somewhat hard time sharing this, but it is time that I step up and "own it!" We are excited, positive and ready to do this! We are going to homeschool!

I know that everyone has their own opinion about homeschooling and because I am NOT a confrontational or very outspoken person I have kind of kept this little (ok, huge) part of our life quiet until now. I respect everyone's opinion on this subject, but right now, where we are in our lives, I just feel that it is best for our family!

This is also an area that Tanner and I have not seen eye to eye on. (There's always things that you are bound to disagree with your husband on this is just BIG one!). So it was hard for me to talk about this with other people when it was even hard for me to talk about it with Tanner! But, here we are and he is being very supportive!

So here are Annie and Jesse on their first day of Pre-K and preschool! And even though this is only pre-K we have started to settle into a little routine!

Don't they look thrilled!

One of the main reasons that I want to give homeschooling a try (yes, a try...we will play each year by ear...I'm not committing to teaching them until college! I'm not getting that carried away...yet!) is because we can learn doing many day to day activities and when they start kindergarten or first grade we can get our lessons done in a very short amount of time. That leaves more time for them to play and get out in the community and just "be kids." So today, we took a trip to the park after we did some little activities at home. After feeling very positive and productive with our morning, the park was another story. I had one that lost a shoe, one that went pee-pee in their pants and one that threw an all our tantrum! Needless to say I walked home from the park a lot less upbeat than on the way there!

I know that not every moment of this journey is going to go smoothly. I'm sure many days my plans won't get done, the house will be a mess, the kids will not be so cooperative, but I am going to give this my all. I'm going to try to teach my kids to love God, be kind, respect others and try to instill a love of learning in each of them. If I can do that, even half of the time, than I think this adventure will be worth it!

If you are reading this, please say a prayer that God will give me much patience! :-)

I love North Carolina!

2011-09-10T20:13:00.004-04:00

We are so blessed to have spent the last week of our "summer" in North Carolina with Tanner's parents. It has been over a year since we were there last, and we will be sure not to let that much time go by before we go back again! We had a BLAST!!!

We jumped and explored...

We fished...

We went to the nature center...

We hiked....

We sat on the top of a moutain...

We fished somemore....

We spent some good quality time together...

And we surprised Annie and Jesse and had lunch with Max, Amelia, Veronica, my sis and greg on the way home!!!..

Until oct...

My baby is 1!!!!

2011-08-13T20:21:00.005-04:00

1 year old...what?
My baby is 1 year old! My baby is 1 year old! I have to keep telling myself this b/c it is just so hard to believe that it has already been a year since she has become part of our family! It seems like just yesterday that we didn't even know if Molly was a boy or a girl, and now it seems like she has forever been part of our family!

She has definitely outgrown that little cranky phase that I talked about in her 11 month post! She is back to being my sweet happy little girl! She is constantly giving kisses and laughing at all of us (probably thinking in her mind how crazy we all are!).

But despite her sweetness, she can hold her own. When she sees what she wants, she goes after it and will let everyone around her know if she doesn't get it. I have never heard another baby (or person or animal for that matter) scream in such a high pitch tone. But she also does this loud screak if she is happy too, so most of our day consists of listening to these shreeks and squeals! Annie and Jesse can sometimes be found holding their ears!

And trying to take pictures of her now and is close to impossible...just getting her to keep still is hard enough! she is EVERYWHERE...walking constantly and would rather walk than crawl (as a matter of fact, I can't remember the last time I have seen her crawl!)

She is back to sleeping GREAT (7-7), eating anything and everything! I finally gave her peanutbutter and honey this weekend...no reactions, thank goodness! This will make my life so much easier, since annie and Jesse eat pb and honey sandwiches everyday for lunch! :-) She isn't saying many words, just ma-ma, da-da and yum yum, but I swore the other day she said Who Dat, and I'm not kidding! She will "repeat" what I say...as in she squeals the correct amount of syllables! She dances constantly (and even fist pumps as soon as she hears "oh when the saints go marching in"...I'm not brainwashing her, I swear!). She kind of starting to sit and listen to books and seems to "get" the concept of coloring!

I am loving every single little milestone that is happening all over again with Molly! And I know now, they are going to start coming daily! She's growing fast and trying to keep up with her brother and sister!

I love my 1 year old!

3 years old!

2011-07-19T14:04:00.003-04:00

Most of the time on these birthday posts, I always say how I can't believe my kids are the age that they are or I can't believe that time has passed so quickly. But I have to say, with Jesse this year, I feel like he is already 3! Maybe its because him and Annie are close in age and he is always trying to keep up with her! He is doing many of the same things that she does. Or maybe it is that now I have one who is older than Jesse and one who is younger! I dont know, but regardless...my boy is 3 years old today and that means it is time to celebrate!

This picture is just so Jesse! (He sat here in this bucket forever...just sat and enjoyed every minute of it!)

Jesse loves his sisters! He can drive Annie up the wall but he would do anything for her! I think sometimes she likes him around just so that he can go get things for her! And Molly...oh he loves Molly! He told me yesterday "I love Molly. I love her hands and her arms too. Can I kiss her arms?" (He also likes to bear hug her or just lay on top of her to show his "love.")

For awhile, jesse was much more timid when it came to doing daring things...or anything at all really! a few months ago, he probably wouldn't have even gone on the slip n slide, but he is getting more and more brave! Today he even boogie boarded in the waves at the beach all by himself!

When Jesse sees something that he likes he will keep it close to him until he moves on to the next thing! He kept these swimmy arms on almost all day, and as you can see, didn't even take them off for nap (which I didn't even fight b/c he looked so cute!). Right now is he sleeping with a toy guitar that he got this morning for his birthday!

And Jesse will not be giving up his nap anytime soon! When 12:30 or 1:00 hit, its lights out no matter what we are doing!

Jesse loves all things BOY! Even being stuck inbetween 2 girls has had no influence on his choice of toys! God made Jesse a boy and he is wired as one for sure! He loves trucks trains planes, guns (gutters as he calls them) balls sports anything boy! Which of course means that he loves the number one boy in his life too...daddy! When Tanner comes home from work at night you would think that he hadnt seen him in years! He screams and dances around! (but he secretly picks me when he's tired or times are rough for him! ;-)

Jess is smilely...most of the time, not as independent as his big sis, a little more cautious, way more silly, may live on a different planet half of the time, is not as emotional as his sisters or I am but with that said, he will let know how he's feeling!

He gets very excited about small things, which I love!

I pray that Jesse will always love God and be kind!

I love this litte boy and am so thankful that he is my Jesse!

11 months!

2011-07-19T13:50:00.003-04:00

Can't believe it has been 11 months of fun with my sweet little Molly!

This little girl is just the sprinkles and whip cream on top! Her little scrunchy smile will put an instant smile on anyone's face! It doesn't matter if we are at the grocery store, walking down the street, or at the park...she stops traffic! hehe! :-)

She is still doing the bear crawl to get from here to there! She's standing completely on her own and has taken one or two steps, but she's not walking yet! I'm actually really looking forward to the day that she starts walking. Crawling means that she is closer to the ground to spot little things to pick up and put in her mouth! And crawling on the beach means handfuls of sand that go straight into her mouth! EWW!
This past month, her sweet "chill" personality has been somewhat overtaken by a fiesty, dramatic little girl. She will scream (not cry) at the top of lungs about anything. She will throw a little baby fit if she's not held, and after sleeping through the night almost every night since she was 6 weeks old, she has started to wake up again for no reason except that she wants to be held (at least that is all I can figure out b/c the minute I go check on her and pick her up, she puts her head on my shoulders and goes right back to sleep...until I try to put her back down, then its all screams again!).
Oh, the joy and drama of little girls!
Despite this little backslide we are experiencing (and which the past few days have been sooo much better) she still laughs constantly and plays with Annie and Jesse (who are getting more and more rough with her the bigger that she gets! I'm pretty sure Annie thinks she is her baby doll and carries her everywhere around the house, which cause more of those glass breaking screams from Molly!)
She loves to eat and still seems to enjoy a bottle or two everyday!
She LOVES the water (I think she may start swimming before Jesse at this point!).
She's just an easy baby to love!

Nothing like your own backyard!

2011-07-12T06:40:00.003-04:00

We love our new backyard, but in July in Florida, it is SOOO hot, it is hard to enjoy being outside anywhere unless it involves water, so we have been adding lots and lots of water to our backyard fun!
Water races...
water balloons...

Water Table...

And the cajun swimming pool...

They all definitely have some Louisiana blood in them!

Jesse has so much cajun blood in him that he didn't want to get out...he just sat and sat and sat! I was cracking up!

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-04T11:04:00.002-04:00

Today I am so thankful to all those men and women that risk their lives daily so that we can enjoy ours. I am proud to be an American and to live in this one nation under God.
And today, I'm trying to stop and reflect on those amazing gifts that we have been given by simply living in the USA!
These three (and Tanner) are the best gifts that I could ever imagined...and even though one of them has 103 fever today and we can't go out and celebrate as we wanted, we are enjoying our time resting inside, making red white and blue crafts, and having some snuggle time watching Tangled on the couch, while Tanner cooks homemade Jambalya for dinner!

Happy 4th of July!

I love NSB

2011-06-27T14:07:00.002-04:00

We have been trying to get out first thing in the morning and go for a jog before it gets too hot. Most days we are on the road before 8. By the time we reach the beach, the sun is coming up over the water and it is so still. The water is like glass and everything is so peaceful. I had to stop and say a quick prayer of thanks this morning just for being blessed to live where we are and witness this morning after morning...and of course I had to take a few quick pictures!

I am completely addicted to the retro cam app on the Android phone (I know its available on the I-phone too)! I can't wait to print these out, frame them or scrapbook them!

Father's Day

2011-06-27T13:53:00.002-04:00

We love you Dad!
We spent Father's Day in New Orleans.

Tanner has all of a sudden become a history buff! He has been dying to take a tour of all of the plantation houses in Louisiana, so that is just what he did for Father's Day. We decided to let him do this alone since there was a good bit of driving involved and getting in and out of the car (with is not quick with three kiddos). I think he actually was able to take it all in a little more too being by himself. He got some great pictures too, on his "plantation vacation".

I just wanted to say how blessed I am to have such a "family man" as a husband and father to my kids.

Celebrating MawMaw

2011-06-27T13:36:00.003-04:00

My maw-maw passed away at the age of 90! She had 2 sons, 1 daughter, 9 grandkids and 20 great grandkids. She had many talents. Everyone in our family has a wardrobe full of clothes that have a little tag on the back that says made with love by mawmaw! (my kids are still wearing some of these clothes). Besides just her talents, the love that she had for my G-paw is something that I will always always carry with me. They were such an inspiring example of true love and what a marriage should look like....unselfish, patient, happy...! My g-paw passed away 27 years ago and for 27 years she has been saying she is ready to go be with her John. I can't imagine living 27 years with Tanner.
The whole family got together in New Orleans to celebrate the life of mawmaw! It was such a great weekend, getting to see everyone and meet new baby cousins that we have not even met yet! I will forever miss my mawmaw!
Mawmaw and G-paw started this...

Since we were already in New Orleans, of course we stayed a few extra days! We had a blast, as always especially because Max, Amelia, Veronica and Katie were there! Here are some pictures from our trip.

10 months

2011-06-27T13:31:00.002-04:00

Molly is 10 months (she has been for a week or so!). In only 2 short months my baby will be a year! I just cannot believe it!
She is pulling up on everything, eating just about everything (except pb and honey...annie, jesse, and my two favorite foods!), saying ma-ma, da-da, that (kind of sounds more like "dat" which is good with all us who dat fans!) and just babbling nonstop. She recently has been a little more fussy going to bed, which I think is because she just wants to stand up in her crib now. She LOVES the water, bath or pool. She can do "so big" and dances when she hears music!
I LOVE her!

My sweet little curly top!

A week in the life...

2011-06-12T08:06:00.008-04:00

I am doing this "Week in the life" project by Ali Edwards this week. (It doesn't officially happen until July, but I wanted to do it as close to when I did it last year!) I did it last year, around this time of year and it was so fun just to captured the little everything things about what our life was like last year. I went back through the little album that I made and it is cool to see how far our lives have come in just a little, even in the little routines of our daily life.

This fun project requires taking a lot of pictures throughout the week, which of course I did NOT have a problem doing! Here are some pictures of our day to day life...

Memorial day weekend!

2011-06-02T21:42:00.004-04:00

If you do something for three straight years it becomes tradition, right! We have spent the last three Memorial Day Weekends with the Hertz family. This year they came to our house. We went to the pool and to the beach and did some swimming in our backyard! We love the Hertz!!!
The babies, loving each other already!

Action shot of Jess, who never stops jumping and throwing things!

Sutton was so funny, he sat like forever...he didn't want his legs to touch the grass!!!

Slip-n-slide!

Sleeping...haha...yeah right! They stayed up giggiling until almost 11 the first night!

The day at the beach...

Three matching girls!

My girls!

My little family!

Tanner digs The.Best.Beach.Holes.Ever.!

Jesse loved sliding down "the island" into "the molt"!

Molly had enough!

We had an awesome weekend with some of our best friends!

Paradise (minus 4!)

2011-06-02T21:33:00.002-04:00

How do you describe spending three whole days, only taking care of myself, with this as the backdrop, and
with your very very best friend of almost 20 years? I would call it paradise! (even though i kept thinking to myself, how much my three kiddos would love it here!)

We laid in the sand and by the pool for three days...

Sat on the 19th floor balcony with a glass of wine in hand and laughed each evening...

And of course in typical Al and Cor fashion did one crazy workout on the beach in the morning!

What a perfect refreshing weekend with two amazing friends! I will cherish these three days until we do it again! :-)

Running!

2011-05-26T23:20:00.007-04:00

I hate posting stuff about "me", but I am very excited about this, so I had to post b/c I want to always remember!

I have been running for about 12 or 13 years now. I never thought I would be a "runner." When I was a kid and through high school my sister was a "runner" and she was GOOD! She would win local 5K races in our hometown when was like 10 years old. She ran cross country in high school and was one of the top female runners in the state. She is naturally talented and I admire that so much. She went to college on a cross country scholarship and I just went to college! ;-) (Even though she doesn't really run anymore, she honestly could go out and do what I am about to write 5 paragraphs about anytime...I am so proud of her for that, amongst so many other things)

I started running at the beginning of my sophomore year of college to try to lose the "Freshman 15" that I put on my freshman year. I still remember the first time that I stepped out of my apartment to go "running," it felt good and funny all at the same time. I think I ran about 1/2 mile and I remember feeling so good and proud of myself. I haven't stopped since that day.

If I am going to write about my running "career" I have to write about how for a little while running was only about losing weight. It did help me to lose that freshman 15 and more (more than I should have lost). Throughout college, I ran to burn off everything that I consumed at the bar the night before. I'm not sure if, during this time, I actually enjoyed running like I do now.

After college, I continued to run. My love for the sport grew and so did the miles. I ran a marathon and met my goal of doing it under 4 hours. I am so glad that I did it, but I think that logging that many miles is something that I will never do again, or at least not anytime soon. I have since done a couple of half marathons, which I enjoy a lot more! When we moved to New Smyrna I started doing more 5 K's and actually doing some sprint training. One of the first 5k's that I did, I ran a 21 minutes, that is when I made it my "life goal" to break a 20 min 5k!

Well, after that first race, I had a baby and my jogs were pushing a single jogging stroller! Very soon after having Annie, I was pregnant again with Jesse, but kept running and was soon pushing a double jogger! I did several races, after Jesse came, and finally broke 21 min! Then I got pregnant again, and ran up until I was about 35 weeks. I even ran a race at 30 weeks pregnant (I ran a 23:50 and got third place in my age group!) After Molly was born, I swore that I wouldn't buy a triple jogger...I don't know why I thought that...check out the picture below! (I found one of craigslist that I couldn't pass up!) So today, most of my runs consists of me pushing the three of them!
About 4 months after Molly was born, I started running races again! The first one I did was in New Orelans, visiting my parents and I ran a 20:40, which was, at the time, my best time. Then I did two in row here in NSB around the new year. I ran a 20:20 and a 20:06. I got so close on that race that I thought there was no way I could ever break 20! I took several months off of races and ran one in april, where I added 30 secs and felt terrrible!

After feeling so bad and addding time, I decided to run another race on Mother's Day! When the lady gave me my race number, it was number 19! I thought immediately that that was a sign! The race was on the beach, and I never expected this to be the race that I would break 20 b/c after all, we were running on sand! I did a few things different before that race...for one, I ran with an i-pod. When I run, I love to think and pray and even though music is very motivating, I would rather just be with my thoughts...that was until Mother's Day!

Well, I did it...I finally, after about 5 years, broke 20 minutes! I ran a 19:56...I know I barely broke it, but I did it! Everything is my life, right now is centered around my kids (which I wouldn't trade for the world), except this goal of running. Crossing the finish line under 20 minutes gave me such a different feeling of accomplishment. It was something that I have worked for just for me...even though I probably pushed myself so hard those last few steps b/c Tanner, Annie, Jesse and Molly were all at the finish line cheering me on!
Like I said, I HATE writing stuff about me because I don't want to sound braggish or anything and I know that there are so many girls out there, that are trying to break 19 min or 30 min. but this was such a BIG goal for me and I finally, finally did it! And I am proud! (that is hard for me to say/write out loud) I never want to forget how I felt that Mother's Day morning on the beach!
Today, running has nothing to do with losing weight for me (even though it just naturally keeps me in shape), but everything to do with making me feel good, healthy and strong! It gives me energy to deal with everything that the day brings (with three young kids). I honestly love to run and I am happy that I can say that!

Summer is here!

2011-05-26T23:07:00.002-04:00

And it is HOT! Already! We can barely go to the park, already! We can barely go for a jog, already...and it's only May!
The only thing that we can do, outside, is get wet!

Good thing we all like the water, even Molly!

Between the beach, the YMCA pool, and our little backyard blow up pools, I think we will manage to stay "cool!"

Thank you Tanner!

2011-05-26T22:59:00.003-04:00

One of the first things that attracted us to our house was the yard! When we first saw it, we knew that we had to have this house. Well...living in Florida, with all the sun and no rain, with no irrigation system and having three kids to occupy your time, and this is what our yard turned into...

5 years later and we decided that it was time to do something about it! (and by we, I mean Tanner!) He spent an entire weekend, doing this...

Tanner did this for Annie's birthday party. If you ask Annie what she got for her birthday, she says "grass!!!" That is about the best birthday present she could ever get! ;-) Her and Jesse could play out here for hours!

9 months (a little late)

2011-05-26T22:49:00.003-04:00

(I'm a little late on this post...)
Molly at 9 months!
She is soooooooooo happy! Seriously...this little girl is just all smiles!

She is:

crawling (and pulled up for the first time)

Says ma-ma (she is the first one to say ma-ma before da-da!)

Gives kisses

Wants to eat food that she can pick up (she is a carb junkie...loves crackers, popcorn, pretzels, cheerios, but on a healthy note, she eat an avacado everyday! ;-)

She wants to play with whatever Annie and Jesse are playing with!

Even though she is everywhere and into everything, I remember that I also love 9 months!!!

(And thank goodness for her big sis and brother...they keep an eye on her always!)

Mother's Day

2011-05-07T20:11:00.004-04:00

I am so blessed...so blessed to be the mother to these three!

I have learned more about myself and about life in general since becoming a mother 4 years ago. Motherhood definitely has its trying times. Sometimes at the end of a rough day, I look back and wished I could have had more patience here, or not lost my "cool" there, or wished I could have handled that situation different. But even through the rough patches, being a mom has taught me how to love unconditionally!

I love these three through their silliness...

Through their messes...

And through their breakdowns...

I pray everyday that I am doing the right thing as their mom and that I am riasing them to believe in God, to believe in their family, to believe in themselves, and to believe in kindness!

Now that I am a mom I sure do appreciate my mom more! And I know how much she loves me. My mom was the mom that packed the best lunches for us with special notes in our lunchboxes telling us how much she loved us. She was on every field trip I ever took. She was room mom every year. She was the mom that was always there...sometimes she would even be there when I really didn't want her to be (which of course now, I regret!). I always knew that I was loved and taken care of and I "tried" to stay out of trouble for fear of disappointing her! I love you mom! Happy Mother's Day, and thanks!

Happy Birthday Annie!

2011-04-26T13:18:00.002-04:00

4 years have gone by since I held Annie for the first time. I can't even begin to imagine how that is possible, yet here we are at age 4!
Annie may have quite possibly been the easiest baby ever. She never cried when we put her down to go to sleep. She would take 2 and 3 hour naps. She started sleeping through the night at 6 weeks, and never, not one time woke up crying during the night. At the time I was so thankful for full nights sleep b/c I heard horror stories from other moms walking living on 2 hours of broken sleep.
Then came the toddler stage, which started at about 15 months for Annie! And WOW...I guess you can't have a super easy baby and a super easy toddler! haha! Annie was so emotional that sometimes I thought I was going to throw the tantrum! ;-)
Now, at age 4 she still does everything hard...she plays hard, she cries hard, she laughs hard, she loves hard and I love this about her. She LOVES life and gets excited about everything. She is a beautiful little girl on the inside and out and I am so proud of her!
I pray daily that Annie will be a strong girl and will stand up for what is right. I pray already for her husband and her friends now and her future friends that they will help build her up. I pray that she continues to see the good in life. And I pray above all that she will just be kind!
She amazes me with her love of dance and all things girls....b/c I was never like this growing up. But it is OK if she is girly! (I actually really enjoy it!)

And with all that girlyness, she still loves to get dirty and run barefoot! She has some tomboy mixed into her too!

I am so proud that she is Jess and Molly's big sister. And even though she sometimes get frustrated with all the responsiblities that come along with being a big sister, she sure does love them!

We love you so much Annie Ashdown Brock!

P.S. We are having sausage and quinoa for her birthday dinner on her request! I don't know why but I thought that was so funny!

8 months

2011-04-17T21:28:00.002-04:00

Molly turned 8 months week...I love 8 months! It is such a fun age! Look how fun she is w/ that "fun" hair! She's sooo close to crawling, but not mobile yet! (thank goodness!) She can get onto her knees from the sitting position, but just rocks back and forth or falls on her belly!

She still loves her jumpy. She makes cooing noise constantly. She can almost do "so big."

She is starting to eat "real" food. (she had her first french fry last night and loved it!) Crackers and puffs keep her very happy in the stroller or shopping cart.

I will say this again, Molly is such a happy girl and good baby! I think its those rolls and cheeks that keep her so content! I'm loving watching her grow up...this never gets old!

Girls Night Out

2011-04-09T08:12:00.002-04:00

Annie and I (along with Sarah and Addison) had a girls night out this week! Spending some one on one time with my girl made me realize how much she is growing up. All day we talked about going to watch the dance show. She was so excited and told me "Mom, I really like to hang out with you!" I told her to be sure to remember saying that when she's 16! I like hanging out with you too, Annie!

She was excited to put on her dress and loved my necklace. She put on some "makeup" (lip gloss) before we got out of the car to go in! She's such a girly girl with a little mix of tom-boy!

Oh, and this baby! It goes everywhere with us. She's such the little momma too!

We went and saw the New Smyrna Beach High School dance team, The Showdolls. And to brag for a second on our hometown dance team...they are 14 time national champs! They really are incredible to watch and I was so impressed with the choices in costumes and music..it was very classy and tasteful! The show lasted 2 hours, which we thought the girls would make it through maybe 1/2 before we had to leave, but nope! They were mesmorized and we stayed to watch the entire show! I'm pretty sure Annie wants to be a Showdoll now!

Mommy and Daddy Day Out!

2011-03-26T20:08:00.002-04:00

Tanner and I went to see Kenny Chesney and Zac Brown in Tampa! It was SO. MUCH. FUN.! It had been 8 years since we had been to a concert (guess who the last person we saw was?...Kenny Chesney!). It was fun hanging out with Tanner and our friends and remembering that I do know how to socialize with people over the age of 4!

I LOVE him...(Tanner not kenny ;-). I have just as much fun with Tanner today than when we met at age 18!
I love this girl too! Everytime we hang out I realize how much we are alike!

If Kenny wouldn't have stopped playing at 11 pm that night, we would still be there singing and dancing together! Yeehaw!

Day to Day

2011-03-26T20:02:00.002-04:00

Just some day to day stuff that goes on at our house...
I walked outside and see this...

It made me smile!

I walked in Molly's room to peek on her sleeping and she just looked so big laying there! :-(

Annie started soccer! This is hysterical! She is by far the youngest one on the team and she does a lot of picking grass and dancing on the field!

Back to the Beach

2011-03-26T19:59:00.002-04:00

If you need us, we'll be at the beach! YAY! This is the time of year where I LOVE where we live!
Oh my...look at that beach baby!

Silliness!

This game is called tackle Jesse!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2011-03-18T21:53:00.002-04:00

Annie and Jesse were very excited about wearing their green (and maybe a little worried about getting pinched! ;-). I got them all dressed and took some pictures and as we were about to leave the house, we all realized that I didn't have a speck of green on me. Of course, they thought this was hillarious and kept pinching me (hard!). I changed as fast as I could!

We had a fun playdate at the park with our friends and green cupcakes thanks for sweet Sarah, Addison and Annabelle!

While we were in New Orleans, Annie learned how to swing all by herself. We had been practicing for at least a year, but all of a sudden, out of nowhere, she just got it!

And could these two be any cuter??? I don't think so! They must have called each other and planned their outfits, b/c Sarah and I didn't!!!

And there is always Bryce and Jesse...these could are just the best of friends! Jesse talks about him nonstop and Bryce calls Jess "his Jesse!" They are so cute!

7 months!

2011-03-14T13:21:00.002-04:00

At 7 months, my little Molly has a bad case of broncitis :-( This is the seond time in her short life that she has had it. We revolve our life around her nebulizer, that she takes 5-6 times a day. Its no fun, although she is a good sport about it and if I turn on the tv to occupy her, she will sit very still! (I know...no tv until they are 2 right? I say whatever works!) She's coughing a lot at night, so our sleeping through the night has been put on hold for a little while!
Even with being sick, she is still smiley and loveable! She is eating well, but definitly not as interested in nursing as much. Probably b/c annie and Jesse are always around making silly faces at her or talking to her and they are much more fun to look at then nursing!

Molly was baptized in New Orleans a week before she made 7 months! Luckily the baptism gown that has been in the family for 64 years and was worn by my dad, his brother, and sister, me, my sister and all our cousins and now all 20 of the great grandkids still fit! We couldn't button it around the neck, but it fit! ;-)

Mardi Gras Mambo!

2011-03-09T13:38:00.004-05:00

We just back home from New Orleans and I am trying to think of how to sum up our trip in a few words! How do you sum up a week in a condo with 6 kids 4 and under? Lack of sleep would be a good place to start! But even on top of the chaos that just comes along with all those kids needing different things at different times or with the madness of trying to get them all dressed and out the house to go watch a parade with a zillion other people, it was a pleasant week!

My sister and I got to finally meet each other babies, spend some quality time together, and all the kids played so well together! Besides, it just doesn't get much better than being at home, in New Orleans for Mardi Gras. I am so happy that my kids are getting to experience some of the these same memories that I have from when I was a kid...because Mardi Gras really was/is the best time of the year!
My babies ready to go to the parade!

Mardi Gras Molly!

They loved the ladder and getting to catch stuffed animals was the highlight!

While were in New Orleans we also went to the zoo...

I love this picture...

Annie said the giraffes were her favorite!

Happy Mardi Gras!

Cousins are the best!

The street cars are also a favorite activity! I love this picture that my dad took of Molly!

The best part of the whole trip home was having Molly baptized in New Orleans. It was so special to do this in the place where I grew up!

As always...until next time...New Orleans I love you!

Blastoff!

2011-02-25T13:22:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, I took the kids to witness a little part of history. We went to the beach to watch Space Shuttle Discovery's last mission. It was a beautiful day and the beach was absolutely packed with people watching the shuttle!
Launch was at 4:50...about 45 secs past, you could hear people start mumbling "there it is." We are a good 30 miles (maybe more) away from the actual launch pad, so it starts out as this little glow in the sky, but as it gets higher you can see this huge ball of fire, followed by this incredible stream of smoke! It really is amazing. After the shuttle is completely out site and people are starting to turn away, that is when you can hear it. It sounds like nothing I have ever heard....like 30 freight trains combined and you can feel it. Kind of like a small earthquake! It is just so coo!
Molly watching and waiting! (She has no idea what for, but she was patient!)

I explained to Annie and Jesse before we left that this was a BIG deal. That one day when they got older, they could tell their kids that they saw Discovery's last mission into outer space. Annie responds "But I don't want to watch the space ship when I get big...I want to watch it today!"

Of course, after we talking this event up all day and getting them all excited about watching the shuttle, the second we got onto the beach, that is the only thing that they really cared about. In their defense, it had been awhile since we have had a beach day!

Annie kept asking to go walk in the water. I finally told her that after we see the shuttle, they can go in the water. So as soon as I said "There it is," Annie didn't even look up in the sky. She just says "Can we go in the water now!" haha

As much as they didn't seem to be into the shuttle, Jesse did decide that he wants to be an astronaunt now! I think they liked it!

half a year!

2011-02-15T19:49:00.003-05:00

My baby is already a half of a year old!
I'm not sure how much she weighs or how long she is b/c her 6 month checkup is tomorrow but here are some things that I don't want to forget...

She rubs her eyes when she's sleepy. She twirls her hair when she's falling asleep. She's sitting up. She started clapping on her 6 mth birthday! She started sitting in the shopping cart at the grocery instead of having to lug that big old heavy carseat inside! (yay!) She laughs at Annie and Jesse...and they louder they are the harder she laughs!

As soon as I sit down to feed her she opens her mouth. She can eat a bowl full of cereal in 3 minutes (and I think she's still hungry). She loves her jumpy but hates the excersaucer. She can roll to from back to front but won't go from front to back and this makes her mad! She naps better in the swing than in her bed, but we are working on that! She's sleeping all night (7-7) most nights.

She's happy. She likes the stroller and always falls asleep when we go for a jog. She laughs when I kiss her neck. She loves her bath and the vacume cleaner (I think she just likes noise...good thing b/c we have a lot of it in our house). She gets fussy when she gets the hiccups. She is still nursing. She will only take a bottle if it is warm. And I love her!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-15T19:47:00.000-05:00

Feel the Love

2011-02-11T20:31:00.002-05:00

We are getting ready for Valentine's Day!
I stiched velvet hearts on an old shirt and onesie for the girls! Beats having to spend a bunch of money on Valentine's outfits, right...even if they aren't perfect and the hearts fall off after one wash!

I LOVE these three!

We had a Valentine's party with our friends!

The kids decorated cookies

Colored Valentine's cards and painted heart magnets.

And except for a little fussing over a choo-choo train, they all showed much love to each other! Valentine's is just another reason to celebrate and have some fun!

Night and Day

2011-02-05T21:47:00.003-05:00

that's what my kids are...different as night and day! I think I have said this before, but it just amazes me how I can see their different personalities come out in simple things like how they paint!
This is how Annie does it...

And here's Jesse...

Can you guess who's is who's?

I wonder how Molly will paint???

Thankful

2011-02-02T06:30:00.003-05:00

This weekend, Tanner and I had a long drive by ourselves and as we were driving we started talking about whether we should move or not. This is a conversation that comes up A LOT! There are a million different reasons.
Anyway, once we got back home, we took the kids across the street to this...

And we fished...

And they threw rocks in the water (a favorite activity).
Times like this, and days like this, seeing my kids fishing and throwing rocks into this beautiful river, I need to step back and just be thankful for lots of things, especially for where we live and the amazing life that we have right where we are! (This might sound cheesy but I just had to write what I was feeling!)
I think Molly likes it here...check out that smile!
And I even caught a fish. Don't think we will be making a dinner out of that one, but the kids thought it was cool!

To the fair!

2011-02-02T06:22:00.002-05:00

There's nothing like a good fair to make you feel like a kid again!

We went to the Sacred Heart church fair last week and had a blast. This was a new "ride." The kids actually got inside these big plastic bubbles and they blew them up with a blower (the kind that you use to blow leaves off of the driveway). Then they just rolled around in them on top of water. They looked like hamsters in those balls, or the bubble boy from Seinfeld!
The helicopter was a hit for the first 4 minutes, then Jesse started crying.

When we got home I asked Annie and Jesse what their favorite rides were. Annie said the bubble and jesse said he didn't like the big slide. Then he said I didn't like the helicopter either, and I didn't like the bubble. I said what about the whales? He said OHHHH, I like the whales! At least he liked something!

4 years old is creeping up on us!

2011-02-02T06:11:00.004-05:00

We recently celebrated this sweet little girl's 4th birthday! Addison and Annie met when Annie was about 6 months old and they have been inseperable ever since! Annie adores her and I thank God everyday, not only for Addison, but for her mom, Sarah too, who has become one of my closest friends! There really isn't anything better or more comforting than another mom to talk to going through the same things day to day, especially when they live on the same street!
Here are the girls back in 2008! Annie wasn't even walking yet!

Addison turning four made me realize that Annie is only a few months away from being 4! Once again, this got me thinking...where does time go! I hear that 4 is a "magic" age! The age when everything clicks and kids start asking politely for things they want, they stop throwing themselves on the ground kicking and screaming if things don't go their way, they learn to share with their 2 year pesty brothers!!! Bring on 4!

Here are a few more pictures of Addison's carnival themed birthday party!
Snowcones in January...one reason I love living in Florida!

Bounce Houses are the best! Annie was doing somersaults down this slide!

Sweet Molly was taking it all in!

5 months

2011-01-19T06:21:00.002-05:00

She's 5 months!
Already...it always happens so fast. Each month creeps up and she's a month older and I can't believe it!
She's sleeping all night and started eating cereal, which of course she loves! The minute it touched her mouth, she just lit up in the huge smile.

She still has those chubby cheeks and contagious smile! She is definitely not that little newborn anymore :-( But I am loving this age, all over again. She's not mobile but very aware and interactive with everything that goes on around her. She likes to lay on her back and grab her toes and roll over (even though sometime she does this at night and gets stuck...then she doesn't like it)

She literally cracks up laughing (that cute chuckle) at Annie and Jesse, who are ALWAYS right in her face. They do not know the meaning of personal space for Molly! Jesse calls her mooscalini. Annie calls her moo-moo. (I'm sure they get these names from us).

This little girl is just the sweetest thing. I rarely put her down, when she's awake b/c I would rather just carry her...she fits in my arms perfectly. I love her!

A day at the zoo!

2011-01-18T13:55:00.002-05:00

On Friday we took a trip to the...
It was zoo animals week at Teach Your Tot, so we learned all about Zoo animals last week. On Friday we took a "field trip" to the zoo by our house!

Finding our names on the boardwalk was a big hit!

One little monkey!

Jess the Jaguar!

Three of my favorite kiddos!

There was a big insect/kids room where they could dress up like insects. Jesse was a spider (which I guess isn't really an insect is it!? Oh well!)

Riding the carousel was Annie's favorite part of the day! She rode the giraffe, Addison rode the zebra and Jesse tells everyone that he rode the bench! (which is true...he sat on one of those sleigh benches on the carousel. It just makes me laugh to hear him say I rode a bench!)

And of course Jesse's favorite part was riding the train. We were going to pass on this, but just look at that sweet little boy waiting to ride it...how I could I say no?

Technology is overtaking our house!

2011-01-18T13:43:00.003-05:00

It amazes me how far technology has come in such a short time. I didn't have an email address until I went to college. And even then I had to go to a computer lab to use it. I got my first cell phone when I was a junior...a junior in college! And even then, I only had 24 minutes...24 minutes a month to use (with free nights and weekends). I don't think I actually started texting until about a year or two ago! I don't feel that old, but when I think about that, I realize that maybe I am getting old! ;-)
It just amazes me that cell phones and technology are just such a huge easy part of my kids (all kids) lives. My two and three year old can use my phone, and computer, better than I can!!! I wonder when they will be able to say they got their first cell phone!?? I would like to think it won't be until high school, but with how fast all this technology is moving today, who knows!
As long as this is in moderation, I'm ok with it! And as long as they are playing educational games, they are learning right???

Who I am kidding...I think Annie is playing a dress up princesses game and why does she look 13 to me in this picture??? (*sigh!!)

Ringing in 2011

2011-01-05T11:51:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year from this crew...

A new year always signals a fresh start! I'm not huge on new years resolutions, but it is such a comfort to have that feeling of starting fresh each year! I want to become more organized this year. Even more specifically, I want my home to be more organized! So as part of my new routines and fresh start to 2011 I joing the Fly Lady and have started the "baby steps" to declutter my house! (Thank you to my cousin who mentioned this to me in conversation.)

We had a wonderful New Year's weekend that began with our last trip of the year to Seaworld. We wanted to get one more day out of our annual passes before it expired. I am pretty sure that the rest of Florida (and the country for that matter) was thinking the same thing! It was packed. The kids didn't really know any better though, and we had a nice day.

Jesse could watch this roller coaster all day. He enjoys it as much as he does the fish.

This was our signal that it was time to leave...Annie is actually sleeping in this picture. We didnt even know she was sleeping and someone walking by pointed it out to us. Poor tired girl!

From Seaworld we headed to Tampa to spend the rest of the weekend with our some of our closest friends! There is something so refreshing about spending time with people that you are so close to. With 8 kids and 10 adults, we decided it would be easiest to just stay in and order food! It was a great evening. We even danced the night away at "Club Hertz", AKA their playroom! (This included a disco ball and everything!)

And this is how Annie and Jesse rang in the New Year!

January 1, 2011! (I'm going to have to get used to writing 2011).

Looks like Daddy Daycare in this picture!

We took the kids to two parks on New Year's Day. Annie insisted on wearing her new helmet "just incase she fell off the slide!"

4 out of the 6 of our kiddos!

silliness

I hope that these 4 (and Molly and Sutton) grow up to be as close as we are with Adam and Brie! (Or maybe two of them will even get married one day so that we will all be related! haha)

Happy 2011! I hope that this is a happy year for everyone. Brie and I declared it the year of NO babies! haha!

2010 Top Ten

2011-01-03T21:25:00.004-05:00

Here are the top ten events in the Brock family from 2010! (in no particular order except the last two! ;-)

Annie (and Jesse...kind of) went to their first Mardi Gras!
Allison came to Florida to visit and we also got to go to T-Town to visit her and Jason.We got to see Katie, Max and Amelia twice this year. Once in New Orleans and once they came to Florida.

We celebrated Annie's third birthday with a flower party.

We went to North Carolina with the Hertz family!

Jesse celebrated his second birthday with a beach birthday party!

We took two trip to my favorite city, New Orleans/Home!

Tanner and I celebrated 7 years of marriage! (and still going strong!)

NUMBER 2 event of 2010

The New Orleans Saints win the Superbowl!!!! It was even more exciting b/c we got to be in the city when they won! It was one of the most memorable of the year (and my life! haha!)

And the number 1 event this year was the birth of Molly Kathryn Brock!

She is a complete joy to our family and I can't imagine life without her! She smiles and it just brightens my day!

In 2010 our family of 4...

Became a family of 5!

And even though we are busier and our house is much louder and I need more hands, we are happy! And I can't wait to see what is in store for 2011!!!

Today is Born our Saviour!

2010-12-29T21:59:00.004-05:00

Christmas Eve

On Christmas eve we went to church, dinner then back home to leave cookies for Santa and sprinkle reindeer food in the yard. We purposely didn't give the kids a nap so that they would be tired and go right to sleep....haha! Did we really think that would work?

Chrismas Day

The kids woke up at 5, but I managed to keep them in bed until almost 7! We said our prayers and read a letter that Santa left before they dove into their presents. They both got bikes and pillow pets amongst other things. Michele, Gary, Taylor and Lynzie came over. We had a great time exchanging gifts, eating, drinking and just being together!

I love Christmas! :-)

I pray that Annie and Jesse understand what it is really all about!

I missed my parents, sis and her family this year and already trying to figure out how we can all be together next year!

We wish you a Merry Christmas

2010-12-29T21:56:00.002-05:00

Our Christmas Card picture this year! Trying to take a "good" (this word is used very losely) is not an easy task! I'm wiped just getting them dressed up! Tanner was in the background jumping and dancing around, which is why Annie and Jesse are smiling! (Thanks Tanner! ;-) Or it could be that they are smiling b/c they know they will get lollipops when all this over! hehehe!

Cute Little Bears

2010-12-29T21:53:00.001-05:00

This weather has been abnormally cold here lately! Getting out to run or walk has been a challenge, since Molly has been sick and it just isn't warm enough. We did get to go on a walk with sarah, Addison, Annabelle, Molly, Annie and Jesse recently. I had to post this picture of these two b/c they looked so snuggly!

(ps...yes, we look crazy walking with 5 kids!)

all this for Santa?

2010-12-22T20:22:00.002-05:00

So last week, I packed all three kids up and we made our way over to the mall to take pictures with Santa. They seemed excited to go see him, even though I knew that Jesse would NEVER sit on his lap. In my mind, I had envisioned this picture with Annie and Molly both on Santa's knees and Jesse sitting on my knee...all smiling and telling Santa what they wanted for christmas.
We rode the Christmas train before going to see the big man and the kids did great! But as soon as we walked over to Santa Annie and Jesse both started screaming and running away. Of course I just had to have a picture, so I put Molly on Santa and picked up annie and Jesse and sat next to Santa. Molly started screaming and Jesse was trying to squirm away (as you can see) but we got a picture...noone ever told Santa what they wanted.
Molly didn't stop screaming for 45 minutes after sitting on Santa. She even started getting these little red dots all over her forhead (which I later found out is perfectly normal and it is just blood vessels...yes, I asked the Dr. about this) and we all thought that she may have been allergic to Santa and was breaking out in some weird rash. After Annie threw a fit (something about a pretzel), we all finally calmed down enough to feed molly and take a little playground break. All in all, I would say it was a good trip to the mall!
Here are a few more pictures.

BTW: I am soooo thankful to have such wonderful helpful friends...when I am feeling overwhelmed they seem to really lighten the load!

Dancing Machine

2010-12-22T20:13:00.004-05:00

Dancing is one thing that I never did as a kid. Swimming, softball, basketball, volleyball, soccer...yes, but dancing no. Probably b/c I have zero coordination. Anyway, Annie is a dancing machine!!! She LOVES it. I started her in dancing last year b/c it was the only activity that she could do at age 2. I figured that I would keep her in it until she was 4 and could play tee-ball and soccer and tennis. But now that she has two years experience, I don't know how I am going to get her to stop!

She had three performances this past one. Christmas on Canal, Light up Flagler and of course the winter recital! I may be a slight bit biased, but she nailed her routine! ;-)

Here are a couple of pictures from the performances!

Addison, Annie's bff, also takes with her! Just one more reason to love ballet!

4 months

2010-12-13T21:38:00.002-05:00

At 4 months Molly
has the most kissable cheeks ever!
Sleeps like a baby! :-) (She is taking 2-3 naps a day and sleeping from 7pm-6ish am. She has made it 7-7 a few nights recently)

Has lots of bows of all sizes in every different color. Why didn't I have these with Annie?

Molly rolled over today, from her back to her stomache, for the first time. Just this past week, she has started really laughing. The good baby chuckle that makes me laugh just as hard. She also sat in her excersaucer for the first time today.

Milestones coming too fast!

New Orleans

2010-12-08T21:19:00.005-05:00

Every time we go to New Orleans, I miss it more and more! There is something about it that just gets to me! We had another great visit in Nov! Of course, I took over 2000 pictures. Below are a few of my favorites!
Gameday...
Mt. Carmel Challenge 5K

Swinging in City Park (the park has been redone after Katrina and is even more beautiful than itwas!)

City Park has the best climbing trees I have ever seen!

My best friends since I was 14!

On the Miss. River

Cafe Du Monde!

There's no place like the french quarter

King cake anyone?

Riding a float is always fun

Min

Poboy fest

T-town without the kids for the weekend.

My girls!

Riding the street cars is always the highlight of the trip!

County Fair

2010-11-08T06:17:00.002-05:00

We took the kids to the county fair, which was a lot more fun than we anticipted! There was lots of livestock rides and food! Here's some pictures..
We actually got to wear jackets, it was chilly!
Check out Jesse's face! haha!

Annie peeking at the cows!

Sweet little Jess held his ticket to get in the gate the whole time we were at the fair!

First ride...motorcycles!

when this ride started moving, Jesse's face lit up...I have never seen him smile so big! Of course he cried when he had to get off!

Next ride, the birds?

then onto the "sippy cups!" as Jesse says! Annie spun him around on this ride, which got to him after awhile and he started crying. The whole way home, he told us that he criedwhen he rode on the sippy cups!

Makes me sick just watching!

And here's Molly!

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-31T21:30:00.004-04:00

Day 4 of Halloween festivities and wearing our costumes! We definitely have gotten a lot of wear out of them this year! Here's pictures of our Trick or Treating!
Bryce and Jess

Sweet!

Look at the pose!

Daddy made Annie's wings!

Molly the little ghost!

I actually got a couple of good pictures of all three kids today!

Love them!

first house...go!

And noone was home!

Jesse was eating his candy faster than he was getting it! He actually took a bite of a butterfinger, wrapper and all! Geeze!

Halloween take 3

2010-10-31T21:26:00.004-04:00

Sat. night we walked down to Canal St. for a Halloween parade. The kids get to trick or treat at all the different shops and resteraunts. Its such a fun time!
We had Leo and Joey, and Bryce come with us too! So today makes three days that the kids got to wear their costumes, and its not even Halloween yet!
Here's Molly!
Tink!

Buzz, Woody, Tink and Pumpkin having fun together!

Jess just plopped right down in the driveway and started eating his candy when we got home!

Leo climbing the tree!

Gotta love this girl...climbing trees wearing a snow white costume!

Trunk or Treat

2010-10-29T21:25:00.002-04:00

We took the kids to Trunk or Treat tonight at Sacred Heart, where they trick or treated to different cars parked in the parking lot. It was the first of three trick or treats that they will do this weekend. We are all going to be on sugar highs all week with the amount of candy that we will get!

Annie and Jess took a hay ride all by themselves!

My little ghost!

Jesse's pumpkin costume cracks me up btw!:-)

Library halloween party!

2010-10-29T21:22:00.002-04:00

We went to the libary Halloween party this week too!
Jesse and Bryce being silly!
My tink!

Annabelle and Molly...bffs, just like their big sisters!

All four of our girls! :-)

Annie and Addi! These girls love each other!

Annie eating her cookie!

Carving Pumpkins

2010-10-29T21:16:00.003-04:00

what would Halloween be without some pumpkin carving!?
Annie had to wear her snow white dress up outfit to carve the pumpkins!

Jess wasn't sure what to make of the gooey insides!

Then we had a costume change mid-carve!

Tanner was more into it than the kids!

Annie's pumpkin (daddy's carving!)

Jesse's pumpkins (mommy's carving!)

Pumpkins Pumpkins Pumpkins

2010-10-29T21:07:00.004-04:00

We have done a lot of pumpkin activities this week.
The kids learned that pumkins' float...

And so does Buzz

The kids helped me make pumpkin cookies! (Annie is dressed in her fairy costume)

And we painted pumpkins

Stretching...its hard work painting pumkins...she had to take a stretch break!

Pumpkin Patch

2010-10-29T21:02:00.002-04:00

And the Halloween fun begins!
Molly in her homemade Halloween outfit...my attempt at trying to make their clothes and get creative.
Sweet!

Sisters!

She's so excited to be at the pumpkin patch!

Look at that cute little pumpkin!

Annie LOVED the pumpkins...she's been carrying around hers all week, like its her baby!

Jess loved it too!

This was the best shot I could get of them!

Wedding/Sleepover

2010-10-29T20:56:00.003-04:00

We had a fun night last Sat. Joey and Leo came over and spent the night for their Jason and Tonya's wedding! We weren't going to give the kids a bath that night, but this is how they played...so they all got a bath!
A babysitter (which was only the first or second time) came over to watch the four kids and we took Molly to the wedding for a couple of hours! Here's Molly all dressed up!

It was easy with just one baby!

Daddy bonding with Molly!

The Happy couple!

Kristy loving on Molly!

:-)

Here are all the kiddo going to bed...it took about 2 hours and lots of giggling before they finally fell asleep!

The next morning started at 5:30 am!

Life as a cell phone.

2010-10-22T21:48:00.002-04:00

I finally downloaded my cell phone pictures onto our computer...so here it is...our life according to my cell phone!
Annie's painted nails that of course she has to do "all by herself!" (I have these visions of us sitting together and me painting her nails all pretty...haha...not my daughter! She wants in on the action! Chubs!

My pretty girl!

Daddy reading books at bedtime! This has become Tanner's duty since I put Molly to bed at the same time. I miss reading books to these two, but I know that they need some good daddy QT!

Jesse wants to hold Molly all by himself...she looks terrified!

Molly sporting her MSU attire with a big smile! She knew that State was going to beat Florida!

Big boy with big shoes!

Playdate with Rylee and Yvonne while we were staying at Michele and Gary's house! what an awesome surprise that they were in town!

Library card holders! (with late fees already, I might add! Sheesh!)

Another day in the park!

2010-10-22T21:47:00.000-04:00

2 months!

2010-10-22T21:42:00.002-04:00

2 months already!
Molly is 13 lbs. 1 oz (95 %) for weight and 23 2/3 inches long! She is smiling and cooing and being chubby and cute! She is sleeping from 7 pm- about 3ish and then back to bed until around 7ish. She is eating every 3 hours! She's a very laid back baby! Of course, I have those guilty moments of "am I giving her enough attention?" Am I holding her enough? I feel like I am always having to put her down to attend to Annie and Jesse! I guess there is always a feeling a guilt (among about 1000 other feelings) that comes along with being a mom!

Rivers and Parks

2010-10-12T20:55:00.002-04:00

We are learning about rivers this week, so we took a "field trip" to one of the parks on the river. It was nice when we got there but it got hot quick, and what's better on a hot day then getting wet in the river!

Molly enjoyed our morning!

Annie and Addison loving the swings and each other!

Cooling off and finding rocks!

I love these kids!

2010-10-12T20:47:00.002-04:00

Annie and Jesse just crack me up sometimes! Right now, Jesse repeats everything and I mean everything that big sis says! It is so sweet! And if she is not in his view he starts saying "annie, Annie, Where are you?" I love that these two are such bffs!
Sweet Little Face!

And again, I just thank God a million times a day for this little chubby girl! I can't get enough of her! :-) What a perfect addition to our family!

Seaworld

2010-10-12T20:40:00.003-04:00

Seaworld take 3!!! The kids LOVE it and you just can't beat the "pay for a day come back all year for free" deal! i hope we can make it back one or two more times before the end of the year!
Jess was ready!

Watching dolphins

Molly enjoyed it a lot!

Stingrays...this is what Annie wanted to see first, but she was a little nervous about touching them

Jess loved them!

Rain rain go away (but not really)

2010-09-30T21:23:00.001-04:00

We finally got some good rain here, thanks for some tropical something or other! I got these cute shots of the kids watching the rain. Jesse was singing rain rain go away real loud the whole morning!

Here's a few quick shots of Molly K!

Look at that chunkiness!!!

Visiting MawMaw

2010-09-30T21:19:00.002-04:00

We got to go visit Mawmaw this weekend! It was great to see her and she seemed really happy to get to see the kids! Annie and Jesse both took to her really good, which made her happy!
Here's Molly getting a little ride on her walker!
Mawmaw and her 17th greatgrand baby! By the end of the year she will have numbers 18, 19, and 20!

6 kids, 2 adults...fun weekend!

2010-09-30T21:11:00.002-04:00

Daddy's guys weekend equals two mommies vs. 6 kids! Overall it was a super fun (busy) weekend! I think brie and I were in bed by 8 o'clock one night and I fell asleep on the couch the next night! The kids had a ball together, going to visit the firestation, eating mexican, going swimming, and just hanging out at the hertz house!
Jessman and Em
Cozy babies!

Firewoman Annie

Carson and Annie

Jesse was not happy while we were at the firestation, which made me sd b/c I know how much he loves trucks! Poor guy, I think he wasn't feeling good or was tired! Either way, this was Jesse the whole morning!

Annie in her glory!

BFFS!

Our 6 babies!

These two are destined to be together! (just like Carson and Annie and Emmy and Jesse! haha!)

Jesse and Daddy fishing

2010-09-20T21:03:00.002-04:00

Tanner took Jesse across the street to our neighbors dock for a little father son fishing outing this weekend! Jesse had a blast and Tanner said they caught a lot (nothing big, but Jess didn't know the difference!)
Just like daddy!

They caught a stingray!

Our Two Loves!

2010-09-20T21:01:00.001-04:00

Anyone who knows our family knows that we have two loves...the Saints and Mississippi State! And I LOVE dressing our kids on gamedays! (even if its just a big ole bow!)

First trip to the dentist

2010-09-20T20:56:00.003-04:00

My Annie and her first trip to the dentist!
A few weeks ago, Annie took a fall which caused her front tooth to turn a shade of gray! Of course, it worried me so we scheduled her first dentist appointment, which she was due for anyway. The dentist told me that her tooth may turn back to it normal color or could stay gray until it falls out! (:-( ) She also assurred me this was completely normal and she swears this is why God gave us two sets of teeth! Annie did amazing at the dentist. She let them take x-rays (which showed no damage to the big tooth!), clean her teeth and do a floride treatment! She got a new princess toothbrush and got to take a trip to the treasure box, where she got one toy for her and took one toy home to Jesse!
Little things like going to the dentist make me realize that my girl is growing up!
I think she liked the dentist so much b/c she got to watch tv!

Dr. Amy and Annie!

Some of our favorite things!

2010-09-20T20:52:00.002-04:00

Mommy's favorite thing right now...big bows/flowers for Molly's hair!
Annie and Jesse's favorite thing...Molly!

Molly's favorite thing...her thumb! (this makes three thumb suckers! She was only 4 weeks when she found it!)

Annie's favorite thing...pretending to drive mommy's car! We have taken many trips to Phoenix, Az, New Orleans, Leo's house, Addison's house, Carson's house, Seaworld etc!

Soccer Playdate

2010-09-15T21:03:00.002-04:00

This week, it is sports week at Teach Your Tot, so we had a soccer playdate with our friends. The weather was actually bearable! The kids had fun kicking the ball around and shooting goals b/tw our legs.

While the little ones watched! (or slept)

But they had more fun sitting and chatting...

And turning their balls into "Queens" and giving them "hair!" Gotta love little girls! (And Jesse...who goes along with whatever they do!)

Queen balls with hair! Their imaginations are so great!

We had a picnic lunch too!

Bathtime!

2010-09-15T21:00:00.000-04:00

Sweet girl seems to not mind taking a bath!

One Month!

2010-09-13T21:51:00.002-04:00

I know I always say that time goes so fast and I can't believe how big my kids are, but I really can't believe that Molly is already one month old! I guess with the busyness of having three, it makes time fly even faster.
At one month Molly is just starting to smile and coo! She is nursing every three hours and sleeping from about 10pm to 3 am, eating and going back to bed until 6ish. She is just the sweetest most laid back baby. She rarely cries (unless she's attacked by a brother or sister!). She's the easy one! haha! So far, I feel like three is not much harder than 2. Of course, I have to factor in about an extra 30 minutes to get everyone out of the house when we go somewhere and I don't get a nice break in the middle of the day anymore when Annie and Jesse nap b/c Molly is always up during that time, but the things that are hardest were hard before Molly got here. (those toddler tantrums and brother and sister arguments to name a few!) We have been trying to keep up with most of the things that we did before including playdates and going to the grocery store. I feel like Annie and Jesse need these little outings and Molly sleeps for the most part. I'm sure as she gets older and sleeps less, that these things will become more difficult, but for now, we're doing O.K.!

Molly...1 month old!

Who Dats are back!

2010-09-13T21:47:00.002-04:00

Who Dat, Who Dat, Who Dat say they gonna beat them saints? Whoo-hoo! Football is back! And of course we dressed up for the opening game on Thursday night! It wasn't a pretty game, but the Saints got the win and a wins a win, right!
All I ask for is just one good picture...this is what I get!

And then, I get a cute one of Annie and Jesse, and check out Molly...she's about to fall!

Oh well!

Keeping busy

2010-09-13T21:35:00.002-04:00

With three kids, we really don't have to look for things to keep us busy. We are busy...period! But it has been fun to get out and about. I guess you can't slow down too much for a third baby. Over the past few weeks, we have visited the book store with Addison and Annabelle....
The big girls reading to the little girls! (and there's sweet Jesse's feet back there at the train table!)

We have picniced in the backyard.

We went fort building with Daddy in Annie and jesse's room.

And we have made several trips to the park.

And of course, we have spent time relaxing watching our favorite shows on tv too (well...not really relaxing)

We have also helped daddy wash the cars, and by we, I mean Annie and Jesse (not me...I got out of that one!)

This and That...catching up!

2010-09-01T22:11:00.002-04:00

I am spending time tonight catching up on our blog! I don't forget annything that has happened these past two and half weeks since Molly has arrived. I know if I don't write it (or blog it) I won't remember to put it into her baby book, when we get it! Molly is growing so fast! She was 7 lbs. 6 oz when she was born. At her first dr. appt. on Aug. 17 she was 7 lbs. 2 oz. Then at her weight check one week later she was already 8 lb. 6 oz! She is sleeping great. She eats about every 3 hours. At night she is eating at 10, 2 am ish, and around 6 am! And she eats and goes right back to sleep! Annie and Jesse are doing great with her and getting back to their routine, after having nunu and G-paw here. We miss them so much!
Here are some pictures of our week so far and lots more posts, catching up!
Molly's tummy time today!
We got a little adult time this weekend. Tanner had his football draft and I got to spend time with Brie and Stacy. Brie and I took this exact picture when we found out we were pregnant with Sutton and Molly! We got another shot, this time with our diaper bags!

We had a Barnes and Noble Playdate this week with sarah, Addison, and Annabelle. it was good to get out of the house for a little while!

The "older" girls!

These two are going to Bffs too!

Annie and Addison reading to Molly and Annabelle!

And then there's sweet Jesse! He was so content with the trains!

Putting on makeup!

Sling!

2010-09-01T22:09:00.001-04:00

Annie is loving the sling for her baby! I LOVE this picture of Annie and Tanner!

There must be something really good on tv!

Caught a sweet moment!

Jumping

2010-09-01T22:07:00.002-04:00

Annie and Jesse loved the mattress that my mom slept on while she was here. They would climb up and pretend to be mountain climbers, then jump off! They played this game over and over for the whole time nunu was here! They still are asking me where nunu's bed is!

Molly's first outing!

2010-09-01T22:05:00.002-04:00

My mom and I took Molly on her first outing, Friday August 20. We walked down Flager, got coffee, ice cream and walked to the beach! It was HOT!

Molly sees the beach for the first time!

Actually I'm not sure if she saw it...she slept the whole time!

Daily stuff!

2010-09-01T21:29:00.003-04:00

Molly's first "bath." She still can't get totally wet since her imbilical cord is still on. But Annie and Jesse wanted to help!

Every night before bed, Annie and Jesse get to do 1, 2, 3, wheee. Which is something that my mom and dad used to do with me and katie. We would lay in a blanket and each of us hold one side and swing them. But lately they both want to get in the blanket by themselves and have Tanner swing them by hiself! He's definitely going to have back problems b/c of this!

1, 2, 3, whee!

Sarah and Addison came to visit! They brought us the most amazing meal that we ever ate...cedar plank salmon, new potatoes, hush puppies, green beans and a chocolate butterscotch Paula Dean cake! They also brought Molly this sweet bow and some cute ballerina socks!

Our friends!

Tummy time!

Of course anything that Molly does, Annie and Jesse have to do too!

Hanging with Nu NU!

My Annie!

First time relaxing outside!

She goes straight to sleep when she goes out!

Big Sister/Big Brother

2010-09-01T21:26:00.002-04:00

When Jesse met Molly at the hospital, he wasn't very excited. But once we got home, he took to her right away! Everytime he wakes up from a nap or in the morning, the first thing he askes is "Where's Mowwy (Molly!)".
He loves to hold her too!
I think he's happy about being a brother!

Annie of course wants to hold her all the time "all by herself!" which is a little scary, but so far, she's doing good. (even though as the newness is wearing off, she's not quite as gentle!)

Who Dat!

Bringing Molly Home!

2010-09-01T21:15:00.003-04:00

On Sunday August 15, we got to take Molly home...a little over 24 hours after having her. With Annie and jesse we had to say in the hospital 48 hours after. I guess they figure you are ok to leave sooner with number 3! (actually I think you should get to stay an extra day! haha! Is it bad that I was looking forward to going to hospital? Think about it...you get to lay in bed all day, watch tv, snuggle with your newborn, while other people bring you food and do all your cleaning for you! It was relaxing!) Tanner couldn't get out of there soon enough! check out his sleep deprived blood shot eyes...and those are not b/c of Molly. They are because we both had to share that single hospital bed!
We took these next too pictures right before we left!

Tanner was running out of there!

HOME!

Jesse says good job dad!

Jesse and Annie got special big brother and big sister presents. Jess got a train!

And Annie got her baby...whhich she named Addison! She told me that her stomache is getting smaller since her baby came out!

Jesse checking out his new sister.

Molly's scared!

She's here!

2010-08-25T21:38:00.003-04:00

August 14, 2010 Molly Kathryn Brock entered the world at 11:24 A.M. After only about an hour and 1/2 of "real" labor (which I felt none of thanks to the wonderful epidural!!!). I was scheduled to be induced Sat. morning. I started having contractions at 3 am...every 6 min. apart or so, but when we got to the hospital, I wasn't really in labor..just false contractions that weren't helping me dialate. In fact, I hadn't dialated anymore than I had at my dr. appt. the Tues. before. So, I agreed to go ahead and start the induction. I got potossin at about 10ish, my water broke at about 10:30ish, and by 11, I felt pressure and sure enough I was already10 cm!
The words "It's a girl" were amazing to hear and I couldn't be more thankful and happy to have another daughter! These words brought tears to Tanner's eyes and more tears to my eyes when I watched him hold his youngest daughter for the first time!
Molly is amazing, she barely even cried when she was born! Here are some pictures of another blessing!
The love of my life!
Ready to go!

Molly Kate!

I love Tanner's face in this picture!

Daddy of 3! Wow!

I'm in love!

:-)

Annie took to Molly right away! She is such a great big sister!

Jesse didn't do as well in the hospital (as you can see from this picture...he's very uninterested in Molly!) but now that we are home, he's doing much better!

We are now a family of 5!!!

Waiting, waiting, wainting (impatiently!)

2010-08-08T08:01:00.007-04:00

I tell my kids to be patient constantly...I need to take my own advice! I am being very impatient for our baby to make its arrival!!! My mom is here with us to help out and we have been having fun, while we are waiting.

Yesterday we took Annie to the movies (just the girls) to see Toy Story. I know that i'm a little late in seeing this movie, but wow...it was so emotional! I cried my eyes out. It was so good though and Annie loved it, wearing her 3d glasses the whole time!

We have spent a lot of time "waiting" outside trying to keep cool in the kids little blow up swimming pool!
Lunch outside usually follows!

Waiting is always more fun, when you spend time at the beach too. Tanner and I took the kids to this cool boardwalk and down for a little swim in the river in these pictures...

We also did a little photo shoot with my big belly! We did this for the other two kids at a photographers; however, with most things, our poor little third baby, didn't get this done. So, we went outside and did some pictures ourselves! Tanner was such a good sport and so were the kids (since it was already so hot at 10 am!)

38 weeks pregnant!

39 weeks pregnant and waiting!

Bikes and Basketball

2010-07-23T21:20:00.002-04:00

We took the kids for their first bike ride today! It was a fun evening!

And some evening hoops!

Look out Lebron!

Jesse's 2!

2010-07-23T21:12:00.004-04:00

How is it that 2 years go by so fast? Wasn't Jesse just born and now he's already 2 and about to be big brother! He has grown into such a little man, and is as sweet as they come! Happy Birthday to my sweet baby boy!
Birthday pancakes outside for breakfast with his sister and cousins! What more can you ask for?
Jesse got a train table for his birthday and is slightly obsessed!

We had Jesse's birthday party at the beach this year! We rented a pavillion and grilled burgers and hung out at the beach. It was fun and I didn't even have to clean my house (that was the best part!) Warning...there are A LOT of pictures!

Birthday Beach Boy

Big Sis!!!

Tanner cooking!

Jesse and Annie are so lucky to have so many great friends!

Blowing out his candles!

Best Buds! Jesse and Joey!

Max and Amelia's visit

2010-07-23T21:05:00.004-04:00

My parents, Katie, Max and Amelia came to visit us! We were so excited to have them here. All the kids got along so good (didn't sleep much, but got along good!). I wish that they could be around each other all of the time! We took them to the beach, went to visit Maw-Maw, went on bug hunts, went for walks by the river, and just enjoyed the company! Here are some pictures of their visit. We miss them already!

Max and Amelia don't get to bug hunt in AZ b/c if they turn over rocks they will find scorpions! ahhh!

Sweet Cousins!

Taking a break from bug hunting!

Pouty face!

Cutey girl!

All the kids loved seeing the fish tanner caught!

Especially Jesse...he takes after his daddy!

New Room...big bed!

2010-07-12T20:30:00.002-04:00

It's official...Annie and Jesse are sharing a room, which means that Jesse is now in a big boy bed! So far, it has been 30 minutes and its going great! (I'm shocked) Although it could just be the newness of whole situation, so please say a prayer that this all works out easily! :-)
Jesse in his big boy bed with his cars sheets.

Annie in her new bed with tinkerbell sheets.

We are getting comforters for them this weekend, so right now its cars and tinkerbell...which they were very excited about!

I wanted to say Thank you Thank you to Nonnie who kept the kids all day yesterday and today, while we spent 48 hours cleaning, organizing, moving furniture, and getting all of this ready! Now, its time to organize the baby room and we'll be set! :-)

4th of July

2010-07-04T20:08:00.002-04:00

I took some pictures of the kiddos before church this morning in their Red, White, and Blue. (I'm loving my new camera...thanks again dad)

She picked this flower off of that tree!

Joey's Party

2010-07-04T20:00:00.002-04:00

We celebrated Joey's 2nd birthday party on Sat. He ad a huge water slide and lots of fun outdoor toys! Here are some fun pictures...
Annie loved the slide (jesse, not so much)

Jesse prefers balloons over water slides!

Leo and Annie!

Addison and Annie climbing the slide Cutey girls!

What a beautiful birthday boy!

Annie (and Jesse) asked to take a nap during the party! They definitly need their sleep (like their momma!) After a 2 hour nap, they were back up and in the action. Here's annie sleeping in Leo's bed.

Our week!

2010-07-02T20:53:00.002-04:00

Our week has been spent with lots of swimming! The kids started swim lessons on Monday and had them through Thurs. We have spent all morning at the pool and after 4 lessons, Annie is actually swimming! She's a little fish! I am so proud of her and so excited about how far she has come in such a short time! Of course, I don't have one picture of them swimming (b/c I have to be in the water with Jesse..that's my excuse!)
Also this week, we have had a beach day, lots of painting (via Teach Your Tot) and now we have company! One of Tanner's bffs from college, Jason is here visiting.
Jason brought the kids these cute shirts. Annie's says "Someone love me in Kentucky."
And Jesse's says Kentucky Rocks!

Painting week!

Here are a few from the beach this past Sunday.

Ice Cream Sundaes

2010-06-27T07:49:00.002-04:00

Our big Friday night out consists of a trip to McDonalds to play on the playground and icecream sundaes for dessert! (Exciting, huh!!!)
I am soooooooooooo excited and thankful b/c my dad got a new camera and gave me his old one! So, here are my first pictures taken with my new camera! (Thanks dad! You are the best).

I need to read the manual and figure out how to work it but for now the Auto setting is good! :-)

More beach

2010-06-17T20:31:00.001-04:00

Another beach day this week with Kristy and Joey (Leo's in school and we are missing him) and or new friends Bryce and Micaela! It was a gorgeous day and I the water was so calm!

My little artists

2010-06-17T20:22:00.002-04:00

Summer is here and we are loving it! I am enjoying my time with just my own two kids and we are definitly keeping busy with playdates and the beach! When the day gets too hot we just do a little of this or that to try to keep busy! Here are some pictures of the kids painting! I am amazed at how different their pictures turned out! Jesse has really become very into coloring/painting/drawing lately! He looks real intense when he paints and actually worked on this for about 20 minutes...which we all know in 2 year old time is like 6 hours! :-)

And here is Annie's picture! See how different they are! Annie likes to use all of one color first than all of the next color until they are gone! Is this OCD??? haha!

We had fun drawing in shaving cream. Annie practiced writing her letters, which is way more fun to do in shaving cream than on paper!

This also made our kitchen table very shiny and smell good! :-)