Playing Catch-Up...Soccer

Noah's first team sport is in the books.  Though soccer was not his first choice of sport, he seemed to really enjoy it.  He improved every game and became more confident in himself and his abilities.  With t-ball season around the corner, I know our life of sports with these 3 boys has just begun!

Heading for the ball!

 High-fiving his coach!

 Giving a big kick!

Noah's soccer team!

Playing Catch-Up...Halloween

The boys were community workers for Halloween this year.  And, they were the very cutest community workers ever created.  We had our annual Halloween party and then headed out to do some trick-or-treating.  It was fun, as always!

Fireman Gavin

 Policeman Noah

 Doctor Levi

 The crew...it's growing each year!!!

Playing Catch-Up-October Vacation

We headed to Orlando in October for our annual vacation with the Odoms.  Mom O found a great resort that had tons of fun things for the kiddos to do.  We spent our time relaxing by the pool, enjoying the lazy river, eating good food and enjoying each others company.  The boys love Lauren, Reagan and Taylor.  They all play so well together...sometimes too well.  Here are some snapshots of our time at the pool.  

Cousins on the slide together.

 David and Noah enjoying the slide together.

 Grammy, Nikki and Gary Lee 

 Pool time fun

Levi did enjoy his time on our trip...I just didn't take a lot of pictures of him.  We also got to go to Disney World.  It was a spontaneous decision, so I didn't plan well for the occasion.  Fun times were had by all! 

Backtracking...June

I had the luxury tonight of spending a couple of hours scanning pictures from years past.  I even stumbled upon our honeymoon pictures in Aruba.  With that said, there are some excellent pictures on David's camera/computer that I didn't even know existed!  Even though I can only seem to get my act together to blog every couple months, I have realized that it's such a great tool to journal our family happenings.  I want these memories "jotted down" somewhere, so I can look back one day and reminisce on God's blessings.  So, I am starting with June, when Levi was born, and who knows, I may devote an entire blog to our honeymoon!

My little man is almost 7 months old.  I mean, I feel like I just found out I was pregnant and that he's been here forever all at the same time!  He is a joy, a pure joy.  The sweetest baby to be around.  He's rolling around everywhere, sleeping through the night (for the most part), enjoying some baby foods and trying to figure out how to crawl.  Which leads me into a panic attack because Legos and a crawling baby don't mix!

So, here are some picture gems from his "birth" day.  Enjoy!

I know the newly born pictures aren't always the prettiest, but wow, the first moments of life are amazing!!!

 Grammy and Poppy

 Mimi

 My little man and I

 The boys meeting Levi for the first time

 First bath

Levi is such a treasure to me.  The love I have for my boys is so hard to put into words, and I am sure most mothers would agree that this love is indescribable.  From the moment I laid eyes on Levi, I felt a peace and comfort about my role as his mother.  I know I'll mess up more than my fair share along the way, but I am assured that God allowed Levi to be mine to raise for a reason.  God's got something big in store for this little guy and I'm more than blessed to get to be a part of it!! 

Playing Catch Up

It's been awhile since I've updated my blog, but I have come to the conclusion that I'll get to it when I get to it.  One thing that being a mother of three boys is teaching me (or trying to teach me) is that I need to loosening up.  I can't control everything and there are only so many hours in the day.  I really do love to commemorate special occasions in our family and share current pictures of the kiddos, but getting it done is next to impossible.  So, I'll share the pictures I have on this camera. I'll get the pictures off of my phone and David's camera someday soon...no promises on when it will actually happen.  

Fall has been a great time for our family.  We've visited St. Louis, Orlando, Tennessee, and GA.  We've been able to have lots of time with our extended family as well as hang out at the house and watch some football.  David's run 2 races and 3 mud runs (and lost close to 20 lbs.).  Levi is a super sweet 5 month old.  He's a horrible, I mean horrible sleeper, but what can you do.  At least when he's awake, he's an absolute joy to be around.   He is rolling over, loves his jumper and is starting to reach for things.   Noah looks more like a big kid everyday and is really enjoying school.  Gavin's favorite toy is Noah or anything Noah likes.  He is starting to enjoy academic activities and loves to practice writing his "G's".  We have had some intense coloring contests around the kitchen table and some mean games of Go Fish!  Levi just woke up from his nap...I'll be back...

Here are a few photos from Thanksgiving.  David took half of the pictures with his camera, so forgive me for my limited selection. 

Noah dressed as a Native American for his Thanksgiving Feast at school.  

His name was Lightening Horse. 

 The Boyle clan met for Thanksgiving in Smithville, TN.  We had a great time eating, hiking, playing cards, and laughing.  Boy, did we laugh!  There's nothing like being with your family!

Noah headed out on a hike.

 The best shot I got with Mimi and Paka and the kiddos...

 Family

 I have so many precious pictures of my dad with Gavin.  He's so good and patient with him.

 Forcing a smile after a long hike.

 Two pictures of Paka!  That's a record.

Hopefully I'll share some more special memories soon!  Until then, let me go tend to a hungry group of kiddos!

The Cottage and Soccer

Every time we go to the pediatrician for a well-check he asks me if I am taking enough pictures.  Well, Dr. Stewart, I say that I am, but alas, I stink at taking pictures.  Time is flying by and Levi will be 3 months old on Friday!  What!!!  I did manage to take some pictures at the cottage and I have two (so far) of Noah playing soccer.  There were plenty of pictures taken in NY, but I have to hound the photographers for copies!

Our trip to NY was just perfect, as always.  I love it so much.  We headed up the week before Labor Day this year because Noah started school the Tuesday after the holiday.  It was the perfect week to be there.  They weather was great, and there was a lot of "quiet" time, so the kids and I were able to spend good quality time with my aunts, cousins and Grandma.  Grandma even joined in a few games of Go Fish with us.  The boys love George and Michaela immensely, so their presence was also a special treat!

The boys got right in the (cold) lake and enjoyed swimming to the raft like old pros.  They loved to go on the kayak, fish with Paka, play with George and their other cousins.  Grandma was up and about a ton this year...she even got in the lake a few times!  Levi was perfect (as usual) and particularly loved taking naps in his swing outside.  My family is super special to me and this time is such a necessity for my spirit.  I couldn't ask for a better family and look forward to my favorite trip again next year!

Grandma heading for the lake in her new swimsuit purchased for the occasion!

 The whole crew enjoying the water.  We have been going to the cottage for over 20 years, but this was my Uncle Frank's first time to the raft!

 I love the smile on her face!

 It's easy to nap at the cottage.  If you know my dad, you know he really was asleep!

Team sports have begun at the Odom house.  Noah really wanted to play baseball, but soccer is the only sport offered in the fall.  When we asked him, he said he would like to play soccer, so we signed him up.  Seneca soccer was full, so he is on a team in Clemson.  This worked out great because they do small-sided soccer, so there are only 3 players from each team in the game at a time.  All of the kids actually get to play and have contact with the ball.  He scored one goal his first game and THREE goals his second game!  David is the coach and loving every minute of it.  The season lasts for 7 weeks...just long enough!  More pictures to come!

Life With The Boys

Obviously, my blog has been thrown to the wayside lately!  Levi is supposed to be eating right now...but I'm going to let him sleep a wee bit longer, so I can update this thing!  Our days have been filled with swimming, playing Candyland, napping and trying to relax.  Levi has fit nicely into our routine!  We've moved him into his room, so we are all sleeping a bit better.  I feel like both the big boys have grown up on me over night.  They are both swimming without any floaties, buckling themselves into the car, picking out their own clothes... It is so helpful that they are independent, but at the same time, it's sad that they are needing me less.  Kindergarten is right around the corner!

I have been lousy with my real camera lately, so here are some pictures captured by friends and family!

My little fish

 I LOVE this picture of Gavin!

We visited with my Uncle Garry and his family to celebrate his 70th birthday.  His oldest granddaughter ( which I think is my 2nd cousin) is an excellent photographer at the age of 13.  Here are some of her great shots of the boys!

Happy Summer to all!  We are headed to New York in 13 days!  We are pumped and hoping little man learns to like his car seat!