Ball Party!!!

While daddy was away on a work trip, Mommy had to come up with something new to keep the little guy occupied. After a successful trip to the consignment store, I had just the right entertainment for the busy bee. Our screened in porch has now turned into the second playroom. Luckily, the weather has been tolerable for us both to enjoy it.

An 18 Month Old

Joseph recently turned 18 months old. It's still very hard for me to believe. I am constantly going back and looking at his baby pictures from what seems like only a few weeks ago only to realize that I now have a toddler on my hands. Every day it seems he learns something new. Lately, he is running everywhere, not walking. He loves to torment Berkeley with his ball, teasing him with it by trying to give it to him and then darting the other way with it. And then as soon as Berkeley does get the ball, Joseph throws a fit. It never seems to be quiet in our house now and when it is, it's because he is completely passed out during a nap. He has finally dropped his morning nap and taking a much longer afternoon nap. I never thought this day would come. He has turned into such the little toddler and we are happy to see his little personality transform. We are trying to enjoy the last few weeks with just him.

On the golf course with dad

Taking hubby for a swim

Skinny Dippin

Swinging at the park before we see baby Jack

Practicing our spoon skills

Throwing golf balls

The duck call is our favorite toy at aunt Theresa's house

Catching some Zzzz's during playtime after a long eventful weekend.

What mom? I'm just playing...you can clean up this mess when I'm done.

Easter

Easter this year wasn't as joyous as we thought it would be. Unfortunately, my uncle lost his battle with liver cancer and passed away just a few days before the holiday. Joseph and I traveled to Memphis a few weeks ago to see him in the hospital and I'm so glad we did. My uncle was a typical uncle, always pestering us as kids up until his passing. I will never forget him asking the nurse if my little puppy dog (Joseph) was bothering her as he ran around the hospital room chit-chatting. He was very much apart of all of our lives and he will be deeply missed. His funeral was on Monday and so we decided to drive up early and spend the weekend with my extended family. Being that we were there for a funeral, we all still enjoyed being together. Saturday my cousin organized a picnic at the park with tons of food, games, and an easter egg hunt for the little ones. It was Joseph's first Easter egg hunt and he tackled the concept pretty quickly. 

On Sunday, we headed to church with my aunt and cousins and then drove down to Mississippi to spend the afternoon with my dads side of the family. It was nice Easter being with them. We all realized that we hadn't had an Easter together since my grandparents passed almost 20 years ago. They too had a wonderful dinner planned along with another Easter egg hunt for the kiddos. It was a perfect day. 

A few years ago after singing at my grandmothers funeral, my uncle asked me to sing at his funeral. It was a question he never even had to ask me but even almost 4 years ago, I would never have thought that this day would come so quickly for him. As hard as it's been to do in the past, it's my way of saying goodbye to those that I love so much. I was beyond happy to do it. 

We hope everyone had a blessed Easter! We are now home and counting down to baby Jack's arrival in just a few short weeks.