Mother's Day

Vacuuming  . . .

Cleaning the floor mats . . .

Tidying up the trunk!

My boys decided to clean out the van for me on Mother's Day!  They did a fantastic job ~ I was so proud of them, and thankful.  My little boys are turning into little men and they really do enjoy helping around the house.  They may not cook much, but they certainly can lift and carry and push and all the other important things only "big boys" can do :)  Blessed!

New York City!

Times Square!!!

Posing with Captain America and Batman :)

At Rockefeller Center . . .

Inside the Lego store

Catching up with Mario . . .

9/11 Memorial Fountains

At the 9/11 Memorial

On the Staten Island Ferry passing by the Statue of Liberty

On the subway!

Slurpees in NYC!

At the top of the Empire State Building - 86th floor!

Love in Central Park :)

We surprised the boys with a combination Anthony's birthday and Mother's Day trip to NYC!  Amaury and I had been a few times, but it the first time for the boys.  To say they loved it was an understatement and to say they walked their legs off was another understatement :)  They rode buses and subways, visited the only Nintendo store in the world, went to the top of the Empire State Building, rode the Staten Island Ferry, visited the 9/11 Memorial, walked through Central Park, and so many other cool things. It was a great family trip and we praise the Lord for allowing us to stay safe and have so much fun!

Anthony's 8th birthday!

Awaiting the opening of presents!

The long-wanted guitar :)

With its own carrying case and stand :)

A chocolate on chocolate birthday cake!

My sweet and tender Anthony!

I can't believe Anthony is 8!  So bittersweet and so thankful all at the same time :) He is a kind, funny, smart, thoughtful, and tender young man that loves the Lord.  Couldn't ask for a better son!  So blessed to by his parents.  We love you, sweet Anthony, and look forward to all God has in store for this year :)

StormFest at the Science Museum

Nathan being a meteorologist and showing why people on tv never wear green because they disappear!

Noah creating a "tornado" with a two bottles :)

Anthony being the headless meteorologist :)

We are so blessed to live in the capital city where we have access to so many wonderful museums, the majority of them free. We attended StormFest, a yearly event at the science museum, that teaches about all types of weather, weather forecasting, and disaster relief.  It was a very informative event and the kids got to try so many hands-on activities.  Maybe we have future Weather Channel employees!

4000 Steps

My walking partners

This is the annual fundraising walk for the local crisis pregnancy center that offers the hope of Christ to those considering abortion.

Festivities for the kids after the walk

An information maze for the participants to walk through during the walk.

This was the third time our family has walked and helped to raise money for this extremely important cause.  The event raised $150,000 and it will go towards helping young women find healthy alternatives to abortion and introducing them to the love of Jesus.  Our prayer is that they will choose life for their babies.

Rolesville Park

We had a little free time one afternoon and went by Rolesville Park, just long enough for Noah and Anthony to climb this pole :)  It was not an easy feat to get them up there (or get them down!), but they liked the view from the top.  Love my climbers!

CC Field Day and Awards Day 2013

Noah and his friend, Sawyer

Anthony and his class receiving their completion Certificates

Nathan waiting for his name to be called

Noah and his class showing their Field Day medals

God was gracious and held the rain off so that we could get in a great day of Field Day activities and Awards for our Classical Conversations homeschool group!  It was a fantastic day for the kids and the parents as well.  It was the culmination of a year of hard work by everyone and always a great way to start the summer :)  We look forward to next year!

Last day of CC 2012-2013

Nathan and his Essentials pals!

Noah is a volunteer in a Science experiment :)

Anthony got a special treat in his afternoon grammar class!

What an awesome year in CC! My boys learned so much, made some great friends, and generally had lots of fun each Friday.  My hat goes off to the wonderful tutors and other teachers and volunteers that make it a huge success each week.  We are so thankful for CC and for the opportunity we have to homeschool these three wild ones!

Noah's Birthday in the Park!

My sweet baby turned 6!!!

He picked out this cake design all by himself.  A boy after my own heart ~ the beach :)

My blessings!

The birthday crew :)

Flying kites :)

We had a party for Noah at Tyler Run park for his church and school friends.  It was an absolutely beautiful day for a party and for flying kites.  Noah was bless to have good friends, delicious cake, and great presents on his birthday.  We are so thankful for the gift God gave us when He gave us Noah - what a bundle of joy he is :)

Amaury's and Noah's birthday!

The birthday boys!  What a blessing to share a birthday, father and son :)

My sweet and handsome Noah celebrating 6 years old :)  How times flies!

He took cupcakes to his Sunday School class and wore his Birthday Boy button :)

We surprised Amaury in the Hispanic Bible study with a cake!

The Santos 5!

My fantastic husband on his birthday :)  May God grant you many, many more!

Every year it is such a blessing to celebrate both Amaury's and Noah's birthdays on April 7.  Six short years ago, I had a surprise party planned for Amaury at our house in the afternoon, but the surprise was on us :)  I went into labor with Noah and Amaury had to call his own guests to cancel his "surprise" party!  I'd say the trade-off was worth it :)  Feliz Cumpleanos mis amores!

Pullen Park

Ready for the fun!

Famous in Raleigh . . .

Me and handsome :)

Riding the train . . .

My train partner . . .

Looking for fish :)

Restored train car 

Me and the BOYZ!

All the BOYZ!

Pullen Park is famous in Raleigh and we had never been before.  They did a major renovation/overhaul a couple of years ago and it turned out fantastic.  They have a carousel, a paddle boat area, a train, a very innovative playground, and lots of green space.  They even have a little restaurant and a first aid station (just in case you get splinter in your hands like we did!)  We definitely want to return, maybe when its not so crowded :)