Sweet Home Ocala

Last month one of my best friends from high school, Heather, was coming to Ocala to visit her family. She and her husband, Phil, brought their 3 little boys all the way from Colorado (very brave), so I figured the least I could do was drive the 3 hours from Tallahassee to go and visit. I am so glad that I did. We had a wonderful time! This was my first time driving any sort of distance with the boys alone, and it really wasn't bad. On the way to Ocala we only had to make one stop, and on the way home I left at night, and Knox and Davis slept, while Drew watched a movie. I know it sounds silly, but anytime I do something like this I feel like I'm all grown up!

The first day that Heather and I met up we went to a park and let the boys play. I had so much fun catching up with Heather. Her sister, and my sister-in-law also met us there. It was a nice park, and there was a football field next to it. The field was being watered and I let my boys run through the sprinklers, which is totally out of my character to do. I'm usually thinking about how I don't have a towel, or change of clothes with me, but Andy has been encouraging me to let our boys be boys, so I guess that's what I was doing? The boys loved it (as well as Heather's middle son). Then I felt bad that I didn't have a towel or change of clothes for him. :) We met at another park the next day and had a great time again! I'm so glad that we all got to see each other!

Here we are with our babies! This is Heather's husband and oldest son talking with Drew.

Drew's listening to what they are saying. :)

Here are the middle boys. (I know some people are really offended at the term "middle" child, but I can't think of a better way to say it.)

Heather and I got to go out one night just the two of us. We had such a great time talking, that we lost track of time and before we knew it, it was really late. I think we could have kept going if we both weren't so tired. It's so nice when you have those friends in life where you can pick up where you left off.

While we were in Ocala we also got to meet my new nephew, Camdyn for the first time. He is soooo cute! This is a picture of Kate, my sister-in-law, and our babies! Davis and Camdyn are only 4 months apart, so I'm sure they'll be great buddies.

We also wanted to visit Mimi at the school where she works. She works in the discipline department and she introduced us to as many of her co-workers as she could find! She loves her boys! Her principal was an assistant principal at my high school. We saw him on our last visit, but he was out of his office on this visit. I think it's always neat to see people years later. As a former teacher I love getting to see my old students and hear about what's going on in their lives.

Here's Mimi and Papa with their 4 grandsons.

Cousins!

Davis and Camdyn meeting for the first time!

While we were in Ocala Mimi swam with the boys every afternoon, and Papa had them help him in his garden. The boys loved every second of their time there, and of course the first question when we left was, "when can we go back?"

DREW

Drew turned 5 a few weeks ago and we had a great time celebrating his birthday. The weekend before his birthday we had family over and had a small party with pizza, snacks, and a homemade cookie cake. He received a few small gifts from us and a bike from his grandparents and aunt and uncle.

On his actual birthday (which was a Monday) I decided this year just to invite a bunch of our friends to meet us at a park. The past few years I hosted his parties at home and did a theme, but I knew we could invite a lot more friends if we went to the park and the kids would be easily entertained. Usually celebrating his birthday in April we're watching to weather to see if it's going to rain, or be too hot to be outside. This year I was excited to see that it was going to be a beautiful clear day, and it was, except that it was an EXTREMELY windy day. It doesn't sound that bad, but the kids plates kept blowing away, the lid blew off the cake, Drew was covering his ears because he didn't like the wind....anyway, you get the picture. We still had a great time!

So I decided this year instead of worrying about making a cake I would order one from Publix. Since I had a coupon I thought I would order a Star Wars cake (since Drew loves Star Wars more than anything else!) As you can see in the picture below it didn't quite turn out as planned. The lady forgot to place the order and since we had no time to wait for them to make it, they gave us one for free and sent the figures along with Andy (who picked up the cake) to let us "fix" it. What was surprising is that it didn't even bother me. Maybe it was the fact that the cake was free or that the kids were having such a great time and barely even noticed the cake. I scraped off the flowers and stuck the men on top and it turned out just fine. It still was delicious!

P.S. Just as I finished typing this post Drew came up to me with his Star Wars figures from his cake and said "Thanks for ordering me a Star Wars cake". Apparently he never even knew. :)

I didn't do a "theme" party, but when I was looking at Star Wars parties on-line (where I get all of my great ideas from) I found easy to make light sabers. You just take a pool noodle, cut it in thirds, and add silver duct tape, and electrical tape. The boys have been playing with theirs at home a lot and they're soft enough that you can't really get hurt. Here they are playing at the party with a new friend they made that day. He was there with his grandpa and ended up joining our party, eating snacks and cake, and sitting right next to Drew for all of his presents. :)

Our big present for Drew this year was his own set of golf clubs. As soon as the party ended he and Andy left to go golfing. According to Andy they had so much fun and since Andy loves to golf (but doesn't get to go often) we're hoping this will be a fun activity they can do together. And eventually hopefully all 3 boys will be out there with him.

In this picture Andy explained to me that Drew was trying to get his grip correct by putting his pinky and pointer finger together. So cute!

I loved getting to celebrate Drew! I was singing to the boys for bedtime the other night "Great is Thy Faithfulness". When we got to the line "all I have needed Thy hand hath provided" I stopped to tell the boys that in my life not only has God provided what I needed, but also many times what I wanted. Andy and I had desired a baby for a few years before being blessed with one, but God provided Drew and I couldn't be happier. :)

a quick update (with more to come soon!)

Davis rolled over! He did it at Drew's family birthday party a few weeks ago. Drew said it was the best birthday present he could have ever gotten. Drew is so sweet with Davis and loves him so much. It's exciting to see that Davis is growing up, but a little bittersweet. I am loving the baby stage and am trying to enjoy every moment. He even cut a tooth this week. It's going so quickly. Drew and Knox have bunkbeds, and it seems like lately more often than not we will find them in bed together. The other night we came to check on the boys and found this. Drew said "this is not comfortable!" We helped him move up to the top bunk. :) Knox never woke up.The other morning I was trying to get ready to go and found that Davis had put himself to sleep on his play mat. He's a thumb sucker which helps to sooth him pretty easily. We've never had a thumb sucker or pacifier baby. Most mornings when I go to get him he is sleeping sucking his thumb.

Here's Drew holding Davis. Lately the boys have really been missing Andy when he goes to work, so there have been a lot of tears. Drew had been crying and we figured out that holding Davis would cheer him up, and by the smile on his face you can tell that it did!

Is anyone still reading my blog?

Since I last blogged a lot has happened. The biggest event was giving birth to Davis Steven Palmer. He was born on Saturday, November 20th and he weighed 9 lbs. 1 oz. He came out screaming (louder than my other boys), but he's been a fairly quiet baby. The feeling of meeting him for the first time can't compare to anything else. It's an indescribable joy! He was scheduled to arrive Monday, but when I woke up Saturday, my water broke, so he decided it was time. I can't believe that was over 2 months ago. Some of the pictures are sideways, but I don't have the time or energy to figure out how to fix them. :)

Meeting Davis for the first time.

Daddy and Davis

The 2 big brothers with their little brother. They have been so sweet to him at home. Neither of them can get enough of him. I quickly implimented the "do not touch the baby while I'm nursing" rule.

Mommy and Davis in recovery.

Davis sleeping in the hospital.


This past weekend we traveled to Ocala to attend my sister-in-laws shower for her baby boy, scheduled to arrive in mid-March. Kate is in the middle. My mom and I are on the right, and Kate's mom and sister are on the left. Kate's sister just gave birth to her 3rd girl about a month ago. I'm looking foward to my new nephew. I have a nephew on the other side of the family, also. We like having boys if you can't tell. :)

Here's my mom holding Davis at the shower with my friend Heather's mom on the left and my best friend from elementary school on the right. Mandy is pregnant with her 3rd girl. What's with all the people having the same gender? (I can't complain, though. I love my boys!)

This past week Reba McIntyre, George Strait, and Leann Womack came to Tallahassee. We went to the concert (with Davis) and had a great time. We were in a box and I sat in the hallway most of the time though, because it was REALLY loud. But, I could see the screen well and enjoyed listening to the music. Andy and I switched off a few times so that I could go watch. I wasn't sure who I'd enjoy the most since I love them all, but I do think Reba came out on top.

Here we are at the concert.

Here's a picture of all of my boys (except for Rex, our dog).

The beginning of January we went to the Inaguaral Parade for our new Governor Rick Scott. It lasted almost 2 hours, and was one of the best parades I've gone to here in Tallahassee. There were a lot of fun things to see, and a bunch of great bands. It was during Knox's nap time, but I figured he would be okay. We NEVER miss nap time. That is sacred time in our day.

Here's Knox when the parade was starting.

Here is my friend Tara and I. She brought her 2 kids to meet us.

The elephants were one of the first things we saw. Great start to a parade!

Here is the reason for our parade....our new Governor.

This picture is for my mom. My mom and dad live close to the Villages, a retirement community south of Ocala. They always talk about how they would love to live there (one day, or now if they were old enough). These are the Village Cheerleaders. How cute are they? They even had a "coach" riding in the back of a truck in front of them, giving them directions.

Knox didn't make it. This was him most of the parade.

Here we are at our friend's wedding this past month. Davis has gotten to go to a lot of fun events since he was born. The joys of breastfeeding. :)

Here are a few more pictures of Davis. I hope you enjoyed catching up with us. Sorry it's been so long. It's been going really well being a mom of 3 boys, but blogging has been WAY down on the to do list.