Our Very Hungry Caterpillar

One of our favorite books is The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle. We read it all the time and Isaac can even recite it from memory. Well, this month we got a pet caterpillar, named "Isaac." (I bet you can guess who named it!) :) We were able to watch it eat, turn into a chrysalis, and then become a butterfly. It was one of the coolest things we've ever seen. The boys were totally into it!

Here are a few pictures of them investigating:

Today we released our beautiful butterfly
so he could go "live with his butterfly friends!" :)

Saying "goodbye" to our butterfly

Isaac sending him off.
(He kept saying, "Go, butterfly. Go!")

The butterfly flew right up to our pretty tree.

My boys are such curious little scientists!
I love it!

Mr. and Mrs. Allen

Introducing...

...Mr and Mrs. Allen

Yesterday, Derek's brother, Cory, got married. It was such a wonderful ceremony and they are a great couple. We are excited to welcome McKenzie into the Allen family! (Isaac is totally smitten with her, too. He's been talking about her all day today!) :) I was busy chasing the boys around, all day, but here are a few pictures that I managed to get.

Handsome boys :)

The Allen family waiting outside

Isaac and his cute cousin. Adorable, huh?

The happy couple.
(How cute are they!?)

Isaac was using his "binoculars" to watch for the bride and groom.

Lots of smooching!

Isaac loves his Uncle Cory.

Trevor enjoying the yummy treats at the reception
(I just love him in the shirt and tie!) :)

CONGRATS, CORY AND MCKENZIE!
WE LOVE YOU GUYS!

Happy Campers

Derek and Isaac were able to go on their very first Father and Son's camping trip last weekend. It was a much anticipated trip and I think it lived up to all the hype! :)

All ready to go!
When I told him it was time to go, he said,
"Mom, I've been waiting for SO LONG
to go camping with Daddy and now it's FINALLY time!"

The tent is up...let the party begin!

Such a cute little camperIt was a really cold night!
But it looks like they kept each other warm. :)

Looks pretty comfy, huh?

Isaac and his ward camping buddies

Looks like they had a great time.
Isaac's already planning their next trip!

So I don't forget...

There is so much that goes on in a day with these boys. They keep me hoppin' from sun up to sun down. In all the madness, there are lots of little moments that I think to myself, "I hope I never forget this." I try to keep my camera close by, so I can capture some of these moments. Here are just a few of the most recent ones. Ordinary, everyday moments...that I hope to always remember.

Enjoying a sticky Rice Krispy treat

Trevor loves to "vacuum" the floor.
Such a good little helper. :)

Isaac asked me to take his picture with Buzz & Woody.
He takes his playtime quite seriously! :)

Sunday afternoon snuggles

Love this one.

Isaac and his "toy friends."He decided that they were a little thirsty. :)

Showing off his hard work

Voila!

Here are all the pictures from our extreme home makeover. :)

BEFORE:

DURING:

It was about this point that I was thinking,
"I immediately regret this decision!" :)

SO MUCH DUST! UGH!

AFTER:

So...that's it. We are loving our "new house!" :)

(Sorry it took so long, Mom & Dad. I know you've been dying to see it!)


side note:

This cute little stand is the newest edition to our family room.
(Thanks Craigslist!) :)

so sad it's funny!

The boys were being crazy yesterday and I just happened to catch this moment on camera. Derek and I have watched it a few times and cannot stop laughing about it. (I know...we are so mean!) :)

Poor Trevy! Don't worry, though...he's ok.
A hug and a kiss from Mama and he was right back at it!

Breakfast Picnic

Here's how we ate breakfast (and lunch) today...

They thought our "picnic" was pretty cool.
(In fact, I'm not sure I'll ever get them to eat at a table again!)

And the reason we were eating on their bedroom floor...

...this is what our kitchen looked like this morning.

We are getting new flooring and I am so excited!
("Before and after" pictures coming soon.) :)