A new adventure

TJ has started a new adventure in his life and I guess you could say all of ours. He told me one day that he wanted to join the local volunteer firedepartment. I told him whatever, and really didn't think much of it till the next day after I had gotten back from a meeting he informed me that he went and joined. I was kinda thrown for a loop as I really didn't think he would do it, but its been a good thing for him and he has really enjoyed it. It has taken me some time to get used to him up and running out the door when the pager goes off, all the classes he will be taking this Nov. and coming spring, and being gone every tues morning for training. Tanner was excited the first time we went untill we walked in to see the firetrucks and he for some reason was so scared that all he wanted to do was go home. He has gotten better the more we go but still doesn't like to go down in to the truck bay. Infact his favorite things to do there is play on the computer and get a rootbeer. Makena on the other hand LOVES going!!

TJ's locker before he had all his turnout gear and name written on the name plate.

Tanner the first time going to the firehouse, He was so scared it was like torture to get him in the truck even with dad holding him.
A week or so ago they had fire prevention week and on Friday they had all the truckes in the area meet at the mall and had a few demoitrations, as well as Life Lion (life flight) come in and land for the crowd. This is Makena and our neighbor friend infront of Engine 5 from our station here in Annville. This is the only way Tanner was going to be near the fire trucks.

They were going to show them cutting the car apart but we didn't stay that long. Kids were hungry and it seemed to be taking forever to get things moving.

They started a dumpster on fire and then showed how they put it out.

Life Lion coming in to land.

Makena's 6th Birthday

I can not believe that its been 6 years since Makena was born, and how much we have gone through since then. She had a fantastic birthday and despite my best efforts of getting her to skip her birthday and staying 5 forever she had other plans, LOL.

Starting to open presents!

opening her present from grandma and grandpa Babcock

Such a cute outfit!! I totally forgot to get a picture of her wearing it on Sunday.

Opening more presents

One of her new and i must say favorite shirts, the front has a monkey on it and says I love my Attitude

Her brother helping open the present he got for her, A new boy Ken!!

We asked her what kind of cake she wanted and she chose an ice cream cake, so the night before her, Tanner and Dad make the cake and oh it was so yummy!!!

At our neighbors house singing and sharing ice cream cake.

We love you so much Makena and can't wait to see what the next 6 years will bring!!

Fixing the van

When we took the van in to get inspected so we could get the new plates the guys were saying that the breaks and the swaybar and something else needed to be fixed soon and they wouldn't be able to do the tire alignment untill they were fixed. Anyways the other day he went and got new break pads and the sway bar and he and our neighbor set out this morning to change the breaks and the bar thingy on the passenger side of the van. Oh and i could not pass up the moment to take pictures of them.

The funny thing about this picture is I didn't say anything to them I just walked up and started taking pictures and they both looked to see what I was doing.

And of course Tanner wanted to be a part of all the action and a few times i had to remind him that he needed to back away and not get to close.

Playing with the socket set

he is so funny, just wanting to be a big kid

How many men does it take to change brakes and a swaybar?? so funny

Motorcycle ride

Tanner has been wanting to go for a ride on our neighbors bike for the longest time. Well the other day he had his bike going as he had just got home from getting his wife at work so the kids were super excited to and talked him into taking them all for a ride. Well Tanner was first and oh he was excited, got his helmet on and climbed on the bike and then he freaked out and once it started he was done. He was so scared that he didn't go but he sure looked stinkin cute in that helmet.

was ok then our neighbor climbed on and that was the end of it.

Makena was soo excited too and since Tanner didn't go she was more then willing to take his spot. She had so much fun riding that after they got back from going around the block she was jumping up and down wanting to go again, and being the loving neighbor he is took her for a second ride!!!

not the best photo but its them coming back from their first ride.

We will try again with Tanner as I know he would love it but I think he was just to scared because of the bike being so loud.

Its a.....

Most people know already but since this is pretty much turned in to a journal for myself I figured it was about time to add it to the blog that we will be adding another boy to our family come February. At first I wasn't to excited about another boy but I'm so glad that Tanner will have a little brother to play with and Makena has been such a great big sis I know she will love this baby just as much as she loved Tanner when he was born. Its hard to believe that I am almost half way done with this pregnancy and its only taken 19 weeks to finally feel human again and not so sick in the mornings. And I think TJ is finally glad that I'm feeling better because now maybe the house will stay cleaner then for a day or two. We really haven't decided on a name yet but know what the middle name will be, we have a few options and maybe I'll share when we get closer to having this little one. And as soon as I figure out how to get the pictures off the CD they gave us I'll add some of our boy.

The time as come!

To update our blog, Yes I know its been a while but we have been enjoying the end of summer and the beginning of a new school year!! The beginning of Aug. we had the chance to go up and enjoy the "farewell" of TJ's brother Seth. It was so great to go back up and spend one last weekend with him before he headed out on his mission to Brazil, we have already received a few letters from him and he is having such a great time and has learned so much in just a few short weeks. We are so happy for him and know that he will make an amazing missionary.

Seth with those that ordained him an Elder. (TJ, Stake Pres., Seth, Dad)

Those of us that were there minus me I took the pic LOL
The family minus Adam he took the picture

Seth and his mom!!

We also started another big adventure the end of August, Makena started Kindergarten. She is in the Am session and I am so greatful that she is as once the baby is born I won't be out much and since TJ is home in the mornings he will be able to get her to and from school!! Also a big step for me is letting her ride the bus to and from school, but the thing is we still have to take her to another elem school to catch the bus to her school, I know crazy. Anyways she loves being able to ride the bus and so far has LOVED school I just hope it lasts all year.

This is how she was before I told her to smile LOL

And then it was all I could do to get her to just take a picture where she wasn't being silly

Oh yes she is a total diva LOL

Showing off her new backpack

And of course Tanner had to get in on the silly action

lol showing some love

and yes this is a normal day for us, they both are so silly

The picture by the door, I remember doing this as a kid on our first days of school and so far have done it with Makena,

Trying to get one of Tanner but all he would do was be silly,

Yep still can't get one of him just standing up smiling

Getting off the bus after her first day of school!

Our Vacation

Since moving to PA we had the chance to go up to NY to visit the in-laws and this year it started out with just the kids and I going and then TJ joined us later. We left on the 10th of July and got to spend some quality time with Grandma, Grandpa, and 2 uncles. The week of the 20th all the children in the Babcock family minus 1 had the opportunity to come home and spend some time together before the second youngest leaves on his mission to Brazil. Its really sad but the first few days I only pulled out my camera once and that was because I was heading from one cottage to the other and caught sight of the sunset and had to get a pic so I did.

The kids spend many days down on the beach. Thank heavens there is a hammock to lay in, its so peaceful even during the day when all the kids are out playing in the water. T was finished with the water and wanted to lay down so I bundled him in his towel and layed him down in the hammock

while his sister continued to play in the water.

But T did get out and continued to play while I took some pictures of them playing. One thing I love about the beach is that i'm out that far in shorts and they were not getting wet!!!

A couple of the older kids there were catching minos, and putting them in a bucket. T thought that was the coolest thing ever and kept coming back to the bucket to watch them. I even caught him putting his hand in a few times.

During our visit Grandma and Grandpa had a visitor come and stay with them while his wife went up north for work. This gentlemen happens to be the guy that baptized my inlaws 30+ years ago while serving his mission in Watertown, NY. They have kept in contact all these years so it was really neat to meet him and for my kids to meet him as well. Plus I love how these pictures turned out.

Grandma, Grandpa and their missionary!!!

The boys wanted to get the jet ski out so that one of the BIL's could try wakeboarding, it was funny to watch because he had never done it before but he sure gave it his best shot and got up a few times!!!

While the others were wakeboarding TJ was enjoying the open water and the beautiful sunset!

A look back toward the beach and the Cottages.

While there all the adults went to a concert at the Ice Arena. The only group I had heard of was Three Dog Night, but it was fun to go and listen to them all and enjoy a night away from the kiddo's.

The Buckinghams

The Buckinghams base player

Gary Puckett and his band singing their last song.

Three Dog Night

T

One of the last evenings before the kids and I headed home G.Grandma and G.Grandpa came and G.G. came bringing gifts to all the Great Grandchildren. They had so much fun with the bubbles and were making quite a mess but thats what kids do best right?!?!?
This is Little E. he is the funniest kid and was always making me laugh. This was his smile for me!

M, Don't ask me how they way she is sitting is comfortable but she was totally content.

M and E. They are almost a year apart in age but are about the same size. They played well together unless in involved Barbies and M was on her own LOL.

All the grandchildren that were able to make it. We missed Aunt K and baby E, and we hope that we can all get together soon.

I thought it would be fun to get some pictures of Grandma with her grandchildren and since Grandpa wasn't there we added G. Grandma (not sure where G. Grandpa was). I love T's face in this pic.

Little E's dad was trying to get them to smile and so he went in for the steal of the treat, They all thought that was pretty funny and the boys wanted him to do it again and again.

M is always a poser, every time the camera is out she is posing or wanting me to take a video of her being silly.

Well E. thought it was fun and so she joined in on the being silly

We had a great visit with everyone and can't wait till we ALL can get together and play games, watch the children play and just enjoy each other's company.

Our Peanut

Well as most people now know we are expecting #3! My due date is Feb 12th but i'm sure I will go early as I have never made it to my due date with either of my other children. We are super excited to add another child to our family and I just hope that soon the morning sickness will pass and I can start to really enjoy my pregnancy. Anyways here is our babies first picture.

Happy 4th of July!!

We had a great 4th of July and we spent the day with our neighbors and the kids had a blast. We ended up going to a place called Memorial Lake for our BBQ and the kids got to play in the sandbox, swing on the swings, and even sweet talk the guys in to letting them fly their kite. After our BBQ we went home and got ready for the fireworks. We went over to Hershey and sat on the hill next to the Hershey Gardens which was the best place to sit as they launch the fireworks from below and they pretty much are right on top of ya. Tanner was so tired from not taking a nap that he fell asleep after the first few fireworks went off silly boy. Anyways here are some pics from our fun filled day!!

We went to walmart the day before to pick up the things we needed and they had some tents set up outside to help raise money for The Children's Miracle Network and they had a lady there doing face painting. Makena really wanted it done so we let her, she chose to have a mermaid on her arm and it was so cute!!

The boys at the BBQ


Kena flying the kite

The sunset driving over to Hershey

Looking down at Hersheypark

Tanner having fun before falling asleep

The fireworks!!