If I had time to blog this is what I'd blog about!

It's been WAY too long since I have blogged...I miss it! And I know you are dying to know how we are doing! ;) So I'll tell you...mostly in pictures!

Quick Update (without the pics) We closed on our house and moved in with the in-laws. It's going really well. It's actually been fun hanging out with everyone and always having some to chat with in the kitchen while fixing breakfast or doing the dishes! I've laughed A LOT in the last month! =)
Here's what else we've been up to!











Jay lost his first tooth! (and now another one too)










My sweet little Boo-Ba!










I was invited to attend the birth of Juliet Faith Davis! She was born on August 16th and weighed 9 lbs, 10 oz and 21 inches long. This was my 6th birth to attend! (well, 3 were my own, but I was told that they count to...since I was there and all...) It was amazing and I am so honored to have been invited! I love babies, birth, and serving mothers while they experience the most amazing gift that God could give women. I love it!!!!










The Blue Hit was the TLM Showcase Series artist in August and they were awesome! Velvet Vocals, Groovy Guitar, and Charming Cello! Doesn't that description make you want to check them out! September is going to rock also!










The sound guy and the intern!








Iceskating for my mother in law's bday party!!!!








The boys working on their Family Lapbooks. They are so fun! I'm in love with lapbooking. Check it out!

So that's the Amelang update!

My Little Home

Dear Little Sweet Home,

I can't believe that I am writing a Good Bye letter to you already. It seems like yesterday we moved in. I feel like I just got things how I want them and I am now packing everything in boxes and putting them in storage. We moved in 3 1/2 years ago as a family of three and moving out as a family of five. You have become part of our family. Within your walls our family has grown, changed, played, laughed and cried. You have watched children be born, learn to walk, talk, and become little people. You have changed our lives as well. We put so much work, love, and time into you and we could have spent the rest of our lives doing it..but it's time for us to move on and that's hard. I remember when we first moved in, we replaced the rotted front porch and were working in the yard and a woman drove by, rolled down her window and told us that our little house looked happy once again. I beamed. I will never forget how happy that made me feel. The Spring after we moved in, Jay and I would sit on the front brick steps and eat pecans and watch cars pass by. Then Hunter was born and life changed again...for the better. Our family of four fit just right here. Two little people running the circle, laughing, screaming with joy, and playing hide and seek....I'll never forget it! Then Tyler was born and life changed again...for the better. Things are a little crowded now and the thought of three little people turning into three big people in this little house just doesn't make much sense. So now it's time for us to move on....life is changing again...and again...for the better. I will miss you. Your beautiful yard and huge pecan trees that could supply all of Brenham with pecan pies to last a lifetime, the fire engine red azaleas and cotton candy smelling mountain laurel that bloom in the Spring. I'll miss the huge front porch, original wood floors, st. Augustine grass, being 2 mins from HEB! There's so much I'll miss about you but I am so grateful to have been a part of your life and your story. "There was once a sweet little family who lived here and took care of me, I saw children born and tears dried, they are part of who I am." Thank you for being part of us...who we are and who we have become within your walls.

With MUCH love,
Cheryl

Summer Memories

As a kid summertime was the best time of the year...no school, play all day, vacations, nothing but fun! I try to keep that same laid back summer attitude with the boys. John and I work less and are able to hang out and play more and we all have a blast! This morning we played out in the "cooler" summer weather. (It was what... only 90 out this morning?) and this afternoon we made ice cream from my new cook book Lick It! by Cathe Olson. Yum!

Vanilla Ice Cream
from Lick It! Creamy, Dreamy Vegan Ice Creams
by Cathe Olson
(had to plug my biz!)

1 14 oz can full fat coconut milk
1 1/4 cup non dairy milk (I'm not a vegan so I used raw cow's milk)
1/2 cup granulated sugar or agave syrup
1 T vanilla extract

Place all ingredients in a medium bowl and whisk until well blended. Cover and chill in fridge for at least 2 hours. Freeze in ice cream maker according to manufacturer's directions.

We really enjoyed it! This is the first recipe that I have made but with more like lavender ice cream, strawberry lemonade sorbet, white chocolate brownie bars, and orange cream float, you can bet we will be eating lots of yummy ice cream treats all summer long!

Side Note:I wish I had a picture of the boys eating their ice cream, but Sunday night Tyler drooled in my phone and now it doesn't work and that was my main picture taking device =( I should be up and running again with a brand new phone tomorrow *crossing my fingers*

Summer Fun!

Every year we go down to Galveston for at least a few days with John's family and always have a blast! This year was no different! We hung out on the beach (actually I stayed in the hotel room and napped with the baby but everyone else hung out on the beach), ate great food, shopped, ate great food, spent time together, ate great food, and last but not least...ate great food! I'm still full from all the great food! I particularly loved this trip because it was so laid back. No agendas, no schedules, just do what we want. It was a blast!

This was the first time we had been back since Ike hit and it was crazy to still see the effects of it. We talked to some store owners and the carriage ride lady about what life is like after Ike. Our favorite candy shop was still closed and many of the stores are not coming back. There is a lot construction and rebuilding still happening. Most of the stores were gutted and remodeled and all new inventory. I can't even imagine! I love Galveston and it's history. This is just another chapter in the book that makes it so amazing!

Ike water line

Oh yeah... and I lost my voice on Monday! AHHH! (actually is was more like "ahhhh") It was awful! The only volume I could get was when I would talk in a really deep voice. My sweet family (the extended fam...not J & H!) said I sounded like a transvestite smoker going through puberty. Thanks guys! Anyway, here are some pictures! As you can see....we had alot of fun!

Gymnastics Camping

Jay did gymnastics camp at Brenham Gymnastics the first week of June. When I told him about the camp he told me "but I don't want to go hunting!" Huh? Ohhh....camp...camping....hunting. I get it! So I assured him that there wouldn't be any hunting. Only cartwheels, tumbling, and egg rolls! I don't think he was completely convinced but was a trooper and decided to check out this "camp" thing that doesn't include hunting. Here's some pics! He did a back roll ALL BY HIMSELF! I was so proud!


























Hunter participated on the last day with the parachute!

My Sweet Men!

One more from Alabama!
(taken by Sarah)

Sweet Home Alabama!

We just got back from our annual visit to John's grandparent's river house in Athens, Alabama! We had a great time....as usual! We were there for a week with John's mom, sibs, Awesome Aunt Cecile and Mama and Papa Hunt. Here are a few highlights of the trip and some pics for your viewing pleasure!
ps....Thank you Amy for fish sitting Sarah the Awesome Fish!

Alabama Highlights in No Particular Order!

Desserts of the South
Shopping at the local Piggly Wiggly
Hot Chocolate and a Movie
Mani/Pedi
Back Porch Races
Lucky Charms
Southern Hospitality
Campfires
Brunch at the Lodge
Dinner on the porch
Swinging on the big back porch









Alabama weather in May (cool and beautiful)









Boat rides










Midnight Tripoley tournaments









Walking/Playing in the rain









Good Times with Family










Fishing




















S'mores










One Week is NEVER enough!

Check out the Little Superheros Blog for more pics and stories!