Happy Birthday Little Brother

Happy Birthday to my little brother, Andy!

He is the hardest working kid I have ever known. He wakes before the crack of dawn and works until he goes to bed. He is a very active parent. I haven't met many men that take care of their babies like Andy does. He is a wonderful, wonderful daddy to those two little boys. My kids absolutely love him. He is such a goofy kid that all kids love him despite his huge stature (6'6"). Whenever I think of him I always picture a big smiling goofy kid.

I wish you the best birthday and wish you many, many more to come. We love you!

Back Road To Enterprise

Grandpa Pops took us on another 4-wheeling adventure on Saturday.

Jaileigh riding with Grandpa Pops.

Daddy with Jake, Major and Annie

Andy with his tongue sticking out!

Andy, Pops, and Grandma

Rori got to come with us this time.

Mommy and Anthony

My little Jake-eroni

Jaileigh rode with Pops

My sweet Annie

Jake was so tired. He fell asleep on the ride back. When we got back to the car he just curled up and continued sleeping.

Good thing I brought the potty chair!

Helping Andy load the 4-wheeler.

Aunty Rori!

My Brother

I was thinking that most of you out in blogger world have never met my brother so I decided to do a post on him. Of course you already know that he is going to be this amazing, amazing person because that is just how lucky I am. I have amazing parents, and amazing sister and now I am introducing you to my amazing brother.

My brother is one of those HUGE people. He is huge physically and spiritually and mentally. He towers over most people and when he was at his peak athletically he was ginormous! Despite his huge size every kid, big and small, LOVE him. He has this touch with children. He gives them his goofy smile and they immediately become attracted to him. I used to enjoy watching him in church. All the babies would always want to come and play with him. Now that I think about it, they aren't many teens and young adult men that enjoy or feel comfortable playing with young children.

Andy and I had to play together when we were young. We would hunt lizards, ride our bikes in the desert, jump on the trampoline, fight, play He-man and nintendo. I remember not liking him very much but once I went to college he started getting cooler.  Ever since he was 15 or 16 I have looked up to him. He has been such an example to me. He is a natural leader. He is quiet and shy but so many people want to follow him.

We don't get to see him often because he has a life of his own but every time I do I am reminded at what a great man he is. Thank you Andy for being a such a hard worker and example to so many.

Andy and his oldest son, Thomas Major

Andy and Jaileigh

Andy and Jaileigh napping.

Andy did the whole NFL gig for a few years and now plays football with a minor league team. Go ahead, google him. I just did. He's even listed in Wikipedia.

His professional (NFL) mug shot.

The great man!

Andy and Annie hanging out on Grandpa's bench.

Hopefully, now that you've been offically introduced, you'll get to see more of him.

Love you Andy!

Hanging Out With Our Cousins

My whole family, the Stokes, all came to Vegas to play with us on Saturday. We had so much fun and it really made me wish we lived closer to everyone. Grandma, Grandpa, Rori and Major came first and played for a couple hours before Andy and Tia came. My brother Andy and his wife Tia have two kids. Major is two months younger than the quads and Legend is two weeks younger than Annie.

We all went to Cafe Rio. YUM. My favorite restaurant.  While we were there a guy at the neighboring table told us that he was afraid he was going to get pregnant just by being close to us. Tia and I have 7 kids age 2 and under. I can see why he was scared, HAHA.

After Cafe Rio we went to the park.

Our Cousin Major

Major loved Annie

Trying to escape

GaGa with her grandbabies

Michael, Jaileigh, and Jake

Maj with his best bud, Grandpa

My friend Kristen met us at Cafe Rio and then played with us the rest of the day. This is her talking to Anthony.

Anthony under the dinosaur bones

Major going down the slide

GaPa and Rori pushing Michael and Jake

Rori and Jai on the ho-hee

Major and Jaileigh

"My hero"

Kristen with Michael

Climbing the wall, with a little help

Joe/Anthony, Rori/Jaileigh

Jaileigh had so much fun with her Aunt Rori. Ah, we miss her!

Jai, Rori, Mikey, and Kristen

Mommy having fun

Brave Jakers

Anthony and Mommy

Sweet Michael

The big boys thinking they are still little boys

Mike and Andy

More fun

My kids LOVE ho-heees

Jaileigh, Michael, Jake, Anthony

GaPa and Jake/Mike and Michael

Anthony getting the royal treatment. Pushed by Andy and Joe.

After the park we went back to our room and played. Here is Tia with the kids playing spider and sharing her bracelets. My kids love her. They kept looking for teeee-aahhhhhh.

Just a little baby communication. They weigh the same and have 1/2 an inch difference in height. So why does Annie look so much fluffier?

Annie and Legend

Andy reading to his little man

Tubby time. My kids loved this tub. We took a bath everyday.

Andy and Tia ended up staying with us that night. What an adventure it was! Love all the family bonding and hope to do much more.