At the end of March we enjoyed 3 separate visits from our families. First, my mom, sister, brother, and 2 nephews came for a couple of days. Then Clay's dad, my 84 year young Nana, and Clay's 75 year young MeMe, came and doted on us. A few days later, Mrs. DeDe came to stay with us. It was a busy time, but it was so nice to have family come spend time with us during Clay's crazy semester. Here are a few pictures from the 3 visits:
Visit from Grammie, Kaykie, Uncle Landon, Carson, and Grant:
We had not seen Grant since he was a few days old. He was so much to hold! I could never tire of tickling those sweet little thighs.
Clay is such a good dad and uncle. I always want my boys out of the kitchen (unless we are cooking something kid-friendly and I have planned ahead :) However, he lets them dig in and get messy. He let them spread butter on the foil before he put the veggies on for grilling. We ate yummy fajitas that night!!
Landon isn't such a bad uncle himself. He let the boys climb all over him on the floor with very little protesting :) Watch out Landon: Soon there will be 5 boys climbing on your back!
Watching Noah with Grant made me look forward to little Luke joining our family. Now Jude on the other hand...
I took this shot multiple times. The last time I took it, I asked them to hide their you-know-whats. They took me very literally :)
The morning they left we enjoyed a pancake breakfast courtesy of Clay.
I promise my mom and sister were also there, although they made no appearances in the pictures. We did make an outing to the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, but sadly I forgot my camera. Story of my life.
Visit from PaPa, Nana, and MeMe:
PaPa and Noah going on a bike ride
The grandmas enjoyed watching the boys enjoy the beautiful Spring weather.
One day we visited the Stockyards and watched the cattle drive. Jude's favorite animal is the cow right now, so he was very pleased. We then enjoyed a yummy lunch at Joe T. Garcia's.
our family outside the Seminary Cafe where we enjoyed a breakfast together
On our last evening together Clay had to go to night class. I knew I had a lot to do to get the boys bathed and in bed and get the kitchen cleaned up, but I also wanted to visit with our sweet guests. No problem. Those sweet ladies cleaned the kitchen (including drying the dishes!), bathed and dressed the boys, and sent me on a walk!
Visit from GranDee:
When Mrs. DeDe visits our home, my dishes always magically disappear before I can even make plans to start on them. I call her the "Dish Fairy". During her trip to Fort Worth, we enjoyed eating dinner with friends, going to church together, playing in the park, taking walks, and meeting Clay for lunch. Here are a few pictures from playing at the park:
my little man all suited up
team huddle with coach clay :)
the pirates
clay prepping noah for his first at-bat
he hit it past 2nd base on the first swing!
one of the moms had sugar cookies made with the kids' names on them
Noah and his friends' art work
Noah's butterfly
Noah's Sand Art
Jude and his friends' art work
Jude's star
Jude's butterfly
Jude's colored glue painting
Jude's glued tissue string art
Noah was wearing his baseball pants one day and requested that Jude wear his as well.
We have enjoyed some beautiful weather. The boys have loved playing outside.
We have enjoyed many evening walks...
and bike rides!
The Railroad Festival is an annual tradition held in DeQuincy the 2nd weekend of April. As a kid, I looked forward to riding rides and getting out of school for half a day. It's so fun to watch my boys enjoy the festival now. This was Jude's first year to enjoy the rides.
Noah, on the other hand, is an old pro as this was his 3rd year to ride rides!
There is a city park right in the middle of the festival. I think the kids enjoy it as much if not more than the rest of the entertainment!
Here's Carson cheesing it up.
I can't mention the RR Festival without sharing with you the great food. Among the favorites are the "Pentecostal" hamburgers, homemade corn dogs, funnel cakes, and pork-a-bobs. You have to go several days to get all this eating in!
On Saturday, we were able to go to Dry Creek for Jack's 3rd birthday party! Amanda did a great job in planning a bug-themed party. The food was made to look like ants and spiders and worms. The dessert was yummy dirt pudding! Amanda also made "cocoons" which were cocktail wienies baked inside crescent rolls, ants on a log (peanut butter and raisins on "logs" of celery) and many other fun snacks!
For the entertainment, Clint released worms and crickets for the kids to collect in the their bug houses. Surprisingly, Noah- our city boy- wanted nothing to do with the bugs. However, our Jude LOVED the bugs. He would laugh, pick them up, and laugh again. Jack definitely taught our boys about being a true country boy.
On Sunday, we went to church with my family and then met Clay in Alexandria at Clint and Amanda's house. We attempted to get a picture of the 4 grandkids together. Baby Sydney is all the way to the left. She is our first niece and was born at the end of February. She is already 7 weeks old! We were so glad to finally get to meet her and see her precious pink room. The boys were all really gentle with her. We can't wait to see how this sweet little girl fits into our wild bunch of boys!
We had not seen Grant since he was a few days old. He was so much to hold! I could never tire of tickling those sweet little thighs.
Clay is such a good dad and uncle. I always want my boys out of the kitchen (unless we are cooking something kid-friendly and I have planned ahead :) However, he lets them dig in and get messy. He let them spread butter on the foil before he put the veggies on for grilling. We ate yummy fajitas that night!! 
Landon isn't such a bad uncle himself. He let the boys climb all over him on the floor with very little protesting :) Watch out Landon: Soon there will be 5 boys climbing on your back!
Watching Noah with Grant made me look forward to little Luke joining our family. Now Jude on the other hand...
I took this shot multiple times. The last time I took it, I asked them to hide their you-know-whats. They took me very literally :)
The morning they left we enjoyed a pancake breakfast courtesy of Clay. 
PaPa and Noah going on a bike ride
The grandmas enjoyed watching the boys enjoy the beautiful Spring weather.
One day we visited the Stockyards and watched the cattle drive. Jude's favorite animal is the cow right now, so he was very pleased. We then enjoyed a yummy lunch at Joe T. Garcia's.
our family outside the Seminary Cafe where we enjoyed a breakfast together 
The boys took a peek outside at the snow, but it was too wet to play in this time.
The boys all dressed up for church with their Christmas outfits
Noah and Jude acting silly during picture time
Noah riding his new Spiderman bike for the first time!
Jude playing with his new Little People Nativity set
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Nana rocking Jude
Jude, along with his infamous "burpie", playing with a new gift from Grammie and Pops
Me holding my sweet new nephew- Grant
Carson and Noah enjoying their new LSU football uniforms
The 3 Iles grandsons enjoyed their new coon-skinned hats and play rifles that their great-MeMe got them!
Noah said goodbye to Ivory for the last time at Papa and Dee's house.
Jude enjoyed taking care of the babies
Noah enjoyed the Dino-dig exhibit.JPG)
Noah went to visit his grandparents in Louisiana mid-February and while he was gone we had the most snow in Fort Worth history! We measured 8 inches in our yard over the course of 2 days. We had the best time playing together in the snow. We were just sad that Noah had to miss such a special time.
We found out we are having another sweet boy! I found these great Big Brother shirts for Noah and Jude!
Noah plays dress-up as Buzz Lightyear
Jude's first finger-painting