The Craddocks

Friday, July 12, 2013

Swimming Lessons!

Evelyn started swimming lessons! I think it's pretty funny to say that our 8 month old started swimming lessons, but we kinda did. We know of a really sweet mom of one of our friends, and she does "Mommy and Me" classes. We just did a few classes to teach me some of the things to begin teaching Evelyn about water safety and not being afraid of the water. She did so well. It's safe to say that Evelyn loooves the water. Here's a few pictures of her on her first day...

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Mother's Day/Father's Day

This was my first ever Mother's Day, the first year I got to celebrate being a mother while also showing my love to the mothers in my life. This year has been a bittersweet Mother's Day, because more than ever, I am so mindful of the friends and family this year that have struggled to become mothers. I can not pretend to understand what they have gone through, but I have prayed and hurt with them as several people close to me have been caught in such a tough place. I am so thankful that several of them have recently given birth, adopted, or become pregnant, and I praise God for that. I do firmly believe that being a Mom is the greatest gift of all, but I also know that there is not just one way of becoming a Mommy. Thank you, God, for allowing me this opportunity. And let me continually strive to be a good mom for Evelyn, following in the wonderful footsteps of my own mother and grandmothers.

Father's Day was also very sweet. For me, it's absolutely awesome to see the man who you married to transition into the most wonderful daddy. Brandon is so smitten with Evelyn, and nothing gives me more joy than to see how much she loves him. I feel so blessed knowing that Evelyn has such a great daddy to learn from. I mean, not every kid gets a daddy as fun and sweet as Brandon Craddock:)

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Mexico!!!

I'm finally getting around to posting pictures from our wonderful Mexico trip. It was an amazing vacation and much needed break, but more than that, it was the most beautiful wedding ever. My youngest sister, Allie, got married behind the house we rented for the week. It was DREAMY. I didn't get many pictures of the actual wedding, but here are a bunch of pictures from the week. As you can tell, we had an amazing time. And also, as you can tell, Miss Evelyn was the center of attention. And she was such an angel all week. She was so flexible and happy all week, no matter how much we dragged her around and kept her up late. And of course, it was so fun to get to spend the whole week with my family. We had a blast. But enough of all that-- enjoy the many, many pictures!

Our wonderful Mexican home (for the week)

Evelyn's first time in the pool- loving life:)

Napping with Daddy because of all the swimming with Mommy

Playing with Daddy

Evelyn was not the only one who loved the pool

Snuggles with Aunt Allie

Gigi loved feeding E her supper

Just entertaining myself

Future Uncle Damon!

Reading some good books with Allie

Sunscreen baby

The happy couple

Ashley, Jess and Caitlin at dinner

Dinner at LoLomita

The girls

Rehearsal Dinner at the Marina

With the sisters

With the girls

With Gigi

With Papa

Evelyn with the Mexican cooks and the sweet lady who loved holding her

Crazy belly dancers/fire twirlers/suicidal artists!

Whoa

After dinner, so sleepy

Wedding morning nails!!!

The Black girls almost all married off...

My girl

With Uncle Jonathan

Wedding Party

With Mommy

Family picture!

The reception

Mr and Mrs Varble!

The 6 of us:)

Passed out on Papa

With Gigi

Awwww!

My sweet girl

Looking at the turtles with Aunt Jessi Not loving the sand between her toes...

But loving to be held by Mommy

Outside the Turtle Museum

It was a great week of firsts- first time out of the country, first time in the ocean, first time to pet a turtle, first time to swim in a pool, first time to eat avocado, and first time to go to an aquarium!