Have you ever been to the beach in the winter? Yes, we have, but not with children.  It is a whole different ballpark!  Beau's parents could not use their allotted time at the beach this January, so they sweetly gave it to us.  I used to LOVE going to the beach in the winter because you were forced to relax, read, sleep, etc.  WELL, the beach with sweet babies in the winter is all but relaxing because they do not relax yet.  Thank goodness my parents came down for a few days to help and try to relax as well.  Please know I am not complaining in the least bit.  We had a great time, it was just an eye opener!  Thanks Jan and Bill for giving us your condo!  

Right before we went, we invested in a double jogging stroller....the Bob.  It is awesome!  They boys don't look thrilled, but it was really cold and windy.  

I did get a great shot of all of my boys together. 

Then mom and Finley....

Henry became camera shy for about 10 minutes that day. 

Then Dad and Mom with our silly guy.....

I mean....talk about cheesing up for the camera!

On January 15, 2012, Brent and Jess had their baby...sweet Kate Austen. She weighed 8 pounds and was 20 inches long.  Jess did fantastic and Kate Austen is absolutely perfect!!!  We are so excited about the latest arrival in our family!

Christmas day was amazing! Henry was super excited, but not enough to get up on his own....we woke him up and he was a little grouchy at first, but as soon as he ran down the stairs he perked up!  Just ignore the passy!

A Lighting McQueen car....

An excersaucer for Finley.....

A new construction train....

Pots and Gee Gee with the boys at Christmas.....

Then off to the next house.  Henry still has a ton of energy as usual!

Finley was 4 months on December 17 and with the holidays it was quickly here and gone!  He is such a sweet baby....if he would only sleep life would be great!  Unfortunately Finley has caught every sickness this fall/winter along with having reflux so his sleeping is few and far between.  Beau and I have been taking turns sleeping in the nursery so that at least one of us gets a full night of sleep.  Finley ranges from waking up 4 to 10 times a night which means we are pretty much exhausted!  We know this too will pass, but when you are in the middle of it, life is a little harder!  Finley went for his 4 month check up on December 28th and per our pediatrician, he looked great!  Here are his stats:

14 pounds (26%)

25 inches tall (43%)

Head: 16 1/2 inches (32%)

He had his shots and the doctor prescribed prevacid for his reflux instead of zantac.  Unfortunately the prevacid was going to be $240 a month, so he changed the prescription to nexium....which was $290 a month.....that is ridiculous!  Needless to say, I am now buying prevacid over the counter and cutting the capsules in half.  He gets half in the morning and half at night...I can't really see any changes yet. Oh, we have also started him on rice cereal and as soon as he gets the hang of it, we are going to start stage 1 baby food.  If all goes well with the baby food, I am going to try to make it this time around!  We shall see!!!  Here is his 4 month photo shoot.

We are starting to sit him up more and it seems to strengthen his core, but no rolling over yet.

The day after Thanksgiving, we had a big dinner at my house with my cousins.....they took great care of the boys!  Then......

.......my brother and Brigit came home from their day trip to Asheville where they got ENGAGED!!!!!

We already knew it was happening, but had to keep the secret from everyone.  It was so hard, but we are super excited it was a surprise for Brigit.  Collin proposed at the top of a mountain and they both said it was perfect! 

The happy couple telling the story.

Aren't they precious!  It will be official in August....I will have a new SIL!  Yay!