The Bates Family: July 2013

Happy 4th of July!

We had a great 4th of July this year with SO much to celebrate! Since last September when Allen was diagnosed, we have looked forward to shooting fireworks off and celebrating BIG!

Honey and Sashi flew in for the festivities!

A rare family photo!

Braxtyn wasn't too thrilled, but they sure looked adorable!

Check out the loot Daddy, Sashi, and Uncle Jamie got for the big bash!!

It is all lined up in order.

The boys started early! And, of course the little kids couldn't wait!

We had a great crew to celebrate with!

Smoke Bomb!

But, of course it isn't a party until the cops are called! So, we had a nice visit with the officer thanks to our grouchy neighbor who wasn't such a fan of our fireworks. TOO BAD GROUCHY LADY! And, the party continued!

Can you tell Braxtyn was right in the action?! Poor guy was pooped!

Happy 4th! We can't wait until next year, which Allen has promised the kids will be even bigger and better (if that is possible)!

Braxtyn is 2 Months Old!

It is hard to believe our littlest guy is already two months old! Here are a couple of pictures of the happy man:

He loves his swing!

Mommy's attempt at getting a shot of him sitting up.

The many faces of Braxtyn:

Serious Face

Happy Face

Hey You Face

Just Chillin'

With all the races and running Braxtyn has done at 2 months old, he has got to be a runner! But, from the look on his face here I am not so sure he is convinced!

My FAVORITE Photo:

Mommy LOVES your little pouty face!

Braxtyn, we can't believe you are already two months old! You weigh 13.2 lbs (70th percentile) and are 23.6 inches tall (60th percentile)! None of your newborn or 0-3 months clothes fit anymore--you are a growing boy! You love for your big sister and big brother to read to you, talk to you, or lay on your playmat with you. At night, you can't sleep unless you are swaddled; in fact, as soon as mommy starts going upstairs to swaddle you, you stop crying. And, by the time mommy starts to swaddle you, you are happy and smiling! Already this month you are so much more interactive, and we can't wait to see you continue to grow. We love you little man!

Lots of Races!

We have had so much fun this summer participating in a bunch of local races!

Here we are at the Glow Run! Brookelyn ran her first two mile race (and kicked Daddy's bootie)!

The kids also participated in a triathlon. It was Braedyn's first triathlon and Brookelyn's second.

Here is B-Man crossing the finish line. We were SO proud of him!

And here, brother is cheering on Brookelyn! She actually swam two laps in the pool without floaties!

And here is sister crossing the finish line!

Braxtyn was SUPER proud of his big brother and big sister!

Braedyn won FIRST PLACE for his age group! Go B-Man!

Here is the gang participating in the Cancer Challenge!

And, here we are at the Tour de Fun. Mommy did a 5K with all three kids! Braxtyn rode (of course), Brookelyn ran her first 5K, and Braedyn rode the first 1/2 and ran the second 1/2 of the race.

We made it!

And, Daddy rode a 100K bike race all through the hilly, mountainous terrain of Northwest Arkansas! Not bad for a guy who had just gotten his port removed a few days before!