Before bed......

my silly boys were having fun on our bed tonight!! They were so goofy and loved posing for me!! They are so darling in these pictures, but I promise you that they can be little rascals, too!:) Just come over and visit and you'll find out very quickly!

A little different view of the world!! Upside down!!

Like Father, Like Son

This evening when we got home from going out to eat, I watched Bryce do this. Jay had slipped off his sandals, Bryce stepped inside of them and took his crocs off inside Jay's. "Look Daddy, mine fit inside of yours!!":) Ohhhhh, so precious!! These moments make my HEART "smile"!! I don't want to forget these moments, ever!! They won't be small for long!! Makes me realize too what "BIG shoes" we have to fill being parents to our little guys!

Today's Harvest

This evening the boys and I went out to the garden and this is what we came back with!! Our tomato plants are gigantic and we can hardly keep up with picking the ripe ones before they rot. We have sure enjoyed fresh salsa and bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches the past few days!!! I think I am going to make some cucumber sandwiches for lunch tomorrow!! :)

First Day of Lessons...

well.... it went very smoothly!!:) YEAH!!! Both of the boys did really well and there was no whining for mom or complaining!! Bryce got alittle tired toward the end, but what awesome swimmers they are turning out to be!! They both loved jumping off the diving board while waiting on the other to finish their lesson.

Lane jumping off the side and swimming to Ms. Amy.

Bryce learning to use his arms and kick with Ms. Amy.

Lane jumping off the board!!!

Bryce's FIRST ever jump off a diving board. He was so excited to go jump, but once he got close he started to have second thoughts!!:) I told him he would be fine with his floaties, so off he went! He is so fearless!

Our Week

What a busy week we have had!!! The boys have loved having their older cousins Emerald and Remington being here. I caught up on wash and the house after being gone 10 days and they played together. We took them fishing on Thursday evening and went swimming everyday in our pool, the boys are looking like little brown indians. This week the boys each have a 30 minute swimming lesson everyday.

Today we had a potluck after meeting here at our house and then Peggy and the kids headed south. I didn't get any pictures of the kids while they were together, I just never thought of the camera!! Oh well!!

Yesterday, Jay went swimming with the boys and bounced with the raft creating a wave pool. The boys love it as long as they have something to hang onto. As the water is splashing out the sides, they are just a giggling. Daddy says he is preparing them for the waves in the ocean for our trip in 2 1/2 weeks. Unfortunately, on the west coast of Florida there won't be too many "BIG" waves. My silly boys!!:) They are loving the giant alligator G'ma and G'pa gave them.

Cool Dessert

I made this for Father's Day at Mom and Dad's this past weekend. My brother-in-law Regan made it for us a few weeks ago and it was AWESOME!! Wonderful to have on a hot summer day and really easy to make, that is always a PLUS!

Easy Key Lime Pie

1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk

1 6-ounce can frozen limeade concentrate (not thawed)

1 cup heavy cream

1 6-ounce graham cracker piecrust

Zest of 1 lime

Place the condensed milk, limeade concentrate, and cream in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat until fluffy and soft peaks form. Pour the filling into the piecrust and smooth the top. Refrigerate until chilled and loosely set, at least 4 hours (and up to overnight). Sprinkle the pie with the zest before serving.

Yield: Makes 6 servings

What's keeping us entertained these days......

While I was gone to help Mom my washing machine died. My wonderful husband bought me these new front loading GE's. Wow!!! I was so shocked when I opened the laundry room door and found them. :) Funny how as you get older silly things like this excite us!! The boys are so fascinated and could hardly wait for me to run a load of clothes this morning. They stood and watched for a good ten minutes or so!!

Totally engrossed in the action!!

Outdoor Fun

Playing hopscotch with cousin Emerald.

Bryce out of control on the trike on the sidewalk at G'ma's.
Lane and Emerald drawing with sidewalk chalk.

Bryce riding on his trike!!

TWICE the Birthday fun!

This year I made Bryce a *beach cake*. I saw this idea awhile back and hoped to use it for one of the boy's birthdays. Once we got to Mom's I made this on Wednesday before mtg. It was so fun to make using goldfish, teddy grahams, and lifesavers. The kids after mtg. all wanted to eat the bears and goldfish, plus the yummy cake. I have started using the Pillsbury yellow cake mix for their cakes and they turn out so moist and tasty!! Mom couldn't help but add the umbrellas and graham crackers for the beach!! It was a hit with the birthday boy and everyone else. Too bad G'ma couldn't have any this year.

He was so *shy* about everyone singing to him after mtg. in Dallas.
Showing off his presents ...
Playing silly on the inflatable alligator that G'ma and G'pa gave Bryce for his birthday. The boys can't wait to ride it in our pool back at home. Jeremy and I used to have one when we were younger and have great memories of it!!:)

Before we went to Dallas, we had an early birthday with Daddy, Nana, and Pawpaw. He wanted us to sing to him, but as you can see he was embarrased!! I quickly made some cupcakes and we celebrated Wednesday evening.

Finger Lickin' Good!!! Bryce loves the frosting!!
His first bike was our gift to him....he has wanted to ride Lane's bike for so long and now he has one of his own.

Happy Birthday to Our Bryce!!

Hard to believe that four years ago today, we were anxiously waiting to meet you!! You were such a tiny, precious thing! We have loved every moment with you!! I love your funny sense of humor and the way you express yourself. You love to cuddle and rock with me and kiss daddy early in the morning when we leave for school. You tell us each night during your bedtime rituals, *don't let the big bugs bite ya!!* and * sweet dreams*!! I love that you still let me kiss you goodnight!! You are learning to write your name and love to draw with a pencil. You love to get dirty and look so cute doing it!! We couldn't imagine life without you and Lane!!

Happy Fourth Birthday!!!! We love you bunches, Mommy, Daddy, and Yane(Lane- as you call him):)

Tuesday....

We are here in Dallas for the next week or so as mom is recovering from her reversal surgery. Most of you remember her colon ruptured in March and now they went back to re-hook everything up. She had her surgery last Tuesday and hopes to come home tomorrow. She is so anxious to be home and unhooked from all her IV's, etc.. We hoped she would be home on Monday, but her colon took awhile to wake up and her heart rate has been elevated. Those things are resolving today and we hope she keeps on the *up and up*!!! We have spent the last three days with her in the hospital. Today we packed a picnic lunch and ate lunch at a nearby park and the kids played afterwards. They are so patient at the hospital and I try to keep them entertained. I know they are ready for Grandma to be at home, too!! Here are a few pictures from the park!

Two sweaty little boys!!
Feeding the duck at the pond.
My monkey on the bars!!

We are so excited about our *BIG* vacation this summer. Jeremy and Lisa will be living in Florida for 5 months starting in July. So we are taking the opportunity not only to visit them, but get to the beach and *DISNEY WORLD*. Jay has never ever been and of course neither have the boys. I lived in Florida for 5 years as many of you know and graduated there before moving to the Big D and starting college. I am so excited about going back, it has been over 11 years since I have been back. We are going to travel with our fifth wheel and stay some with Jeremy and Lisa. Florida, here we come!!:)

Where is the mower?......

The grass is growing like crazy!!! It loves the humid, warm environment on the screened porch. Jay wishes the grass in the yard grew this well!!:-)

Day 16

Family Weekend Day 2

A few more pictures of our fun family weekend. Just wished it had been a few days longer. We sure enjoyed staying in our fifth wheel and look forward to using it a lot more!!

Didn't get any pictures of anyone in the pool, but did manage to get a picture of it.
They had a beautiful pond with a fountain and lots of ducks!! Bryce and I wondered down and got a few pictures. He enjoyed watching them fight over crackers and bread that some other campers shared with us.
Beautiful picture
Aunt Alda Rae, Paw paw, Nana, and Aunt Nell
This is the end result of a very fun weekend!! ;)

Family Weekend Day 1

This weekend we spent with Jay's entire extended family in Hot Springs. We were able to use our new fifth wheel and Nana and Papa in their new motor home. The others rented cottages and cabins. We enjoyed Magic Springs and then swimming yesterday evening. All the *little folks* enjoyed each others company, but hit the hay early last night!! It was hot each day, but evenings were awesome and we enjoyed sitting outside.

Us 4
The boys(Gavin, Gannon, Lane and Bryce) before going into Magic Springs. I bought them all matching shirts, not only were they cute, but it was easy to spot them quickly in the crowds!!;)
All SMILES!
Lane and Gavin riding together.