A day without the kids!

This never happens...we had a day without the kids. While they were having fun at their grandparents house, we went to Hot Springs and Mt. Magazine (the highest point in AR).

While in Hot Springs we went to Garvan Woodland Gardens. It was so nice walking around looking at the plants and flowers. It was RELAXING! Then we went up to Mt. Magazine. There is a fairly new lodge and cabins. It was beautiful up there.

It was nice to have a day...but it was just as nice seeing the kids that night!

Makes me Smile!

I can't remember exactly what day it was but the boys were laying on the floor together having a very in-depth conversation. I was in and out of the living room but remember thinking, "what are they up to...I'm not hearing any talking anymore." I found them like this...



It is so neat to see their "connection".

What is this??

If you know me well you know that I have the farthest thing from a green thumb. We have a few plants growing in our front planter boxes that I'm not sure what they are. I think either cucumber, squash or pumpkin. Now, how did they start growing in our front boxes? My best guess is that the seeds got washed up during one of our "floods" in the spring. Kylie told me that we HAVE to take care of them and we CAN'T let them die! She knows me too well....

Does anyone know what they are??

Jared's Birthday Dinner

I am WAY behind...we had Jared's birthday dinner on his birthday (July 6). He picked pizza for dinner. We had a lot of fun! We also had apple crumb pie and chocolate sundae pie for dessert. YUM!

Starting dinner...


Happy Birthday to you...

Happy Birthday, Jared!

Happy Birthday little brother! I can't believe you are 25! Hope you have a good day!!

July 4th

We had a fantastic July 4th! The day was spent swimming, eating, visiting, laughing, and having so much fun! We couldn't have asked for a better day.

Kylie patiently waiting for her cousins to get there



Sneaky Landon...eating a cookie before dinner



Gavin couldn't resist the birdbath...



My kids had to test the corn before the picnic started. It passed inspection!






All the food was SO good! The weather wasn't too hot and it was nice sitting on the back porch.

Landon with his plate



Gavin with his plate



Kylie was "too old" to sit with us. She had to sit with the big kids...



Gavin decided he wanted watermelon. He no more than sat down when Landon wanted to share. They would each take a bite and then put the watermelon back in the bowl. Landon quickly decided he didn't really want watermelon anymore.



Landon didn't care about the watermelon anymore so Gavin finished it off.



Gavin had to lick all that watermelon juice off his fingers!



Who knows what Gavin was looking at!


Landon was actually looking for birds



The fireworks started WAY before dark. Everyone migrated from the back to the front at the first bursts of sound. Kylie kept saying the sun would NEVER go down! Gavin liked the fireworks. At first, Landon said he was scared (he associated the noise with a storm, which he hates). Then, as it started getting dark and the good ones were being set off, he said, "the firecrackers are pretty".







Me and Gavin with a sparkler



Me and Landon with a sparkler

Quick Update

Wow...this summer is flying by! I am a few short days from finishing the first summer session. I have two more classes from July 7-August 8. Then I have a week off before going back to work. We are all a little sad that I am so busy. We are used to having fun, swimming, relaxing...

Kylie is growing up so fast! I am proud to say that she can now do her round-off back-handspring on the floor with no spot from a coach and no special mat. She is so proud of herself! She loves cheer! And, she convinced me to let her take dance this summer as well. She is doing tap, ballet and jazz. She loves every minute of it!

Gavin and Landon completely crack us up! The are so funny (especially Landon, don't tell Gavin!). It is getting easier to take them places as they really do not take much of a nap anymore. Potty training is a challenge to say the least. They are UNINTERESTED! Period!

I am hoping to take lots of new pictures at our July 4th picnic later this week!