BEACH!!!!

Since I am such an awesome blogger, and always on top of things (hehe!), I thought I would post about both of our beach trips together. The first trip was for a conference Joseph had in Baytowne (late June). It was very nice, and the boys had so much fun. Sam loved playing (mainly eating) the sand. Our second trip to the beach was in mid-August. We ventured down to Granny Fran's in PCB. As we headed south, memories from my childhood flooded into mind. Oh how I loved going down there and spending time with family. We spent most of our time in the pool since the ocean had a double red flag (which means no swimming). Anyway, I just love the beach, and the "laid-back lifestyle" that goes along with it.

Georgia Aquarium & Shark Week

In honor of Shark Week, I thought I would finally post some pictures from our trip to the Georgia Aquarium. We went back in May, and the boys really enjoyed it until the lack of sleep got to them. I actually think I liked it the most. The big tank with the whale sharks and other fish was just amazing. As for Shark Week, I have always enjoyed watching it (since I was young), and learning more about these interesting and feared fish. I'll spare y'all the nerdy facts that I am tempted to share with everyone, but if you have never watched it, it's worth checking out. I would love to find somewhere to dive with sharks sometime in the future :)

Sam is 1!!!

Even though this post is a month and half late, I can't believe my precious Sam is already one. He has such a sweet, laid-back disposition, but true determination when he gets his mind set on something. I love watching him admire his older brother, and as far as Sam is concerned, Dada hung the moon. Oh, how much fun it is loving on my boys and being loved so much in return.

We had a fun little birthday party here to celebrate Sam's first year. It was a fun time with special friends and family. Happy Birthday Sweet Sam!!!

Sweet Friends

Our Spring had a busy ending, and our Summer is off to a racing start. Below are some pictures of the boys with some of their special friends we have been able to spend time with.

Winston and Mark (his close friend from school)


Winston, Izzie, and Ellie at music


How Jill and I found Sam and Anne Wesley one morning during a walk

Winson and his Campbell

Winston and Thompson just being boys and enjoying some summer fun




More to come soon :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Pun!!

This post is a day late, but my sweet husband is 30!!!!! I can't imagine my life without him. Joseph is a loving husband and wonderful daddy. We love him for so many reasons, and thank God daily for him. I love you, Pun, happy birthday!!

CAUTION: Winston is 3!!!!!!

I can't believe my baby is 3!!! For Winston's birthday party we had a fun time turning the yard into a construction site (complete with real tractor-thanks to Peter Falkner and cones, flags, etc.-thanks to Mom). Thankfully the remodel finished up just in time to keep the inside from being a construction site too. Winston had sweet friends and family come to help him celebrate his big day!

Winston, I am in awe of your sharp mind everyday, and I continually thank God for that and for you. These 3 years have been filled with a joy that is indescribable, and I look forward to many more with you. I love you sweet boy!!

Mommy

Dare I say...

Winston is potty-trained!!! Two Saturdays ago it was a stormy day from start to finish so I thought we should give it a try. (This was after I got "in trouble" with our usually laid-back pediatrician for having "age inappropriate" diapers on him at his 3 year check-up) Well, we chose the method of wearing nothing on the bottom. So our big man sported only a t-shirt the whole day. Oddly enough, he was initially more comfortable with putting #2 in there rather than tee-tee (can't say I blame him). Anyway, he has now discovered the joy of peeing in the bushes while we are playing outside, and we have had several outings (even a grocery store run) and a couple of days at school without an accident. I am so proud of my Winston Boy!!! I do realistically expect that not all days will be perfect and that fluke accidents will probably happen. I am just so thankful for this milestone to be pretty much conquered since I was almost as reluctant as he was.

As for this picture...last week we were about to go to our music class and I was loading Sam in the car. I couldn't find Winston so I called for him and heard his little voice coming from the bushes. I looked over and this is what I saw, so I did what any normal mommy would do...I ran to grab my camera!! :)

Also, our grocery store potty experience was a little stressful at the time, but a funny mommmy memory. We had been inside the store about 20 minutes when Winston told me he needed to go potty (something I had worried about). So, I pushed the buggy over to the bathroom, parked it outside the door, and got both boys and my purse out. I one-handedly pulled the paper seat cover for Winston to sit on, and as he was peeing, Sam was putting his little hands all over the upper part of the stall :( . All 3 of us needed to wash our hands so I washed mine one at a time so I could continue to hold Sam, then I had to wash his. Unfortunately, Winston wasn't quite tall enough to reach the sink so i had to hold him up too with the other arm. Needless to say, when we finished I told Winston to walk out with his hands in the air to make sure he didn't touch anything.

Stay tuned for Winston's 3rd birthday post...

Easter 2010

Easter this year was a lot of fun, and very busy. We went to our Sunday School play group egg hunt earlier in the week, then we headed down to Andalusia to celebrate. In the midst of spending time with family and friends, I still had to finish Sam's outfit for church. Thanks to my incredibly talented Mom, he had something to wear. At lunch on Saturday we were well-fed at the annual Jones Singng (Sol, Fa, La). I was filled with emotion listening to the beautiful ensemble of the accapella harmonies coming from the ensemble of voices filling the tiny old church. Memories from my childhood flooded my mind. Later that afternoon we had a strategic egg hunt at Uncle Hunt and Aunt Ginny's house to reveal to Kathryn (Ginny's sister who was turning 16) her new car! Sunday morning we had another memorable sunrise service by the pond. This year CT Eldridge did the sermon, and I thought he did a great job. He will do well in seminary. After that we dyed eggs and headed to Mom and Dad's church, followed by a few pictures. Then it was time to head to Uncle Wayne and Aunt Barbara's pasture. I came closer this year to finding a prize egg, but I didn't have a proper "digging stick" so I forfeited to some younger boys who were willing to get their hands dirty (no cow patties though). As busy and fun as the weekend was, the most important thing is that we can rejoice in our risen Savior!! Thank you, Father, for sending your Son to take our place.

Even "Bo Jackson" likes to find Easter eggs (W with his friend, Thompson)
Sam and Anne Wesley
Winston helping Granddaddy cut the grass
Finding eggs at Uncle Hunt and Aunt Ginny's
Kat helping Sam
Family pic
My boys
Precious
Sam has had enough pictures...ready to eat


Uncle Terry and Madyson, MawMaw and Sam
Poor William didn't feel good :(