Our Big Birthday Party!

This past weekend we celebrated Ben and Drew's 3rd birthday with a party at Pump It Up. Everyone had so much fun....even all the grownups! While some of our favorite buddies weren't able to be there (we sure did miss you Chelle, Dressie and Uncle Dan!), we had a blast with our friends that came. Here are a few pictures of the boys enjoying their special day:

Ben going down the slideDrew and PaisleyWyattA big pile of munchkins as they all went down the slide together
Ben and Daily Josh, Brax and BrodyBen and Drew on the Birthday Throne
And the beautiful cake, made by one of my friends, Brooke O'Dell. I just have to put a little plug in for her business Ice This Cakes and Creations. She was just featured in the Scene for the Editor's Picks Best Of, and she's wonderful! I couldn't have dreamt up a better cake, and it was so yummy!

Since the boys love choo choo trains, I asked Brooke to do a train cake, and the boys gave each of their friends a Conductor's hat and a wooden train whistle. Not exactly sure where my good sense was when I concocted that little idea, since we loaded them up on sugar then gave them something to make lots of noise with...but regardless, they all seemed to have a great time. A big thank you to everyone who was able to come and shower our boys with love and blessings as we celebrated three whole years!!! We love each of you and are so thankful that you are a part of our lives!!

Quick Visit and Touch a Truck

Last weekend while Michael was in China, my mama and daddy drove up to visit the little guys and to help me out with a little break. We always have so much silly fun when we're all together. We packed lots of lovin in to just a couple of days, though with cheering on all the football teams, making cookies and pizzas and playing outside.

Here BeBe and Mimi were resting and then the boys woke up from their naps. They were all cuddling on the couch, so I grabbed the camera.....
But Pop hates to be left out, so he had to join in the fun and jump on top of everybody....
We sure are happy to have Daddy back home with us. So we spent the weekend just enjoying being back together. Michael is so great about always taking an extra day or two once he gets home to do nothing but dote on his boys, so we took them to do some really special things. We took them to the zoo - something they never get tired of, and took them to an event held here in Spring Hill, hosted by the parks and recreation dept, called Touch a Truck.

They had every imaginable kind of truck available for the kids to sit in, turn the steering wheel and blow the horn. Lots of the trucks' operators gave away hard hats, stickers, candy and toys. Needless to say, these boys thought they had hit the jackpot.

Brax and Drew showing off their construction hatsBen having a blast in the trash truck ....until he realized that I was trying to take his picture.

Drew "driving" an Army field ambulance. In this one, the siren is located so that the driver just has to press his knee against it, which means for a two year old, just the right distance to press your foot against. Let's just say every one for miles knew he was coming.Ben showing off his Lightning McQueen-inspired racing skills. Drew was pretty much done by this point, so no more pictures of him. But here is Ben digging up the ground.
There was so much to do and see, and I think it would've been an even bigger hit with them had they not been feeling a little sick. They are both battling colds with yucky coughs, as are all of their friends. Ben's has turned into a sinus infection already, and I'm sure Drew's will too since they share everything. But even with not being 100%, we still managed to have a great weekend together.

Off to start another busy week! Happy Monday, everyone!

First School Pictures!!!

OH MY GOODNESS! Aren't these these school pictures too cute?!?! I just love them!! How in the world he got them to both smile and look at the camera, I'll never know. And, I couldn't believe that he did an extra shot of the two of them together. A mommy couldn't ask for more!.....well--except maybe to have smoothed over those wild manes of hair. But hey, all things considered, pretty darn good if I do say so myself.

Happy 65th Wedding Anniversary

A couple of weekends ago, we loaded up the car and headed to Montgomery to celebrate 65 years of marriage between my Nana and Papa. Anytime our family gets the chance to be all together, we can't help but have a blast, and this time was no different. We were able to have a special dinner for them, honoring them for such a special milestone, had a small "wedding cake", and we put together a surprise album of pictures, cards and letters from each of us, distant relatives and old friends. It was such a special day and I felt so honored to be a part of it. They have touched so many lives along their journey because they are so generous, caring and giving. The faith that I have now is due in large part to the role that they have played in my life....not because they told me what to do, but because I watched them humbly live out the things Jesus said to do. I know that they have covered me in prayer every day of my life, and even before I was a twinkle in my Daddy's eye. I know they have covered my husband in prayer even before he was born too. And I know that they pray this way not only for every person in our family, but also for the friends in their lives. That knowledge has given me so much peace and confidence. It is just the kind of people they are. Congratulations, Nana and Papa! We are so proud to be a part of this family that you have made.