Last Weeks Whirlwind

Last week, I thought things would slow down a bit from going, going, going, since vacation ended but that didn't happen!! Sunday we picked for three hours straight in the nice 95 degree day sweet corn so that I could store it for as many people as I possible could think of. The boys in the meantime ran Papa's well almost dry by playing in the sprinkler naked. They had a ball. We loaded all the sweet corn up in Papa 4-wheeler's Monster truck (aka the white truck) to the house so that I could work on it on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Well, my intentions were there but I proved I'm not that great of a farm girl. It spoiled from the heat of the day after one and half days. Yep a whole truck bed spoiled.... I got about 20 quart bags out of the whole deal. I was bummed but realized what I need to do different. See you learn a new lesson all of the time. Tuesday, Gavin discovered a bug on him that just won't come off. He didn't tell me about it but told his good friends at daycare how he had this great bug friend on his arm that won't come off. The amazing sitter caught onto the conversation and discovered it was a tick. She removed the entire thing from his arm and took care of it along with searching them both for anymore ticks. I will a little panicy when I found out but after calling the Dr.'s office I felt much better by just watching to see if there is any irritation or red spot. We are not sure where he got it but we are hoping for no more new friends or illness from it either. Wednesday night we decided to try out the 4-H fair for the first time. Kerry hadn't been there in years and I hadn't been there since I was in 4-H a long time ago either. After a little fee to get in and a little food, we sat and watched the mini-tractor races followed by visiting all of the animals we could possible talk to. The boys had a great time but I don't know if we will be able to afford it next year. It was a little expensive. And then the grand end of the week was Griffin puking everywhere after a work picnic. Thursday evening. Let's just say when a little boy pukes hot dogs and grapes in your purse, you end up having to throw it away because it isn't worth cleaning up and Griffin lift a little treasure for Daddy to find on Friday morning in his work shoe. Yum!!! I felt sorry for Griffin though he didn't feel well and then he puked in the middle of the night and didn't get anyone up. I didn't hear him. I felt like the world's worse mother but I didn't hear anything. So our little man, he rolled over the opposite way and went back to sleep. Gavin had the other end problem during the day on Friday. My little men were sick and it was their little bodies telling us just to slow down and relax for a while. On the up side of that though, I got a new purse and got to spend all day with my little boys. Daddy even came home early to spend time with us which was a special treat.

Although it may have been a crazy week, the time with our family is just so precious and worth every moment

The Ozarks

Vacations are for relaxing, melting worries away, enjoying the small things, getting out of routine, making friends, loving more, being with your family, and so much more. Although I was a little hesitate at first to go on vacation, it was all of these things and more. I know we are so blessed to be able to go and we lived it up. The best part... we had the BEST time ever!!! Talk about outstanding weather, we had it. It was 85 to 94 degrees EVERYDAY, it was hot and humid and so my weather. First time out in the boat, do you see how happy my boys are? I mean there couldn't have been a bigger smile on their faces.

Our partial family picture... 1st one in a long time....

And then we met the neighbor, Vicki, who feeds the deer everyday and we were lucky enough to par take in that experience. We threw corn out...

then we sat and waited for them to come and they did....

This poor doe has a broken leg. Vicki said that she has had this broken leg for a year now but she continues to plug away. The other deer are mean to her but she takes her time and eats and off she goes.

The boys were just so excited to feed the animals.

The boys had enough of the riding in the boat, they wanted to be captains. There is just no way to tell them NO so Papa allows them both to be captian. Gavin thought it was hilarious when he hit a wave and made water splash us all making us all wet except for the captains of course.

Do you see those beautiful blue eyes and little tan makes on their little bodies that are growing way too quickly for their Momma? Talk about in love with them... they get their eyes from their Daddy, who has such gorgoeous eyes.

If you ask either boy including Kerry, they will say that their favorite activity of vacation is the jetskis. First thing in the morning barely after their eyes were open they would ask, "Can we go for a jetski ride?" It is play time all of the time down there so of course, we would get our bathing suits on and take off. The both love to ride together not separate because as Gavin would say, "that isn't fair."

Whoever invented these wonderful machines was genius although not so much fun when you are the one getting shot at all of the time. By hey everyone need a little cool down from time to time.

The ducks got the bad end of the deal, the boys love to watch them scatter when they shot water at them. No ducks were harmed but they were very well feed.

More jetskis rides...

Each night after having their second wind kick in around 9 to 10 o'clock, they would pass out cold on their beds.

Funny face when you are sick of taking pictures for your Mommy.

Both boys took their turn at tubing. They loved getting in the tube and trying something different. Griffin was a little more at ease with it then Gavin but they both did amazing. It is a must try again.

Then Daddy had to take his turn and try at getting beat up by the tube. He fell off only once but he rode for a long time.

Mommy singled skied just to see if she could had it in her after more than 8 years. Guess what? I did it on the first try without falling down and skied for about 2 miles give or take. I still got it!!

Papa never got a break but he loved it.

To no surprise, Gavin loved the water just as much as he loved the pool. He didn't hestiate to jump right on in just as he did in the pool and he did it all of the time. This picture is on of my most favorite.

Papa would fill the water gun up and then Griffin would get a kick out of spraying him with it. Papa thought there was something wrong with that but Griffin just laughed and laughed.

Yes, I made them do it again, take a family picture. Look both parents are dark brown to black hair while the little boys are almost completely blond. Funny how that is...

We found a new love for the boys. Go-karts... Must be in their blood. We found a track surprisingly enough that allowed 2 years olds to go with an adult so we gave them their first go-kart experience. Wow was it fun!

We are not really going to discuss who won. Kerry feels one way while I feel a completely different way. I don't know! Griffy and I could have been so far behind that we thought we were in first so I'm going to say that WE WON!! Plus it is my blog and Kerry can't sign into it we definitely won!!!

Me and my two little boys, just can't get enough of them.

Sneaky little man got on the jetski while no one was on there with him and he pretended to drive but didn't go anywhere. I think they would live on those things.

Trying to ski in a special kind of way...

On the very last day, we did a family jump in the lake. We really wanted Griffin to jump in sometime during the vacation but he didn't want to but he did kind of agree (not really) to jump in as a family jump. We had talked about it through the week and Gavin was thrilled.

We did it and all survived!!!

We did it just once but at least he did it.

Then he clung to me like there was no tomorrow. We continued to jump in and do tricks while Griffin played and watched. It is funny though because the boys are protective of me. Kerry would throw me in and Griffin would cry and yell at him in his 2 year old language. So cute. Got to love that they love their Mommy so much while it last.

Last a picture of us two!! I love this man more and more everyday. We had an amazing vacation and it was so worth taking. It would not have been possible without our family who help make it the best FAMILY vacation ever. We all did not want to leave but we all know that vacations are made to be special, to regroup, to reconnent, repriorities, to have fun, do things you don't normally do, to count our many blessing, and we have so much to be thankful for.

Griffin's Wake Up Call

I love Griffin's new wake up call for me. As many know that Griffin is our early bird of the family so he loves to come in to our room and wake me up in the morning. He is super sweet about waking me up and I am so thankful he wakes me up. Just today he started something new to get me up.... he gets about a few centimeters from my face and whispers "good morning, Mommy!" Imagine being face to face, nose to nose, with a little blond hair, blue eyed boy smiling at you asking for you to please get up so he can eat. You can't but have a great morning with that wake up all.

Our 4th of July

We spent our 4th of July at Mama Dolphin and Papa Steeler's house hanging out in the pool. I know you are shocked by this but we just can't get enough of swimming in the pool especially since the weather is 100 times better than last year's summer weather. Thank God for all this great weather, sunshine, and time with each other. Gavin continue to make huge milestones just as Griffin does. Watching them makes me a smile from ear to ear.

Gavin floating on his back. After swimming and having a little cookout, we headed to the fireworks in Chenoa. The boys were exhausted but they made it through them without falling asleep.

We sat in the ditch and watched. The boys were exhausted and ready for bed by the time that we got home so they went straight to bed. Such an awesome day getting to spend all day together with family and friends. Kerry and I ended our day by spending some time together watching a movie. Aw!! I just love it all!!!

Cousin baby shower

We started off our 4th of July weekend by going to a baby shower for Dash Simpson born back in April. We all brought gifts for the baby that would get him through the years which was really a lot of fun and interesting. It is nice to get more than newborn gifts and Dash will be set for a while thereafter. On this side of the family, we have a lot of boys. I mean a lot of boys. You can tell from the picture below. There are 10 boys (1 boy is not there) and 1 girl-she was the very first great grandchild too so she is the special one that got to hold Dash. We had to take a couple of pictures and then we finally gave up. It is really difficult to get them all looking at one camera or just looking in general.

Try #? there were too many tries to remember.

Then the girls had to take a picture! Not such a great picture of me but oh well. These are all of the girl cousins minus one.

Dash's mom is the one to the left of me. Then, we grabbed our suits and tried out Aunt Suzie's slip and slide. Look at all of the woman watch behind them... It makes me laugh.

Gavin had no hesitation at all. He would get too impatient at times and would go if someone else would wait too long.

I love this picture. It shows the water spraying and Gavin sliding away. He is our water boy. Griffin on the other hand is still getting used to it but he is doing so much better. He watched on the side lines and laughed at them. I'm sure in time he will join in too.

Then when the water slide got boring, taking turns riding around in the barbie jeep is always fun. No one argued though and they all waited their turn, which was so awesome.

And playing in the sand/water table. I think Griffin could have played at this thing forever. He had fun dumping, filling, re dumping, and refilling.

We had a great day with our Grandma Kathy, aunts, and all the cousins.

Two Wheels

On Tuesday, I arrived at the boys' babysitter house to pick them up. We had seen a bike when we arrived at daycare that morning but I just thought it was a one of the boy's bike to ride home later that day. After not being able to find Gavin on his usual spot on top of the play set, I met Gavin coming to me on a bike with no training wheels and a HUGE grin on his face. I was just in complete shock and thrilled. I had no clue that our daycare provider was going to work with him on it, let alone he accomplished it within the first or second try. She started him in the grass because if he falls then it doesn't hurt because it teaches them to gain control. It is so great!! We still have a lot to practice to do but I can't believe it. It was a good thing that she started working with him on it because I would have held off for a little longer because it means that he is growing up. Man, time is just flying by.