July 4th, 2012

This past summer was my parents first summer with the pool.  And let me just tell you, the kiddos LOVED it!  The especially liked the 4th of July party because there was so much food.

 I LOVE seasonal hairbows.  Simply LOVE!

The last of Christmas photos

So, back to Christmas. Got to finish that before I can move on to the January birthdays! On Christmas day, we drove to Florence during the kids nap time. It wasn't our original plan, but between everyone's work schedule, it was the only time that worked. We had a great celebration Sunday night, and then got to see a variety of family the next day!

Tessa met her Great Grandmother and Grandfather, Sissy and Boots. (Eric was in the shower and missed out on the pic).

This is her grumpy camera face at it's finest. I will be one HAPPY momma when I teach this kid to smile and say cheese when she sees a camera!

She got a doll from the movie Tangled, and proceeded to dig in the dirt with Rapunzel's (SP?) hairbrush.
Drake and Eli were totally in their element.
Can you just not believe how big this kid is? I sure can't!

Who cares about toys? Grandpa has a big pile of dirt!!! Jumping off it was a big hit. Drake went...
And McCall...
And Eli...
And Tessa! She doesn't really know how to jump, so she mostly slid down with Grandpa's help.
She was introduced to the gator. Big brother was plenty happy to oblige and drive her around.
And little brother taught her to hold on tight!
Eli got in a golf cart ride with Daddy.

Tessa got more hugs from Pryce. She loves her cousins!

Sweet Piper and Baylor:-)
I can't wait for next Christmas! Yes, I'm excited already. It's so much fun watching all their reactions and faces. Plus, next year Tessa and Eli will "get" it. These three are such blessings, and SO much fun. (And just in case you think everything is rainbows and ice-cream, they also fight like cats and dogs and sometimes listen to NOTHING I say.)

Now, onto birthday postings! Drake and Tessa turned three on the 5th and 6th!

The Boys go to the Country

As promised, here is a review of the boys weekend with Grandma and Grandpa. These two have no idea how lucky they are. They can go to SC or NY anytime and get ridiculously spoiled. Their Oma, Opa, Grandma, and Grandpa spoil them beyond belief.

So, while the stinkers were living the high life, this is what Daddy was up to. I have to say that 11 hours in the car is lovely when it's a convertible with no children. I now love my husband's mid thirties crisis car.

When I was growing up, I spent summers at my grandparents. I lived in their pool. That did NOT stop me for asking my parents for a pool at their house. I've asked my parents for a pool for 32 years. I've never gotten one. Well ya know what? My parents took the grandkids swimming a few weeks ago at their greatgrandparents. They had so much fun, that this is the end result......
Yep. You guessed it. My parents are getting a pool. ARE YOU SERIOUS? 32 years I asked for one. My boys and their cousin have fun ONE time at a pool, and all of a sudden my parents have a bulldozer in their backyard. Figures.
Eli had to take his turn sitting on the tractor digging the pool.
Drake was so excited about the pool being dug. We talked about it all week, and he kept saying "I dig it. Need BIG shovel. I dig it.". So, here he is digging the pool.
That was a rough day. Naptime!
They went out to dinner to celebrate cousin Will's birthday. What is Eli doing here?
But of course, he's trying to play air hockey like his brother and cousin!
This picture is the one thing that offers hours of entertainment at my parents. The TRACTOR. Drake loves this thing more than words can possibly express. And to make it easier for him, my Dad simply leaves a chair beside it, so Drake can climb up faster.
My Mom brought the boys back on Monday afternoon, which allowed me a few hours to do a ton of errands. Turns out, Drake was having more fun there than he would here at home. The corn was being cut in a nearby field, so Drake and Grandpa headed over to assess the situation. Eli stayed back for some one on one snuggles with Grandma:-)

Drake got to be the first mate/assistant captain. This combine is enclosed, with air conditioning, GPS, and a radio. That's seriously nicer than my car.
My big boy in heaven
It doesn't get any better than this!
Cheese!

Thanksgiving 2010

We went to Florence for Thanksgiving this (past) year. Here are a few photos. The boys adorable outfits were made by Grandma.

Summer fun

Again, these are from back in June. Whatev. At least I'm blogging. They are from my parents house and garden. I was digging potatoes. (It had rained the night before, so the garden was super duper muddy.) Drake learned to drink from a straw. And the little monkey climbed some more furniture. Shocking, I know.

Visits to Sissys pool

Well Hi Drake! He was apparently attacking the camera. Drake took a couple of trips to his great grandparents pool this summer. Big fun for the big guy. The little guy stayed inside for some rocking and snuggling with Sissy.






"Thanks Grandma, I love my float!"
I'm sure he was pointing at a bird.
Grandpa despises cold water, but he'll do anything for his grandchildren. Even get in the cold pool.
Splashing around.
A rare shot of the parental units

Not appreciating the cold water