1 whole year plus one half

Just one and a half years ago, we were graced with the presence of this teeny little guy...


...who grew to be an adorable little baby just one year ago.


And now, a year later, a little boy has emerged. Where, oh where, did our baby go? How did it all go by so quickly?




Happy 18 month birthday, Tyler. We love you and enjoy having you in our lives so very much.

Great Summer Evening

Our Sunday School class got together this evening at Edwin Warner Park for food, fun and fellowship. All of the kids are 7 and under, and there are lots of them and even more on the way! We had a great time watching the bigger kids play in the creek. They played and played and played. The bikes and ride on toys went untouched! We ate some great food and then back to the creek until it was time to leave. Jack said it was the best time ever! Tyler watched from the sidelines, ran around a little and enjoyed the hot dogs and baked beans! Here's a little peek at our wonderful evening.

The gang back at "camp".

2 little boys. 1 car. Uh oh.

The stand off. Bennett reluctantly shared the car with Tyler. What a good friend. Look at Mr. Mean Face. We see this face a lot. The 2's are gonna be fun, I think!

Jim was one of the River Children Whisperers. He never got a break the entire evening. Jack had no problem grabbing Jim's hand and asking for help to cross the slippery creek bed.

The smart ones who stayed dry!

Just to clarify, that is Candice IN that creek...way to go, woman!

Bedtime waits for no one. Someone was sleepy and ready to go home. Good thing that Daddy has a nice broad shoulder to rest on! And Roll Tide!

What a fun night!

Thanks friends! We need to do this more often!

Wordless Wednesday...Down By the Creek Bank.

Watch Lucy Lane Come Home!

Please take a moment to view our friend's adoption video. It's the story of how they came to adopt their daughter Lucy Lane and bring her home to her forever family. I have a personal connection as I was asked to create the video. If you love it, it is due to the wonderful family you'll find in it, for sure!!!

Enjoy and remember all of God's blessings today, big and small. We are so fortunate to live in this amazingly affluent country and to be surrounded by such love in our lives!

Happy Birthday, America!

See that shirt above? "Future President" - never know, might happen!

Our mischievious monkey!

The 4th of July. A fun festivity smack dab in the middle of hot summer. For most of the years that we've lived in TN, the weather has been favorable and it has been clear skies and hot. This year, however, with 90% rain chance in the forecast, it was not looking favorable for a fireworks show.

Meemaw came up for the weekend and we all had dinner at Mimi and Grandpa's house. It was a good ole' Southern feast of bbq pulled pork, homemade potato salad, homemade slow cooked beans, corn on the cob, fresh fruit and a delicious blueberry pie. Now THAT's some good eatin'!
Then we started watching the storm forecast and debated on whether or not some of us would chance the weather and walk the :15 to the ballpark with Jack.

As we were still debating, we started hearing fireworks in the distance. They kept on and kept on and finally we realized that they had started the town fireworks show about :40 early in order to beat the rain! We scooped up the troops and headed outside where we stood on our friends' porch for the entire show.

The boys loved the fireworks. Tyler was mesmerized and didn't look away for the entire show. He was calling them "bop bops" by the end. It was really cute.

We had a good time and it was super convenient. We walked back across the street, loaded the car and headed home! Jack was pretty disappointed, however, that he has to wait AN ENTIRE YEAR before he can watch live fireworks up close. Sorry buddy!!!

Tyler's First Chore

Tyler's First Chore: Feeding the Dog

Hmmm. I think if I get this cup...

and put dog food in it...Careful! Don't spill...

Colby would like it if I put some in his bowl...

Oops. A few got on the floor. I'm sure that's ok...Now eat it up, Colby. Good dog.

BUSTED!!!!!


and that was BEFORE he started splashing all in the water bowl til there was a 3 ft diameter puddle on the floor! Aaaah!!

Indoor Summer "Pool Party"

Ok, so this isn't really a pool party. But it is just as fun. Our boys LOVE to take a bath together. And they LOVE bubbles. It's so great to see them having fun together...





And THIS is what happens when SOMEONE looses the bubble wand inside the empty bubble container. Tragedy of epic proportions!

You Are Gonna Have To Trust Me On This One

My two boys are opposites when it comes to adventure. Jack is the Wipeout watcher and Tyler, undoubtedly, will be a Wipeout contestant. He's such a little daredevil! He constantly keeps me on my toes.

Today, the 3 of us went swimming at our sweet friend Trina's house. She has a cool mac-daddy chlorine free pool, which is great for Jack. Tyler has only been pool swimming a few times in his little life, so one would expect him to be cautious and hesitant, right? Not this crazy boy. He was at the TOP of their 6 foot pool slide (after a LOT of pleading, begging, whining and pointing) where he slid down and into my waiting arms in water over my head. He only traversed the whole slide one time, but he also hopped off the end of the slide more than a handful of times from several feet above the water! He went under several times, just a little, without any complaint.

Perhaps swimming lessons are in order? He's a little spitfire, that boy! And you are gonna have to trust me on this one, because my camera was safely at home staying dry amongst all the fun. Maybe next time?