A Day at the Expo

We have had absolutely beautiful weather today! To get us out of the house a bit, we all jumped in the car and went to the Enterprise Aviation Expo! What an experience! They had many, many World War II era planes that the boys couldn't get enough of. They also had helicopters, jeeps and even guns! The boys were even allowed to sit in a Huey. If it wasn't for the heat we could have stayed there all day. We enjoyed snacking on popcorn, cotton candy, and snow cones while we walked around outside and looked at all the cool things they had.

Ahhhhh Puzzle TIme!!!

Steven and I thought it would be an amazing idea to have a family project of sorts during the ridiculous amount of rain we have had in the last few weeks. So we came up with this great idea that we need to put together a puzzle...I mean EVERYONE can help with that, right? We went to our trusty Wal-Mart and picked out a puzzle with a beautiful picture and really didn't put much thought into the fact that it was a 1,500 piece puzzle. Two weeks later we finally finish it! All of us worked on it at various times and Steven and I both can close our eyes and see nothing but puzzle pieces...I really hope that fades out soon!

Flowers, Jammer, and a Trampoline!

We have had a very laid back weekend. It seems like we always have some type of errand to run on the weekend that involves all of us packing up and going to Dothan or Montgomery. Luckily, we were able to "veg" this weekend. Ian and Orion have been in "couch potato" mode this weekend but I can always count on my little James to play outside and let me take pictures. I am also posting some pictures of flowers that actually survived the drought!

Of course, we had to include tickle time!!! :)

GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!

We have all been ready for this football season to begin. The boys have been especially excited! They wanted their pictures taken before the big game this past Saturday. State didn't win but to quote Ian "we were robbed"....just saying!

Mug shot of me but my sweet husband looks awesome as always!

Our Angelic Alter Servers :)

Ian and Orion have been waiting for the day when they could finally be alter servers at our church. They get better and better with each Mass. I am so proud of them and I have to say that it takes every ounce of will power that I have not to start snapping pictures in the middle of the service. They may fuss and fight but they look so angelic when they are alter servers :) I had to take this with my cell phone so please forgive the poor picture quality ahead of time.

A New School Year Begins!

Well, this week has been a roller coaster of emotions! My oldest son is already in the 5th grade (when did that happen), my middle son is now a big 4th and is changing classes for the first time, and my sweet little James is now in Kindergarten. I mean, it seems like just yesterday that I was bringing each of them home from the hospital. I'm afraid to blink for fear that when I open my eyes my little boys will be in college. I think taking James to Kindergarten Monday ranks right up there with one of the most horrifying things I've ever had to do. Last Sunday night James starting crying every time he thought about going to school. Monday morning however, he was fine....until we got to his classroom. I walked him down the hall and he got acquainted with his teacher and a little boy that was already there. Everything was going ok until James said "Mom, can you sit down and stay with me?" I unfortunately had to tell him that it was time for me to go and that I couldn't stay. He started crying as he said "ok". Thankfully his teacher came over and started talking with him and ended up consoling us both as I was crying at this point. As soon as she turned his attention to the picture he had to color I very quickly said 'bye, I love you" and headed for the door. By the end of the day he was in love with going to school...until the next morning! Every morning this past week he has cried a little. He even told me one night that he wished I was five so that I could go to Kindergarten with him because he misses me too much when he's at school! I love that kid!! On the other hand, Ian and Orion politely informed me on the first day that there was no need to walk them to their classroom because "we have this school figured out Mom". Due to all the tears each morning I couldn't bring myself to take a picture of little Jammer each morning...maybe next week I can accomplish that!!

Orion was in the middle of eating  his snack and stopped chewing to smile 

James' class had a Gingerbread Man hunt at school Friday

Ian gets in moods sometimes and doesn't want to cooperate during picture time and I end up with this look

The Newest Member of Our Familly

Bartholomew is the newest, quietest, and most calm member of our family. He chills in his own little world and minds his own business. He isn't even bothered with three little boys staring and pointing at him for over an hour.

I figured I would add a picture of Ian relaxing before we get to Bartholomew.

Did I forget to mention that Bartholomew the turtle is Orion's pet?

For a turtle, he is kinda cool looking

James was up to something but I never figured out what it was....

A Trip Down Memory Lane.....

I have been wanting to do this for quite sometime and it just hasn't seemed to work out. I have been feeling kinda nostalgic and started looking through old pictures. Attached are just a sample of all that the boys and I looked through.

James and Maw Maw

Orion

 

Orion

Ian

Ian and Paw Paw

Ian, Orion, and James

Just One of Those Weeks.....

Have you ever been really excited to go somewhere (ie your sons birthday celebration) and it's as if someone is throwing monkey wrenches at you just to mess with your day? Oh good it's not just me then! whew!! This past week was originally set up to revolve completely around Orion, our middle son's, birthday. We try very hard to ensure that each child has a special block of days that are just for them. So, we are en route to Mississippi to spend his birthday with his precious Maw Maws and Paw Paw as well as Aunts and Uncles and any cousins who happened to come. As we are driving down I have the worst asthma attack I think I have ever had in my life...long story short it took a stop off in Mobile and a urgent care clinic visit in Pascagoula to get things under control! You might be thinking that something like this could really mess up a kid's birthday....nope! My sweet little Orion looked at me with those big blue eyes and said "Mom, I don't care about my birthday or presents or cake all I care about is that you are ok" And that was my present from him. As parents, I think we get caught up in their fighting and whining and just when you think you have really messed your kids up they tell you that you are all that matters :-)