Happy Belated July 4th!!!!=)

Almost a month has passed since July 4th, but I still wanted to update you on our family's adventures!=)

On Saturday morning, we headed over to the pool clubhouse for a neighborhood 4th of July parade. The boys rode in their decorated red wagon and waved their American flags as we followed the parade route around the block. We were led by a firetruck and enjoyed getting to meet some more of our neighbors. The parade was followed up by some watermelon and popsicles!

Stephen is usually scared of fireworks (they're "too loud") but this year, at the last minute, he decided he wanted to go and see some! On Sunday night, at like 7:30, we packed the car and headed out on a search for some good fireworks. We ended up in a parking lot near the State Fairgrounds. The boys played football, and we ate watermelon out of the back of our van! The fireworks were beautiful, and Stephen did amazingly well. I guess it helped that we were too far away for them to be loud!

Overall it was a great July 4th! Can't wait to enjoy it next year with 3 little ones!=)

Caleb chowing down on some watermelon!


He wasn't too sure about that silly hat (me either)!=)


In the parade...


Stephen was proud of his hat!=)


Our family!

Still in the parade...but getting HOT!


Jeremy cutting the watermelon while we played football and waited for the fireworks to start

What Daddys Do Best!

There are so many things that Daddys do best, especially when it comes to little boys. I may be okay at sports, tickling, etc, but Jeremy, well, in Stephen's eyes he's the expert! I love that my boys love their Daddy! We are so blessed!

One such thing that Daddy always does best is bubble baths! I'm very skimpy with the bubbles, but Jeremy doesn't hold anything back when he pours them in! The boys absolutely love it! They are usually so covered that I have to put them in the shower after they get out! You'll see what I mean by the pictures! Happy Father's Day, Jeremy!=)

I'm Not Gonna Play Catch-Up!!

Yep, it's been almost a month...again! And nope, I'm not gonna try and play catch-up and give you a recap of the last month for our family. It would probably be interesting but not really worth yours or my time!=) Bottom line, we're all doing well and staying busy! Jeremy is gearing up for VBS next week and then camp coming up soon after that. Stephen just finished soccer season and is loving the warm (hot!) weather outside. Caleb, poor thing, has had an on and off stomach bug for nearly 2 weeks now. He acts fine, but we may be headed back to the Dr. next week. The baby and I are growing like crazy. I've only got like 9 weeks left and can hardly believe it! I feel great and am so thankful for an easy pregnancy.

The biggest highlight from the past month was probably our trip to Pigeon Forge with Jeremy's family. I could post tons of pictures, but I'm gonna limit it to some highlights! We putt-putted, rode go-karts, swam, and went to Dollywood while there. It was so much fun, and Jeremy and I thorougly enjoyed the time we had with the boys. Hope you enjoy the pictures. Sorry it's been so long!=)


Caleb fed the alligator his ball while we were playing Putt-Putt one day. Who knew there was actually a hole in there, and we never saw the ball again!=)


Caleb still carries that silly (and very nasty!) blanket (kee-kee) around!


Jeremy being silly with the boys (Can you see why we are totally cool if this next one is another boy??? I love them!!!)


Me and my boys!!


Stephen was actually old enough to drive his first go-kart! It was really cute, and he did a great job!


Our family by the creek at Apple Barn. We take this same picture each year we go to Pigeon Forge on vacation. Our first one was taken in May 2007, a few months before the wreck, and we still treasure that photograph.


Stephen and Caleb on one of the many rides at Dollywood!


Stephen loves playing Putt-Putt. He gets it from his Daddy!


Caleb flashing that precious smile I love!=)

Picking Strawberries (Or Eating Them!)

Last week the boys and I spent some time with my parents while Jeremy was on a staff trip to California. For the first time in awhile, I was able to spend Mother's Day with my Mom. They drove us to church on Sunday, and we enjoyed delicious McDonald's for lunch!=) After naps, the 5 of us headed to a local strawberry patch. The boys had so much fun, and the weather was perfect. I'm surprised Caleb didn't get a belly ache from all the strawberries he ate! On the way home, we stopped at a little icecream shop. It was so refreshing. I'm blessed to have a great Mom and also to be the Mom of two special little boys!

Notice Caleb taking strawberries from Stephen's bucket while he worked so hard to pick them!


Silly strawberry face!


It only got worse!


Stephen was so focused on PICKING good strawberries!


Caleb was focused on EATING good strawberries!


So proud of this "big strawberry!"



The finished product...


And yes, Caleb's still eating!=)

Our Little Soccer Player!

Jeremy and I are headed to Georgia on Wednesday for a Children's Ministry Conference. We won't be back til Saturday, so I thought I'd snag this chance to do a quick blog. I'm excited about spending a few days with Jeremy but will admittedly miss our boys like crazy. We're hardly ever away from them for more than a day or two at a time. I know they'll have as much fun as we will, though, since they're spending the time with their grandparents!

Stephen had picture day at his soccer game yesterday. The kids (in spite of their neon uniforms!) are so cute! Below are some candids I took while we wait for the "expensive ones" to come back!=)

Caleb's First Haircut!

Yep, Caleb is 18 months and has never had a haircut! Of course, I've trimmed up the back some but never actually taken him somewhere. Someone on vacation last week asked us if he was a boy or girl, so Jeremy insisted it was time!=) He did really well, and I admit that my little boy is growing up!


Before Caleb's much needed haircut!


Sitting in the big boy chair (for a brief moment...Mommy had to hold him the rest of the time!)


Caleb's big boy haircut!


Big brother showing him the lollypop rewards!

Happy 4th Birthday Stephen!

The day before we left for vacation was Stephen's 4th birthday! We started out the morning at his soccer game. We ate lunch at Arby's. After lunch, we enjoyed a "mini-fair" in Durham where Stephen rode some rides and played some games. My parents kept the boys at the house while they napped, so Jeremy and I could pick up some last minute party stuff. That evening we had some of Stephen's friends over for a party. We set up the bounce house outside, and it was a hit. We also enjoyed a yummy cake from Coldstone, which is still in our freezer, tempting me to finish it off! It was a great day, and we are so thankful for our litte miracle man! We love you, Stephen!

Warming up with Daddy before the game


The carousel at the fair


Riding the big ferris wheel with Paw-Paw


Our family at Stephen's party


Maw-Maw Hall (Great Grandma!)


Maw-Maw & Paw-Paw


Nana & Paw-Paw


Opening some cool presents


Eating lunch with friends


The bouncehouse