creeks, cows, and cousins

Jon has an aunt and uncle and lots of cousins who live in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. We have been talking about going for a visit but have never managed to carve out the time to make the trip. One of Jon's cousins is getting married in September and the family was putting together a shower for her. It was the perfect excuse to go. The trip was slightly impromptu, so Jon wasn't able to come along, but Ben, Joyce, the kids and I all piled into my car and took off for a weekend of family fun. Jon's aunt and uncle live on a property with cows, goats, chickens and lots of dogs and cats. The kids had a blast playing the creek and petting all the animals. I got to visit with lots of Jon's family that I hadn't seen since we got married. It's heartwarming to share your children with family. Hopefully we'll make the time to visit more often.

 

 

Landon and Wyatt are the closest male relatives.

Presley was in love!

We would have brought them both home if it weren't for the 6 hour drive.

Presley was eating roasted peanuts and gave us all a surprise with this rogue peanut skin.

go landon, it's your birthday

With all the excitement surrounding going to the beach, we managed to celebrate another very important event. Landon celebrated his 4th birthday! We have never made a huge deal out of any of his birthdays and this year was no exception. We were going to be traveling to the beach on his actual birthday, so we got the family together before we left for a small celebration at one of his favorite pizza places. He was showered with big boy gifts and we all went home with blue stained mouths from his Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle cake. Happy Birthday to our favorite four year old.

Golf clubs!

A big boy bike!

 

 Getting some pointers from Daddy.

 

Birthday morning at the hotel in Jackson, MS.

 

Ninja turtle donuts!

 

beach bums

Back in January, I convinced Jon that it was time to take the kids to the beach so we blocked out a week in July, rented a house and asked my parents to come along. I was dreading the long drive but knew once we arrived we would have 7 days to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of Grayton Beach, Florida. As expected the drive was plagued with lots of stop and go traffic and even though we broke it up into two days, it was stressful. We spent the next week getting to the rhythm of heading out to the beach early each day and sticking around until lunch. After lunch, we'd hit the pool and then spend the late afternoon napping and watching TV. The kids absolutely loved the water and couldn't get enough of splashing in the waves and building castles in the sand.

It's hard to see but beyond my feet is the line of cars stopped about 20 miles from the beach.

 

First steps into the ocean.

 

 

 After sporting a very wiggly tooth all week, Presley lost her second tooth about 30 miles from home.

picture post

This is Presley's first and last day of school picture.

I love her expressions!

 

  It's getting HOT in here.

The kids and I paddle boating at Pinnacle Mountain.

Enjoying a birthday party at Funland.

 

Happy 4th of July 

 

lost and found

Presley was desperate to lose her first tooth. She was one of the last kids in her group of friends to have a "goner". While I was away on my hiking trip, Presley informed me that she had a loose tooth. I thought she was joking because why now, while I was away, would the universe allow her to lose her first tooth? My mom confirmed that the tooth was very lose but told me she would do her best to keep it in until I returned home. I shouldn't have worried so much, because after talking with friends, I discovered that "loose" teeth can hang on for weeks. Low and behold that tooth stayed in for another whole week even with constant wiggling. Finally, while we were out to dinner for Father's Day and the tooth was hanging by a thread, Presley pushed the tooth the opposite way and out it fell. She was so excited!!

This is a pillow my mom made for me when I was a kid.