Blissfully Beachy!!

Finally, one month later, I have downloaded all of the pics from my new camera and can tell you about our trip to Gulf Shores, AL. We met two of my dearest friends, Holly & Jamie, and their families for a week at the beach. Enjoy!!

We rented this beauty for the week.

I had these styros made for the trip. They turned out to be really cute.

My orange with white polka dot havianna beach flops..thought it was a fun photo!!

First day on the beach exploring..isn't that a precious bum?

Brooks and Duncan playin' in the sand

Cutie pie, Alexee, hangin' out at the beach.Brooks and Rhett building sand castles
The Garner family.

Duncan turned 3 during the trip, so we celebrated!! We took the kids to a small amusement park to celebrate D's b-day..here they are waiting in line for the bumper boats.
Bryan & Brooks spraying the Kelton boys
Don't think Brooks had near as much fun on the go-carts as I did!!
Aren't they sweet? First time on a carousel
My sweet little boy's footprints in the sand
Here, he's telling me big stories about our adventures collecting shells!!

Shells to add to the collection

Hurry up Mom..

Favorite part about walking on the beach..washing of the feet "myselt mommy"

Another beach post tomorrow...I'm super tired!!

Snakes, Snakes, & more snakes...

About 5 years ago, my mother in law was bitten by a rattlesnake on her pinkie finger while pruning a rose bush in West Texas. Since the attack, she has dealt with therapy, swelling, infection, and the finger getting smaller/shifting back toward her palm because the snake's fangs broke several of the tiny bones in her pinkie. Tomorrow morning, she will have the top two segments of her pinkie removed. Please pray for her, she is having a really tough time dealing with this. I feel so sorry for her and just can't imagine how she must feel.

Just a few more run-ins with snakes and my family:
*Last summer, my dad was bitten on the palm of his hand by a copperhead while picking up a clay pot in their backyard. Luckily, he didn't have any damage and just took a few days to recover.
*Two week ago, one of Bryan's cousins was bitten on the back of his leg by a rattlesnake in West Texas. His three children were in the yard behind him and witnessed everything. He suffered a pretty serious bite and they aren't sure what the extent of the damage will be.

If you have children and live anywhere that snakes could be, please always keep in the back of your mind that they can be anywhere!! Especially in the heat of the summer when they are trying to find a cool place.

My 1st baby

This precious little guy, who is his mommy's 1st baby boy, had to have surgery today for a torn acl. He was limping last week, and just didn't seem to be feeling good. Mom took him back to her house while we were out of town for Father's Day. She got him in to see her vet first thing Monday morn and they scheduled the surgery for today. He made it thru just fine and is recouping there for a few days. I have been sad all day b/c I can't go see him and didn't get to take him in this am for the surgery. I can't wait to give him lots of kisses and love as soon as he comes home!!

Happy Birthday to my sweet hubby!!

Bryan turned 33 yesterday. We had a yummy dinner at Carinos, but my child was not, in the least bit, interested in having a nice dinner. We scarfed our food down, wondered why we didn't get a sitter, and scurried out the door. I had chicken parm, B had a chicken & veggie pasta, and Brooks had a child's pep. pizza that was fabulous. I'm going to start ordering pizza to go from there!! We had chocolate chip cookie cake for desert after dinner. I always forget just how fabulous those are.

B, I hope you had a special day and know just how much we love you. Brooks is the luckiest boy alive to have you as his daddy!!

milestones...

Guess who has decided to just become a big boy right before his mommy's eyes??

This little one swaddled in his hospital blanket 2 years and 4 months ago is now sleeping in a big boy bed (full size)...

This little one snoozing on mommy's shoulder pooped and tee-tee'd on the potty tonight before bath. He's tinkled several times, so tonight was big time. I carried on, jumped around, acted like a big fool and his eyes sparkled. I think he was really just pumped up about getting his "potty candy"!!

I just love this pic and had to throw it in.

B and I put his bed together this weekend and I cried all day. It makes me sad that time has flown by so quickly.

I have pics of Brooks "helping" us put the new bed together, but they are on the new camera and I still haven't learned how to download em...Allison I wish you were here to help me!!

Finally, a beach post!!

We went on our first family vacation the week before Memorial Day and I am just now posting..sorry I'm fashionably late!! It was so much fun. We met two of my dearest friends, Holly & Jamie, and their families for a week in Gulf Shores, AL. I have posted just a few of the pics from my digital camera. After I figure out how to download the 400 plus photos on my new camera, I'll blog again.

Can I just say...thank heaven for the portable DVD player!!!

Brooks is crammed into the backseat, he almost didn't fit. I DO NOT pack lightly.
Sword fighting with Duncan at the hotel in Jackson, MS on our drive down
My sweet little beach boy..Holly, Duncan, & Ryon in the background.
Me and the boys
2 of my most favorite girls in the whole world..

Mother's Day

I had a wonderful Mother's Day with my boys. We went to church and then had lunch at a great Latin restaurant. This was our first time to dine there and it was yummy. Then, we came home for naps and played outside when Brooks woke up. Bryan cooked a yummy dinner:grilled BBQ chicken, zucchini & squash that had been marinating in Italian dressing, and angel food cake, strawberries, & whipped cream for desert. He cleaned up the kitchen, unloaded & loaded the dishwasher, and folded towels for me. It was a perfect day!!

Photo before church

Tulips, my favorite

It's a beautiful restaurant
I loved how they served the water
I just love him to pieces
Climbing the stairs is o' so much fun
My fancy new camera just in time for our trip to the beach next week

My precious little boy makes me laugh everyday!! I truly feel blessed that God gave him to me. I am thankful that he is healthy, eager to learn, and full of energy. I hope you all had a special Mother's Day too!!