Northwest River Park

Sue and I took the kids to one of her secret places for one last hurrah before school started. We decided the big boys would appreciate a fishing day. It was a little bit of a slow start getting in the groove, but once all the little birds (that's what I call the kids for many reasons) got settled in their little pairs we were good to go....I think. We had a whole lot of tangled lines going on in the beginning. Sue was so sweet to get Bradley's undone and redone with a worm and all. I must say she's the master fishing momma with the rubber gloves to boot. I love her to pieces....I just was too lazy that day to be the one. Bradley and Alexander are growing up right before our eyes and little by little they get to experience some independence along the way. We sent them up to buy their own box of worms and said they could get a pack of gum to share as well. Apparently they had this grown up little men conversation and thought a better choice would be to buy themselves each a moon pie....afterall they were only $.50 a piece. So when they came back they had the moonpies stuffed in their pockets so no one would see so we sent them up in the woods to eat their treasure and just enjoy the moment. We each took turns to spy on them and ya know....have that mommy moment. The boys went across the lake to fish and successfully kept their lines untangled this time. I think they caught one little fish. The little ones kept their eyes on the turtle that kept hovering around. Probably because they kept feeding it popcorn, raisens, PB & J oops.....I'm sure they are used to it. We ended our time with a little hike. It doesn't matter what we do there really isn't ever a dull moment or lack of adventure when our crew gets together.

Alayna's little inch worm she found

The boys and their moon pies

Three precious girlfriends

It was so cute! These 3 kept poking their heads up from behind this sign.

The baby birds chirping away telling secrets

Gone Crabbin

I took the kids crabbing one day at the Locks. We had the best time. It was a little nerve wracking at first with Laura always wanting to teeter on the edge of life like normal and wanting to be so close the water so I strapped her in and my baby who usually has a lower tolerance for being confined for a long period of time did just fine once I plunked a lollipop in her hand. It bought us alot more time that I thought. I found my new little addiction in life. I realized I can really be an adrenaline junky after all. Everytime I'd feel a tug I'd feel the surge and sometimes I'd have the net ready thinking I've got this one in the bag and I'd miss it. Made me crazy! Bradley was my little partner in crabnapping so we decided he'd pull the line up slowly and then I'd have the net ready. Worked much better so after 3 hours we ended up with lots of bites and only 7 crabs, but it was exciting since we'd never caught any before. The last time we went it was off season and we didn't catch any. We were so excited to bring them home to show daddy. Alayna was off and on interested while we were doing it. She did more skipping around than anything, but my little Sanguine proudly announced at the end of the day how she caught every last crab and that they were hers. She had convinced herself she caught them all. We kept them in the cooler and she made sure she babysat "her" crabs until the big cook and feast. Craig came home and cooked them up and they were all a captive audience through the whole process. Took forever, but to them it was worth it. I don't eat any kind of creature that crawls or swims in any kind of water. Alayna wanted to know if she could pluck the little eyeballs out and eat them. Couldn't believe it.....well....maybe I can. All in all it was a great day and can't wait to go again.

Alayna's first real sleepover

Alayna's had her first "real" sleepover when her best little "boy/friend" Hamilton. The big boys had their fair share of them and we kept telling the little ones that it would be their turn real soon. Well we kept putting it off and then we surprised them with a spontaneous last minute "Guess what, you two get to have a sleepover tonight!" Their reactions were priceless. They were adorable! They ran in the house and got right to work on their plans. We ate dinner which Hamilton got an ear full because it happened to be one of our loud nights at the dinner table. Alayna was fussing about her milk cup and was having a melt down over it. Laura was loudly chanting something, not sure what. Alayna got over herself and announced to the whole table that she LOVES Hamilton so much and that she wants to keep him forever. Hamilton agreed that he loves her too, but only when she doesn't complain. That was a riot!!! Just like a little husband and wife keeping their peace. After that we got their beds all ready and they got their jammies on, they played for awhile, wrestled, picked out their movie which Alayna informed everyone that it has to be a boy movie so Hamilton was good with that. They ended up watching a dinosaur movie. Alayna loves to play with our toy dinosaurs lately and she also loves dinosaur movies. She can hang with the boys and still be a girly girl.

I came up to check on them at one point and here they were perched up on the toy kitchen looking out the window. It was so cute!!

Out for the count

The next morning the kids got a big surprise to Gramma Dennice being there. She came late the night before. It happened to be a week before Alayna's real birthday so gramma came with a bundle of gifts for Alayna and something special for each of the other kids. Hamilton and Alayna were actually the first ones to wake up so Gramma snuck off with them two to Dunkin Donuts and brought some donuts back for everyone. They thought that was just the best that they could go with her all by themselves.

Friends Reunion

Jeff and Missy came into town and it was so nice for us all to be able to spend time with them and catch up. It's been awhile since the gang has all been together. There is definitely no shortage of laughter when we're all together. It's always fun to reminise of the old times and go through all of the "remember whens...." of the past. We were able to get together at Kevin and Michele's for a BBQ Saturday and then Sunday after church they were all able to come to our house for the day. It was a great day of hanging out, doing some more catching up and seeing our kids together even though they don't see each other alot they seem to just fall in step with each other regardless of the ages and distance. I was able to meet Missy and Jeff at the beach one day with the kiddos as well. Didn't take alot of pictures, but needless to say we had a great time with everyone making up for some lost time and watching the kids play together. We tried to remember the last time everyone was together at the same time and I don't think we could recall so it had been too long. The Lord has blessed us completely with these precious friendships that time nor distance has separated. It's just so nice to be able to always pick up were we left off everytime we do get together. Maybe one day we can talk them into moving back....Hmmmm.....until then we'll enjoy the time we do get.

Girls Weekend Away

Me and the girls (Sue, Mary, Andrea,(Mary's friend) and I) got to escape for a couple of days to Richmond and go to the Beth Moore conference. It was so nice to get away for a little bit and just be girls. It's very hard for me to be the one to leave my family, but it's good for a mommy to take her mommy hat off every once in awhile and get refreshed and filled up. The conference was great and although it took awhile to chew on a few things and process all of the information it was a good reminder for me that sometimes we have to go backwards and get back to the basics of what's really important in order to move forward. Whether that be spiritually, personally or whatever it is in your life that needs changing. Beth always has so much heart,humor and passion in her messages that it really inspires you to want to change and to really want to grow your relationship with the Lord to a deeper level. I'm so thankful that the weekend worked out for me to be able to go. So here's to a great time with girlfriends, uninteruppted dinner, great conversations and a time for growth and learning new things. By the end of the conference I was missing my family so much and couldn't wait to get back to my sweetie and put my mommy hat back on:) These were the only pics I took.

Fun Friend Time!

These two babies were a hoot. I got a kick out of watching them in the sprinkler trying to catch the water.

These boys spent an entire afternoon catching grasshoppers having the time of their life in their own little boy wonderland doing what they love the most. I just enjoyed watching them.

Hamilton and Alayna having their little snack together not caring what the rest of the world is doing.

The boys and Caitlynn had a blast putting dishsoap on the slide and taking the plunge at the bottom. It was too funny!

The kids love fishing in the pond behind the houses across from us. Steven and Caitlynn came over one day and right away Bradley and Steven headed back to go fishing. It's a highlight for Steven too when he comes over. No sooner were they gone and Steven comes running back yelling that Bradley had caught a bass. I don't think Bradley had ever really caught anything back there before so it was a big deal. They usually were content just catching the minnows. Daddy hadn't left for work yet so he went back to check it out and they needed help getting it off the hook. I thought it was going to be just a small one but it was a pretty good size for just a run off pond. They were so proud of their catch. Alayna had caught 3 little minnows that she brought home in a little container. Not long after they died. I told her they had and we should get rid of them and she said "No they're not, they are just taking a nap" Of course they were, silly me why would I think any different so I then agreed with her to save her heart. She was just so cute about it. So they sat on the counter and took their "nap" all day and never woke up.