Catching Up Is Hard To Do….

Yet again - I am so behind on bloging. I have been traveling with work during the week, and spending the weekends at the lake, and I just can’t seem to keep up with things. Here are some random lake pictures from our adventures last weekend.

Last weekend was such a sad weekend to be out on the water in our neck of the woods. A young 21-year-old women had drown a few days before our arrival and the police and dive team were still out looking for her while we were out there. Thankfully they found her body, but what a sad story. We will have to keep her family and friends in our prayers.

This weekend we also went out to the lake house, but it was too cold to swim. Can you believe that it was only 81 degrees yesterday and today? That temperature mixed with a breeze and you can’t hardly stand to be in the water. Hopefully next weekend will be a little bit warmer for the girl’s birthday party! I can’t believe that my baby girl is going to be one years old this week.

My best friend and the love of my life:

The boys fishing:

I love the way this picture turned out:

Poppy and Nene got to spend the weekend with us and oh how we enjoy our time with them:

Emma and LucyShe Chillaxin':

She has fallen and can't get up:

Emma hating the water (aka her life vest):

Taylor with his Aunt Emily on a wonderful evening boat ride:

Enjoy the view:

The view from the boat dock:

Guess who….

has 4 teeth coming in all at once? Emma Grace!!!

Oh my we have a snotty, slobbery, goopy eyed, teething princess on our hand. She woke up not feeling well this morning, and still not feeling real well when I picked her up from playschool, but I was thinking maybe it was her ears bothering her. However, at dinner I noticed that she was drooling everywhere. I took a look at those top teeth and sure enough four of them are all starting to poke through the skin.



Mommy is so sorry that you are not feeling well Emma Grace, but look at it this way: we get to get four in for the pain of one. You’ll be eating steak before we know it! I love you little girl.

Springdale Rodeo 4th of July Parade

My favorite thing about Springdale (besides the Lake House) is the Old Fashion 4th of July Rodeo Parade. This is by far the greatest parade around Northwest Arkansas. We packed the kids up early and headed down the road to the parade, where we met up with Audrey and baby Lila.

Taylor had so much fun seeing all the horses, the band and the monster truck/car thing. (Taylor story – the other day Taylor said, “Mom we need to get you a new car” and I said, “yea – what should we get?” His response “a monster truck.” Could you imagine me driving around in a monster truck?)

4th of July Celebration

I just love the 4th of July. I believe that it is my very favorite holiday. There are no gifts that have to be bought, and no huge obligations. Just hanging out with friends and family and eating lots of good food. This year we were blessed to have the following fiends and family join us: Dennis (Jonathan’s Brother), Delta (Dennis’s wife), Becky Bost, Uncle David (this is what Taylor calls Jonathan’s dad), Ryan’s dad Roy, Susan, Sean, Britain, Lawson, Mary, Jonathan, Lucy, and surprise visitors my mom, dad, and Emily. Nene and Poppy we missed you bunches – I am so sorry you got sick Nene.

Dennis made us the best dinner ever. He cooked Shrimp, potatoes, corn, mushrooms, and sausage all in the biggest pot I have ever seen. He called it a shrimp boil!!! I have never experienced anything like it but Dennis can come back and cook for us at any time.

Of course we shot lots of fireworks, and ate lots of homemade ice cream and desserts. We also did lots of boating and swimming. Taylor loved the water and the boat this year, and Emma Grace is really starting to warm up to the water. Lucy was so cute falling asleep every time she got near the boat of the giant raft. Emma and Lucy love spending this much time together. They were so cute just talking back and forth at each other. And Taylor found a new Toy – games on his Uncle Jonathan’s I-Phone. It was such a wonderful 4-day vacation! I just love family and this wonderful country that we live in. And I thank God for our freedom every day!

Taylor catching bugs:

Manna and Britain admiring fireworks:

The pot for the shrimp boil:

Have you ever seen that much food before:Makes my mouth water just looking at it:

I love that little face:

Emma Grace and Lucy all dressed up for the 4th:

Emma Grace, Aunt Mary, and Aunt Emily

Emma and Lucy sharing a bath:

Emma Grace and G-Daddy:

Emma's favorite new chair:

Emma Grace and Lucy drinking out of the others cup:

Emily and Taylor playing on the I-Phone:

Perfect end to a perfect weekend (Mommy and Emma Grace):

Taylor’s Drama Performance

I told you about Taylor’s Narnia camp earlier last week, so on Thursday we got to attend their closing performance. It was very cute, but my Taylor we not the least bit interested in performing in front of all of those parents. He sat in a chare with his arms crossed most of the time. I have to admit that the memories were just priceless. Not sure why I ever even thought that a drama camp would be something that he would enjoy, but I am all about exposing my children to new things.

Taylor marching to the his seat:

Yes that is Taylor sitting in the back in that chair:

Emma looking so cute for brothers performance:

Birthday's, Birthday's and More Birthday's

Mommy is behind on bloging. Last weekend was the weekend of Birthday parties. We had three birthday party celebrations to attend. The first one was on Saturday, for Emma’s friend and classmate Max Rogers (Max’s mom Chandra was also one of my sorority sisters – small world). He celebrated his very 1st Birthday!

Next we headed down to Fayetteville to Parker mans 5 Birthday Celebration. I remember when Taylor and Parker were in the Red (Infant) room together at preschool. They sure have grown up fast. Unfortunately Parker lives and Fayetteville and we live in Bentonville, so the boys will go to different schools next year. Hopefully Erin and I will do a good job of keeping the boys in touch in the coming years.

On Sunday we headed out to Bella Vista to one of the park areas for swimming and a cookout. Nene and Poppy were doing a birthday bash for all of the birthday for the past few months. Ryan had to work through the party, but the kids and I sure had fun (with his family)! Poppy sure does cook a mean burger!!! Thanks for all the fun Nene and Poppy.

Oh Yeah – on Friday afternoon Kenneth came over for a play date with Taylor. Those boys play so well together. When Kenneth comes over to play it is like having a babysitter for Taylor. They are so good at just doing their own thing together.

Kenneth and Taylor

Emma and Max at Max's 1st Birthday Party:

Taylor and Parker Man:

Taylor in the Bounce House at Parker's Birthday

Parker in the Bounce House:

Audrey and Aaron:

Emma Grace adores her wonderful Uncle Sean:

Master Chef Poppy:

Taylor ready to play Star Wars with the ball bat:

The Kids Swimming

Emma Grace

Nene and Lila

Mary’s Comment’s on Her and Taylor’s Adventure

I have been in Colorado for the past two days, so I was not able to bring Taylor to drama camp today, so Aunt Mary stepped in and helped out. Here is the story that she sent to me via email today:

Taylor talked to me the whole way up to Fayetteville. He cracks me up. I was dropping him off at his class and he got scared because there is was a new teacher. He told me he did not like new teachers and didn't want to meet her. So I proceeded to go in and sign him in and I told them I might need help persuading him to come in. Anyway, the new teacher came out and played a guessing name game with him until she told him his name. Then she said do you want to come in and he said “No, you are going to make me play silly games and I think they are too silly and I don't want to play them today.” She then said actually today we are meeting the white witch and we are going to be statues and it is not a silly day it is actually a serious day. Taylor's eyes got really big and he stood up and said “okay, lets go.” They went in the class and the new teacher said okay guys Taylor has an announcement. Taylor got really excited and said "Guys we are not going to be silly today, it is a serious day!" He was so excited about being serious!!


Thanks Aunt Mary for your help today, we would not make it without you.