Vacation Bible School

This whole past week Braden got to go to VBS from 8:45-12:15 at Georgetown Christian Church! Jenn took Carson too so that was nice that they each had a buddy. I was beyond impressed with the program and all the fun stuff they did with the kids each day. Braden came home with crafts and activities he made each day plus learned a bible story and some songs. They even ended the week with a program Friday night. It was so nice!

For the program they had all of this free yummy food and the kids performed their songs on stage. This was a monumental week for Mr. Braden in that I've never dropped him off anywhere for an extended period of time since he's always gone to preschool with me. Each day he would pucker a bit like he was going to cry (and did the first day for a few minutes) but the teachers said he was fine the minute I left. As a matter of fact, one teacher said he was playing me like a fiddle. ha! :) This was also the first time I've ever seen him "perform" in front of people. He acts shy in so many situations that I wasn't sure if he'd even go up there. I was soooooooo proud of my little guy. Not only did he go up there and sing but he was really excited we were there and was so proud to show off what he'd been working on. It sure made my mommy heart melt!! So proud of you Braden Alan!!!

Ethan got some cuddle time in with Jenn during dinner and enjoyed feeding her with his fork. :) She must have the touch because I've never seen him sit in one place for so long!

Braden all geared up for the show....it was a cowboy/ranch theme

Braden and Carson sing their hearts out

A little jumping action

Then the preschoolers came to the floor while the kindergarteners sang...Braden continued showing off his skills. :) One of his skills was knocking the tree behind him down...he did that a few times during the rest of the songs. ha!

Yeah! Good job Braden!

New water slide

'Tis the yard sale season and I am hooked!!! I went to a few Friday morning and came across this water slide. They said you could use it at home but that it was perfect if we ever went to a lake....well, yes we do so I was sold! They had $30 on it and I wasn't sure we needed one more big thing so I came home and sent Chris back and told him to offer them $20 (he's better at that stuff...I get embarrased). They took it and we broke it in right away.

Head first is way more fun!

The neighbors came over and then Chris added the slip n slide for some extra craziness...they got pretty good at sliding all the way down. Don't you miss being a kid and doing stuff like this and NOT being sore the next day?! :)

Kylie and Braden went down together a few times...Braden would think this was even cooler if they were in high school. hee hee!

Family boat trip

On Monday we buzzed up to Hardy Lake for a little family boat trip. We went in the evening and the lake was almost empty so we felt like it was our own little lake. We got out the island which is always fun for the kids and Ethan swam for the first time in the lake. He did really great! He is happy as long as you hold onto him which is fine by me!! :)

There's always time for a picture while you're driving

Cute boys

Ethan loved the little mesh pool on the island

Braden's favorite part is to use the rope to pull the island to the boat and let it go back out...it's the little things :)

My big boy

A few more jumps before sunset....ahhhhh, we love summer. :)

More swim time

There's not much else to do in this weather besides swim and boat! It is hot, hot, hot!! Last weekend we went over to Jenn & Nick's friend's house. They have a fabulous pool and let us grill and swim-so fun!

My child is a maniac with jumping in...and you have to be careful or he will land on your head. :)

So stinkin' cute with those chubby calves coming out of those shorts :)

Jackson, Ethan, Carson, Addi, Alivia & Braden all stopping for a moment for a picture...oh and Maggie the dog :)

Night night

Ethan crawled up in Braden's bed today when we were playing and pulled the covers up. He thought he was big stuff and kept giggling that he was in there. It's crazy to think he'll be in a big boy bed in probably a few months. :)

They were so sweet laughing at each other...Ethan and Batman that is! :)

Sweet boys

Costumes Galore

Our house has turned into a small Halloween store! If you ever need a boy costume, we might just have it! Braden is getting really into (well mildly obsessed) with superheros. He's always loved, loved to put on dress up clothes since he started at the preschool with me at 20 months. He always had to put on a hat or dress up coat and then go about his day. :) Luv it! Everyday he goes through multiple costumes but this week it's Batman that Gma Cindy found at a yard sale and Wolverine that I found Saturday at a yard sale ($1.00 by the way!!). When I go to take his picture, he always gets in a mean pose. :) Ethan was having a little fun today too although he's done pretty quickly. :)

Wolverine with a cute cheeser :)

Isn't that hilarious?!?! My little chunky monkey as spiderman

Now that's scary! ha!

Little fireman

Not even sure what this is? Maybe a power ranger?

Alissa graduates!

How can this be?!?! My niece Alissa just graduated from high school!! I feel SOOOO old! I was 15 when she was born and I remember as soon as I got my liscence I wanted to drive her everywhere. :) She was such a cute little squirt with a big personality and has grown up to be a beautiful gal with a big heart! The boys and I went home Saturday for her graduation party at my mom's house. We didn't make the ceremony but got to hang with the family afterwards. I was so busy chasing the boys around that I didn't take any pictures...:( but I did manage to get one with the special grad!! Everyone thinks we look so much alike. When I look back at my high school pictures, we really do have so many similarities. Congratulations Alissa. We love you!!

Swimming

Last Thursday we got to go over to Wolf Lake and swim with several friends. It was the perfect day...not too hot, but just right. :) Since the shallow end was only 3 1/2 feet several of the kiddos weren't using floaties. I've never had Braden in a pool without anything on so I thought let's give this a try and see what he can do. For a kid that's always in his life jacket, he SO surprised me! He jumped in, went under water a ton and could even swim underwater several feet. Ha! Who knew? Now I'm super excited about his swim lessons in 2 weeks and think it will be perfet timing for him. I also realized Ethan can't really hold himself up in his life jacket yet (good to know for boating) and tips over so he wanted me to hold onto him or he sat on the steps and played...well actually he just ate everyone and anyone's food when someone broke out a new snack!

Eating Carson's chips :)

Braden & Walker had fun with the big squirt guns

Video of my little swimmer...he swims some at the end...please excuse the loud annoying voice!!! hee hee

Boating it up!!

It's here! Summertime and boating. :) We got to go to Patoka two days this weekend and stay the whole day without the kiddos. I love having the boys on the boat too but it is kind of nice not having to be on watch and just relaxing and soaking up the sun....maybe a little too much soaking because I am a lobster!! It was a perfect weekend with some super fun gals and the hubbies!! Yeah for summer!!

Jenn, Christy, me & Amber working on our tans...or in my case my 3rd degree burn. :)

Chris and I enjoying our adult time with out the little guys. Thank you so much to Gma Trish and Papa T and Mimi for keeping the boys all weekend! That was such a treat for us!

Meeting Baby Logan

After the race Saturday the boys and I headed up to Spencer. Cassidy drove in from Charlotte with her new baby so we had to go give him some lovin'. :) Tabitha came over with her cutie patootie Colten so we had to pose the 4 boys for a picture.

Baby Logan, Colten, Ethan and Braden cheesing it up

Colten and Ethan were too cute with their big cheeses

Tab, Cass and I....Cassidy had just been hiking at the park and so hadn't showered yet...(I told her I'd write that on the blog since she didn't want to be in any pics). :)

All showered up. :) Cassidy with her new baby Logan who by the way was born on Braden's birthday! He was one kissable cutie!!

Cass' bestie college girlfriends came in town too so Joanna was taking some pics of all of us with her good camera. I stole this one off her blog. :)

Just cuteness!!

Strawberry Festival 5K

Last Saturday was the Starlight Strawberry Festival and with that a 5K. I had absolutely no intention of running it considering I have not been running at all consistently since the triple crown but somehow I got talked into it!! Christy and Amber were running it and convinced me it would be fun and I didn't want to miss out on the fun! I have to say the yummy strawberries and smoothie afterwards were a little more fun that the actual run. I pretty much ran out of gas at mile 2 and felt completely out of shape. It's amazing how fast you lose the running stamina you build up. I finished though with an ok time of 31 minutes and something. :) It was such a pretty run and I'm glad I did it even though I like to complain about how hard it was. ha!

Amber, Christy and me before the race

After the race with some other running pals....Sarah, Christy, Tina, me and Amber. Good job girls!

Visit with Papa Scott

Last week my dad came to visit. When Dad comes in town, you know the boys are going to be crazy for a few hours! ha! They had a blast riding papa around the house like a horse and showing him every toy they own. After some playtime, we headed to pizza king for lunch.


Ethan loved the anticipation of the "choo choo" coming

All that choo choo watching created quite the appetite! 4 pizzas for this big boy!

After lunch Dad worked on our ice maker and Ethan helped Papa with his tools....I have the same picture of Braden about the same age helping Papa work on the fridge too! (must mean I need a new fridge. :).