Parents' Night In

The weekend before Christmas we got together with a few of our very favorite people...without any kids... and we pulled out the fine china... and we dressed up... and we ate fancy food... and we took silly pictures... and we had deep, adult conversations... and lots of laughter... and made great memories with people that we love and friendships we cherish.

 

 

The guys wanted to wear ugly sweaters!

 

 

 

 

Roasted asparagus and shrimp and grits on our china that has only been used one other time in eleven years!

 

Chocolate caramel trifle

Fun on the Fourth

This year we spent the 4th of July at my parents' house with our friends the Butts. We had tons of food, lots of great conversations, water fun and fireworks! Parker spent almost all of his time playing in the water, but he freaked out when it came time for the fireworks! Even the babies got a little pool time and Braden and Ara drove the boys' power wheels when they weren't on the slip in slide.

They look like two old people!

Emy!  Emy!  Hey Emy! Hey Emy!

Go big girl, go big girl, go!

Watching the fireworks!

A Day at the Zoo

This Christmas my parents got us a family pass to the zoo and we LOVE it!  We have been several times since then, but this was our first summer excursion and Emersyn's first trip (though she didn't seem that excited about it ;)). 
It wasn't too hot and there was a nice breeze, but there were a little too many people for me.  I prefer it when it is hardly crowded.  Anyways, the kiddo had fun and it totally pooped them out and me which meant that I actually got an afternoon nap too!  Here are a few of the High lights or in my case "low" light of the day.

• We went with 3 other families from church which meant that my kiddos had plenty of people to keep them entertained and I had fun friends to talk with.
• We took the boys to the Reptile house for the first time and Braden LOVED it...me not so much!
• Emersyn took a nice little nap and was in a really great mood the majority of the time.
• The MIST FANS....I must get one of these for my back porch!
• The boys were so entertained with their buddies that we didn't have to ride the train.  FIRST. TIME. EVER.
• Parker freaked out when we saw the elephant this time, which is odd considering it was his favorite last time.  Grumpy ol' man.
• I got pooped on in the Living Rain Forest.  Fun times.  Lucky for me it wasn't a direct hit, just a little splatter.  However, still totally disgusting.
• I discovered that the wind Africa Wind machine totally freaks Parker out and we discovered how many kids you can stuff in there to fully maximize the experience.
• Braden was super excited about seeing "Kung Fu" Panda
• Parker was totally mesmerised by the naked mole rat. 
• Parker tried to strip down and pee on a tree during our picnic lunch.
• Dillon, one of Braden's buddies, found a dead rat on the lawn during our lunch.  I think one of the naked mole rats escaped.
• Heat only makes the petting zoo more stinky.

"Did you know that a flamingo actually gets his color from eating shrimp?"

More fascinating than all other animals combined- roly polies

Braden hung out under the fan for several minutes and he got soaked

exiting the stinky petting zoo

Baby girl looks ready to go

the wind tunnel

Poor Parker

totally content to chill at the children's playground all afternoon

this is what i did when we got home!

December Fun

Of course I am behind on my blogging! So many memories we are making and never enough time to record them all. Here is a run down of our December so far...

Pictures with Santa

Cutting down our Chritmas tree

Celebrating with friends

VBS 2011

I just thought last year's VBS was great...this year by far exceeded it! I don't know if it was because Braden was year older this year or what, but he was really into it and couldn't wait to get to church each evening for VBS! It was awesome seeing all of our kids and the friends that they bought learning about Jesus' love, singing songs of praise to Him and worshipping our Savior! The "location" this year was down in the bayou and the mission was for crazy Carl and Earl to capture that pesky gator that kept creating havoc around our church! The children were on a mission all week as Jr. Gator Hunters to help Carl and Earl find the gators! By Wednesday night it was Mission Accomplished and Thursday night was an awesome party night!

craft time

worship- even Parker was dancing!

Braden all dressed up as Jr. Gator Hunter

Buzz Time with Andy

Offering- Boys vs. Girls- proceeds went to support Mission 25

Pumpkin Party

This weekend was a super busy, but very fun weekend! Friday night my mom and I took the boys to my school for the annual Fall Carnival that PTA puts on each year. Braden was so excited about going, but when we got there the only things he cared about doing were playing on the inflatables, buying a ring pop and giant pickle, and visiting the book fair! He played with several of the kids in my class this year and a few of my former kiddos. After the carnival we met my cousins and their son Cohen at McDonalds so the boys could play. Braden was so tired he fell asleep on the way home and didn't even wake up while I was putting him in his jammies!

Saturday night, while Brad was at the Clemson game, the boys and I got together with friends to eat dinner and carve pumpkins. Braden was as excited as always...the boy loves a crowd! However, Parker was not feeling it and spent most of the evening in my lap or fussing because he wasn't in my lap....what can I say, he's a momma's boy!

It was a fun time with LOTS of yummy, festive food and great conversation. I even carved my first pumpkin (with Parker in my lap)...well technically I have carved pumpkins before, but just with a jack o' lantern face, but this time I used a stencil and carved...drumroll please..... A DUMPTRUCK!!!! I am so proud of myself! Braden wasn't as impressed withit as I was, but oh well! I'm hoping this will become a yearly tradition because I sure did have a great time!