Wetlands

is a must on the summer checklist. One year made all the difference in the world as far as Cooper was concerned. He was the master of the slide. He went down every way possible and then some. Brylee did not share her brother's enthusiasm and chose the safety of Lauren and Ellison's laps. Maybe next year Sissy!!

Splash Pad

We also had tons of fun at the Splash Pad this summer!! A good friend of mine from work told me about it, but I was skeptical at first. I am so glad that we gave it a whirl. It is perfect for the kids. It is small enough that I can keep an eye on both of them at the same time, and keeps them entertained! Needless to say we spent many bright and sunshiny days playing in the water!!

One of the best days we spent at the Splash Pad was our play date. We met up with good friends for a fantastic day of fun. We started off with a picnic, and let me just say 3 mommies and 7 kids, hectic was not the word for it. Luckily, once we hit the water things were a little calmer and the mommies even had a chance to sit and catch up a little. Joanna (mom to Abby, Ellie, and Luke)and Tina (mom to Carson and Caylee) are amazing, and I love the fact that our youngest children are all in the same class in child care. I'm hoping there will be many more summer play dates in our futures!!

Luke and Brylee ( I tried to get a picture of Brylee, Luke, and Caylee but I couldn't get them to be still long enough)

Cooper and his partner in crime Carson

Flashback to the "Boro" 4th of July

We really look forward to the 4th of July, and our trip to Murfreesboro. We have been traveling to the Boro for 4th of July since Cooper was born. It is neat to look back at the pictures and see just how much has changed within the last three years.

This year was so relaxing and fun. We spent every minute we could in the pool playing, and after the kids went to bed at night the adults stayed up and played cards. I must admit I don't remember the last time I have laughed that much.

This year Uncle D even recieved a new nickname, thanks to one smitten kitten of a niece. He is now "My Dana" according to Brylee. Brylee has always adored him, however, this trip she decided that "My Dana" hung the moon. She would just sit and stare at him, it really was the sweetest thing. She wanted to follow him everywhere, and he was delighted. I believe the adoration is a two way street in this relationship :)

Brylee loves Abeeeee too!!!

The 4th of July trip wouldn't be complete without

GAGGY and POPPY

Thanks D and Abby for such a wonderful wonderful weekend!!

Our try at family beach pictures

As you can see, my attempt to get a family picture of the four of us didn't go so well. I did get some sweet pictures of the kids atleast.

Conversations with Cooper

One of Brylee's birthday presents was a toddler Bible from her great-aunt Jan Jan and Great-Uncle Otto. She loves looking at the pictures and listening to the stories, but Cooper LOVES LOVES the Bible. The first night my Dad probably read a fourth of it to him. Last night. Cooper wanted to read it again and I did. Every time I would stop he would ask me to keep reading. Well, I don't know about you, but there is no way I could say "No, that is enough of reading the Bible." So, like any other mom I read and read and read until I read the WHOLE thing to him. We read for over an hour and he never moved. He asked question after question about the people and the stories, and Bryan and I loved the fact that he was so excited to be reading the bible with us!! But, the funniest moment came after I had finished reading and closed the cover....


Cooper: "Mommy, why are there bird people on the back of Sissy's book?"
Me: "Coop, those are not bird people. They are angels."

Beach Trip part 2

After a wonderful day in Charleston, we headed to Myrtle Beach to spend the week. The kids actually slept through the drive and woke up to the HUGE OCEAN!! They couldn't wait to get their toes in the sand, and honestly I couldn't either.

Summer Fun!!

It has been such a fun summer. I have tried to soak up every moment of "off time" with the kids this summer. Now that I am back at work and things are starting to settle into a routine again hopefully, I will be blogging more. I really am so blessed to have a job that allows me to be off in the summer. I love that I have the best of both worlds: I have a job that I love, and I also get to spend time with the kids.

In early June we headed to the beach for our vacation. After much discussion and debate we headed to Myrtle Beach for a wonderful restful trip!!

The trip started with a stop in Charleston, SC to attend Aunt Abby's cousins wedding. Holly was the most beautiful bride, and the ceremony was beautiful too!!

This was the only picture I actually took of "the wedding." I was a to busy during the ceremony making sure the kids were on their best behavior and Bryan didn't take any other pictures. Holly and Jake looked stunning and the ceremony was so sweet and beautiful! Congrats to the Newly Weds!!

Before the wedding we were able to spend some time at the pool with Dana and Abby, Gaggy and Poppy, and the (other) newly weds Brian and Courtney Estep! A fun time was had by all!

Daddy teaching Brylee to swim Uncle D and Cooper having to much FUN
Cooper telling Brian and Courtney all about it!!

Brylee and I at the wedding

Cooper was so exhasted after the day of swimming that he actually fell asleep sitting up on the bed, Dana layed him down and let him snuggle up