Summertime

We spent one morning with our friends Katie and Sara at "Meme's" pool.  Ben enjoyed playing with this game rather than swimming.

Somehow the only picture of Ems swimming.

We have instituted a new character/chores chart for Ems.  When she fills up an entire week with stars, then she gets to go on a date with either mommy or daddy.  This first time she choose to go see Cars 2 with me.  We had fun together just the two of us.  I even bought her popcorn!  This is us before we left and as we were leaving (she insisted Troy take these)

Funny Guy!

We just returned from the beach.  My kids exploded in skill while we were there!  Ben finally officially began walking!  No stopping him now.  Emily is now swimming like a fish.  She was required to wear floaties in the Ocean b/c I was responsible for two kids, but at the pool, she was blowing me away with her ability to swim, hold her breath, jump, etc.

We had a blast! 

I made homemade Popsicles a few times this summer, the kids thoroughly enjoyed them...

really.

This little fella was in our garden, eating our tomatoes.  We captured him and gave him to a good home.

Not before she became a little attached...

Tiger Lily from our friend Maxine!

Ben loves to slide!

Ems and her friends from our neighborhood enjoyed a tea party one morning.

Ben hung out too, and enjoyed the cookies!

Mommy, please, we are starving!!

Ben got into this wet pile of sawdust one day while I was in the garden.  Boys will be boys

Is Ben walking Yet?

This would have to go on the list of top questions I hear these days. The answer: No. But here are some cute pics of him...

                                                          Never posted 12 month picture

One to prove he is standing, and he has actually taken a few steps,but that is all I can mention..

Cold snap in May. 

Kindermusik Scarf fun!

Meme

Apparently he does not like to be splashed in the face with water, so yeah, the water park was a bust!

Dog Daze

Watering the lawn b/c it had not rained in forever (these little munchkins loves playing in the sprinkler).  Thankfully the rain has picked up and the grass is green again!

Sitting in the pool b/cits much too warm outside!

Watching the Oakleaf Hydrangeas bloom.

And eating yummy cinnamon rolls...

What more could one ask for??

Garden Grow

It started as a big patch of grass.  When Troy showed me how much he would till, I almost fainted.

 Tilling...

Seedling began in Feb, lost most of those due to "dampening off", but re-seeded in late Feb.  We only started: squash, lettuce and tomatoes in the trays; everything else was planted directly in the soil on 4/15/11: Corn, Creamer peas, lady peas, purple hull peas, okra, watermelon, cantaloupe, potatoes, green beans, peppers, sweet snap peas and successive plantings of squash. 

Troy added fence that you see on the right (awesome job babe!).  Here is the garden on 5/21/11

Not quite finished with the fence.

A little beauty we picked.  First fruits are oh so sweet! 

My helper doing the honors!

I have to say.  Gardening is one of my favorite things to do in this life.  Something about watching a seed turn into this, bring such great pleasure.  Working the ground, pulling weeds, managing those pesky bugs (organically).  So.much.fun.  Just a glimpse of how the Father must feel to watch us grow in Christ.  Now God, bring the rain!!(in more ways than one!)  :)

More Beach Pics

start every morning off with breakfast!

@ Donut Hole on his Birthday!

Hugs!

Building Castles

mmmmmm...mmm...

Crabbing!

Happy Birthday Buddy!!

Nieghbor Ben...

1 year

So my boy is growing fast, well not too fast.  He weighs in at 19.5 lbs (5th %).  He is full of life, just like his sister!

He couldn't sit too long.  He is always on the move.

He is not walking yet, but here is a pic to prove that he does stand.  He will walk when he is ready,... Mawmaw!!!  :)

And lastly, look at that sweet smile.  Melts my heart.