Another week, another VBS, and another BABY!

Druz and I had a picnic in the back of the car while we waited for Tatum's VBS to let out. 

This little girl was TIRED today.  She rarely takes a nap but she was knocked out after VBS.

And...Congrats to Alison and Eric for the arrival of sweet Ryder Raegan!  Can't wait to meet her!

Busy week...

We have had quite a busy week.  I enjoyed all the activities and the kids had a blast but boy was it a lot of coordinating and running around.  Tatum had VBS every day and Druz had swim lessons every afternoon, plus we got to meet two new babies, celebrated friends birthdays, had the dog groomed, gymnastics, a Junior League Meeting, and whatever else I left out.

Druz had lessons everyday and cried every time I left him.  It was heartbreaking but I had to do it.  With having a pool it is so important that he learns to swim ASAP!  Dylan and I were impressed by all he learned.  They were floating on their backs, swimming between the instructors, and diving down in the deep end to get rings at the bottom.  He was pretty proud of himself.  Friday was "show-off" day so we got to see him in action.

Holding his breath under water 

It was HOT!  Dylan and Tatum found some shade 

Floating on his back.

Happy Birthday Mom!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!

Hope your enjoying your time in Ohio with everyone!  We are definitely missing you here!

Birthday Party's and New Friends!

Dylan took Druz to his swim lessons so Tatum could have some fun at Xander's birthday party.  It's so nice that Dylan has the flexibility (and willingness) to do that kind of stuff.     

After having a little fun at Xander's birthday party, we headed on over to see Baby Keaton.

I wanted to be sure we got to meet her before we left for our trip.

Tatum has vacation bible school this week so Druz and I spent some one on one time together and he got a new haircut.  

 Dylan sent me a picture and said to have them cut it like David Beckham's.  Not sure it worked out quite as well as good ol David's but we gave it a shot!

I headed out for some girl time so celebrate Alison's birthday.  Love getting out with my girls!

Visiting Callie

I had yet to meet Callie...I couldn't believe I hadn't been to see her so Tatum and I made a special trip to see this sweet baby girl.  Tatum can not wait until her sister arrives.  She just wants to love on all these babies!

Father's Day Fun

After a HUGE unhealthy yet delicious breakfast at Old West Cafe, we headed off to the races, the horse races, that is.  

We haven't been in a long time so we weren't really prepared for the heat but we did the best we could. Next time I will definitely bring more snacks and drinks.  We all had a great time and Dylan had fun placing some bets.  

Dylan and Druz watching the first set of horse parade through the courtyard before the first race. 

Taking a little break in between races and finishing up our breakfast from this morning. 

Watching the second race of the day. 

Dylan and the kids watching the last set of horses parade through before the last race. 

It was so HOT we managed to stay through 5 or six races, there were 10 total for the day.  We would go back and forth between the courtyard and the track., The courtyard is where the horses that were about to race would parade through.  Tatum would pick a horse, then we would go place a bet and head back out to the track to watch them run.  Luckily, there was an air conditioned building in between the courtyard and the track so we got to cool off while Dylan placed his bets.  There was very little shade anywhere else.  I probably would have let Dylan bet all day if it meant I could sit in the AC longer!

More babies!

Liz had little Callie Marie on Wednesday.  She was 8lbs. 14 oz!  Talk about a big girl!  I can't wait to meet this sweet little baby!

The Fletchers had precious baby Keaton June 3rd.  We get to meet her next week.

All these babies gets me more excited baout our little bundle of joy on the way!

We had a birthday party, for Hogan's first birthday, this afternoon.  I don't even remember what we did before (pregnancy brain) but it must have been tiring.  Both kids passed out on the way to the party.

Yes, he is sleeping and yes, he is wearing his sisters shades. 

She may or may not be faking it.  Either way she is quiet (a RARE occurrence) so I'll take it. 

Playing with all the ducky's in the pool.  Druz is in the blue shirt. 

Carson and Tatum eating cupcakes. 

It would be my son who gets into the pool.  We had to strip him down and he rode home in a diaper.  That's how we roll.  I asked Tatum to tell me if he wasn't being nice and about 2 minutes later she came over and said he was in the pool.  I'm not sure where Dylan was but I didn't have the energy to get mad or tell him to get out.  He was having fun and all the other kids had gone inside so no harm no foul, right?   

Gymnastics

The kids have gymnastics on fridays for the summer.  Druz had his first class today.  Tatum and Druz go at the same time but are n different classes, works out nicely.  He absolutely loved it!  I had my girlfriend snap a few pics of him since it was his first day.  I didn't want  him to see me, just in case.

Mastering the hula hoop like his sister 

Somersaults...probably his favorite thing, other than the trampoline, of course!

Tiffany and the boys came over after gymnastics.  Not sure how I managed to not take ONE picture!  I hate that!  They swam for about three hours and I'm hoping it wore them out enough to take LONG naps!

Fun with Letters but Not so Fun with Bikes

I've decided to have some type of educational activity a few days a week in order to keep Tatum exercising that little brain.  We do writing, reading, math, science, and other fun activities.  I'll be honest, it gives me a whole new perspective on teachers!  I'm only putting a few activities together for 3 days a week for two people and it's A LOT of work!

 This was one of our activities (thank you pinterest)  I wrote the uppercase letters on the paper towel roll and she matched the lower case letters that were on the stickers.  We aren't learning anything new, just want to be sure she doesn't forget anything she has already learned.  Dylan wants me to implement some sort of history as well.  Man, this might just have been a BAD idea!  My break times (nap times) are consumed with researching pinterest and thinking of fun ways to learn!

We have to fit in a little fun too of course...

There is a park by our house with a splash pad so we met, Tiffany, Alison, Gab, Troy, Natalie, Kate and all there kids (there were a lot of us!) for some play time.  I decided to ride my bike.  Almost changed my mind because the tires were flat and I had to attach the trailer but I solved both problem and decided to keep on keep on in'.  It's only about 1.5 miles away, no problem, right?  

Let me just say the way there was much more pleasant than the ride home.  It was about 95 degrees, don't forget I'm pregnant and the kids were in the trailer so I was trailing about 70 extra pounds.  After some fun in the HOT sun, we loaded back up and headed home.  There are two pretty big hills on the way home, which have always been a pain but I've always managed to get up them.  We are just about to the first hill and my pedal is starting to click.  Hmmm, I get off and check it.  Looks like the bolt is loose but not going to fall off so up the hill I go.  I wasn't quite as successful as I had been in the past, half way up the hill I had to walk the bike the rest of the way because the pedal just wasn't right.  I try again in between hills and give the second hill a go, as I'm pedaling my little heart out the pedal falls off!  Thank goodness I was about half a mile from the house and not still in the park (I'm trying to be positive here!)  It was HOT and I'm FAT so pushing 70 pounds uphill was not fun but we did manage to get home, with no injuries, no cussing, and no one flying off the handle.  ;o)

I told Dylan he was lucky I had already started dinner in the crock pot because if I hadn't there was no way I could muster up any more energy to fix a meal!

My text to my girlfriends when I got home.

Just another day in paradise...

Member Mondays!

In June the zoo opens an hour early on Mondays so members can enjoy the cooler weather before the crowds.  So, we loaded up and headed out for some zoo fun.

Checking out the giraffes 

Watching the bears

 Tigers!

 I packed lunches and had planned to do the train in the park and have a picnic but it was getting late and I didn't want Druz sleeping in the car because he wouldn't sleep once we got home and my boy needs more than 20 minutes to rest.  So we had lunch in the car and then stopped for some ice cream to cool us down from our hot day!

First Official Family Movie Night

We had our first official family movie night.  We watched Monsters, Inc.  Druz had never seen it but Tatum has.  They both sat through the whole thing, popcorn in hand and all.  I'll remember these sweet moments for a lifetime.  It's the little things in life!

Dinner with The Jackson's

The Jackson's are grilling kings so last weekend at Happy Hour, The Williams and us decided to drop some heavy hints about getting invited over.  It worked.  They called us earlier this week to see if we wanted to come over and cook out.  We were very excited.

The food was unbelievable.  Dylan and I are still talking about the steak.  Not sure how we can return the favor but we will think of something!

Ben and Ali, our hosts 

 Eric was clearly ready to eat!

Ben, Eric, Ali, Me, and Dylan

Cooking with Mommy

I'm trying to be more organized and entertaining this summer.  One of the things I have committed to is baking with my girl once a week.  I am really good at having ideas and not getting organized enough to follow through and then before I know it time has flown by and nothing got done.

But not this time.  We made cupcake puppy chow today.  They both enjoyed helping me make it just about as much as they enjoyed eating it!

Shaking up the bags after unloading as many sprinkles in the mix! 

Before the powdered sugar

We also have dinner plans with the Jacksons and I said I would bring a dessert.  But don't worry, after this fun cooking session, I baked a Giant Eclair.  I enjoyed eating both...but I just can't figure out why I keep gaining weight! ;o)

Ride With Pride and Fun with Friends

Tatum has been going to Buckaroo Camp at Ride With Pride all week.  They ride horses, do chores, crafts, feed animals, eat snow cones, pretty much just have fun on a farm for two hours every morning.  She absolutely loved it.

She would come home everyday talking about which horse was her favorite and all the fun things she did and how she was excited about going the next day.  She was even excited about sweeping out the barn one day.  I wonder why she isn't that excited about those same chores at home?

Today they held a "rodeo" for the parents since it was the last day of camp.  They got to take home all there crafts they made throughout the week and show off their horse riding skills.

Watching his sister ride her horse.  He wasn't happy that he didn't get a turn but he can go to camp next year and Tatum seems very excited to go again and show him the ropes. 

Her big rodeo performance 

He HAD to sit next to his sister while they gave out the awards.  

She got the Rodeo Queen Award. 

Tatum and Aslynn showing off their awards 

She was so excited to get her horse award 

Aunt Vicki and Grandma came to watch.  My girl LOVES to be center of attention. 

All her loot from the week.  They painted a birdhouse, made tie dye shirts, horseshoe ornament, brought home a pin with one of the farms horses on it, and of course her fancy award.

After the big rodeo performance we had some friends over to swim.  

Lunch break 

Popsicle break

What better way to end our day than with a movie at naptime.

They laid on the floor together and watched Spirit.  I thought that was fitting for the Rodeo theme of the day.  It only lasted a few minutes until Druz was sitting on Tatum and he then had to nap in his crib.  That kid is ALL BOY!