Circus...

My sweet parents took our family to the circus when it was in town. Please excuse the pics, but I forgot to take any pictures before the lights went out, and I have NO CLUE how to take good pictures in the dark! Caden and Grayson both thoroughly enjoyed the cotton candy. It's a good thing, because the cotton candy cost $10 per bag!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It did come with a complimentary hat, but still.
Grayson is not a big fan of sitting still, but he had a great time!! He yelled WOO-HOO the entire time. It was funny!
Caden is modeling the complimentary hat for your enjoyment!

The Beach...

We went down to the beach on Labor Day weekend with my family. It was a WONDERFULLY relaxing weekend. I think Dad could have stayed on the balcony all weekend. The weather was absolutely perfect, so no one would have blamed him!
Our little daredevil is not so much a daredevil when it comes to the water...thank goodness! He much preferred just to splash around the edges or ride in a flotation devise. Mom brought this boat for the boys, and it was a huge hit.
Caden absolutely adores sliding. Here he is standing in line for the slide which he did at least 400 times.
Brothers in the boat. Uncle Paul is fun in the pool because he can make the boat go really fast.
Sliding to Papa. CP had a BALL!!!
Graybaby is pouting about something in the boat...hahahahaha!
Okay, all better!
We were at the actual beach for a grand total of about 20 minutes. I literally took over 600 pictures in that time. I just held down the shutter button of my camera and hoped for some good ones. Mom brought sand buckets for the boys, and as soon as she gave them to them, the boys thought it was their job to immediately start shoveling.
None too impressed with taking pictures...
Oooooo...look, Papa covered my feet with sand...
WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love how Caden is totally unconcerned with the amount of sand which he just caused Grayson to ingest. He had to get back to the very important business of shoveling sand.
Sweet boys...
Walking with Honey and Papa...
My fave...
They boys had quite the entourage down by the water...
My baby...
My eldest...
Anna and Caden always have a good time together...she "gets" him...
Grayson and Paul are sharing the secrets of life...
Of course, you must at least attempt a small sand castle while on the beach...
Caden did lots of puzzles while we were there. I must brag a bit...last night, Caden did a brand new 100 piece puzzle all by himself!
Here's Grayson pouting again because someone wouldn't let him have chips for breakfast...
Hope you enjoyed our beach trip!!

So Proud, I could BURST!!!

It has been a LONG 18 months, but all of Frank's work has come to fruition. He is now a 2nd Lieutenant in the MS Army National Guard. He is a Chaplain Candidate...I am SO proud of him! We had a ceremony at church (in the youth room) last night. A college friend of Frank's (Cpt. Andy Thaggard) came to administer the oath of office to Frank.
Disclaimer: Please excuse the nasty green hue in these photos. the room is LIME green...not forgiving!!


The ceremony was at regular youth time, so Frank took the time to share with the group.

The boys...
Frank with his parents...
Here is when he did his official commissioning at Joint Forces Headquarters earlier in the month.
The original swearing in...
Here is the video of Frank being sworn in, getting his patches (and punch!), and giving his first salute.


Here is a video of Frank receiving his first salute as an officer. One of Frank's former youth was able to come and do this...it was really special!

To Infinity and Beyond...

Grayson had QUITE a fun time in our pool a couple of weeks ago. He is also on a major Toy Story kick. Anytime he jumped in, he first balanced on the side of the pool, raised his arms and said, "To infinity, and beyond!" Priceless!!

Gardening...

We built a garden this year. And, of course, by "we" I mean Frank. I did however help haul the truck load of dirt from the driveway to the backyard.
Caden helped...

We have growth!!
Here are our first 2 zucchinis. And, yes, that is my hand...no jokes!
Our boys have enjoyed quite a few picnics in the last few months...
All that playing can really wear a kid out!
Seriously, could you just EAT THAT UP?!?!!

Let's go to the zoo...

On Easter Monday, Mom, Frank, and I took the boys to Memphis to go to the zoo. It is a FABULOUS zoo, and I would highly recommend it. However, unless you like the smell of sour urine, I would skip the bat cave.
I don't know what it is about zoos and carousels, but you've just gotta do it!

This was on the zoo tram just moments before Caden began barfing off the side. Poor baby!! This started a cycle of 2 weeks of stomach bugs in our house. FUN TIMES!!!

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