Monday Benjamin came over to play while his Mommy went to work and we went to the zoo. It was raining all morning and we thought that we would not be able to go. It cleared up and we headed out and it was perfect weather. That is the new plan for play dates at the zoo. Find a morning when it is supposed to rain and then go after it stops. It is not near as hot or crowded. Mommy got a lot of funny looks and some people even commented about being brave. Ethan and Benjamin were in the double stroller and Emma was in the Moby wrap.
The boys had fun driving the bus.
Here is a picture of Ethan and the gorilla. You can see Benjamin in the reflection. He was a little afraid to get that close.
They had a ball on the train. Benjamin really loves the zoo Tracy, maybe you should go ahead and get your membership also!
Today Ethan had his first dentist appointment. They said that he has something that only 1 out of 10,000 kids has. Daddy thought that this couldn't be good. Actually it is not bad. He has an overly high level of calcium in his teeth. This could only be good, right? Well, yes and no. He is more unlikely to get cavities but more likely to get gum disease as he gets older. The dentist said Mommy needs to start flossing his teeth. This should be fun since we have to put him in a head lock to brush them. After the dentist we had a million things to do to get ready for vacation. We are leaving in the middle of the night tonight.
We are leaving for Florida tonight so this won't be updated for a while. Talk to you soon.

July 27

Sunday after church, we went to Madison's birthday party at Papaw Butch's. Ethan, Jamison, and Benjamin had a fun time in the hot tub.
Papaw decided to join the fun. Aren't you enjoying all your grandbabies Papaw?
And now for some peace and quiet for Papaw, until someone else decides that he should be playing with them.
Emma took a bath with the bath ring for the first time. She really liked being able to sit up because she is not a fan of laying down at all.

These are some pictures from Tracy's camera from Daddy's party last Saturday. Mommy and Daddy were playing catch with the kiddos. They were going really high and thought that it was the best thing ever.
Our niece Morgan was a little afraid at first, but then wanted to do it over and over again.
Ethan was "super high!"

July 27

It has been a while since I have updated but life if getting crazier and crazier. This picture is from Friday morning. Ethan built a big track in his room. We took a video of it and he wants to post it. That will be a later edition because the video is long.
Later on Friday, we went to Kentucky Kingdom. Trystan rode all the rides with Ethan. They really had a good time. Especially on the race cars, Ethan's favorite.
We rode the ferris wheel as a family for the first time. They wouldn't let us hold Emma in our laps, she had to sit beside us. I held her some though.

Ethan was a little afraid at first but when we told him that he would be up in the sky like the airplanes, he was all in favor. He got really excited when we got to see a plane take off.
Shark attack.
Little Emma, pooped!
Emma like a little princess in her church dress.

She is really starting to sit up good.

And since she is 5 months old now, here is a picture of her and the infamous teddy bear.
Benjamin spent the day with us and went to church with us. Here they are after church playing geo trax.

July 24

Mommy had to work on Wednesday and Thursday so these posts are a little behind. These pictures are from Wednesday. We went over to Papaw Butch's to get in the hot tub and swim. Emma really wanted to be with Mommy so she ended up skinny dipping. Yes, there is a trend here. My kiddos like to skinny dip in Papaw's hot tub.
Ethan and his goggles.
Now I see where Ethan got the idea. Monkey see, Monkey do.
Emma was pretty tired, and when it is nap time, it is nap time. She took a nap, naked and in the hot tub. Pretty relaxing, even for the littlest of us.
Thursday evening Trystan had soccer practice and Mommy and the little ones went to Mamaw Ann's to visit while waiting for him.

July 22

Today Mommy had to work (big frown!) and Daddy stayed home with this kiddos. When Mommy came home, this is what she saw. It's good to know that some things are the same whether Mommy is here or Daddy is here. We both love to cuddle with them. Emma woke up from her nap but was still tired so she fell back asleep while cuddling, until Mommy started talking, then...
she jumped ship. Mommy came home and both kids were asleep. Within 15 minutes, they were both awake and on top of me. It feels good to be missed, especially when you don't want to be gone from them to begin with. (Hopefully this won't last too long!) Mommy made a comment to Daddy just days ago about how they both always want to be touching me. When they are playing, they want Mommy to be within arms reach. It is sweet.
Ethan and Emma actually played something together for a little while. Mommy had to build Emma her own tower because she kept reaching for her brother's and wanting to knock it over.
She is sitting up for a while now in her boppy. She is getting too big too quick.

July 20,21

Sunday we took it easy and visited with our company. Cici, Aunt Kim, and Aunt Peggy stayed until around 2:00 and then headed back to Georgia. It was a very short trip but it was great to get to see them. Above, Aunt Kim is catching on quick to Emma's likes and dislikes. She likes when the popsicle is in her mouth, and dislikes when you take it away.
Ethan had a big day and never even got out of his pj's. He poo pooed on the potty again today!!! Mommy let him wear a pull up instead of a diaper since he had used the potty. He didn't want to put his pj bottoms back on because he wanted to show off Lightning McQueen on his pull up. In the picture above, he was under his bed playing his guitar.
Future rock star!

And now for Monday, Trystan had to get up really early and go to soccer practice at 8:00. He was in the kitchen making breakfast and in his groggy state said "Mommy, I told you that I didn't want to go to the morning practices, just the evening ones!" Yeah, fat chance. Coach, ya know, 8:00 is just not my cup of tea! Anyhow, he went to am and pm practice, and the best part, he survived. They do have a strict practice schedule but he'll adjust. In the evening, we took our new boat over to Benjamin's house and he and Ethan had a good time playing in it. Ethan was in and out but Benjamin played in that thing for probably at least an hour. This thing has just been a great investment considering that Mommy got it off a clearance table at the grocery store 75% off.
Emma in her nightgown, getting ready for bed. We were trying to get everyone in bed a little earlier tonight because Mommy has to work in the morning (and she is not happy about it!)
Who ate all the cheetos? Not Ethan.

July 19

Today was a big day. We had a surprise birthday party for Daddy. Cici, Aunt Peggy, and Aunt Kim came up to celebrate with us. The day started with Lee coming to pick up Daddy to take him out to breakfast and to play golf. As soon as Daddy left, Mommy and the kids went to Papaw Butch's to meet up with Cici, Aunt Peggy, and Aunt Kim. Papaw Butch and Mamaw Jayne kept the kiddos so we could go get everything ready for the party. Above is Ethan in the pool at Papaw's in his new boat. It is really cool. It even has a water gun attached to the front so he can get everyone wet. Before the party, the guys were getting the water balloons ready to get Daddy with them when he pulled up. Andy, Lee L., and Dale were on water balloon duty and Grandpa Greg was being the grill master.
Here, some of the kids were getting ready for Daddy. Emily, Kyle, Rachel, Trystan, and Garrett were ready to attack!
Tracy, Cici, and David waiting for Daddy to arrive.

As soon as Daddy got here, he saw all the cars and just thought that Mommy was having people over. Never suspected that it was a party for him, until he got hit with all the balloons.
They got him pretty good. He said that it felt great though because it was really hot and he had been out on the golf course all afternoon.
Daddy was blowing out his candle, with a little help from some of the kids.
Here is Kathy with Ellie and Aunt Jill.

Emma was worn out. It looks like Aunt Peggy was trying to share some cake or ice cream with a sleepy Emma.
Daddy and Lee playing cornhole.
Mamaw Jayne, Cici, and Aunt Peggy relaxing on the deck.
Mamaw Ann, Bailey, and Papaw Butch relaxing down by the pool. Everyone had a great time today at the party. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY! We hope you enjoyed your surprise.

July 18

Today we went to Kentucky Kingdom and Trystan and his friend Kyle wanted to go watch a wrestling thing they do on Friday nights. Trystan said that this guy in the picture above is John Cena. Mommy wouldn't know the difference but apparently he is pretty cool. Trystan also said that what he is doing is called the five knuckle shuffle.
Trystan says that this is a move that he really likes. It is John Cena and Lance Cade.
This is the Iron Men and one of their sons, according to Trystan and Kyle.

Meanwhile, Mommy, Daddy, Ethan, Emma, Uncle Griffin, Aunt Jill, Jamie, and Bailey were at the water park. Here are the girls enjoying the water.
Mommy, Daddy, Ethan and Emma in the water.
Ethan going down the big green slide. Mommy didn't even have to catch him. He is a big boy he says.

Ethan and Emma in the stroller. Emma is getting so big. She likes to sit up in the stroller so she can watch everything that is going on.
Ethan rode the bouncy ride for the first time today. He really liked it but wanted Daddy to ride it with him.
Kyle spent the night last night and is again tonight. He got braces a few days ago and is showing them off in the picture above.