Houston's First Stripe

You know I'm a big "First" fan. Houston got his 1st stripe on his Karate belt today! He has already learned all 5 pledges and completed his "tasks" for the test. He loves it and is doing so well. It has already helped him with his coordination and balance. He had never done a sit-up or push-up in his life. He had to do 35 sit-ups and 10 push-ups. He's like his Momma when it comes to exercising. We stay away from that as much as possible!HA

Do you know how hilarious it was hearing these "Little Dragons" all counting at the same time. They would skip from 10 to 17 to 23 to 30, etc. All the parents were laughing so hard!! They each had a partner and were suppose to keep track of each other. Then they would hear the couple next to them and follow in sequence with their number. I think Houston and David started over at 20 about 5 times. It was too funny!

I can't believe our summer is almost over! I have truly enjoyed everyday with my boys!!

A first for Levi coming up in the very near future, Good Lord Willn'!!

Christmas in July

As confessed before, I am a QVC/HSN junkie. I don't order a lot but I love to watch. Josh says that it is so cheesy and he can't believe I waste my time on it. But then again, how many different ways are there to hit a golf ball and don't all greens pretty much look the same? My argument for his Golf Channel addiction.(lol honey)

Christmas in July is always a "biggie" for me, which put me in the Christmas mood. I broke out the Christmas CD's and had bought these gingerbread house kits after Christmas for $2.oo. So, in honor of Christmas in July, we decorated GB Houses today. A little odd, I know, but thought it would be fun. They loved it too, by the way. I do love Christmas!! It's my favorite time of the year. Besides, these kits expired in, you guessed it July 2009. So, Merry Christmas in July from our Gingerbread House to Yours!! (thought about using pics and this line on my upcoming Christmas cards, which by the way will be delivered in December not July,hee-hee!)

BEFORE:

DURING:

AFTER:

FINALLY!!!

Back from the River!!

YAY!! We're all together again. The boys really enjoyed themselves being "Big boys" and all. I had to get Houston on Tuesday for Karate. Then he and I went back on Wed. and came back on Thursday evening for Karate. Now, Levi is back this evening and we are all one happy family again! Relaxing, fishing, riding bikes, reading, and critter hunting everyday! What little boy wouldn't love that?!

I missed them terribly and didn't get one thing on my list accomplished. You know the saying, "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans." Well apparently he really thought mine were hilarious. But we're all healthy and the week went well, so I can't complain.

The boys met new friends and told stories around the campfire at night. That in itself was enough for them. Played on new playgrounds, rode bike trails through the woods. Memories!!Thanks Poppy and Nana for taking them. I'm sure they will look back on this trip one day and love all the memories they made!

The boys LOVE fishing!

Take a close look. That would be a 7 year old behind the wheel.

Houston is about 16 mths. older than Eli and a little over 2 yrs.older than James. Doorsteps.

Kelly brought the boys down on Monday. This was at one of the playgrounds.

My boys brought me lillies off a lilly pad. Aren't they pretty? The flowers aren't that bad either.

This was the actual lilly pad. It was huge.

Red Sox Party

We finally have baseball '09 wrapped up. Thanks to Heath and Leandra for hosting. The boys all really enjoyed themselves. They swam from around 4-8 PM. Little brave souls, my little ones. Houston thinks he can do whatever anyone else does and this was no exception. They had a pier that had to be at least 10-12 ft out of the water. He would climb on top of the handrails, jump and never bat an eye. Levi absolutely loved riding the tubes and knee board. Quite the little daredevil. We had such a nice evening and thank the Good Lord no injuries!

Dana made the cake. It was so good!

The Coaches were more excited than the boys.
Our Little Slugger

This child played so hard and still didn't go to bed until around 11:30.
"Watch me!"

"Here it goes Bubba!"
The sweet smile of accomplishing something for the first time!

I cannot believe I just did that!!

I just let my boys go with Pop and Nana camping for the week!!! I have only left them once before for 2 nights. They are out of my hands and care for the whole week!! I think I'm gonna throw up! I know they will have a blast and will be in great hands but I don't like to miss a thing. Please say a little prayer for them and me. I will have to visit mid-week. I do have a lot of projects I would like to tackle though. They are growing up too fast.

"Let me do it Momma, please"

Cupcakes! Who doesn't love a good ole' cupcake. My little helpers were very helpful today. We are headed to Levi's baseball party and this was our contribution.

I CAN promise they will be good.

I CAN promise that no licking of the spatula or spreader took place.

In addition, I CAN also promise that fingers WERE licked and we just couldn't help ourselves.

Also, 1 last promise. We may do this on a regular basis when any baking takes place. Enjoy!

Just where is Houston going?!

Just why might this cute little boy be posing? Maybe, it's his first time for something. You know the traditional pose. "Smile, it's your first day of......"

Well this might give you a little hint.

If you haven't guessed already, surely this will give it away.

Oh what fun my "Houston-Son" had! His first day of KARATE!!

He was so excited and I was so excited for him! He is such a joy. He had his first "private session" and on Tuesday he will attend a class with other "Little Dragons". He loved his instructor Ms.Rachel and she was wonderful with him. He literally giggled and laughed the whole time. From the first "KIA!" out of his mouth all I heard were giggles. She, of course, said he did great and was "very impressed". Levi did want to try. I told him he could but explained he would have to give up baseball or basketball and he quickly changed his mind. He loved watching Houston, though. We got so tickled b/c Houston would get so tickled. One of the "attributes" of Karate is self-control. Maybe Houston will learn to "self-control" his laughter. If not, I don't think that is one of those oh so bad attributes. I don't think I could live without his giggles anyway. The world is a better place because of their laughter. Wax on, wax off, wax on, wax off.

Bedroom Makeovers

July 3, 2009 marked our 7 year Anniversary in our house. The master bedroom is on the main floor and there are 3 bedrooms upstairs. While Levi was a baby, we did actually stay in our master bedroom. After Houston was born, we ALL moved upstairs. Levi went into a "big boy room" while Houston occupied the new nursery. So, that left one spare bedroom and Josh and I took that one. Being the overprotective parent I am, I just couldn't stand the thought of them way upstairs and me way downstairs. I would always think about the "what if's" and just couldn't have peace about it. After Houston outgrew his crib, he then moved in the "big boy room" with Levi. We then turned his nursery back into a guest bedroom.

We have plenty of room around here and have had many "hand-me-downs", Thank God for those! The now guest bedroom has a bed that Luke and MK gave us. The boys room had the twin beds that Josh and Jason shared when growing up. Our room had furniture that I had gotten from my sister. All the furniture has been great but I wanted to "update" a little.

The boys decided to stay in the same room and not split up. That was perfectly fine with me. I shared my bedroom with my brother and/or sister until I moved out at 19. So, I decided to go with a queen bed instead of twins. That way when and if they decide they want their own rooms,we will have queen beds for the growing teenagers or tweens, when and if they decide.

We then got a new bedroom suit for our room to replace KK's old suit. Josh wanted to know how much longer we would be staying upstairs and I just haven't decided on an answer yet. At least a couple more years, I think. I don't know. We'll see. Anyway, we went with a queen too in our room. Now both rooms can be for the boys when older or for family. So, I thought I would share a few pics. Everything is not complete. I need curtains, lamps, what-nots, etc. This is the first bed we've ever had with "pillows", I love pillows!! But with the boys and sippy cups and snacks and markers, etc., I've always been just as simple as possible and washable. I did go a little "nicer" than before and I hope we all enjoy it. Home Sweet Home. Nothing like home.

The boys room. I asked them what kind of room they wanted. All kinds of ideas were blurted out. "Baseball, Football, Pirates, Fishing, Hunting." I told them they would have to decide on 1 since they were sharing. "Momma, we want the Country Outdoors!" So outdoors, it is.

I found some precious Deer Antler Lamps for the nightstands. I have to get them soon.

The Dresser. We didn't have a dresser with Josh's old set. We just had 1 nightstand and a chest. Can't wait for all the room!

The Chest
How cute is he?
When I saw these, I automatically thought, "My 2 little munchkins", how appropriate!
Our New Bed and "Nice covers" per Levi .

Loved this dresser. It has so much storage.

"Mini-Campfire"

We were total summer bombs yesterday. We swam from about 1:30 until dark with the occasional bike or scooter ride, trip to the garden or checking out the camper, in between. They love to be outside and can't say I blame them. The boys made Peach Homemade Ice Cream when Pop got home. Not a huge dairy fan, but this stuff is good. We also grilled hamburgers and squash on Pop's pit. We also had fresh corn that Pop and the boys pulled. It was delicious!

The boys,being the boys they are, wanted their own fire. They spent a lot of time trying to get that thing started and in the end persistence paid off. "Momma, check-out our mini campfire. Ain't it cool? Come sit right here and rub your hands over it." It was 90 degrees but who could resist that invitation?! I love my little yard apes!! They both actually spent the night with Poppy and Nana last night. I could NOT believe it! They are back home this AM and watching Stuart Little 2 as I speak or as I write. Have a great day!!

Here's the "Mini-Campfire"

They were SO proud!

The most important things in life aren't things.

Oh, to only know what he's thinking about.

Houston almost gave it up. Tired after all that huffing and puffing to get that fire started.

Fireworks Fun

I had forgotten about these pics we took on the 4th. Josh and Pop took the golfcart to the road and shot the fireworks. We did enjoy them, however, we really enjoyed the entertainment. The boys were being so funny. Showing us dance moves and goofing off. Here's a few snaps!