Gulf Shores-Day 2

Today, the fam arrived! Luke, MK, Ben, Beth and KK! PePaw, MeMaw, and Jeremy had to set this trip out. Sorry Guys, we sure missed you! They were a little tired and slept in and off to the beach we went. The water was a little rough so we played in the sand more than anything. We went in for lunch and then Luke and Josh headed off to golf and the ladies and kids soaked up the rays, and then Ben soaked up everything else because we had no swimmers just diapers. That's right, another one of those "other Mom" moments. Just recently I remember thinking, "How hard can it be to buy swimmers, why do Moms let them wear diapers in the pool that's just gross (after seeing a child walk around w/ a 10lb weight attached to his behind and leaving a trail of little pieces of "stuff"), don't they know that poor baby will sink w/out floaties, a ring and a life jacket?! OK, that was us this trip, enough reflecting. But anyway, we had a great afternoon and off to "The Hangout" we go. MISTAKE!! First we arrive to find NO PARKING spots open, so we have to pay $5 to park in the "Public Beach Area". We do get seated fast but wait and wait and wait for a human that speaks English to come and take our drink order, then we wait and wait and wait for our drinks and wait and wait for our order to be taken and you know the rest of the story. An hour later, food arrives, a few kids have been threatened, 15 packs of crackers have been eaten and we need refills that we wait,and wait and wait on. By this time my children have learned the "Cotton Eye Joe", the "Mackarina" (have no idea how to spell that) and the "Electric Slide". Great for those FWB children! They were entertained for a little while by playing outside,of course I had to snap a few pics., the tricycles and the bubble machine. But ANYWAY go for the atmosphere and if you are in no hurry! We, then went and played putt-putt and had some ice cream and then off to dreamland for a lot of tired little munchkins and a few big munchkins, too. A LONG evening but in the end, any time's a great time when you're with the ones you love!

Houston loved the Lazy River

Levi loved playing with his new buddies.

" Cutie-Pie"

The guys just "Hangin-Out"

Gulf Shores-Day 1

We decided to travel a little different this trip. We left late and arrived early. Then slept until about 9 AM and the boys were ready for the beach. I am so amazed at how much they have matured since our last beach trip. Levi is all over the place and Houston doesn't even need me in the pool anymore. Just some floaties and off he goes. They are loving it and so am I! You know those Mom's who you watch and think to yourself, "How in the world can she just lay there like that, doesn't she know they could get hurt by those bigger kids, what is she thinking a tan over toddler time?!" OK, I was THAT MOM for a LITTLE while! Just let them have a little independence, let them make new friends, THAT was my new thoughts this trip, and yes I chose a little tan over toddler time this trip. Is that wrong?! Hope not, cause it sure felt nice, for a LITTLE while. We had supper at DeSoto's and what a yummy supper it was. If you have never tried it, you MUST try the Hawaiian Rib-Eye from here. Make you slap your Momma, as they say, that is YOUR Momma but not mine!(LOL MOM)

They loved catching crabs.

FAREWELL

That's the end of Coach Pitch Baseball for Levi. I can't believe he has played his last game in this age group. Time really does fly! I just LOVED every minute of it! The All-Star games wrapped up last night and now we are FREE!! Free to swim all day, sleep late, stay up late, "loafer" and eat all the sugar we want and not have to worry about practice or games. I know, we've got it made and don't even know it as I am reminded often, but I definitely know it. BLESSED with healthy children and a hard working healthy husband, close family and friends that love our boys so much, yes we've got it made and I'm so thankful! But, back to summer fun. We're headed for the beach, I'm fixing to pack and we'll be headed out soon. Farewell to baseball and to BERRY!! Not that there's anything wrong with Berry, but you know what I mean.

My All-Stars

Levi's last at bat in Coach Pitch(double)

Levi on base during his first at bat

Well-Deserved, "Best Sportsmanship Trophy"

Houston will be playing next year! My babies are growing up TOO fast!

They Look Like ALL-STARS to me! Good Job Americans!

"DOUBLE-DECKER"

Well, we started All Star games tonight and WOW was it interesting! We lost the "Double-Decker" as Levi called it, first game to Gordo and second game to Fayette. These teams were loaded. We had 2 teams to choose our players from. Fayette had 6, and Gordo had 4 or 5 I'm not sure. SO, maybe that explains it. Our little "Americans" did great, though. We play again tomorrow and on Monday, so say a little prayer for our team. I mean, Bailey(our pitcher) had to break out a mask and chest protector, the other teams were hitting so hard! She's one tough little girl! Levi was put at 1st base, where he has NEVER played before. So, I've been on pins and needles, but he seems to have adjusted just fine there. He even had all 3 outs one inning, but it is so hard to compete with other places who have so many more teams. BUT, we will show up again and try our best, good Lord willin' tomorrow night. Thanks to all the fam who showed up tonight, they even had to pay to get in, pay for expensive gas and anything else at the concession stand, so THANKS. It was great to see all of you. Remember, say a little prayer for us.

Sizing up the competition

First bat as an American All Star

Is he ready or what?!

Our Little "Home-Run Bandits"

FATHER'S DAY FUN

We enjoyed our day with you! The boys had so much fun playing golf and I even enjoyed the little lesson you tried to give me. Lord knows, I'm not "golf inclined"! We had a little US OPEN in Alta Pines HA!, in the pines was where Josh had to look for my golf balls HA!! But, we did have a great lunch and afternoon with you. We love you to the moon and back!!
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, JOSH!! I'm so thankful that our boys have an example like you. I couldn't ask for a more dedicated, godly, caring man for them to pattern their life after. You're the BEST!!
I thought this morning about how we rush around and try to find the perfect gifts, cards and make the day so special. That's great and I believe that is one way that we can "honour our father" as commanded. But, I was convicted about how much time and priority I give to My Heavenly Father. Do I get all excited about serving him? Do I try to give him the most perfect gift he would like? That would be to love and serve him with ALL my heart, ALL my mind, and ALL my strength. I know that I will never be perfect but I also know he wants me to strive to be more like him everyday. I would never want my Daddy to be ashamed of me and most of all I never want My Heavenly Father to be ashamed to call me his child. Lord help me to remember that everyday is a gift from you and that I should be thankful for a listening, always present father that keeps me in the palm of his hand.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO MY DADDY, POPPY and GRANDADDY!!
You are living and leaving behind a GODLY Heritage! What better "thing" to leave behind to your family! THANKS for all you have ever done for our family! WE LOVE YOU!!

HAPPIEST FATHER'S DAY, EVER!!!

Happy Father's Day to all the precious men in my life! I would have to say, even though I'm not a Father, that this has got to be my happiest Father's Day EVER! My Grandaddy(75) has been coming to church with us since Levi's 2nd Easter Sunday(he was 71). He has been faithful to come EVERY Sunday/Sunday Night but had never made a profession of faith until TODAY!! It just so happened my MawMaw came with him today(she attends Berry Baptist) and KK came to surprise Daddy. So, a lot of our family was there and he did it. He took the first step and down the aisle to the altar he went. HALLELUJAH!! I'm shouting right now! Never quit praying! I have prayed for his salvation for years and today was the day!! He was not raised in church but has always been a GREAT man in my eyes. As tenderhearted and thoughtful as a man can be, but he just needed JESUS! And today, he found him! I hope my PawPaw got the news in Heaven because he prayed for him so faithfully and wanted so bad to see his soul saved. If he doesn't know now, he will one day because my Grandaddy is now on his way to Heaven! Is that AWESOME or what?! GOD IS SO GOOD!! I could go on for hours but I'm having a hard time containing myself!! Keep him in your prayers because I'm sure the devil has already tried to make him doubt it, but I know God is faithful and just and is so proud to have another place set at the table!! Happy Father's Day again!!

TEAM PARTY

We had the Red Sox team party tonight at Nana's. We had a few refreshments, gave out trophies, pictures and then into the pool! They all had a ball! Remember the post about jumping w/out floaties? Well, one look at a few of his teammates jumping off, Levi never thought twice about it. Off the diving board, wide open, like a little fish! We had a wonderful season with some precious children and wouldn't take anything for the memories we made! Thank you God for our beautiful life!

Are they cute or what?!

"CANNONball!"

"Tater-Time after that CANNONball!"

"NO FEAR!(Except for Hunter, he had double protection HA)

Safety Poster Contest

Every year the mines gives the children, whose immediate family is employed there, the opportunity to participate in a poster safety contest. The children grades K-8 are allowed to participate and the winners receive savings bonds. Levi was old enough to enter a poster this year. He had a great time at the party that was given for all the participants today and also really enjoyed preparing his poster. Honestly, I was very shocked he took interest in this. If it doesn't have something to do with a ball, he usually doesn't get too excited. He did a great job and I was so proud of him! Josh even came over and had lunch and spent a little time with us. His group was K-2 which was the biggest group. Houston had a great time too visiting with some his buddies and enjoying the pizza. I thought Levi's masterpiece was precious. GOOD JOB PICASSO LEVI!

MOVIE DAY w/ KK

Today was KK's off day and of course she wanted the boys around! We headed out to T-Town with plans of KK taking the boys to the movies while I did a little shopping for vacation and Father's Day. Well, by 11:00 AM just about every member of my family had arrived in T-Town. I swung by and grabbed MawMaw BJ, MeMaw, and then my DAD even decided to join us! That's right just say "GRANDKIDS" and even PePaw enjoys a little trip to town. Low and behold, Luke calls as I'm about to walk out the door and He, MK, Ben and Beth are headed to T-Town to visit 2 ladies from their church who both had babies today. We had a little lunch, wasted a little time and had a BIG time together! Thanks KK for spoiling my boys rotten! I had told Levi this AM that due to his "listening problem" there would be no trip to the toy store for him today but of course his response included something about KK letting them do just about anything they wanted. There were no toys purchased on this trip, though! We did have a great time and LOVED every minute of it! We are so blessed!

LITTLE FISH

The boys have started swimming at Nana's and they are swimming like little fish. The first day Levi took off to the diving board(no floaties) and jumps off full speed ahead into the freezing water. Mind you, no swimming since last summer but swam all the way to the shallow. Has not happened again! "Not having floaties on made it take my breath, Momma" No son, the water has been uncovered for only 3 days, no sun made it take your breath. He is still jumping, but always makes a bypass to the storage box for a pair of floaties, he honestly thinks that's what did it. Houston could not even touch the bottom last year and is now walking all over the shallow and swimming, loves to jump off the diving board, the side, the ladder, the floats, etc. He is our little dare devil! Of course, "With floaties off the diving board so I don't lose my breath." I cannot believe how they have grown and matured since last summer. They are so much fun and I would be so lost w/out them!

SEASON CHAMPS!!

Go Red Sox! I cannot believe it. Our little guys and gals pulled it out! We won the regular season, proper title....5-6 Yr Old 2008 Season Champs! Then we started a double elimination tournament which ended tonight with another title.....5-6 Yr Old 2008 Season Tournament Champs. Sounds a little boastful. but I'm SO proud of our little team. I'm sure you remember, past post of, 13 players only 4 have ever played before, well I have to be honest I kind of doubted how everything would turn out. But low and behold a few great coaches(LOL HONEY), some wonderful supportive parents and 12 dedicated little ones(we lost 1 during tournament), I mean what else could you get. CHAMPS anyway, even if their record had not shown it. However, we did end up 10-3 for the whole season. Did I mention how proud I am of everyone?!! All-Star practice begins Monday so we have a few days until we start all over. Levi absolutely LOVES it! Never hear"I don't want to play, OR When is this over?" come out of those little Josh Cannon Lips! Houston has done great, hanging right in there every game and found lots of new little friends! Thanks to all of our family who have made numerous trips to Fayette(@$4/gal) to see the Red Sox battle it out. The team we beat tonight in the Championship game was 1 of the 2 teams that beat us during reg season, so did I say how proud I am of everyone?! I never thought I would get so into "Dug-Out Mom" but I LOVED it! Thanks to Coach Wesley, Coach Josh, Coach Ron, Coach Cheli and Coach Poppy(at times) for a job WELL DONE!! I loved the attitudes they all kept and had total positive reinforcement at all times, (unlike a lot of the other teams we played!) You know what they say.... ALWAYS be the bigger person and it will ALWAYS pay off in the end!

FUN Day With KK

Well, KK was off Friday and invited us all down to spend the day with her. When we arrived, she had planned a picnic and play date. The boys loved every minute of it! Ben is growing up so fast and he thought he was as big as the boys. Beth was so precious and is also growing like a weed. MeMaw and MawMaw also came along for the day. We then went to the mall and wasted time and money! The boys are all into "Prince Caspian" lately and had to have swords and shields. Hey, if we can come out of K-B for under $10, I'm not complaining. A cookie, a slushy, a toy, a few things out of the quarter machines and their $ was soon gone! While there I also had their feet measured for new shoes. Mind you, this whole time no one has complained with their shoes being too small or too tight, but I knew every once in a while I would hear a big "grunt" when they put on their tennis shoes. After all, we have been sporting flip flops pretty much everyday so I was in no real hurry for tennis shoes. Upon measurement, they not only needed bigger shoes, but they needed bigger shoes by 1 1/2-2 sizes! I know, I should be spanked, grounded and all that kind of stuff, but let me remind you, no complaining from either little Cannon! Of course, they did not have the sizes needed so we still continue to sport flip flops! We then went back to KK's house where the Prince Caspian want to be's broke into full battle. I was so afraid her fairly new home would end up with at least a chunk or two out of the sheet rock or something broken but somehow everything remained intact. It was great to spend the day w/ my family. I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!

"THE CREW" (LESS KK)

Who could resist this sweet face?!
Who could resist this precious face?!
Who could resist this handsome face?!

Who could resist this "cool" face?!(I'm corrected every time the word "cute" slips out of my mouth."I'm not cute , I'm COOL!")

KK and Levi

O.K., yes that would be Houston "LICKING" the rails. I know and I have heard the phrase so many times. Yes, GOD did make dirt and dirt won't hurt. But I have also tried to remind the boys, That then there's germs and germs can cause worms! A little grotesque but to the point...that's the only way they can grasp things right now.HA!