What is so funny Grady?

This picture cracks me up! I know it might not everyone else, but if you could have seen Tyler and Benjamin making Grady laugh and smile I think you'd feel the same. This baby loves his brothers! Tyler loves him and ask to hold him a lot, Benjamin.........well he is too busy trying to impress Tyler. But when Tyler isn't here he pays a lot of attention to him.

Camping............

We went on a camping trip this past weekend to Roaring River. The kids had lots of fun. Ben had a bit of fun, and I have said I am never going camping again. Well I guess you should never say never, but it is going to take me years to recover from this one.

Roaring River was freezing cold, but the kids wanted to get in so bad. It was soooooooo cold!!!

The highlight of the entire camping trip was this water slide. We were trying to get cell phone reception and just happen to drive by this place. We immediately turned around paid our $5.00 for an hour and had the best time. Tyler was cracking up the whole time.

Benjamin loved it too. He giggled the whole way down every time. I have to say the ride down was fun, but the walk up was so exhausting! Poor Ben did it every time carrying Benjamin with him. He said I am so tired "carrying an extra 30 pounds...." I was like can you imaging being pregnant........and 3 times! And I don't just gain 30 pounds! ha! After our hour was up we headed to the snack bar for the best sno cones any of us have ever had! Ben says we are driving back just to get one! As long as we don't camp that is fine with me

The Park had a snake exhibit Friday night at 8:30. And of course Tyler wanted to go. At the end of the presentation they got the black rat snake out for anyone to touch. Benjamin and Tyler both touched it. After Benjamin touched it......he smiled and said "kitty kitty." Oh it was so funny. I know the picture isn't the greatest.......but I was scared to turn the flash on because what if I made the snake not so happy? ahhhhh!!

What are these guys with bowties doing here?

For Ben's birthday this year I hired a barbershop quartet to serenade him. It was hilarious. I had arranged it with his co-workers ahead of time, and they let the quartet and me inside the building. I snuck around the back of the aisle and one of Ben's coworkers walked around the other end of the aisle and told him that there were some people there to see him. I popped out after I heard her say that and although I didn't see his face at first.......I did see his ears..........and they turned beat red. It was adorable! Then he turned around with a huge grin. They sang a total of 3 songs, and did a wonderful job! We finished his birthday up with dinner, gifts, and one of his best friends came over to hang out. I can't believe he is 27! I have known this guy since we were in Jr. High!!

The 4th

We had a wonderful 4th of July, right here at home. Usually we go to my grandparents house and join the rest of the family for a cookout, swimming, and a firework show. But this year my grandparents took a much needed long vacation..........and left everyone to make their own 4th of July plans. So we cooked out and had one of Ben's best friends over for our own "mini" firework show. If you are wondering why Benjamin is in the stroller........well..........you must not be acquainted with him. He had to be in there for his own safety. Buckled in and all.

Sink or Float?

With all these boys around the house, things are never dull. And today has been no exception. Little Mr. Benjamin, has so far, proven himself to be the outlaw of the bunch. He is adorable yet very mischievous. Tyler has become the audience in Benjamin's comedic routines around the house. Which I keep insisting is only encouraging the bad behavior. Benjamin loves water, or as he calls it "watty." And ,unfortunately enough for us, he not only loves water, but he loves to put anything and everything in water. This house has become a segment of David Letterman style "Will it Sink or Float?" I just need the cheesy jingle playing in the background. Today Benjamin decided to give my cell phone a bath in Gandolf's (our cat) water bowl. Ben's phone had a bath of it's own about a month ago, and after drying out for 24 hours you can hardly tell. (notice I say hardly)

In other eventful news Grady is smiling and cooing often now. Which is such a blessing! I needed some validation people! Even though we are supposed to be the smarter, independent, confident parents..........we still need that little smile to let us know we are doing a good job. And since these little people can only express themselves when they are unhappy........one really starts to question how good of a job they are doing. The other boys smiled early on, and often. Grady is the curve ball. I am quite sure I did everything but stand on my head and juggle to make this little beautiful baby smile...........and after all the hard work........ (Ben says it has nothing to do with my hard work, but just when nature was ready. I refuse to believe that after the countless hours I have stood over him "trying" to bring a smile to his face) anyways...........he smiles now! And it is so sweet!

Tyler's two front teeth are loose. He has been asking for us to tie a string to them and then to the truck. He believes this will help the progress and he will be getting money from the tooth fairy in a timely fashion. I am confident we won't be tying him to the truck to pull it out. I haven't told him that yet though. ;)

Ben and I have been working out at the gym. Other than walking around like an elderly woman from taking the butts and guts class...............it has been nice to spend time with Ben working out. He of course has yet to be sore, has lost a few pounds, and tries to push himself every time we go. uhhggggg! Me.............well..................just going is a victory in itself.

It's a bird, no it's a plane, no it's Ben trying to outdo Hulk Hogan....

We had yet another fantabulous weekend. We ventured to the land of endless 8:00pm shows, put - put, go-carts, swimming, and more banjos than I have ever seen. Yes..... you guessed it.......Branson. My aunt offered us one of her condos and we are all about free vacations! So we packed up (everything but the cat I think.......you never know what you are going to need with kiddos around!) and headed there. We had so much fun taking the kids swimming, to the Titanic museum, to the Presley's, and to the Wax Museum. Not including all the ice cream and other little things we got to do.

Tyler said his favorite was swimming and seeing the Titanic museum. Ben enjoyed the Presley's and swimming with the boys. And me..........well I enjoyed not having to do laundry or cleaning up or cooking for a couple of days.

Don't ya just love summer? Here are some pictures of our weekend getaway.

Tyler and my niece enjoyed stopping and having their picture taken


Benjamin was so tired by the time we got to the wax museum

arrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!


and of course my favorite picture of the weekend! Ben always cracks me up!

Weekend of R and R

I can't believe it is already half way through June! Time is flying by! We certainly enjoyed this past weekend! It was so very relaxing! We made a trip back home, and enjoyed the company of family and friends. My grandma was sooooo soooo very helpful with the boys. Ben and I got to enjoy dinner with some good friends of ours from high school. We also enjoyed a mini shopping spree at Tanger and my nephews birthday party! Now onto unpacking and getting things back to normal. But what fun it was!

Benjamin and his Papa on the tractor. He had so much fun!

I am sure you can tell by the look on his face.......he loved the rides!

Tyler only has one more week of school left.......and then on to the second grade.

Aren't They Cute

This morning we had a "mini" photo shoot of our own in the backyard. The boys were very good sports considering I interrupted their Scooby Doo movie. As you can see by the pictures it was so bright outside there is some serious squinting going on. But aren't they cute!?

As you can see Tyler is sporting a new (as he calls it) baseball haircut.

Benjamin was the hardest to get to sit still. But he finally lasted for a few pictures.

Grady will be 7 weeks on Tuesday. I can't believe how fast it has gone by.