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.

Back To Normal

Well today was Ben's first day back at work. And although he has been super helpful around here............it was time to get things back to "normal." The day actually went well. My imagination had gone crazy anticipating this day, but I am happy to say I over exaggerated in my mind just how hard this would be. Now don't be mistaken..........3 kids is hard...........just not impossible like I had thought. :)

For eventful news around here..........Benjamin has been getting out of his baby bed. For a few nights he was coming into our room, getting right in my face, and then saying "MOMMY!" I thought I had wised up last night and put a baby gate at his door. But he still got out of bed around 4am and stood at the gate yelling........"mommy, mommy, mommy........." until I met him there. I put him back to bed! Now what in the world am I going to do? This really isn't good timing to convert him to a big boy bed, but how do you explain that to a 21month old?

Tyler is on a week long break from school, and enjoying riding his bike, and playing. He is so big! He was explaining to me today why penguins have white bellies and are black on their backs. (as I learned it was to protect themselves from sea lions) I was so impressed. I asked him who told him that........and he said "Mommy I read it in a book."

His hair is so red nowadays. We have caked so much sunscreen on this poor kid. I heard him telling the neighbor boy, I can't stay out too long today because my hair is red and I sunburn. It was so funny. The best one is him offering some candy to a friend and before he gives it to him he says........"You aren't allergic to peanuts are you?" It makes me think I might be a little too protective with him. hmmmmmm maybe I should work on that.

And now onto Grady.......................he is such a good baby. Of course he has his moments, but overall he sleeps well and stays pretty content. God blessed us so much with his gentle temperament. I can't wait until he is smiling and cooing. Those times are always so fun with babies! I can't believe he going to be 4 weeks old tomorrow. It has gone by so fast.

A full house

Well the house is full these days! And we are enjoying every minute of it...........okay maybe not the sleepless nights! Benjamin and Tyler are adjusting well to their new little brother. Grady has only been jumped on once since his arrival. And for those of you that know and have been around our little Benjamin you will agree only being jumped on once is a miracle.


We are anticipating Ben's return to work. Ben has played the role of nanny, cook, and housekeeper for the past month...........how am I going to keep it all functioning when he is at work? I guess that is the lesson I am soon to learn........I won't keep it all functioning. There will be dishes, toys, laundry, and kids scattered all throughout the house until the next season of life shows up.

Yesterday Grady was crying and I came into the room to sway and rock him, Benjamin followed me and grabbed his beloved puppy and tried his best to mimic me. It was so very sweet. He had his feet as far apart as possible and was swaying from left to right. In the background was the lullaby "Go to Sleep." It is amazing how these little people can make the whole world stop and bring a smile to your face.