Carson (aka Bob!)

Today was Carson's day to be on the farm and do stuff with just me and Brad. I took the little boys to Lola's for the day so I could do some scrapbooking...well I got 2 books done but did not get all that I wanted done. But that's ok too because I did get to spend some good quality time with just Bradley and Carson. We went riding on the g'cart together and started teaching all of the food plot names...buzzard roost, snake plot, orange gate plot (where there is no longer an orange gate), fox plot, etc...it was fun quizzing him and he was quite sharp! Then when we got home he started building with leftover lumber from the chicken barn out in the chicken barn. Check out his sharp outfit...he selected it all by himself...who would have guessed! Camo hat, tank top (like daddy), way-to-big practice fball shorts from the high school (like daddy too), and of course crocs! I had a fun day with my oldest 2 boys...thanks Bradley and Carson!

Persimmon Hill

Earlier this week we went up to Enid Lake and camped at a place called Persimmon Hill. It was super nice...it is a U.S. Army Corp of Engineers Park. Right outside our "tent" we had a great playground and a great view of Enid Lake from our site also. Here is our pop-up with the awning up (thanks to Brad and Trey) and also we got some lights...we are super fancy now.

On Monday we had an awesome day. We went on the nature hike that morning and then went over to the beach at Enid to swim for a little bit. The kids had a great time. Carson found a Hot Wheels car buried in the sand at the waters edge and Brad cleaned it out for him...he found "treasure" at the beach he told us!

We then came back and ate lunch before I had to lay Toby down...Turkey sandwiches, pickles, cantelope balls, and famous new salsa/chips. We put the canopy up due to not much shade and hot sun and also the fan helped keep us a bit cooler too!

After Toby got up from his nap we (me, Gage, and Toby) went for a little walk down to one of the points that over looked the lake. It was such a nice view. Gage wanted to take our picture with my iPhone. He did pretty good I thought...I've been working with him. He said "ok, say cheese!"

Trey and Tina are the couple that we went camping with. They have 2 girls Tyler and Drew. Our boys and their girls had a blast playing together...riding bikes, watching tv, playing on the playground, etc. Trey and Brad went to school together at MSU. While Brad was playing basketball for MSU, Trey was a manager on the team. They hit it off as friends and have stayed close ever since...so naturally we see them about once a year to visit and catch up. And we had a great time on this trip...visiting and catching up!

Then we got an extra special treat to sort of top off the day...we got a pontoon boat ride on the lake plus tubing and jumping off the boat were included! Toby and I watched because I thought it would be too chilly for him that late in the day (around 7pm) to be in and out of the water then on a boat going pretty fast with the wind.

I knew Carson would tube...but I never believed in a million years that Gage would have done it. He was pumped up while he watched 2 girls do it right before it was his and Carson's turn. We were all just laughing our heads off at him because he was being so silly and pumped. Then it became his turn to get in the tube...I would have bet $100 that he would not do it...but I was sure wrong. I guess he did not want to show those 2 girls up! He was a great time and kept hollering to the driver..."go faster!"

Then after all the kids had a turn on the tube it was time for playtime in the water. The men became boys...Here is my oldest "child"...Brad!

Then my 2nd oldest child...Carson

and last but certainly not least...my WILD child...Gage-man!

We had such a great time spending time with each other...family and friends! Thanks Hambys for having us up to your awesome campsite. We can't wait to see you in a couple of months!

Visiting the Great Grandparents

This morning we (all 5 of us) took a trip to my grandparents house. Brad had to help Papa John with some fencing and the boys love to visit their farm...heck they love anybody's farm! So to the farm we went...I took the boys walking down their drive way to find rocks, bugs, and such...you know...boys "stuff." There was a crop duster spraying the field next to us and it was such a fun experience for the boys. It got so close to us...see!

Toby is telling me (now you) to look that way quick before you miss the plane and it goes behind the trees again...

I guess this is Gage's take on the "happy airplane dance" b/c the sure broke out into it when the plane would go by us and I would just laugh...

All three of them taking a rest and looking/listening for that plane again to fly over...

a must see...

Brad told me about this vidpeo this morning while he was watching TV and said I had to find it on the internet and watch it. Well, my cyber friend, Rachel, found it first and I thank her for it. Enjoy it, laugh a lot, and it will make smile.

Jill and Kevin's Unexpected Wedding Entrance

I hope you all have a wonderful Friday...we are going out on a date...yes a date tonight. The kids have their SONBEAMS "party" to go to and they are so pumped about it...so we are pumped about our date that will consist of eating sushi, going to Wal-mart for the groceries we need for the upcoming camping trip, and then picking up KrispiKreme doughnuts before we pick up the boys.

New Bridge

My husband has gotten very talented with his carpentry skills...I must brag on him. On the new pipeline that now goes across our land we needed a bridge really bad...you know so if either Slick or Brad kill a deer they could cross it to go track it much easier than going around the world to get to the other side...I really think that was the main "reason" to have a new bridge. But new bridge we now have and I am quite impressed with Bradley's skills! Toby had to show it off this morning when we went down to so I could check it out and so that we could gather up some black tarp for the parking pit because we are still trying to put all of that slag into areas where we need it instead of just a huge pile where the dumptruck left it. Carson is making volcanoes in the slag though and tonight during our prayer time with the boys he thanked God for letting him make all his volcanoes...too cute.
Gage and Toby were throwing sticks off the bridge into the small creek and watching them float under them...Toby was have a wonderful time...can't you tell!

Well...then Gage went and did what I would truly expect him to do...yep, stripped his underwear and jumped into the creek. He will never cease to amaze and surprise me!

I hope you had a fun day too like I did!

a rainbow!

Tonight as we were getting out of church and headed to the van, we were blown away at the gift in the sky that God gave us...a rainbow. It stormed during supper and church then slacked off during prayer meeting...and afterwards we got (in my opinion) one of the most beautiful gifts that God can send out way. It wasn't just any ole rainbow...I had to take 3 pictures with my silly iPhone to get the entire rainbow photographed...these pictures don't do it justice. It was so bright and full of life up in the sky. Thanks God! Gage was hollering at everyone in the parking lot for them to see the rainbow...he was most excited!

When we got home you could still see it sorta from our driveway...Gage had to point it out to everyone to see.

Then Gage asked if he could get in the water puddles...of course I said "sure"...how fun! So he ran along the driveway from puddle to puddle as I drove the van and Toby laughed at him the entire way...lots of fun tonight...oh and thanks again God for the beautiful rainbow you sent our way!

Homemade Salsa

Ok...I am not much of a cook but I really would like to be so I am trying my hand a new recipes I come across that my crew likes and it's easy to make. This salsa recipe fits both catagories! I have to give credit to Ashley my friend who I took pictures of her and her little cutie Caden last Friday night...remember! Ok...so here's the recipe

2 cans of Hunt's all natural petite diced tomatoes
1 can of black beans (rinsed)
2 cans of mexicorn (drained) Ashley only 1 but I like 2
1 4oz can chopped green chilies
1/2 purple onion cut up very small
5 green onion stalks cut up very thin also
1/4 bunch cilantro leaves cut up or pinched apart
1/2 of a lime squeezed in (just the juice)
salt/pepper to taste
5 shakes of cumin

it is not hot at all...but cilantraish tasting...simply divine!
mix all this in a box
cover and refrigerate overnight
it will all marinate together
it will keep for about 2 wks but never lasts thu that long

If you try it, please, please, please leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

Gage..."it's board time"

Gage has surpassed all the expectations that I had given him this summer! He is now going off the board all by himself sometimes and swimming to the steps unassisted...but he prefers it if someone is in the water for him to swim to, let him catch a breath, then send him on his way to the steps. We will be playing in the water and I will say "ok, Gage, it's board time!" and he will run to the board to go off and he is super proud of himself!

Oh and GG (aka my mom) came to visit for 3 nights and she had Gage had a great time in the pool together. One day they went all by themselves and had a grand time. Gage is so worried the whole time GG is here as to where GG is...I had to convince him that she was staying for a while and not just for a few hours...he LOVED her stay...and so did I! loveyou, mom

This next clip is one of the fun things that Gage and GG do in the pool. She lays on her back and Gage lays on her tummy and kicks hard and GG steers them in the right direction. Can't you tell they had a fun time!?!

Friday night with friends...

Last night was a lot of fun especially for Gage and Toby because we got to hang out with their friends...Avery, Casen, and Caden! Kelli made yummy lasanga, I bought salad, and Ashley made her wonderful strawberry cake and also homemade salsa/chips for an appetizer. We ate then let all the kids go outside and play on the swingset. Ashley is trying to get her facebook set up and she asked me to take a picture of her and Caden for her profile pic...turn out cute I thought.

Gage and Avery were wild when they were swinging...they would not stay in their own lanes...you can tell here! They kept swinging their legs around and hitting one another. These 2 are a pair when they are together. At one point during the night they were on a small 4-wheeler with Gage infront. Avery put her arms around Gage and kissed him on the neck and just grinned...she is a mess. Then later on we were trying to get a cute picture of them together and Gage put his arm around her...Avery said "Mama, why is he putting his arm around me?" grinning the entire time.

Caden is such a sweet and quiet little boy...

Gage-man on top of the swingset...and proud of his accomplishment!

I love this picture of Casen!
Ok...then the mama's wanted to attempt a pic of the 3 little boys. This is when it got interesting. Caden would not quit loving on Toby and Casen and leaning into them. We were laughing so hard at them...we would sit them down and immediately Caden would start leaning. Toby was NOT happy about his personal space being invaded!

We finally settled on this one and quit!

Dumptruck of Slag

We have been waiting for this day to come for about 10 days now. We got a dumptruck load of slag for our the rest of our parking area at the house. Brad build this add-on part several years ago and it has had a dirt floor and can I tell you how much I hatee dust! So this year was the year for slag under the parking area...we park g'carts, "little red" the old red truck, and our camper under here so we are in and out a lots and I am so tired of everything being dusty under there when you get into it! This is what it looked like this morning right before the slag arrived. Brad was laying heavy cloth tarp down before we put the slag down.

The boys were PUMPED that we had a dumptruck come to the house this morning and do some work. They watched every move it made...boys just love trucks!

Pouring the first half of the load on the back side of the parking area. Slag is leftover parts (a bi-product) when they make beams they pour the steel into the molds to make the beam and the parts that splash out and fall down to the ground is called "slag". We have slag all down our drive way and to us it is better than gravel.

I made them take this picture...can't you tell!

Toby was loving all the rocks...before lunch...he got another utility sink bath!

Carson and Gage watching in amazement the other half of the dumptruck load being poured out.

Monkey Gage could not keep off the pile of slag...imagine that!

We had to run across the road to get some more black tarp and Carson said "I will stay here because I need to work shoveling this rock for you Daddy."

Yummy Watermelon

Today my awesome friend Amy T gave Toby this little watermelon. He is the only one of mine that LOVE watermelon like Brad and I do and since Amy T's family has an awesome fruit/vege stand and the BEST watermelons around...she loves to do sweet things for my boys ALL the time and today it was Toby's day to be on the receiving end of my dear friend! Ummmm...can't you see the excitement on his face of the anticipation of getting into this yummy melon...

Hmmmm...where should I start...
He is loving every little bite of this watermelon. I eat this little guy up!

Wow Wee...I'm so glad that you are my Mama's friend!

Thanks so much Amy for being such a great friend to me and for loving my 3 little boys so much. I have missed spending time together due to your summer hours at the fruit stand...so that is one good thing about having to start back to school...I get to see you!

O The Life...

O how sweet life is...play all morning down by the river watching Daddy do dirt work on the tractor...then come home to play in the backyard with my brothers on the waterslide...then I get to rinse off in the utility sink in the laundry room before being fed my lunch and put down for my afternoon nap...oh the life I lead. ~Toby Wade Smith

1 fish, 2 fish...

All 3 of my boys love the pool, and I'm so glad that we have one on our farm that we can use daily. It pays off being able to use it so frequently because at the beginning of the summer Gage would not come off the top step of the pool and now you will be able to see what he can do now. I have not put either of mine in swimming lessons because I have not found anyone around my area that people rave over. I taught swimming lessons all through high school and some in college. I'm one of those anal people that figured if I did pay for lessons they would not do it they way I wanted and it would be a waste of my time and money...so I just have done it myself and saved a bunch of cash. I have to say that Carson and Gage have swam at the age of 3 and that is good enough for me. I do not need an Olympic swimmer...just one that loves the water and can swim confidently in the water.

Toby found a noodle that he wanted to take down to the pool and Gage was doing silly things with his noodle that was making Toby just crack up...
This is Gage swimming to the steps. Today though he swam across the smaller length of the pool (from side to side). Woohoo Gage-Man!

Carson is trying to learn freestyle and it is funny and awkward to him. Oh and the "jump" off the diving board is a new Power Rangers move that he learned from a movie that GG bought him.

The McAlpin House

Let me introduce you to the McAlpin House! It is absolutely beautiful and it is where we got to eat lunch today! Brad's great friend Doug...his Mama owns this place and does weddings, receptions, tea parties, and anything else you can think of here. She loves to entertain. Her name is Gloria Lucas but we call her "Glo!" She was having some coaches over for lunch today before the coaches clinic started in town and invited me and my little boys to come over too.
Toby could not stay out of the candy bowls while we were there. This is the room you walk into if you come in the front door.

Carson and all the kids for that matter...love this room. It is a sun room with glass windows all around. The center table is where she puts all of her food when serving and people sit around at all the tables and chairs. We get to join in with their family usually around Christmas when she entertains for all of them...thankgoodness they have adopted us into their own because we love hanging out with all of them.
Gage is in another serving room where all of the main courses are served when she entertains for receptions and such. Most of the house just stays decorated all of the time...so it always looks so pretty when you go there...like she's having a party...just for YOU.

Meet Glo! Bradley has grown up in the family since he was little. Glo loves all 4 of my boys so much and we feel the exact same about her! What a fun lunch she "whipped" up this morning: fried pork chops, butter beans, peas, cornbread, squash, sliced tomatoes, fried okra, ice tea, and banana pudding for dessert! Let's just say I will not be eating supper tonight...I am stuffed.

Bradley had to leave early for his rules meeting with volleyball...yes, he will be coacing volleyball. It should be intereting...it's our first year to have a team at our high school. So I was left with all 3 by myself...interesting. So we were getting ready to leave and I said "guys can you do something for Mama please...just take one good pic and look at my pink camera!" They all agreed and no one put a fight...and this is the one picture I got! Beggers can't be choosers!