Smith Adventures

http://smithfamilyfarm.wordpress.com

2010-12-19T12:03:00.000-06:00

2010-12-10T09:49:00.001-06:00

Things are changing...new site! Check us out! Smithfamilyfarm.wordpress.com. (leave me a comment to let me know you check it out so I can actually see how many people read this!)

2010-12-01T10:30:00.001-06:00

Ugh...life's craziness is getting in the way of my blogging. We are all great! I miss blogging...it's my therapy!

Bedtime one night this week

2010-11-19T08:00:00.000-06:00

We were trying to say prayers and tuck boys in...Scramo and Harley were ready to play!

In my opinion...there is nothing funnier (well most anything) than a cat and a dog playing.
LOVE this shot...it's my desktop background at the moment! Right before this pic, Scramo was actually licking Harley's nose. They love to play and wrestle.

It was bedtime for this boy...who was ready to read his ISpy books by his nightlight. This guy's bedtime too...he is soooo coming out of his shell and I love it!

Toby's 2nd set of tubes

2010-11-18T08:00:00.001-06:00

November 5, 2010 Toby Wade got his 2nd set of tubes at Blair E. Batston Children's Hospital. We were first case so we got in and out pretty quick. Actually we got to the hospital at 6am and left at 8:30am. The biggest deal with Toby was getting him undressed from his M'hall Superman shirt into that silly gown he thought was a "dress." Can't you see the look on his face!

After he woke up from tubes (which takes 7 minutes for each ear.) He was a complete bear trying to wake up...it was rough b/c he was so mean and uncontrollable....poor baby. But after a little while it got better...only one parent gets to experience this wonderful thing and that always seems to be ME! We came out of recovery and Brad said "wow...he did great huh?" I said "well you haven't been back there battling the beast!" But after we left the hospital we had to run by Bass Pro Shops and Toby ran straight for the big fish tank and then to "ride" the 4-wheelers!

Meet Gypsie!

2010-11-17T08:00:00.003-06:00

I'm Gypsi a Chesapeake Bay Retriever. I'm about 5 years old. I was trained extensively for 2 years on many commands. But I have been in a pen for 5 years. When I arrived at the Smith Family Farm and Country Club, I had no idea how to relate to any dog (or really anything to that matter.) I have never been abused so my self esteem is just great.

I have a chocolate curly coat and a beautiful block head (so my mama says.) I go to the family when they say "Gypsi heel." I sit quietly by their side and want my head rubbed because I am starting to know what "affection" is. After 4 days of being on the farm I finally wagged my tail. I don't attack and growl at Maggie and Harley anymore (thankgoodness, mama says.) My family has given me SO much love, time, and affection over the past 2 weeks and it is amazing how much that will change a dog! It feels wonderful to be a part of a loving family. I even get to come inside in my own kennel in the den with everyone else for the night and sleep snuggly!
Toby is standing on my kennel with his "sword" soooo NOT wanting his pic taken!

Jack-0-Lantern

2010-11-15T08:56:00.000-06:00

First time to check out his jack-0-lanterns...Toby thought they were super cool. He loves fire though. I finally put a candle inside a day after Halloween...

Toby wanted his kitty Miss Bertie in the picture too. She stayed for a minute...
But then she was off...

I thought that they turned out really neat! So did Toby...the others were too busy doing other things to really care...but they all fought over who was going to blow the candles out!

football players

2010-11-09T08:00:00.000-06:00

Thanks to their cousin Chase...these 3 were some cute football players for Halloween.

"too cool"
My Little Athletes

Grrrrrr...game face!

more cabin time...ahhhh

2010-11-08T08:00:00.000-06:00

We have been spending some good quality time at the cabin...it is nice! Carson and Gage have been taking medicine in the form of pills. So when Toby opened his skittles candy and poured it into his cup...he told me it was "his pill candy." I just had to laugh!

I am crafty (or I like to consider myself that) so I try to make my kids crafty too!
I love to make homemade "to and from" cards for presents...well this year I have helpers!

Watching daddy build a fire...Harley is quite interest too! Yep, the dogs go down to the cabin with us too...Maggie and Harley just load right up on the golfcarts too. They expect to go!

Mornings are chilly down there...still in jamamas (our word for PJs) with "fairy hair" warming up by the wood stove. It will heat up this place like an oven!

I'm sure Thanksgiving week we will be down there a lot!

Mac for Halloween!

2010-11-06T08:00:00.000-05:00

Mac was an Indian and his 2 husky dogs were his wolves!

Magnolia at the Pumpkin Patch

2010-11-05T08:00:00.001-05:00

Once again...the Pumpkin Patch with Magnolia. Always Fun! Carson's class
Ms. Anna, Jake, Freddie, Jonathan, Carson, Demarius, Cameron, and Ms Mary

Carson and I about to take the hayride...
Carson and his buddy Avery about to pick out their pumpkins.

Everyone getting their pumpkins

Playing on the swings while waiting on everyone else to pick out their pumpkins!

Carving Pumpkins

2010-11-04T08:00:00.001-05:00

We carved pumpkins this year. I guess it will be a new tradition b/c the kids liked it. I made them clean out the "guts." Ugh! Carson is the one who demanded that we carve pumpkins!

Nana came out to help with the project with I sooo appreciated!
We did not do much planning...just cut then top off, scrap out guts, freehand with a knife the faces. For 2 pumpkins it took like 25 minutes. Fast...

Gage with his pumpkin

Toby kissing the pumpkin

Crazy faces with the pumpkins

Finally a cute one of Toby with the pumpkins even though he is finishing his ice cream sandwich which he was not going to let go of without a fight...so I picked my battle!

Yes, one pumpkin had buck teeth...Carson's request.

Gage and Natalie (and Toby)

2010-11-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

Gage (oh my) is going to drive me crazy. Natalie is one of his little girlfriends at Shelia's.

They just get "giddy" when they see each other. She always give me so many hugs. Her mom knew right where to find her when she say Gage running around the gym.
Ummm...Toby thought she was a pretty little girl too and wanted his picture with her!

Finally a cute pic where they are no sooo teased! I love seeing Gage interact with his friends...it is so neat watching this little guy grow up...even thougt he will be the one to give me gray hair!

Happy Halloween!

2010-11-02T08:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Halloween from the 6 of US!

We were all football players and Meg was our cheerleader.

Heaven (flower girl), KK (sicky vickie), Bradon (vick the exterminator), Carson, & Gage

Caiden (a lion) and Toby
Carson, Avery (princess), Casen (spiderman), and Heaven

Jenna (dorothy and toto) and Jordan (the scarecrow)

Bradley and Mackenzie (as a chicken!)

We all had a blast at our Trunk N Treat at our church!

artwork

2010-11-01T08:00:00.000-05:00

Carson read a book at school "Bread and Jam for Frances" and this was his illustration.

I loved it! Carson said "Mama, this is bread and jam and this is Frances!"

For Columbus Day: can you read his cursive handwriting...in 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue! So proud of this little guy and how far he had come in 4 yrs at Magnolia!
Gage and Toby making forts in my laundry baskets with lots of pillows and blankets!

happy halloween!

2010-10-31T08:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Fall to All! Love, Megan, Carson, Gage, and Toby!

We had trunk n treat at our church last night and tonight at Nana and Slick's church...fun times and lots of candy. Pictures to come of what we dressed like...I had us all in a themed costume and even Bradley participated...I'll keep you guessing on what the theme was!

2 nights at cabin

2010-10-30T08:00:00.005-05:00

We stayed 2 nights at the cabin...the 5 of us. Meg was off with a friend for the weekend.

Making LOUD noises on the porch...while we chilled out inside!

Gage kept saying "I wanna sleep uptop." Well he couldn't until his daddy did this for him to keep him safe. So thankful I married a "handy man."
Gage and Toby showing off the railing!

Love these 2 look-a-like boys!

Toby was getting teased when Daddy was tucking him in his sleeping bag on the couch.

Brad was looking for something under the couch and popped it back without the boys knowing what he was doing...it caught them all by surprise!

Fun times...lots of memories made!

Gage & The Firetruck

2010-10-29T08:00:00.000-05:00

On our way home from the hospital, Heather called. The Pinola Firetruck was at Shelia's Clubhouse and they were letting the kids climb on and honk the horn. Well, I asked Gage and he wanted to turn around quick b/c he had never been sooo upclose to a firetruck. He got to spray the water hose with a little help from Lanie.

This was too cool b/c he never done anything like this b/c he had always gone to Lola's School.
Honking both horns...one he pushed and the other he pulled that white rope! (LOUD)

Silly picture with all his friends...K3 and K4 Gage is on top top row.

He was a celebrity when he showed up b/c he had been gone ALL week in the hospital. Landon is his biggest buddy...he could not keep his hands off him. It was too sweet. I love it that these two are such big friends. They call each other "Jacob" and are in the "Jacob Club." They are a big hot mess is what they are...I'm sure they give Ms. Kristie and Ms. Heather gray hairs!

Gage in hospital

2010-10-28T08:00:00.001-05:00

Monday, October 18, 2010 Gage had to be hospitalized. A few weeks before he started complaining about his ear. We thought it was swimmer's ear again and treated it. Then a week later I took him in and doctor said to keep treating it with ear drops and call it anything happens. Well, Monday morning it did...yuck started draining from it. But ran NO fever. We had an appt at 11am with Stevens (love this doctor.) He referred us to Reed at UMC...also wonderful. He said good news: ear drum looks great, bad news: this boy needs to be in hospital for IV antibiotics for an abscess behind his ear. He should have been in here a week ago, I can't believe he is not in severe pain. I'm telling y'all...this boy is TOUGH!

We wanted to be at our local hospital...Simpson General. It was close to home, friends, and our support system that keeps us all sane and grounded! Dr. Reed said "ok." So back home we went and got checked in. Melissa (a dear friend) got her best IV stickers in the ER to go ahead and get an IV started. No tears from Gage...just BIG eyes right when they stuck him but after that he was cool as a cucumber! Ask Melissa if you don't believe me!
Our friends and family started showing up as soon as we checked in and began showering Gage with love, attention, and lots of goodies! This hospital also gives "guest" plates with a child so you don't have to go out and search for food. It was perfect...I was able to feed Bradley without worrying what I was going to "fix."

He has his arm wrapped in blue and then green wrap to keep his IV safe. His special girlfriend Vickie always came by to check on him and had to prick his finger twice on Wednesday...he did great then too. He made me text his Nana and tell her to bring more gummies, suckers and chocolate...by 10am the next day it was on his bed! ROTTEN!

He had lots of playmates to come visit. and lots of new toys to play with. It really wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be...I know that was because everyone was praying for us!

Playing "air guitar" on his bed...trying to keep him somewhat calm. On about day 3 of us being there he got orders that he could go outside. Brad and Slick were there and took him out. He said out and ran around in circles about 20 times...Brad said he looked like he was a little dog that had been chained up for a week all the energy he let out!

A big highlight when I was there one morning is that we had a helicopter land at the hospital to pick up a patient that was being transported. It was super cool to Gage to get sooo close to one.

He did look forward to every afternoon when his brothers would come up and run around and drive him crazy and play with his toys and eat his candy. I loved that people that are so special to us could just drop by to say HI and cheer Gage up and give him a little smile so he could look at someone different!

On Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 1:30 we got orders from Stevens that we could go home and by 2:30 Melissa was wheeling Gage out to the van with ALL this stuff! His girlfriends all came by to tell him bye-bye and hope he gets better 100%.

He demanded to go to school the next day. He was a celebrity when he showed up. He showed everyone his "hole" in his arm "that is where I got my IV!" We are on antibiotics for 2 weeks unless Dr. Reed wants us to be on them longer when we follow up to see him.

I was sooo overwhelmed with the prayers and support from my family and friends. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful support system in my little "home-to-me-now" town!

Cupcakes for Life

2010-10-27T08:00:00.000-05:00

First of all I want to start out by saying...Sorry that these pictures are sooooo tiny!

We are working on a project at school about Entrepreneurship. Owning your own business. I talk to them about me owning my own summer camp business and doing what I love and making more than minimum wage per hour and creating my own hours.

This was the best presentation ever in my 8 yrs of teaching. Emily "owns" a business called Cupcakes for Life. She wore her little kiddie apron her aunt made her when she was a little girl.

This is her business sign...make up of crumple tiny pieces of paper glued together to make the letters...(lots of time.) She baked for 6 hrs the day before and brought 96 (yes 96) cupcakes all different flavors and frosting and sprinkles!
It was sooo much fun to help her set up, hear her presentation, and then par-take of her yummy desserts she made us. We all got to eat 2...I snuck an extra one to Coach Smith of course! This girl really got into her product!

Emily, job well done! You should be very proud of yourself for your ump, creativity, go-getness, and your love of presentations. You will go far in life with these wonderful qualities!

Carson's perspective once again

2010-10-26T08:00:00.000-05:00

Carson stole my camera once again... love this one of him seeing himself in our front door.

Playing with the kitties...like the cat is attacking them camera.
Check out cat teeth...only a boy would think this was cool!

Love this picture...so artsy

I took this one...love it. The cats have so become part of the family...even booted Harley off the big mat and made her lay on the concrete!

new form of punishment!

2010-10-25T08:00:00.000-05:00

They were fighting. Spanking doesn't work...

So now they must hold hands! (and sit close together)
They get mad at us. So they are exerting their energy as a team towards us!

We were laughing under out breath (of course)...it sorta works...most of the time! It looks like Harley is laughing at them too! Try it with your kiddos!

2010-10-21T14:19:00.001-05:00

We have been discharged from Hospital! Going home on oral meds....praise the Lord!

2010-10-19T10:33:00.001-05:00

Taking a break this week. Gage-man is in hospital all week getting iv antibiotics for a horrible abscess behind his right ear. Please pray the medicines will heal him.

drawing monsters...

2010-10-17T08:00:00.001-05:00

Gage has a love for drawing monsters. So I had to purchase him this new book I saw.

Jeremy draws a monster but his monster is VERY rude and demanding.
I always have to write in the front of a book...if it is especially to them.

These 2 kitties are being huge helpers...Butterscotch and Scramo!

Meet Our Youngest Hulk

2010-10-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

Toby and all his Hulk Muscles

Trying to show his muscles...

O My Megan!

2010-10-15T08:00:00.001-05:00

Yep...My Megan would make it to the front page of our county newspaper...TEXTING!

Wanna know how many days until her birthday...well just go count the rings. Oh my we are gonna have to have one big-o-party b/c this girl is turning 16!

my boys will be boys

2010-10-14T08:00:00.002-05:00

AFTER they had taken showers, these two went to color. Well, usually they color on paper.

I was worn out so I sorta "freaked out." Brad looked at me and said "you better go get your camera." I'm so glad that he is always right...I laugh when I see these pictures now!
They seriously colored each other. My boys will be boys and I will have it NO other way!

Carson got my camera

2010-10-13T08:00:00.000-05:00

This little turkey got me camera on a camping trip and I came across them when I was uploading lots of them to my computer to view and edit them. I just laughed...

excuse the boogers...it's allergy season.

The 151st State Fair (part 2)

2010-10-12T08:00:00.001-05:00

This was Megan and Toby's choice of ride...the ferris wheel.

photo taking opportunity in the children's barnyard
I want these chairs...I am going to get Brad the pattern so he can make me some!
Our bunch...I BEGGED them for this photo.
Toby and his Root Beer he stole from his daddy. He had just finished his friend green beans!

All Gage wanted was cotton candy and a Dr. Pepper...so that is what he got. Carson wanted a footlong corny dog...I did not get a picture of it b/c I was too busy going after cotton candy.

About to head for the house...one last shot...Megan and Bradley.

The 151st State Fair (part 1)

2010-10-11T08:00:00.000-05:00

Nine years ago...Brad and I went on our first date to the State Fair. He asked for me phone number when he was walking me to my CRV before he headed back to Mendenhall with Bill and Amanda Broadhead. So the State Fair is pretty special to us!

I love this curious little cow trying to see if Toby is going to give me a treat.
The Fair is NOT the place to go to ride the rides. It is so expensive. We bought a book of 22 for $25 and told everyone they got to ride 2 rides. I know we are cheap but our kids got spoiled this summer at Six Flags! So this was Carson and Gage's first choice.

During the ride...I love Gage's face.

The big slide was the second choice of everyone. Gage and Carson about to head down.

Check out Toby's face...priceless!

This was the "new thing" at the fair this year...yuck! It was $6. We passed.

more pictures to come tomorrow...

headed to nana & slicks

2010-10-10T14:09:00.000-05:00

Mac in bear jacket

2010-10-08T08:00:00.000-05:00

These are tiny pics...I know. Carla sent them to me thru email and I had to save them and share to my blogger friends who follow Mac too. Carla gave Gage this jacket when he was a little baby...Toby wore it...now Mac. I know she probably bought it with the intention that her little one would one day wear it...HA! I do love it and so proud we get to pass it down to Mac!

Look who can write his name...

2010-10-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

Gage-man pushes himself. I bought him an erasable board set with markers. He does his homework while Carson does his. HE is the one that was determined to write his name.

He gets so very proud of his accomplishments!
Pretty nice job for my little 4 1/2 yr old if I say so myself...go Gage-man!

Mendenhall Pep Rally

2010-10-06T08:00:00.000-05:00

I love being a teacher. I do. I really really do. I enjoy the fact that it's always changing. I loved high school when I was in high school. Football season and pep rallys and band halftimes are my favorite part of the school year (except ALL holidays of course!)

I try to take Gage to the pep rallies (he's the only one I can conveniently get at 2:15). Gage just hangs out and doesn't show much emotion. Katie tries to get him to warm up to him...
Sometimes he does...this was our western pep rally.

Fall Tablescapes at Church

2010-10-05T08:00:00.001-05:00

Here is it. Fall Tablescapes. Ooooo well a bit over-the-top compared to mine.

Here is one with christmas lights...pretty
Here is one with peacock feathers...love it.
And one with ball hanging from the ceiling...

Saving the BEST for last...last but not least...

Here is my "creature" table. It was fun.

getting ready for fall tablescapes

2010-10-04T21:45:00.002-05:00

I signed up for a table to decorate at church this past Monday night for "fall tablescapes." I had NO clue what I was getting myself into b/c the directions were not very clear. Just decorate a table with a fall theme. I can do that...so I signed up.

Mom and Gage worked on my napkin rings and some of my "creatures." I did the rest the past weekend to make them a few extra "friends!" These 2 ladies made of buckeyes and moss were my absolute favorite.
Found this bird feather and the topper to a sawtooth acorn made a great hat.
These sorta look like my sea creatures...just wait until tomorrow. I was sooo out done in the decorating department. But you know me...I beat to the beat of a different drum. I did my own thing and gave myself the award of the most kid-friendly table. Heck any of those parents kids would have wanted to sit at my table. I had fun...

Gage & GG

2010-10-04T08:00:00.000-05:00

Gage and GG had their own special time together too. I had a craft idea and GG ran with it!

They made creatures...how cute!
I'm actually using these and a few more I created at Manna Monday "Fall Table Scapes" at church tonight at my table that I'm creating. I have to set a table for a fall scene and invite 7 people to sit at my table. I have filled up my table with great friends. I hope to have a cute fun table scene...we will see! I will take pics to show you...

My birthday treat

2010-10-01T08:00:00.000-05:00

This little red head was my birthday treat! (plus his mom and an awesome club sandwich from McAllisters) It was such a fun little special treat. My birthday was such a crazy day...I guess that's how it goes as you get older and your kiddos become so involved in things.

Mac & Carla brought lunch and we ate it in the middle of the floor in my office.
Had to get a group shot before we had to go separate ways...Fun!

Thanks soooo much Carla for driving WAY out of your way to make me feel very special on my
34th birthday. I know it wasn't easy but it was sure fun for me. Loveyou bunches...amy

Carson & GG

2010-09-30T08:00:00.000-05:00

GG picked Carson up at school last week and treated him to an afternoon at the zoo.

He was super excited about the carosel and the train.
He told me he made this monkey make funny faces at him.

He had so much to tell me about when he got home from his little trip to the zoo with GG.

This spider web playground is a fun ending to a fun trip.

"daddy"

2010-09-29T08:00:00.000-05:00

This is my new favorite picture of Gage's. Sorry for the flash of the camera. It's Gage's artistic work at hand drawing a picture of his daddy. The big smile, brown eyes, and spikey short hair is perfect! Also notice his ears and the clouds in the sky plus his long neck. O and the letters he has been practicing at school. Such a little artist.

Circus (part 2 of 2)

2010-09-28T08:00:00.001-05:00

Such a fun day! Gage got cotton candy to share and it came with a super cool hat he sported for the rest of the day!

Me with my 4...Megan was once again off socializing...
The ending part...

Gage and his buddy Ayden

Megan and her $3 lollipop...this girl had as much fun as the 2, 4, 6, and 10 yr old did!

Circus (part 1 of 2)

2010-09-27T08:00:00.000-05:00

We got to go to the circus in Jackson with our church. It was sooo much fun! I had just as much fun watching these kiddos enjoy themselves. We got to take Heaven too b/c there was an extra ticket. Megan is not pictured in here b/c she was off socializing before we loaded the bus.

The mastermind behind the trip...my great friend...Julie!
Toby had never riden on a bus before and he was in HOG HEAVEN!

Carson and Heaven at the circus...

more pics tomorrow from our superfantabulous event!

O I'm thinking about ordering a Kindle with my birthday $$...any suggestions, pros and cons?

I scream for ice cream!

2010-09-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

I got the coolest birthday present...an ice cream maker. It makes ice cream that tastes like Dairy Queen soft serve...oooo...yummy! My boys love it! I could not keep Toby out of it while it was finishing...

They would not let me fix bowls the first night...way too much fun to dip out of the maker itself. I have made vanilla and banana (brad's request) and both are very yummy!

Deodorant anyone...

2010-09-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

Mami (my all time special grandmother) would always tell Carla and I "you put on D.O. for your B.O." and we would just giggle b/c it was such a silly saying...

Well...my boys have seen their daddy put on deodorant all the time when he gets out of the shower. So now they have a nightly ritual after showertime and it is too funny...

Carson applying deodorant...

Carson applying deodorant on Gage's armpits...
Now it's Toby's turn...

Carson: smell mama...it smells really good!

Yummy smelling boys b/c they smell like their daddy with Old Spice Deodorant.

Ummm...I love these wild little monkeys!

Reading...

2010-09-21T08:00:00.001-05:00

This is a new past-time that I'm trying to instill in our boys. Brad and I are not "readers." I'm trying to change that in ME...I am always carrying a book now-a-days. Right now it's Cape Refuge...easy reading and very captivating...it's a 4 book series. Carson's teacher this year is really pushing reading too. So after baths we head to the bed and pile in and all look at books. I read one to the boys and then Carson reads one to me while Gage and Toby attempt to read too.

Harley LOVES Carson and reading with us too (I guess)...but it's just probably just the attention she gets while we read and rub her belly. It keeps Carson focused while he's reading b/c he knows that Harley is right there with him and not having fun without him somewhere.
O and I have a pretty non-eventful birthday...as far as I know planned. The treat though is that Carla and Mac are bring McAllisters to my classroom and we are going to eat a quick lunch together. That will be fun...then off to cheer in H'burg for Meg and Brad has a volleyball game.

chickens

2010-09-20T08:00:00.000-05:00

I feel like such a redneck for blogging this...but hey...it's our life so I'm not ashamed...it's fun.

We collect scrap food from the week and feed it to the chickens...they love it! They are not so sure of Toby though...he is trying to feed them a chip out of his hand.
He was quite disappointed that they did not take his bait!

These are my favorite birds we have right now...The ones with the white heads are Egyptian and the speckled ones are Speckled Sussex.

Ummm...tomorrow I turn 34. I'm proud of it. I'm so enjoying my fun adventurous life.

Artwork...

2010-09-18T08:00:00.001-05:00

Gage drew me a cute picture and I wanted to capture it...so I did.

Then Toby saw what I did...and went to the marker drawer and drew this...and brought it me and said "mama, MAMA, cheese!" This boys misses out on NOTHING!
Then Carson said "Mama, I didn't draw a picture but watch my really cool trick!"

Ummm...we are at the circus today with our church (92 people went from our church...I know...WOW.) My boys have never been to the circus and Meg was more excited than the 3 of them...so it will be a FUN today especially for me getting to experience it thru the eyes of a 2, 4, 6, and 15 year old!

Miss Bertie & Nutmeg

2010-09-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

I love my cats because they follow you around like dogs...they have character!

I caught Miss Bertie sneaking up on Nutmeg the other day...
It was fun to see the romp and play and actually catch it on camera!

My four...

2010-09-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

Now this picture really makes me smile. We were off to our adventure at Mac's birthday but I wanted a pic of all 4 of my crew dressed in their fallish attire for my new background for my laptop to show off a bit. :)

Mac is ONE!

2010-09-15T08:00:00.000-05:00

Look who had a cute little owl birthday party this weekend?!? Yep...Mac! This is the cute little toy we gave him...it was just like the one that Joan gave Carson when he turned one.

Toby was completely loving "mac" and all he did that day.
Mac got tickled at one of the boys while they were all eating the smash cake...

Yep...my boys were all allowed to dive in too...and they loved it!

Cute owl cake Mom made for him.

Meg & Bradley

2010-09-14T08:00:00.000-05:00

Of course there is a story behind these 2 pics. The rule is that Meg's phone and facebook are off at 9pm on school nights. No need to visit after those hours b/c we don't unless it's an emergency. Plus it gives us time to all 3 visit after the boys go to bed and watch tv together.

Soooo...after 9pm that night...phone was on the desk charging for the next day and the computer was shut off. Megan announced..."o yay now I get to snuggle with Coach Smith on the couch!"

And this was his reaction...they have a funny relationship...I love it!

This man really cares for this girl and this girl really looks up this man! I just smile... :)
God is Good...All the Time!

My boys...

2010-09-14T00:11:00.003-05:00

are some country boys! Check out their attire...they dressed themselves!

Toby: yellow croc boot, a diaper (I think) and "wear" (more commonly known as underwear)Carson: John Deere boots, basketball shorts, and a way-to-big-but-cool basketball shirt
Gage: barefooted, basketball shorts, and a muscle shirt "to show off my big muscles, mama"

From a student...

2010-09-11T14:15:00.003-05:00

This is Miss Lyndsey. It is spelled with a "y" and not an "i." That was the first thing she told me when I started teaching her. This girl is a complete hoot! We have to write essays each week in class with a different subject each week. This particular week the topic was "there are lots of good teachers but there are a few that stand out, what makes them so special." I did not know what she was writing about until she turned it in and told me to read it. She's a mess!

Most teachers you have in school just teach the subject to draw a paycheck. Every no wand then, you will have on that goes out of their way to help others and you will grow a bond together. Some traits I look for in a teacher is someone I can relate to, have fun with, and I get a little advice out of it.

Ms. Smith is my most favorite teacher in the whole entire galactical universe. Ms. Smith and I can really relate to each other. We both have a very outgoing, caring personality. Secondly, she teacher really well. She doesn't teach and quit, she goes above and beyond the classroom, giving examples and telling us stories. No matter what the lesson is, I ALWAYS get advice, support, or knowledge from this spectacular woman! For example, last week I got a little bit of knowledge about chicken sex. In conclusion, that is why Ms. Smith is my favorite teacher.

Ms. Smith is a very unique character. No other teacher has ever given me so many life lessons as she has. I look forward to her teaching many more kids as much as she has taught me.

Then I told her about the youtube video about the "swagger wagon." If you haven't seen it...go to youtube.com and search for it. It is cute. So now I have a personalized picture of my van in my classroom thanks to Lyndsey with a "y." My life is much better now that I have known and taught this young lady...she makes life VERY interesting 94 minutes of my day during school. I will be sad to see the semester end...but I think she will continue to stop by my room every now and then.

One last swim...

2010-09-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

One of the last swims of the season...with the Walkers.

Toby, Gage, KayKay, Brandon, and Carson

Toby was NOT in such a great picture taking mood...agree?

New bike & dress-up

2010-09-06T08:00:00.000-05:00

Well, Carson Henry HAD to get a new bike b/c his Slick ran over his other one. That is perfectly fine for Carson. This one has no foot brakes and just handle brakes...he is loving it. He is back to his tricks on his ramp now.

Kalli and Carson have always been big buddies. We caught them playing dress up. Kalli was a princess and I assume Carson was her knight in shining armour...with his stick horse!

Gage's tree swing

2010-09-04T08:00:00.000-05:00

August 2010 - Gage 4 1/2 yrs old (4K)

Do you see the cool grass? the swing in the tree? and the person laying in the bed?

Megan 10th Grade

2010-09-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

Megan's first school picture...and I love it. Got a 5x7 framed in our den. School pictures are never the best pictures but they are the kind of pics you just have to put up for all to see...sorta like pics with Santa with all of your kiddos.

2010-09-02T08:00:00.001-05:00

A student of mine gave us some home-made salsa (slap yourself salsa.) It was good. My Toby loves to dip-dip most anything...even this "little to hot to me" salsa.

He would dip-dip, eat the chip/salsa, then holler for "drank, drank, drank!"
This little boy is a mess...I eat him up!

Family Life Center

2010-09-01T08:00:00.000-05:00

Our family life center opened a week or so ago...it is sooo nice. I just know that God has so many ways He's gonna use this place. Megan, Gage, and I have gone by after school several times...I get to run/walk, Gage plays ball with his friends, and Megan socializes with a ball in her hand!

There are 4 basketball goals and a volleyball net. You check out the balls at the front desk.
The fellowship hall has enough room to fit us all in it with our anyone have to stand up!

This is upstairs...it's the cafe...I think the youth are gonna use it for their breakfasts...

Our really cool youth room. My Megan gave her testimony here. She did great and told everyone how God had been working in her life in the year 2010. I am so honored that my family can be apart of her testimony. She told me afterwards "I had it all written down what I was going to say but then I did not even need to look at my notes." I told her (just as my mom told me years ago) "the reason why you did not need to look at your notes is because God was there talking you through your entire testimony...you said just what He wanted you to say." She just smiled...I'm sooo proud of her!

Eight Years Ago...

2010-08-31T08:00:00.000-05:00

Eight years ago in 2002...a really sweet wedding ceremony took place in the backyard of Brad's parents house. Lots of friends and family were there. My mom made the most wonderful cakes and the most beautiful floral decorations. Perry Lee cooked the best chicken and hamburgers. It was such a fun evening. The next day we flew out to a destination we still talk and reminise about today...Juneau, Alaska. We dream about what we will do when we return...

Lots has happened in eight years...we both became teachers/coaches at Mendenhall High.
Built a house, had a baby in 2003, another one in 2006, and another one in 2008...

We ventured in the world of chickens, built a man-shed, and a chicken barn. We love each and every moment we get to spend outside doing lot of "farm" things as a family.

Prayed about having a 4th baby. Thought are crew was complete. God had other plans in 2010 we got guardianship of Megan. Lots has happened in 8 years and I have loved sharing this adventure with this guy...can't wait to see what the future holds.

Destination Graduation

2010-08-30T08:00:00.001-05:00

Our school district puts on on this huge graduation ceremony each start of the school year. We line up by grade and walk to track and they introduce each class and everyone cheers. It's to promote graduation...all I know is that it is always super H.O.T! Brad conveniently had a volleyball game at Dexter (where ever that is) on the night of our "special" event!

So here we are all are dressed in our "tiger gold" shirts...

Amy S. and Amy T. - so thankful for our friendship

My boys with the Tiger (sweet Katie). Toby was NOT thrilled with this photo session.

Toby was all over this playground that was really made for elementary kiddos.

Carson loved climbing all over this playground!

Gage-man was all over it too!

They have a super cool playground at our elementary...can't wait for my boys to go there.

Gage is at GG's

2010-08-29T21:21:00.002-05:00

My middle little boy (Gage-man) is at GG and Top's tonight. I drove him down to H'burg this afternoon to meet my parents 1/2 way. GG did it up right...had him a Sprite in a new racecar sippy cup, gummy worms, and a new blue fuzzy pillow. They have big plans tomorrow...heading out on the ferry and exploring Ship Island. If you ask Gage he says "me and GG are going out on this huge boat to a cool island to find lots of treasures...maybe I'll find a sword or a cool gun." I can't wait to hear all of the adventures these 2 will be up to tomorrow. I'm loving their relationship...

Carson Henry

2010-08-27T08:00:00.000-05:00

This boy is growin up! He is now in his 4th year at Magnolia Speech School and doing so great there. He loves his new teacher (Ms. Anna) and all his buddies are still the same as the last 2 yrs. He prefers to still stay on our farm...but is adjusting to school once again...ahhh...life!

He made a "homemade ramp"...(forget the real one Santa brought). I know he has riden his bike around our porch a million times just to go over the ramp.

Riding a big boy bike...

2010-08-26T22:13:00.002-05:00

My BFF teacher friend...Amy told me tonight that she was going thru blog withdrawals because I have not posted in so long. To say that I've been busy would quite be the understatement. Brad and I have not spent a night together this week...kissed each other in passing. Seriously. If it's not Megan at cheer in H'burg, it's volleyball games, or another type of school function for one of the six of us. Crazy...but gotta love it. O and I just take it moment by moment to handle it all.

Ok...So....look who's a big boy now and riding a bike with no training wheels. He never started out on training wheels. He used Carson's "walk bike" with no petals on it and really learned balance. So when he would sale past us on the walk bike we informed him once he learned how to ride Carson's old bike we would take him to Wal-Mart to get one of his own.

He was soooo determined. He wanted to practice constantly. Brad is sooo good with this stuff. He made sure when he taught Gage that he also taught him how to start off himself instead of relying on us to start him each time...took a little longer but sure paid off in the long run.

He was so excited after about a week we informed him he was ready for a bike of his own. He picked out a lime green one with hot wheels on it. Even has a motorcycle like sound on one of the handle bars. Too cute and he is soooo proud of it. Brad took off a kick stand off an old bike and put it on his new one...that was a major request from Gage b/c wants to be big like Carson. O and only bike 20inch and up come with kick stands...go figure!

Toby & Bob the Builder

2010-08-19T08:00:00.000-05:00

Toby is obsessed with his new friend, Bob the Builder, who he usually just watches on tv. But he had to sleep with him tonight. It was too funny b/c I was treating Bob as a real person and Toby was belly laughing so hard. I was giving Bob eskimo kisses and telling him not to teetee in the bed. I was asking Bob if "he could fix it?" and replying in his voice "yes I can." Toby was just cracking him. Brad missed it. I'm so sad he did b/c it was too funny and I hate it when he misses a funny moment with our boys b/c they are so precious to him so I had to take a picture. Ummmm gotta see if there is a Bob doll out there and I can totally see a Bob the Builder 3rd bday in February if this love continues between the 2 of them.

Red & Circles Week

2010-08-18T08:00:00.000-05:00

Gage is loving him some 4K with Ms. Kristie at Shelia's Clubhouse. Each week they learn lots of new things. This past week it was all about red and circles.

He also learned the "red" song.

R-E-D red

I can spell red

Firetrucks are red

Stop signs are too

R-E-D

Baseball Practice

2010-08-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

Baseball practice. Toby just sat where ever we put him b/c he stumped his big toe on the aggregate concrete behind him. It was horrible. He would not let us put a bandaid on it. He just told us where he wanted to go that evening and we carried him there and he sat. But he refused to attempt to walk himself. It was sad. But obviously you can see he is not pain...as long as we were catering to him with all his needs of course. Milking it...

Gage was suppose to be running the bases...
This boy is good and very serious about it. Like the new red baseball helment...he spent the week with his Nana and Slick during the day (b/c Magnolia goes back a week later then the rest of us) and he persuaded them that he "needed" a baseball helment. It's amusing that he's wearing it in the picture b/c they were playing with a plastic bat and wiffle ball that evening.

This is our team's "all time pitcher." He's good at it too!

Toby needed a chance with the helment too!

Rainbow

2010-08-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

It has been raining each afternoon it seems like it. After the downpour of rain we all went outside to play a little baseball (well, I watched and took pictures.) This is what we saw when we walked out our front door. Rainbows are just God's little gift to us and they will never get "old" to me!

Gage's new tricks

2010-08-12T08:00:00.001-05:00

Yay! Gage has finally decided to take up interest in the "walk bike." He is doing great tricks of balance on it. We have told him once he starts riding is really good and he proves that he can ride one of our "used" bikes that we will all go to Wal-Mart and he can pick out a new one.

Since the boy is now in 4K he is back to napping during the week. We wore him out this weekend with no scheduled naps and he crashed in the back of the golfcart on our ride.
O and I'm still liking (not totally loving) my new camera. Just still can't get use to the weight of the camera due to the biggest better zoom...10x not just a measly 4x.

frogging

2010-08-11T08:00:00.000-05:00

Brad and 2 of his buddies (Phil and Jeffrey) went frogging in Vicksburg this past weekend.

They caught 37 of the biggest frogs I've even seen...ugh!

Carson was riding the four wheeler with Nana and Slick. But Gage and Toby were right up in all the business. They loved looking at the frogs because it was all new to them.

Some of them would start moving b/c they were thawing out (I know...yuck.) But they would spot one moving and starting yelling and hollering to the guys. It was funny...

This is the picture that I sent our local paper...I couldn't resist b/c it was too cute!

I was jealous I did not get invited. I would have loved this adventure. I told Brad my feelings ont he matter and he agreed that I would love it. He promises to take me soon...

musical practice

2010-08-10T08:00:00.000-05:00

I was asked about 6 days in advance to be in our church summer musical. Usually would have said no to this but I just couldn't not say no this time...don't know why. I prayed God would give me the memory skills I needed to learn these lines quickly b/c this is sort of out of character for me. He has done just that...pulled me through and I know my lines!

Well Saturday morning we had practice. I had to take Gage and Toby with me. I will have pictures tomorrow of where Bradley was on his adventure!

I was attempting to occupy them by allowing them to write/draw on my script.
This is part of the crew up on stage during one of the scenes.

Then Gage resorted to tattooing himself all up...I could have cared less...as long as he was occupied and allowing me to practice my lines with the kids.

Emily decided that I needed to be in my blog...so she grabbed the camera and took a few pics! Thanks Emily. I have enjoyed working with these kids even if it's only been for a week!

First Day of 4K

2010-08-09T08:00:00.001-05:00

Gage Kennedy Smith starts 4K. I can't believe how much this guy has grown up this summer. He is such a big boy. He is so ready for school and to learn things. I know he will have a blast at Shelia's Clubhouse with Ms. Kristie and Ms. Heather. Both are very special to me.

playing...

2010-08-06T21:09:00.002-05:00

I had to get a new camera today. Megan and I were trying to "share" a camera and it was not working...we both take way too many pictures. So now we both will have a camera...no matter if we are separate or apart! So I had to try it out on 2 of my favorite test subjects plus they were the only two around.

Gage being so silly. Yes, he is naked as a jaybird...playing in the little pool. It is still so hot around here and they wanted to cool off after our lovely Wal-Mart run.
Toby...cheesing it!

Miss Bertie was watching the boys play.

Gage flexing his BIG muscles...oh my.

Fun little photo shoot...I think I'm gonna like this camera...it's different but a good point and shoot that's smaller than my BIG camera. I got a Canon SX120 IS.

M & M

2010-08-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

Megan & the Michelin Man

We took a trip to Sam's to see if we liked it. We did. I want a membership for my birthday from my in-laws...what a great birthday present for a mom! I know I'm a nerd...but oh well!

hanging out with Mac

2010-08-02T08:00:00.002-05:00

Yaya (Aunt Carla) and Mac came to visit.

Can you tell the boy loves the water...
Mac with his country cousins in Simpson County!

We had to get a picture of all of us...everyone was game but Carson...oh well!

We had a fun visit and the boys are interacting much more now that Mac is getting bigger. We can't wait to do it again soon...I want them to be soooo close. I want my boys to teach Mac how to pee off the porch and embarress his parents when he does it back in the city! ha :)

Gotta love living out in the country...you do country things!

a cause to celebrate

2010-07-30T08:00:00.000-05:00

Since yesterday was Megan's "Gotcha Day" we decided to celebrate after church by going out to DQ and getting ice cream. It was such a fun treat and fun way to celebrate Megan making us a family of six. Toby loved his ice cream with rainbow sprinkles...

After Gage being silly and dropping his ice cream (imagine that) we cleaned it up and he was able to enjoy the rest of his...also with rainbow sprinkles. This pic is RIGHT before he dropped it!
The reason we celebrated with DQ ice cream! (ummm...she got a LARGE double fudge cookie dough blizzard...and she finished it) :)

I had to have one of us...but this is what sort of face Brad made...ugh...he's such a joker

So I made Megan take another one!

Bailey (Megan's boyfriend) was being goofy like "Coach Smith"

awe...Bailey and Megan

Sooooo glad that my wonderful sweet friend Amy came along with to church and to celebrate also...Love that my boys love this girl. Toby asked "where's Mamie?" about 5 or 6 times today.

2010-07-28T10:20:00.001-05:00

It's official...we are a family of six!

Please Pray Today!

2010-07-28T08:00:00.003-05:00

Ok...prayers would be wonderful this morning. We are going to court this morning to hopefully make this pretty girl a part of our family. It has been a summer long process...and we are all excited to see it come to a close before school starts. If all goes planned we will leave court as her legal guardians...but we look at it as if now our 3 boys have a sister!

I want to continue to see her cheer each week and get better and better at her talent! (She's in the pink shirt and black shorts doing a back hangspring)
Wow...I would not be the only girl anymore. I would have someone on "my" team...ha.

My 3 boys would have a sister. We would have 4 kids...I have always wanted 4 kids.

This would be our crew...all six of us. That makes me smile when I type that!

I will keep you updated...will post again on Wednesday night. Thank you soooo much for your continue prayers and support...they mean so much to us.

Mac 10 months

2010-07-27T08:00:00.000-05:00

Look who is growing up to be a big boy! No Baby Mac anymore around here. I can't wait to hang out with this little guy this afternoon after his morning nap. My boys are going to interact with him so much this afternoon and don't worry...I plan on taking lots of pics of them together.

flowers

2010-07-26T08:00:00.000-05:00

Brad knew I was having a rough day...quite stressful in certain times with 2, 4, 6 yr old boys and a 15 yr old teenage girl...yikes. Most of the time I hold it together quite well I have to say...but then there are times when I just can't do it anymore...and I crumble. This was one of those crumble days when I did ask God "can I really handle ONE more thing?" That late afternoon I walked in to the kitchen and this is what I found! This is my all-time favorite gift from Bradley...fresh picked flowers from our farm. He has been working food plots and working fences so he found these while he was working...aren't they beautiful!

I talk to my friend Joan all the time...she knows more about all aspects of my life I feel like than anyone. So I was sharing my story with her of my flowers. I thought she might know what they were. She didn't but she knew someone who did...

Joan White wrote:
Bobby, a close friend sent me these pictures--there will be 2 e-mails with the same picture, but different view, of these wild flowers that were on the wooded area of their farm. I was talking with her and she wondered what they could be and said she was going to send me pictures to see if i knew. I told her, I'd never know, but that you were an expert and would probably know. If you do know or find out let me know. I would appreciate it so that i could let her know.....Joan

His reply:

Spider Lily .You can Google on it and see a ton of images, e.g.

A Carrot & A Cage

2010-07-25T14:21:00.002-05:00

This boys is sooo funny with his drawings. He has such an imagination. I love it. So does his very crafty GG! He said..."hey Mama, look...a carrot and a cage!" No denying that it is a carrot and a cage. I had to share it...because he was so proud.

being crafty

2010-07-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

Someone got really quiet...a little too quiet. I had to sneak up and find out what he was doing because like I said...he was way too quiet.

He found the big bag of stickers that Joan also gave them. He was making "art!"
I loved watching him concentrate so hard on taking the sticker back off and stick it onto the paper. It was too cute and he was way too proud of his masterpiece! Good Job Toby!

Thanks again Joan for the wonder fun that you gave my boys with all these stickers...

Lake Tiak O'Khata

2010-07-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

One last get away before school started...this was so relaxing and so much fun. It will become an annual tradition of our crew with our camper. We just swam and grilled out and visited with friends and slept late and stayed up REALLY late (everyone did.) FUN!

Gage and Toby chilling out by the camper.

Our camper...notice our little light under the awning (they are palm trees and flamingos.)
This is where we spent the bulk of our time...in this fun lake! 3 slides and 2 diving boards

afternoon snack...pb sandwiches and crackers

Megan and Gage cheesing...they are sooo good at this!

Gage playing in the sand.

Toby...horrible face...he's saying "cheese" and dragging it out and just looking sorta my way.

The setting to this place is just like the setting in the movie "Dirty Dancing"...very retro. It was so cool...and very cost friendly especially if you are staying in the camper section. It was great! The food was really good. And after supper you could take bread out to the pier and feed the huge catfish, carpe fish, turtles, and brim. Like I said before...we have started a tradition!

four wheeler riding

2010-07-20T08:00:00.000-05:00

After the youth party, Bailey (Megan's new friend) and Megan took Gage and Toby for a ride.

This is Bailey. Toby loves Bailey. It makes Megan jealous that Toby loves Bailey so much. I just laugh b/c I love that Bailey loves Toby sooo much.

FBC Youth Party

2010-07-19T08:00:00.000-05:00

We had a youth party...lots of fun. It was a slip n slide party! Megan's idea (of course!) We had pizza and cookies...Lisa made peanut butter cookies and I guess I need the recipe because Toby ate 10 of them...no lie. I did not stop him. I let him have fun too...so 10 cookies was supper for him then a little later 2nd course was 2 pieces of pizza!

Here is the slip n slide...so much fun!
They also played in the lake...Nathan, Reid, Mackenzie, and Megan

Jesse, Carly, and Reagan.

Ummmm...John trying to wear Toby's lifejacket!

Great night...kids were awesome...great fellowship!

"joan" crafts

2010-07-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

The other week when we went to the park to play with Joan, she gave us a bag of fun crafts. It was a great day today to pull them out. It was lots of stickers...the boys love stickers!

Toby loved making his visor to wear at the lake this weekend!
Gage was pretty proud of his too! Blue is now his favorite color.

Thanks Joan for the fun crafts...you somehow know exactly what my boys love! I love that you know them so well even though you don't get to see them that often. love, Amy

road trip! 5 of 5

2010-07-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

On day 2 of Six Flags we found the swings that Gage could ride and he was such a happy camper.

They wanted to ride Thunder River again. I did not. So I took pictures for them!
I was the one that wanted this picture...I love Speedy Gonsales.

Mr. Six Dance Party started up and Megan was the first one out there. It was too funny. She was good though. They had lots of great music and fun dances for everyone.

The parade of the characters ended there and they joined in on the party. Jasmine is the black girl dancing right next to Megan. Since Megan danced the entire time with the crew, Jasmine's supervisor told her to take us all to the Goliath roller coaster up the exit ramp. Such a treat! We got up there and she asked us what other coasters we wanted to ride...we told her the Supermand and Batman. She said "done!" So we just went up to the exit ramp and told them our names and they let us on. We probably not been able to ride these rides b/c we would not have stood in the long lines due to having Carson and Gage with us. But we were able to walk up to the exit ramp with the 2 of them and they would stand their and watch us ride the ride and the attendant would watch them for us. So much fun! Thanks Megan for dancing for us!

Gage and Sylvester

Me with Bugs Bunny's Girlfriend?!?

Riding the Great American Scream Machine...a lot rougher than I remembered!

Splash Water Falls again...I backed out once again and decided to take the picture. All 4 of them are in the back of the boat.

About to ride the Goliath...FUN. It was 20 stories tall.

What a great trip...what fun memories we made.

road trip! 4 of 5

2010-07-15T08:00:00.000-05:00

loving our newest family picture...our first as a family of six!

Gage showing off in the Wiggles Splash Pad...it was too cute!
Me, Toby, and Megan waiting on the boys to get off a slide.

Gage went down this slide about 15 times. He would say "mama, I'm going back down my slide." It had a drop off into a pool of 6 feet...all others had a drop off of 3 feet...but this was his favorite. He would swim really fast back to the ladder and do it all again.

Toby and Brad checking out the tree house.

road trip! 3 of 5

2010-07-14T08:00:00.000-05:00

Ready for our first day at Six Flags over Georgia! We were met by Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck right when we walked into the park...by boys were loving this! I loved being able to experience this trip thru the eyes of all 4 of the kids...all different...it was such a fun time for me!

The log jamorbee...we rode this ride a least 10 times while we were there!

Carson and Gage's favorite.
In line for the mind bender...the only roller coaster that the boys could ride due to their height. They did not know at this point that it went upside down twice...they loved the ride!

Carson and I rode the big swings several times...Gage was too short and was MAD!

Megan and I about to ride another roller coaster.

Splash Water Falls...another of Carson's favorites.

The second row is Carson, Brad, & Gage.

About to ride Thunder River...ummm...I got SOAKED! ugh!

Riding the Hanson Cars (I did this when I was little). Gage loved driving Brad around.

I took this while I was riding the swings with Carson...love his excitement!

next...our day at Six Flags White Water Park

road trip! 2 of 5

2010-07-13T08:00:00.001-05:00

We always have to make a stop at Chuck E. Cheese. My kiddos favorite place! They have such nice ones in Atlanta. They don't really care about the pizza but love those tokens!

Gage and Toby taking a ride on the monster truck.

This is what Carson did all night long...he's really good at them too!
Megan hit the jackpot on one of the games and got 175 tickets on one token. So when you want lots of tickets...ask Megan to go with you to Chuck E. Cheese. We started out with 100 tokens between the 4 kids and Megan wound up winning 568 tickets...OMG!
Gage was super proud of the 6 or 7 he got in one game...(can't you tell)

Gage and Toby attempting to play guitar hero...they just love guitars!

next...our first day at six flags

road trip! 1 of 5

2010-07-12T08:00:00.001-05:00

This picture just sets the tone of how much fun we had on our big family vacation last week!

Brad is going out to Colorada on an elk hunt in September so we HAD to find him some boots. We passed thru Anniston, AL and I saw this HUGE sign at Dick's Sporting Goods that read "BIGGEST BOOT SALE OF THE YEAR!" So we had to turn around at the next exit to go check it out. My sweet husband taught my sweet boys how you can put the little sock/panty hose things on your head and look really funny! So guess what...that's right...they all had to try it! Megan and I just laughed at them!

Boy Camp Day 5

2010-07-03T23:30:00.004-05:00

Ok...day 5 is a wrap up with surprise ending. Here are my 11 campers...

Neland (who was all about getting muddy and losing his shoes) and Andrew (more about him later...)

Toby (only a couple of hrs each day) and Cameron (who loves Toby sooo much)

Sherrod (who got the Manners Award given by Brad). This little boy just had twin babies a girl and a boy...he will be such a good big brother to them.
Zach (who is in Jamaica right now) and Steven (the best helper I could have had this week)

Andrew (his expression says it all...this is him! - love his zeel for life)

Megan and I...we stuck together seeing that we were the only 2 girls on the farm all week!

Carson (who loved having summer camp at his house) and his buddy Seth (who was always up for riding his bike down all of our trails and lost 2 pair of socks...new ones at that!)

Gage-man (who loved having summer camp at the house too!) Camden (playing a little game in the pool they called "kings")

The blooper picture of the week: Seth at his attempt at the ramp and totally crashed after I snapped this shot...he was tough and jumped right back up!

Ok...thanks to Andrew (remember him from above) We claimed this silly song as our theme song for the week...I heard it 1,000 times. They loved it...watch and laugh!

Boy Camp Day 4

2010-07-01T23:51:00.002-05:00

Day 4 started out in the lake because I promised Camden that I would take them their first. We actually stayed out there until time for lunch. They swam out to the pipe, watched the catfish, built stuff with left over blocks of wood Brad left on the pier, and also found a lure and made a fishing pole and attempted to catch a fish. Steven said that got one but it got away.

Sherrod and Cameron swimming away...
Camden got sooo brave and jumped off the picnic table.

Lunch time...it's crazy! I feed all of them then I put on a movie for the boys then I eat!

I'm sooo proud of all these boys. They all stayed and it was many of their first night away from home other than grandma's house...so proud! Yes, Seth is still up but he crashed soon after I took this picture. I pray they all sleep well so I can sleep a little!

Good Night...Sleep Tight!

My Tumbler!

2010-07-01T11:30:00.001-05:00

This post contains the correct video! My friend Jamie watched it and told me this morning that she couldn't figure it out...it would help if I would actually look at the post before I posted huh? So now you can enjoy what I was trying to put together LATE the other night!

Let me set the stage before you watch this video. Been tumbling/jumps/cheer for 1 1/2 hrs and doing really good and having lots of fun. Really working on double back handspring with a layout (which is your legs staight - a tuck is your legs bent) for a few weeks now. Doing great today. Coach said if you throw it right then girls won't have to do condition workout (the girls hate it...b/c it 's exercise like jump and jacks and such)...did not do it the first time just right. Said ok...double or nothing...if you get it this time girls only will have to do 1/2 of the workout...ok?

NOW you can watch the video and see what happened...

Told you she was good...

Boy Camp Day 3

2010-06-30T22:45:00.003-05:00

Day 3 was perfect overcast weather...perfect for a nice long hike. We hiked all the way down to the cabin which is 1 1/2 miles down from the house on the Strong River. Some boys took guns...

Some boys took bikes...they were looking for snakes here...no luck!
We all made it to the cabin. Worn out though. Thankgoodness there was water down at the cabin for us all to drink. We played around for about an hour then headed back for lunch.

Maggie and Harley went too and were worn slap out when we got back home!

Mr. Brad threw Seth way high up in the trees...he loved it. Came up with a huge smile on his face. Well, I would appreciate lots of prayers of endurance and patience for Thursday night...all 10 boys will be spending the night at our house. I'll update with pics late tomorrow nite...

Boy Camp Day 2

2010-06-29T23:10:00.004-05:00

Ok...Day 2 had new adventures. The morning started out with this huge slip n slide! So much fun...the boys had a blast. Lots of water and soap make for lots of slipping and sliding...

Here is most of the crew at the bottom of the hill.
Then we washed off all the soap in the lake. The boys were not too excited about going down to the lake but the warmed up quick and had so much fun. They even swam out to the big pipe.
Then we fed our "pet catfish." They are huge and we feed them daily at 6pm with an automatic feeder floating catfish food...they are HUGE!

The horses got fed treats...watermelon rines. They love them.

Photo of the day: Neland ramping on his bike!

They love these nature hikes. I'm planning on a longer one tomorrow morning while it's still cool all the way down to our cabin. Half of the boys still ride and half still walk. It's fun!

I'm pooped...after camp I had to take Megan to cheer (she's awesome) and I have to show a "brag" video of her I got of her tumbling. O have I said...O how blessed we are to have her! I just love that girl...more than she knows! I've gotta get some sleep before Day 3 begins...nite.

Boy Camp Day 1

2010-06-28T22:15:00.003-05:00

Wow...Boy Camp was different than Girl Camp!

8 boys plus my 2 oldest = 10 wild and crazy boys.

Slick's golfcart (which is much larger) was over at his house...so we had to pile on my poor golfcart and get over and swim and switch golfcarts.

Playing in the pool...lots of boy games. Throwing the ball to the one on the board while they jumped off. Also another silly games the boys called "Kings" b/c they were playing with the diving rings and putting them on their heads.

Sharon, Steven is a really good golfcart driver and you should give him one for maybe Christmas! Steven, don't you agree!! I enjoyed hanging out with this boy today...he's the oldest camper so he is a huge help and has such a huge heart and sweet spirit...

Took a hike. The boys did not really complain of the heat. No horseflies like we had a girl camp. Half rode their bikes and half walked. Good hike and planning another one for day 2.

Neland and Carson on their bikes...

Off to bed...worn out...but ready for day 2 and 10 boys!

2 peas in a pod!

2010-06-28T13:00:00.002-05:00

These 2 are connected at the hip...they don't go too many places without the other. I love this! They play hard, take a shower, eat lunch, and nap hard...and I love the bond they are creating!

Playdate with Joan

2010-06-28T08:00:00.000-05:00

Last Thursday was Carson's last day school...so we all loaded up and took him to school. Afterwards we went up to Strawberry Patch Park and had "Joan Day." It was fun...Mom (aka GG), Megan, Toby, Gage, and I were all there to meet her. Joan has been saving bread for a week and she was prepared for our first friendly visitors we met. The boys had SO much fun feeding them...my boys have no fear!

Then these 2 Canadian geese showed up. I love Canadian geese. We have 2 each year at our lake and they are so pretty to listen to when they fly down to our lake to swim.
Gage wanted to touch them soooo bad!
We got to play on their neat playground. We don't have good playgrounds around our "neck of the woods" so this was a special treat!

Toby had to be just like Gage which did not surprise me...I'm just thankful Megan were there to watch him every step of the way on this huge climbing thing.

Love this picture of the 2 of them...

We had to take a posed picture of my boys, Joan, and I just for the record books...so here it is!

I have talked on the phone to this lady more hours than I could ever count! She knows more about me and my life than probably anyone...I appreciate her listening ear. We feel sooo close to each other even though we don't see each other too often...we are going to change that b/c I don't want my kids to grow up without her seeing them several times per year...so now that they are a bit older and more transportable...I make that committment you Joan P. White...I want to see you much more this year...sorta of a 1/2 New Years Resolution I guess you'd say!

Love and appreciate you more than you know...love, Amy

O and I start "boy camp" this morning...like NOW! So I have 9 boys...not including my 3 for day camp all week with an over night on Thursday! I'm not crazy. I love it. But any and all prayers for endurance would be much appreciated. Thanks! O and you know I'll post pics soon.