Daddy's little duck hunter

When we found out we were having a girl, I called it.

The boys will go with the boys, and the girls will stick together.

I wasn't sure how I felt about this, having always been 'one of the boys'.

But here of late, Lance and Easton have been having some fun quality time duck hunting.

And it's rather heart warming to see them work together to get their stuff ready and spend time with each other.

Easton thinks he is THE COOLEST kid on the block when he gets to go hunting with Daddy.

He walks around with confidence as he prepares for the trip.

He layers up, gets his new waders on (that would fit a 10 year old boy, but he HAD TO HAVE THEM for Christmas), he requests face paint, he gets all the snacks into his camo backpack.

They head out the door, boys to the duck blind, girls at home.

It's a nice break for all of us I think.

Easton absolutely worships the ground Lance walks on.

And Lance has the patience of Job when he's got Easton one on one.

He gives him all the details of what to do, where to go, how to call the ducks.

Lets him stand in the water, just because he can.

Lets him help drive the boat.

It's really a beautiful relationship.

I do miss being 'one of the boys' but I know they're building a lifelong friendship & I am so thankful for that.

Nothing quite like a dad!

 

Happy Father's Day to all the Daddy's out there!

 

This one in particular is pretty spectacular.  He makes life fun!  He's a wonderful father and this little boy admires his every footstep.  If daddy duck hunts, Easton duck hunts.  If daddy plays baseball, Easton plays baseball.  If daddy eats donuts, you bet your bottom dollar, Easton does too.  To see them laugh and snuggle and be silly together, just absolutely enamors me. I'm so thankful this one is ours.   

 

Sure, mom is great, but daddy is DADDY! 

 

And this weekend, that's exactly who we're going to celebrate!

 

Dads! Hats off to you!

Life wouldn't be near as much fun without you! 

 

My friend Katie wrote a great post about dads today...go check it out! 

 It's perfect! 

 

Happy Father's Day Dads! 

 

 

 

Friday Night Swimming

After raining for 4 days, we were all feeling a little cooped up.  And running out of things to do inside. There's plenty to do for a 2 year old in an apartment.  You know, like play baseball, bounce a ball, wreck cars on the kitchen floor, drive a 4 wheeler inside, run, jump, stomp.  Noisy things that I'm certain our neighbors hear. There was finally a break in the clouds tonight so we decided to spend our night at the pool. 

One good thing about the apartment, is how convenient the pool is.  We're trying not to over-do it so we don't get burnt out, but it sure is fun!

You can stomp, jump, hollar & yell all you want too and your neighbors don't care!!!  {not that our's have said anything but we are super cautious about our noise level in the apartment}. 

After supper, we headed down to the pool for a little late afternoon/night swim.  The boys said the water was cold.  I opted out.  Someone's got to take the pictures you know, for memory's sake. 

Lance works with Easton a lot at the pool, getting him to go under and works on kicking his legs and using his arms.  He's definitely not a fan of going under, but he keeps on jumping in time after time, only with a brief request to 'no go under Daddy.'  He asks to go in the 'deep end' a million times.  We take turns going back and forth with him and letting him jump and swim to the 'yadder'. 

I fully expect a little swimmer by the end of summer.

And, for those of you who think I don't let my child indulge in the 'good things' in life...here's proof.  A big melted marshmallow mess.  Before bed even. 

Note to self:  Don't leave marshmallows in your pool bag.  They melt. 

Happy swimming friends!

Can I get a week of Sundays?

Yesterday was one of those days I'd just like to freeze and enjoy forever.  We all slept in, not having to get up and rush for church.  Don't get me wrong.  I love our church and am so thankful for it, but there's something about a slow morning day that is so refreshing. 

We had cinnamon toast and blueberries on the deck.  A picnic.  My boy loves a picnic. 

We played with the water table (thanks Uncle Matt & Lauren!!!), filled and dumped out bowls of water, gave out kisses, smiles all day long. 

I'll take days like this any time they're handing them out. 

After lunch it was way past time for a nap.  

The new trend at our house is nap on a pallet in the floor.  He won't nap in his bed and he loves to nap with one of us, but a pallet is doing the trick for now.  He thinks he's big.  He is big.  He's nearly the length of the quilt that I lay down for him. 

The boys napped and momma sat on the deck for close to 3 glorious hours reading The Hunger Games.  I finished Book 1. 

I was getting dinner ready and the boys were on the front porch waiting on the rain.  I passed by and saw this.   

It's moments like these I have to stop and pinch myself. These two are my heart. I love them so much. I love catching moments like this when they don't even know I'm looking.

I see many more talks like this.  I can see the concentration in L, as his brow is raised.  He's really listening to his son.  And I see the amusement in E as he looks up to his daddy, telling him one heck of a story, I'd imagine. 

I don't know what they were talking aout, and it's really not too importatant.  What is important is the relationship that these two have and will continue to have as the years go on.

As Lance said yesterday 'can you believe that he's ours forever?' 

A blessing indeed.  A true gift. 

Just Fishin'

We took a little impromptu trip to the lake on Sunday after church.

We went home and changed our clothes, got our fishing poles and some crickets & minnows and headed to the lake.

I'm pretty sure this should go on a Bass Pro ad. 

He could be their new spokesman!

Daddy taught The Boy how to bait a hook.

We put a real hook on his little pole {against my reqest}.

Daddy insisted he needed to learn.

So.  We threw out our hook and waited.  and waited.  and waited. 

About the time we'd see our bobber go under, we'd reel it in,

only to find our crickts or minnows GONE!

These little fish were tricking us! 

Easton gave up on fishing. 

He'd rather play in the rocks or feed the ducks our crickets.

He's a cautious little fella though. 

He says 'mommy help you' when anything doesn't seem just right and he needs my help.

I love that he still needs and wants my help.

Love love love this picture of my boys fishing.

And...here's momma in all her glory- yoga pants and rain boots.  Classy. 

"10 more minutes boo" turned into about 30 more minutes.

I was expiring.  The boy was hungry.  The momma was hungry.

But finally, on the 'last try' of the day we caught a fish! 

HOORAY!  Our first fishing trip was a success!

No hooks in the eyes or fingers.

No one fell in the lake.

No one busted on the rocks.

And.  We caught a fish!

Let's go again soon!

Wanna come?!?!?!

Embrace the Camera- Daddy

This post is dedicated to my hardworking husband.

He's embracing the camera this week.

He doesn't know it...but he is.  

He has worked SO hard on our yard and all of our flower beds this week.

Birthday party #2 is coming this weekend and I wanted things in tip top shape. 

Plus, we are going to put our house on the market soon, so a little curb appeal always helps.

And now, we've got the nicest yard in the 'hood.

Thanks to The Husband and his hard work! 

The Boy does not like the blower or the weed-eater.

Daddy is helping him learn to be brave.

The boots.  Love. 

And here are the fruits of his labor.

AMAZING right?!?!

The beds were in shambles. 

After the Fall we let them go because who really cares in the winter.

Well.  I care.  But it's just too cold to mess with.

The shrubs on the left were OUT OF CONTROL.

I wish I had a picture of them before he cut them. Just think- twice the size and WILD.

The side flower bed is HUGE and quite a chore keeping it clean from weeds.

But, I love it.  It looks so nice when you drive up the street and see a clean bed.

The bed on the right had 3 bushes die in the Fall and we (ahem.  I watched) pulled them up.

It was bare all winter.

Now.  SO much better. 

I love love love a nice yard.

The beds are all edged, weeded, mulched and watered.

I planted 9 zillion bulbs but so far only a little group has come up by the porch.

I'm waiting on the rest of them to pop up.

Thank you Husband for taking a day off from work to break your back for me.

It looks wonderful!!!

And...just in case you thought I was kidding about Charlie.

I'm not.  He goes everywhere with The Boy.

Even in the yard.

He eventually puts him down but he's always within sight.

And those shorts...they kill me. 

I think he grew over nap time.

30th Birthday Party!!!

Today, my love turned 30 years old. 

Where did the time go?

I feel like we were just 19. 

Now, he's 30.  And a Husband.  And a Father. And a hard worker. 

And I love him more today than I could have ever imagined. 

We had a small party at Cabana last night.

{locals, if you haven't been, you should go!  it's a cozy little place with yummy food!}

It wasn't a surprise, but I did decorate before the party so that much was a surprise.

Matt & Lance                  Tyler & Jamey                 Chris & Matt                   Cindy, Easton & Bob

Happy 30th Birthday Boo!

I love you so much!

Maybe I'll get my butt in gear and have a big par-tay with all our friends.

We'll see...

Camping...inside

As if we didn't have enough going on in our living room...

Daddy decide to set up the big tent.

Easton thought it was fantastic!

Lance thinks outside the box.

He doesn't see mess. 

He doesn't see clean-up.

He see's fun.

I'm determined to learn how to do that.

Beth's 30th- New Years Eve a day early

Our group of friends got together a night early for a surprise birthday party for our friend Beth.

We met at Brandon & Lindy's and then the next surprise came- a Party Bus.

I had my reservations but the party bus was so much fun!

It was fun to be with friends!

Always is.

It's also nice knowing we can stay in on New Years Eve and not fight the crazies.

Speaking of NYE, we were in bed before 10.

We lead an exciting life.  

I did however, have my black eyed peas...Lance had 1.  

Happy 2012 Everyone!

Opryland Hotel

Time is inching away.

Fast.

Christmas will be here before we know it.

Tonight we went to see all the pretty lights at Opryland Hotel.

To think it was underwater 18 months ago is amazing.

Boys took a little snack break.

Christie Cookie & Gelato

We walked through the 3 big conservatories/atrium's.

Easton had a wonderful time.

We didn't take the stroller. 

He discovered his love for running tonight.

He'd see a long open stretch of sidewalk or bridge and he'd turn and say 'run'

We'd give him the ok and off he went.

So much fun.

It's truly not Christmas until you go to Opryland Hotel...

and bake Sugar Cookies.

We're attempting those tomorrow!

Merry Merry!

Mexican & Bass Pro

To me...it really doesn't get much better. 

Especially when it's with these two. 

Bonfire

We are currently looking for outdoor activities to entertain a rambunctious toddler in the evenings.

In particular, when said toddler is attached to his mothers leg whilst she's cooking dinner.

Daddy thought a bonfire would be the best idea.

Fire.  In the fire pit.  On our wood deck.  Brilliant.

It really was fine though...it was an attended fire. 

And, when all the fun was over, a big bucket of water put out the flames.

Easton liked it for a little bit, then he'd come back inside to reattach.

I'm beginnig to think I have some sort of 'charge' in my legs...

he comes in, gets charged up, then heads back out.

Whining sometimes help the charge...

so, he'd get recharged then he was ready to go back owwww-schiii-de.

I managed to capture the 2 syllable word turning into 3 syllable's.

But after enough fun, fire and cold, he'd come back in to 'huuuuulp' me.

What can I say- I've got the touch....er...the charge. 

Soaking up the sun...

We had to take advantage of one of the last pretty weekends of the year...

that was warm enough for water and no shirts!

Daddy washed his truck... and Easton washed his 'ka'.

...and played in the water to keep cool.

...and mommy took pictures.

I love weekends like this!