The New School Year Begins

Late Summer Happenings: Lowe's, Branson, and the Delta

We love going to Lowe's in Jacksonville for their Kids Build activities.  Nothing says fun like giving a three-year-old a hammer.  We've been four times now, and he's doing really well.  It's more like "Dad builds", but they get a toy at the end and a patch for the apron.  It's worth going for pictures like this.  

Don't remember what day this was, but I thought he looked cute, so we took a picture.  

He's learning how to cheese, but didn't get it quite right here.  

The first weekend in August, I went on a girls trip to Branson.  It was a lot of fun, and I can't wait to go back again.  Someone wanted to go with me, but he went to Mimi and Pops house instead. 

We all squeezed into Amanda's SUV (not pictured because she's driving), and enjoyed talking, telling funny stories, and laughing.  

We went to the Landing to shop and eat both nights.  It was so nice to be kid-free and husband-free for the whole weekend.  I thoroughly enjoyed it although I was ready to see my boys by Sunday afternoon. 

Me and one of my BFFs Shanna.  We are both Delta girls.   

Last weekend, Jackson and I headed south to McGehee.  Brent had a weekend-long training, so we went to see Mimi and Pops.  The weather was just about as perfect as it could be for an August weekend.  We played outside a lot and I really enjoyed being in the country.  The pace is so much slower and things are much relaxed down there.  I want a view like this one day.  

Jackson loves his Mimi and Pops.  

On Saturday, he rode his tricycle around the block, which is about a half mile.  He did really great.  I love to see him on the same street that I used to ride on.  Lots of memories here.  

The house that built me....

Fall is coming - the locusts have lost their shells.  

So thankful for friends with pools!  Jackson had a blast out at the Miles compound swimming with his Mimi.  

Of course that night we had to go to Hoots for dinner.  I just can't believe how big my boy is getting.  Thankful that he can cheese now!  

Delta Sunset

Nothing like a little after dinner 4-wheeler ride with Pops.  

After they were done, I went a few laps around the dirt road.  

And of course a trip down south is not complete without a visit to FBC McGehee.  They are family to us, and Jackson does really well sitting in big church.  I'm always inspired and encouraged by the service too.  The Spirit is alive and working in McGehee.  

The older I get, the harder it is to leave there and get back into the craziness of our every day life.  I hope in the coming days we can slow down and just enjoy being together.  

Lucy Jane

Back in June, we welcomed a new family member.  Lucy Jane was born on June 9 to my sister and brother-in-law.  She has been almost a perfect baby, and of course I think she is the cutest.  She looks very much like her daddy.  Jackson is also quite taken with her, and when she gets a little bigger, it's going to be a lot of fun.  

Love this headwrap!  

Aunt La La and Lucy 

Aunt Debbie, Lucy, Mimi, and Jackson.  They were checking each other out.   

Pops and Lucy.  

I'm so excited to be an aunt again, and especially to this sweet girl.  

Birthday Parties Galore!

This summer we had lots of fun birthday parties to go to with our friends.  Everything from cowboy birthday, a swimming party, and a back yard blow out.

The first was Rhett's 2nd birthday.  

Rhett, Brandt, Kellan, and Jackson

Playing Pin the Tale on the Donkey - hilarious! 

Saying a prayer for Brandt's grandmother who was going on a mission trip to Peru.  

The next weekend, we went to Brayden Hill's birthday party at the community center.  It was our first swimming party!  He's so cautious about trying new things, but once he sees others doing it, he's right in the middle of it.  

My little fish.  He loves to swim and that makes me so happy.  Next year I will probably put him in swimming lessons.  

He finally got brave enough to get up there, but it took him forever to get around the first hump.  

Then the next afternoon, we celebrated Jake Veazey's birthday at his house.  It was hot, but the 2 story water slide kept the kids cool.  Oh yeah and there was tons of Ninja Turtles there too.  

Already a charmer.  He's letting Avery (an older woman) drive him around the yard.  They did this for probably 20 minutes.  

Jackson has had a blast going to all of these parties, and I love seeing him interacting with his friends.