Friday, July 7, 2017

End of June/Fourth of July



Jude and Joah received birthday money from several grandparents that we put toward swim lessons this summer for all the boys. They have enjoyed the lessons so much and just being able to use a really fun pool. We love experience gifts!

Mouth Guard Challenge with the Youth...not a pretty sight!

 We took the boys to a "real movie theatre" to see Cars 3 before Daddy left for a week in Nashville with the youth. We average about one visit a year and see most of our movies at the drive-in because we have busy boys that like to move and it's about a fraction of the cost. It was a good morning!

I had a dollar for once (usually I just say "mama, has no coins or cash" which is true) so this day I let them go crazy and ride this little carousel!

Dennis Swannberg was at our church the Sunday night before Stephen left for camp. He's my Dad's favorite Christian comedian and we really enjoyed him!

Stephen left for a week of camp in Nashville. I am always so torn when he goes because M-Fuge is how we met and I love camp, but I just am not ready to leave my boys for a whole week yet either. So, my heart is in two places every week that we do this every summer in youth ministry. But I kept our boys busy and we had such a great week! I didn't get pictures of everything but we stayed busy riding bikes, at the splash pad with another boy mom of three, super hero night at Zaxby's (free kid's meal), awesome magic show at the library, park day, Chickfila (with extended play time after dinner),  a birthday party for Buddy (he turned 7! I found his Build a Bear birth certificate because James had been begging to have a party for him), and a day at our favorite bouncy castle place. I even braved the grocery store on the day that Daddy came back so we wouldn't have to do a thing when he got home, and they did fabulous there as well. I treated them to McDonald's! I will always remember this very special week with my boys. My bed was full (ha!) and my heart!





I was looking for dairy ingredients for Joah and learned that Chickfila has taken food dye out of their Ice Dream! It has been three years since they've had it!

Joah got brave and now is so not scared to do the slide at Chickfila!

Buddy's 7th  (and Hulk Baby's 9 month and 4 day) Birthday Party

It worked out great that Stephen was off Monday (his normal off day) and Tuesday (July Fourth) after his long week at camp. He was so tired and so we mostly just enjoyed being home and together!

Blew up our inflatable pools!




We did venture out to go see Despicable Me 3 at the Drive-In and they had Fireworks too!





We didn't even go see the firework show in Pell City. We just did our own explosions at home: Diet Coke and Mentos, Water Balloons, Confetti Poppers, etc. They thought it was great. 



This boy has been worn out from all our adventures! I just love a sleeping, "baby" picture!

June/July


Fun on Bikes!



 VBS Family Night - the boys were so cute doing their songs and motions.



Joah's Allergy Testing

Exploding Watermelon Challenge with the Youth


We took the youth to six flags and my mom and sister met us there!
So much fun! I wish I had them every day!





Father's Day Cards for Stephen - So Funny!

Stephen suggested we take them to a catch and release event at Bass Pro Shop on Father's Day Weekend. He's definitely a city boy so I think this was a happy medium for him. It still makes me smile when I think about it! The boys loved catching their first fish (attempts at real fishing in the past have been few and not very successful!)






Jude Turns 4

We had a special weekend for just Jude the weekend before he turned 4 full of all things pirate (Doughnuts on National Donut Day (his original birthday fell on that holiday, Jack Sparrow in pirate PJ's at the drive-in, and Pirate Day at the Zoo and a ride on the pirate train), and we also went very early in the morning before the zoo opened for a special member perk to get to ride free rides on his actual day. I also brought cupcakes to his friends at church since his birthday fell during VBS week.

We might have done overkill this year with the birthday celebrations but because I chose a joint party for various reasons, I wanted them to feel individually celebrated as well.