Summer is flying on by

I cannot believe it is already July 19th.  I don’t know where the time has gone – it has not gone towards blogging.  Here is my attempt to update…at least through June.

My grandparents came to visit in early June and to help celebrate my mom’s birthday.

We love the time we get to spend with our Paps and Grandma Williams.  Thank you guys for coming again and again. 

 

We also got to see my sweet, beautiful niece Alexa graduate from 8th grade. 

So grown up and off to high school she will go!

Next up, was our trip to my hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana.  I figured out that I hadn’t been there in about 8 years. 

My grandma makes this amazing bread.  I only get it when I visit Shreveport or my parents visit and bring some back to me (which is usually a couple of times a year).  Grandma ensures that my parents bring some back to me and that they don’t eat it before I get it.  While we were there, Saturday morning was bread making day – so Grandma gained 2 extra helpers!  Learning the legacy…

Roll it

Pat it

Bake some bread for you and me!

 

We had some fun times with Aunt Lisa, Uncle Johnny , Kyle and Jacob – unfortunately I didn’t get pictures of everyone.

Uncle Johnny grilling out

. 

Aunt Lisa enjoyed collecting fun toys for the kids to play with and excited to play with the kids.  They even babysat the kids one night and kept them completely entertained the entire time!  Thank you Aunt Lisa and Uncle Johnny for loving on the kids and taking time out to entertain the rest of us.

My cousins Jacob and Kyle (not pictured ) even joined in helping with entertaining the little ones. Thanks for sacrificing your back, Jacob.

This was Father’s Day – my dad was with his son and daughter for Father’s day – probably another occurrence that hasn’t happened in at least 8 years.  I placed us right in front of the sun for the picture so we are all squinting, but Grandma is the smartest and just looked the other way

I’m so sad, but I really didn’t get any pictures of Uncle Rick, Aunt Jeanna, Rick, Susie, Trey, Becky, Hannah, and Katie.  But we got to visit with each one of them and Trey had to share his toys (thanks!) and did a great job answering all of the many questions from Arianna and Bernie.  Uncle Rick and Aunt Jeanna are so generous as always and let us practically take over their pool, showed us their beautiful lakehouse, had a fish fry (yum!) and took us to see sweet Katie.

What a wonderful visit, despite the 17 hour overnight car ride each way and 105 degree heat.  I sure hope it won’t ever be 8 years or even close to that before I visit again. 

The day you've been waiting for

A NEW POST!


Life has definitely been busy and I have just not made the time to blog. Lots to catch up on. Lots of pictures and few words ahead!

Here's a recap of May:


Josh and Ashley came to visit! Lots of time in the pool.




Backyard water play.








Marty's birthday was this month and I forgot to get a picture. However he did get baptized in the Gulf of Mexico a few days later.


The onlookers are ready to cheer him on.





Hard to see the details of Marty's baptism but beautiful scenery.





Arianna likes to help Daddy cut the grass.


A little backyard frontyard baseball.


And as you can see, Bernie had some fans cheering him on.


That's a brief May update and hopefully that'll hold you over a few more days until I have a June update.

Can I Have Candy?

Those were the most often heard words on Easter. Directed at Marty and me, coming from my children's mouths. I guess that's to be expected when they get 3 Easter baskets full of candy.

Overall it was a great day, in celebration of our Risen Savior!
Arianna started telling her own version of the Resurrection within the week before Easter. Her perspective was quite adorable. She called the stone at the tomb a big bowling ball that rolled away so Jesus could be alive again.

Here's a bunch of pictures from Easter weekend.











Mimi made Arianna's dress!


On the prowl for eggs


Easter puppies!





Luke 24:23
And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.

The Easter Bunny Came Early

And this is what he brought...

You are not seeing double, there are TWO puppies!

Yes, we are CRAZY!!!!!!!

But look at this sweet puppy love!

Arianna has the girl puppy and so far her name is Rockie.

Bernie has the boy puppy and his name is Domino.

The kids are very, very excited and are doing a wonderful job of being gentle, playing with them, and even letting me know if they potty!

Fishing!

A few weekends ago, Marty and the kids went fishing off the pier at Grammy and Grampy's house.

Grammy demonstrates just the right spot to place the fishing line.



The fish were eating the bait but were not hooking on. There was some frustration starting to build, then low and behold...

Bernie caught this fish! His first one! He wasn't so sure about it and was just fine with Daddy holding it.

A thumbs up for Bernie and his first fish!

Bernie kept saying, "Throw it baaaack, Throw it baaaack!!!". As soon as Marty threw him in the water, Bernie screams, "NOOOO, I want to keep him!!" It was hilarious!

This cutie pie wasn't really fond of that 3 inch fish, so she stayed farther away.

It was so much fun to watch these 2 learn how to fish and experience another first!

Can't wait to do it again!

Saturday Morning Craft

My front door has been bare since Christmas, so I decided it was time to get the kids involved and get something made. Of course, we know I'm not creative or crafty, so here's my inspiration.


First you need 2 helpers and many plastic easter eggs.



A lot of patience and glue later, and you have this!





I'm quite impressed that it came out this cute!!

rain, rain...and we still play

Rain, Rain Go Away


Come Again Another Day


Arianna and Bernie want to play



Rain, Rain GO AWAY!!


p.s. It will not post that picture right side up, sorry!!