Can You Guess...

....What These Things Have In Common?

I noticed these pictures....

while downloading to my computer.....

and realized that ......

Joey got my camera. 

Seven Years

I believe God chose Joe just for me and I am so thankful for our amazing life. 

Horsing Around

Papa arranged for horseback riding for Andrew's birthday.  It is difficult to get good pictures and video while working with two horses, two big boys, one baby, and one old man.  Please forgive me.

Yes, that's me riding a horse while wearing capris...and tennis shoes....and using a halter instead of a bridle.  I had to work with what I had.

The baby wasn't having nearly as much fun as the big boys.

Joey LOVED it when we trotted the horse (no video sorry).  That boy loves speed.  

This is what happens when you give the camera and the baby to the old man.

A Little More

It's Out

Joey's first baby tooth finally wiggled free.  He was so happy that it didn't even hurt.

His permanent tooth is almost fully in place, that baby tooth was really hanging on.  Now he has 3 more wigglers to work out.

Swim Lessons

Joey just finished his first session of swim lessons.  He did great and had a blast doing it.  He is already asking to take the next session.  He doesn't mind getting his face wet anymore.  In fact, all he wants to do now is swim under water.

She called this three bobs.  Having them go under and let themselves bob up.

He is the one in the red swim trunks.

This was the last thing they did.  It may not look like much, but it was a big deal for Joey.  He had never gone off of a diving board before.  I could barely get him to jump off the side of the pool before this summer.

I Was Attacked!!!

This is my attacker.  Doesn't she look calm and sweet?  She has a nest on my porch and typically flies off when we come out the door.   That all changed when she laid her eggs.  Just a few days after this picture was taken I was saying good-bye to my mom at the front door.  I looked over at her for a little too long and she did not appreciate my presence.  She was very swift with her discipline.  It scared the heck out of me!     

Bubbles

Andrew's 3rd Birthday

We started the celebration at the bounce house.

Shay, Andrew, and Colton in the ball pit

Andrew and Joey both liked being able to "get" the adults

Shay and Joshua

Joey at the air-forced batting cage

I had not seen one of these before and I thought it was cooler than the kids did...it suspends the ball in the air...that's just cool!

Tyler's turn

Grandpa Tom and Grandma Bee

This is what they looked like when they weren't posing.  They just bought a new (to them) motor home right before the party.  So serious!

Josh and Colton, there may have been a tickle involved in that smile.

Joey ran HARD the entire time we were there.  I could barely get a picture of him.

Joshua was his easy-going self.  I can't wait until he is running around with his big brothers.

 Yep, I know he needs a haircut.  Don't judge.

Looks like Shay is winning

I was there too.  I tried to get a picture with the other two, but they wouldn't stop long enough.  Joshua can't escape me yet.

This was the cutest card ever.  Joe personalized it just for Andrew.  It plays, "You've Got a Friend In Me" from Toy Story.  He got the biggest smile on his face every time he opened it.  It made me tear up because I am just that sappy.

Happy Birthday, Andrew!

Blow!

With no one here to disapprove (Joe) I allowed Andrew to decide what he wanted on his cake.  He got the Dora cake he has wanted for 2 years.  That's a happy boy.

Add chocolate ice cream and the day was complete.

Ridiculous, But I Love It

I have a small obsession with pajamas.  How ridiculously cute are these feet?!

NAT-SOO-PAH

I have such fond memories of coming here as a kid.  The water is warm and it was the perfect place to bring Joshua for his first swimming experience.  Unfortunately, I was in the water with him and didn't get a single picture of him.  Trust me, he loved it.  

Joey lounging on his mat

This was Joey's favorite part of the day.  He and Tyler spent the entire day on the slide.

It only took him a couple of times without it before he decided he needed the slide mat to give him some speed.

Here's Grandma Bee and Andrew

Uncle Josh and Colton

Grandpa Tom and Andrew

Me and Joey

This is the closest thing we had to a group shot, so sad.