I heart summer!

Banana pops

 I have always been a summertime kind of girl, but having kiddies to enjoy it with makes it even more fun!  Here's a few things we've been up to:

Dandelion blowin' and wildflower pickin'

Nutella mustache and bed head

He loves to "shoot" stuff with his bow and gun.

Ca-raaazy nap head

She must have squirted or splashed him.  He is not a fan of water near his head.

She'll get wet anytime!

Early birthday present...a new bicycle!  We are going camping at the beach next week and wanted to ride bikes, so we fixed her up early with a princess bike.

She wanted it to have a basket.  And now she wants a dog to carry around in the basket...not gonna happen

It's VBS this week!

And lots of pool time!

Yay for summer!

11th Anniversary and Father's Day

 

Brad and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary over the weekend.  Joe and Rita kept the kids all weekend, so we were able to mix some fun with some relaxation.  Friday night we ate at Chuy's, which is sooo good, and watched You've Got Mail because we couldn't find a movie we wanted to go to or rent.  Saturday morning we got up and got ready, had breakfast in Eureka Springs, and did some shopping in Branson before settling into our room at the Chateau on the Lake.  We had a yummy dinner there and an even better brunch Sunday morning.

 

We gave Daddy his Father's Day gifts early since we were going out of town, and this is Rhett not wanting to take a pic with Daddy.  We got him up from his nap for the occasion, so he was a little grumpy.

Still grumpy

Bribed him with a piece of old pop tart on the counter, so we got a little smile.

We made the "We love Dada" shadowbox before I saw these brilliant ideas...

Love the shoes and ties

I wonder what mine would say...maybe next year or anytime really.  I'm putting them on here, so hopefully I will remember the ideas for next year!

My cousin sent me this picture of my dad and brother on Sunday.  It made me happy to know he is still remembered and thought of.  I know I think about him and miss him everyday.  I wish so badly that he was here to see my kids.  He would have been one fun and crazy grandpa!  And I'm pretty sure he would think they hung the moon, just like Mia does.

Daddy and me

Love and miss you, Daddy!

Anna turns 10!

 I cannot believe my first niece is turning 10!  We celebrated with a pool party Monday evening.  It has been rainy and not so warm here, so the kids were the only ones brave enough to get in the water.

Happy birthday, Anna!

Rhett spent most of his time in the "hot pool" as he calls it.

And riding like a bat...with Gracie

Today was actually warm and sunny, so we went to pool and had a blast.  Here's to more summer days by the pool...it is June, by the way, NWA!

Camping Out

Trey and Eli playing war

 Last Friday night we went out and camped with Randy and Lindsay at Hickory Creek.  They have a beast of an RV, and we love to help them enjoy it! ;)

 Saturday was rainy, but that didn't stop us. We rode bikes, played at the playground, caught fireflies, roasted marshmallows, dug up worms, caught fish, fried fish, and just got all around f.i.l.t.h.y.!

 Rhett was so pooped he was begging for a nap.  I finally got his blanket and paci and put him in the bed in the RV. He took a long nap.

 Brad and Randy went fishing Saturday morning on the lake.  When they got back to the campground they took the kids down to the water and fished from the bank.  They started catching perch and sent them back in nets for the kids to put in the pool (we were having a fish fry that night).  So, I think 5 or 6 perch were caught, and Lindsay caught a good bass. So, it was pretty hilarious watching the fish swim and the kids watch/catch/release/torture them in the kiddie pool.  After the fish were caught, the boys went inside and napped for 3-4 hours until it was time to fry the fish.  The problem with that was the kids had that long to watch/play with/bond/name the fish.  They had become quite attached to "Big Bob" the bass.  So, when Brad got up and got ready to filet Big Bob, Rhett practically threw himself between the fish and knife.  He started crying saying, "Nooo, Dada!  Don't cut Big Bob!"  It was humorous and a little sad at the same time.  All of the kids were sad to see him go, and a little disturbed that he was dying just so we could eat him.  It felt a little like an episode of Duck Dynasty with Phil Robertson preaching about living off the land and killing and eating.  Brad got what meat he could off the bigger perch, but I think the kids' saving grace was getting to go back down to the water and release the smaller ones.

Catching the perch

Lindsay and Big Bob

 Rhett told everyone at church on Sunday about Big Bob.  He said, "Dada knifed Big Bob."  Ha!

Boy eating pretzels after his long nap

After supper game of football broke out

Rhett showed up anywhere there was a dog pile ;)

These kids are camping fools!

It's Summatime!

Here they are before the puke hit the fan

 So, ME's school has been out, and dance is over.  Our only weekly commitments are gymnastics, church, and Bible study and how many times we want to go to the summer series at the library or work out at the gym.  It's summatime!!!  I took the kids to NaNa's house Monday and deep-cleaned my house.  It was in serious need, and now that is out of the way and my life feels more in order.  I cleaned my nasty car too!  We have been doing a lot of playing and eating picnics outside.  Last weekend, I got a kiddie pool, and the kids stayed outside last night until bathtime.  Today was supposed to be our first day in the 90s, so we were planning on going swimming in the big pool for the first time.  And then ME began throwing up at who knows what time this morning.  And then Rhett was a limp noodle when I finally got him out of bed at 9 and didn't last 5 minutes after his conservative breakfast of crackers and Gatorade (I was anticipating it).  So, instead of swimming we are having a Tinker Bell marathon on the couch and keeping our fingers crossed that Mommy stays well.  Oh well, there will be plenty of hot summer days ahead. I'm sure of it!

Here they are swapping the germs

P.S. I forgot how fun it was to take both children to Wal-Mart for groceries.  That was a Rhett and Mommy thing to do while sis was at school.  They fight like cats and dogs, there and everywhere!  Another thing I'm sure we will be consistent with this summer.  When I feel like cursing that store (almost every time I go), I try to remember that I should just be thankful that we can walk in there weekly and buy what we need to eat and so much of what we want.  Thank you, God, for food and cat and dog fights in the summer in Wal-Mart! ;)
P.P.S. I miss Kroger and the grocery car!!!

Ladies Brunch

Gigi and the girls

 Saturday morning the leaderettes at church hosted a ladies brunch on the front lawn.  We were encouraged to wear a fancy hat.  Diane Murray let me borrow my red hat.  It was fun to be served by the little girls.  Mary Ella thought she was something else carrying around the trays of food.  The food was delicious, and the company was even better.  The girls led songs, gave speeches, and put on a puppet show about how to be a Godly woman.  Mary Ella led "I've got peace like a river."  When they sing it at school they say, "I've got peace like a river in my soul, but not my shoe!"  I asked her why she chose not to sing that version, and she said that she didn't want the ladies to laugh.  I think she sensed that it was a fancy and special occasion.  I'm so proud of how brave she is and so thankful we're back at home with our Johnson family where I know she will learn how to be a faithful servant in the church.

I'm so not a hat person.  I would have a hard time fitting in at the Kentucky derby.

And a few more recital pics from Gigi's phone