Lions, Tigers & Bears....

Monday, Chris took off work so we could take the boys on their 1st trip to the zoo. I think we have both been looking forward to this trip since they were born! We went just before I delivered and couldn't stop talking about how we couldn't wait to bring the boys back! My dad & Barbara came with us since dad is on vacation from work. The boys LOVED the zoo. Nolan now wants a "nake" (snake) and Jonas is hung up on the "montees" (monkeys). We just loved watching their faces! They did great riding in their strollers- getting in and out to see the animals. I guess I'm not really surprised- they are such good boys! We didn't even make it out of the parking lot before they were asleep!

My sweet boys watching the penguins

Nolan & Barb watching the birds

My 4 favorite men in my life watching the rhinos

Daddy & Jonas petting the camel

Mommy & Jonas

Me & pops with the boys looking at the elephants

Gorillas

Random sign

Weekends at the RV Park!!

We have been spending every weekend at the RV Park. I guess its our weekend getaway, but we enjoy it very much! There is so much for the boys to do and so many people for them to visit! My cousins are all down there and the boys really enjoy getting to spend time with kids. We usually head down on Friday afternoons. We cookout, let the boys ride their tricycles, play on the playground, and go up to the pavilion for Friday night entertainment (there is something different every week). After baths, we put the boys to bed (usually late around 11pm) and play Rook with whoever is up for a couple games! Dex & I were last weekends champs! Saturday we all sleep in. Then we cook breakfast, play at the playground, and take the boys swimming. After naps, it usually the same- lots of playing. Sundays are lazy but I wouldn't have it any other way! Chris has been building us 2 new patios outside our camper. He is so talented! The first patio is finished and looks great! Here are some pictures from the past couple weekends at the park. How I love to take pictures of my boys- I guess its my way of watching them grow! They are getting so big!!

The boys visiting Poppy

Nolan getting caught on our bed in the camper putting on mommy's leggings

Floating around the lake with Mimi

Nolan LOVES riding his "cycle"

Jonas riding

Cooking out at Mimis camper- chicken casserole & sides- the family favorite!

Daddy's helpers

The boys cheering on their daddy as he works on the 2nd patio

The 1st finished patio

Daylan Samuel is here!!!

Today started very early, mainly because everyone was so excited- none of us got any sleep! We cooked out at Leann & Moe's last night and didn't make it home until 11pm (and yes, Jonas & Nolan were still awake!) We helped finishing the nursery and I painted Leann's toenails! At 4am this morning, I rolled over and looked at the time. I've been so excited about being an aunt since November- time was ticking! I decided to wait a little bit before bothering Leann. As it has been, I've been calling her at least daily for weeks... At 5am, I sent a text message and she promptly replied. It was almost time to head to the hospital. We all got to the hospital after Leann & Moe were settled in. I massaged while Bethanie let Leann squeeze her hands thru the contractions. We were shocked at how fast Leann progressed! By 3pm, she was completely dilated! After only 6 pushes, Daylan was here! Leann didn't have any pain and talked about the weather during the entire delivery! She's a champ in my book! Daylan weighed in at 5 lbs 10 oz! A small little guy! It was so special to watch both Leann and Moe with him as they have waited for an eternity to finally have a baby! Both mommy & baby are doing great! Daylan is already nursing like a champ! We are so proud of both of them and cannot wait for Jonas & Nolan to meet him! They were going around the house tonight saying "Hap Birday Daywen".... Here are some of the pics from today! You can click on the pics to make them larger.

Proud parents before delivery

Me & Bethanie with Leann

The boys all waiting on Daylan

And who did Daylan meet first- Uncle Chris...I think he was willing to fight over this!

Words cannot express how excited Chris has been ALL DAY!

Aunt Mandy & Uncle Chris

I am SO excited to finally be an aunt!!

Nana & Papaw

Aunt Bessie & Uncle Bobert

Any day now....

I'm going to be an aunt!! Leann (Chris' sister) is ready to have Daylan any day now! I am probably driving her crazy calling everyday to check and see if she's contracting! I feel like I've waited FOREVER to be an aunt & I cannot wait to spoil lil Daylan!! Leann is scheduled to be induced a week from today but I'm hoping she will be able to go on her own and experience all the excitement that goes along with it. Induced or not, she has waited forever to have a baby and cannot wait to meet her son! Moe is doing great too. I'm a little worried about how Jonas & Nolan are going to react. Not only have they been the only 2 grandchildren/nephews in the family- Moe is by far their favorite and I'm not sure how they will do having to share him! Everything is "Moe" "where Moe go" "see Moe" etc.... They LOVE their Moe! Its nice that Leann & Moe live right behind us and the boys can visit Moe every chance they want & Chris and I can visit Daylan! Above is a picture I took of Leann. I was more than honored when she asked me to take her maternity pictures! I have not had time to "photoshop" them, so excuse the flaws! And Leann- I knew you wouldn't want a belly pic on here, so I used this one! I'll update as soon as Daylan comes! Please keep Leann, Moe, & Daylan in your prayers!

4th of July!!!

We had a great holiday weekend with lots of sun, food, & swimming! We started by heading to the campground on Thursday night and spending some time with Mimi & Poppy! Friday- we spent all day & night at the campground swimming, watching the boys ride their tricycles, playing at the playground, visiting everyone, and riding the golf cart! Friday night, they had line dancing (yes, I said that correctly) so we took the boys to watch. Little did I know that my boys would want to participate! So Mommy took turns line dancing with both of them until Nolan wore out and mommy & Jonas danced until the end! You talk about a workout! Saturday morning, we packed up and headed to the Marina to get the boat and headed out to tie up with Scot & Lisa's houseboat in Kingston! We had a great spot. There was a live band all day and tons of food! We took the boys a blow up pool and put on the houseboat so all the little kids could enjoy it. We swam all day and the boys even went off the slide on the houseboat into the lake! I was shocked that they wanted too but then again, they want to be big boys SO BAD! We took showers & got cleaned up in time to grill chicken & baked potatoes on the boat before the fireworks started. The boys said "wow" to every firework! After all the kids were in bed, the boat party started and we stayed up WAY TOO LATE! Sunday morning we headed back in so we could meet Amie! She came to spend 2 days and nights with us and it was so nice for mommy to have her best friend here! She brought the boys presents which they enjoyed! We spent Sunday at the inlaws eating, swimming (though it rained), and playing cards. Monday, we slept in while Chris took the boys. When we got up, we headed to get pedicures & to eat lunch at the new restaurant on the lake which was really good! Then we picked the boys up early and played with them outside for hours before cooking dinner and heading out to the garden to get all kinds of goodies! We had a wonderful weekend and loved sharing it with the most wonderful friends & family we could ask for! Amie- thanks for coming to visit...we LOVED having you! I couldn't ask for a better best friend who is ALWAYS there when I need you! Enjoy the pictures- there are a lot of them!


Mommy's lil dance partner

Me & the hubby taking the kids swimming

The boys playing in the pool at the campground holding hands...

Riding the boat to anchor out

The boys & their cousin Avery in the pool Aunt Bessie got them for their birthday

The boys in their pool on the houseboat

Nolan LOVES his Emmy

Nolan getting ready to go off the slide of the houseboat into the lake

Nolan coming off the slide

Daddy catching Nolan

Jonas coming down the slide

Daddy was waiting to catch Jonas

Nolan driving the house boat

Emery & Jonas- he's about as big as she is!

Aunt Bessie and the boys on the boat about to take a nap

Leann & Moe (and baby Daylan)

Aunt Bessie, Uncle "Bobert", & Nolan

Waiting on the fireworks to start- Nolan is ready!

Jonas fell asleep on mommy during the fireworks

Nolan after the fireworks

Me & Beth- tends to be our signature pose

Amie brought the boys presents- bubble guns & CAT tractors....they LOVED them!

Jonas & his new bubble gun- he cried when it ran out of bubbles :)

Jonas being a ham & picking Amie flowers

The boys taking Amie on a walk

Amie & Jonas in the garden

The boys helping Amie pick some veggies to take back home with her!

Jonas wanted to "pat" the watermelons....can't wait til they are ripe!

Amie reading Nolan bedtime stories