Grenada Lake Memorial Day

Tayler and Austin having a conversation.

The boys riding on the way to the boat ramp.

Finally off my knees.

Up on my feet, believe it or not I actually stood up without holding on! I would love to learn to ski!

The Oh No before the fall!

Bren getting ready to stand up.

That is our Bren has to try his own way!

Joshua wasn't going to get on the tube not even with the bribery of ice cream! We did actually manage to get him in the water this time. This was his first time this year to get in the water. Last year nothing could stop him!

Christy asked Tayler if she would get on if she rode with her. Here they are getting ready to take off.

As you can see Tayler was lovin it!

Christy kept asking her if she would stay on if she fell off and Tayler said yes, and she did but not for long as soon as Christy was gone Tayler would shake her head NO!

Look at em go!

Hanging On!

And... James is OFF!

You can see James' head in the back, and Brens' reaction just says YEAH! I am still on!

Our neighbors the Strong's  invited us out on their boat. We always have a great time with them! I can see a boat in our future! :)

Memorial Day Weekend 2010

Joshua and Tayler with the first watermelon of the season. So glad I have them to share it with!

Jay trying to balance the boat and figure how to work it.

Tayler with Jays Boat.
This boat also dived, and would disappear in the murky water. The kids had a ball swimming with it, searching, and waiting for it to pop up again.

Jay, Rodney, Joshua and I watching the kids swim.

James and Brenden helping Kate in.

Six of the 7 Joshua(Below) was content on the bank playing!
L-R Kate Wesley, Brenden, James, Tayler, and Corey

Boys got air jumping into the pond...
Brenden

James

Wesley

James throwing a mud ball. They played this game they called Mud Ball by scooping up silt off the bottom of the pond, dividing into teams and throwing it at each other. They looked like swamp monsters when they were done. The "mud" is what keeps me out of the pond, it is so stinky and yucky. 

This was a great weekend. Everyone arrived early Friday morning with pigs n a blanket from our local doughnut shop here in town, a favorite of theirs. First stairs went up on the the house, next Josh and Rodney worked on Josh's  air condition in the truck. We are so grateful for Rodneys' help and saving us money on our vehicles! We can always count on Jay to keep the Wii going and have fun with the kids! Joshua and I were busy installing the rest of the stair treads while the rest of the kids played inside with Jay. Saturday Josh and Rodney made a predator proof duck box to house Luey and Duey in at night, Tayler, Joshua and I painted it. In the evening the kids played in the pond and spent the nights in the tent. Sunday we went to the Grenada Lake Beach followed by more pond play. Lots of good food thanks to Josh(who cooked all the meals!), good company and great memories. Thank you to those that serve our country and making this possible for us to enjoy!

Treehouse Stairs!

Thanks to Rodney, Jay and the tractor we had help attaching the monster stairs!

Joshua handed Josh screws, and while Josh and Rodney worked on the air condition in Joshs truck Joshua and I finished screwing on the treads.

And they are all on!

Joshua tries them out first, upstairs checking things out.

Brenden and Taylers first trip up.

The crews all here!

A big thanks to daddy for building such an awesome hangout to play at! Right now they are calling it "The Clubhouse". We plan to finish the roof, siding, doors and windows after we are done with the duck house and chicken run.

Front of House and Flowerbeds

Above I planted Celosia, Marigolds, and Dahlias around the Crape Myrtles on both sides. Now if only the animals would stay out of the straw and quite covering up the plants they would grow in nicely!
From the top of the hill.
There are actually Moss Rose here but I think I may have been watering them to much they aren't blooming well now.

Left Side.

Right side.

The following are views from the bottom of the hill.

Left Side.

Right Side.

Front
And so there it is one Spring project finished! Yeah!

Thank You Mom and Dad!

My parents still spoil me even at 30! I love taking pictures I guess you might have noticed. :) For my birthday they sent me a new lens for my camera, and some other goodies. A zoom lens with image stabilizer to capture the movement of these busy kiddos and animals. YEAH! I LOVE IT! Here is a sneak peak. I plan to post more of our Memorial Day weekend at a later date I am wiped out! Check out the water droplets on the ducks. I am so looking forward to playing with this more and being able to capture even more of our lives. I have been given advice not to blink because it all happens so fast. Well since I don't have that option I plan to capture and keep as much of it as I can.

Dwey and Lueys' First and Second Trips In The Pond

Before... I gave a speech to the kids about how the ducks may or not come back to us. We got these guys when they were a few weeks old, and they were still very skidish with us though we have had them over a month now. I think they bonded to each other instead of us. We were all sad thinking that we may never be able to get our hands on them again.

And here we go

They are off

Uh maybe not so much

They kinda high tailed it outta there

And guess what they came to us, they are bonded with us! Made us feel so good!

Duey says please Brenden please don't put me back in there!

We gave the water a try, and then decided to let them just get used to the surroundings. So many sounds and sights, this was not their first time out just the first time to the pond.

They stayed for a bit and headed back to what they think is their territory the back porch LOL.

Oh and there was a monkey in a tree to!

Attempt #2. Josh had the idea that maybe one of us should get in with them, make them more comfortable. Brenden of course volunteered, he loves the pond! Duey is in his arms,and Luey swimming free.

Duey likes it better on the bank.

Luey and Brenden

They felt safe in the safety of his arms. AWE!

This is the longest Duey stayed in, only with "his" buddy.

And look Grandmommy I have nails. Not so much fun for mom when she picks me up and I don't want her to. This was one of the reasons I felt they were ready to graduate to the pond. These claws don't feel to good when they freak out being picked up! I know I can't keep them in a cage forever and they weren't seeming to warm up to us. I felt they would be happier. Well that seemed to be just what they needed to warm up to us! We are thrilled, and are going to work with them to get them used to their new home.

Tree House Progress

Side view of the house and Josh on the way to the put up the tractor.

Monster Stairs as I call them. Josh has more faith in me than necessary, thinking he and I could load these on the trailer and then carry them up the hill to the tree house. I couldn't get them off the ground much more than an inch! We are waiting for Memorial Day Weekend company(more man power) to help us attach them.

We have the railing up!

The view is awesome from up top! We haven't been able to work on this due weather and Josh being gone so much. But we are back on track. Next step stairs attached, finish trimming out, and roof. Then on to Project Chicken Coop, when that is done back to the tree house for windows, door, and siding.