Joshuas Birthday Outing

For each of their birthdays this year we are taking the kids out with just the two of us. Bren took this for us right before we left. Josh just had to stick his finger in my ear, thats my guy ;).

A stop at Baskin Robbins before our movie.

Cars 2! Joshua won a free ticket in his Cars Blu Ray we gave him for his birthday.

Standing inside the theater.

Riding a bike in the video game area. Josh steered from the back while Joshua worked the throttle.

They earned 5th place not bad for a five year old!

Shopping after the movie at Target. These are the only things he picked to buy with his birthday money, he told us on the way to the car he was saving the rest of his money.

We went to Sams after for groceries. Saturday is sample day and we all always enjoy it! Chicken sandwiches, pizza, fruit, bacon, and so many other goodies. We were full when we left. Joshua hitched a ride on the dog food on the way out.

Tayler and Bren

Our sweet girl!

This is the kids permanent dirt pile. They were so excited!

Brenden

Brenden got his first pocket knife, a leathermen with lots of little tools his daddy bought for him. As you can see he wears it proudly!

I love this picture of Brenden. This is our neighbors dog that thinks he is a lap puppy. He loves playing with the kids when we visit.

Sleeping Boys

Joshua is in the process of outgrowing naps, and tends to fall asleep from time to time before we can get him in bed. This also happens to be the only time he is still!

Little Luke fell asleep while visiting underneath the train travel in the boys room.

I was so proud to get him in the bed without him waking up!

He is almost as big as me!

Water Fight

During Memorial Day James and Jay came out for a visit. There was as always lots of playing Wii, shooting fire works, and this time a water fight! Complete with guns, hoses and the above water balloons. We have since Easter been buying and collecting water guns. Tuesday Jay and I filled up the guns and let the kids have it, they retaliated with hoses and trying to throw us in the pond. I managed to be flung in 3 times. Afterward all four of the kids jumped in willingly and played for hours. Late the same afternoon Tayler and I filled these balloons and had them ready for when Josh got home from work. They were so heavy he loaded them on the back of the truck and drove around to the front of the house. It didn't take long even with Tayler and I in the back protecting the balloons(I planned to stay out of the fight and take pictures)for everyone to get their hands on them and let em fly. I was a bit upset at Josh for moving the bunny cage with the bunny in it via the tractor so I took aim. I didn't hit him but got him riled up thinking it was Jay or Tayler. He jumped in the back of the truck stole a whole basket full and let me have it! Afterward he disappeared into the house coming out with a large bowl saying he had saved some extras. I knew better telling Tayler to take cover. It was a bowl full of ice water! Disappearing once again, I thought he was inside eating the roast that was now ready. I left the others to it. Boy was I was hungry. Walking inside I heard the shower running going in to check on Josh, Andi got caught under my feet and I accidentally stepped on her. As she let out a holler the closet door swung open and out came Josh dripping with sweat. He was preparing for pay back by turning the cold water on in the shower, and jumping in the closet to hide. The plan was to throw me in the cold shower when I came in. He realized when I stepped on the cat I wasn't to worried about being sneaky. He is ruthless! All in all we had a blast!

We love watermelon!

Well three of the party do anyway :). I bought this watermelon from a man on the side of the road that sells produce from time to time. I had to weigh it, a HUGE 30 pounder!

Spring/Summer Nature 2011

My lilies I planted last year.

Camo Moth in Taylers Room

Ground Beetle at the duck house.

Skink getting a lunch buffet one afternoon while were fishing.

I love how the grass looks like ribbon around the flowers.

New growth on a oak tree.

Sunset at our pond.

A neat shot of a dirt dauber, I never noticed the yellow bands were this vivid until Josh took this shot.(click the picture for a closer view)

This hummingbird the one below were fighting over the feeder chasing each other off.

Taken in our pond. I love Joshs' perspective, he has a great eye for some interesting shots!

This hummingbird or one like it comes back every year. I am always so excited to see it. Hard to tell but it has a red head, and they don't appear to be very common in our area. While I was taking pictures it was none to happy about being filmed and dived at my head, I actually had to duck!

Our Crape Myrtle
Last Spring before plants were blooming we purchased these supposedly Tuscarora(Water Melon Red) Crape Myrtles. You can imagine my surprise when they bloomed! I don't know about you but I have never eaten a watermelon this color. I have since decided to go with it and use the pinks and purples in our flower beds and plant pots.

Dragonfly By Josh