Summer Vacations cont.

We set out to drive to North Carolina to see cousin Will and Angela get married in Wilmington. From there we went to visit Tim and Andi in Cape Coral, Florida. To break up the driving we stopped on our way there in Augusta, GA and on the way back in Biloxi, MS and Baton Rouge, LA.

Biloxi, MS

Biloxi, MS

Everglades, FL

Everglades, FL

Wilmington, NC

Wilmington, NC

Baton Rouge, LA

Hollie, Jake, & Josh outside Mike the Tiger's exhibit.

Overall, we drove 3400 miles over 7 days through 8 states! We had a blast seeing family and all of the sights.

Summer Vacations

We haven't had a lot of time to post pictures from our summer vacations so please excuse the excessive pictures. This summer we went to Mexico, North Carolina, and Florida with stops in Georgia and Mississippi along the way. First up, Mexico. We stayed near Playa Del Carmen with most of Jill's family (24 in all).

Notice Jake has a band-aid on his forehead. He cut open his forehead by swimming into the side of the pool wall.

Swenke

We headed up to Swenke Elementary today for a sneak peak at Jake's new school. Last year there were over 1100 students that attended Ault, so they built a new school. Our subdivision was zoned to the new school. Kind of funny given that Ault (Last years school) is 1.8 miles from our house and Swenke (new school) is 2.2 miles, but who's counting? There is also a 3rd elementary, Keith, in which is 1.7 miles from our house. I was very sad to be rezoned since he and I had made a really great group of friends. Swenke students were invited to sneak peak the new school and also have ice cream after the tour. The school is so beautiful! Everything smells new and the classrooms are much more spacious. The entire school is full of new computers and the Library is so beautiful. After visiting the school and talking with the Mrs. Guthrey the principal who I love and was also the principal from Ault I am so excited for the change. He can't wait to meet Ms. Basinger, his first grade teacher. Last year I had many tearful moments as Jake was preparing for kindergarten and this year I am counting down the days...... :)

Don Johnson and The Comedian

Joshua came to me the other morning and said, "I am wearing this shirt like this forever because I look awesome." We let him go out with us all day unbuttoned. It was pretty funny. He is very in to himself, constantly looking at himself in the mirror posing different faces and loves for me to spike his hair.

Jake opened a fruit snack the other day and said "Dad, I know why they call this fruit by the foot, because when it is unrolled it is "fruit by the foot" as he showed us the fruit down by his foot. He is pretty funny.

Josh the Rock Star!

Josh is so funny. Lately when I try to tak a picture he gives me a peace sign, thumbs up, number one or whatever he can think of at the time to put by his face. He is so cute, carefree, and so full of life. I am so glad that he is better and back to his mischivious self. I have to admit I kind of missed it, just a little.

Happy Birthday Mom!

"Happy Birthday Mom. You're the best mom in the whole entire world. We love you so much and can't believe its your birthday today." Love, Jake & Josh & Dad

Jake lost his first tooth

Jake lost his first tooth tonight. He was so excited! His tooth has been loose for a few months. In kindergarten they had a big "I lost a tooth" poster that just happened to be hanging on the wall right behind his chair . Whenever someone lost a tooth they got to write their name on the poster. He was so bummed that he had not lost a tooth all school year. Tonight he called me into the bedroom and said "I think I'm gonna lose my tooth tonight". I wiggled and said "come with me lets see what we can do". I took him to dad and we wiggled back and forth until it was almost out. I told Michael to get the pliers and he said "No, that is dangerous!" Huh? Are you kidding? I remember the good ole "plier" days and tying one side of string around the tooth and the other to the door knob and closing the door. I ended up fetching the pliers myself and finishing off the job. After the tooth came out he said "Now the tooth fairy is coming tonight and I'm getting $5!" Wow! That seems a little steep to me. He told me that all the kids at school got that from their tooth fairy. Now what? I can't just give him 50 cents and tell him his tooth fairy is cheap. I did check around in disbelief and he was right, people are seriously giving $5 a tooth. Crazy!!!! Anyway, he loves his new smile and could not wait to go to bed with his tooth fairy bear. What do you think?

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Happy Birthday to Grandpa Patton from Mexico!

Swim team end of season

Jake had his last meet yesterday. He concluded with two personal best times on his races. We are so proud of what he has accomplished this season! Hopefully, little brother will be joining him on the team next season.

Jake is on the bottom row second to last on the right

Swimming Continued.....

It seems as though our life revolves around swimming right now. They can't seem to get enough. when I wake up in the morning they both have their swim suits on and are ready to go and then beg all day long to go to the pool. I finally have reached a point where they get in the water themselves and I can sit by the pool and watch. I am not to the point where I can read a book and relax but it is sure nice that I don't have to get in everyday! We have been going to the pool early where Josh has his swim lessons. This pool has a diving board and now they are hooked on the diving board. Jake is starting to do cool tricks as he jumps. Hopefully I will have more substance to my blogs other than swimming this summer. Josh inherited one of Jake's team suits. Before swim team started we had to purchase suits and the lady selling them told me the tighter the better. When I tried the larger size on she said that it wasn't tight enough so I went with the size smaller. Well, after we got home he wined and complained that it was too tight and he couldn't wear it. After a few days of torture, I felt bad and bought him the larger size. The suits are not cheap, so I decided to let Josh have it. He wears it to every lesson and even to Jake's practices. I guess it makes him feel special and part of the team. He is too cute!

Swim, Swim, and more Swim

Joshua started his swim lessons today. He was so excited he could hardly stand it. Jake has swim practice at 8:15 in the morning and then Josh has lessons at 4:00 in the afternoon and then they beg to go to the pool everywhere in between. Josh has been on the side lines watching Jake on swim team since April so now it was his turn. In fact, he has been sitting on the side lines since he was born and has wanted to participate in every sport Jake has been in. Now he is finally old enough to join sports and have the spot light on him for a change. I couldn't wipe the smile off his face if I tried. He did really great. Josh kept looking back at me and waving with a huge smile on his face. Whenever the teacher would tell them what they were going to do and then asked who wanted to go, his hand was always the first one up exclaiming "MEEEEE". His only set back is that he can't stop talking long enough to listen to the teacher. He talks non stop and is stirring up trouble while she is working with others. He is constantly asking the other kids if they want to watch what he can do and is bobbing in and out of the water and kicking up splashes when it is not his turn. He only got in trouble a half a dozen times but who's counting. At the end of the lesson they were able to jump off the side of the pool and before he would jump in he would shout "Caaandy ball!!, oh wait I can't do that. Caaandy Ball!!" and then jump. He watches Jake at the neighborhood pool say "Canon Ball" before he jumps off the side so I think he was trying to show off a little. He is such a special little boy really great and can't wait until tomorrow. Although he did tell me when we got home that "he was going to listen to his teacher tomorrow because he did not want to today." Huh? I guess I need to work on that also.

Construction

They are building a house directly behind ours and the boys are enjoying the sights and sounds.