My Girls!

My two favorite girls! Combine the attitude and loudness of these two and

....WATCH OUT!

A Trial Run

Wednesday night we had did a "trial-run" with David staying the night at our house. When Kim has the new baby the plan is for us to keep David. Since he has never stayed the night away from home we thought if would be a good idea to do a trial run. David did great...slept through the night, no crying, or missing mom and dad.

Fun with Friends!

Wednesday was our annual reunion with my college roommates and their children. The four of us get together twice a year, once in the summer with kids, and then we spend a girls' weekend together in November, no kids, no husbands. It is always fun to see how the kids have changed and grown. This year we met up in Ohio for some fun with the kids. It always seems too long between visits and never long enough to catch up.

The kids in birth order Jake, Clara, Ethan, Brenden, Luke, Audra, Lucy, Heidi, Maren.

Brenden (Karen's middle child) showing off his new skill.

Lucy...AKA "Little Leslee"
Heidi, Michelle's baby, she is the tiniest thing I have ever seen. Four hours in the car with her and never heard her make a sound.

Clara, Karen's oldest, ...Love the missing teeth.

Happy Anniversary!

Tuesday, July 28, Chris and I celebrated 8 years of marriage. We typically don't make a big deal out of the occasion. However, this year we decided to at least celebrate with a date night. There is a fairly new restaurant downtown that we wanted to try. We went to Fogo de Chao for dinner. This is a man's dream. No menu, no ordering...simply flip your card to green and waiters start bringing you 15 different types of meat. Very Yummy!

Petting the Sharks!

Since our last trip to the zoo (just last week), Luke has been constantly asking to go back and pet the sharks. He was upset that I didn't "picture him" petting the sharks. With the mommy guilt setting in about going back to work, we headed back to the zoo this Monday. Our good friends, Kim, David, and Allie, came along. Jake decided to be the photographer for the day. He took more than 30 pics, most of which were pretty good. Thank God I have a zoo pass.

Allie, Jake, David and Luke


Jake "pictured" Luke petting the shark.

After the zoo, the kids had a very fun water balloon fight in the back yard.

Ready, Aim, Fire!

Nice Shot!

The odds were not in Allie's favor.

Family Cook Out

This afternoon we headed out to a park in Greenwood for a family cookout with my side. Food, Fun, Friends and Family...It was a beautiful day. It was great to see family that we don't get to see very often.

My mom and my Grandpa.

Papaw and Gracie blowing bubbles.

I don't think Ryan knew what Kaiden was up to.

It was great to have my cousin, Anna, in from Michigan.

Baby Jackson!

Lacy...bringing out her inner child.

Amanda and Jake playing baseball. (Jake later informed me that Amanda was a great ball player, especially for a girl!)

Our Party Crasher...This little girl showed up around our area after falling in the mud. She told us she was there by herself, but we later found her uncle. I think the uncle is going to have a little explaining to do.

Alden and our party crasher.

Fair Fun

One of our favorite summer events is the Johnson County Fair. Tuesday was Kiddie Day on Mid-Way. I was dreading it this year. Jake was finally tall enough this year to ride the "big" rides, but Luke is still a "little peanut". I knew I would be pulled in two different directions. Luckily, Chris took the day off to join in on the fun.

Luke on the motorcycle.

This was Jake's favorite ride and Daddy's least favorite. Of course they had to ride it multiple times.

Daddy and his Buddies.

This was the boys favorite. People stopped to watch how high Jake was going.

Luke was excited to be "just like Spider-man".

Enjoying the Weather

With the unusual mild July temperatures, the kids and I decided to take advantage and head to the zoo. We invited Gracie to join in on our fun. It was one the best days we have ever had at the zoo. It felt like we had the place to ourselves for the first two hours. Animals that are usually "lazy" were up and moving. Luke finally found the courage to pet a shark. I think it helped that there were only two other families around the tank. One shark came up out of the water and was eye level with Gracie...I thought she was going to be traumatized. Of course I didn't have my camera ready, but got some other great pictures.

Luke loved watching the Polar Bear.

Three baboons!

Gracie with her Jake and "Lukub"


Feeding the Giraffe.

Gracie didn't want the Giraffe to "lick" her.

Playing with the Puffins.

Our picnic lunch.

God is Good.

Jake and Luke had a "play over" with the neighbor Sunday while it was raining. We invited Ethan to stay and have dinner with us. While I was finishing up in the kitchen, I watched one the most precious moments. I listened as all three took turns thanking God...Jake thanked God for his friends (David andEthan) and all the animals, Luke thanked God for his birthday party (yes, it was 6 weeks ago), and Ethan thanked God for the food. I thank God for little boys...and for the fact that my camera was in the kitchen.

S'mores anyone?

We spent a very relaxing a peaceful weekend at the lake. Fishing, baseball, riding the four-wheeler, time at the state park all filled our weekend. Unfortunately, it was too cold to get the boats out. Fishing, baseball, riding the four-wheeler, time at the state park, spending time with family filled our weekend and, of course, S'MORES!

Papaw and Jake roasting the "mallows"
Mamaw and Luke enjoying their s'mores.

Jake... a sticky mess.

Jake making s'more number 5?!

Bowling Buddies

The boys have picked up a new skill this summer. BOWLING Grandma Gallagher takes her three grandkids whenever she gets the chance and they love it. I honestly had high hopes for Luke. He is the reigning champ of bowling on the Wii at home. 8 strikes in a row...Isn't it a little sad that I can't beat my four year old on a video game? Needless to say, when it comes to the real game...thank God for bumpers.

Jake, Grace, and Luke...Bowling Buddies!

Grandma helping Luke get ready.

Gracie's Turn!

Grandma with her favorite trio.

Mommy giving Jake a few tips.

Monkey Boy

I swear the kid is half monkey!

I see more broken bones and stitches in our future!

3-2-1- Blast Off!

Luke received a model rocket as a birthday gift. He has been begging his Daddy to put it together for him. The box said ages 12 and up, but it was more for like ages 30 and up. After Church on Sunday, we sent the rocket on its maiden voyage.

Daddy making sure everything was a go.
Mamaw and Papaw Gallagher were there to watch the show.

BLAST OFF!