50th Lake Greeson trip

Ok, so it's not MY 50th anniversary for going camping at Lake Greeson, but it's my family's (mom's side of the family). My grandparents started taking their kids to this beautiful lake and I love it! But it's definitely different since having kids of my own....a lot more work!! At least we we were able to stay in my parents RV with air conditioning, a shower, and a bathroom.

Lance was able to stay for about 4 days and got to see the fireworks from our houseboat. The kids and I stayed an additional 6 days for a grand total of 10 days camping with a 3 yr old and a 1 yr old!! And not to mention that Kennedy had an ear infection the entire time so sleeping with her every night was not fun! I am just glad the weather was very pleasant and I was able to spend some quality time with my family. I was even able to get some rounds of skiing in! It seems like every summer I am either pregnant or nursing a baby (too tired to do anything).

The highlights of our trip were the fireworks on the 4th, campfire talent show, swimming, jumping off rocks, and tubing/skiing. Also, Kennedy learned to say my dad's name "Papa Penny" (papa Kenny) and it was too cute. Her vocabulary has really gone to a different level these past two weeks. Landon was in heaven with all the rocks to throw in the water and playing with all of his cousins.

Here are some pics!

Kennedy with her first pigtails

So glad they both love the water and tubing!

enjoying a gorgeous sunset!

This was the first time that both my brothers and their 'significants' and kids were all here at one time!! It seems like someone is missing every year or not there at the same time

waiting for the fireworks

My dad and Landon on their 3rd annual bike adventure

Peach parade and more

Last weekend we enjoyed going to the Peach Festival parade and survived the summer heat. The kids had a blast seeing their friends, catching candy, and watching the parade. Both filled their bags up with candy and believe it or not, a week has gone by and neither one of them have asked for it since!!! I can't believe it!

K and her buddy Anna cooling off after the parade in the AXO house

Here comes the parade!!

Had a nice firm grip on the loot!

I finally got a two wheel bike for Landon to ride and last night we busted it out! I have to say that I am quite proud of my little man riding without training wheels. I know a few months ago that i posted a video of him riding, but this is the first time he has done it since then (bad momma for not getting him one sooner!)

We have really taken it easy this week. We have had a slight break from the 100 degree heat and have been able to play outside without a swimming pool! Every morning this week, the kids have been taking swimming lessons. But the afternoons were spent at the house and not going every where.

Kennedy cried the entire 30 minutes the first morning because she wanted me to be in the water with her. So, the next four days I decided to leave in my car and not watch and that helped a ton!

By day two, Landon was jumping off the diving board and swim to the ladder. He has conquered his fear of deep water and realized he swim over it. It was good week for him and worth it. Especially learning to float on his back.

Kennedy can hold her breath for a long time and it still amazes me. She has learned to kick herself up to the surface of the water, but can't get her head above water. She didn't have much success with floating on her back, but at least she listened and tried! Here is a video of her going off the diving board and swimming, sort of. ;)

We leave this afternoon for our annual trip to Lake Greeson in Arkansas. Would should be there for about a week. Let's hope the weather isn't too hot for camping!!

swim, swim, and more swim!

This week we have gone swimming at least once a day, if not twice a day. The kids are loving it and it's a great way to stay cool in this VERY WARM weather! We did have a few play dates thrown in there, but of course, it involved water! One afternoon, Suzanne and her kids came over to play on the waterslide...here are some pics.

Landry and kennedy playing in the sandbox

The Tyler kids with Landon and kennedy (we had to bribe them for a group shot!)

Soap Suds fight!!!

Sweet Jake

Lance left on Thursday to attend some meetings in San Francisco and then got to go to Pebble Beach for the US Open. He comes back tomorrow, but unfortunately, the kids and I will be in Shreveport for an entire week. I am conducting a basketball camp at St Marks and my parents are going to help with the kids. I hate that we won't get a chance to see Lance on Father's Day! :(

This morning, I took the kids to pick blueberries and Landon LOVED it! Kennedy, not so much. I am not sure if she was feeling too great and all she wanted is for me to hold her. After that we hit the Ruston Farmers market in search for some peaches. I have been trying to get over to Mitcham's peach orchard all week but never made it. I just hope they have some after next weekend's peach festival!

Kennedy picking blueberries

Landon was so proud of all the blueberries he picked!

And here is a short video of Kennedy jumping off the diving board this morning

June beach trip

We had a short stay in Ruston before we headed back to the condo in orange beach. We are really trying to get in as much time there before the oil gets bad or gets too warm. But before heading south again, we had lots of time at the Squire Creek pool and some playdates at the house. I have really enjoyed spending time and getting to know Nancy Hunt and her kids. Her and Katie Clark have come over several times and I just love them! Here is a picture of that crew taking a water break...

This week long trip to the beach was fun and eventful. My good friend that lives in Birmingham came down with her two kids, Jack (3) and Claire (2). They stayed there until Lance and my family made it down on Thursday. The oil hadn't arrived at our beach, but it did finally hit for the first time while we were down there. It was a very sad and surreal moment. Everyone would stand at the shore and watch it roll in. But, fortunately, it only kept us out of the water for only a day and a half. And by then, we were ready for a change of scenery. So, we filled those days with going to the zoo, tennis and going to the Track. And by then, the oil had been cleared up and we were back in the water!

We did, however, take two trips to urgent care. The first trip was for Landon. Apparently the meds for his ear infection wasn't working and he started running fever and asking to lay on the couch (not like him at all!). So, i was glad I took him in to get that changed. And since we were already there, I had the doctor look at my shoulder. Apparently I tweaked my rotator cuff and it flared up. She gave me some meds and it cleared up fast!

The second trip to the urgent care was for Kennedy. She too, had a double ear infection before we left, but she was on the Augmentin, the strongest antibiotic. She started running fever as well, and crying that her ear hurt. So, back we went. The doc really couldn't find much wrong with her besides her ear being a little red. She is still complaining about her ear today, but I will give it some more time before taking her back. At least the fever has stopped...just wish the crankiness would too! I have a sneaky feeling that she might be cutting two year molars, but I am having a hard time looking/feeling in there!

Kennedy has really gotten into coloring and i am loving it. She finally quit eating them (most of the time)! She is also into stickers as well. Those have been her favorite past times. Landon has gotten into the super hero phase. He has several capes now and he pretends to be superman and batman. I welcome the change from the pirate/sword fighting phase!

I was very glad that my little brother, Kip, April (kip's girlfriend), and my mom were able to spend some down time with us at the condo. I think everyone was able to relax and enjoy the beautiful weather we had all week. Here are some pics from our June beach trip:

The famous Souvenir Store in Gulf Shores. i think i might try and get this same picture each time we go back!

landon "flying" on the swing at the Track

My friend, Jenny, and her kids while we were at the zoo

My lil swimmer

Oil coming in for the first time. This is as bad as it got on our beach, thank goodness!

I'm surprised I got lance to smile...I drive him nuts always wanting to take pictures!

Memorial day weekend

I got to spend most of my weekend in Shreveport on Memorial Day weekend. My high school was having a decade reunion that included a reunion basketball game on Saturday. So, my old high school teammates decided to make a weekend out of it and play in the game. It was wonderful seeing everyone again and I especially enjoyed playing in the basketball game (even though no one took it seriously, thank goodness!!). I do believe that my teammates and I still have it!

Friday night dinner with our former coach at Byrd

Right after the game (our team won!)

On Sunday, I was able to spend time at my parents house since both of my brothers were in town. I thought it was a very appropriate occasion to hang out with them and celebrate all of the armed forces that put their heart and souls into protecting our country. We took a little house boat ride on the lake and went for a little swim! I think my mom really enjoyed spending some quality time with her kids!

Fun in the sun!

The kids and I spent ten days at the condo and enjoyed having Lance there for seven of those days!! This was the first week long vacation that he has taken since our honeymoon and I know Lance loved every minute of it! We were fortunate enough to have two wonderful young ladies join us for most of the trip and they made our trip relaxing and special. One was our former babysitter, Lindsey McDaniel, and she brought a sweet friend of hers to accompany her. It was really great to have extra hands with the kids and around the condo!! And the kids still ask about them!!

We were fortune enough to have the Clark family join us for a long weekend as well. We always enjoy each others company and so do our kids! On that Sunday, Lance, the sitters, and the Clarks had to go back and left me and kids behind. But we weren't alone for too long before my parents were able to come down that night. We were able to spend some time with them the next two days.

Our trip ended with my parents dropping me off in New Orleans with Lance so we could be with his sister, Leslea. She had a rough two weeks with her appendix rupturing and having to deliver her son, Thomas Hudson, ten weeks early. It didn't look good for both of them early, but they are recovering and doing well. Hudson has a long road ahead of him, but he is in great hands at the Oshner (sp?) Hospital in New Orleans. Please continue to keep him in your prayers as he recovers in the NICU those next 7-9 weeks.

here are some pictures from the last two weeks!

Landon getting airborne on the slide

first family pic on the beach. The water was absolutely gorgeous!!

Lindsey and katie with the kids

K, L, and Cullen having a capri sun break. The only time i can get them all together!

Here is a video of Kennedy jumping into pool. I was really surprised at how fast she caught onto using the floaties. This is gonna be a great summer!

Middle of May madness

There are so many times during the day that i remind myself how blessed I am! I love the stages that kids are in right now...I am soaking it all up!

first, I am so blessed to have a wonderful hubby to let me take a long weekend mother's day trip to the beach with some very special friends. Also, a big thanks goes to my parents who also did a lot of work to make that happen. But i think they may have had more fun than the kids with the circus and all the fishing that they did!

Mother's Day 2010 Beach trip

Thursday was the last day of Mother's day out at Temple and it's hard to believe that another year has flown by. We were so blessed to have both our kids with such wonderful teachers. We aren't sending them this summer because we will be out of town so much and it wouldn't be worth it. Lance thinks i am crazy not to, but I plan on getting some help throughout the summer.

Kennedy's teachers: Mrs. Edna and Mrs. Rahel...such sweet ladies that kept landon when he was a baby too!

Mrs. Sarah, preschool 3 yr old

We have spent most of our time outside with the perfect weather we are having (and before it gets too hot). The kids are loving it and so am I. We leave in two days to take a long family vacation at our condo. It's going to be the best trip of the summer that we make down there...not too crowded, not too hot yet (i hope), lance will be there, and we will have sitters with us along with close friends who will be down in the area. Lance is really excited about getting away!

Some pics of the kiddos..