Brooklyn's army crawl

Summer Vacation

Our first stop was to visit Erika, Montana, Kemp, and Morgan. We had so much fun. The kids are so funny together because they act like they have known each other forever even though they don't get to see each other often enough.

On the way to Chattanooga Richard got to show the kids where he goes hiking and a shelter on the Appalachian Trail.

In Chattanooga we went to the Aquarium, The Discovery Museum, and Ruby Falls. We had SOOO much fun and the kids were real troopers.

We then got to make a suprise trip to Aunt Amy's, Uncle Keith's, Autumn, and Noah's house. The kids had a blast!! Ashlyn and Clayton LOVE to play with their cousins and it was the perfect end to our vacation!!


I have the cutest video stuck in my phone :( Brooklyn will play peekaboo if she is holding a blanket in her hands. Hopefully I can get it out of my phone or catch it on the camera.

Baptism

July has been a great month. We started off the month with a Forth of July Gin Creek baptism. This was a very special time for our family because Ashlyn had recently accepted Christ into her heart during our family bible study and she was baptized at Gin Creek. This is a day that we have been praying for and there is no feeling to describe how as a parent you feel watching your child turn their life over to Christ. Here are some pictures:


Click to watch the video here

I will have to share that Clayton yelled "shark" while Ashlyn was in the water and then during the prayer he did a little yoga pose. I wish we had gotten evidence of this but alas no cameras were on him at the time. He is our special little man that keeps us on our toes :)
Come back in a few days and see our Hayesville, Chattanooga, Kennasaw vacation:)

More Summer Fun

Clayton - "mama daddy can ya'll go do something in the back"
Us - "why"
Clayton - "because me and Ashlyn want to sneak the M&M's in the playroom and we can't do it to you go back to the back"

We are continuing to have a lot of fun this summer. Brooklyn has taken to eating cereal like a champ!! The first time she did not get the concept of opening her mouth but after two feedings she is now opening her mouth and not spitting any out. We had camera ready in hand for the first feeding thinking that it would be a big mess with food everywhere (that is how the other two were) but that just didn't happen she was so good. Just the occasional 'What is this you are putting in my mouth' face.
watch it here

We got to stay a few days in Warner Robins to spend time with family. The kids enjoyed the visit and got to go to the airplane museum. And how did Aunt Jennie escaped all of the pictures (probably the same way I did, she was taking pictures).

On the ride home Brooklyn was upset at one point but then got quiet so I looked to find Ashlyn holding her hand. God has blessed me with 3 great kids!!!!

Clayton just finished T-ball. Which he enjoyed on most days :)

We can't forget the fort Richard built the kids in the living room that they slept in for a few nights.

Here are some cute random pictures :)

Summer Time

I LOVE SUMMER!!!! It is a time that I can spend with my family without work or school. We have had a great start to our summer. First Ashlyn spent a week with Aunt Lea and Uncle TJ and went to a Drama camp. She had A LOT of fun but I think they spoiled her just a little ;). Next we had our yearly "The Forest". It is called the "The Forest" because we use to go to a place in South Carolina with that name. We were unable to travel there the past few years so this year it was located at my mom's house. The whole family was able to come.

We had increased by four since last year three new baby addition (Jansen, Noah, and Brooklyn) and Mr. Paul.We enjoyed cooling off in the 'bathtub warm' pool :)

We enjoyed a day of fun at Wilder's World in Tifton

As always everyone enjoyed fishing!

Ashlyn caught a BIG one!!

Liam and Clayton went around blowing stuff and in this case Cayla up with the bike pump.

Here are a few cute picture:

Next on our summer list was going to Panama City Beach with Papa. Well me Ashlyn and Clayton. We went down to a very special birthday/adoption party for Lisha and Richard and their new addition Heather. We had loads of fun!!! The kids loved the beach!!

LOOK FOR MORE SUMMER FUN SOON!!

Facebook Pictures

Ok all you non-facebook people here is a link so you can look at some pictures I posted of the kids on facebook :)
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=186802&id=510037018&l=bd63ec638a

Best Mother's Day Gift

What could be the best Mother's Day gift you ask. Well maybe breakfast in bed...no it wasn't that. Maybe a day of pampering and relaxation? No I have three kids remember. Maybe some expensive jewelry...Richard probably would like it if I wore jewelry. Maybe a large bouquet of flowers...no I have allergies and they don't last long enough. The Mother's Day gift I received this week and today far out weighs anything anyone can buy or give me. I was blessed to be able to listen to the charge as we dedicated Brooklyn this morning. He talked about raising her in a Christian home until she comes to know Jesus. Then we got to see the result of this as Ashlyn walked the aisle to let everyone know she had asked Jesus into her heart. During our family devotion Tuesday night on Adam and Eve she began asking question after question about sin, Jesus, being a Christian, and heaven. She finally asked "Can I accept Him now?". She prayed a sweet and innocent prayer and then she wanted to shout it from the mountain tops. I wish we had the boldness and excitement she had to go and tell everyone. I think she told everyone she met. I must say this has been a GREAT Mother's Day!!