Summer is close!

We woke up this morning to a hot air balloon flying over the neighborhood. Walker was so excited. He can hardly wait until The Great East Texas Balloon Race is here this summer. Last year they had to cancel it due to too much rain. Too much rain...crazy to think that one could think that!

 

When daddy got home from work we took the kids to the front yard so they could ride their bikes and scooters. It was a beautiful day and evening. I was able to walk with Jessi. We've been walking 3.7 miles (to be exact) about 4 or 5 times a week. I've really enjoyed adult time! It was very needed.

 

Alli stealing kisses! Griffin not sure he wanted any kisses!

 

Isn't this how you sleep?

When I went to check on Griffin before I went to bed this is how I found him. He cracks me up how he sleeps all over that bed and he usually has his face buried in the bumper. He likes his face hidden.

 

It's so funny how he has his feet all propped up. Silly boy!

 

And look at that paci.

 

Alli's anything but uneventful weekend!

Episode 1: The Softball Game. That girl of ours...where do we begin? She had a softball game on Friday night. Obviously she was confused and thought that softball was a cross between dodgeball and kickball. The batter hits the ball, Alli gets the ball and throws it as the runner is running from first to second base. As she is throwing the ball I think to myself, "Wow, she sure is sure of herself this time!" Normally she is very eager to hand the ball off. But this time she just picked it up and threw it with confidence. Then I think to myself, "That looks like it is going straight to the runner!" And yes, that is exactly what happened. She pegged the runner in the side of the head. That poor little girl swayed from side to side as she rounded 2nd base and to third and then straight to the dug out. Alli had this shocked look on her face. Everyone watching gasped and then dead silence. The little girl shook it off and went back to second base. I thought Alli was "shocked" because she accidently hit the little girl. Come to find out, I think she was shocked because she thought she had gotten her out and was shocked she got an out. She told my mom later that evening she wasn't aiming for her head. Did she really think we would have let her play a sport that the other team could throw a hard ball at her? Well, it is called SOFTball.


Episode 2: The Trail Ride. This one is a lesson in Pop's (my dad) babysitting skills. Alli spent the weekend in Diana with my parents after the game on Friday. She spent most of the time riding her horse. My mom had to go to a cemetery meeting, and she left Alli there with Pop. Alli wanted to ride her horse outside the pasture, and Pop agreed as long as she did not get in his garden. Alli then asked if she could ride up to my Uncle Jeff's house nextdoor. Pop agreed and then went inside (the house or the shop, not sure which one). An hour later when my mom got hom, she asked my dad where Alli is. Pop says, "She rode up to Jeff's on her horse." Mom then high-tailed it to Jeff's as she got there, Aunt Whitney came out and informed her that Granny was on the phone and that Alli was at Mrs. Rice's house, about 1/2 mile away by road. Come to find out, Alli rode her horse behind Jeff's house and into the woods. When she got ready to turn around, Ginger had another plan. After riding through the woods for somewhere around 2 miles, unable to turn the horse around, she had to get off the horse and start walking because the saddle slid too far off to the side for her to stay on the horse. Keep in mind that she was wearing boots that are too small for her. She then took Ginger by the reigns and walked about mile or so out of the woods, onto the road and around to Mrs. Rice's where, boo-hooing, she said, "I need to borrow a phone." Mrs. Rice asked who she needed to call and Alli said Donny or Mary. For those of you who don't know, Mrs. Rice is legally blind, and said she wasn't sure what was going on but that she could tell there was a little girl and big horse at her house looking for help. Mrs. Rice called Granny, and Granny called Whitney because no one could reach mom and dad. Mom and dad got the message and went to pick her up. Alli was still crying, and mom joined in while dad rode the horse back home. Alli learned a lesson about wandering off. Everyone else learned a lesson about Pop's babysitting skills.

All in all, an eventful weekend for an 8-year old little girl.

I've told you about his angry eyes...

Well, here they are! One of the dad's on the team is a photographer. He has been taking pictures at the game. And gave us the CD last night. I am so excited to have these shots. Walker is so intense! He absolutely loves playing baseball!

 

 

 

 

He is safe!

 

Prayer

This was their prayer before the game. I had to post it. It is absolutely precious to me. Look at that sweet boy.


 

10 Months Old

Oh my goodness, where does the time go? It seems like just yesterday that I was at the doctors office listening to my doctor tell me that I was "in labor"! So excited to be "in labor" 10 days before my due date. For those of you who don't know me, my other 2 babies didn't come early. Alli was a week late and they had to drag her out and Walker only came a week early because I had a planned c-section.

At 10 months Griffin is busy, busy! He isn't walking yet but is taking steps. He has stood up in the middle of the room and will get his balance. He definitely understands the word "no" and his name. He absolutely LOVES his big sister and big brother! When he wakes up from his nap or nighttime he looks at the door expecting them to be waiting for him. And when they are not there he points and leans towards the living room. And when they are at the door he gets so excited and kicks those little chunky legs! They have taught him to shake his head from side to side. They just laugh at him and he shakes it more.

What Griffin likes at this age:

He loves any kind of ball. And he can throw any kind of ball. He can play for a long time just throwing and chasing a ball.


He LOVES to be outside. He loves holding grass or in this picture bark from our flower beds. Of course it all goes to his mouth! But he loves exploring these things.


He loves playing with the kids big lego blocks. Walker will build a tower and Griffin will try to knock it down. (Walker has started to protest this, but hasn't won yet.)


Again, he loves any ball and here he has Walker's Texas Ranger bat. He loves to swing it to the best of his ability.


Here he is with one of his favorite people. I don't know what he is going to do in Aug when he starts to school! It'll be a sad day for both of us!


He has 2 of these push toys. We keep one inside and the other outside. He loves being able to walk around. He has started getting frustrated when it gets stuck. But I've also noticed he is able to manuver it better. Notice he is watching the big kids thinking..."Soon, very soon I will be hot on your heels!"


Again, he is inspecting the grass!


As of right now he will eat anything. He loves bananas. When he sees one he starts grunting for it. He loves his bottle which might be a problem in a few months! He is a great napper. He still will take 3 naps a day if our day allows it! He loves the bath. If he has a chance to get past me and into the bathroom he is at the tub, usually with the cold water going. He started on Sunday sucking from a straw! This was very exciting! And as for right now he has 4 teeth, but many look like they are about to break thru. He only says "that" and "mama". And he only says "mama" when he is upset and wants you to pick him up.

So our baby is growing up, way to fast. I'd love it if they would all just stay at the age they are. But that's not how life goes. Instead, we get to try our best at growing healthy, happy children. Leading them to become wonderfully caring adults who love the Lord. It might be the hardest job in the world. But I will be loving every minute of it, even the days that I don't think I can hear another "Hey Mama...."

Can we say SASSY

These were the ones I took that are sooooo Alli. She cracks me up! Anyway, enjoy! She is a joy to be around.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alli's turn!

 

 

 

 

Picasa.com

I thought this was fun. For those of you who don't know about this website it is free and easy.

 

Griffin's photo session!

Ok, so I got carried away. But who would have thought a $3.00 bolt of black fabric from Wal-Mart could be so exciting! I "practiced" on Walker first, just to see if it was going to work. Then when little man woke up from his nap I was able to get Griffin's photo shoot going. Considering I don't have a clue what I am doing I was very proud of the way they turned out. I posted a ton of pictures so please go to the "old post" to see all of Griff's and Walkers. I plan on taking some of Alli tomorrow. Please post which are your favorites. I hope to have some enlarged for my walls.

 

Do you like it better black and white?

 

I love those big blue eyes!

 

Look at me standing!

 

Something is funny!

I wished this one was clear. His little expression is so precious!