Happy Birthday Preston!

On June 13th, Preston turned 6 years old! We didn't have the usual big birthday bash this year, a lot of family was unavailable, so he said he just wanted to go to Chuck E. Cheese. So on his birthday we went to Chuck E. Cheese, he went to Toys R Us to spend some birthday money, went to lunch at Red Lobster (it's his and Gavin's favorite restaurant because of the lobster tank, we could have saved a lot of money and just went to Walmart) and had cake and ice cream that night. He said this is what he wanted to do, but sadly I think he was a little disappointed. He missed having everyone there and a big pile of presents. He probably got more gifts this year, but they were spread out over the week, so he felt like he didn't get many. I guess we won't be doing the low key birthday thing again! It makes me sad that he is getting so old, I am so happy to have him as my little boy!
Here are some pictures of Preston on his last birthdays:
5 years old

4 years old

3 years old

2 years old

1 year old

In the hospital

Happy 4th of July!

On Friday July 3rd we walked to the lake to watch the fireworks that Nashville Shores puts on. It has been a long time since we have watched fireworks, and I wanted to make sure that our boys got to see them this year. It only takes about 5 minutes to walk to the lake through the woods, and we had a perfect spot to see the fireworks across the lake. Preston and Gavin LOVED the fireworks! They were sad when they were over.


I looked at the woods, and walking out is Sasha, no one was surprised to see her!

Only July 4th we went to Patrick's parents to hang out and swim, and later we grilled out some really good steaks at our house. We were really glad that we watched the fireworks the night before, because at around 8:00, we were under a tornado watch and it rained for a long time!

Sasha's greatest hunt

I thought Sasha had hunted and brought us everything possible until this morning. From the picture it's hard to tell, but that is her hunting a deer. We were all watching the deer this morning, when we see Sasha start creeping up to the fence. She went under the fence, and got into crouching position. When the deer walked away, she followed it all the way into the woods. I wonder how she will bring that one home to us!

Best Photo Ever!

I just love Gavin- He is such a sweet, funny boy! He and Chuck E. Cheese have the same expression- I thought this picture was hilarious.

Making Strawberry Jam

Earlier in the summer, we went and picked strawberries with my mom, and then later we made lots of strawberry freezer jam. We had so many strawberries, we just kept making more. My freezer is full! The boys helped me finish up the last batches one morning. I have been eating it on everything!

The best toys in the world!

Yesterday I took the boys to pick strawberries with my mom, and later to make jam. While we were there she asked me if I wanted some disposable plastic cups, and I took them because I thought they would be good for the boys to have snacks in and stuff. I put them with my stuff, and a little while later I heard Preston and Gavin arguing. I went to see what the problem was, and they were fighting over the cups and who had more. I divided them up, and they played with those cups all afternoon, and are still playing with them today! They have built towers, gone bowling, worn them as "wooden shoes", yelled in them to make funny sounds, put things in them and more. I never would have thought of giving them a stack of plastic cups to play with. My mom also got a package while we were there, and another great toy was discovered. Bubble Wrap. I don't know how they are still popping them, but every now and then I hear a few more pops! So thank you to my mother for giving them such amazing toys yesterday! And if your kids are already claiming they are bored, give them a stack of cups!

I just had to show Preston's spring picture from school. I wasn't planning on getting any, since I have so many from the fall and he really doesn't look any different, but he looked so cute I couldn't pass them up! He only has a few days left until he is out for summer. I am getting scared of having them both home together again. I need some help coming up with things to do so we don't go crazy here! I have already told them that they are going to start having chores and that they don't get to do fun stuff unless they get them done. We'll see how that goes!! Anyone have any tips of what to do when the kids are out of school?