My Brother is Engaged

We had a very excited weekend! After four years of dating, on Friday night, my brother asked Jessica to marry him! We are so happy she will officially be joining our family. She is precious and just perfect for my brother! We love her so much! It's funny how things turn out because Jessica's cousin, Emily, is one of my good friends that I went to school with at Shiloh while growing up.

After a nice dinner in North Little Rock, Rick told Jessica that he had to pick up something at my Aunt's house. When they went around back she heard music playing and this is what she saw....

This was half of the screened in porch...the other half she found these.

She was so shocked and of course there were happy tears! She also had another surprise. Jessica's family had planned an engagement party a couple of neighborhoods down the street. So Rick brought her over there after they left my Aunt's house. She thought only her Mom and Dad would be there. Here is a picture of people starting to arrive at the party and waiting on Rick and Jessica to show up to surprise them. It was held at Jessica's Uncle's house around the pool.

Peyton and I with Lexy, Jessica's best friend. We couldn't wait till they got to the party! Peyton was my date that night. Josh had a football tournament at the U of A and Parker stayed with my Brother in law and Sister in law back in Rogers.

Here's the cake. It was so good.

One of the beautiful tables.

Here are Rick and Jessica when they first arrived at the party. She was so shocked to see everyone there to celebrate! It was perfect.

Jessica walking down the stairs to see her Mom. I love this picture!

The happy couple!

I made Rick take this goofy picture with his "engaged" cup. =)

Jessica's BEAUTIFUL ring!

Peyton with his buddy Uncle Rick. (I'm not sure why this pic is so small)

This is our family with Jessica's parents and her sister, Lauren. It was almost 11:00 at night and Peyton was not in the mood for pictures by this point.

Congrats Rick and Jessica! We love you both so much! Can't wait for your wedding next summer!

Florida Pictures

We are back from our Destin vacation! This year we spent one week with my family on the beach and the following week with Josh's family. We were so blessed to spend that time away with our families. Our boys loved every minute and had so much fun playing while getting spoiled by the grandparents for nearly two weeks. Peyton is already asking to go back. We are glad to be back in town but still missing the beach.

Enjoy the pictures below...there are a lot of them! Also, check out Meredith's blog for more about our trip. She does a great job telling the story about us getting stuck in an elevator while at a friend's house in Seaside! We were freaking out!!

Jessica, Peyton, Josh, Parker, Kate and my brother, Rick.

The four of us with my parents, Rick and his girlfriend, Jessica.

Uncle Rick and the boys.

Sweet brothers.

Running from the waves.

My love.

Cousin Reese and the boys.

Dinner with Josh's family. Meredith's sister watched the kids that night.

Kids and Meredith's sister, Abby.

4th of July on the beach.

The boys, Reese and GiGi watching the fireworks from our balcony.

Here's a picture from our beach trip last year. A year can make a huge difference! Peyton was going through the terrible two's and Parker hated the sand at the time! It was still fun but a lot of hard work. Needless to say, this year it was much easier keeping everyone happy.

Swim Ranch

Last week Peyton and Parker took swim lessons with Ms. Virgina at the Swim Ranch. Peyton loved every minute and did so good! It took Parker a couple of days to decide if he was going to like the water or not. By Wednesday, he was loving it just like his Bubba. Peyton's class was at 9am and Parker's was at 10am. So my Mom or Jeana would come and sit with whoever was out of the pool. A BIG thanks to Nana and Gigi! Here are the pictures of the boys swimming.

The boys loved Ms. Virgina! She also taught me to swim when I was a child at the Swim Ranch. I'm glad my boys didn't take after me because Mom says I just screamed the whole time during my lessons.

Peyton and Mommy ready for class to begin.

Relaxing on his back.

Dog paddling across the pool (30 feet!) with Ms. Leni.

Bubba was waiting on the other side to give Peyton a big high five!

Parker's turn for his class.

Swimming to Ms. Virgina.

Learning to float on his back.

His favorite part was toy time at the end of each lesson.

The boys were so excited to get their certificate (Peyton says "award") at the end of the week. Parker was tucking it under his arm because he thought someone was going to take it. He is all about the word "MINE!" Can't wait for next year!

Loving His Bike

Last week we let Peyton pick out his first real bike at Walmart and of course he chose the Spiderman one.  It took a a few days to figure it all out.  But yesterday, he took things to a new level and he is racing all over our neighborhood now.  We're so proud of you, Peyton!

Waiting for Bubba to catch up on his tricycle.

Ms. Avery Elisabeth

Our good friends, Ashley and Chad, welcomed their little baby girl into the world this morning.  Ash and I met in 6th grade and she was one of my best friends growing up.  Check out Ashley's blog, here, for more pictures of precious Avery.  And while you're there, scroll down to see pictures of her nursery.  This little Diva has such a fun room!  

Congrats Chad and Ashley!  Can't wait to watch our kiddos grow up together.

Fun in May

I can't believe it is already June!  I guess it's true, time flies when you're having fun.  Peyton will turn four in three months and Parker is a few days shy of being 22 months old.  I'm not ready to be a Mom to a 4 and 2 year old yet.  They are growing up too fast!  Here are some random pictures from the month of May.

Peyton made this flower pot at KDO for my Mother's Day present.  He was so excited when the flower began to bloom.

 Boys at Shiloh's spring football practice watching Daddy coach.  Their favorite part was the popsicles after the practices.

This year Daddy let Peyton come to Shiloh's youth football camp a couple years early.  He loved being around the older kids and felt so big.

Parker going on an early morning walk with Mommy.

Grandaddy and Peyton fishing at their pond.

Parker trying out his new mower.

Animals came to visit the last day of KDO.  I can't believe this was his last year at KDO and he will be starting K4 at Shiloh this fall.

Here's Parker with the shirt he made his last day of KDO.

Parker refueling with water from Poppy, while swimming at the pool.

I'll be dragging this pool out when I'm too lazy to take them to the neighborhood pool.  

We are excited June is here and it won't be long till we'll be on the beach very soon!

Memorial Day

We went to a cookout last night at my parents house for Memorial Day.  My grandparents, Rick (my brother), Nick (Josh's brother) and his family all joined us over there for Dad's smoked BBQ and to swim in their pool.  Enjoy the pictures below.

Parker and cousin Reese on the pool steps

Peyton trying to drink the water-gross!

I love this smile!

This made me a little nervous but Parker's not scared of anything!

Reese loved this swing.  This was the same swing I used when I was a child.

Meredith and I enjoying strawberries shortcake with our feet in the hot tub.

Rick and Josh

Uncle Nick, Josh and the boys.

My Mom and I

The boys with my Grandparents. 

The boys with my Dad.  They love their Grandaddy!