My Aunts Bday

My mom decided on a whim to cook for my Aunt Pam's birthday. We had lots of good food and fun, and we got to see sweet baby Jake. (oh, and Russ and Audrey too)

What a big pretty smile he has

Helping granddaddy

Showing Jake how to work the exersaucer

Love those blue eyes! Which reminds me, where did my brown-eyed boy come from? I love them too though!

Much better than the last attempt of a picture of the two of them....

Daddy and his sweet boy

The sweet Bullard Family

The Hays Fam

It would have also been my Granny's birthday. I truely hate that she was never able to see these two boys. I know she would be so very proud of them. Words can't describe how much I miss her and wish she could be here to see Bishop and Jake grow up together. She probably would think it is pretty funny that Russ has a baby boy who looks just like him with RED hair, and how I have a curly haired boy with hair just like hers!

Picking Blueberries

A few weeks ago now, we picked blueberries at Uncle Steve's and Aunt Kathy's. This should probably be 2 or even 3 separate posts, but I made it one..one LONG post.

Since the baby horses were born that week, we first took a ride out to the pasture to see the "was ees".

Still trying to decide if he wanted to pet him or not.

After playing with the horses, we went inside for a little break and to ride other "horses"

Then it was time to pick some blueberries....

Or just stand and look cute instead....

We had so much fun that we went back again this past weekend and got more.....

Picking blueberries is serious business to some people.

But, not so much to others

And, some people just like to pick the blueberries and eat them right off of the bush. Along with a little grass.

 

Now, what to do with all of these blueberries?!!?

Blueberry lemonade

Blueberry crisp with homemade vanilla ice cream

And these delicious muffins. I added vanilla and a little brown sugar on top.  They are SO good! I wonder if it is from the expired yogurt or expired cake flour that made them so good?

Whew...I said it was LONG, right?

One More

One more beach post and then I'll stop. I just love the beach and so does Bishop!

He loved the sand......

And, the water...

And, the ride back....

What is not to love??

Fathers Day

We were still at Mandy and Nate's on Father's Day, and we had a late lunch at a delicious restaurant....Shipp's Harbour Grill. I can't wait to go back!

Bishop enjoyed it, and loved playing outside and looking at the "boooooaa...ttttt". He finally got the "t" at the end instead of the "boap".

Then we came home, napped, hung out with the Smith's and blew bubbles on their back porch.

And walked down to the pier where I could stay forever and watched the sun set.

This pic just makes me laugh..

 I guess we were amazed at this bird.

I hope Leon enjoyed his Father's Day! (I'm pretty sure he did!) His boy sure loves him and he is the best daddy in the world!

 

14 months

Almost 3 weeks ago, my baby turned 14 months. I don't have the energy to give a full  "what he is doing at 14 months" post, but maybe I can do that next week...for his 15 month post! Although he will always be my baby, he is now 100% toddler.  He is into everything, throws fits at the word no, and tries to be Mr. Independent. He talks non-stop and I'm pretty sure he is bilingual. He speaks Japanese well. English, not so much. He can repeat just about anything you want him to. He loves trucks and boats (and can say them both really well).  He would stay outside ALL THE TIME if I would let him. The 100 degree heat does not stop him.  He still loves to read...I can never read enough, he whines for more books every night.

He has been staying at my cousin's (babysitter) 2-3 days a week since Gerald's accident and he is doing great. I had a hard time at first, but they say he acts like he has alway been there...never cries or anything. It is ME that does the crying! It helps that I know he is having a great time...and being well taken care of (even though I would give anything to be home with him more!!).

He is so much fun, and his little personality makes my heart melt. He changes so much every day.

I could go on and on and on about all the little things he is doing lately, but it would take all night! I'll do better next month (for myself...I'm sure no one else cares!)

Memorial Day

Yes, Memorial Day, not Independence Day-the holiday we just had, but Memorial Day. I'm a little behind as usual.

Our Memorial Day weekend did not go as planned. A little thing called life got in the way.

After a freak accident, Gerald had to undergo surgery 4 times in one week. Hopefully he is on the road to recovery now. (even though it is not going to be an easy one!)

We ended up spending our Memorial weekend at the hospital, by the pool, and cleaning out the garage/basement. It wasn't the fun-on-the-lake weekend we had been looking forward to, but we made the most of it.

Eating and "coloring" at Red Lobster with Papoo

Pushing hospital bed buttons.

My mom got Bishop one of those blue plastic pools to play in at her house. Months later, when she got it out to fill it up, she reallized there were TWO pools stuck together like paper plates. So, we got a pool at our house too!

And, he loves it as you can tell!

I'm embarrassed to even show the next "before" picture of our basement/garage. It is insane and gross.  Hopefully, one day soon I will be able to post an "after" photo. It does look MUCH better. We threw away a bunch of junk, powerwashed the whole room, painted walls and floors, bought shelving, and organzied as best we could.

Please don't judge me.

During the re-do......

Finished product photo to come soon....

Beach Photoshoot